Chapter 17: Points of Origin

Tex, together with Church, Bell, Tucker, and Caboose, is standing outside Blue Base.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm square with you." Tex says to Chruch.

Caboose, Bell, and Tucker simultaneously turn to face Church.

"I saved you from a life of imprisonment." Church states. "How the hell are you square with me?"

Caboose, Bell, and Tucker simultaneously turn to Tex.

"Because I didn't kill you back at Sidewinder."

Caboose, Bell and Tucker turn back to Church.

"You know, I don't really see how not killing somebody is the same thing as doing them a favor."

Caboose, Bell and Tucker turn to Tex.

"Well, If you don't appreciate it, I could just kill you right now."

"No, you can't!" Church says. "I'm already dead, bitch! I guess the joke's on you!"

"Stop it!" Caboose is upset. "Stop fighting! Can't you see that you're tearing us apart? WHAT ABOUT US?"

"What about you?" Tex asks.

"We helped you too. And what do we get? Nothing!"

"Well yeah, but..."

"Yeah, but nothin'." Church says. "He's got a point."

"I did help them get the flag back." Tex points out.

"Yeah, but you were paid to do that." Tucker says. "We rescued you as a favor."

"I agree with Tucker." Bell says. "We risked our lives to save an experience freelancer."

"Fine, I'll stay here as long as it takes to help you guys win this thing." Tex says. "As soon as I have, I'm out of here. What do you need me to do?"

"I have no idea." Tucker says. "If you knew how to fix a tank, I would have you do that."

"...Okay."

"Wait, you-you know how to fix Sheila?" Caboose asks. "...I love you."

Cut to Lopez.

Lopez: Entonces le decía "tu no pesas más, yo peso más." Entonces pusimos nuestros cuerpos sobre la escala y determinamos quién tenía el peso más grande. Después de eso me llamé a mi mismo Lopez La Pesado.[Then I would say "you don't weigh more, I weigh more." So we put our bodies on the scale and determined who had the greatest weight. After that I called myself Lopez the Heavy.]

Grif: Man. First he doesn't talk at all, and now we can't get him to shut up. What's he saying?

Simmons: What're you asking me for?

Grif: Well, you know, because you're of, uh, a Latino persuasion.

Simmons: Simmons isn't a Spanish name, you dumbass. I'm Dutch-Irish.

Grif: But I thought-

Simmons: What?

Grif: Eh, never mind.

Donut: ...I'm from Iowa.

Grif and Simmons: Nobody cares!

Cut to Tucker, Bell, and Caboose sneaking up behind Sheila. Church is near them. Tex is at the tank.

"Okay, take it easy guys." Church says. "When I was over at the Red base, I saw that they've already got their jeep fixed. So, whatever you do, don't let them see us before we get Sheila back online."

"Okay, okay." Caboose says. "Even if we get Sheila fixed, how are we going to turn her over? I mean it's not as if we could just lift-" Tex flips Sheila over with her bare hands. "Oh. She is a very strong lady."

"Wow." Bell says in awe.

Tex starts to fix the tank.

"I'm the one that's the least visible, so I'm gonna head up here to higher ground, I'll keep an eye on the Red base." Church states. "If I see anything, I'll let you know."

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"Great, I'll come with you!" Caboose says. 

"That kinda defeats the purpose, Caboose."

"Okay. What if I'm really..." In a softer tone. "Really." Then he whispers. "quiet?"

"Do you even understand what the term "visibility" means?" Church asks.

Caboose laughs. "Good one, Church."

"Seriously. You don't know what it means, do you?"

"Uh, no."

"Caboose, just stay here, man, and try not to swallow your tongue or anything like that." Church runs off.

"Just watch the Red Base, and tell us if you see any movement." Tucker says to Caboose, then he runs up to Tex, who is welding on the tank. "So, I suppose of you're helping us, you're not as mean as I thought."

Tex stops and faces Tucker. "i wouldn't say I'm mean, I just get hired to do mean things."

"Yeah, but you like it."

"Well, I think it's important to enjoy what you do."

"So, let's say I paid you to kill Caboose."

"Don't even think about it!" Bell yells in the background.

Tucker continues. "You will still do it, right? Even though you're supposed to be helping us?"

"Is this a hypothetical discussion, or should we start talking numbers?" Tex asks.

"Yeah, I don't wanna talk about this any more."

Church is up on the ledge where he was killed and, he looks over it and down at Tucker. "Hey, Tucker!"

 Tucker looks up at Church. "What?"

"What the hell is my body still doing up here?"

"That's part of being dead, Church. Your body doesn't really move around much any more. Maybe you haven't fully grasped the concept yet."

"Alright, well, let me rephrase that, then. Why in the hell haven't you buried my body yet?"

"Buried?" Tucker asks. "With what? All we have are pistols and rifles. What do you want me to do, shoot you a grave?"

"I ordered a shovel off the internet." Bell yells.

"How about shipping me back home?" Church asks. "You know, let the loved ones pay a little respect."

"Well, Church, here's your girlfriend." Tucker turns to Tex. "Tex, as one of Church's loved ones, would you like to pay your respects?"

Tex doesn't say anything and she goes back to wielding the tank.

"That was a stirring eulogy." Tucker says. "Rest in peace, good buddy!"

Tucker walks away and Bell walks up to Tex.

"Uh, Miss Tex? Can I ask you a question?" Bell asks.

"Sure." Tex keeps wielding.

"H-have you heard anything about my sister? I uh, think her code name was, California?"

Tex stops wielding for a second before she resumes. "You're her sister?" Bell nods. "I can hear the same french accent."

"We are from Quebec, Canada." Bell points out. "But I haven't heard much from her since the incident with her left arm and with what happened to her friend, Alaska."

"I... Uh... I haven't heard much recently." Tex states. "Something happened a while back and she's been really busy since then."

"Oh, ok then. I hope to hear from her soon then." She walks after Tucker.

"...I'm sure you will."

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01-24-2023

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