“I’ve never been to the beach before.” 24-42 admitted as she and M42 were flown from the base to the nearest beach.
“It’s not much really.” M42 admitted. “Just water and sand.”
“So why are you taking me?” 24-42 poked his arm.
“Because after the drama of the last few days, you need a break.” M42 pointed out.
The small plane landed at an Defence base that was a good 5 minute drive from the beach. M42 and 24-42 were both dressed as civilians, and took a civilian car down to the water.
“I thought you said it was just water and sand! You said nothing about the view.” 24-42 raced down to the water and turned around to look at the mountain ranges that overlooked the ocean.
“I must admit, this beach IS very nice. And very quiet.” M42 joined her in the water. He was wearing a long-sleeved surf suit to hide his bionics.
“It IS a Tuesday.” 24-42 pointed out. “Everyone is at work. Besides, isn’t this a private military beach?”
“Doesn’t stop people from surfing here.” M42 laughed.
The two had a fun morning, splashing each other and swimming around until the midday sun got too hot and they retreated to shade to eat lunch.
“Any news on the others?” 24-42 asked as they lay back on a lounge in the shade, letting their lunches settle.
“Tytus is now responding to treatment, which is good. The other two have been severely reprimanded and will also need to go through therapy.” M42 told her. “C42 has apologised profusely for putting me through all of this.”
“So she should. Henna and I were talking last night and we both agree she stuffed up pretty badly.” 24-42 sipped her wine.
“You and 17-42 seem pretty close.” M42 said as 24-42 snuggled into his side.
“I think she might be my best friend.” 24-42 said. “That’s twice she’s saved my bacon against Tytus.”
“I’m glad. It’s nice that my team isn’t completely fractured.” M42 sighed as he sipped his own wine.
“We’ll be fine.” 24-42 promised.
–
Tytus was now allowed out of his lodgings, but he did his best to avoid everyone. He was feeling very sore, angry and guilty. Why did they have to care so much about him? Why’d he have to care about them so much?
He was about to head to the lunch room and grab a snack, but Daniel was in there. Daniel and Alexis were the LAST people he wanted to talk to. He found instead he wanted to talk to 24-42, but she was off on her date with the Major.
Brainwashing. Pfft. Tytus was definitely not brainwashed. Sure, he’d been indoctrinated as a child, but even then he had firmly believed what the Haunted Maze Church was talking about. He still did, if the truth was told, but now he had other things that he believed.
He believed in 24-42. He believed that Henna, Alexis and Daniel were his family. He believed that M42 and H42 had his best interests at heart. Did he believe in the mission of peacekeeping? Heck no, but if it meant staying with his new family, then maybe he could go along with it. It was something to do anyway.
Of course…then there was his old family. The Haunted Maze Troupe. Henna was right, they HAD left him to rot in prison. Not one of them had even written to him. Technically, he was in prison for a murder he had never committed – he’d taken the fall for another higher-ranking Trouper.
His head was starting to hurt. He decided to head to the gym, which was thankfully empty. He lay back on the leg press and started exercising. Soon he was in rhythm, and his brain started again.
Maybe he could ask to be removed from missions where there was a risk of running into the Troupe? That would solve his conflict of interest. Tytus kept pumping, feeling like he had a plan and that everything would work out.
He turned his head when someone else walked into the gym. It was Henna, who smiled at him and then headed to one of the stair machines. Tytus finished a few more reps before going to join her.
“How are you feeling? That leg press will give you jelly legs, you know that right.” Henna commented as they both started exercising.
“I’m an Experiment, I’ll be fine.” Tytus grinned back, trying to seem nonchalant and failing.
“If you fall I’m telling everyone.” Henna chuckled.
“I won’t.” Tytus replied.
They continued in silence for a while.
“Do you know where 24-42 and her boyfriend went for their date?” He asked.
“To the beach down Bightland way.” Henna replied.
“I thought the Major would want to take 24-42 to the Silver Coast or something.” Tytus remarked.
“Unfortunately the Silver Coast is too busy, and besides, 24-42 is from Kings County, so there’s a chance she’d be recognised. Bightland also has a military beach they can use privately.” Henna told him.
“Makes sense. So I guess if we did ask for a day pass it’d be pretty limited in where we could go.” Tytus began to feel his legs wobbling, but he kept going.
“Yes and no. There are certain precautions we have to take, but otherwise there’s plenty of places we can go.” Henna replied. “Your legs are shaking.”
Tytus groaned, before turning the machine off and walking wobbily to a seat. Henna chuckled at him.
“They should be back soon. Wanna come with me to meet the plane?” Henna asked.
