"Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they're red, white and blue..."
"Y'know Ida, you'll hit more if you actually shoot straight!"
"I could probably hit more if you drove straighter-nya!" Ida crowed as she swung the .30 cal over the Commander's head.
"Jesus! I told you to watch where-"
"Nyah just shuttap and drive you big baby!"
"You're insane!"
"Says the driver with the smoking engine!"
"And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, nooo"
"Whaaaaat? Oh...that? Yeah...yeahnahnah it's fine! It's all fiiiine." A small fire could be seen peeking out from under the hood as another burst of beam and gunfire targets the engine block.
Ida stopped firing for a moment and watched the engine...The Commander steadied his driving for a bit before grabbing the emergency Fire Extinguisher and releasing its pin to fire a plume of Sodium Bicarbonate straight under the hood through a connecting tube under the wheel, temporarily halting the fire. A swift and light kick to the back of the Commander's helmet was delivered before the .30 Cal roared back to life.
"Fine? You call, that, fine?"
"Ahhh, just keep shooting!" Sevs yelled in frustration as he tore his sidearm from its holster and shot at an unwanted guest trying to board through the passenger side. The body quickly fell behind and tumbled on the ground as the Commander circled the Airfield around the North to clean up the rest of the attacking units there. The defending echelons seemed to be handling things well enough but the faster the Northern section was cleared, the more that they could focus on the Southern route where the Airplanes had to take off.
"Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Body parts of both human, T-Dolls, and Sangs littered the airfield.
"Lord, don't they help themselves, oh
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes
Some fancy driving was required
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no!"
Sevs keyed his radio as he drove with one hand on the wheel, the North sector looked clear from here as another bump in his path crunched beneath the massive tires of the Jeep. "This is Sevs to Spring, how're we lookin' up there?"
Spring shifted her aim back to the South Eastern direction of the tower and took another shot at an advancing Ripper unit to allow another Echelon to retreat back to the Third line. Spring keyed her own radio and said calmly, "Defending echelon, South East, falling back to the Third Line. South and South West are holding at Second."
"Uh huh...Alright well. Your North is clear so you can focus on the South part. I'm going to check in with the onsite Commander to see how we are with the evacuation. You see Penny anywhere?"
A few moments passed, a few shots were fired, then "Negative, Commander, she was last seen heading through one of the Eastern hanger bays."
A pause in the line. "Well, alright. I'll go chase her down soon enough. Keep an eye out though when you can. I'll be sending Ida up with some more ammo for you."
And with that, a screech of tires came to a halt somewhere below her. She paid the noise no mind as she continued to assist holding the line. There shouldn't be too many of them left...
Commander Sevs walked in through the office and slung his rifle across his back. His attitude coming in was as loud and as boisterous as could be as he looked around at the mess in the office. Broken glass, blood, synthetic blood, holes everywhere and papers were strewn across the floor, a broken light fixture dangling from the ceiling, it was chaotic for sure but things seemed to be coming back to order. He paused in the corridor as a pair of GK personnel ran across his path out the door.
Not faulting them for not recognizing his status, he continued on and asked the nearest T-Doll, "Say, where can I find you're wonderful Commander Archibald?"
This T-Doll was dressed in the finest and certainly the pinkest outfit the Commander has seen to date...Well. That's not true...but still. Such thigh high laced up leggings. A very...wide-brimmed hat with some slight veiling and flowery decor on top. Oh no wait...it's a bonnet. Then the leggings are actually...stockings? At least she has something resembling a uniform, albeit pink but regardless.
The ever extravagant and dainty looking T-Doll fixed her glasses over her eyes and smiled as she approached the newcomer. And with a fittingly dainty British accent she exclaimed with delight, "Oh? Are you the Commander who came to assist us today?"
"Yes ma'am, that'd be me. Got a few of my girls outside too."
"Oh? How wonderful!" She exclaimed as she clasped her hands together, bringing them up to rest her cheek on.
"Yes...quite...now...um-" From somewhere in an office room behind her a more irate British voice yells, "Lilly? Lilliana! Who's out there? What's happening?"
The T-doll in front of Sevs reacted to the name in the most polite fashion imaginable as she turned her gaze up to her bonnet and sighed with a mix of affection and quite possibly a hint of annoyance. If there was any hint of annoyance, it certainly wasn't showing. She fixed her glasses over the bridge of her nose and stood aside to allow the Commander to walk into the office behind her. The sound of gunfire exchanges seemed to be dying out outside and a flurry of activity seemed to be picking up around the area.
The Commander walked in to see an older gentleman with his GK long-coat on with the 1.75-inch belt buckle still on, his silvered hair seemed like it had seen better days as the standard Red Beret was slightly askew on his head and strands of hair poking out in an unbecoming fashion of a gentleman. His hard gaze on the Tactical Map displayed on the Holo-Table before he gave him real-time imaging of the units and their positions and current status. Sections of the map, previously marked as Red with enemy units were slowly and steadily retreating and the comfortable blue territory steadily regaining ground.
The Commander looked up from his Tactical map and gave a weary smile, he fixed his Beret and straightened up his posture, "You'll have to forgive the mess, but by God are you a sight for sore eyes!" He came around the Table and offered a hand out to Commander Sevs, "Commander Archibald S03 line defense. Or rather, was, at any rate." He added in mild annoyance, a grimace flashing across his face.
