Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

TEAM FORTRESS: TEAM 279

CHAPTER I

TEAM BLU 379

07:27

ROAD TO DUSTBOWL

Sun was rising on the horizon. Light was shining on the canyon. It was a really beautiful morning.

On the road, car was moving to its destination. In it, there were sitting three people. Two of them older and one younger.
Two of them were dressed in blue suits and they had masks on. The difference were that younger one had on his head fedora that was covering his eyes, glasses and a blue suit with black shirt and lighter blue tie, and he was holding a lollipop in his mouth, while older one had fedora that was smaller than younger mans, coat with eight buttons, upturned collar and belt and on his chest there was a blue bud.
The different looking person had white beard and was smoking from a pipe, on his head he was wearing red military peaked hat, and on his red coat he had gold-trimmed lapels and cuffs.

Younger member was checking eight photos that older masked man gave him.
- “So I will be working with them?” – The younger man asked. He had polish accent.
- “Yes” – Older answered, while blowing out smoke from his cigarette.
- “All eight of you are starting your duty as Team Fortress mercenaries. One of the members, The ninth class you could say, will be teaching you everything on the battlefields. He was previously in different team but because we needed someone to teach you stuff because well… we have a lot of work in the headquarters. You will be fine with him.” – Military man said.
- “I’m sure of it, General. I’m scared of something different.” – Younger man said with worry in his voice.

The General looked at the masked man sitting beside him and gently hits him, urging him to speak
The Masked man looked angrily, but quickly turned to look at the young man sitting behind them.
- “Listen kiddo. I know that we spies are… how to say it? Not so popular with other classes. So don’t mind them if they will start picking on you or something.” – Older man said.
- “Yeah I’m scared of that but also I’m scared of-“ - Younger spy was cut off by general suddenly.
- “Here we are!” – General started. – “Dustbowl. A place with rocks, sand and huge rocket!” – General smiled.
- “Why the rocket again?” – Younger spy asked.
- “Well you see. At the beginning this rocket was supposed to fly. But someone stole all inner parts or something and the rocket is stuck here now. So for now it is nothing more than a decoration.” – Older spy answered.

Younger spy looked around the entrance.
In the mountain there was wooden entrance with writing “BLU” at the top of them.
- “Come on Edward. They are waiting.” – General said and went inside.
Young spook took his luggage, and with two older men beside him, went inside.

When he was inside, he looked around the room. It was big. The floor was made of wood, the same went for the walls.
On the left side of the room there was kitchen and it looked like two people were there already. One person was a really tall and well build man in glasses, the other one was black skinned man with light beard. In the living room that was in front where five people. Three of them were sitting near the table and other two were on the sofa watching TV.
From the hall on the right came two more people. One of them had gas mask on, and other one was a woman in glasses and red hair done in ponytail.
- “I see everyone are here now. Good.” – She said and smiled to the General. After that she looked at her notepad. – “Now everybody, come here.”
Everyone came closer to hear what the woman wanted to say.
- “General. You can start. It will take some time before I find it.” – She said to general quietly, a blush appearing on her face. She started to check her notepad faster and hid her face behind it, so nobody would see her shameful face.
- “As you probably all know, all of you finished Team Fortress course. Now, real training starts. All of you are grown up so we expect that all of you will be responsible here. All of you know me as General. And let’s leave it that way. That woman here will be your handler. Her name is Melissa. She will give you all the weapons that you will get from your administrator. So be good for her or you will be kicked from the team and from the whole project.” – General said.

Edward was now trying to remind himself about everything in Team Fortress project.
This project was created in 1974, when original… well not Original original, but more the newer original team, stopped fighting and together created this project.
This Team Fortress project – a project that creates mercenaries and lets them train. They can do missions if the team is hired to do something. On training ground teams have different missions. There are two team colors. Blue and Red. Of course there is no one team blue and one red. There are many red and blue teams. Every team have their own administrator who is informing them about stuff that is going on battlefield or gives them informations about future missions, and handler who is giving them stuff for good behavior or for side-mission they choose.
Joining this project is not easy. Most of the time, member of the project finds people that could join it. After joining, members need to finish three years training. They need to study, learn how to use weapons of their class and other stuff.
After passing the course, member is sent to one of the teams where he takes part in the missions. Missions are mostly trainings that include capturing other team’s intelligence, or protecting the point.
Sometimes the whole team can even go on real missions that they will get paid for. Those missions are truly unknown for new teams.

