I was in the PEP lab when they got there. They were in the door frame and leaning on either side. I went over to them and I asked which one 03 was. I hugged him and pat him on the back. "Hey! Get off of me with your oily human hands!" he said. I ignored him and pat his head. 02 looked miffed and said "Where's my hug?" I looked at him and said "You never beat me, so I don't acknowledge you as a friend or rival." That got 02 angry, but I just turned to 03. "Okay, buddy! Let's give you a tour of the place." I said as I led him by the arm. I was too strong for him to break out of my grasp. "We're not friends!" he said I dragged him along. I showed them all of the places we had. Like I had expected, there was no appreciation for the gardens. They did have appreciation for the armory. I gave him one of the shotguns that shot freezing bullets. 02 demanded one too, so I gave it to him. I also gave them a sniper rifle and an electric sword. They were happy to be given goodies. I finally asked them why they were here. 03 sighed and said "Void Clan sent us. We both have to go talk to your guild."
That sent a chill through me. I stopped dead in my tracks. They both noticed this, but I did not have time to answer them. I got Chad on his cell phone. "Brianne? I'm at work. Do you need something?" he asked. I looked at the AEP units in front of me and said "Yes. I need you to forge the visitor's logs. 02 and 03 of Volition Clan came by to speak to the symbiotes for an hour. Nothing of not happened. They left a couple of minutes ago. It is important that you do this. I need you to do this Chad." I said. He said "I can do it. I'm writing in the log book now." When he was done, he said "There. It's done. Anything else?" I shook my head. "You are a literal life saver. I think that you deserved a new X-frame for this. after your shift come and I hook you up." Chad asked if I was serious. I told him I was. I hung up after thanking him again. 02 pushed me against the wall. "What the hell is that!? It is one thing to waste time. It's another thing to tamper with our mission." he shouted in my face. I broke free of his grip and went directly to 03. "Let me explain it to you in the garden" I said. We left together.
Once we got to the garden, I nearly collapsed in his arms. The stress had finally caught up to me. He caught me with his reflexes and carried me over his shoulder to the bench. After he sat me down, I explained everything to him. 03 was understandably angry "Void Clan tried to get us killed!" he screamed. I told him to quiet down. "We don't know what will happen if they get to you. For all we know it is a fate worse than death. They see you as the 3 expendable mutts they can test them out on." I said seriously. 03 looked at me. "Why disobey them then? Cold Clan is your leader just like Void Clan is ours." I rolled my eyes. I had to spell it out for him. "Because we're friends now, and I protect my friends. We played volleyball, worked out, sparred and talked it out heart to heart together. Our clans are allied too. You are my friend." He looked at me in disbelief. Then it shifted to incredulity "Is that all you humans need to be friends?" "Depending on the people, even less." I said with a grin. 03 just smiled back and straddled me. "More like friends with benefits. I am picking up the slack." he said.
