-Ze-

"It's about time Ze. Jesus, how late can you be?" I narrow my eyes to the hypocrite best friend of mine laying down on the couch as if he owns the place already. Chilled laughs and looks at the ceiling as something seems to sparkle in his eyes. "But hey, look, the Derp crew reunited. Who knew?" The room becomes silent as we all look at each other. Galm is sitting on the recliner with a laptop on his lap while Smarty and Tom are both at the table seeming to have been in a conversation before I got here while Chilled is laying down on the couch seems the most carefree out of all of us. It's true, I guess we've been reunited for one more mission together. Smarty immediately gets up at the sight of me seeming relieved, after all, I did risk my life to save his.

"Fucking Jesus Ze, I thought you were gone for," Smarty says and joins the rest of the group in the living room and I just shrug. Stretching out my arm I shake my head.

"I'm fine, just a little sore in a bit of places and gonna die in a month but other than that, completely fine," I reassure, very poorly at he just looks at me in horror.

"A month? Seriously? Why?!"

"Well, after they caught me they did some more fucked up shit with my system and now I have a month tops unless we find a way to get a cure, a real extremely strong cure," I explain and Smarty frowns, along with the rest of the crew but I just smile weakly. "It's fine, I mean, if we get the right materials I can probably figure something out."

"Alright, save Ze's ass on the Derp Crew to-do list," Chilled announces to the sky. Rolling my eyes I walk over to him and push off his legs off the couch and take the spot next to him causing him to laugh and sit up with his legs crossed. He looks over to the rest of the room and his carefree smile slowly shifts to a completely serious expression. "So... Tom, Smarty, you guys wanted to tell us something?" Smarty suddenly flinches and looks away from Chilled but Tom comes up from behind him and pat Smarty's shoulder and looks to us, more straightforward than Smarty.

"Yeah, we do. Well Smarty mostly. He's the one who fucked everything up," Tom explains and Smarty glares but doesn't say anything in response. Tom takes a seat next to me at the edge of the couch and Smarty sits at the other single chair, taking a deep breath before looking at all of us.

"When the Derp Crew broke up, Tom and I decided to create organizations to help out the nearby locals. He made IRIS, I made a group known as the Hidden starting off as just a group of people just like IRIS. When the groups were becoming more well known, Tom got involved with the federal government and IRIS began to become sponsored and funded by the federal government as a return for being helpful to the government. I refused the offers, I didn't want to become involved in all of that political bullshit. At this time we had a few loyal members, including Nanners and Gassy who first joined for good reasons. Then... um, some uh... researchers came to the group and we began to research things about the government send some shit like that, I don't know. One mission in particular had the Hidden lose a lot of member and I wanted some way to prevent that from happening again, so I asked two of those researchers to look up some way to make us all the more powerful. That's how the Hidden we know were created, as an accident really. The strength boost and healing boost was meant to be there but invisibility wasn't supposed to be one of those factors. It just happened.

"When we found it we had our very first Hidden, a random soldier they were testing the solution onto and the moment it was found we decided to keep it a secret. Because what the hell is the use of invisibility if people know you're invisible and can then look out for it? I told Tom though, and he disagreed. It was too dangerous, soldiers will think they're stronger than they are, power will get to our heads and shit like that. And Tom was right, the soldiers began to rebel against me saying they should be an army, we should have more bases than just the one we had and we should be basically ruling the country. I threatened to give our secrets to the government to prevent this and as you may have guessed they just kidnapped Marissa and held us prisoners. So I basically fucked up big time. These researchers who made the Hidden, well, they were for making everyone a 'Hidden'. Some things happened and let's just say some people close to those researchers were injured and they rebelled as well. They were still helpful to the Hidden so instead of being captured they began to experiment on them to find a way to make them obedient again but they escaped, not completely unaffected but it seems they lost all memory of the Hidden before running."

"You're going to tell us those researchers were us, right?" Chilled asks, interrupting Smarty and gesturing to him and me. Smarty frowns and folds his arms seeming upset.

"I was working up to that!"

"Just get to the fucking point, Smarty," Chilled complains and I can't help but chuckle a bit while Smarty frowns seeming clearly upset by this.