- “Thank you General.” – Melissa smiled, waking Edward from his thought train. - “So I will tell you what you will be doing today. At 9 AM you will be trying to take the control points, while red team will be protecting them. Remember. 9 AM. As for doing food and cleaning. Engineer will be cooking today, while Soldier will be cleaning. Every day the person that is cooking and cleaning will change. Tomorrow, chief will be Medic, while Pyro will be cleaning. Everyone got all the info? Good. Official weapons that you will use for those fights will be waiting for you in your rooms. Unpack everything you have, meet your teammates, and everything will be good.” – She finished.
- “As for the leader of the team, - Older spy said, scaring everyone around and reminding them he is here. – “none other than our young spy will be boss here.” – He pointed with his cigarette at Edward.

Everyone from blue team were now observing Edward, who felt like he got smaller and they got bigger.
- “He will choose his co-leader. That person who will do the same stuff as Spy, when he is unavailable.” – General said. – “You have a few days to chose your second-in-command son. Choose wisely.” – He put his hands on blue spook’s shoulders to cheer him up a little. After he took his hands from him, he went to the doors. – “We will be going now. Aren’t we, Spy?” – He looked at older spy who was standing already at the doors.
- “Let’s go, General.” – He turned to the new team. – “As for you. You are team BLU number 279. Try not to kill each other.” – He smiled and went outside.
General only shook his head to show that they should not worry about it and went outside too.

- “So, I will do breakfast for everyone, and while we eat, we will talk ok?” – Engie smiled and went to the kitchen.
- “Have a good day boys.” – Melissa said, while fixing her glasses. – “See you another day.” – And as she said it, she went outside.
Edward took his luggage, and surprisingly, Pyro pointed for the Spy to come with him.
- “Pyro will show you where your room is, Spook.” – Heavy explained.
Spy smiled and went after pyro.

They were walking by some doors and finally turned left but surprisingly turned left again. And again, a long corridor where they were passed by many doors.
At the end there were two doors, on the left and one on the right. Pyro opened doors on the right, and both of them went inside.
- “Hugh ih huh hroom” – The flame loving man said and went back to the corridor.
Spy only nodded and put his luggage on the bed near the wall.
Room wasn’t big. It was cozy actually.

The bed had blue pillow and quilt. On the bedside cabinet was standing small lamp.
By the right wall were standing desk and bookcase which was empty.
In front of the desk was chair. On the desk was also a lamp, but this lamp was more of a hanging one. There was also lying a book on the desk called “Team Fortress Rules”
Edward knew those rules, so he didn’t bother reading them.
No females in the course, don’t kill or hurt your team inside or outside of a match, etc.

Edward quickly took his luggage from the bed, when he remembered about his weapons being on the bed.
He looked at the weapons, a revolver with six bullets, a butterfly knife, a disguise kit that was hidden in the cigarette case, a watch that can make him invisible and sapper for sapping engineer’s stuff.
He looked again at cigarette case. He did not like smoking. He did not like cigarettes. So he did only good thing he could think of, he threw away the cigarettes from the case.
Still having lollipop in his mouth he was thinking what to put in the case.  The lollipop unfortunately ended so the young spy threw the stick away, and then it hit him.
He will use lollipops.
With smile on his face he put watch on his right hand and put cigarette case, now lollipop case in his suit’s pocket and went back to living room.

When he made it there he looked around. Engineer was putting food on the plates. Scout was lying on the sofa and watching TV. Heavy and Sniper were playing chess. And Pyro was observing them. Heavy was winning. The only ones missing were Soldier, Demo and Medic.
Suddenly the soldier just passed by spy’s left side.
- “Hey Engie. Food is ready?” – He asked.
- “Yes it is. You can call everyone.” – Engineer smiled and grabbed few plates with hamburgers. – “Sorry for asking Spook, but could you help me? Sorry for breaking your pride.” – He smiled.
Spy just smiled back and he too grabbed a few plates of burgers to help Engie, which surprised older team member slightly.
- “It won’t hurt my pride too hard.”

