//------------------------------// // Watch Your Step... // Story: Fight As One // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Four hours had passed since the group had been forced to abandon the cave (and the food they gathered), which was now blocked up by the dead body of a giant Roc. The group continued on their way through the island, their collective moods sour from their constant misfortune… Fury’s mood moreso. “This is just flappin’ perfect.” Fury scowled, “Once again, Napoleon here flapped up yet another camping spot!” "Hey, it was an accident!" Caboose complained. "What, you've never had an accident before?!" “Not an accident that dropped a giant bird on top of where I live!” Fury growled, “Honestly, are you some sort of walking disaster magnet, or are you really that stupid?” "Will you stop that?" Sterling growled. "What happened, happened. And nothing can change that. Let's just move on." "That's all we've been doing since day one!" Fury roared. "Everytime we find a spot to wait out this stupid week, this idiot keeps messin’ it up for us! The Cragadile, whatever happened that night after, the Roc, and of course that stupid bridge! All of that was his fault!” "Leave Caboose alone!" Fletcher shot back. "He didn't mean to cause us such trouble." "But he did anyway." Fury growled. "And he'll probably keep doing it the whole time we're here. If you ask me, our best chance at survival would be to ditch him while we have the chance!" "We're not ditching anycreature!" Black said firmly. "Not even you... No matter how tempting it might be." "You wouldn't dare get rid of me." Fury sneered. "I've been doing most of the work here. Without me, you'd all be sunk." "Don't give yourself so much credit." Black stepped in. "It takes brains to survive out here." "Brains that I possess." Fetcher declared. "Which makes me the indispensable one." "Don't you start." Sterling shook his head. "It's not like you were much help out there today." "You don't know what you're talking about." Fletcher scowled, angered by the reminder. "I'm the one with the official training, the know-how, the-" "Okay, that's enough." Black growled. "Let's just focus on surviving right now, okay?" "Whatever." Fury growled. "Fine." Fletcher pouted. "Yeah, yeah." Sterling shrugged. "Okie-dokie, boss!" Caboose grinned. As they continued onward, they were observed by Turbine. "Well, well." He smirked. "Looks like there's trouble in paradise. This group of misfits don’t look as close-knit as they appear..." At the same time, Elite, Consul and Armory were watching events unfold. "This isn't good." Consul frowned. "Looks like the problems they've been having are starting to get to them..." "It's just a little disagreement." Armory declared. "I'm sure they'll get over it soon." "Well put, Armory." Elite smiled. "We should have the utmost faith that the team will overcome this minor setback in due time." "I wish I could have your optimism." Consul shook his head. "They'll pull it together." Armory stated. "They did it once, and they can do it again." "Indeed." Elite nodded. "We just have to be patient, and trust that they can keep up their team spirit..." Back on the island, Broker was lounging in a corner of the camp, still drinking the same glass of milk, and reading a newspaper, specifically, the stock market section. "Stocks for crossbows are up, eh?" He mused. "If I were them, I'd update my insurance policies. Never know when the bubble's gonna burst..." Suddenly, his mirror started to ring. “Oh, great…” Broker sighed, as he picked it up, “Turbine. What pointless update do you have for me this time?" "They're on the move again." Turbine announced. "Right now, they’re at Veridian Valley." “Veridian Valley?” Broker repeated, his eyes nearly lighting up in surprise. “That’s right.” Turbine nodded, “They’re getting closer and closer.” "But not close enough for it to be an issue." Broker said stubbornly. His face was clearly trying to hide the concern that was brewing within. "There's still a sizeable distance between us and them. Ergo, there's no reason to worry about them." "You say that now." Turbine frowned. "But what about when they're right outside our proverbial doorstep? Will it be an issue then?" “If it comes to that, which it probably won’t, we’ll deal with it.” Broker growled, “You seem to forget that there are a few dozen of us and only five of them. We’ve been on this island for ten years! There’s nothing they can throw at us that we haven’t dealt with before.” “Really? They killed a roc today.” Turbine deadpanned. "Seriously?" Broker scoffed. "You really expect me to believe that?" "It's true!" Turbine insisted. "No way they could be that good... Or that lucky." Broker said skeptically. "You must really be desperate to be proven right to make up a crazy story like that." "I'm telling you, it's true!" Turbine growled. "Those five are a clear and present danger to our operation. