Artificial

Together

Operator Reach

My eyes slowly drift open to the sight of Shockwave pulling her auburn hair into a neat ponytail, still topless.
"Hey babe, what's going on?"
"We're meeting up with the other couples in the mess hall soon," she answers as she dresses.
"Ah, hell, do I need to dress up?"
She smiles, then walks over and kisses my forehead.
"When do I ever make you dress up?"
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"I know," she says happily as she lies down next to me.
"Now, put some clothes on, we're leaving soon."

I hold the door for Shockwave, then follow her into the mess hall. I tell her to get food while I find the rest, and scan the crowd for the guys. Riot and Apex wave to me, and I sit down with them at a table.
Wait a minute.
Riot's dreads aren't in a bun, and Apex's hair is even messier than usual.
"So, you guys got some, too?"
Smiles immediately cross both of their faces, and I follow suit.
"Yeah," Riot meekly responds.
I look to Apex and he proudly nods, following with a satisfied "Hell yeah."
The door opens, and we look at Evo as he comes in. He doesn't look particularly disheveled, but it's hard to tell. He holds the door open for Velox, who sports two-and-a-half-inch bedhead.
"My man!" Riot shouts, and we whoop in approval as he sheepishly sends Velox to get her food first.
He sits down next to me, and I waste no time.
"So, we all got some, then. Even Evo."
"Yup," he confirms as he waves to Velox, who is having her hair fixed by Shockwave and Wraith.
"Today was a good day," I comment as Shock sits down next to me with her food, then kisses me on the cheek before digging in.
"That it was, my friend," Apex comments as Wraith joins him. They kiss, and he blissfully repeats, "That it was," before going to get food.

Dinner went by quickly. Time flies, and all that good stuff. Now the guys and I are sitting at the bar while the girls relax in the lounge Reaver added.
After half a beer, Riot makes a controversial statement.
"Girls with abs are underrated."
"I'll drink to that," Evo adds before taking a swig.
"Surely neither of you have seen a girl with an ass like Shockwave's, or else you wouldn't be saying that," I reply. "Apex, Wraith has a nice ass, back me up."
Apex clears his throat.
"Wraith, would you come here a sec, darling?"
She approaches him from behind, placing her hands gently on his shoulders.
"What's up, babe?"
"I was just telling the guys about how we've been going nonstop at the gym. How are the abs coming?"
"Great!" She proudly responds, then raises her shirt to reveal a chiseled set of six-pack abs.
My jaw drops, and Evo, Riot and Reaver struggle to hold in their laughter.
"That's awesome! Proud of you, babe."
He kisses her, then leaves the barstool.
"Let's get out of here."
He turns back to us and says, "Thanks for the drinks, Reaver. See you guys around later."
"Always a pleasure," Reaver answers with a winning smile.
After they leave, all of them burst into laughter. Then, Reaver turns to the other two.
"Why are you two laughing? He roasted all of your asses! Wraith got the best of both worlds over there!"
"What's going on over there?" Velox inquires from the lounge.
"Just discussing armor. Apex and Wraith have both armor and mobility."
"So do I."
"Cloaking."
"Shit. Fair enough."
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Jesus, dude. I thought that was smooth, and I'm a fuckin' Charmer."
"Thanks," he says with a cool smile.
"What class Augment are you, anyway?"
"Baseline."
"No way."
"One hundred percent baseline."
"Damn. You must be one in a fuckin' million."
"I like to think so."
I hang around a while, even after the other guys took their girls and left.
As Reaver hands me another beer, I motion for him to come a little closer.
"Reaver, I know this might come off as weird, but I just want you to know I appreciate the fuck outta you."
"Thanks, man."
"No, like, seriously, you help everyone out whenever they need it. That shit ain't in your job description, but you still pull off some legendary shit."
"Reach, you're drunk."
"You are not wrong, but I'm being honest here. Getting Evo a face? Holy shit, man, I'm not even sure if I'm gonna get him a Christmas present."
Reaver begins laughing, then takes my beer.
"I think you've had one too many."
"Probably."
"Shockwave, come get your man, he's drooling all over my bar."
She rouses herself from where she had been sleeping on the couch, and sleepily walks up behind me. To Reaver's surprise, she effortlessly slings me across her shoulders.
He lets out a low whistle, and says, "Damn, Shockwave, you been working out?"
"Maybe," she replies with a proud, yet meek smile.
"That's my girl," I proudly announce, and kiss her on the neck. I was aiming for the cheek, but I felt Shockwave stand up straighter when I did that, so it might've worked out even better this way.
"See you in the morning, Reaver," she says as she turns toward the exit. "Get some sleep, okay?"
"I will," he replies. "Take care of Reach."
"Yeah, take care of me."
She giggles, and kisses my cheek.
"Always do."