Soldier was nowhere to be seen again. It meant that he went for both missing members.
Edward sat on the right of Heavy, while Pyro was on the Heavies left. When Medic came he sat on the other side of the table, and on the left of the Sniper.
And of course when Soldier and Demo appeared and sat down, Engineer stood up from his chair.

- “So, it is time to welcome everybody right? So let’s start introduction.”– Engineer started. – “My name is Derek Johnson, but you can call me John, and I’m Engineer here. But that you know. I’m from USA. And I am 44 years old. So enough about me. Who’s next? Maybe you Spy?” – Engie Chuckled.
- “Why not?” – Edward chuckled back. He was a spy and technically he shouldn’t say anything about himself. But they are his teammates, so they don’t count. – “My name is Edward Jeleń, Jeleń means Deer if you don’t know, so you can joke how much you want. I’m from Poland. Country in the middle of Europe. And I’m Spy here. I’m not like anything you heard about spies. So if you need help from someone, anyone. Then you can count on me too.” – He said and sat down back. –“ Also, I’m 27 years old. Simply because I’m younger then most of you doesn’t mean that I don’t know what I’m doing.” – He finished.

- “My turn then.” – Heavy stood up. – “I’m Pyotr Yurin. I’m from Russia and I’m 34 years old. My class is Heavy weapons guy, Heavy for short. If you need someone strong to help, you know where I am.” – He smiled and sat back.
- “No we don’t know”. – Scout said mockingly.
- “And we have another one to talk.” – John smiled. – “Go on scout.”
- “What?” – Scout asked. – “Nu uh. Nada. I’m not talking.” – He started.
- “Come on boy. You have to do this.” – Soldier started cheering.
- “Ok ok. Jeez… - Scout gruntled under his nose - I’m Scout ya’ all. Name’s James Carta, rememba the name! I’m from the greatest place on earth! Boston! And bedda rememba that I’m the best there was. I’m 24 but I can put down ya’ all down easily.” – Scout finished.

Everyone looked at Scout and then back again at each other, trying to find something to say.
- “Well… that was interesting.” – Engineer tried to kill the silence. – “Hey Demo. What about you?” – Engie looked at Demoman who was looking now at everyone.
- “Ay. Grand Roberson. Scotland. 37 years old. My class is Demoman. I blow up staff. And if needed fix ‘em.” – He chuckled lightly. – “Ay Soldier boy. Maybe you next?”

Soldier looked at demo from behind his glasses. He brushed his hair and started.
- “Hunter Walker, Sir. From the USA. Born in 1987. I’m Soldier. You can also call me Sollie if you want. Or just Hunter.”
- “1987? So you are 32.” – Spy asked.
- “Affirmative.” – Soldier nodded. – “So, who is next?”
- “Medic. Go on. Maybe you will say something about yourself?” – Engineer cheered on the medic.

Medic sighted and put down his book.
- “Mein name zis Edgar Schneider und I vill be your medic. 29 years old, I was born in little village in Deutschland. Anything else?” – Medic ended.
- “No. Everythink is alright.” – Spy said. He looked at Pyro and Sniper, The last two who needed introduction.
- “Who want to be the first to start? Pyro? Sniper?” – Engineer asked.
- “I will go then.” – Sniper stood up. – “My name is Jack Anderson. I'm Sniper. 32 years old, from Australia. I hope we will have great time together.”
- “He doesn’t sound very Australian.” – Scout whispered
Suddenly he felt Sniper’s eyes on him. Sniper knew.
- “I still have ears, you know?” – Sniper said calmly. But everyone somehow knew he was very angry at young Bostonian.

