FR3CK13S

Chapter 9: Mind Bussiness

[Translation]

Freckles speaking

O'Malley talking

'Thoughts'

*Sound effects*

"Where are we?" Church asked. While he has possessed people before, this was the first time he looked into someone's mind. It was a little disorienting.

"We're inside Caboose's mind. Now we just have to find O'Malley and kill him." Tex explained to Church as she looked around, trying to spot O'Malley.

"Man, this is kinda weird," Church muttered to himself.

"It's hard to get used to, I know," Tex says reassuringly.

"No, it's not that. It's just that this place is a whole lot bigger than I thought it was gonna be." Church said as he looked around. When Church entered Caboose's mind, he wasn't sure what he was expecting. Maybe a control like Inside Out, or a field like in shows. From the look of things, it was just an enclosed structure with various buildings and all ways. There was even a statue of Freckles in the distance. 'Weirdo.'

"Where should we start, Tex?" Church asked, not wanting to stay in Caboose's head any longer than needed. However, Tex didn't respond.

"Tex?" Church turns to see Tex staring in the distance at something. "Tex!"

"Huh, what is it?" She asked.

"I said where should we start looking?" Church said in annoyance.

"Right. Just keep your eyes peeled. I guarantee O'Malley will come looking for us." Tex said a turquoise armored soldier appeared behind her.

"Hey, Tucker! Is that you?" Church asked in surprise.

"No. What're you? Stupid? Oh, wait. Yes, I am me. I guess I'm stupid." The aquamarine soldier said in realization.

"What're you doing in here? You're supposed to be out there working on your part of the plan!" Church shouted at the bright teal soldier.

"Do you have any food? I love to eat all the food." Tucker replied.

"What the hell? What's the matter with you?" Church asked with concern.

"This isn't Tucker. We're in Caboose's head. This is Caboose's mental image of Tucker." Tex explains to Church.

"Man, I am so unbelievably stupid!" Tucker added in.

Church growls in frustration, "Well, that's great, everyone we meet in here is bound to be as brain-dead as Caboose, then."

"I would not be so sure about that, Mister Church." A voice said from behind them. All of them turn to see Caboose standing next to Freckles.

"Caboose? Is that you?" Church asked.

"You would be correct on that assumption, however, I am merely Caboose's subconscious," Caboose answered fluently. Church was quite shocked. After seeing Caboose being an idiot for so long, it was quite surprising to see the idiot have at least a decent level of intellect. Even if only in his voice. However, his shock quickly faded.

"So, like are you smart, or..."

"The smartness of one can vary wildly depending on who you ask. So if you are inquiring whether or not my level of intellect is higher than that of the conscious mind, then yes."

"How the hell can that be possible? Tex you know more about this, explain."

"Caboose was probably subjected to AI experimentation before getting O'Malley. AI's can cause serious damage if forcibly removed incorrectly." Tex theorizes.