After Carolina and Epsilon and left, Wash and Tucker were looking down at the Reds. They had recently outsmarted Zone and the Reds and now it was their turn for "surrender." Grif, Sarge, and Zone were standing behind Simmons who was giving the surrender speech. 

"Well this is depressing." Grif mutters. 

"Can it, private." Sarge orders. 

"What? I'm just saying what we're all thinking." 

"You didn't say you were fat and worthless, and we were definitely all thinking that." 

[Dad, come on.] 

"Alright, you know the drill." Tucker states.  

"Do we have to?" Simmons asks. 

"That depends; how badly do you want your flag back?" Wash says with their flag slung over his shoulder. Simmons looks over his shoulder at Grif. 

"Don't look at me, it's your turn." Grif says with his hands raised. 

"(Sighs) I would just like to let everyone know that I suck...and that I'm a girl...and I like ribbons in my hair...and I want to kiss all the boys." 

"You know, it was funny the first few times, but this is starting to get depressing." Tucker says crossing arms. 

"Yeah..." Wash agrees. "Hey, what else have you got?" 

[We got the Warthog, but that's something I will fight you to the death over Wash. The last thing I need is to rebuild that thing after Caboose tries something with it.] 

"Actually, there is something they haven't taken." Simmons says looking at Grif who gives him the kill gesture with his finger to his neck. They all gather at Red Base, Simmons comes out carrying something and drops it at their feet shocking them all: Meta's Brute Shot. 

"Whoa!" Tucker says before whistling.

"Great ginzu gunshow!" Sarge gasps. 

"Is that what I think it is? Is that whose I think it is?" Wash asks. 

"Stolen alien weaponry used by the scariest mute in the galaxy? Yeah. Pretty much." Simmons says smirking. 

"It's like half-knife, half-rifle. What would you call that?" Sarge asks. 

[It's called a Brute Shot dad. You know those giant hairy gorillas with the armor? They carried those.] Zone explains. 

"We'll take it." Tucker exclaims. 

"No! There is no way I'm giving up the "Grif Shot!"" Grif protests. 

["Grif Shot"? Seriously man?] 

"Oh please, what were you gonna do? Eat off it?" Tucker scoffed. 

"Uh, actually moron, I asked Donut to mount it for me in the base." 

"And you know I can't resist a good mounting!" Donut says coming out of the base. 

"You've been hiding one of the most advanced pieces of technology known to man, so you can hang it in your living room?!" Wash exclaims dumbfounded. 

"Well, when you say it like that it sounds dumb." Grif murmurs. 

[Because it is dumb Grif. Come on!] 

"I think it's kinda cool!" Doc says coming up behind them. "I mean, when I met you guys, all you did was stand around and talk. But now you can't walk five feet without getting wrapped up in some crazy adventure." 

"What's your point?" Sarge asks. 

"I don't know, it's just cool. I mean, come on. You guys have been through a lot together. Don't you want something to remember all the good times?" 

"The good times? I was stranded in the desert!" Tucker states. 

"We were almost killed!" Simmons adds. 

"I learned my entire military career was a lie!" Sarge cries. 

[I lost the only girl I've ever loved! Twice!] 

"And I got shot!" Donut finishes. Wash turns awkwardly and whistles casually.

"Ok yeah, it wasn't perfect, but look what you all got out of it." Doc reminds them

"You mean the rifle-knife?" Sarge asks.

"You mean the "Grif Shot."" Grif corrects him. 

"Well, sure there's that, but Sarge, you got to lead an actual military operation. And Tucker, you learned to use your sword like a pro." 

"Bow Chicka Bow Wow?" Tucker says in realization. 

Doc gestures at Wash and Zone. "You found new teams. Simmons got back his old team. I managed to keep a patient from dying..." 

"And in return, I didn't die!" Donut says happily. 

"You see? In the end we all worked together and everyone got what they wanted." 

"Not everyone..." Caboose sighs looking down. The Reds and Blues turn to him ashamed. Zone looks up determined. 

[He's right.] They all look at Zone who pulls out his carbine. [But I'm not gonna let them face the Director alone, I'm going after them.] 

"I'm ashamed for what I said about Carolina too." Xi says appearing. "We need to help them." Zone turns to leave but Wash steps in front of him. 

"You realize that if you go after them, there's no promise you'll come back. This isn't a game to the Director. He plays for keeps." 

"Oh well, this place was getting kinda stale anyway." Sarge says pulling out his shotgun and joins  Zone along with Tucker. 

"After everything Church and Carolina said? The-the way they treated you!" 

"Hey, we gave you a second chance." Simmons reminds him. 

"Besides, if we quit every time Church started shouting, this crap would have been over a long time ago." Grif adds. 

"We'll be outgunned, we'll be out...everything! This is stupid. Just think for a minute before you do anything reckless." 

"Son, stupid and reckless is how we always get things done." Sarge states. 

