welcome to chapter 2.5, aka, mood whiplash central! due to this site always displaying the specific chapter number in front of the chapter title, I can't really... put "2.5" there without making it look really weird. but it's got a different naming scheme and the styles are mixed

keep an eye out: anything NOT in the "Providence X Channel" format is an interstitial chapter like this one!

also, I'm going on a vacation for around a week starting July 18, so if I'm quiet then, that's why

Mudkip: one time rex tried to drift with the rex ride, but it didn't work out so great because it's a bike, and also it's a hoverbike. six was the one that led the mission to fish him out of the ravine. (I'll let you figure out Six's typing style :3c)

YellowAngela: thanks for reviewing again! and good luck with that movie, hope you two have fun out there

There was an unsettling feeling deep in Six's gut. No true name (not that Six could name many emotions in the first place, simple words were all he needed back then), just a general sense of unease that permeated through him. He couldn't get rid of it — meditation only heightened the fact that there was something wrong about him as his mind failed to keep focus.

He had checked for scars, for any injuries. Nothing. Well, there were wounds — old wounds, long since scarred over in patches of darker brown, each one a painful memory. There wasn't anything new however.

That he could see.

Maybe he should talk to Dr. Holiday.

Later, when he was absolutely sure the feeling was tangible and not all in his head. A physical injury was something he had no qualms with getting patched up (otherwise he was a liability) but a mental one…

Six was used to keeping his weaknesses hidden, especially to co-workers. He had it all under control.

His stomach turned again.

It wasn't affecting his performance now, but emotions were fickle; the sooner it was gone, the better. The sooner he would have peace of mind that he wouldn't slip up and fail against something five times his size.

He doesn't think about how it may be an indicator of his nanites activating.

He instead continued to sit cross-legged on his bed, faint puffs of steam from a kettle reflected with his barely-concealed glare in the mirror in front of him. What was wrong with him? It was as if his finely honed senses were subconsciously detecting an enemy, except… not.

Perhaps he was onto something. His subconscious trying to warn him.

What had happened today? The EVOs captured were cured by Rex in the field, nothing too scary. A dog and a canary. No noteworthy powers, just the same animal mutated to be more powerful, more aggressive.

Knight had been out of his office, a rare but (normally) not unpleasant experience. A scuffle with Rex that was quickly broken up because of the new Emergency Channel, predictable from Rex's previous misuse of his powers, Six had attempted to contact Knight in the aftermath but he supposed Knight was busy elsewhere —

Six snatched his phone from his suit pocket.

Good evening, Agent Six. It is currently [April 23, 2015 23:57]

You have [23] unread messages, [1] urgent.

PLEASE ENTER USER AUTHENTICATION.

[AgentSix]

[-]

Now logged in as: [Agent] SIX

welcome to PARTY CENTRAL

ONLY cool cats allowed

NO sharing to non-cool cats

The users currently online in this channel are: CALAN, REX, SIX.

— [April 23, 2015 00:50] —

[PLEASE tell me what the opposite of a cool cat is]

[Agent] SIX: a hot dog.

[cool dude] REX: hey

[cool dude] REX: good answer but im not gonna say,

[cool dude] REX: six you are a hot dog

[cool dude] REX: NOT a good look my dude

[cool dude] REX has changed the channel topic to [PLEASE tell me what the opposite of a cool cat is EDIT: and NOT A HOT DOG]

[Captain] CALAN: Don't worry Agent, I still think you're a cool cat.

[Agent] SIX: duly appreciated.

[Captain] CALAN: Since you're here, I have to mention: there's going to be a Providence outing sometime soon. Some of us are going to go to a restaurant together.

[Captain] CALAN: For teambuilding.

[Agent] SIX: I'll skip again.

[Captain] CALAN: It's your turn to treat us, Six!

[Agent] SIX: I'll pay you back later.

[Captain] CALAN: :'(

[cool dude] REX: :'(

[Captain] CALAN: Our teambuilding, all for naught...

[Agent] SIX: fine.

[Agent] SIX: is Holiday coming?

[Captain] CALAN: Don't see why not.

[cool dude] REX: what about me?

[Captain] CALAN: You're a Providence agent, kiddo, of course.

[Captain] CALAN whispers to [Agent] SIX: Don't choose any place with alcohol, the last time Rex invited himself and I don't want White's trust in me slashed further.

[Agent] SIX whispers to [Captain] CALAN: right.

[Agent] SIX: when is it?

[Captain] CALAN: When's the next time you're open at… how about 6:00 PM?

[Agent] SIX: I usually eat at 1700.

[Captain] CALAN: That time, then.

[Agent] SIX: the 27th.

You have set the notification [Providence Agent and Researcher Outing] in [4 days]. You will be reminded [1 day] prior.

[Captain] CALAN: And don't bring us to the HQ Cafeteria.

[cool dude] REX: did that actually happen once

[Agent] SIX: I was not planning to.

You have set the persistent reminder [ask for local restaurant locations; cafeteria is a no-go].

