Smith said nothing, continuing to stare intensely at the screen. Bitters sighed, knowing the whole scenario was only a replay of the last three nights since Felix had told them about their captains. Jensen and Palomo had already tried the previous nights to get Smith away from the screen. Jensen had tried to pull him away first, telling him Kimball needed them. Palomo had tried for training thinking for sure Smith wouldn't turn it down. When Bitters tried Smith admitted he was studying. He wanted to know where they went wrong. That maybe if they'd tried a bit harder, been a bit better they would of gotten the go ahead and this never would of happened. He said he wanted to be ready next time. He had to study his mistakes and improve. "Captain Caboose would like to know I'm still trying to learn from him I think."
That's what had broke Bitters. Not that he'd ever let anyone know that. He'd spent most of his time since hearing the news trying damn hard to play the strong one. He let Smith comfort Jensen originally. After he'd had his moment he pulled Palomo aside immediately after and told the kid if he needed anything to come straight to him. Bitters knew this wasn't any easy blow. Especially after having lost two of his squad previously. Palomo had taken his helmet off and offered him a smile through the tears streaming down his face. The kid gave him a god damn smile. Bitters only nodded and gave him a pat on the shoulder. He wasn't good with this whole comfort thing. He'd get good at it though.
That night Palomo and Jensen both showed up at his door. He'd already been in the process of trying to help Matthews feel better. He hadn't been chosen for the mission but he was still taking it pretty hard. Bitters figured he'd let him grieve for the both of them. But when the other two showed up he suddenly found himself trying to comfort three emotionally distressed soldiers.He let them cry on his shoulder, held them all tightly when the sobs had them shaking. He did the best he could. And when they all woke in the morning with puffy eyes, save for Bitters, they all felt a little better. The only real goal any of them had now was to get Smith away from that damned screen.
So when Smith said Caboose would be proud of him Bitters both broke and set his resolve to at least bring them all together. He ignored the pressing urge to cry he was suddenly feeling, throwing one last look to Smith before stalking out. Kimball wasn't sending them anywhere anytime soon. She was still talking over the final attack plans with Felix and some other higher ups. He had all the time in the world right now. He moved swiftly with purpose to his and Matthew's shared room praying to god the kid was there. Upon seeing him curled up on his bed reading Bitters told him to get up. He stripped himself of his army quickly while ordering Matthews to go grab Palomo, Jensen, and anyone else who might want to join in a little drill. Confused look clear on his face Matthews rushed off to do just that.
Once the group was gathered Bitters just grinned. More people showed then he expected. Many of the faces he'd recognized from training. Others he'd only seen around the camp. Nodding all the same he explained that they were going on a kitchen raid. Orange squad all broke out into grins immediately. Many of the others soon followed, the orange team's raids having been the talk of the camp for weeks after they'd been assigned to their captain. Bitters quickly laid out their plan for sneaking in and the goal to grab as many sweets as they could. As the group was getting ready to go he pulled Matthews, Jensen, and Palomo aside.
"Look, I need you guys to do something else. Mathews you know where Captain Grif hid his super secret stash. I want that down by the bonfire pit by the time we get back." Bitters paused for a second before continuing. "He won't need it anymore. I'm sure he wouldn't mind us taking it. Once that's done spread it through the camp we're doing a get together. A memorial type thing for the captains. Kimball sure as hell is to busy to do anything. Anyone who wants to come is welcome." Matthews nodded and took off in the direction of Grif and Simmons's old quarters.
Turning to his team Bitters bit his lip, wondering if maybe he should have one of the other members of orange team to lead the raid. The thought was immediately dismissed, knowing they'd get caught. "I want you two to get Smith down here at all costs. And bring that damn disk. We're burning it. I don't want any chance of him getting his hands on it again."
"But... What about the back up files they have to have? Can't he just ask for a new copy?"
"He does and I'm gonna let Jensen's team beat him stupid. You know they could do it without breaking a sweat. Might let them anyway. He needs some sense knocked into him. Now get going."
Jensen and Palomo both nodded, wasting no more time. Bitters turned back to the soldiers before him. "Alright team. You know the plan, you know the goal. Let's go raid the kitchens."
That night was the biggest turn out they'd seen in a long while. It'd taken a lot of convincing to get Smith down there but once they'd told him it was a memorial for the captains he'd been more willing. Jensen had swiped the disk when he wasn't looking and tossed it in the fire while Smith had been talking with some others. Bitters and Matthews passed all the food they'd recovered out from the raid and Grif's stash. Everyone shared stories about something ridiculous they'd seen the Reds and Blues doing, what they'd thought of them, and how much they would miss their crazy antics. Bitters might of even rapped a bit that night with some encouraging nudges from Matthews and a couple people who offered to beat box for him. Orange team threw some oreos in the fire for Grif, joking how their captain would be mortified. It was the first time they'd all truly felt they were gonna be okay for the past few days, even if there was a war looming over their heads. For that night they were laughing and happy again. They'd deal with the reality in the morning.
