Amidst the applause and adulation from the crowd Lucas stepped forward. "Thank you all you're too kind. Not gonna lie to you all that was fucking terrifying but it was fucking awesome!" Lucas roared to an even larger cheer from the audience.
"This isn't just fancy flips and shiny weapons we do all of this for you guys, for us too, for all future generations because if we don't work together and get out of here there is no future generation. Also I just miss coffee" Eric said as the crowd chuckled.
"Oh no that wasn't some relatable bit I just really miss a fresh batch of ground coffee" he added to an continued laugh. "They're not hearing me I just miss coffee, twelve years down here I had just got us a new coffee machine" he said in a lowered tone to Lucas when he moved back.
Finally Hori stepped forward and appeared visibly flushed as she looked to the crowd. Removing her helmet and undoing her bun she let her flowing brown hair fall. Feeling her heart still beating through her chest
"Phew that was wild huh. Not gonna lie to you all I didn't wanna go last cause well I'm not as entertaining as those two but here I am. Some of you aren't really sold on doing this or backing those of us who are and I get that. It's terrifying and no one knows what's gonna happen. I don't have an elegant or passionate speech all I got to say is falls happen failure happens but when we fall we need you guys to catch us so we can climb again" she said with a warm smile to rapturous applause.
Looking forward at a plan we'll executed Thomas dropped his shoulders and sighed. "Thank fuck that worked" he exhaled under his breath. A tap on the shoulder got his attention as he turned to face the deputy mayor. Closing the distance between them he whispered in Thomas's ear and urged him go follow.
Looking back and forth between the team captains and the deputy mayor he walked over to the rest of the Exploration Team. "Tell your captains they did excellently today and to soak in the adulation. Dismissed for the day and I don't know what team Belals on but a no show is just not happening if it's not dealt with by morning there will be consequences!" he said quickly to the ground before nodding and walking away with David.
Watching her dad leave with the captain, Rue was left with a pit in her stomach. To her surprise Kosi hadn't even acknowledged it and was busy talking to Jude, Willow and Brodie. Not wanting to interrupt she hurried over to Dr Raya.
"Hey doc I gotta take care of something at home can I take my work with me and get them to you tomorrow?" she asked in a slight panic. "Alright Rue, everything alright at home?" Dr Raya asked with a concerned tone in her voice. "Yeah just need to get something done" Rue replied before she headed to the lab.
"Low what do you mean it's your job" Kosi said looking at Willow as she walked off. "Whats happening with these two?" Brodie asked awkwardly. "I have no idea should we go after em?" Jude asked. Looking at each other they both shrugged but started going after them slowly.
Following after her he asked again. "Hey Low talk to me how's it your job to get Belal?" Kosi asked trying to stop Willow. "You saw that weirdo flip out when he saw I was vice over him. If he's gonna kick up a fuss he's got to answer to me then" she said aggressively marching forward.
"Okay wow hold on a second" Kosi said planting his feet in front of her. "Why?!" she barked angrily. "Low I get it you're mad and he's an ass that's all true but what's the plan? Do you even have any idea where he is?" Kosi asked pleading.
"Fuck fine. I'll ask Lucas if I can smack him first" Willow said rolling her eyes and walking back. "Smack who?" Jude asked catching up to them with Kosi looking at him mouthing the word "no". "Just something I gotta deal with later" Willow replied bitterly as she walked past Jude then Brodie.
Later that day Kosi walked into his apartment and heard the sound of pages flipping. "Babe, what're you doing?" he asked looking at Rue on the couch biting her nails as she flung through page after page. "No, no, no, no" she said burying her head on her hands.
"Babe?" he asked as he walked over to her and placed an arm around her. Looking at the pages she looked at he saw the old document stating that the Exploration Project had been shut down. "Babe what's going on why is this getting to you?" he asked feeling her tremble in his arms.
"I'm so sorry babe the mayors signature on that isn't his signature, it's my dads...I'm so sorry I didn't spot it sooner" she said breaking down. Kosi while speechless held her close and rested her head on his chest as she wept.