If Val's understanding was correct, most of the other human personnel, including the commanders, lived in quarters that were separated from the dolls in their care. However, since her situation is quite a bit different, Val's sleeping quarters are right next to AR Team's dorm — something she is grateful for so she doesn't have to memorize multiple sets of directions.

Although Val is tired, SOP-II keeps peppering her with questions. M4A1 interrupts her more energetic companion every so often in an attempt to convince her to settle down, but Val willingly answers her questions.

"So Val, how do you like it at Griffin?"

"I've only been here for less than forty-eight hours so it's hard to say. But from what I can tell so far, there's no reason for me to regret making the decision to sign on."

"So what were you doing before this?"

"I did a bunch of different things. I was a postdoctoral researcher for some time before looking into, um, other occupations that could offer me more excitement."

"Is that so? What else were you considering besides Griffin?"

"I'm not sure whether you've heard of Statesec, but I was in their application pool for some time. I made it through the physical, the background, and the medical examination, all the way through the conditional offer. I ended up turning the offer down — that's kind of obvious, I guess."

M4A1 and SOP-II both look at Val.

"Statesec? As in State Security?" M4 asks.

"Yeah, why?"

M4 and SOP-II exchange glances before SOP-II, and both open their mouths to speak, but SOP-II is quicker on the draw.

"I'm not sure if you knew this, but M16A1 used to work for Statesec."

"Is that so? What division?"

SOP-II shrugs, but M4A1 is able to provide an answer.

"I believe it was Bureau 7?"

Val scratches an itch behind her ear.

"I probably wouldn't have seen her at all even if she'd stayed and I'd gotten in. They were going to send me to Bureau 6 because of my tech background. The odds of us running in to each other would have been slim to none."

Having reached the dorms, M4A1 takes out her keycard and slides it through the pad before wedging the door open.

"I'll leave you to clean up, but if you don't mind me asking before I do — why did you turn down the offer? A lot of people would kill to have the opportunity to work for Statesec, and I don't mean that figuratively."

Val fumbles for her own keycard as she answers.

"Griffin called me and offered me better pay and a more specialized assignment. And speaking of M16, I guess we'd better formulate a game plan regarding the recovery of the rest of AR Team, huh?"

M4A1 nods.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Yay!" SOP-II hugs Val before dashing inside the dorm.

M4A1 smiles apologetically.

"I apologize for her. SOP-II's heart is in a good place, but her personality takes some getting used to."

Val shrugs.

"It's quite alright. I like her very much."

"In any case, I'll catch up with you later."

M4A1 pushes open the door into her own room., leaving Val alone with her own thoughts.