"Commander Sevs, what did the front look like?" Sevs took the hand and shook once firmly.
"Not good Commander, we were completely pushed out. The relieving Commander was still trying to push them out when we had left." Commander Archibald hung his head and a little bit lower then stared off to the Holo-table but staring past it. Sevs knew exactly what that look was. Sevs maintained the grip, clasped the shoulder of his senior with a free hand and said, "Hey, we'll get'em Commander. Don't you worry about that."
The age started to show on Archibald as he was stirred from his thoughts. The bags under his eyes drooped lower than a poor man's pride. The wrinkles around his face made their presence known through the crumbling layers of blood and soot. His eyes seemed to be dimming of hope by the very second as Sevs tried to establish eye contact.
"Terribly kind of you to say young man," Archibald acknowledged. He nodded and moved behind a desk and eyed the Holo-Table once more before fixing his composure and saying, "But where on earth are my manners! Please! Won't you join me for some tea? We may not have much but at least-" He gestured to an open seat, brushing off some of the dust and papers that had fallen on its cushion.
"Ah, unfortunately, Commander, I must decline. We have something urgent that must be taken care of, unfortunately. The tea will have to wait."
"Well," Archibald shook his head "That's rather...unfortunate. Anything I could assist with?"
Sevs took a moment to consider before saying, "Actually. How well do you know your men?" Sevs typed up a quick note and sent it up to Spring.
Spring breathed in, then back out slowly, then just as her lungs felt like they were about to empty out, she took another shot. And with that, the final enemy unit had been dispatched. She stared at the target's corpse for a little longer as friendly forces rout the rest from the perimeter. Seeing her job completed, she wiped the sweat off her brow and looked to her right. Where Ida was sitting, cross-legged watching the scenery with interest. Spring raised an eyebrow as she noticed Ida's short tail curiously waving about.
"Waaawwwww! Nyaow that was pretty slick shooting there Ms. Spring!" Ida turned her head around and beamed a bright and toothy smile. Her tail continued to wave back and forth as if keeping an unheard tempo. Spring smiled humbly in return as she propped her self off the catwalk. As she picked up her rifle, she said "I'm simply shooting as I know how. And thank you..."
"Nyah?" Ida cocked her head curiously, still sitting cross-legged on the floor.
"For the ammo. I will need some more however before our next mission."
"Nyohkay!" Ida jumped up to her feet then leaned on the handrails as she curved her back to stretch. Spring waited patiently as she took the moment to enjoy the last rays of sunlight as sunset approached. The breeze that blew across her face and through the loose strands of her hair under her helmet. However, as comfortable as this was, she wasn't as so with Ida's question.
"Ms. Spring?"
Spring fixed another loose hair behind her ear, "Yes?"
"Do...do you think that there's a heaven for us T-Dolls?"
Spring took a moment to make sure she was hearing her correctly. A heaven? For T-Dolls? "I haven't really considered-."
"I want to think so." Ida interrupted. Ida still hadn't turned herself around to face Spring. The orange tang of the sky slowly fading to blue the lower the sun sank in the horizon. From the airfield below, several helicopters and a Galaxy plane were making their final departure runs. Ida traced the VTOL's as they flew away.
"I want to think so. Because anything else...is just too sad."
Spring didn't think it would appropriate to argue otherwise, so she slung her rifle over her shoulder and stood next to Ida as she leaned heavily on the handrails, her hands dug deep into the hood of her sweater as she pulled it over her head. Her shoulders shook terribly as she began to cry. Unsure of how to proceed in this situation, she did what she felt was natural. She stroked Ida's head.
Ida could only bury her face deeper into her forearms and try to hide the pain. The crew in the control tower behind them continued directing air traffic and wisely left the two to themselves. Spring did find it odd, for a T-doll so apt in combat, so upbeat, to be going through these emotions. Spring could only stand and consul this T-Doll the best she could. She didn't have the charm or the history that the Commander shared with this particular model but perhaps...
"I think, it would be better if we all went to the same heaven."
Ida's shoulders stopped shaking. Her grip on her hoodie slackened a bit and perhaps a twitch of a tail was seen in Spring's peripheral vision. The feline T-Doll slowly lifted her head off the rail, then pushed her hoodie off her ears. She turned her head slightly and made a curious "Nyah?" in between the choked up sobs she was fighting back now.
Spring smiled warmly as Ida's attention turned to her and said, "Yes. I think it would be better if we all went to the same heaven...don't you? Ida?"
Wiping the tears and snot out of her eyes and choking down the last of her crying, she flashed another of her now signature confident and toothy smile and agreed, "Yeah...Nyeah you're right!" And with that, she rushed in at Spring and surprised her with a warm hug and a very personal cuddling under Spring's chin. Taken by surprise, Spring held her hands up not knowing what to expect. Then she felt it...she could feel the soft purring, echoing through her chest. She could feel, Ida's hair brush against her skin on her neck and up to her chin.
Spring's comforting smile, turned to one that was on the receiving end, of being comforted instead. Her hands slowly wrapped around Ida and continued to pet her head. What a strange T-Doll this was indeed.
