“This stupid, incompetent bitch, is trying to cause problems and shouldn’t be on this job, she’s not qualified,” he growls.
Van’s expression darkens with anger, and now I’m worried that he’s going to clock the idiot, and how the hell am I going to keep my hand on Coen to keep him calm, and somehow get to Van to stop him from punching the moron as well.
Reed doesn’t look like he’s faring that much better, and if looks could kill, then the guy would be a smoldering pile of ash by now.
Do I really want to stop them from punching the moron?
Yes, I probably do.
I don’t, but professionally speaking, or er thinking. I do want to stop them from punching the idiot.
Kind of.
“Peter!” Ty barks, with all of the authority of a general, and I remember that’s what he was for decades before the gates closed.
I had no idea that Ty was here, but it makes sense. Ty has never struck me as someone who sits behind a desk and lets someone else do the hard work.
To be honest, that’s why I like him so much.
“Yes, Sir,” Peter says, showing Ty the respect he deserves, which at least means that he’s not a complete asshole.
“Go back to the portal, you’re on desk duty for the next two months, and then we will reevaluate. Starting a problem, where there is none when we are on a job as important as this one, is the stupidest fucking thing you could have done. When you learn some proper respect and how not to behave like a child, then I may allow you back out in the field.”
Peter looks at him in shock for a moment before the realization seems to dawn, and he looks incredibly embarrassed as he realizes everyone is watching him with the same incredulous looks.
He mumbles something and then heads off through the trees.
“Back to work!” Ty yells at everyone, and they all turn back to what they’re doing, including the other guys, although they do look over to double-check that we’re okay.
I simply smile and give them a little wave and hope that it’s reassuring and not weird.
Coen shifts back, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck and clearly expecting Ty to chastise him as well.
“All good?” Ty asks him.
Coen nods, “Yeah, my temper is a bit quicker to trigger.”
“So long as you keep controlling it enough that you don’t murder one of the agents for insulting Neith, or shift in a situation that will put people at risk, then we can work around it,” Ty replies. “It’s understandable after everything that you’ve been through. Let's get on with it.”
We all nod.
“Yes, sir,” Van replies.
Ty nods and walks back the way he came, grumbling about something to do with warriors being a lot easier to train, Kyrous would’ve just kicked his ass, and going back to the old days where he would have just let Coen and Peter fight it out. I’m not exactly sure what he carries on mumbling about, but those are the bits that I managed to pick up on.
“I think Ty needs a break, and I don’t mean that in the traditional sense, but more that he needs to get out into the field and beat the shit out of some stuff,” I mutter. “I don’t think he was made to sit behind a desk for a long period of time.”
“Definitely not,” Van agrees. “Come on. We were about ready to disperse the teams before Peter decided to be a prick.”
I nod and turn to look at Coen, “Are you okay now?”
Coen grins, “I was always okay, I wasn’t out of control, just wanted to scare the fucker a bit so he would never talk to you like that again.”
I grin, “Thanks. Come on, let’s get this shit done. I am more than ready for some violence.”
“You scare me a little bit,” a familiar voice says from beside me.
“Oh my god, Joey!” I exclaim as I pull him in for a tight hug, and he chuckles. “I had no idea you were going to be here!”
