Gamble's Links
Max loves Jas. Gamble loaths 0grel0rd.
This is all extremely complicated by the fact they're the SAME PEOPLE.
To say Gamble's feelings here are complicated is an understatement. For the longest time, Max considered Jas one of their closest friends - not only that, but they had a HUGE crush on them, which they often failed to hide.
At the same time... 0grel0rd was a constant thorn in Gamble's side, who's antics caused her no end of problems. They fought on many occasions, even on the grounds of their own school.
And the worst part is... JAS KNEW! THE WHOLE TIME!
For old time's sake, Max allowed Jas to get away after the revelation. Now however... she's angry. And hurt. And confused. And betrayed.
She just wants 0grel0rd to leave her alone. And yet... she still wants to see Jas again.
Not that right now she'd ever admit it.
In truth, Gamble doesn't know all that much about Red. But one thing they do know for certain - Red ain't their type.
Like, okay, the idea of a wild woman seems cool and appealing - but the idea of living out in the forest or whatever? Nah, nah. Plus, she's a supervillain! Max can't support that lifestyle!
Swipin' left. Sorry lass.
Perhaps one of the people closest to Gamble - which is crazy considering how they started out. When they were first thrust together during the formation of Troubleshoot, Max really didn't like Argentum - perceiving him as a stuck-up posh boy, tainted by a criminal past. At best, he was the butt of her jokes.
Still... over time, and working together, the ribbing became a lot more good-natured. And whilst she still liking to tease from time to time, she'd feel genuinely bad if she really hurt his feelings. They perhaps weren't best of friends - but definitely more than co-workers.
This really came to change however after the events of Call To War. Whilst feeling abandoned and hurt by the other members in the aftermath, Argentum stood up to help her at one of her lowest points - and through that, they formed Blast Radius together.
Now, as members of two teams together, Argentum has grown to be one of Max's closest confidants. And whilst her complex feelings to Server and the others would sometimes make her question Argentum's own choices... she likes and respects him enough to not let that get in the way of them blowing stuff up!
Of all member of Troubleshoot, Gamble's feelings about Rabbit are the least complex.
She does not like this man.
During their first encounter he was participating in a plot that pitted him against her and the other Troubleshoot members - and he was more than willing to kill. The only reason they wound up working together at all is due to a mutual enemy... though really she still doesn't see him as much different to them.
Finding out about Last Call and his connection to it did naught but add context. She already saw him as a cold emotionless robot - learning who was giving the orders didn't change that.
Still... she can work with him. And arguably they can work together well when they need to. She just doesn't WANT to work with him - and if there's one thing she's thankful for since Troubleshoot broke up, it's that now she has no real obligation to.
Li'l buddy! The mascot (and founding member) of Blast Radius!
Gamble appreciates Ex for the ray of positivity that she is. Whilst Max was at one of her lowest points, this... freaky li'l alien did what she could to help out! And whilst they may be somewhat on the naïve side... there's no denying that Ex's efforts have born fruit! Ex is smart - perhaps smarter than some give her credit for - and working with her has allowed Max opportunity to really perceive that!
In some ways, Max does view Ex as a bizarre little sister of sorts - both in the sense of wanting to protect her, but also in the sibling-ly sense of 'Hey you'd trust me to strap a rocket to you and see what happens, right?' Plus, Max is all for teaching Ex rude words and seeing how Argentum might react.
Ex allows and has rebuilt Max's ability to have fun in a world where other positive influences have let her down again and again. And she'll always appreciate that!
Gamble's feelings about Server are... complex. When first joining Troubleshoot, Max took the combination of the calm authority and guiding hand that the machine offered to place them as a sort of... unexpected father figure in their life. And whilst it was a feeling they'd never openly acknowledge, it's one that grew deeper as they worked together longer and more of the supposedly artificial figure's layers and interests became apparent.
This then, perhaps, is why the betrayal felt so stingingly deep when Server's role in Last Call was unveiled. And whilst that deep bond of loyalty saw to it that Gamble would do what she could to help Server through Call To War, it also meant that when it was all over, she no longer wanted anything to do with him.
Still, as she matures, it's become apparent that she DOES miss him. And perhaps... can be tempted to find opportunity to forgive and rebuild? Unfortunately, with the threat that looms on the horizon... it seems the opportunity may have already passed her.
Gamble's feelings towards Loud Lass are... worse than they were, better than they've been.
There was a time that Max would've sworn down that Loud Lass was the coolest person in the world. An anti-authority superhero who despite a lack of powers kicked ass and took names! They had an awesome rock band, a killer attitude, and also like... the best li'l dog ever? Loud Lass was their idol - and not only that, but their teammate and friend too. If there were anyone in Troubleshoot that Gamble were to turn to, it would be Loud Lass - after all, in many ways... Loud Lass is who Gamble wanted to BE.
It's perhaps why then, with Gamble placing her on a pedestal so high, that the fall felt so far. When Call To War rolled around, it became apparent that Loud Lass was just as human as Max was - and just as flawed. Whilst Gamble felt betrayed by Last Call and Server, above all else she prioritised being a hero - and as chaos broke out, heroes were needed more than ever. People needed saving - even if one such 'person' was the very hologram who they'd been lied to by.
Still, it was at this time... Loud Lass - at least in Gamble's mind - prioritised their vendetta against Last Call over being the hero Max had always seen her as. Suddenly, with Server compromised and Loud Lass out of the picture... she was losing the two guiding figures in her life when she needed them the most. And even after the dust settled... she was never able to get over the feelings of constant betrayal at this event.
Absence, of course, makes the heart grow fonder, and Gamble's had time to mature and grow during the time since Call To War. And whilst she perhaps hasn't fully forgiven Loud Lass yet, she at least understands why things happened the way they did. She wants to work towards fixing things - and is happy now at least to call her a 'friend' once more. Still... things are far gone from what they once were.