Cybernetic Soldier, Movin' out

Chapter 40 - Calm before the storm

A/N: Hey readers, apologies for the long absence. I've been busy taking care of my little sister, and been playing Apex Legends alot during my free time. The next 3 chapters following this one will follow the three missions from the Outbreak event in what i assume is the correct order. Im also going to stick to the games script wherever possible. So without further ado, enjoy. :D
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Some time and a few waves of roaches later, the group manages to make it back to the quarantine zone. The front gate guards question the group before allowing them entry. Once inside, they head over to the barracks to get themselves aquainted. Dokkaebi and Ela rest by sitting on one of the beds, while Firebreak sits at a desk at the end of the barrack.

Y/N: "There was no end to those things."

Dokkaebi: "They're taking a lot more damage than i thought they would have."

Reaper: "Doc did state that once in an active state, the spikes it grows from its body act as an armor."

Y/N: "Grace... Ela... you two should've stayed at hereford."

Ela: "And just let you tackle this type of situation on your own? Absolutely not."

Dokkaebi: "We're going to stand by your side every step of the way."

Y/N: "... ... Thank you, girls."

Outrider: *rolls her eyes* "Oh please, give me a break."

Y/N: "I had a feeling you were annoyed the whole way back. Care to run it by us?"

Firebreak: "Dont worry too much about it, she is always in a bad mood."

Outrider: "This whole situation is not supposed to be our problem. We were merely tasked with finding and retrieving Reaper and getting back to Zurich. I knew something was up when we had no way of tracking him and now look where we are!"

Firebreak: "Outrider, just calm down."

Outrider: "God damn it, Hejek, dont tell me to calm down. This is your fault in the first place. I told you not to go near that rift-looking thing."

Firebreak: "Didnt seem dangerous, but now that we're here, we have to at least try to make the best of it. Its pretty fun roasting these infected to a crisp."

Outrider: "Speak for yourself, Krystof. I for one am not looking forward to getting infected by these... things. So if you wish to, be my guest.

Dokkaebi: "Please calm down, you two. We dont want to start a scene. People might hear us.

It takes a a few moments, but they both calm down. Y/N, in the meantime, left the barracks to get them a drink. It was there that he ran into Ash.

Ash: Y/N, can i talk to you for a minute?"

Y/N: "Sure, Eliza. Whats up?"

Ash: "I saw you guys arrive with plus twos. Can i ask who those two were?"

Y/N: "If i remember their names correctly, Their names are Krystof and Alessandra. Respectively, their callsigns are Firebreak and Outrider."

Ash: "Where did you find them?"

Y/N: About half a mile from the supposed rupture spot. They're connected to Reaper in some ways seeing as they're supposedly here to bring him back."

Ash: "Ok, thats good to know. Do they know the situation we're in? We could use any more help we can get."

Y/N: "Outrider didnt seem too pleased about it. She says that it shouldnt be their problem, so im not going to force her to help us out."

Ash simply nodded and looked as if she was troubled.

Y/N: "You ok?"

Ash: "Its just... this is such a big op that Six trusted me with. I dont want to disappoint her... and honestly... im just scared we might end up losing good people out in the field... or worse... turn into those roaches...

Y/N looks away for a moment and then puts his hand on her shoulder for reassurance.

Y/N: "Ash, im confident that you'll lead us the right way. You have nothing to be worried about."

Ash, needing to hear that moment of reassuance, smiles and takes a few deep breaths.

Ash: "You're right. Thank you, Y/N. Dont worry, Jordan and I are finalizing a few plans that might ensure that we have a chance at defeating these things."

Y/N: "That's what i like to hear. Ill leave you to it then."

Ash nods and proceeds to head back to the planning tent and Y/N to the barracks in the opposite direction, but she stops just as she gets to the door.

Ash: "You know..."

Y/N stops upon hearing her, but they dont turn to face each other.

Ash: "Sometimes... i just cant help but be jealous of Elżbieta. You can... probably guess, but... i was deeply in love with you, once upon a time."

Y/N: "... ... Yeah... i know..."

Ash: "Truth be told... i still am. But... i didnt realize how much more i could've lost until after i watched you leave team rainbow that day... it taught me something... I dont want to lose any one of you guys. ... You're all so dear to me, and... i couldnt bear losing any one of you.

Y/N: "... ... ..."

Ash: "... My... feelings for you arent going to disappear any time soon... but for the sake of our friendship... i've decided to move on. ... ... Im sorry for trying to take you away from her in the first place... ... I hope you two have a good life together."

Y/N: "... ... Thank you."

Ash opens the door but stops when he calls her name again.

Y/N: "Eliza... im confident one of these days... you'll find your significant other. After all... you've got everything a man could want in a woman... you're strong... smart... independent... beautiful."

Ash's eyes begin to water, as a tear slowly rolls down her cheek.

Y/N: "Any man that ends up with you should consider themselves lucky.

Ash: *sniffle* "That's the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me in so long... Thank you, Y/N."

They proceed their separate ways. Ash heads back to the planning tent with Jordan to finalize a potential strategy, and Y/N heads back to the barracks to rest with his team and prepare for the hardest battle yet.