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we can prepare for them to attack!" "As long as I'm in charge, we will not be wasting time and resources preparing for an attack that's not coming." Broker said angrily. "So forget about those guys, and get back to doing your actual job, or I'll go find somecreature who will." “You know what, I’m almost hoping these guys do find us and they’re here to take us down.” Turbine narrowed his eyes, “At least then, I can finally get off this stupid island and get the satisfaction of knowing I was right, and you were WRONG!” “And when we kill them and dump their carcasses off the side of a cliff, and we finally achieve our goal, I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you were a Faust damn idiot!” Broker retorted “Well then, I guess we’ll just have to wait then and see who's right." Turbine sneered. "One of us, at least." "Yeah, we-" Broker trailed off as he noticed the interference lines distorting Turbine's image again. "Oh, for cryin' out loud. This is getting ridiculous!" “Honestly, I am this close to tearing these towers down. At least then, we would get better reception.” Turbine glared. “Don’t even joke about that.” Broker grunted, “They are vital for our big day. To lose even one tower would set our plans back another month.” "Like that'll matter when those five make their move." Turbine sneered. "Which they won't." Broker retorted. "Says you." Turbine growled, the interference getting worse. "Yeah, me." Broker growled. "The boss. So you'd better fall in line, fast." "Not in this life-" Turbine's face vanished from the mirror, cut off mid-retort. "Yep... he's out of his damn mind." Broker sneered. As he put away the mirror, his ears perked as the roaring of a steam engine erupted. Suddenly, a few feet in front of where he was sitting, a steam carriage came strolling by. It was a carriage not unlike that invented by Armory or Loveless, but this one was modified with heavy armor plating all around, and sticking out the front where the carriage seat would normally be was a rather intimidating cannon. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Broker yelped, slamming his papers down as he approached the machine, “Hey!” The carriage soon stopped, as an orange Earth Pony stallion, one of the lower level workers on site, stepped out. “Is something wrong, boss?” The worker frowned. “Is something- what the hell are you doing with our bayttle carriage?” Broker snarled. “I was only taking her out for a drive.” The Earth Pony shrugged. “Really? Did I say you could take her out for a drive?” Broker growled. “You didn’t say I couldn’t.” The Earth Pony grimaced. "Don't get clever." Broker snarled. "Can you not see we are very busy right now?!” “But sir, we never get to use this thing!” The Earth Pony complained, “This baby was designed to crush everything and anything that gets in its way! Me and the others were hoping to blow stuff up with it. One last hurrah before the big day and having to go back home.” “Well you can blame the higher ups for that.” Broker grunted, “I only bought this hunk of junk along with the other weapons and equipment because I thought we’d have some natives or a giant beast to kill. But no…” Broker’s face broke into inconsolable fury. ”Only till now, when we are about to achieve our ultimate goal, are there five motherbuckers that could ruin it out there… waltzing around in the WOODS!” The worker, visibly unnerved, took a step back. The other workers, including Pommelo, Grunt and the minotaur twins, also took notice of Broker’s outburst. “...So… is that a no?” The worker cringed. “Put the carriage back and get your ass back to work!” Broker snarled, “And be careful with it! It’s not insured!” The worker quickly did as such, reluctantly taking the carriage back to where it was stored. As he did so, Pomelo and Grunt approached the irate stallion. “Is everything alright, boss?” Grunt frowned. “Yes, you were laying into that poor stallion.” Pomelo mused, “Did Turbine have some bad news?” "No." Broker said quickly and awkwardly. "Everything is just fine." "If you say so, boss." Pommelo shrugged. "And since everything's fine, you can all get back to work." Broker demanded. "Well, since you asked so nicely..." Grunt muttered. "Enjoy your milk." The two departed, leaving Broker to contemplate his situation. 