A ping sounded from Spring's PAD, halting their embrace for a moment. Ida noticed the petting stopped and stood back to allow Spring to check the message. While she waited, she decided to jump and take a seat on the metal handguards and enjoy the breeze, swinging her legs back and forth, occasionally waving at the people in the Air Traffic Control tower.
Spring opened up the message from the Commander and it read:
Have you seen Penny? She hasn't reported to you, has she? I'm wrapping up with the Commander here and we'll be moving out soon.
Her eyes widened as she remembered that she hadn't seen Penny for quite some time. In fact, since they touched down, she lost sight of her in one of the hangers.
Negative Commander, she typed out as quickly as she could, Ida and I will be making our way to Hanger Bay 4 to investigate her last known position she sent the message and looked towards Ida.
"Ida, we need to-"
Crick...CREEK!
There was no time to react. Ida was just out of arm's reach. A crew member in the ATC tower could only watch in horror as it happened. Spring tried to move faster to catch her but it all happened too quickly!
The handguard broke, and Ida, who had her hand on the rail as it broke off, smiled. She dangled as the handguard proceeded to bend just a little more. Spring tried to will her muscles to move faster, to reach her in time but the more she thought the slower time seemed to move. Then. It finally snapped. And Ida was falling...nearly 100 feet straight down. And for the first time, Spring screamed.
"IDA!"
~-.-~
"Well, that's absolutely bloody preposterous!" Archibald shouted the news this new Commander had brought to him.
"And I'm telling you that it ain't, Archie!" Tempers had risen in the very short time that thee two men had met. "Look. This ain't got nothin' personal against your boys here-"
"To hell you say, 'cause it bloody well feels like it!" A fist slammed on the desk. "You listen here," a stern finger was pointed "I don't know what backwoods you've sprung out from but you don't get to walk on to my operation and accuse any of my lads of-"
"There is no trial, I'm not accusing, I'm telling you! You've got someone dirty and we need to find out who!" Sevs led the way out of the building as he tore open the door and stomped his way outside, pushing through two crew members who were too slow to retreat out the way.
"We? We?! There is no 'we' Commander, I will have no part in rooting out an innocent man!"
"He-or she-is not innocent!" Spit was flying in trade of blows. Tensions in the room were so tight that the faintest touch could erupt the situation to an actual trade of blows.
"We do not have time for this ridiculous witch hunt of yours! My boys have their hands as clean as their noses!"
"I'm not wasting any more time Commander, with, or without you. I'm finding us a mole."
Sevs turned to leave and ignored every protest and outcry the old man had to make at him, "You bloody useless yanks! Always charging in as the big hero then taking charge just because you feel everyone owes you, well let me tell you, son! You've fucked up! You have fucked up royally!"
"And you can kiss my royal ass!"
"You dare!? You fucking dare!" The scene was attracting more and more attention now. Both T-Dolls and remaining personnel had now gathered at the scene outside. A forklift driver was forced to stop in front of the crowd as they got in the way of her duties. Whatever work was being done had now come to a complete stand-still as the two Commanders continued their bickering outside.
"Yes, I fucking dare. You Brits think you have it all cause a 'stiffer uppa lip'. Well, guess what, that stick up your ass must be pretty stiff too! Get outta here with that holier-than-thou attitude!"
"The hell are you on about? Have you lost your-?" Before Archibald could finish his question, a piercing scream shattered the sky. Sevs looked up and felt his heart plummet. Above him, Ida dangled from the tower, and just past her was Spring reaching in vain.
Without another moment to lose Sevs began barking out orders, they only had, at most, a split second before she made impact.
"You! That fork, up as high as it goes. Everyone else, MOVE!" Sevs tore off his helmet, shoved his rifle to Archibald and then clambered up the forklift as fast as he could.
"Forward! Forwaaard, okay stop!" He directed to the Forklift Driver. Sevs didn't even wait for the Forklift to come to a complete stop, he sprinted off one of the prongs and with support from his enhanced legs, he jumped for Ida who seemed to be nothing more than a dark blur coming down.
As he jumped, he twisted his body so that when he caught Ida, his body would place him in between the ground and prayed it would work. After his fingers felt the familiar cloth of Ida's sweater. His hands awkwardly wrapped around her face and around another part of her body and then...he felt his back hit the ground, he saw stars as his head jerked on impact.
He then looked up and realized that in between him and the ground, all around him, were airfield personnel from Archibald's unit. They had all linked arms and positioned themselves in a tight group to break Ida's fall. With this extra cushioning, there was still going to be some pain, but at least it was spread among the group.
Everyone who was part of the catch effort groaned as they slowly helped each other up. Somewhere off to the right of the crowd a group of feet could be heard rushing to the scene. From where Sevs was laying, he tilted his head down to see what damages Ida may have suffered from her fall.
Then he felt a mix of emotions. He felt relieved first, it didn't seem like her frame was broken, from what he could tell, there were no frames that looked out of place. The worst damage she might have is a bruise from crashing against his plate carrier but otherwise, she seemed blissfully unaware-
"Nyaaahhh, I knew the Commeownder missed me!" She said as she snuggled up on his chest, smothering him with her thick, tangly, messy hair. It was like fighting off an ocean of foam as you lay helpless under the sand.
"Mphh hmphh of hmmm!"