Everyone was now looking at poor Pyro who started mumbling.
- “Mhm mhame him ih Haleh Hevahns…” - Pyro started.
Not surprisingly, nobody understood a thing.
- “Erm. Pyro. Maybe you should try writing it?” – Spy asked, giving the fire-loving maniac a sheet of paper and pencil that he took from the inner pocket of his suit.
Pyro started scrabbling some words, and at the same time Sniper asked the young spy.
- “Ey. Do you have paper and pencils around you every time?”
- “Of course.” – Spy smiled. – “I like to draw. So every time I feel like drawing something I just take out paper and start sketching.”
Sniper nodded and Pyro signaled that it was finished. Everyone looked at the sheet of paper and started reading it.
- “My name is Alex Evans. Born in America. 27 years old. Pyro. I hope we will do miracles!”

To everyone’s surprise, at the end there was no dot. It was small heart.
- “So… he is a gay.” – Scout shot out, with disappointment in his voice.
To pyro’s surprise, everyone hit Scout on the back of his head.
- “WHAT WAS THAT FAH!” – He shouted very angry.
- “That was for this disappointment in your voice.” – Spy answered.
- “Gay or not. He is still our teammate. Besides, does it matter if he is gay or not?” – Engie added.
- “But why the heart though?” – Soldier asked curiously.
- “Well… People can learn not to do dots but other things to end words with. I, for example, always ended words with little star.” – Heavy said.
- “I think you mean sentences.” – Engie said.
- “That too.” – Heavy answered.

Everyone just sighted and started eating, getting ready for the match that was supposed to start.
But Pyro didn’t eat anything. Not only because he had mask on, it was also because he was really she. It hurt her that their teammates don’t know about her gender, but it understandable. Not only did Team Fortress rules said no females in the group but she was scared that their teammates will start seeing her as weak or a burden to the team, just like her family.
No, she thought, they are not like her family. At least it seems that they are not like them. But she was still curious, why does Team Fortress not let women work in this project as mercenaries.
She was truly lucky to be in the project through. Thanks to the General, she was put here, he saw something in her, like he saw in each member of the project. And it did help her that her name is Alex, an unisex name.

- “Get ready everyone. The match will start soon.” – Engineer started. – “I will get dishes to the dishwasher, and you get your weapons and go to the exit. We will need to go out in few minutes.” – He stopped at Pyro’s dish and saw the untouched hamburger. – “Oh. I understand if you are too stressed to eat this. New people around and this mask. I’m pretty sure you don’t want anyone to see your face huh? If you want, I can pack it for later, so you will eat this after the match, when nobody will be around. Unless you are vegetarian. So? How about this idea?” – He asked the flame-loving mercenary. Pyro nodded and Engie took the burger and put it on the counter for now.

Everyone did as the oldest member said. While everyone went for their weapons, old Texan stopped the blue spook.

- “You do know who will be your second-in-command?” – He asked the young leader.
- “Unfortunately, not yet.” – Spy said. – “What if I…” - He started but was stopped by Engie.
- “You will do great, son. You may be a bad leader at the beginning, but you will learn everything. I also hope you will choose a good person for your second. It will be easier for everyone.” – Engie smiled.
Spook nodded silently and went to the exit.
Maybe Engineer will be his second-in-command? He is older than all of them, and seems he knows better.

Spy was cut off from his inner thoughts by Soldier who got ready for their exit.
- “Ready?” – He asked spy.
- “Yeah. Let’s go.” – Spy said.
And everyone left their base and went for their spawn base, to start their first match together.

TO BE CONTINUE.

Chapter Text

TEAM FORTRESS: TEAM 279

CHAPTER II

PERFECT TEAM…?

08:54 AM

DUSTBOWL – BLUE TEAM SPAWN ROOM

Everyone went to their lockers that were inside the base. Spawnroom wasn't big but it was enough, it had 9 lockers, three benches, two posters on the stone walls, and stairs that were taking everyone outside.

Spy looked at his revolver and put bullets in it. When he reloaded it, he looked at everyone, and to his surprise Engineer had a different shotgun than Pyro and Soldier.
Soldier's, Pyro's, and Engineer's use the same type of shotgun, but engineer one looked different.

