#mantjess

"It's fine," Jess said. She gently rubbed the dye into his hairline, gloved fingers dexterously pulling the locks into position. "So long as you're willing to help me when mine starts fading."

"Uh, sure. No problem." He closed his eyes as Jess tugged at his hair. It brought about slightly unwanted sense memories. Its scent was too similar to Jessica's, his presence behind him feeling like his Capybara, but it wasn't her. They barely knew each other. They were friends at best, mild acquaintances more likely.

They sat in silence for a bit as he brushed the dye into the faded sections of Cicada's hair. The faded areas weren't back to their regular brown, rather the near-white blond of the bleach. His natural hair color was too dark to dye directly.

Cicada blurted out, "why did you forgive me?"

Jess didn't answer for a few moments. He didn't repeat the question, and it didn't ask for clarification. They both knew what he meant.

She finally spoke up. "I had a lot of time in the compound to work through my anger. I got to vent it a bit while I was in there, and after a few months I realized it was... never really your choice. The Elijahs were as much in charge of you as WOE.BEGONE was me. Neither of us had a choice."

"I did have a choice. I should've stood up to Eli. What good is H1VE if we can't protect each other?"

"It's fine, Mantis. I forgive you."

He paused.

"Who?"

"Right. Tomorrow's our last chance, I think." Jess spoke quietly. The two of them were huddled under the blankets on Jess's bed, whispering. They didn't know where the cameras or microphones were in the compound, but they thought this gave them the best chance at planning unheard. "Tomorrow's supposed to be our last day together in this room."

"Okay. You've got the plan down?"

"Couldn't forget it. Are you going to be able to do your part?"

"It won't be the first hostage I've taken. I can do this."

"Then tomorrow. We're getting out of here."

Mantis paused for a long time. "You know what they'll do to us if we fail, right?"

"Can't be any worse than what they're already doing. Maybe they'll actually let us die this time."

"It would be a blessing."

"Don't think like that." Jess spoke firmly. She grabbed Mantis's hands. "We're getting out of here. Say it back to me."

"We're getting out of here." Mantis sighed shakily. "Love you, Raccoon."

"Love you too, Otter." It pulled them in for a quick kiss. "Let's get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."

---

"So! They're doing it tomorrow, right?" Ty asked, grinning.

"Seems like it," said 4CCOL4DE. "How much of their plan have we managed to pick up on? I've only heard pieces."

"It's hmm... simple? As these things go. Do you remember Jess breaking its glasses a few weeks ago? It saved the temples from the broken pair, and has been sharpening them into a pair of shivs. They really have let their belief that this place is a prison get to them. I believe the plan is to wait until we come to collect them, then overpower the two of us and use the threat to our lives to make their way out of the compound unperturbed."

"What do they think is going to stop us from just transporting those iterations of ourselves out of danger?"

"I believe their theory is that if they hold the two of us against themselves and keep moving, we won't be able to pinpoint our own locations with enough accuracy to avoid the possibility of transporting them, or perhaps consolidating us." Ty shook his head. "That wouldn't actually stop us, of course, given the strength of our technology. But they think it would, which is all we need."

"And we're going to let them walk out of here like that?"

"Quite! And probably get killed for our efforts. Those iterations of ourselves will most likely have their throats slit by our intrepid pair after they make their exit. But there's more iterations of ourselves, we'll be fine." Ty paused. "And they may let you live, after all. I can't tell what they think of you. It's more than just hate, that's for sure."

4CCOL4DE let out a shaky breath. He didn't want to die, but if it was for his Bug... "And we'll leave them alone after this. No interference."

"No interference," Ty agreed. "Though we'll continue to observe them, of course. There is plenty of fascinating data to still be had from observing their dynamic."

"Okay." Bug's getting out of here. It isn't with him, but he'll be happy. That's all 4CCOL4DE needed.