Title: Pessimistic
Pairing: HyuKen
Related Chapter: 45, 53, 57, 65, 71, 82, 93, 112, 136, 156, 162, 178, 184, 237,
Word Count:

“This isn’t going to work,” Ravi warned as he ran down the hallway with Ken, “Jackson and Taemin can only distract them for so long before someone realizes that there’s something else going on.”

“I know that,” Ken rolled his eyes, “we just need to get the center building. After that? Who cares?”

“I care,” Ravi growled, “I’m not about to die because you want to bring Beta back.”

“His name isn’t Beta!” Ken hissed, “I’d think you of all people would understand that.”

“He doesn’t like being called Hyuk,” Ravi shot back, holographic form appearing right in front of the former freelancer, “he likes being called Beta.”

“Just shut up,” Ken replied, “focus on what we’re trying to do here. Are your scans picking up anything?”

“Turn right at the next corner,” Ravi sighed, vanishing from sight, “that hall will take us where we want to go.”

“Great,” Ken smiled.

The plan was rather simple. Break into the freelancer base that Ken’s sources said was being used to store Hyuk. N and Theta were part of the extraction team while the reds played look out. The blues were in charge of drawing the enemies’ fire just long enough for Ken and Ravi to get in. Getting out was a whole other story, one that Ken knew would likely end in a fight between himself and Ravi. Getting out alive didn’t matter much to Ken so long as Hyuk was safe. Ravi wanted to live and Ken honestly wasn’t sure if he cared about Hyuk enough to risk his life saving the other AI.

“Alright,” Ken said as he came to a stop in front of console, “let’s go.”

“Whatever,” Ravi sighed.

Ken unplugged the AI, putting his data chip into the computer. Silence fell as Ken waited. The longer it took Ravi to locate Hyuk, the more Ken began to doubt himself. What if Hyuk wasn’t there? What if he’d already been deleted? Had Ken risked the lives of N, Theta, Ravi, and the reds and blues for nothing? And what if Hyuk didn’t want anything to do with him? he’d heard a rumor that Wonsik had died, what if Hyuk wanted to die now too?

“Yo,” Ravi appeared, “I found him.”

“Where is he?” Ken asked, fighting the urge to cry out in joy.

“He’s in the computer system,” Ravi explained, “he needs a new data chip.”

“Where can I get one?” Ken looked around like he expected there to be a box labeled ‘data chips’ sitting around.

“There should be some over there,” Hyuk answered, appearing beside Ravi.

“Hyuk,” Ken bit back tears at the sight of the AI.

“Hi,” Hyuk smiled softly.

“Have your little reunion later,” Ravi snapped, “we don’t have a lot of time. Do you want to die?”

“Right,” Ken rushed to where Hyuk had pointed and went through the supplies he found.

“Don’t be so harsh,” Hyuk frowned at Ravi, “he’s been through a lot. You should know that, Epsilon.”

“He could get all of us killed,” Ravi countered, “He’s rash and thinks with his heart. That will get us all into a lot of trouble later. You should know that, Beta.”

“Found one!” Ken yelled, running back over and plugging the new data chip in, “what do I need to do now?”

“Let someone who can actually use one of these things do the work.”

Ken turned to find Leo standing in the doorway, Delta standing above one shoulder while Omega stood over the other.

A/N: I think I went a bit off theme, yet kind of stayed on it. I mean, Ravi’s very pessimistic about Ken – which is on theme – but his feelings about Ken aren’t the focus of this – making it off theme. *sigh* what do you guys think?