'Why did this operation have to get so complicated now?' He thought while sipping his milk. Elsewhere, the members of Project: Freedom were making their way through a new wooded area. "Not to push ya or anything, boss, but how long until we reach the next camp site?" Sterling asked. "That's the problem." Black frowned. "I was only able to pick out a few camp sites from up on that mountain. There may be one or two other places, but I didn't have the best view of them from up there. So we're just going to have to try our luck, and hope fate is on our side." "Considering everything we've been through so far, I wouldn't bet on it." Fury sneered. "Loathe though I am to agree with the feathered ruffian, I must concur." Fletcher declared. "Fate hasn't exactly been kind to us since we arrived here. And I doubt it's going to change its ways now." "If life were suddenly about to get fair, it wouldn't happen on this dump." Sterling snorted. "Come on, guys!" Caboose declared, stepping ahead of the others so they could all see him. "Ya gotta look on the bright side!" "The bright side would be the side without you, Napoleon." Fury growled. "There's always something new and exciting up ahead." Caboose smiled. "But you can't see it if you're too busy looking down-ah!" The ground suddenly gave way under Caboose, a pit filled with wooden spears waiting for him. "Caboose!" Sterling and Fletcher said in unison. Sterling leapt forward, catching Caboose's hoof just in time. "I gotcha, buddy." Sterling smiled. "Thanks, Sterling." Caboose grinned. "That was close." "Guess looking down has its advantages, huh, Napoleon?" Fury smirked. "This is not the time, Xaldin." Fletcher growled. "What's the matter, Ulysses?" Fury taunted. "Sore that you didn't get to do anything again?" "Why, you-!" Fletcher started. As Fletcher stepped forward, his hoof snagged something hidden in the grass. A rope suddenly slithered away, and more wooden spears flew toward him. "Get down!" Black tackled Fletcher, saving him from the spears. Fury instinctively stepped back, only to get his paw caught in a snare. "Yarrrgh!" He yelped, as he was pulled up into the air, hanging upside down. "Oh, flap, no!” Producing a spear, Fury cut the rope, flipping over as he fell so he landed on his talons and paws. As Sterling stepped forward, he tripped another wire, and narrowly avoided a swinging log. "What the buck is going on?!" He frowned. "If I had to guess, we've stumbled into an part of the island filled with hidden booby-traps." Black surmised. "Heh, heh." Caboose snickered. "You said-" "Not really the time, Caboose." Sterling cut him off. "And where exactly did these traps come from?" “If I had to guess, the same natives who made that subpar bridge set these traps for any interlopers who happened by.” Fletcher mused, “But why only this area, I wonder..." "Who cares?!" Fury growled. "Let's just get the flap outta here! Fast!" "Agreed." Black nodded. "Let's move!" "And be careful not to set off any further traps." Fletcher urged. "Gee, never thought of that..." Sterling sneered. "Ooh, this'll be just like playing hopscotch!" Caboose cheered, hopping randomly across the area. "Except the loser ends up dead." Fury grimaced. "So quit acting like this is a game!" "Less talking, more moving!" Sterling urged. Tentatively, the group slowly, carefully, started moving forward. But more traps constantly sprang up. More spears were flung in their directions, logs swung towards them... as they desperately tried to evade the perils, a wooden cage seemed to spring up, and started to close around them. "Look out!" Sterling yelled, wedging his sword between two of the cage's walls. "Aw, flap, no!" Fury jammed two other walls with a spear. "Move, move, move!" Black urged. After the others leapt out of the cage's radius, Sterling and Fury followed, releasing the alls as they did, causing the cage to slam shut. "Watch it, Cross!" Fury growled. "That thing nearly shut on my tail 'cause a' you!" "Whatever, feathers." Sterling scowled. From the trees, Turbine watched them as they made their mad dash across the area, running all over the place trying to avoid the innumerable traps that came out of nowhere. ’Oh-ho, I do not want to be those guys right now.’ Turbine chuckled to himself, ’...I still remember when we stumbled on this place years ago. Lost a couple of guys that day. Still, I have to give them props… they managed to survive the first round… let’s see if it’s dumb luck or pure skill.’ As the Project: Freedom team continued their flight, more and more traps ended up being sprung. "Oh, no, you don't!" Sterling declared, leaping over another pit trap as it opened before them. "Big pointy sticks!" Caboose yelped, dodging more spears. "Keep away from the trees!" Fletcher instructed. "Less chance of getting caught in a snare that way!" "Never would've thought of that, genius!" Fury taunted. "Now is not the time, Fury!" Black admonished him. "Focus on running, not talking!" Finally, they reached a clearing. Seeing no more traps are being sprung, the five took a moment to rest. "At last." Sterling stopped to catch his breath. "Let's not breathe easy so quickly." Fletcher declared. "There may still be traps." "Where?" Fury sneered. "In the short grass, or the wide open space?" "There might still be some trap doors." Black mused. "We should proceed with caution, just to be safe." "Thank you, Black." Fletcher smiled. "Good to see somecreature around here values my input." "You mean other than me?" Caboose asked. "Of course." Fletcher smiled. "I know I can always count on you for support, my friend." "Thanks, pal." Caboose beamed. "Oh, barf." Fury scowled. "We should get moving, anyway." Sterling declared. "The further we are from that nightmare course, the better." “Agreed.” Black nodded, “Makes me wish we were back at base, doing those obstacle courses instead…” As the group continued onwards, Turbine leapt onto the branch of a tree just on the edge of the woods. 'Well, I'll be.' He thought. 'They got out of another life-threatening situation by the skin of their teeth. And Broker says these guys aren't a threat...' Looking through his binoculars, he took note of the direction they were walking in. 'And they're not out of the woods yet... figuratively speaking.' As the group kept moving, they came across a sign. It was in a language that none of them seem to recognize, reading: 경고 : 침입자는 미안합니다. “Huh, what is this now?” Black frowned. “Don’t suppose those natives left this here for us too?” Fury grunted. "Unlikely." Fletcher weathered the sarcasm. "Not unless it was somehow perfectly preserved. That signs doesn't look more than a decade or so old, especially compared to the bridge." “What does it say though? It’s no language I seen.” Black grimaced. “I think it’s Alpacian.” Sterling spoke up, as he glanced at the sign. “Alpacian? As in those crazy buckers who shoot anypony who flies over their country?” Fury cringed. “How do you know that?” Fletcher frowned suspiciously. “Heh, let’s say I’ve been there once.” Sterling grimaced, remembering his misadventure to Alpaca before pursuing Project: Maelstrom, “And that was more than enough for me.” “Okay. What does the sign say?” Black asked. “Well, my Alpacian is rusty, but I think it says gyeong-go: chim-ibjaneun yugam-ibnida… which roughly translates to ‘Warning: Trespassers Will Be Sorry.’” Sterling revealed. “Wow. That sign would had been useful… back there!” Fury snarled. “Knowing those Alpacians, they possibly put this here as a sick joke to those who might have survived.” Sterling shook his head. “Either that or we entered the wrong way.” Caboose added. "Well, going back the way we came is unthinkable." Fletcher pointed out. "Shoot, and I was hoping to run another lap or two." Fury said sarcastically. "Very funny, Xaldin." Fletcher growled. "At least I'm being constructive." "Last I checked, stating the obvious isn't very constructive." Sterling snorted. "Let's just keep moving." Black instructed, eager to defuse the tension. "What about the sign?" Caboose frowned. "I