Tytus stretched his legs, trying to get some strength back into them. “Sure.” He said.
“Alex and Dan aren’t mad at you by the way, so you can go and talk to them.” Henna added.
Tytus froze.
“Yes, we’re talking again, although I don’t think they’ve spoken to 24-42 yet.” Henna continued. “And aren’t you three besties?”
“Alex and Suze are besties, and Dan is friends with PL89-42.” Tytus signed. “And you’re besties with 24-42.”
“So are you.” Henna pointed out.
“Me? Best friends with 24-42?” Tytus was taken aback.
“We all saw you go and stay with her on that plane ride back after she tried to kill the Major. Why wouldn’t you be best friends?” Henna said matter-of-factly. “Which makes you my best friend by proxy.”
“You hate me!” Tytus cried.
“Do you blame me, calling my powers Pee Powers and generally being a dick?” Henna said. “But you stood by 24-42 at her lowest point and for that I’ll forgive anything.”
Tytus actually felt ashamed. Henna had done nothing wrong to him and yet he’d acted like a total jerk to her. “I am sorry.” He said bashfully.
“It’s fine. What started out as bullying has really turned into friendly teasing.” Henna got off the stair machine and sat next to him.
“I must admit I loved your line about getting pissed on from above.” Tytus grinned.
“See?” Henna nudged him. “The three of us are going to be the best friends ever.”
Tytus smiled bashfully.
“Speaking of, 24-42 and the Major should be back in the next twenty minutes, come on!” Henna pulled Tytus out of the gym, his worn-out legs barely working.
–
Before they left the beach, 24-42 waded out and looked out at the slowly dimming sky. It didn’t escape her notice that she hadn’t thought about him all day. In fact, she hadn’t thought about him since they had gotten Tytus back.
Because you don’t need him anymore. She thought. You have a Major. And a Henna, and a Tytus, and an Alex and a Dan and a Suzie.
All the conversations with S42 played over in her mind, all the exercises they’d done together. Was life perfect? Glob no, and it never would be. But was it good enough?
Yes.
24-42 turned around, her bright green eyes sparkling.
“Time to go.” M42 walked up to her. “Wait…your eyes are green?”
24-42 laughed and led him by the arm out of the water. “It’s why my first foster family dumped me.” She explained as they got their gear. “They were highly religious nutbags who thought my green eyes were a curse from the devil. When my eye colour started to change based on my mental health, they freaked out further and got rid of me.”
M42 felt sick at that.
“I don’t understand how anyone could do that to a child.” He said, thinking of his late son who he still loved so dearly.
“You’re a good father though.” 24-42 pointed out, putting her hand on his arm.
M42 smiled at that. They got back in the car and headed back to the base where they got on the plane to take them back home. 24-42, for the first time in her life, felt fine.
–
“Tell us EVERYTHING.” Henna sat with 24-42 and Tytus in 24-42’s lodgings.
“Nothing much to tell.” 24-42 said with a cheeky grin.
“I know that grin, spill sister!” Tytus joined in the ribbing, feeling a bit awkward about it.
24-42 smiled as her cats swarmed her and her two friends.
“I feel fine.” 24-42 said. “I finally feel fine.”
Henna smiled at her friend, eyes swimming with emotion. Tytus looked away, his plan to try and avoid the Haunted Maze Troupe now feeling weak and empty. Hadn’t 24-42 faced up to her demons and won?
“I’m not going to hide anymore.” He said. He felt tears at his eyes.
“Good. Because you’re one of us now, and we want to know you.” 24-42 clapped his back.
“I want to know me too.” Tytus said.
“Alex and Dan want to know you too.” Henna said. “So do Suzie and the Major.”
“We’re a family now. No more hiding.” Tytus wiped his eyes.
There was a knock at the door. Alexis and Daniel had come over, both of them looking hesitant.
“Come on in guys, we’re getting all our emotions out here.” 24-42 pulled them in.
“Should we get M42 and Suzie too?” Henna asked.
“Well if you’re gonna do that, we’re gonna need to find someplace bigger.” Daniel joked.
“1A-42, can you please let M42 and H42 know that Team A is throwing a party in the lunchroom and their presence is mandatory?” Tytus called to the computer.
“Will do 15-42.” 1A-42 replied.
“That is so creepy how they’re always watching us.” Alexis shuddered as the group made their way to the lunchroom.
“It just goes to show we’re never alone.” Henna smiled at her.
The group stopped.
“Henna come ON.”
“You just made it creepier!”
“Read the room!”
“Oh come on you lot.” Henna chuckled.
They all made it to the lunchroom where Suzie and M42 were waiting, and proceeded to have the best night of their lives.