p data-p-id="1ad02cfba97bb08d1dd428352835596d"The sweet aroma of coffee and freshly baked sweets assaults Val's nose as she steps into the cafe area. The room is bustling with activity as dolls chatter with one another and feast on a variety of delicious foods. Val can even spot a uniformed commander or two in the mix, freely mingling with the dolls./p
p data-p-id="d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e" /p
p data-p-id="8303a663dddc9255c223b8eea01ccc8f"Val walks up to the counter, where she is promptly greeted by a tall T-doll with a warm smile brown hair pulled back away from her face./p
p data-p-id="33e158b9d44ccc8dcb6104e03e8accb4""Hello, how can I help you today?"/p
p data-p-id="1724d4a1723d0f23fd913aef0e7f7219"Val glances at the menu hanging on the wall nearby./p
p data-p-id="ad68adf2ff2aea812ecefcf1b8ce36ff""Springfield, right? Do you have milkshakes by any shot?"/p
p data-p-id="bac10d4adc3b65e6242dde06aa97702e""Of course. And yes, I am Springfield."/p
p data-p-id="2f85237e30396cc6d6e2bfcff1b2b500"Val almost sighs in relief. She's finally gotten someone's name right the first time./p
p data-p-id="3dc2cdd8c7089ad9f8fe1904ce8dae81""Can you put Oreos in that milkshake? With a cherry on top?"/p
p data-p-id="39051f2dcb9b76df2794a2fcf8a6085f""Certainly. And I presume that you're new here?"/p
p data-p-id="32b1fdeeeba92971ee16b2a7fc692629"Val takes out her personal credit card as she introduces herself./p
p data-p-id="261acd25119175a0e40cb87d3e0d54b6""I apologize. I'm Val. You're right, I'm the new guy around these parts. I was told you run an excellent cafe, so I decided to give it a try. How much do I owe you?"/p
p data-p-id="32c4d620b561c62abf76b8c77f82e449"Springfield smiles as she gently pushes Val's card back across the table./p
p data-p-id="8dd7d4d52732ae9261021669044428de""This one's on the house. Consider it a welcome gift. Give me a few minutes and I'll have your milkshake right out for you."/p
p data-p-id="15475861b967095b0c1ac13b8e6c6cb3"Val takes a seat at a nearby table as Springfield disappears into the kitchen./p
p data-p-id="3c76f634fd22896f119003504ecd29c0""New here?"/p
p data-p-id="1312a556d36e23a844e9b2c5a8e51d3b"Val looks sideways at the unfamiliar T doll with long pink hair and a leather jacket who hailed her./p
p data-p-id="a4f005d08887781330d0bbf06d9f0b14""Yes I am. I'm sorry, I don't think we've met."/p
p data-p-id="9000180c68875cadd82ed8794dd578ce"The tactical doll slides into the booth across from Val./p
p data-p-id="2798a6f8be7c427ba9be1b3a3edef60c""I'm M82. Who might you be?"/p
p data-p-id="89852a8c6c580bf3a76c043ef29aa158""Just call me Val. You are M82, as in the Barrett M82?"/p
p data-p-id="2788cbaafb9c6a6de61bdbeabff288be""That's right. Very good guess."/p
p data-p-id="bf66a71ea54f1fe2bc7138553a7220d1""Thanks. I've never shot an 82, but a buddy of mine in the army let me try his M107 when I was still in college. Solid rifle."/p
p data-p-id="3c224c79b73a53f852396bdc93701ca9"M82 raises an eyebrow./p
p data-p-id="656f0d92aeaaf6001eced2ce5ffd555f""College, huh? You're not a doll, are you? Also, it looks like your drink is ready."/p
p data-p-id="0ef14f989f8484cbac1b155a4e7cd83c"emWay to give yourself away, Val./em/p
p data-p-id="0ef81b05f113466adfbac1ccdd956a56"Doing her best to ignore the stares of several other dolls sitting close by, Val quickly stands up and retrieves her milkshake from the counter before returning to her seat./p
p data-p-id="6e98c5b99bbc575dd185f13a8afb1fdd""I'll be honest, you threw me off a little," M82 admits. "I'm just not used to seeing any humans wearing anything but the commander uniform — at least on this base, anyways."/p
p data-p-id="072001b50511ef5cf4ae66e6dffe842d""No, you're fine."/p
p data-p-id="e7cf53a4166d975944bd8959a329d672"M82 opens her mouth to say something, but before she can, the door to the cafe swings open with a violent thud./p
p data-p-id="7314ebda2c1eaf95493feacf65e9b0b7""VAL! VAL VAL VAL — oh, there you are!"/p
p data-p-id="fbc2ac816f3c40c62f5547cd8caf4541"Val recognizes the intruding doll almost immediately and stands up, concerned./p
p data-p-id="e9ded4725f42a1410515e55a3abfdf6e""SOP-II, what's going on?"/p
