Assault (Red vs Blue)

38: A Great Many Things

38: A Great Many Things

Many Years Ago: The Mother of Invention (Primary freelancer facility/aircraft)

When the Pelican landed in the hangar of the Mother of Invention, there was a tangible sense of relief. As the ship's bay door opened, the team was greeted by two medical teams. The smaller of the teams took Wyoming and escorted him to the E.R. — his injuries were bad, but he'd stayed conscious for the entire flight and complained the whole time about how much pain he was in. The older freelancer's continuous griping had made York want to punch him in the mouth.

Being taken by the second, larger team was Maine. During their attempt to retrieve the briefcase Team B was supposed to have gotten, he'd been shot multiple times in the throat as well as stabbed. No one was sure he was even still alive by the time they touched down. Regardless, the medical team took him and rushed off toward the O.R. Not that York was close with Maine in any capacity — the other agent was a man of very few words and didn't exactly make an effort to socialize — but he still hoped his teammate would pull through. Close or not, when people were on a team, no one wanted to see anyone die.

Then there was Carolina. She'd been silently fuming for the entire duration of the flight. Agent Texas had been sent in as a form of clean up crew, and she'd stolen the spotlight from Carolina by being the one to actually apprehend the objective. Not to mention Maine had been severely injured while fighting with her. York could tell the cyan clad soldier was blaming herself for both the botched mission and their teammate's life threatening injuries. He'd spent almost half the flight trying to tell her that she'd done everything possible and that nothing that'd happened was her fault, but she didn't want to hear it. After the fourth time of her telling him to shut up, he let the converation drop.

When the team stepped out of the Pelican, they were immediately greeted by the Counselor. The man just looked at the group of soldiers indifferently, his tablet in hand. "The Director is waiting for you all on the Bridge. He's been updated on both Agent Wyoming and Agent Maine's injuries. However, he'd like to debrief the rest of you on the mission sooner rather than later."

Carolina snorted. "And let me guess — Agent Texas doesn't have to attend the briefing with us? Even though she just happened to show up during the mission?"

"Due to being sent in as backup, Agent Texas will be briefed separately," the Counselor said. "Now, I would highly suggest you all get going. The Director is already not particularly happy, and keeping him waiting will only make his mood worse."

"When is he ever not in a bad mood?" York whispered to Washington, who choked back a laugh.

"Is there something funny you'd like to share with the rest of us, agents?" the Counselor asked, arching an eyebrow at the two men.

York shook his head. "No, sir. Nothing at all."

The other man simply gave him a slightly disapproving look. "Please make your way to the Bridge, agents. I will not ask again."

"Yes, sir," everyone said in unison.

The agents left the hangar and hastily made their way toward the Bridge. As they made their way through the halls of the vessel, York could feel the stares of the other personnel they passed. It was especially bad when they passed other agents — particularly Squad Two, considering they'd helped train their rookies just a few months prior. There was no doubt that the news of Squad One's botched mission had spread like wildfire. Michigan would no doubt take the opportunity to rub in the failure; the thought made York groan internally.

When the team reached the Bridge, they found the Director waiting for them expectantly. Normally, when they approached their boss, the freelancers were greeted by his back. This time, however, the Director stood facing the entrance with his hands clasped behind his back — his expression was a cross of disappointment and rage. The agents rushed into position and stood at attention; every single one of them mentally bracing themselves for the lecture they were about to recieve.