don't think we're allowed past it." "Would you rather go back to the trap-laden woods?" Fury snorted. "Maybe..." Caboose shrugged, unsure. “It’ll probably be fine, Caboose.” Sterling assured him, “In my experience, signs like this are normally used to keep regular ponies away. You mark my words, there'll be nothing over there but land that some rich Alpacians think is valuable enough to keep fenced off and behind a slew of traps." “It’s most likely abandoned, also.” Fletcher declared, “It's not like we've seen anycreature on this island so far. Whoever was here probably isn’t anymore." “Oh, yeah?” Fury murmured, “Then why do I feel like we're being watched?" He looked over his shoulder. "Paranoia?" Caboose said helpfully. "I wasn't asking you, Napoleon." Fury spat. "Who were you asking then?" Caboose asked. "Grrr..." Fury walked away, not asking the question. "Good job, Caboose." Fletcher grinned. "Thanks." Caboose smiled. "...For what?" "Nothing too important." Fletcher chuckled. As the others passed the sign. Black and Sterling intentionally fell behind, as Black examined the sign. "First those holes in the ground, and now this." Black frowned. “Yeah… and if what Fletcher said is right… then there were others on this island, after the ‘natives’.” Sterling mused, “But if that’s the case… where are they?” “I don’t know.” Black admitted, “But we better watch our step. They clearly didn’t want us round these parts, and I want to know why...” "Think we should tell the others?" Sterling asked. "Not until we have something concrete." Black declared. "Don't want to cause a panic." "Yeah." Sterling snorted. "We've barely been able to survive with our wits about us. Panicking could really finish us off." "Hey, slowpokes!" Caboose called. "We're waitin'!" "Coming!" Sterling nodded. "Remember: not a word to the others." Black urged. "Yeah, yeah." Sterling grumbled. "I heard ya the first time." "Good." Black said bluntly. "Things are bad enough right now without insubordination..." As they caught up to the others, they found themselves in another large open field. "Stay sharp." Black instructed. "There may still be traps around here..." "Aw, don't be so negative." Caboose shook his head. "Everything's gonna be just fine, wait and see-" 'Click!' "... What was that?" Caboose frowned. "Caboose, don't move." Fletcher instructed, his face alight with fear. "Why, what's going on?" Caboose asked, confused. "Well, we can't be certain, but there's a good chance that clicking noise was you stepping on a landmine." Sterling said awkwardly. “Ooh…” Caboose cringed, as he glanced down. Sure enough, his hoof was pressed down on a landmine. It was a grey metal disc, its center lower than the rest, due to Caboose's hoof pressing down on it. “Well, I guess it can be said that natives didn’t set these down.” Black murmured. “What do I do, guys?” Caboose whimpered, panic starting to set in, “I-I gotta get off this thing!” "Don't move, you idiot!" Fury snarled, instantly summoning and pointing a spear at him. Caboose immediately froze. "You take your hoof off that thing, it'll go off and kill the rest of us!" "Then what, do I just stay here forever?!" Caboose demanded. "Easy, Caboose." Sterling urged. "I think I know how to work around this." "Another holdover from your Forefather days?" Fletcher sneered. "Not that it matters, but yes." Sterling growled. He inspected the mine. "There's a trick to these things. If we can put some rocks underneath, it'll trick the pressure sensors into thinking nocreature stepped on it." "You really think that will work?" Fletcher scoffed. "You got a better idea?" Sterling demanded. "Well, I-" Fletcher started. "Didn't think so." Sterling smirked. "Let's grab some rocks already." Fletcher suppressed a growl as the group sought out various chunks of rock for the operation. "Okay, now slowly, carefully, slide the rocks under the mine." Sterling instructed. "One false move, and Caboose could be blown to bits." "And that's a bad thing?" Fury smirked. "Knock it off, Fury." Black said sternly. "Let's just focus on the task at hoof." "This had better work, Cross." Fletcher threatened. "It will." Sterling urged. "Trust me." "Unlikely." Fletcher muttered. Soon, there were a satisfactory amount of rocks beneath the mine. "Okay, Caboose, slowly take your hoof off the mine." Sterling