"Nyah?"
The Commander roughly shoved Ida off of him which elicited a surprised "nya!" from her as she rolled and bounced to her feet and leaned over him. Finally able to breathe from her attempted death by snuggles, he gasped, "I said..." He was helped up by two crewmen. "How many lives does that make now?"
"Liv-Oh! Five, I think!" Ida held up a hand as she counted her fingers to make sure. Sevs shook his head, his eyes widened briefly in disbelief. Ida rattled off her count then added, "Or...or maybe six?"
"Why not seven while you're at it?"
"Nyeow Commeownder, that's not right!"
"Then what number does this one ma-?" While the technicians were checking Ida over, a pair of desperate hands pushed through the crowd. Sevs turned around to face the commotion and saw Spring, paler than her battle dress attire drenched in sweat. He figured she might be wondering about Ida's condition so he stepped out the way and watched for a moment.
Spring, out of breath and clearly shaken up from the whole ordeal made some rather unstable steps towards Ida. She falters slightly and Sev rushes over to help her walk. Commander Archibald quickly thanked everyone for a "Splendid job well done" and disperses them to carry on about their business.
Ida, waved off the technicians as she made her way to Spring. Spring was starting to recover her strength as she assured her Commander that she was alright. From behind, Commander Archibald returned the rifle to Commander Sevs then they pulled away to discuss their plan.
"Well, I must say that certainly was unexpected, I assume she's yours?"
"Well...it got the job done either way," Sevs said in a hushed tone as he held his rifle in one hand. He keyed his headset and tried his Comms, "Penny. Penny, can you hear me?"
*static*
"Penny, it's me, where are you now?"
*static* Then for a brief moment, it sounded like someone struggling. That was all he needed to hear. He was on the way and sprinting to Hanger Bay 6. Commander Archibald was hot on his heels with his own service pistol drawn. He signaled a few of his T-Doll echelons that were just returning from securing the perimeter and they immediately set on a tired run to a marked position.
The T-Dolls surrounded the hanger bay entrances and waited. Spring and Ida caught up behind the two Commanders. They didn't need to be prompted as they readied their own weapons. The huge aircraft hanger bay was completely sealed. The Commanders opted to take the route through the man-sized door.
The two flanking T-Dolls at the door watched for the Commander's signal. Sevs pointed his rifle at the door then nodded. The door flung opened up and Sevs was the first through the door. Using his left thumb, the Commander gently pressed and held the pressure pad on his rifle to activate his weapon-light. A narrow cone of light illuminated his path and portions of the hanger and its contents. Most of the civilian model planes and supplies had been consolidated to this hanger to make room for the other Aircraft from GK. In the middle of the hanger, he could hear the sound of muffled moaning and crying. He moved through the hanger slowly as he heard the hanger bay doors slowly creak open. The echoes of cautious footsteps following behind him. As the hanger bay doors let in what was last of the dying light outside, someone was able to throw the hanger bay lights on.
When Sevs reached the source of the noise, he stared at it to make sure he wasn't hallucinating before allowing the light to shine at a pair of very familiar...legs. It took a moment for the hanger bay lights to kick in but what everyone saw made everyone stare in wonder. There, in the middle of the floor, lied a man bound in ropes, in rather unpleasant and all too shameful manner. What was most uncomfortable about this scene to Sevs was that only Penny would be able to pull this off, and knowing that...made her all the more frightening. And there, sitting on a pile of crates next to him was Penny, just casually examining her nails. She gave the rope a quick tug and the subject moaned in pain through the gag as the rope tightened in all of his more...sensitive... areas.
Archibald looked on with utter confusion as he holstered his sidearm. The other personnel and T-dolls gave the scene a quick glance before moving to secure the other rest of the hanger. Archibald looked past the bind and gag and squatted down to observe the face of this recent capture. "So...you're the one who sold us out then? To them?" The prisoner looked defiantly at Archibald. "How much did it cost you then, eh? A grand? Maybe two? Ay!" A quick slap across the face got the prisoner huffing a little bit quicker.
"He one of your guys?" Commander Sevs asked as Commander Archibald stood up and regained his composure. Sevs gave the old man a bit of credit for maintaining his composure and temper. Commander Archibald turned to face Sevs and said with such disdain, "No. Never seen him before. He's not one of my lads."
The Commander gave a quick glance around the area to make sure they were secure before making his acknowledgment, "Penny."
"Commander."
"Friend of yours?" Sevs prodded the unfortunately bound subject with the toe of his boot. The subject in question, however, didn't seem too amused.
She smiled coyly and responded in likewise manner, "Him? Not at all, she, however..." she gave a sideways glance and nodded to one of the civilian jets nearby. Following her gaze, Sevs turned and looked at an open hatchway to a private jet. There, sitting at the entrance of said jet, was a female figure taking a drag on a long and skinny cigarette. The glow of the ember tip faded in and out, then was lost in a cloud of thick and hazy smoke as the figure swung her legs over the side of the hatch.
She leaned forward and spoke with a bit of an RP English accent, "Commanders, a pleasure to meet." she leaped down and swung her large overcoat over her shoulder. She took another drag and flicked the last of her smoldering cigarette in no particular direction as she made her way to the Commanders. Unfortunately for Spring, she was on the receiving end of her trash as it landed between her feet. Suppressing the urge to sigh, she promptly stepped on the smoldering cigarette without a second thought.