"Fine, yeah you guys founded the Hidden solution that makes a Hidden and they did something to you guys to make you forget. I don't know what the fuck they did but basically you lost a couple of years before Tom picked you guys up and let you join IRIS. Moral of the story: we all fucked up except for Galm and Tom," Smarty complains and I just laugh again at how upset he is while Chilled chuckles a bit but doesn't seem as energetic. Noticing this lack of energy I sigh and look at the group. Just like Chilled said, we all knew where the story was heading and I'm not too surprised by it either. The whole joining IRIS was blurry from the start and something was missing there, but even thinking right now I can't come up with whatever happened. Chilled and I... made them, that's probably why I found out how to undo them. In a way, directly, this is all Chilled's and my fault. The realization sinks in and I immediately get up from the couch and look away from all of them.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Chilled asks while I just walk away from them feeling a wave of exhaustion come over me. You've got to be fucking kidding me, all of this, our fault. It took a moment to sink in but now that it's come to this, that happiness on Nanners' face when I gave him the visibility solution... I didn't deserve to see it. I don't deserve any of the praise the world gives me when I'm also the reason for everyone's pain and this fucking war we're basically having. "You fucking knew Tom, why didn't you fucking tell us?" Chilled asks and I take a deep breath, glancing back and notice for the first time Chilled's hands are folded and clenched tightly and paler than usual. I thought it was only affecting me with him recovering and interrogating them right away but it really is affecting Chilled as well.

"I-... How am I supposed to tell you guys the things you're fighting are things you made?"

"So you put the efficiency of these new researchers first over telling your friends the fucking truth?" Chilled suddenly says with his volume increasing as he speaks. Tom flinches and we can all tell that what Chilled said was true. There was no way Chilled and I can focus on defeating the Hidden when we could have been haunted by guilt the entire time. But it makes sense now, the reason why Hidden was after us from the very beginning before even figuring out we were good at our jobs. And after they saw it'd be tough to take us both out they focused their sights on me alone. It all fits now, I hate it.

"In Tom's defense I don't think you guys wanna remember what happened anyways," Smarty says and Chilled just slams a hand on the couch's armrest.

"Well that's up to Ze and me, isn't it?! Jesus, if you would have told us it'd make all of this...."

"What would it do?" Galm suddenly challenges, the laptop he had earlier on his lap now missing having seemed to been listening quietly until now. "What would it have even changed, Chilled?" Chilled flinches and opens his mouth but closes it without saying a single word in his defense. Galm shakes his head and suddenly meets my eyes. "How about you, Ze? Should they have told you?"

"Well yeah, they should have," I say without a second thought and sigh. "Not right away I guess but when things were getting serious that information would have been nice. Chilled and I became stronger in that base, it would have been fine for us to retrieve memories, likable or not we would have lived." Tom remains silent, seeming irritated and annoyed, having always liked to be somewhat right before and now completely shut up. Sighing I walk back to the couch behind Chilled and place my hands on the back of the couch. "We can't do anything about it though, that was in the past and we can't change it now. Right now, we need to focus. We need to get materials and start working against the Hidden unless one of us want to get kidnapped again and it'll probably be me again so I really just want to get rid of them," I snap and immediately Tom gets up and lays a folder onto the table causing all of us to flinch.

"One step ahead of you. I'd like to start a new program, none of you have to be in IRIS or even work federally. This is like the beginning of IRIS and Hidden, just we've done it before and it's succeeded before. I'd like to invite all of you to DERP," Tom announces and we all stare at the folder for a long time.

"Tom, the Derp crew broke up for a reason," Galm says seeming reluctant to join. It is true out of all of the Derp crew members Galm became the most distant and the closest at the same time. While he wasn't involved in the whole fuck up the rest of us did, he's always had all of our backs and been that conscious to tell us when we're fucking up. He left the Derp crew in general to get time to himself, spend more time with his girlfriend and focus on his work which mainly involves illegal hacking. The very opposite of what the rest of us have been doing for years.

"I know, you don't have to move anywhere. You can stay living here, we won't even have a base. It's just a name I suppose," Tom explains and opens the file showing us the tempting benefits. "But, along with me and other non-Federal connections we are going to provide for this program. Which will include providing you with a larger salary than you can ask for," Tom says and Galm finally hesitates now seeing the temptation behind this program Tom is offering. "For Galm and Smarty this will definitely provide for you guys and cover your living expenses. Chilled, Ze, well, this won't do much for you but I know how much you, Chilled, love the Derp crew in general. Once we do enough I'll try to hook you guys up with weapons and research equipment, but right now it's just a program that is broke as fuck. When it comes to material at least, pay will be fine as it's covered by myself and others," Tom explains and we all stay silent.

"Ah fuck it, I'll join up again," Chilled says, taking one of the papers and holds it up to show more details. "Just don't keep any important shit from me again. I'll join because you guys are some of my best friends," Chilled explains and Smarty takes a paper after him with a smile.

