I take a deep breath and everything fades away. It was just me, breathing in the office scent. When I stop seconds later, my heart beat slows while my head lifts.

I smile and head towards the armory, On my way, Zack passes me. "He alright?" I smile wide, "I got his side of the story." He leans forward and whispers, "That he's undercover for Engen Enterprises?" My hand goes to my heart as he smiles, "Yes, we're allies. Take care now."

I clear my throat and come across Fox. She lies outside, littered with snowflakes. I look down, "You shouldn't be out of bed." She opens her eyes, "You shouldn't either." I gaze up at the clouds, they drop snowflakes. "It's February and it's snowing?" Fox smiles, "They said it'd come in April!" Before I open the armory's door, I yell to her, "I'll be back!" "You better! It'd be boring around here if you died!"

I giggle and go inside. Zero turns to me in front of a group of fellow soldiers. "I'm coming with!" He smiles, "Hurry up then." I rush to the counter and get a duffel bag. I slap on the armor and load in a magazine. A man comes through the door, smoking a cigarette. A deep southern accent comes out with the smoke, "Remember, it's shoot on sight." Zero smiles, "Are you from Georgia?" He puffed as I try not to-

"Where is Milo?!" He punches my gut again.

I gag and grab at my gut as he puffs, "Born and raised. We head out at thirteen hundred. What's her problem?" I stand up straight as he marches up to me, "Nothing sir." He puffs that shit out in my face,

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The countless blows hit my stomach. Deep breaths, Alice.

I tense up as he squints close, "It's good to have a lady on the team." He swoops away and paces around the room as Zero whispers in my ear, "Are you clear? You're shaking." I nudge him, "I'm fine." "-You, next to the lady!" Zero springs away from me, "Zero, sir?" "Turn on the projector for me?" He nods, the projector fires it's rays onto the white wall.

The southerner put blueprints on the screen, "I am Aiden Barden. As Zero here said, I'm taking Gladius' place." He turns around and taps in two places, "There are just two entrances, Zero will lead the east," while-" He scans the room, then shrugs before pointing to me. "The lady'll lead the west." I stammer, "What?"

He smiles and stomps out his cigarette, "You up for it, lady?" I nod, "It's Tango and yes." His smile grows wider, "That's the spirit!" He turns to the prints and draws lines with black marker, branching into every room, "After breaching, we clear the rooms one by one and meet up at the center." Zero speaks up, "Sir, There's been a bomber-"

"I'm aware. I will assist on Tango's side, watch for explosives cause' that vest won't save you." They all look at each other, blabbering amongst themselves. Aiden's brows furrow before his voice booms across the armory, "Shut up and listen!" They all stand up straight, "Where was I- Ah!" He points, "In the center is where this so called Genius is. Against a wall and trapped."

I gulp, "Isn't that a trap?" He smiles, "Guess we have another genius." I blush, "Thanks." Zero's eyes narrow and groans softly. Aiden immediately turns, "Am I boring you?" He shakes his head as I put on a grin, "He's just ready to catch this guy." Aiden looked at me and immediately gets lost. I exhale and raise my finger. His eyes move up and shakes his head, "Enough sitting on our asses, to the UM-70's!" He marches off.