p data-p-id="6ec5380fa9ea88c9019a011b7b3a78dc"SOP-II grabs Val by the arm./p
p data-p-id="2ea7c1ba20d14ec2dc26bc9bf92ecf4c""Where have you been? Helian's been practically blowing up your phone with attempts to reach you! We need you in the briefing room now!"/p
p data-p-id="4105c3a662cdd356b4ad12b664b291f4"Val tries to shake SOP-II off, but is largely unsuccessful./p
p data-p-id="1b8b124f830dd896199251ccdb0377e8""Come on come on come on!"/p
p data-p-id="61c93b9bf18129f3bebf8e71d76c1da8""Woah, relax! I'm coming! Let me grab my milkshake, okay? And my phone — oh shit, I left that in my dorm..."/p
p data-p-id="bb44d9dbad25b8addeaba4e815d144bb"SOP-II sighs./p
p data-p-id="194e5f3df006009e89430e169b41dfa2""That would explain why we couldn't get ahold of you."/p
p data-p-id="bcec84fd41a9a0e1aafd62ab4b0b2b56"Val snatches up her milkshake and nods at M82 apologetically before allowing SOP-II to practically drag her out of the cafe./p
p data-p-id="f2dfe5da637cc4a981b9d2acbd4f36f9""SOP-II, could you please explain what is going on?"/p
p data-p-id="6f81b2b5fb3891fc7d066d2377fcc106""Oh, sorry. Hunter has AR-15!"/p
p data-p-id="ceb4228334368832b460673082cc9cb5"Val struggles to keep up with SOP-II's frenetic pace./p
p data-p-id="51de29b88e96f0f50596bc3dbf5e4990""Who is Hunter?"/p
p data-p-id="223e23b1488d32ea167db2f8be94dfff"SOP-II opens the door to the briefing room and practically throws Val in./p
p data-p-id="c1591f6124c6a6d84ad5ff024bd583dc""She's a Sangvis ringleader. And look, we're here. M4 and Helian will explain everything to you."/p
p data-p-id="033ca7412c077e8f9a06e5e8b06bfcc5"M4A1 and Helian are waiting inside the briefing room just as SOP-II had promised. From the expressions on their faces and the display on the nearby monitors, it appears as if they've just gotten off a call with someone./p
p data-p-id="8af3bd58de2c06bbc46b28e4ed471dba""Val! There you are," M4 greets Val./p
p data-p-id="90be9e42fe9508b08dbfb0c779f6007f""I'm so sorry," Val apologizes as SOP-II closes the door behind her. "I left my phone—"/p
p data-p-id="3b19ceb390a326e5f03751a3112bd10c"Helian holds up a hand./p
p data-p-id="d6a4847a66fb133c4272df0eca02b88e""I figured. In any case, please have a seat. We'll bring you up to speed on the latest developments, and then brief you on what steps we must take next."/p
p data-p-id="d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e" /p
p data-p-id="8303a663dddc9255c223b8eea01ccc8f"Val walks up to the counter, where she is promptly greeted by a tall T-doll with a warm smile brown hair pulled back away from her face./p
p data-p-id="33e158b9d44ccc8dcb6104e03e8accb4""Hello, how can I help you today?"/p
p data-p-id="1724d4a1723d0f23fd913aef0e7f7219"Val glances at the menu hanging on the wall nearby./p
p data-p-id="ad68adf2ff2aea812ecefcf1b8ce36ff""Springfield, right? Do you have milkshakes by any shot?"/p
p data-p-id="bac10d4adc3b65e6242dde06aa97702e""Of course. And yes, I am Springfield."/p
p data-p-id="2f85237e30396cc6d6e2bfcff1b2b500"Val almost sighs in relief. She's finally gotten someone's name right the first time./p
p data-p-id="3dc2cdd8c7089ad9f8fe1904ce8dae81""Can you put Oreos in that milkshake? With a cherry on top?"/p
p data-p-id="39051f2dcb9b76df2794a2fcf8a6085f""Certainly. And I presume that you're new here?"/p
p data-p-id="32b1fdeeeba92971ee16b2a7fc692629"Val takes out her personal credit card as she introduces herself./p
p data-p-id="261acd25119175a0e40cb87d3e0d54b6""I apologize. I'm Val. You're right, I'm the new guy around these parts. I was told you run an excellent cafe, so I decided to give it a try. How much do I owe you?"/p
p data-p-id="32c4d620b561c62abf76b8c77f82e449"Springfield smiles as she gently pushes Val's card back across the table./p
p data-p-id="8dd7d4d52732ae9261021669044428de""This one's on the house. Consider it a welcome gift. Give me a few minutes and I'll have your milkshake right out for you."/p
p data-p-id="15475861b967095b0c1ac13b8e6c6cb3"Val takes a seat at a nearby table as Springfield disappears into the kitchen./p
p data-p-id="3c76f634fd22896f119003504ecd29c0""New here?"/p
p data-p-id="1312a556d36e23a844e9b2c5a8e51d3b"Val looks sideways at the unfamiliar T doll with long pink hair and a leather jacket who hailed her./p
