I. Cynical Motives

Later the same day, the sky was dark, and the base was quiet.

Blue, Red, Harley, and Hawks were in Blue's office, talking about Ivory and her attitude-filled best friend. So far, Blue had updated the four about Ivory's status and recovery and that he had Roxie take Viper out. Something strange happened while the two ladies were gone because when Viper returned, Roxie acted out of character, and Viper carried some extra pride on her shoulders.

"Wait, what do you mean, Roxie was acting strange?" Red asked, shocked by Roxie's change of behavior.

"I mean that it seemed like she was hiding something."

"And you think Viper knows something about it?" Harley concluded though it was more of a statement.

"No, I think that she was the cause of it," Blue smirked. "Well, we could always just get rid of her."

Hawks stiffened, that wouldn't be the best idea.

"I don't think we should go to the initiative, boss," Hawks spoke up, the two in command giving him their attention. Harley, however, leered at him. "I think Viper is just bluffing. She knows that it pisses everyone off, and I think if you were to get rid of her, Ivory would do the unthinkable."

"The unthinkable? You mean to blow up the base?" Red raised an eyebrow but seemed amused by the statement. He seemed to be thinking about something—possibly Ivory bombing the base.

Harley smiled. "I wouldn't be surprised. You always need to watch out for the quiet ones."

"Well — she's hard to read. We don't know anything about her or her capabilities. Let it go by, spend extra time watching Viper. If she is sneaking around, then we'll try to find out what's going on, the old Hawks way." The younger boy puffed his chest.

Blue rolled his eyes, but Red chuckled at the younger boy's antics. Harley leaned against the wall, unbothered by Hawks' immaturity.

"Fine," Blue decided, "let's see what happens. And if anything is going on, let Viper try to bring us down. She doesn't know how powerful we actually are."

"If she is up to something, and if her rebellion does affect us in any way, we can just kill her," Red shrugged, "I have no problem with that option."

"Of course, you don't," Blue laughed and Hawks sort of stiffened. He's never heard Blue laugh before — he had never seen the leader show any kind emotion.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I've just never heard you laugh before."

Red laughed, but it sounded similar to a madman's laugh, "Yeah, little old Blue is a grump."

"Don't call me that."

Red, Harley, and Hawks laughed, enjoying Blue's severe but topical reactions.

However, someone was listening to them from outside the door, and the person wasn't happy with what they heard. But the person knew to be extra careful around the four and figured that if they didn't raise eyebrows, the secret plan would be set into place. Then, the mysterious person vanished into the long, quiet, and dark hallways.

***

The next morning, Viper found the room that Ivory was recovering in and made her way over there. Viper was quick yet quiet, hoping that none of the other members noticed she was sneaking around, visiting her best fiend. Viper knew that the gang despised her, but loved Ivory. Viper soon figured out that Blue was trying to separate the two best friends, and Viper had no answer for his actions. Viper found the room, opened the door quietly and saw Ivory's eyes get as wide as golf balls.

"Viper!"

"Hi, Ivory."

"Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see how you're feeling."

"Oh, I'm fine. My fever is almost down. My arm doesn't hurt anymore," Ivory could sense some distraught in her friend's voice. "What's wrong?"

"Yesterday, I went out with Roxie and came back. Then last night, I heard Blue, Red, Harley, and Hawks talking about us."

"What did they say?"

"They think that I'm planning something," Viper said slowly.

"What do they mean?"

"I have no idea, but Blue said that they can always take the initiative, and Red volunteered to kill me if they took that round."

Ivory's mouth widened, "No, they can't kill you," She sat up straight and tall, ignoring the small pain that shot through her arm. "They won't kill you, and I won't let them."

"Hawks said it isn't a good idea. They're going to keep an eye on me."

"Viper, I won't leave without you. If Blue's going to kick you out, then he's kicking me out too. If Blues wants you gone, then I must go also."

Viper's tears vanished, and she smiled, "Thanks, Ivory, that means a lot. I always knew that you'd take my side and defend me. You've always been such a great friend. But they are right about one thing, they can't trust me."

Ivory then raised an eyebrow. "Viper, are you up to something?"

Ivory knew that Viper was conniving, and could be sneaking around.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you just said they can't trust you, and I certainly know that they trust me enough to have me do a few different jobs on the base."

"What's your point?" she got defensive.

"What are you up too?" Ivory snapped accusingly.

"I'm not up to anything!" Viper threw her hands up, "I promise! Look, I can't stay long; I'm banned from seeing you. Feel better."

Viper disappeared just like that. Viper never said "good bye," Viper slipped into the hallway and ran away. Ivory thought the scene was bizarre, and certainly questioned it. Ivory laid back on her bed, wondering why Red suggested killing Viper and why the gang was suspicious of her.

She thought for a moment and shrugged it off, thinking that it was just Blue, Red, and Hawks being paranoid because they've never liked her that much. Although Ivory felt deep down that Viper has a secret plan of her own and knowing her best friend her whole life, she knew that Viper can be vindictive.