The Aftermath (RVB Oneshot)

"Suck it, black!" Simmons unloaded the remainder of his needler into the nearest soldier, sending the lifeless corpse crashing to the floor.

"Good riddance, dirtbags. Heh heh." Sarge reloaded his shotgun, glancing at the others.

"Church! We did it!" Tucker laughed, waiting for his friend to appear.

"Yes! They did not stand a chance!" Caboose celebrated, waving Freckles triumphantly in the air.

"Church?" Tucker's grin faltered, "you there?"

The room fell silent as all eyes fell to the aqua Spartan. "Church--?"

The AI fragments final message flickered to life before them, relaying his final words to his companions, his friends, his family.

When the message finally evaporated into thin air, no one dared break the silence. Their eyes drifted to the door as Carolina and Washington jogged in, completely oblivious to the events that had just transpired.

"You did it." Washington stepped over the various corpses, making his way to the Reds and Blues.

"Nice work," Carolina remarked with what could only be a smirk.

They noted the blank expressions, the tension in the air.

"What's wrong?"

"Church, he--" Tucker started, cutting himself short as his voice cracked.

"He's gone." Simmons finished for him, eyes turning downcast.

"What do you mean gone?" Disbelief laced Carolina's voice.

"Gone. As in dead. Destroyed. Never coming back." Grif snapped sharply, a lump catching in his throat.

"That's--that's not possible." Carolina mumbled for a moment, eyes drifting back to Tucker for an explanation.

"He sacrificed himself for us." Tucker managed at last, clenching his hands into fists.

They stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity before Washington took initiative, "Let's get out of here. Kimbal said they've picked up a separate ship approaching."

"Hardgrove is on the bridge." Tucker offered, drawing his sword.

Washington nodded, "He'll pay for what he did; he's looking at life in prison--"

"--to hell with prison. He's going to pay right now." Tucker abruptly broke from his dazed state, starting towards the door.

Washigton stepped between him and the door, "Tucker--"

"Get out of my way, Wash!"

"You need to calm down."

"That son of a bitch just killed my best friend! Don't tell me to calm down!"

Washington looked to Carolina for help, but found none. "Let him go, Wash."

"Carolina--?" Disbelief.

"He didn't just kill Church, he's responsible for all of these people, all of the other Freelancers. Let him end it." Carolina returned calmly, meeting Washington's visor.

He glanced from her to Tucker, "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Tucker's grip on blade tightened.

Washington sighed and stepped aside, allowing the aqua Spartan to stalk from the room.

"Agent Washington--where's Tucker going?" Caboose asked suddenly, confusion and pain seeping into his voice.

He started to answer, but looked to the Reds for help.