p data-p-id="a4f005d08887781330d0bbf06d9f0b14""Yes I am. I'm sorry, I don't think we've met."/p
p data-p-id="9000180c68875cadd82ed8794dd578ce"The tactical doll slides into the booth across from Val./p
p data-p-id="2798a6f8be7c427ba9be1b3a3edef60c""I'm M82. Who might you be?"/p
p data-p-id="89852a8c6c580bf3a76c043ef29aa158""Just call me Val. You are M82, as in the Barrett M82?"/p
p data-p-id="2788cbaafb9c6a6de61bdbeabff288be""That's right. Very good guess."/p
p data-p-id="bf66a71ea54f1fe2bc7138553a7220d1""Thanks. I've never shot an 82, but a buddy of mine in the army let me try his M107 when I was still in college. Solid rifle."/p
p data-p-id="3c224c79b73a53f852396bdc93701ca9"M82 raises an eyebrow./p
p data-p-id="656f0d92aeaaf6001eced2ce5ffd555f""College, huh? You're not a doll, are you? Also, it looks like your drink is ready."/p
p data-p-id="0ef14f989f8484cbac1b155a4e7cd83c"emWay to give yourself away, Val./em/p
p data-p-id="0ef81b05f113466adfbac1ccdd956a56"Doing her best to ignore the stares of several other dolls sitting close by, Val quickly stands up and retrieves her milkshake from the counter before returning to her seat./p
p data-p-id="6e98c5b99bbc575dd185f13a8afb1fdd""I'll be honest, you threw me off a little," M82 admits. "I'm just not used to seeing any humans wearing anything but the commander uniform — at least on this base, anyways."/p
p data-p-id="072001b50511ef5cf4ae66e6dffe842d""No, you're fine."/p
p data-p-id="e7cf53a4166d975944bd8959a329d672"M82 opens her mouth to say something, but before she can, the door to the cafe swings open with a violent thud./p
p data-p-id="7314ebda2c1eaf95493feacf65e9b0b7""VAL! VAL VAL VAL — oh, there you are!"/p
p data-p-id="fbc2ac816f3c40c62f5547cd8caf4541"Val recognizes the intruding doll almost immediately and stands up, concerned./p
p data-p-id="e9ded4725f42a1410515e55a3abfdf6e""SOP-II, what's going on?"/p
p data-p-id="6ec5380fa9ea88c9019a011b7b3a78dc"SOP-II grabs Val by the arm./p
p data-p-id="2ea7c1ba20d14ec2dc26bc9bf92ecf4c""Where have you been? Helian's been practically blowing up your phone with attempts to reach you! We need you in the briefing room now!"/p
p data-p-id="4105c3a662cdd356b4ad12b664b291f4"Val tries to shake SOP-II off, but is largely unsuccessful./p
p data-p-id="1b8b124f830dd896199251ccdb0377e8""Come on come on come on!"/p
p data-p-id="61c93b9bf18129f3bebf8e71d76c1da8""Woah, relax! I'm coming! Let me grab my milkshake, okay? And my phone — oh shit, I left that in my dorm..."/p
p data-p-id="bb44d9dbad25b8addeaba4e815d144bb"SOP-II sighs./p
p data-p-id="194e5f3df006009e89430e169b41dfa2""That would explain why we couldn't get ahold of you."/p
p data-p-id="bcec84fd41a9a0e1aafd62ab4b0b2b56"Val snatches up her milkshake and nods at M82 apologetically before allowing SOP-II to practically drag her out of the cafe./p
p data-p-id="f2dfe5da637cc4a981b9d2acbd4f36f9""SOP-II, could you please explain what is going on?"/p
p data-p-id="6f81b2b5fb3891fc7d066d2377fcc106""Oh, sorry. Hunter has AR-15!"/p
p data-p-id="ceb4228334368832b460673082cc9cb5"Val struggles to keep up with SOP-II's frenetic pace./p
p data-p-id="51de29b88e96f0f50596bc3dbf5e4990""Who is Hunter?"/p
p data-p-id="223e23b1488d32ea167db2f8be94dfff"SOP-II opens the door to the briefing room and practically throws Val in./p
p data-p-id="c1591f6124c6a6d84ad5ff024bd583dc""She's a Sangvis ringleader. And look, we're here. M4 and Helian will explain everything to you."/p
p data-p-id="033ca7412c077e8f9a06e5e8b06bfcc5"M4A1 and Helian are waiting inside the briefing room just as SOP-II had promised. From the expressions on their faces and the display on the nearby monitors, it appears as if they've just gotten off a call with someone./p
p data-p-id="8af3bd58de2c06bbc46b28e4ed471dba""Val! There you are," M4 greets Val./p
p data-p-id="90be9e42fe9508b08dbfb0c779f6007f""I'm so sorry," Val apologizes as SOP-II closes the door behind her. "I left my phone—"/p
p data-p-id="3b19ceb390a326e5f03751a3112bd10c"Helian holds up a hand./p
p data-p-id="d6a4847a66fb133c4272df0eca02b88e""I figured. In any case, please have a seat. We'll bring you up to speed on the latest developments, and then brief you on what steps we must take next."/p