- I see you like what you see. - Engineer joked and put his shotgun down. – It's called Frontier Justice. I got it ten years ago from my previous Announcer. You see. When you are doing good on the battlefield, an announcer can give you a new weapon or rarely a part of clothing. I was doing good and got this. And it surprisingly... - He reloaded - ...still works like new - He smiled.
- I see. - Spy nodded and turned to check one last time on his revolver.

Suddenly everyone could hear a female voice saying something.
- The match will start in one minute. Get ready.
Edward checked last time everything and when the siren started, he and others burst out of the room, ready to win.

03:14 PM

BLUE TEAM BASE - DINING ROOM

Edward was sitting near the table, holding his head with his hands, trying to either forget the whole match or understand why it went so badly. They had three chances.
They had three rounds.
AND THEY FAILED ALL THREE.
On the first try, they failed to complete the first phase of the arena. Heck, they didn't even get the first point and weren't able to get out of spawn.

On the second try, they were able to get out of the spawn and get the first point. But were pushed back to spawn again and could not leave.

The third try was surprisingly different. They got two first points and were able to complete the first phase of the Dustbowl.
What they didn't expect was that they couldn't cross a small cave near the second spawn.
They lost three times.

Surprisingly Red was amused and promised that if blue will fail again next time, they will be less aggressive and more helpful.
That was both kinda helpful, but also was biting Spy in the butt.
He tried to help the team, order them to help, guide them. The only ones that we're listening to him were Engineer and Soldier. Other's were doing their own stuff.
Scout trying to bash everyone with his baseball bat, Pyro trying to burn everyone but getting blasted away by a sentry, Demoman trying to blow everyone up, which ended with him taking the lives of his own teammates by accident, Heavy and Medic trying to work together but failing, Medic also was not healing anyone else beside Heavy for some reason, and Sniper who was nowhere to be seen. Edward had to give to Sniper that he was a good one though. Thanks to him they got the first point both times.

- Having a hard time? - Edward heard a familiar voice.
He turned around to see Derek, preparing a midday meal and looking at the young spy.
- Yeah. Kind of. I can't believe that we had three chances and blew them away. - Spy started venting. - Why does nobody listen to me? I mean. I understand that it's a new situation for them and I'm a spy but... - He looked at his Engineer. - ... but I see everything that is going on and try to help as much as I could. - And he suddenly just hit his head on the table. - I feel useless.

John put down the frying pan and sat down beside him.
- Well. We are still a new team, and they rarely got orders. So don't act too surprised. - He smiled. - But you know. I heard you did quite well. I didn't see you in action. Want to tell few moments? While dinner is slowly getting ready? - Derek finished and gave the spy a glass of orange juice.
- Yeah sure. I think at least. - Spook said and started reminding.

FIRST PHASE

While his team was spawn camped, Edward had an idea to destroy the teleport of the Red team, and make his team push, after getting A point, he would take quickly B point.
The idea was great but there was one problem. Teleport entrance was for some reason near B point and was guarded by Red Soldier and Red Sniper.
Spy took a deep breath and changed into Red Scout and ran towards two men.
- Yo. Med said that you should come there. - He said.
- Why? Any reasons? - Soldier asked, being confused for a second and looking at his watch.
- No clue. He only said for you two to come. Didn't explain why. - Spy as scout explained.

Sniper took his rifle and went to the teleporter that was near them.
After stepping on it, he disappeared in the flash of red light. The soldier started moving but then stopped.
- Tell me one thing, Scout. - He then turned around and looked at Spy. - Was it worth it?
He then took his shotgun and shot Spy in the right leg.
Spy lost both his Scout mask and weapon. He also didn't know what to focus on first, pain in the leg that was blown to pieces, nausea from the pain, or snarky red Soldier.
- Sorry spook. This round is not yours. - Soldier smiled and pulled the trigger.
A loud noise was heard, and for split second there was nothing. Darkness. Black everywhere.
And suddenly light, feeling like a spy was being pulled forward at impossible speed and.