"Ah! Welrod! So glad you're here," Commander Archibald exclaimed. "Commander Sevs here was just about to come to find you! Commander, this is Welrod, and of course, Welrod, the Commander!"
In unison, the Commander and Welrod extended their hands and met each other in the most professional manner that could ever be witnessed to be exchanged. One firm handshake and a curt nod from them both and the exchange was over. "We have our man it seems."
"Indeed we do."
"Bring him. We'll need what he knows." And without another word, Welrod turned on her heel and left. Archibald was struck with surprise in the bluntness of her attitude and more so to see Commander Sevs so willingly follow her instruction as he hefted the poor struggling captive. Sevs threw the captive over his shoulder and motioned with his head for Penny, then Spring and Ida to follow along.
Commander Archibald fixed his beret motioned for two other T-Dolls to follow him, then followed the group. After a near-comical moment of him struggling to keep up with their brisk pace out the hanger bay "Ah. Commander, before you leave, I don't have very many to spare but whatever assignment you have next, I've got these two T-Dolls I've kept in reserve in the case things absolutely went tits up." Instead of making poor Archie run and die of a stroke, Sevs slowed to a stop and turned to face his elder. He waved over two T-Dolls in that snapped to attention with their weapons in hand. "Girls, it's been an absolute pleasure but I am transferring your command to Commander Sevs for the duration of your service."
"Sir, yes, sir!" The two T-Dolls answered in unison.
"Right, I've already made the transfer, and I must be off to catch my plane." He looked at the Commander's load before hesitantly offering out a hand. The Commander worked his left hand to reach over his head and grab the binds of rope on his prisoner to meet the handshake.
"Pleasure's mine Commander, hope we meet under better circumstances next time."
"I'll drink to that! And the first round is on me when you've got a moment son!"
"I'll hold you to it old man!"
"Cheers!"
"Safe flying!"
And with that Commander Archibald took a ride on a passing truck to the last VTOL back to HQ and Commander Sevs fixed his hold on the prisoner and waved at the two new T-Dolls that were about to introduce themselves.
"Hello, Comm-"
"Yeah, yeah, look, drop him off first, then intros. Okay? Just...hold that thought."
And with that, the group continued on their way following Welrod who was, well in the distance on the other side of the Airfield. He didn't understand why they couldn't just requisition a vehicle and make him do all the heavy lifting...again. But hey, no one asked him. In fact, he didn't recall anyone ever asking him anything other than...
Welrod stopped her march at an unmarked black van that Sevs swore wasn't around earlier on his escapade around the airfield. She opened the rear door and pointed at a spot inside the van. "Si' 'im up, if you please."
The particular way he was bound made it rather difficult to sit him in any which way until Penny relaxed the rope...but only slightly. Not caring either way, so long as his head was within reach, Welrod removed a black cloth bag and a syringe from her pocket. A nervous eyebrow shot up from the Commander as his eyes followed the syringe's every movement. From the removal of the needle's cap was removed to its injection into the prisoner, and especially at disposal. Considering how unsafe it was to leave a syringe anywhere, it was recapped, then placed back into the deep pockets of her coat.
When the Commander could see both of her hands again, both empty of a syringe, he finally released that breath he didn't realize he was holding. Then, Welrod placed the cloth bag over the prisoner's eyes just as they rolled to the back of his head. She placed two fingers over the prisoner's neck and waited. A few moments later, the prisoner, slumped over unconscious.
Welrod lifted two gloved fingers to her ears and spoke, "Mother Hen, this is Little Chick, Wolf and I have the Golden Egg and are heading out to meet Red Robin for Ice Cream." After that, she nodded to the Commander and walked off gallantly to the passenger side seat.
The Commander looked around at his present entourage and mouthed, "Am I 'Wolf'? I guess *I'm* the 'Wolf'! Look at that!"
The Commander released the prisoner and left him in the back of the van. Now...onto the introductions. He slammed the van's back double-doors closed then turned to face his new audience. He allows himself the luxury of a relieved sigh and a happy smile.
"Alright ladies! Now. Where were-" He scans the crowd left to right, a mix of new, and familiar faces. The fact that he was now surrounded by T-Dolls, at night, near the edge of the woods, was a bit overwhelming for him so he decided to start from right to left.
"Spring, Ida, good job today. Really, well done! Brilliant work!" Spring took a humble bow as she always did, hands clasped and the barest of head tilts down. Ida's response was as large as her personality, she leaned back and gave the biggest grin that silly face of hers could possibly create and gave a thumbs up.
Sevs moved his gaze to Penny in the center of the group and said, "Penny. Great job. Really, I'm glad you were able to catch the guy, you'll have to tell me all about it later. But uh..." His gaze wandered down to her legs where he saw a small band-aid attempting to cover a small scratch on her left knee. "Is your leg okay?"
"My leg, Commander?" She pushed down the ruffles of her skirt to get a better view of what he was talking about, then it started...
