Agents Maine And Nebraska

Don't Say You Love Me

My heart is breaking

He was lucky to survive, is what they told Agents Washington and Nebraska. The bullets never got a direct hit on anything vital but still tore up the sides of his throat and left him with the inability to speak. It took two months for him to be able to eat solid foods again. Quickly the three had developed a method for Maine to communicate through clicks and growls and the two would have conversations with him where he could say yes, no, and various other simple things. It was nice, the three developed a very close bond together.
It didn't last. The peace of Maine's recovery.
With the AI fragments came a fragmented team. South became greedy. North and York became distant. Carolina lost control of the team and lost any and all ability to lead do to being obsessed with beating Texas. Wash was always out on assignments and when Maine was recovered enough that he could return to training and missions it left Neb alone with a lot of time on her hands. She picked up engineering very fast and spent a lot of time improving the Mother of Invention with various other on board engineers and every so often helped with modifying her teams suits.
It had surprised her when Carolina offered Maine her AI, Sigma. The director seemed surprised too but with respect told her "Very well Carolina. If that's what you wish, I will allow it." Maine seemed to shift uncomfortably but didn't give any other sign of objection. Neb tried to keep any emotion out of her voice
"Sir, didn't you say that AI are specifically designed for the agents they are assigned?" Neb glanced from Carolina to the director. The Consoler responded softly to Nebraska for them,
"Yes, agent Nebraska. However if it is wished by agent Carolina to be given to Maine in order to help him communicate-"
"He can communicate just fine!" Neb blurted out. She saw Carolina flinch at her like she was about to scold her, but the director beat her to it.
"Now, agent Nebraska this is not your disition. If Carolina wishes to give up her AI for Agent Maine, and he accepts there is nothing you can do about it except respect your leaders disition." She immediately glanced at Maine, her dark eyes silently pleading with him not to go through with it. He let out a short growl that meant a 'yes', and Nebby sighed and slumped in defeat.
"Yes, sir. Maine agrees he should have the AI in order to help him communicate."
"Very well, it is settled then. Maine will be bumped up to the next available time to be implanted. Dismissed." The Director waved his hand and the three saluted. Neb quickly rolled out of the room ahead of the other two, pissed off about the AI. Maine already was struggling to sleep, she had seen what happened with both North and York. They would wander about in the wee hours unable to sleep because of their AI. Carolina jerked her from her thoughts abruptly
"Nebraska. What was that outburst? You've never had a problem with my calls before." Carolina walked with the wheel chair bound girl. Neb groaned 
"You want the honest answer or respectful answer?" She looked up at Carolina. Neb couldn't see Lina's face but knew she had that look she got when she was thinking. Nebby also mentally noted the sound of Maine's heavy foot steps a few feet behind them as Carolina made her choice.
"Honestly. Braska." Neb sucked in air. She hated being called the second half of her state name, but pushed away the annoyed feeling.
"I know that your trying to repay Maine for saving your life that day when he got his injury but i-." Nebraska stopped rolling her chair, "What is it like when you want to be alone with York, but Delta is there? Does it like....I don't know." Nebraska groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Carolina winced and stopped to look at Nebraska. Neb knew Lina was blushing, Lina thought that she and York were subtle but they absolutely were not. Nebraska hadn't been on the field in over a year and knew that they flirted like crazy when they were out on missions, as well as on board the Mother of Invention. Where Neb had seen the two sneak off holding hands together and giggling. Sure it had been a while since Carolina had become obsessed with training but the tension was still there. At least Nebbby and Maine didn't try to hide it like it was a crime.
"Uhm well you know we just-" Carolina fidgeted slightly, Neb could see Maine's reflection in Lina's helmet. Carolina groaned "Sometimes York makes him go offline. Sometimes we just... Pretend he's not there and he stays quite. Its.... Hard sometime. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to Delta instead of York, or like we... Aren't really alone. I guess I can under stand your fear of the change. But this is for the best as Maine needs to have better communication on the field." Maine leaned on the back of Neb's chair, making it creak under the sudden pressure.
"Yeah. Scared I'll be talking to a Piece of an AI instead.... Instead of Maine." Nebby looks up at Maine, she can't tell where he's looking with the dome helmet on. "Y'know what if... What if Sigma changes Maine? I don't know I just... I'm scared of this. The AI Fragments." Neb paused before glancing up at Carolina trying to ask as innocently as possible "Is that why you're really giving up your AI? Are you scared of sharing your head with someone?" Carolina seemed more than a little pissed and offended with Nebraska even suggesting her being afraid. "What? I'm trying to help Maine I'm not scared of it! God damnit Nebraska. What ever I'm going to go training hall." Carolina huffed and stomped off like a child. Neb looked up at Maine and grumpily stated
"Yeah, wonder who shit in her cereal."