He was once again in the spawn room. He was feeling dizzy, didn't want to stand up, but wanted to throw up.
He felt someone patting his back, and turned to see Engineer sitting with him.
- You ok? Didn't seen you for some time, and was worried that you won't come back or something. - He smiled gently.
Edward did not say anything as he didn't want to give back his hamburgers from before.
The engineer knew it and called Medic who just survived the explosion that took the life of their Heavy.

He rushed to check spook, still shaken from what just happened, but trying to look like nothing happened. He started calming down while checking spy, if he had no side-effects of the machine.
From what he understood, the machine when was switched on was bringing people back to life when they die near it. There was one side effect though. There would be signs, scars on the body. Edward quickly finds out it after Edgar - their medic saw his knee. A huge scar was on it, and the spy didn't like it one bit. But unfortunately for time being, he had to either survive as long as he could or deal with scars after being killed.
After getting checked by their med, he gave spook some cup of water.
At first, spook was surprised that they had paper cups and water here but then saw a dispenser build in their spawn room, distributing water.
- We can't build things normally in spawn, but when the team is new, we have the consent of our administrators to build dispensers, to make new soldiers feel better after their first death. Nausea and stuff like this. - Engineer explained.
Spook shook his head and was drinking water, slowly feeling better. Looking at their Medic he checked their Heavy who just spawned, he realized that he should talk with all of them later to even more know them.
He felt like it was needed. But for now to come back to fight.

NOW

-So that's how you get that scar huh? I was curious. - Dell said chuckled gently.
- Well. My fault really. Should have just gone for the soldier and later sniper. - Edward answered with a slight frown.
- It's not that bad. You tried doing the pacifist way. You will have more chances to do it in the future. - Engie stood up and took a hamburger from the counter. - You want that Pyro? - He smiled and look in the direction of the corridor.
Spy looked too and saw pyro hiding quickly hiding behind the wall, and he could hear running down the corridor.
- What with him? - Engie asked confused.
- I might know what. - Spook started. - So...

SECOND PHASE

They got the first point. After four minutes they were able to push the enemy team away.
The blue team took the first point. Sniper really was helpful.
Spy looked at where their Sniper was hiding. Old shack at the other side of a small canyon, and shooting from one of the holes there.
Edward checked on everyone, Heavy and medic rushed to the upper cave, Engie with them holding teleporter, Demo and Soldier rushed by two caves on the ground, Scout going with Demo while Pyro with Soldier. Spy just shook his head and signalized to Sniper that he is going.
Sniper nodded and slowly was making his way also to the fronts.
Both knew that the red team was more coordinated and superior to them.
Spy took his time, made his way as to slow as he could, changing into their sniper, trying to get behind them and take down their sniper as fast as he could.
He moved by their heavy and pyro, barely dodging it.
And was near his target.
But heard something. He looked at the enemy soldier who shot at Alex - blue pyro, who air blasted the rocket and it was flying into a spy.
- Oh no. - Was the only thing Edward could say before the rocket hit him point-blank.
Waking up in the spawn room, he tried to understand what just happened. Grabbing a cup of water from a near dispenser that was still stationed in the spawn room, he drank it, with confusion on his face.

NOW

- So it was you who exploded?! - Engie started laughing. - I thought that it was an enemy soldier as I heard his scream.
- Well. Unfortunately, rocket flight by him and into me. I can guess that he was screaming either from surprise that blood and my insides appeared out of nowhere, or Pyro got him after this surprise rocket. - He chuckled. While this scene for sure was nightmarish, insides flying from nowhere, the Red soldier's reaction had to be hilarious.

- So? More stories? - Engie asked pouring more orange juice to spy.
- Nope. Besides the moment where Grand killed me, soldier and half of red team, that moment you saw. No. - He chuckled
Engie joined the laugh and put his hand on the spy's shoulder.
- Don't worry, you and others will get better. For now, train and try to be a good leader. That is all it matters. - He stood up.
Spy was thinking a little about his words, of being a good leader and such. And something gave him an idea.
- Dell? Can I ask you a question? - He asked
- Let me guess. It's about co-leader? You want me to ask if I want to be your co-leader. Listen. I am terrible at this. I mean, if you trust me enough then sure, I can try. But you will find someone better than me. For tomorrow I can be your help. But no promises. - Dell said in a serious tone, which surprised Edward a lot.
Engie so far always talked with a relaxed tone, but now it sounded different.
- Thank you and... I will look at others. - Edward said and made his way out of the room, going down the hall, and to the balcony. He needed some fresh air.