"Yeah of course I'll join up again. It was fun anyways, and flexible since it's just with you guys," Smarty says looking over the print and both Galm and I look at each other. Sighing I climb over the couch and back into my spot, reaching out for a paper of my own and stare at the same benefits he said now written down.

"I don't see any reason why not to," I mutter and Galm just sighs and takes one as well. Tom seems to be relieved all of us agreed, after all, missing just one of us will make it seem off.

"Alright, first things first," Tom announces and sits back at his chair and looks directly towards me. "We need to make sure we don't lose a member as fast as we gained them." I look away from him, averting his eye contact feeling a bit strange with this many people around me worried about me. "The moment Ze gets caught by IRIS it's over for him. They have lots of evidence against you and testimonies of soldiers will be more trustable than yours. Basically, IRIS is our first enemy as the Derp crew."

"Fuck does that mean I'm already a traitor?" Chilled mutters and laughs. I roll my eyes and look at the table also agreeing with Tom. I can't go anywhere near them and my word is no good in there, the moment they get me they're going to have to turn me in. They'll have to, even if anybody in the base tries to save me they just can't. It's not their choice, it's the fucking law's fault. I'm not even that against the law or anything but it's just misfortunate in cases like these.

"But I need the equipment you guys have there," I mutter.

"Can't I just go in and get it?" Chilled asks and Tom nods slowly before shaking his head, seeming to think about it thoroughly currently. Of course Chilled can go in and get the equipment, but he'll be questioned that instant why he's trying to take something rom the base and technically called a thief.

"Ze, is Ohm an ally?" I blink in surprise at the question and meet Tom's eyes and nod. He looks away seeming lost in thought with the answer and immediately I can tell that Ohm was most definitely caught. I warned him, he didn't listen and kept lying to them and pretending to be human. Tom glances up between all of four of us before sitting back. "Alright, I have a plan."

"It involves Ohm?" I ask curiously and he just shrugs.

"Might as well, two birds with one stone. This is the DERP crew anyways, I'm not afraid to break the law if it's with you guys." We all look to each other and as much as we hate to admit it, we agree. It's us, our group of friends who used to do lots of things together as a group. It wouldn't be too hard to just break a couple of rules when we've done it several times before. "Right now Ohm is being held in IRIS due to some problems and trial information being gathered he's bound to lose. Chilled, I'm going to need you to sneak into the temporary prison we have next to the generator room and use a key I'll give you later to get into it. Security won't be there, because they'll be busy dealing with someone trying to sneak onto base, our dear Smarty. I'll be distracting Diction and the other sergeants and while Smarty is causing some commotion, Ze, you'll sneak in and head to the lab and grab anything you need. After you get everything you'll go directly to Chilled and Ohm where they'll be waiting for you at the southern wall of the base and help them get over the wall where their Galm will be waiting to pick you guys up. It's a bit of a messy plan but knowing we're the Derp crew all of our plans are messy but somehow miraculously work in the end."

"And when will this go on?" I question and Tom stares at me seeming to be thinking for a long moment before shrugging.

"Is now a good time?" We all stare at each other for a few more moments before we all burst into action and grab our things we will need. Galm hurries to his "work" car where he's setting up several screens in the back as I use his laptop to try and carefully sneak into IRIS's camera system. Their camera system is fairly new and therefore less protected so it shouldn't be too tough, it's not shutting down the entire base to escape. After I set them up Galm takes some time flipping through the cameras to make sure he knows how to use them and we switch them all to night lights just to be sure they work that way because it should be going on at night. Hurrying back inside I look around watching as Tom fixes his work uniform and Smarty is just sitting doing nothing, since it's basically his job to just be the bait. Chilled is in his uniform and is on his phone talking to Nanners it seems like who was worried since he did disappear and came here for us. Passing by all of them I go into Galm's room and take the duffle bag he told me to take and hurry back to the living room.

Smarty, Galm, and I are all taking his bigger car with all of the cameras set up while Tom and Chilled are taking Tom's car to go to the base like normal people. Before we separate into these arrangements we all take an ear piece to all connect with each other during the mission it's beginning to feel like old times. Whenever we were on missions before we would never take it seriously and just chat for a majority of the time, it was actually a whole lot of fun. I wish we could just return to being like that instead of being serious. The reason we're so serious this time is because my life is on the line, before none of us were ever at risk of dying unless it was easily preventable as in they're being shot and back up can easily come. Smarty leaves at a bit a distance away from where Galm parks for his listening and watching a bit away but Smarty still isn't doing anything particularly until we get the clear from Chilled. This all has to be times perfectly, Smarty before Chilled and me, Tom distractions before Smarty, Tom having to hand Chilled the card without anyone seeing. It's all depending on one another and may all completely collide for all we know.

