Watch Your Step

Agent Montana looked up as her Pelican entered the Mother of Invention's hangar bay, its hatch lowering as the dropship set down gently on the landing pad. Not far behind, Four-Seven-Niner's Pelican pulled in alongside and landed on the adjacent pad.

She stood up as her Pelican became still and a half dozen white-uniformed medics hurried to both ships. She placed one hand on the gurney hovering in front of her, and hauled its occupant down the extended ramp with a grunt. "Come on, big guy. Let's get you fixed up."

Maine's bloodied form jerked slightly as the medics started pushing his gurney, although whether he had moved or was still out of it she didn't know. Montana didn't stop to watch as he was taken away for medical attention. That's about all I can do for him anyway. There were some others she had to talk to.

She walked over to the group of Freelancers disembarking from the other Pelican, some of them looking a bit worse for wear. Carolina was being supported by York and Washington, and an unconscious Wyoming's arms were slung over North and C.T.'s shoulders. Seeing two of the top-ranked Freelancers in this state, Montana had to stop herself from raising an eyebrow, even if no one could see it behind her visor. Had the mission really gone that badly?

"Mont, if you want to talk, we can do it somewhere else," said York as some of the remaining medics hurried over. He was holding Carolina's helmet in one hand.

"I'm in a hurry myself at the moment," Montana replied tersely, although she kept her tone neutral. Carolina waved the medics away and wiped a trail of blood from the corner of her mouth.

"What is it, Montana?" she grunted, still clutching her side with one hand. Her voice was tight and it was clear that she had broken a few bones not long before the end of the mission.

Montana's eyes swept over to the Pelican's empty cargo bay before returning her gaze to the team leader. "I notice Texas isn't on board your ship. Do any of you know if she's returned?"

Carolina's piercing green eyes hardened. York asked, "Why, has the Director lost contact with her?"

"I doubt it," Montana replied. "But I need to have a word with her, and I haven't seen any other vehicles coming in."

"She's probably found her own way back," Carolina snapped, turning away. "You can ask the Director if you really want to talk to her."

Montana nodded and walked off as the Freelancers continued on their way to the recovery bay. She took note of Carolina's demeanour. Something had obviously happened on this mission, and it wasn't the injuries that was making her despondent. ''But I have a good idea what is. Or rather, I should say, who...''

"Looking for me?"

Montana stopped short when she saw Texas walk around the corner of the hallway, her armour bearing very little damage compared to that of the other Freelancers'.