"Oh my Commander, you're so...observant. Would you like to-" She started pulling back more of her skirt to reveal more of her leg but a firm hand on both of her wrists quickly put a stop to that. "Ah nope! Looks like you're fine then! Good jo-"
"Ahh! Commander! You're so rough! But...I don't mind." She said in a coy manner. Sevs felt a pinch of disgust and released his hands as if they held a live grenade. To be honest, she might as well be one, except...just one with an excess of...libido. A mental note was made, then quickly stricken off as it involved seeing the one and only, Dr. Percy.
"Uh. Right. And these lovely two! Welcome to the party!"
The two new T-Dolls snapped off their salutes in precise military fashion. I suppose ol' Archie does love a good show of formalities. Sevs thought to himself as he looked at the two similarly dressed girls in front of him.
To his right was a considerably light dirty-blonde haired T-Doll dressed in, what was most familiarly to the Commander as, pinks-and-greens. A good tribute to WW2 era with some minor differences. Her blouse was a freshly pressed white collared shirt and a brilliant red tie. Her uniform jacket seemed pristine with a, of course, the exception of her wearing it. Her BDA was nothing more than an extension of her uniform with an interesting twist. On top of her jacket uniform was a vest seemingly made of wool but fit around like regular body armor. Lining her chest with about 5 horizontally elongated pockets, were, to the Commander's assumption, her magazines. And then all below just above the waistline was a row of different utility pockets and pouches. And after all that, Sevs casually noticed her twill skirt just passing her knees with an open cut along the left side to allow her freedom of motion. After that were just rather long white stockings and some very polished black boots.
"Right. You're up first, designation?"
"Berreta M38 reporting for duty, sir!" She attempted to straighten herself up a little more to compensate for the weight of her vest. If she tried to stand any straighter, the poor girl would have probably seriously damaged her spine. Unsure if it was just the cold of the night air or her nervousness, Sevs stuck out a hand and said, "Sevs. A pleasure to meet you!"
After M38 shook his hand she replied, "I look forward to working with you Commander Sevs!" Once the handshake was over she immediately fixed her uniform cover on her head and went back to standing ram-rod straight as possible.
He then moved his hand over to the other T-Doll who had a similar style of clothes, but her light blonde hair was, different. Wearing no uniform cover, her black headband had two triangular shaped...things that looked very close in resemblance to cat ears...Her cowlicked hair just behind her headband refused to stay down despite her best to pat it down. But what was stranger was that she had all around a nice little even out haircut all around, just passing her ears in length by an inch, but then straight down the middle was this ridiculously long stretch of hair that went, seemingly, down to her knees!
When she finally noticed the Commander had turned his attention to her, she let out a small squeak in surprise. She pushed away her weapon and tucked it behind her as she first offered the wrong hand, squeaked again, then finally went to shake the Commander's hand. Only to miss.
The Commander took the initiative and held her hand gently with both of his and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you miss...?"
"M-m-M3, s-sir! P-pleased to make your a-acquaintance!" She managed to squeak out quickly all while keeping her eyes shut. Sevs figured that that was enough time with introductions and it was time to get a move on.
"Alright, alright. Relax you two." He placed both his hands on opposite shoulders of the new T-Dolls, then announced to the others, "Alright, pile in the van. It'll be a little crowded so, try to make yourselves comfortable. And uh...mind our guest."
Everyone nodded and piled in as ordered from the side and Sevs took the driver's seat and looked at Welrod who was already inside, smoking another cigarette from the passenger seat. He folded the buttstock of his SCAR-H and tucked it in the space between the seat and the door, taking care not to ruin either the seat or the several apparatuses on his rifle. The HUD on the windshield activated and a location had already been set. It would be about a 20 min drive from the Airfield to this new destination, the Venta Icenorum. Just enough time for a quick chat while the heater started up.
As the Commander started his drive, he looked at the back mirror where he could see Spring looking straight ahead at the road before him from the back row, Ida had promptly fallen asleep on Spring's shoulder, her mouth wide open and snoring rather peacefully. M3 and M38 were chatting together softly about something as they adjusted their uniforms from the middle row, while Penny thankfully decided to rest her eyes a bit.
"So Welrod..." The Commander began, he found it slightly more difficult to start his intended conversation as he found her just slightly more intimidating than the other T-Dolls he's had to deal with thus far.
With a flick of her wrist, she let some of the ashes from her cigarette fall out the window letting in a slight breeze in. Without looking over, she replied, "Yes, Commander." As if giving him permission to speak.
In his mind, he chuckled a bit, then continued, "I assume we have a secondary objective?"
"We do." She said matter-of-factly.
Sevs waited a bit more...that stiff upper lip apparently seemed rather literal for this one.
"I see...well. In either case. Are you soloing nowadays or are you attached with another echelon?"
"I am."
Sevs flatlined his lips as his poor man-brain tried to understand what she meant. Did she mean she was soloing, or that she was attached to another echelon, or she is attached to another echelon and just soloing for now? Even with androids, women had to be so complicated. He just didn't understand it.
"Mkay, so. Were you previously operating solo, and are you now transferred to my echelon?"
Another pause later as Welrod tosses her finished cigarette butt out the window and closing it. Then, puffed some smoke in the Commander's face who coughed once before lowering his own window. He waved the air around him trying to quicken the dispersal of the cloudy smoke before something outstanding happened, the whole demeanor of Welrod changed.
