REDEMPTION (3rd Book of FEAR)

- chapter five -

"You need to tell me what's really going on," Liz demanded, stabbing her finger into the soldier's cobalt chest plate. Temple growled, "I'm not paying you to be nosy." The girl narrowed her eyes into slits at him, "You're not paying me to be dumb either."

Temple is silent for a moment, rubbing a hand through his stubble in thought. His facial expression was quizzical, and it made Liz even more mad that he was trying to decide if he should keep her in the dark or not.

She sighed, "Look, if you want me to effective against our enemy, I need to know what the hell is going on." Temple opened his mouth to reply, but a blue armored soldier poked his head into the room, "Uh, excuse me? Boss?"

Immediately, the soldier's eyes rolled into the back of his head in irritation, "Jesus! Give me a minute, Loco!" The man began to stumble over his words, "B-but... It's i-important!" Temple dug his fingernails into his scalp in frustration, "God damnit, I'm coming!"

He glanced at Liz, raising his eyebrows to make sure it was okay for him to leave. The girl flicked her wrist, turning away from him in disgust, "Just go." Temple watches her for a moment, sighs, and then exits the door with Loco.

Liz sits on the edge of her bed, blowing the hair out of her face with a disappointed sigh. "So," Locus appeared at the doorway, "The boss and his men are going to destroy the UNSC?" The girl's eyes widen at the sound of his voice.

"That's the plan," she puffs her lips like a horse, running a hand through her hair. Locus examines her for a moment, an amused look on his face. "They're a bunch of simulation troopers," he smirks.

"Didn't a bunch of simulation troopers beat you?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone defensive. Locus chuckled, surprisingly. "You really think they can take down the UNSC?" Locus crossed his arms in a smug sort of way.

"If we hurt them," Liz pressed her palms together in her lap, "That'll be enough." The mercenary laughed bitterly, "Listen to yourself! It's like you're brainwashed!" The girl's face went hard, and he heard her gulp.

He approached her, kneeling down to be at her eye level. He hadn't been this close to her since... Locus shook the thought out of his head. "This isn't you," the mercenary whispered, "What happened to the forgiving person I knew on Chorus?"

Liz wanted to laugh. How dare he think that he knows her after all he's done? She wanted to spit in his face for saying that. "You don't know the hell they've put me through," she growled, avoiding his gaze entirely.

"I do, Liz..." His voice was caring and soft, "I do. I was there for you with Sharkface. I know about Connie. I saw what you went through in order to escape the Chairman. And, now you want to bring all of that pain back? You want to relive it? What, are you going to change your appearance again and again after you've attacked the UNSC?"

His words left her shaken, and her eyes began to water. She wanted to push him away. She wanted him to get out of her face... Out of her head. Liz stands up from the bed, making Locus stand up with her. She paced the room, until he caught her hand.

"I know you, Liz," he whispered, "As much as you hate it, I know you... This isn't you."

Suddenly, Temple strolls into the room. "Hey, ba-" He begins, but stops once he sees Locus in the room with Liz. The two instantly tear their hands apart, and Locus has to force himself not to glare at the man. They stare at each other for a moment, until Temple regains his composure.

"How rude of me, I haven't introduced myself yet," he sticks out his hand for the mercenary, "Hi, I'm Temple." The green and grey soldier freezes. "Temple..." The name forms on his lips like a curse, and memories come rushing back to him.

"What about this one?" Liz tried to hide the shakiness in her voice and had to use two hands to keep the device steady. "That's him!" Bella exclaimed, smashing her finger into the screen. Locus jumped in eagerness.

It was a man in cobalt armor with a sniper rifle strapped to his back. "Temple," Liz wheezed. Bella continued to nod, looking proud of herself yet terrified at the same time.

"Oh, um," Locus snapped out of his trance and grabbed the man's hand, "Locus." They shook, and when they pulled their hands away... The mercenary was expecting blood to be covering his hand. He felt sick to his stomach, and he needed to leave. Fast.

"So... Do you two know each other?" Temple eyed them suspiciously, his eyebrows raised in question. Locus opens his mouth to answer, but Liz was quick to interject, "No. We just met actually."

"Oh, well," the soldier seemed a lot happier, "I guess this is a first for everyone." Temple wrapped his arm around Liz's shoulder, pressing a kiss to her cheek. The mercenary fumed, his nails digging into the skin of his palms.

"Yeah, I guess it is."

uh ohhhh. locus remembered who temple really is... what's gonna happen next? how are you feelings towards liz? towards locus? towards temple? i wanna hear some opinions and fan theories, people! lemme know how you like the story so far!