(A collab between me and [@iTem])

The days immediately after the mission were spent with a tentatively celebratory mood. The remaining members of the crew were happy to have gotten out alive, and also no longer being the Alliance's lapdogs. But the mood was soured by the losses they had taken, some members having been friends with the few who didn't return, the most obvious of course being Grayson, the trusted partner of their de-facto leader, Stryker.

During the first time the crew was assembled to discuss what to do with them, Benny was among the first to suggest [color=BB860B]"Fuck 'em. They're either dead or they're on their way ta' being it with the shit we've done to that planet and we'll probably just get more of us caught trying"[/color]. Unfortunately, SAL had reported that Grayson was a priority due to the fact that he was rigged to explode if he didn't get close to Grayson within a few days. Benny put out the idea to simply jettison SAL out the airlock, which he quickly retracted after a combined glare from Matija and Tibulass.

[color=DEB887]"What if we just defused it? The Mad Scotsman here could probably figure out how it works"[/color] Matija asked. [color=00FF00]"Oh of course. Let's try the first thing the meatbag and I thought of when we had the chance. I am certain it shall turn out better this time"[/color] SAL retorted. This caused Matija to shake her head and sigh. [color=DEB887]"We're a buncha tough-as-nails bastards makin' our way through the galaxy, but sure! Let's risk our hard-earned freedom fer some hero work."[/color] She said with a sarcastic smile. [color=DEB887] "At least we only need to rescue one person... Not like we'll use the entire ship or whatever. Yanno? The ship that happens to be our only home."[/color] She finished in a defeated tone.

[hider=The Spider and the Fly]
Benny walked down the hallway contemplatively. After the meeting had been adjourned Matija had tapped him on the shoulder, telling him to meet at her room in a few hours. She mentioned she just had to take care of a few things before they spoke. It was an odd request and he didn't see any reason to say no.

While some might have thought this would lead into a more heated encounter, Benny often considered the worst case scenario when it came to things. Oftentimes it let him be ready for when shit hit the fan. So he wondered if there was something she had wanted to settle with him. Perhaps she still harbored some earlier resentment and wanted to make that clear? Terminate their acquaintanceship? Maybe she felt that he owed her more for helping with their jetpack project and planned to extort him for it? Possibilities ran through his head and very few of them were good.

Because of that he didnt notice that he was already standing in front of her room, lingering idly in the hallway. He wasn't sure for how long but he figured he had hesitated long enough with his daydreaming and might as well get this over with. He knocked once on the door and waited for her to open it. No response.

He tried to knock again and this time called out to her as he did. [Color=B8860B]"Hey uhh... Ya called me here? It's Ben.[/color] He said. This time the door opened a crack with Matija peering out before opening it further. [Color=DEB887]"Hey. Come on in"[/color] she replied. He tentatively stepped inside and looked around the room as Matija closed the door behind him. It was certainly much neater than his own

[Color=B8860B]"Sooo... wa's this about?"[/color] Benny asked.
[Color=DEB887]"Iunno. I just, uh. Wanted ta ask, I guess. How you're... doing?"[/color] She started as she walked over to her bed and gestured for him to sit nearby. She looked him over and took note of the visible bruises he had taken during their harrowing escape. [Color=DEB887]"You got yerself checked yet? No internal bleedings or anything?"[/color] She continued. Benny nodded as he hesitantly approached and took a seat at the edge of her bed. 

[Color=B8860B]"Oh uhh... fine I guess? And aye I got checked out on tha' flight back. Nothin's broken in there"[/color] He responded. Matija seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if wondering what to say before speaking. [Color=DEB887]"You, uuh... Doing okay? I mean, with yer mission gettin' all messed up an' shite- er- shit. Ahah..."[/color] She said, correcting her mis-pronunciation.

[Color=B8860B] "Uhhh... I'm fine I mean... is nae anymore dangerous than what I've already done before"[/color] He started, feeling awkward about the whole exchange. [Color=B8860B]"So... did ya just call me ta' check up on me? 'cause ya could'a asked it earlier in tha' meeting"[/color] He continued.