She leaned her chair back, slightly, kicked her feet up onto the dashboard then her accent changed from the proper RP accent she held before to something...different.
"Yow da smahr' one aren' ya? Ow's bou' yow figger i' ow' 'eah?"
"Well then... fine...maybe I will?" So confused by the change of accent, attitude, and demeanor. Accessing the PAD and throwing up the data on the HUD.
"Oi!" Welrod exclaimed, " 'eep yow damned 'ans on the wheel yow yampy!" Her panic wasn't completely unfounded as the awkward position of his PAD on his right forearm required his left to cross over. And doing so...made for a rather unsteady driving.
"Ah calm down Wells," and then... an idea popped up. He pulled up the echelon roster and, sure enough, three new additions were found to his list. He pressed a few buttons then said with a bit more confidence. "Welrod, M3, and M38. I'm changing your designations! Y'all gonna love it."
The two T-Dolls behind him sat up at the mention of their current designations then looked to each other in curiosity. A quick glance in the rearview mirror, and just as predicted, there was Spring, staring right back at him. The same tired glance he missed so much.
"Alright! So, Welrod! Until further notice, your new designation is Wells! Please confirm!"
"Wha'! Yow ca' be serious!"
In a terrible attempt to mock her accent Sevs replied, "Aye lass, bu' aye am, seriows! Now, be a goo' lil' lass an' please. Confirrrrm your new designation, yeah?"
"Wha' yow mea'! I ai-"
"Confiirrrrrmm yow-"
"Awlrigh' awlrigh'! Jus' for te luv' o'gawd. Please-" Wells closed her eyes in concentration, took a very deep breath, she raised her seat, then spoke back with her RP English. "Just. No more. Your accent is terrible."
Sevs raised a crooked little smile and raised his fingers off the wheel, "Wells, I'm hurt. I gave it my best shot!"
"Well. You missed, sir."
"Ah, well, Wells. The fact still stands, I tried." A small groan and an almost audibly victorious eye-roll later, the Commander redirected his attention to the middle passengers.
"Now, Ms. M3! You're next! For you, I have designated you 'Mary'." Of course, you may change this at any time," he raised a hand to the protesting T-Doll next to him and fought the urge to grin in his victory as Wells sank back into her seat and deeper into her coat.
M3 seemed a little hesitant at first to the decision. Unknown to her, the Commander took a moment to steal a glance in her direction as she looked towards M38 for guidance. He couldn't see it all but he could imagine that M38 was smiling and nodding her head vigorously in support. The slight shuffling in their seats and possibly a light elbow nudge, then M3 reported, "Y-yes sir. I accept and understand. A pleasure to work with you."
"And to you too, Mary!"
The Commander made a turn on the broken dirt path of what used to be Norwich road. Once he was confident that the road ahead was relatively clear of obstructions, he then said, "And lastly, but certainly not least, we have Ms. M38, you ready?"
A quick nod and a quick fix of posture. "Mhmm! Standing by, Commander!"
"Atta girl! Now, for you, I have picked Maria, or Mariana, I will do my best not to get you confused with Mary there! Shouldn't be too much a problem though. Hope you like it!"
He could hear a small excited gasp slip into his ears, the large smile she undoubtedly was wearing could be heard in her voice, "I do like it very much, Commander! I will do my best for you and this Echelon always!"
"I'm sure you will Maria, I'm sure you will." The Commander replied assuredly.
A few more minutes and they would be at their destination. The Commander passed quickly through a long since abandoned town along the way. The state of the homes, the shops, and anything that used to resemble a civilization was now overtaken by overgrowth, decay, and isolation. Local fauna had most certainly occupied it now, albeit mutated to some degree but in the Yellow Zone? Any sort of living was more preferable he supposed.
The area he supposed was the drop point was in sight at last. At least that was according to the Sat-Nav system on the vehicle's HUD. But something was wrong...very wrong. Off in the distance, there was a dull ember glow beaconing into the night. The Commander's gut feeling was telling him that for so much cloak and dagger precautions thus far, it wouldn't have been right to be glowing for all to see, especially in the yellow zone.
"Wells...tell me that bonfire up there is ours."
Wells leaned forward in her seat and pulled out a small telescope from one of her many pockets on her long coat. Still suspicious of the upcoming scene, the Commander turned off the headlights and began to roll slowly to maintain their distance and give Wells the chance of a clearer view.
As Wells carefully lifted two gloved fingers to her ear, she whispered, "Red Robin...Red Robin come in...Red Robin!"
"Wells?" The Commander asked, his attention towards the fire but his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Wells, is there a secondary point we can go to?"
"I...I don't...know." She said in defeat as she took her telescope away from her eye.
"Then we go in. Everyone, eyes open. If this doesn't spell "Trap" I don't know what does."
And with that, he adjusted the HUD to project the road as he continued to drive in the dark towards the location. As they approached, he noticed that the source of the fire was a burning vehicle. Two, burning vehicles in fact. A small 4 door sedan had T-Boned a van similar to the one they were driving in. As the Commander pulled into the parking lot, he noticed that they were surrounded by rather tall hedge groves. Perfect for an ambush.
