Binary: Rough Draft Edition (Sword Dancers, Book 1)

Chapter 25: Colin

This whole plan went to shit real fast Colin thought as he and Razor fought off the Megatron's knights. Megatron stood on the other side of the cafe with a smug look on his face. Ashley was cradling Olivia who somehow was poison through her force field. Tyree wasn't able to detect all of these henchmen. Worst of all, it was Colin who suggested they come here to capture Megatron and save Quinn. 

<Don't blame yourself, they all knew the risk. Besides we need to focus on staying alive. In phase 3 I need you to focus more than the other two phases. You aren't just supplying power, but you are directly related to the physical actions.> 

<I know> Colin thought. <I'm just trying to think of a new plan. He caught us with our pants down. I should have had a backup plan.>

Colin and Razor ducked and punched another henchman.  Tyree sped past them to take out another one that somehow flanked Colin.

"Thanks," Razor said on behalf of them.

"I hate thanks." Crush said for him and Tyree. 

<It's easier if we just go by our team codenames.> Razor said.

<I agree.>

Both of them felt a rush of pain even though the armor that Razor provided from a punch by an oversized fist on a skinny frame.  Anger boiled once more and using the hilt of his scissor blade he started firing found after round. This was now a matter of life and death, A life his father didn't want him to have. His father always wanted his son to stay away from the military, but Colin wasn't one for traditions. He joined the Army for the opportunity to be free from his parents. That's where he belonged and excel. At least until he hurt his back and had to be medically discharged. 

When he had the chance to be of service again, it gave him a spark of adventure. He spent the last several years seeking the next adventure, thrill, experience that it was almost an exception. Yeah, it also distracted him from his family issues. He was starting to regret not listening to Olivia about calling before the mission tonight. As he looked at her he knew she was at least content that she said her goodbyes. His family didn't even know he was risking his life for them and the world. 

His dad would be angry with him now. Chaplain Barrett is looking down on him and praying for his son, but at the same time scolding him. Colin could feel it, even though he wasn't religious these days. He always wanted to make his father proud, but he never felt like he did. Not that it was anything his dad did in particular.

I have to survive. Colin thought. So that I can set things right, good or bad with my family.

<That makes two of us, I can't let Megatron escape>

Colin could see into Razor memories from Pluto.  He was the leader of his own strike team and they found Megatron.  The battle ensued like the one in the present.  Colin could know that this memory wasn't going to end well. That's when he saw, like Razor, the whole team got caught in the explosion. Razor was the only survivor and Cable's team medivac him out. 

<You have survivors guilt> Colin thought to Razor. 

<Yeah, so imagine I'm pretty pissed. If I wasn't awkward. I could have stopped the bomb myself.>

<You can't blame yourself, remember, that's what you told me earlier." 

<Your're right. Let's get our heads back into the game.> 

Together they defended themselves and fought their way back up. Along with Tyree the gave themselves room by back peddling toward their female teammates.