instructed. "Y-you sure it'll work?" Caboose gulped. "Look at me, Caboose." Sterling instructed. "It'll be okay, I promise." Fletcher grimaced at the sound of Sterling's statement. Caboose took a deep breath, and slowly removed his hoof from the mine. To his relief, it didn't go off. "Hey, it worked!" He cheered. "Caboose no go boom!" "Barely." Fury growled. "Once again, your lack of a brain almost got us into big trouble. If you'd exploded, the rest of us would have gotten caught in the blast!" "I hate to say it, but Fury is right." Black sighed. "I told you all to be careful, Caboose. But you just jumped in without thinking." "Sorry, guys." Caboose apologized. "I didn't mean to cause all this trouble." "We know, Caboose." Sterling told him. "Even so, you must be more careful." Fletcher urged. "Yeah, so we don't all die thanks to you!" Fury growled. "I said that's enough, Fury." Black snarled. "Like we're not all thinking it." Fury growled. "We need to focus on how we can get around all the other mines." Black urged, “There’s no doubt in my mind there’s more of them around here.” "Got any ideas, fearless leader?" Sterling asked. "Well..." Black frowned, unsure of how to proceed. "Now that's encouraging." Sterling snarked. "I think I know a way to get us out of here..." "Follow your lead? No thanks." Fletcher scowled. "Come on, Fletcher." Caboose urged. "His last idea saved me, remember?" "More like he saved himself." Fletcher glared at Sterling. "This again?" Sterling snarled. "So I used to be a Forefather agent. So what? Doesn't mean I can't have good ideas." "How's this for a good idea: less talkin', more walkin'!" Fury announced. "No, wait!" Black yelled. As Fury charged forward, he kicked aside a leftover piece of rock. The rock flew through the air, and landed on another mine. It exploded, and the debris struck another mine, also setting it off. The debris from that explosion set off another mine, resulting in a chain reaction of further explosions that seemed to headed the team's way. "Way to go, birdy." Sterling scoffed. "Run!" Black yelled. The team fled as the field around them erupted with explosions, sending rubble and smoke in all directions. "Where are we going?" Caboose asked. "Away from the explosions, idiot!" Fury yelled. "I can barely see!" Fletcher yelled, the smoke blinding him. An explosion suddenly flared up in front of them. "This way!" Sterling pointed. They continued dancing around the explosions, until finally, nothing but silence and smoke pervaded the open field… the five stood in place, afraid to move. “...Okay, I think it might be over.” Caboose whispered. "I still can't see a thing, though." Fletcher frowned, trying to peer through the smoke. "Join the club." Sterling snarked. Eventually, the smoke cleared, and the five realized they were standing on a teetering rock pile in the middle of a giant crater. "Boy, what are the odds?" Caboose grinned. "Far too long to calculate." Fletcher declared. "Let's just be glad we're all in one piece." Black sighed. "Now, let's get down." "Gladly." Sterling nodded. The group awkwardly climbed down the pile of rocks. Caboose slipped as he neared the ground, falling a minisicule distance and landing on his side. "Ouch." He said flatly. "Way to go, Fury." Sterling scowled. "Forget Caboose, we all almost died because you couldn't be bothered to think ahead." "Better than just standing around, talking about comin' up with plans." Fury retorted. "My plan would've gotten us through all that without having to climb down a pile of rocks." Sterling said bluntly. "I would have preferred a plan that wasn't thought up by a criminal." Fletcher sneered. "At least I had a plan!" Sterling yelled. "All your 'academy training' hasn't been much use lately, has it?" "How dare you!" Fletcher snarled, his doubts driving his temper. "That's enough!" Black roared. "Let's get out of here, already!" "Sure thing, 'boss'." Fury scoffed. "Another great idea from our great leader. Hard to say who's more useless, you or academy boy..." "Don't you start." Fletcher pouted, stomping ahead. "Wait up, Fletcher!" Caboose followed. "Don't think I'll forget your recklessness, Fury." Black snarled. "Ooh, scary." Fury sneered. "You might not want to use your head, but the rest of us get by just fine." Sterling growled. "I swear, it's like