"But Sarge, I-" 

"You know, there's one thing you Freelancers always seem to forget. And that's the fact that we've managed to kick your butt time and time again. Oh sure, you've got all your smart plans, and your fancy technology, and your advanced training, but, in the end, what has that gotcha? Without a team you can count on and your fellow soldier by your side, all that doesn't really amount to squat, now does it? So instead of standing there bellyaching all day, just tell us, are you gonna keep playing it safe..." 

Sarge loads and pumps his shotgun. "Or do you wanna get a little reckless?" Sarge grins. 

"This has to be the worst idea...ever...but you can count me in." Wash says smirking. 

"Me too!" Donut agrees. 

"Yes...and me! Oh! Church is going to be so happy!" Caboose says giddily. 

"I'm in too! Oh man, this is so cool! I love how inclusive you guys have become. I'm going to go pack my medical gear for the trip. WOOHOO WE'RE BACK TOGETHER!" Doc yells running inside Red base.

"Um guys...they have a huge headstart. How are we supposed to reach them in time?" Simmons asks. Suddenly three UNSC Hornets drop down from the sky and surround the group.

"Freeze! This is an ambush! You are under arrest for the theft of UNSC property!" One of the pilot commanders announces. 

"What?! We really are wanted criminals of the UNSC?!" Simmons cries. 

"Holy crap! Wash was right?" Grif gasps. 

"Oh, you've gotta be freaking kidding me." Wash mutters. 

[Way to jinx us Captain Melodramatic.] Zone nudges him.  

"Surrender now! You are outnumbered! Uh, well... technically you're not really outnumbered... I think we have the same number, uh, it's like one-to-one, but we do have airships! Fast, easy-to-fly airships! Which we will now land... in order to take you to jail." The commander yells. 

Zone and Sarge look at each and smile before aiming their weapons at the Hornets. After they land, they throw the pilots out and hijack the Hornets. Zone flew alongside them with his jet boots. 

"Goodbye people we stole these planes from!" Caboose says waving. 

"Screw you guys!" One of the pilots yells. 

"Man! This is awesome! Hey Simmons, who's the blue guy with the yellow accents? His voice sounds familiar..." Donut says thoughtfully. 

"Oh, right. Funny story about that." Simmons replies awkwardly. The Hornets then fly out of the canyon. 

~Hang on gorgeous. We're coming for ya.~ Zone thinks to himself. 

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Carolina sneaks to the edge of a cliff overlooking the facility. Epsilon appears behind her. 

"How many?" She asks. 

"None." 

"Really? You're sure?" 

"Positive. We're alone." Church reassures her. Carolina hops on her Mongoose and drives through a nearby tunnel. She parks her vehicle and looks around the facility for an entrance. 

"It's up here!" Epsilon shouts. Carolina runs over to Epsilon and sees FILSS. 

"I am sorry. This is a secure facility. Only authorized personnel may enter." She states. 

"FILSS? Is that you? What's happened to you?" Carolina asks shocked. 

"This is a secure facility. Only authorized personnel may enter. Please leave the premisis immediately." FILSS orders. 

"FILSS, this is Agent Carolina of Project Freelancer. Acknowledge and go for secure." Carolina commands. 

"I am sorry. I recognize that designation, but only authorized personnel may enter this facility." 

"Church?" 

"Open the door FILSS." Epsilon orders. 

"Certainly. Welcome back Director. I did not expect to see you again so soon." The wall behind them opens to reveal a secret doorway.

"Thank you." Carolina says gratefully. 

"My pleasure." Church and FILSS say at the same time. 

"Strange." FILSS says confused. "I was...unaware you left, Director. I will have to scan my files and find the error." 

"Left?" Carolina questions. 

"Yes. Since his last visit." 

"So you show the Director inside the facility as well as outside?" 

"Strange, is it not?" 

"Yes. Strange. And exactly what we were hoping for." Carolina says before entering the facility with her gun raised. She turns a corner walking down a hallway. 

"I don't like this." Epsilon says floating next to her. 

"Me neither. Where is everyone?" 

"That's not it. I just got a weird case of...deja vu." Carolina, with Epsilon, walks through the facility. Voices are heard through the intercoms.

"Don't worry, you'll see me again..." A woman's voice says. 

"Play it again, FILSS." The Director orders. 

"Sir, you really should stop to eat. It has been several days-" 

"Again." He commands. Carolina picks up two plasma rifles and a shotgun from a nearby table. 

"You're not the only one..." Carolina whispers. She walks towards the teleporters.

"This is it." Epsilon states. 

"Ready to meet your maker?" Carolina smirks. 

"I got your back, Carolina." Carolina and Epsilon enter one of the teleporters, though stop, surprised by what they see.

"Oh no..." Epsilon says fearfully. 

"Church, what is this?" Carolina asks just as nervous. 

"He kept trying...he kept trying to get her right." 

"Think these things are anything like the real deal?" Carolina asks before a huge army of Tex drones stand before her cracking their knuckles and necks in unison. 

One walks in front of the army and chuckles, "You have no idea what kind of trouble you are in."