Assault (Red vs Blue)

6: Field Trip

6: Field Trip

Present Day: Office Building/Research Lab (Downtown Armonia; the planet Chorus)

"They weren't trying to disassemble alien technology there — they were trying to turn it back on," Grey stated.

The whole room went silent for a moment. Out of everything that could've come out of Dr. Grey's mouth, that was the last thing any of them had expected to hear. As if things weren't slated in Charon's direction enough, now they were working activating alien temples. Tucker almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. Then again, it was just about their luck. Nothing could ever just turn in their favor.

"Oh, see? Who called that one? I did," Church said smugly after another minute.

"So what exactly does the tower do, then?" Simmons asked.

"That's exactly what I aim to find out!" Grey exclaimed. "But if I'm gonna go take a look at the tower, I'll need an escort." Her attention seemed to shift over to Simmons. "What about you? You've always seemed more intelligent, Simmons. Well, at least compared to most of your friends, that is."

"Oh, uh, yeah. Why'd you have to add that last part?" Simmons asked, sniffling quietly.

"There's no way in hell I'm getting involved with this," Grif stated. "This shit's got Blue Team problems fucking written all over it."

"Oh c'mon, man. That wasn't necessary," Tucker told him, feeling a bit offended.

"Hey, you're the one that grabs random swords and fucks aliens, man. You don't have to come crying to me about it," said Grif.

Carolina interrupted the conversation before things escalated any further. "I think it be best if all us freelancers stayed behind in the city for now. Church, too. We'd be more useful here if Charon decides to launch an attack."

Church nodded in agreement. "Alpha and I should really try to get through some more of the files we recovered before. We barely scratched the surface of what we got from the crashed ship."

"Well, then it looks like it'll be Sarge and Tucker coming with me," Grey decided as she looked at the two soldiers.

"Don't you worry, little lady," Sarge told her. "Me and Aqua Man here can handle whatever diabolical plan those no good space pirates might be planning for us. You'll be perfectly safe."

At that, Tucker heard a couple of the freelancers start snickering quietly. As much as he wanted to be mad at them for laughing, he knew he really couldn't be. If the pirates attacked them while Grey was investigating the temple, they'd be screwed. Tucker's fighting skills had gotten considerably better lately, but Sarge's really hadn't. That was one thing he could thank Wash's training for. As much as Tucker hated it, he had gotten better because of it. But try as he might, he'd never be at a freelancer level of good.

"I think you might be mistaken with your role here," Dr. Grey told the Red leader. "The two of you will be coming along mainly just to carry all my survey equipment to the site."

"Oh, uh, all right. Yeah," Sarge stammered, sounding completely deflated. "We'll just, uh . . . We'll definitey, um . . . We'll carry the shit outta that stuff. Absolutely."

Tucker just made a disgusted noise. "Ugh, fine. Let's just go and get this over with."

Grey looked over at him. "Actually, a four man team would be ideal for this. Is there anyone else you know of that could be spared to come with us?"

"Oh, I'm sure I can think of someone to send with you," Church announced as he looked at Tucker.

"Please, for the love of God, don't do it. Please," Tucker practically begged his team leader.