[Color=DEB887]"Aye I guess but yanno... Sometimes things happen and... shit I guess."[/Color] She responded with a sigh before she turned her head up and spoke in a more annoyed and aggressive tone. [Color=DEB887]"Look, I just wanted to ask you how you were an' shit. I'm fine, by the way."[/color] She finished with a huff. Benny looked at her uncertainly before talking. [Color=B8860B]"Oh... yeah I uhh... heard yer part o' the mission went off withou' a hitch. That was... some good news yesterday at least. Ya ken with... all the other shite..."[/color] He responded, not sure if that was what she wanted to hear.

[Color=DEB887]"Yeah good. Thanks"[/color] She said sarcastically as she turned away from him with her arms crossed. After a long uncomfortable pause she took a deep inhale and exhale and spoke again. [Color=DEB887]"... I got... Worried when... the comms got too exciting. I couldn't hear past tha explosions so I got... scared that we'll be nicked one too many men off."[/color] She said in a less hostile tone. Benny looked at her, puzzled at her behavior before responding. [Color=BB860B]"I see... Well ... we lost the Alliance attack dog at least"[/color] He answered.

[Color=DEB887]"Yeah. That's one thing..."[/color] She said, with a long silent pause before continuing. [Color=DEB887]"So uh. Anything in mind lately? Thoughts? Lingering senses of wonder?"[/color] She asked in a bit more casual tone.

[Color=BB860B]"Wonderin' thoughts? Well... guess we could start with me thinkin' ya dinny just called me here for a 'how'd'ya do?'. Is there... somethin' yer wantin' ta' tell me? 'Cause I've been gettin' that feel since earlier. An' if it's about me body odor or somethin' then jus' spit it out already. I've heard worse"[/color] He said glancing away, feeling a bit annoyed that she seemed to be beating around the bush so much.

Matija grinned in amusement before talking. [Color=DEB887]"Well ya know you need more showers and maybe a stronger deodorant. Trim yer armpit hairs ta lessent the musk and... hm. Use deodorants more often. Like, every after baths kinda deal."[/color] She said chuckling at the end of it.

Beny turned to look at them directly with a frown. [Color=BB860B]"Oh well thanks a fuckin' lot fer this invitation ta yer hygiene lecture then!"[/color] He said in exaggerated annoyance before turning away from her.[color=BB860B]"But... if that'll get ye off me case about it then... I'll keep it in mind..."[/color] He mumbled while still looking away.

Matija continued chuckling though it died down at Benny sounding defeated. [Color=DEB887]"So... nothing?"[/color] She asked with a disappointed tone. [Color=DEB887]"Okae. Fine. I like you. If you don't wannit, you're free ta leave."[/color] She continued quickly with a hint of exasperation.

Benny feelt his brows raise at her response. [Color=BB860B]"Whuh..?"[/color] He started as he turned back towards her. [Color=BB860B]"Not ta'... sound like a pre-teen schoolboy but... ya mean as in a 'like like' sorta way...?"[/color] He asked, already feeling stupid at his phrasing. [Color=DEB887]"Pretty sure you are a pre-teen school boy. Yeah. I 'like-like' you."[/color] She lied with a roll of her eyes.

[Color=BB860B]"Oh..."[/color] He breathed out, wondering how to feel or what to say about this. Though he did feel a flush of embarassment from the situation. He turned away from her before speaking. [Color=BB860B]"Tha's uhh... erm... Fuckin' Hell... no one's told me that in bloody years I dinny ken what I'm supposed ta' say to that!"[/color] He said, his voice turning almost into mutters by the end of it. He paused momentarily before continuing. [Color=BB860B]"I... Guess I like... You an' yer company too... Shite me in the arse this sounds stupid..."[/color] He finished while pressing his organic palm onto his forehead and trying to his his blushing with the same arm.

[Color=DEB887]"Maybe some people have been tryin' to but you're just dense,"[/color] Matija responded with a smile while also blushing herself. [Color=DEB887]"If anything, I'm glad that we're in mutual agreement ta this. Usually, if it was more heated, this bed would be used for more than sitting."[/color] She finished with a reflexive chuckle.