[Agent] SIX: it's late, you two.

[Captain] CALAN: I've got one more drill to run, but after that I'm going to hit the showers and sleep.

[cool dude] REX: pffft, ok mr. quick redirection

Now that those matters were settled, Six flicked his thumb, the messages scrolling past in a high contrast white-on-black blur. Nothing of note, meaningless but harmless conversation, "memes" being exchanged, an argument over the ending of some sci-fi movie —

Knight suddenly disconnecting from the server. Which he had brushed off when Six inquired. The reason he gave was adequate.

He had no time for "childish play" with Rex.

… Except he had left after that incident. Quite a bit after, actually.

[cool dude] REX: it's because you dont have any friends to invite

[Agent] SIX: I can invite the Numbers.

[Chief Research Officer] HOLIDAY: ….I'm well-respected in my field, I can call a few close colleagues, some coworkers,

[Chief Research Officer] HOLIDAY: Who are not friends. Just close colleagues. Sometimes we go see a movie together in our off time and it's 100% about science and it's not friends hanging out

[Captain] CALAN: Don't know why I got the title treatment but I do have good rapport with my team.

[Captain] CALAN: And much of the Keep's crew.

[Captain] CALAN: And, thinking about it, a majority of the people stationed in Headquarters.

Six raised his fingers to the communicator lodged in his ear.

Two beeps — the line was connected, though Six could not discern any noises from the other side. Speech-like noises, at least, there were the monotonous sounds of paper shuffling and pen scritching that Six had grown accustomed to hearing whenever he talked to Knight.

"White Knight. It's Six."

No answer. This time, complete and utter silence, devoid of any sounds from the office. Offline.

That feeling welled up before being stomped down by his own self-control. It left Six alone in his room, waiting for an answer and for the water in the kettle to boil.

Six was not unused to waiting; waiting for his employer to meet him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, waiting for a target to round the corner.

What he wasn't used to was waiting without a purpose. His gaze snapped back to his phone.

Good evening, Agent Six. It is currently [April 24, 2015 01:32]

You have [23] unread messages, [1] urgent.

The event [Providence Agent and Researcher Outing] is coming up in [3 days]. The time it will begin is [17:00].

You have [1] reminder today. The next one is [ask for local restaurant locations; cafeteria is a no-go].

NOW CONNECTED + White Knight's Office [ONLINE]

All communications are recorded and/or logged.

SIX: Knight.

WHITE KNIGHT: Is there something wrong?

SIX: I was about to ask the same thing. No.

WHITE KNIGHT: That makes no sense. Please refrain from messaging me privately without an emergency.

SIX: wait there.

WHITE KNIGHT: Did something come up?

WHITE KNIGHT: Additionally, I can't go anywhere but "there".

SIX: I meant, don't close the line.

WHITE KNIGHT: Something did happen, then. Is it Rex?

SIX: No, I just want to talk to you.

SIX: Knight?

SIX: you're not responding.

WHITE KNIGHT: … I've noticed.

WHITE KNIGHT: I

WHITE KNIGHT: Can't fathom why you're still here.

SIX: It's about what happened earlier today.

WHITE KNIGHT: Oh. I see.

WHITE KNIGHT: I have allocated sufficient funds to repair Rex's room within the end of the business week.

SIX: About you, specifically.

WHITE KNIGHT: I have also already apologized and left the group chat. That's enough.

SIX: you didn't leave because of that incident. I wanted to talk about that.

WHITE KNIGHT: What is there to talk about?

SIX: "it's because you dont have any friends to invite"

SIX: that affected you.

WHITE KNIGHT: I left because the idea was not working out, as Dr. Holiday predicted. I would rather spend my time in a productive matter than argue with Rex all day.

SIX: there was no indication of you feeling as if you wanted to leave until Rex sent that and the rest of us sent similarly spirited messages.

SIX: you left because you felt like an outsider.

SIX: Knight, you said we were friends.

WHITE KNIGHT: When — wait, in…

WHITE KNIGHT: That was more than a year ago.

WHITE KNIGHT: It was an embarrassing outburst and I regret some of my actions.

SIX: I thought we still were.

WHITE KNIGHT: I don't do mushy, soft stuff. The last time I checked, neither did you.

SIX: it's been a bit since we last talked.

WHITE KNIGHT: It's been a day. I debriefed you on the Toronto mission.

SIX: I meant talking like this.

SIX: not related to work.

WHITE KNIGHT: What about it.

SIX: you still haven't answered.

WHITE KNIGHT: Answered what, Agent Six?

SIX: are we still friends?

WHITE KNIGHT: Isn't the answer obvious.

WHITE KNIGHT: Little more than a year ago, you decided to go a separate path to mine, and I paid the price for interfering.

WHITE KNIGHT: You made it perfectly clear back then that you didn't want me around anymore. Even after everything we've been through. It was probably

WHITE KNIGHT: Just me.

