Artificial

Timing

Operator Velox

"So they already fucked?" Reach asks as he sits down across from us.
"Yup," I casually respond, waving to Wraith and Apex as they exit the mess hall to freshen up. "Those two are moving way too fast."
Reach laughs.
"You're just a prude."
"I am no such thing!"
"Please," he replies, sipping coffee. "It took a year and change for you and your boyfriend to lock lips." He pauses, and kisses Shockwave on the cheek. "I had tasted Shockwave within a few hours."
She turns bright red, then scolds Reach.
"I told you before, it sounds disgusting when you say it like that. It's just kissing, it's not like you're eating me."
"Not right now, anyway," he replies with a grin, and she turns even redder.
"Ugh. I don't know why I put up with you sometimes, Reach."
"Because we're perfect for each other. Yin and Yang, baby!"
She ponders his response for a second.
"Sounds about right," she finally answers, planting a kiss on Reach's cheek before returning to her food. "At least I can take solace in the fact that I'm the half with the brains and looks."
Reach doesn't react, to my disappointment, instead wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"At least you're acknowledging that I'm the brawn and charisma."
"Of course, baby," she replies, then looks up at him. "You had to trick me into dating you somehow."
"Oh snap!" I exclaim, and Evo struggles to contain his laughter.
Reach starts to look irritated, and I can tell he doesn't like the turn this conversation has taken. Before I can do anything about it, Shockwave steps in.
"But you didn't have to trick me into staying," she admits, a sly, brilliant smile appearing on her face.
Reach begins to brighten up, and when he turns to talk to her, Shock presses her lips against his, successfully silencing him. When they finally part, they're both silent, Shockwave's face smug and satisfied, Reach appearing reassured and confident.
"Feel better, babe?"
"Ehh, not yet," he replies, his trademark grin slowly making another appearance. "Maybe you should try again."
He pulls her closer, and they start making out right there at the table.
"Oh, come on!" Evo calls out, but they don't react at all. "Get a room! I'm trying to eat here!" They still don't move, even when Phoenix kicks in the door to the mess hall.
"Gear up, kiddos, and head to the depot! Downtime's over!"
"What's the op?" I ask as I rise from my seat, collecting dirty dishes.
"Secure and fortify FOB Apex!"
"What?" Reach whines, finally disconnecting from Shockwave. "Apex gets a base named after him?"
"No shit, Sherlock! He cleared the damn thing near-single-handedly!"
He starts to grumble, but Shockwave pulls him back in and distracts him with another make-out session.
Ah, feminine wiles, you accomplish what authority cannot.
"Thank you, Shockwave," Phoenix continues, turning toward the door. "Make sure he gets geared up and reports to the depot in 15."
She gives a thumbs-up, whispers to Reach, and he stands, supporting Shockwave's hips with his hands, her legs wrapped around his waist. She looks over his shoulder, waving goodbye to us as one of Reach's buddies from training clears the table.
"Well," Evo comments, deftly maneuvering a toothpick around his mechanical mouth. "That was graphic."
He flicks it into the trash can, then rests a thick arm across my shoulders.
"I thought it was cute," I reply as I reach up and take his hand.
"To each their own, I suppose," he concludes, then plants a gentle kiss on my head. "Let's go grab our gear. It's been too long since I've killed someone."
I feel a wicked smile cross my face, and I squeeze his hand.
"Same here, babe. Same here."