"Most of the sergeants are gone," Tom suddenly says through the speaker in my ear. "Gone home or something else. Gassy is here because apparently he went home earlier to check on Elaine and he needs to make up for work but he's busy in his office thankfully. Nanners is also here, he's looking for you, Chilled, be careful."

"I'm fine, he won't expect me to be anywhere near the prisons," Chilled responds and I just take the information. There are more moments of silence before Chilled groans into the mic. "Fuck, I'm rusty. It's been a while. You ready, Smarty?"

"Yeah, I'll go now. I really hope you guys aren't joking and I won't get fucking arrested again," Smarty complains and Tom just laughs but no actual answer. "Fuck this mission," Smarty complains but we hear him begin moving and Galm motions for me to get out. I nod and leave the car and head over to the point where I'm planning on sneaking in. Near the main building which the lab is in but too far for cameras to see me. Looking around I find the camera in the distance and open the cell phone Galm gave me just waiting to hear Smarty's voice. Nothing but silence passes by and small sounds from animals in the woods. This is really nerve wrecking, breaking into the place two of my friends work at. Oh what the hell, they're helping.

"W-Wait! I didn't mean to," I hear Smarty's voice and immediately activate the wave which causes the camera to stop working and glitch to one image. Quickly running over to the wall I jump up and grasp onto the low edge and jump over the wall. Quickly running to the main building I glance in the distance where I find Smarty talking to some guards before randomly dashing causing them to become alert and follow him.

"I'm in," Chilled's voice comes through just as I open the side door hardly anyone uses into the base.

"Same," I announce and hurry into the base, ducking behind walls whenever I notice some soldiers are still inside and running outside to see what the commotion is all about. When the coast is clear I hurry to the lab and force the stupid heavy door open and close it quickly behind me, sighing in relief now back in my sanctuary. No one is here either, all the scientists probably gone to sleep by now since it is really late. Swinging the duffle bag around and laying it on top of the table I look through the drawers, grabbing a few of my own research files and some interesting ones from the researchers now before moving on to the back chemical room where I stuff several chemicals side along with mixers, measuring devices, Hester's, just anything I can find that seems like it'd be useful. Hurrying back to the main lab room I grab a few empty I beakers and such and hurry them back of the chemical room and sorting it in the duffle bag. Now feeling prepared I place the straps back on my shoulder before I suddenly hear a noise from the main room. Quickly I hurry to the room with the stairs leading up to the catwalk above the place no one seems to use anymore.

"-the fuck do you mean?!" Noticing Gassy's voice, my ears perk up and I'm immediately that much more interested. Quickly I shake my head and activate the mic.

"This is bad, Gassy is in the lab talking with somebody. Can you do something, Tom?" No response. He's probably talking with Diction since he said he'd be distracting them. I sigh and just hope he gets the message and eventually gets over here. Curiously I head up the steep stairs and very carefully and quietly open the door over head and peak down to where I find Gassy and Mark. Gassy is always seeming to be speaking to him or asking something about him, it makes me feel a bit jealous. It sounded like they were having a fight though, it shouldn't be too jealousy inducing... but Gassy and I argued a lot too.... Fuck, I'm becoming what I hate.

"I'm quitting IRIS, you were right from before. If I want to become better at my job I need to stop being safe and be more like Ze, I need to explore more," Mark says, heading to the lab table and reaching out for a drawer that's close to completely empty. Maybe I took a bit too much... but I'm a needy scientist. Before he gets to open the drawer Gassy grabs onto his other arm and seems pissed.

"I didn't tell you shit, go back to bed. Some sleep will clear your mind."

"Why do you care if I leave or not?" Mark asks and something in my chest begins to ache. I feel like I'm watching a couple's fight... but no, Gassy isn't a couple with him. I clutch onto my chest as I watch the two who seem to be glaring at each other equally now.

"You're the best researcher we have, they'll do shit without you."

"So you were thinking about the base? I don't care about this base anymore, Gassy," Mark suddenly says and right then I know it. Gassy is going to get pissed. He loves this base with his everything and he will defend it. Peeking over the door I spot Gassy's expression and immediately duck back behind the door before he notices. He's furious, that death glare of his that always worried me.

"Mark, leave then. I don't fucking know why you stayed for so long then, get the fuck out if you don't care about us anymore," Gassy snaps and I flinch in slight fear for Mark who must be under that glare of Gassy's. Glancing off to the side where they are I glance down to my watch and frown under the time pressure and it doesn't sound like Tom is coming anytime soon. If he's distracting both Diction and a few sergeants he must be having some sort of informal meeting and when he's out of that I'm probably done for. Gassy... just chew him out quicker or get mad and stomp out quicker.

