"You wanna what?"

"I want to save a little girl." Texas repeated. She took her swords off their wall mounts and began cleaning them with a rag.

Gathered in the Penguin Logistics staffing room, the three began to pack up for their trip. Betra had given them a map of all the possible locations her niece, who's name was Click, would be. Texas knew there would be fighting of some sort, so her swords were the first thing she wanted packed.

Sora, a minor celebrity pop idol and good friend to Exusiai and Croissant, was appalled. "You can't just leave." Her high pitched voice was something no one could block out. Lappland was trying to tune her out across the room with little in the way of success. The girl was like an annoying alarm clock. You could try and hit her, but that would probably make her even louder.

"Sora is right. Leaving in the middle of all this wouldn't look good. The press might think you're running away from something." Croissant added.

"I don't care. This little girl needs help and I am going to be the one to help her." Texas said in a tone that implied the conversation be over. In truth, Texas was naturally born to help people. It was one of the main reasons she joined the Logistics. Hearing that someone was being held hostage pulled at her heart strings. And the fact that it was an adult man that took her made it even worse. She knew what men thought about, and it wasn't pretty.

It can't be that hard. Although I'll be leaving Rhode Island for the first time. I can't say I haven't thought about what the rest of the world looked like. Was it similar to Rhode Island? Was the weather better or worse? Were the people friendly? Not that it mattered. All that mattered was bringing the girl back to Betra in preferably one piece.

Sora looked torn. "But you've never left Rhode Island before. What if something bad happens and you can't contact us? What if you get lost and can't find your way back? What if you forget to pack enough food and go hungry? What if-"

Croissant clapped a hand over her mouth. "I know there's no stopping you, but are you sure this is legit?"

"Pretty sure," Exusiai chimed in. She hopped up on the counter and pulled an apple pie pouch from her book bag. "I mean, the lady practically begged us on her hands and knees. We had to agree. I was afraid that if we said no, she'd smack us with her cane or walker or something."

Texas stood, her swords in their sheaths on her back. She felt whole when her swords were with her. They made her feel strong and safe. Like a real warrior. Grabbing a backpack, she turned and headed into the storage room in search of food. Thinking about it, Texas felt her stomach grumble. She couldn't remember the last time she ate a decent meal.

"Texas, come on. Think!" Sora ran after her, frantic for her to change her mind. Being close friends, Sora didn't want her to just pick up and leave at the first sign of a mission that would probably kill her. "Did you think about it? Are you thinking?"

Lappland followed them, her shoulder leaned against the door frame. She looked quite content in watching Sora and Croissant beg Texas to stay. In her opinion, she was just happy that killing was involved.

Texas tossed some canned goods and bagged treats without looking at them. Food was the last thing on her mind. They weren't going to be gone that long, anyway. She made a mental note to only be gone for four days. Two days to get to the girl, two days to come back. Packing four days worth of food shouldn't be a whole lot, taking into account that there were only three of them going.

Exusiai grabbed a handful of apple pie pouches and shoved them into the backpack. "Don't worry, guys. We know what we're doing. We'll be back before you can say bye."

Sora and Croissant looked at each other. The worried looks on their faces said it all. Exusiai hated seeing those looks. It made her feel like she wasn't doing her job of making people happy. Exusiai, Logistics Operator by day, happiness-giver any other time.

Seeing their pathetic and melancholy faces, Exusiai finally gave in. "Well, you know...you guys could come with us..."

"What?!" Lappland snapped to attention, her ears perked up.

"Really?" Sora giggled, bouncing on the tips of her feet. "Yay! I'd love to come. It'd be like a group road trip. Oh, I can sing road trip songs!"

Croissant laughed. "Yeah, I bet you have a whole list of road trip songs." Turning to Exusiai, she grinned. "I'd love to come. It wouldn't be fair for you guys to go gallivanting on some amazing quest and leave us here."

"Hold on a minute," Lappland came over with a panicked look on her face.

"I could bring my famous Mapo tofu!" Sora said with the biggest smile Exusiai had ever seen. Mission accomplished, Exusiai thought.

"Oh, don't forget your Xiaolongboa. It's to die for!" Croissant added. Sora nodded vigorously.

Texas smiled as she added some chocolate Pocky sticks to her food stash. Leave it to Sora and Croissant to turn a rescue mission into a food fest. She couldn't blame them. This would be the first time leaving Rhode Island for them, too. While they were excited, Texas needed to make sure they understood what was at stake if they failed.

Lappland stomped her foot, catching everyone's attention, including Texas. She huffed, her hair a fuzzy mess. "Everyone, shut up. Loud girl and girl-named-after-food, you are not coming with us. This is a mission, not a ride along."

Croissant and Sora stared at her, unblinking. Exusiai and Texas glanced at each other, both showing a small smile.

Not two seconds later, Croissant and Sora dove into a conversation about which camping equipment would make the most sense in the rain: a tent or a tree fort.

Lappland groaned. Great. One that doesn't shut up, one that reminds me of food, one that won't stop smiling, and one that hardly says a word. What a team we are.