At the same time, Pyro was sitting in her room. Still dressed in her suit, she was thinking.
She wanted to apologize to their spy, to Edward about this accidental death. But she couldn't. Every time she was near him she felt more and more ashamed about it. Oh, she wished she could just not feel guilty or just go near him and tell him sorry. But nope. The shame was too powerful.
Alex was thinking about what to do with it when she heard a knock.
She moved to the doors and opened them, seeing their Soldier behind them.
- Hello Alex. Sorry to interrupt your free time, but I need to talk to you. Is it alright? - Hunter said.
Pyro nodded and let him in, showing no stress. But she was stressing now even more.
Apologizing to Spy wasn't so bad. Their spook seemed nice and such. But Hunter seemed serious. Very serious. Even with his twirled mustache, she felt his eyes looking at her from the shades he was wearing. Like he knew that Pyro was a girl. Maybe that's why he was here? Maybe he knows she is she. He found out that she is a woman and not-
- Listen. I know it was an accident reflecting this rocket at Edward, but you need to check your surrounding. If you feel like reflecting always try to reflect projectile at the enemy. Ultimately at the ground. I know it is not easy. But I believe you will manage it. I also noticed that you don't really listen to orders. We need to change it. I know I'm not the leader here or co-leader, but we need to work as a team, my friend. Understood? No lone wolf stuff and doing job your own way. Not until you are ordered too. Understood? - Hunter finished his speech.

Alex was only looking at him confused, surprised, expecting something worse. But still.
- Mhm. - She nodded and saw that Soldier nodded, saluted to her, thanked and made got out from the room, closing the doors.
She was now looking at doors, confused.
Was she really just got scolded for not working as a team? She was working with the rest of the team... Right?

IN THE MEANTIME

Spy was standing on the balcony, looking at the sun that was slowly going down. Still up, but slowly going down.
He heard doors opening behind him and saw that Hunter was coming near him.
- Ah. Smoking outside. Good habit. - He said.
- I'm not smoking Soldier. - Spook took out a lollipop from his mouth, showing it to his teammate. - A lollipop. Healthier than cigarettes.
- Right. Right. Good. So. - Soldier started. - I wanted to apologize on behalf of the team, minus scout - He mumbled the last part - for not listening to your orders, ideas, and other stuff you said. We are very sorry that we screwed out sir. I hope you will forgive us.
- Don't worry. It was the first day. It was bound to happen. I'm happy that at least you, Dell, and sniper were listening. At least to positions of the enemies. And tried to do something. Not like James or Pyotr. - He smiled saying his last name. Pyotr at least tried to push or do something while doing his lone-wolf stuff. Not like James, their scout that was literally trying to hit everything with his bat, and getting blown up before he could hit them.
- Yes. I'm sorry for them. Next time if they won't hear I'm going to do anything in my might to make them listen. - He closed his hand into a fist.
Both of them stood in silence for some time.
- I heard you choose Engineer. - Soldier said.
Spy was caught off guard by this.
- Engineer is the co-leader of the team from now on. Is it true? - He asked.
- Yes. For now at least. Until I find a better candidate, I choose Engineer to help.
- I understand. Good choice. Hope tomorrow will be better. I promise you, we will win tomorrow. - Soldier saluted and made his way out.

Spy was now kind of sad. He heard in his voice that the Soldier was hurt. Was it because of his choice? He didn't know at the moment.
Rethinking if he did well to choose engineer. But then he remembered Dell's order. To find a better one for the role of Co-leader. Edward now had an idea at who to check first.
He only hoped that he won't regret spending his time checking one person for the whole time.

And with last one breath, he took a lollipop stick and threw it out, hoping that the next day will be better.

TO BE CONTINUE