"I-... It's not like don't care about you guys. I just want to get better for you guys. I want to be a better researcher, like Ze," Mark explains and suddenly I feel a strange sensation come to my chest and I space out a bit. Better for the base, huh? I always felt like I was the best for this base since I'm a lot more experienced, more experienced than Mark at least because of that travel. But during that time, in the Derp Crew... I guess it was all fun and ended up to be helpful. I don't understand Mark's feelings, but I do know the feeling of wanting to be better for someone else. Working hard to make something for someone or to make something work.

"Mark... you fucker," Gassy says and I peek out the door feeling like this is the safest time and watch as Gassy pulls Mark in for a hug. Instead of feeling jealousy or anything I just sigh, feeling a bit bad I'd make this guy feel the need to live up to me.

"Ze? You still blocked in?" Tom's voice suddenly comes out and I duck back behind the door and move back to the staircase where the duffle bag is sitting at the very bottom.

"Yeah, can you lend a hand?" I whisper and immediately glance over to the door hoping I'm not making any noise.

"Not really, can you do something, Chilled? After you get Ohm to the meet up?" There's only silence that returns and we all begin to panic at Chilled's unusual quietness. "Fuck, stay put Ze. I'll figure something out." I sigh and look back to the door where I hear their voices.

"Hey, you guys aren't using the catwalk up there, are you? You're not supposed to use that," Gassy suddenly says and I immediately back off from the door and nearly close it but I probably shouldn't with their focus on it.

"No, we abide by the rules."

"Then why is the door open?" I step down the steps very carefully and glance to the bag and close my eyes. I really am just stuck here, and I know well how sharp Gassy is with his attention to the tiniest sound. He's paranoid, that's why. Not like I blame him, after all he has seen people murdered a lot more than me. "Whatever. Just forget about Ze, you know his life. It's pretty fucked. Both him and me, so don't get involved with me either. I know how you feel but it's better you just forget about it," Gassy says catching my curiosity but I shake my head and grab a hold of my duffle bag and move it very carefully so it doesn't make any noise.

"I can't," Mark says with some sort of urgency followed by silence. I frown in confusion and when I realize what may be happening I panic and nearly open the door but stop myself. Quickly hurrying up the door to the catwalk I watch and feel my chest tighten when I spot Mark with his arms wrapped around Gassy's neck and his head over his shoulder while Gassy just stands there with his hands awkwardly out. "I can't just forget. I don't get it, I would be better for you." I blink in shock and grip onto the door tightly feeling like I may just lose him right here and now. I made the decision long ago I'd be fine if he left me, but even then I feel so terrified right now.

"M-Mark... I don't fucking know. You're attacking me while I'm weak here, a bit unfair," Gassy mutters seeming legitimately distracted, the asshole. Then again he probably thinks I'm a murderer evil Hidden again. But seriously? He's weak? What the hell? I thought he trusted me. Mark stays like that for an extra moment before letting go of him and turning away, seeming distracted.

"Well... at least it wasn't straight denial this time. I'm going back to my room and going to think a little... I'll see you tomorrow," Mark says and leaves the room but Gassy stays in the room still in the same position as he was when he was hugged. One out, just one more to go. Although I should be hiding behind the door again my eyes are glued on him... he seems so... defeated. Is he okay? I need to ask Elaine if he's been acting strange lately. Goddamn it, I'm still so worried for him even though he is the one to second guess his feelings for me.

"Sorry Ze, I'll be on my way," Chilled's voice appears in my ear and I step back from the door now with the confirmation.

"I knew it!" Gassy suddenly shouts nearly shocking me enough to fall down the stairs right beside me. "Someone's here. Show yourself!" I wait in silence before hurrying down the steps hoping he's focused on the catwalk above him. Opening the door out of the staircase I notice the door to the back room open and I immediately turn back and close the door with my hands glued to the knob.

"Hurry, I'm in deep shit right now," I whisper into my mic and flinch as the door knob suddenly twists and my grasp completely fails to do shit. Now's the time to make a choice, whether to pretend I'm brainwashed again or just tell him everything. If I tell him, he'll absolutely have to keep it a secret even from Diction. Fuck. "Code red, code red, I'm spotted," I say into the mic just as Gassy grabs a hold of my arm and looks at me and immediately his expression changes from the professional, angry one to one of shock and immediately lets go of me as soon as he grabbed me.

"Z-...Ze?"