[Color=BB860B]"Eh?"[/color] Benny started glancing between them and the bed. [Color=BB860B]"What do ye... Oh! Oh ya meant fer... Aye I... guess that would'a been the norm"[/color] He continued, blushing more in embarassment at how poorly he seemed to be handling it.

[color=DEB887]"It's awkward ta push it... Anyway, good talk."[/color] She said slapping him on the back, and hitting one of his bruises. Benny winced in response. [Color=B8860B]"Ow... bad spot"[/color] He said with a groan. 
Matija immediately recoiled. [Color=DEB887]"Oooh... shite. Sorry... Erm... how bad's tha bruisings?"[/color] she asked. [Color=BB860B]"Most'll pass soon just... well a tank smacked me in that spot so it's a bit of a dinger"[/color] He explained. [Color=DEB887]"Eh? Damn. Where?"[/color] She asked looked over his back. [Color=BB860B]"Tha' part ya hit a... shockwave made a parked tank gimme a mean lovetap"[/color] He explained. [Color=DEB887]"Oh. You should probably give me a rundown of what the hell just happened on your end since the big man's the only guy that really knows everything."[/color] She requested.

With a slight smile, he started re-telling the events at the military base from his perspective, with much commentary on the thoughts of his teammates and the ineptness of the Federation soldiers. They whiled away the hours sharing how each of their missions went and Benny actually found it pleasant to share his experiences and thoughts with someone. No one really ever bothered letting him talk freely much before. He always felt like he had to interrupt or interject. HBy the time they called it a night and parted ways, Benny felt like perhaps they ought to talk with each other more often.

[/hider]

After that crew meeting there wasn't much arguing the point that they HAD to save Grayson, or at least get the implanted bomb, as Benny added. Much of their time afterwards was devoted to coming up with a plan of attack to break out their resident sniper. They had considered breaking into the prison directly, but information gathered by Stryker and Sadaet over contacts and extranet sources ruled that out. There was too many risks involved. However, an opportunity presented itself when they intercepted information talking about Grayson's transfer onto a prison ship. They would be put into a transport craft heading off world which gave the Revenant crew the perfect time to strike. Eventually, the thinkers of their ragtag band came up with a plan and doled out the roles to each member of the crew to give them time to prepare before zero hour. On the day of the breakout, Stryker gathered the team together for one last quick briefing.

[color=FFA500]“Alright gang... I’m not gonna sugar coat this. We already lost some good people, and we’ve only got one shot to try and save the one who still has a chance. You all have your jobs, you all have access to the transport ship blueprints to review the plan. We strike as soon as they clear the system, best estimate is in about 6 hours. I want gunners at their positions and the boarding party ready to move in. Any questions at all, you send them my way. Until then, dismissed.”[/color]

Benny gave a curt nod of acknowledgement before turning around to head out and continue their preparations. Before they did however, Benny turned his head to shout out the rest of them [color=B8860B]"If this all goes sideways and we canny get tha' bombs ta' play nice, we better be leavin' the bag o' bolts behind!"[/color] He exclaimed, not wanting to return to the ship just to have SAL blow it apart.

With that, he went to his workshop to prepare the necessary items for the task. He packed 2 Tear gas grenades, 2 EMP grenades, and 2 Sleeping gas grenades on his bandolier. He figured he ought to keep his arsenal on the more non-lethal side given that they were unsure where the guards may fortify themselves and they wouldn't want to accidentally kill Grayson in the fight. He also prepared 2 Acidic bombs packed behind him to help make their way through a wall without potentially killing anyone on the other side of it. He did however, bring 3 Frag grenades for loading into his rifle's underslung launcher in case they had to clear a room without worry for collateral damage, and of course at least 4 magazines. The makeshift jetpack was stowed away in the workshop, given that it would have very little value inside of a transport ship.

[color=B8860B]"Alright, Skelly... Let's go keep this ship from blowin' up"[/color] He said to his robotic arm as he curled the fingers into a fist and stretched them out as a habitual practice of movement. Even after having used the bionic arm for so long, it was still sometimes odd to feel nothing but a numb sensation of motion whenever he moved it. With that, he decided to join the rest of the boarding party in preparation for the heist.