I'm only the level-headed one on this 'team'..." "Don't give yourself that much credit." Black snorted. "I've been at this longer than you have." "And it really showed today, huh, 'boss'?" Sterling shot back, “You literally froze back there!” “I did not!” Black snarled, “Not like you did with the your ‘acquaintance’ back at the harbor…” “Oh, so we’re bringing that up again, are we?” Sterling seethed, “The guy who forgot about the ringleader of that bank job!” "Don't try and turn this back on me!" Black growled. "My mistake was merely a slip-up, rather than hesitation towards a former ally!" "A slip-up, eh? Just like the Crystal Sun incident?" Sterling sneered. "Don't you dare bring that up..." Black seethed, his glare darkening. "Why not? Afraid that it might bring you down to my level?" Sterling mocked him. "I may have done some bad things in my past, but so have you. In fact, all the bad things I've done paled in comparison to you, the guy who murders Forefather agents left and right, regardless of what they've done, who lead a hate group against the Changelings, while murdering some of them in the process... and then, here's the big one: becoming Sombra's puppet and nearly taking over Equestria. So don't go and act like you're so damn faultless!" "Well, unlike you, it took quite a bit for me to get to that point." Black retorted, "From what I've heard, you joined the Forefathers when you were a teenager, no questions asked!" "Like I had much of a choice." Stelring rebutted, "It was either go with them, or rot in juvie!" "And how you did you end up there, hmm?" Black shot back, "Because you set fire to your parents' house, trying to kill your brother! If there's anyone that has no right calling ponies out on their mistakes, it's you. I'll admit, I have done things I am not proud of, and I'll probably have to live with them for the rest of my life. You're right, I'm not faultless, but despite what I've done, I had nothing but the best of intentions. Can you say the same?" "...You know what, I already have to put up with pretty boy and feathers." Sterling hissed, "But I'm not going to take this from you." With that, Sterling turned and walked away. "Don't you walk away from me!" Black followed Sterling. Only Fury was left. He walked as slowly as he could, wanting to keep as much distance from his 'teammates' as possible. Suddenly, he stopped, and glanced back toward the trees in the distance. “Dammit… why I am getting this feeling?” Fury growled to himself. “Somecreature is watching us… but why? Who would want to watch this crapshow?” Over in the trees, Turbine came out of hiding, having briefly ducked into the shadows. He didn't know how it was possible, but he had the brief notion that Fury was aware of him. ’Son of a Raptorian, that was close.’ He told himself, ’Is he on to me? ...No, it can’t be. Not even Griffons have eyesight that good. Still, the last thing I need is letting those assholes know we’re here… that’s going to be on Broker’s head, not me.' Turbine continued following them… only for the Taskforce's kite to suddenly emerge from behind the highest tree., having been hidden the whole time. Elite, Consul, and Armory were watching the feed, having watched the whole minefield go up in smoke. “Whew, that was close.” Elite frowned, “A second slower and Fury might've seen us.” “Yeah… you don’t suppose Fury is on to us, do you?” Armory asked. “Right now, I'm more concerned about the team.” Consul grimaced, “You’ve seen them, right? They’re getting worse…” "They just had a bad day." Armory urged. "Besides, they made it through that minefield, didn't they?" "Survival is one thing." Consul shook his head. "Teamwork is another. And in that respect, it looks like they're backsliding. Even if they do survive, I doubt Wall will be pleased." "Don't be so quick to dismiss them." Elite admonished Consul. "Even the best of allies can argue sometimes. But they always pull it together when needed." "Pretty words, Elite." Consul sighed. "But sometimes, reality, as ugly as it can be, is more powerful." "And the reality of the situation is that they're still ticking." Armory said defiantly. "That means there's still hope." "Well said, Armory." Elite smiled. "It's not over yet, Consul. So none of us should give up hope." "I hope you're right, Elite." Consul mused. "I really do..."