WHITE KNIGHT: I misread all the signs. I thought that maybe

WHITE KNIGHT: Look.

WHITE KNIGHT: As you said, we haven't talked "casually" since.

WHITE KNIGHT: I don't hold it against you.

WHITE KNIGHT: We were mercenaries.

WHITE KNIGHT: We were never "friends".

WHITE KNIGHT: We were partners because we were useful to each other, nothing more, nothing less.

WHITE KNIGHT: I understand that now.

WHITE KNIGHT: I am perfectly fine on my own. I have been perfectly fine for a year. And you've moved on.

WHITE KNIGHT: You have Rex, and Calan, and Dr. Holiday, and… Bobo is a stretch, isn't he. But I digress.

This was all wrong. Knight was supposed to be the social one, offering to buy drinks for the team that Six would decline (someone had to make sure they all went home safe, and he preferred tea over alcohol any day). Knight was the one that always tried to hug Six, which Six would not always decline.

Knight was the one who thrived with other people, while Six stayed in the background. Opposites — no, complementary.

Six was the loner.

WHITE KNIGHT: If you are doing this to make fun of me, just leave. There is nothing to gain here.

SIX: I'm not.

WHITE KNIGHT: Then what, a misinformed sense of guilt?

WHITE KNIGHT: I am fine.

SIX: Noted.

SIX: and ignored.

WHITE KNIGHT: Do not test my patience.

The kettle whistled. He snapped out of his staring; his eyes were at an unhealthy distance from the screen (which was to say, much too close), but he had to strain with his sunglasses on. The water bubbled and churned inside the kettle, seconds away from boiling over.

Sixrose, going through the motions of turning the hot plate off before picking up the kettle to pour into the waiting teapot. The set was nothing fancy (white, Providence-issued), easily replaceable, easily moved to another location if he ever had to leave. Like the hot plate. Like every other 'personal' item he had in the room. If he wanted to, he could shove everything into a bag and make off into the night within minutes. The only thing he would leave behind were people. A person, really. He planned to, on that day.

Knight had a similar setup, with a duffle bag that matched his.

Had. He wasn't moving anytime soon.

Was Knight bitter about it? Probably.

Was the bitterness unfounded?

Six preferred not to answer. Keeping quiet had kept him alive.

He picked up his cup; white, no handles, warmth seeping from the ceramic. The tea was flat and tasteless in his mouth. Too early.

Six made a mental note to remember that the kettle existed and set it back on the tray. No use letting it steep for too long.

SIX: Let's talk about Providence, then. Are there any improvements slated for the near-future?

WHITE KNIGHT: There's money to be made in the mobile phone sector, especially since the larger companies are beginning to struggle from a constantly evolving workforce. Nobody wants to work in a container filled to the brim with hundreds of others that could mutate in an instant.

SIX: what are you planning to do?

WHITE KNIGHT: Providence is a trusted brand at this point, and we must reinforce it.

SIX: with the money.

WHITE KNIGHT: Personal project.

Stubborn and secretive, unlike the Knight he use to know. Well, at least the "secretive" part, Six had years upon years of living with how stubborn he was. He had ways to coax him from his preset path, a valuable skill when he hated the very ground that his charge walked on. It was a delicate balancing act between the two.

WHITE KNIGHT: If you'll excuse me, I must finalize my plan.

SIX: one more thing.

WHITE KNIGHT: One. More.

SIX: Do you know any local restaurants? Any type, preferably trusted.

WHITE KNIGHT: Any particular reason why — no, nevermind, don't answer that.

WHITE KNIGHT: The cafeteria here.

SIX: Other than the cafeteria.

WHITE KNIGHT: No.

WHITE KNIGHT: I don't research things unnecessary to me.

WHITE KNIGHT: And I don't fantasize about going outside.

What was it that Rex said whenever Six was out in public? Something like, "ooooh, awkward…". Yes, that was probably it.

SIX: Holiday would know, right?

WHITE KNIGHT: Sure. Go ask her.

WHITE KNIGHT: She's working on something right now, though. A report.

SIX: thank you, sir.

WHITE KNIGHT:

WHITE KNIGHT: Don't call me that.

SIX: Knight?

WHITE KNIGHT: Look.

WHITE KNIGHT: "White Knight" or "The White Knight" are fine.

WHITE KNIGHT:

WHITE KNIGHT: And I heard… that Italian place she and Rhodes went to the last time Rhodes was at HQ was good.

WHITE KNIGHT: I wouldn't trust Dr. Holiday's opinion on food but Dr. Rhodes is alright.

SIX: thanks again. your help is much appreciated.

WHITE KNIGHT: Just keep me updated. That's all I will ask for in return.

SIX: alright.

SIX: goodnight, Knight.

WHITE KNIGHT: 'Night, Six.

DISCONNECTED + White Knight's Office [ONLINE]

Thank you for supporting Providence.

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WHITE KNIGHT: Six, what is with this 10 GB image of my face overlaid on top of a badly compressed image.