He parked the van, then stepped out the vehicle with his SCAR-H fully extended and ready. The crackling of the flames, the sound of his T-Dolls exiting the vehicle and the crunch of pebbles underneath each of their footsteps. The straps of his helmet brushed his chin as he swung his head back and forth searching for the ambush that hadn't happened, yet. He hated waiting for ambushes to happen. He activated his flashlight attached to his weapon and swept the surrounding hedge groves. He went so far as to peek behind them through an opening and found no one there.
He gritted his teeth for a moment knowing that the more time they wasted, the worst it would get for whoever "Red Robin" was.
"We clear?" He asked aloud, something between a hoarse whisper and a strangled cry.
Spring returned to the group and reported "Clear", Ida, Maria, and Mary reported the same. Welrod however, stood motionless at the sight of the burning wreckage. He hated doing this but shell-shock wasn't going to help figure out the mystery.
"Wells...Wells. Wells!" He shoved her shoulder roughly and waited for a response. It took her a moment to tear her eyes away from the scene. The Commander then pointed at the wreck and asked, "Who were we supposed to meet. Hey!" he snapped his fingers in front of her then redirected his hands to his face, "Wells, over here! Who. Were we. Supposed. To meet?"
"U-uhm...We were...we were supposed to bring the Golden Egg to Red Robin here to interrogate. But...why...?"
"Why what? Who's that body there."
From the back of the van was a burning body, hanging halfway out of the most certainly bullet-riddled back doors. Poor bastard never stood a chance. And whoever did this, didn't leave any other traces either. There was undoubtedly human blood spattered around the ground, a small trail of synthetic blood from the passenger side to the middle of the lot. But not a lot of evidence to tell where they went.
"That's...Big Bird...but if he's there..."
"So you're saying if Big Bird is there, then Mother Hen tagged along with Red Robin? I need you to focus, Wells!"
"I...yes. I suppose. Yes. Big Bird's orders were to never leave Mother Hen's side. That was his job."
"Okay. Then let's crack this Golden Egg and make us an omelet while the fire's still hot."
"...sir?" Wells, still staring at the burning corpse was unable to comprehend until she heard the back of their own van open. She slowly turned her head in that direction, her eyes still fixed on the body until her eyes could physically no longer trace it comfortably. Then her eyes snapped to the Commander, who had undone the captive's binds and was now dragging the still unconscious prisoner across the floor. He then threw the body underneath the still burning arm of what used to be Big Bird then unsheathed his combat knife.
He turned and then said to Spring, "Spring, I'm gonna need you to roll that van up just a tad bit over there while I ask our friend here how to make an omelet! Girls, pile in. Wells, you too. I'll be done in a second."
"Wha' arre yow-" Then a pair of hands grabbed her arms and held them tightly as they dragged her away into the van. She tried to resist but surprisingly found herself too weak to do so. She tried to request her captor to let her go but the voice replied, "Right meow, the Commander needs to work. And we need to be out of his way."
Wells couldn't understand it, but when she turned around, the Commander was bent over the prisoner, his half covered face leaning so close to the fire and the body with a small packet under the prisoner's nose. As Wells was more or less shoved into the back seat of the van, she could see the prisoner jolt awake and smake head first into the body of Big Bird. The van door could be heard sliding shut, and the undoubted obscinities the prisoner tried to yell were muffled by the sound of the tires crunching over the pebble covered ground and the crackling of the fire.
Spring did as she was ordered as she pulled the vehicle forward a little distance, at the other end of the lot and parked it at their exit point and waited. Wells couldn't hear anything now but was so enraptured by the sight. She couldn't make out everything but the shadows. Two shadowy figures in contrast to the brightly burning fire. One held power, one held control, one held command of his emotion, of his nature. The other held cowardice, of rage, and of fear. Together, it seemed as if they were dancing. It was artistic even, the shadows dancing, one in celebration of life, and all it had to offer, it gave to the fire. The other, still clinging to what was left, desperately fighting the fire. Welrod watched with an almost obsessive curiosity. And then...after a short while, there was only one shadow left standing.
Soon, the victorious shadow came walking in her direction, she turned back around in her sat and sunk low into the warmth of her coat. The only thing she could find comfort in now as she stared at the back of another seat. The driver's side door opened, some words were exchanged, and then the side door opened...and before she knew it, Spring was next to her.
Seen to only Spring and Ida, a slightly bloodied Commander sat in the driver seat and made the adjustments to the vehicle HUD. He wiped his victim's blood on his pants then said in between his breathes.
"I've got it. I know where they're taking them."
He turned around in his seat, and looked at Wells. Wells could feel the Commander's gaze on her and she lifted her head to meet it. The Commander had some dirt and blood spattered on his face, but somehow, this comforted her. The Commander's hard gaze comforted her, and so did the next few words out of his mouth. "Wells. This ends tonight. They, end. Tonight." he cracked a small devilish grin then said in that terrible excuse of an accent, "Yow rea'y fow 'iss lass?"
He flipped up his visor and searched for the answer somewhere in the back, and his grin grew even wider as he found it in the sound of a pistol, loading another round into the chamber.
"Aye, Commander, tha' aye am."
The Commander turned back around, nodded to Ida in the passenger seat who held both of her IDW submachine guns in her lap. Then without further ado, he punched the acceleration and sped off to their newest destination. One of the Anti-War Coalition's hideout.