Author's Notes: Didn't write or upload because of school stuff. But I finished the chapter anyway 6 months later. Enjoy.

Episode 0-4: Pleased To Meet You

"Ow."

"Quit squirming or I open up your spine."

"Like hell you can."

"Having a cybernetic spine doesn't change how you work."

"Christ, I get it. Sheesh."

"Good."

"OW!" I seethed my teeth in pain.

"Did that one actually hurt?"

"Is that how you actually treat Arts wounds, Dr. Kal'tsit?" I mockingly stated her title name.

"Your Arts wound is like any other third-degree burn I've seen and treated." Dr. Kal'tsit stated.

"So basically, I just got hit with plasma?"

"Basically."

I sighed. "Shoulda put a Stimpak there myself."

"Is that how you actually treat third-degree burns? And here I thought you were the better doctor and scientist." Dr. Kal'tsit sneered.

I felt her rub something on my lower back. "Trust me, if you're in the field. The temporary solution works better than the long run."

The walls of her office/medical room was stark, white and very boring.

"Don't your scars hinder you in fights?" She asked. I felt her prod my wound with a finger doused in paste.

Yeah. My torso. And my unmasked face. All for Dr. Kal'tsit to bear. Well I mean, she has seen my face in the past. So there wasn't any difference to what she saw. Even my raven-haired bored face wasn't new to her.

Though, I couldn't say the same for my body. Scars everywhere. But, I prefer to ignore that.

Back to her question.

"No. I'm no Joshua Graham."

"Is that a reference?"

"Yes."

…

"So. No replies, witty quips? Retorts?"

"We aren't in Lungmen. And this isn't 4 years ago." I felt a syringe up my Arts wound.

"So this is what you became after I left? Boring?"

"I became more responsible."

"Was taking stolen money from a robber responsible?"

The syringe popped into me. It hissed, and so did I.

"Yes. This is subjective, but yes."

"Okay, okay. Whatever you say Dr. Kal'tsit."

She continued treating me. I sat still and in silence just for her.

"Be thankful I'm the one treating you. If it's the Doctor or anyone else…" She lingered.

"I'm glad and grateful that you're pampering my scarred ass, but you do know you could've let me into my own room and let me treat myself?"

"Knowing you, I knew something was gonna hurt with you. Your posture said it all when you exited that aircraft." I heard the sound of medical tape. "Plus we do not leave Operators to their own devices if they're wounded. Including you."

"Guess that's why the medical room is always there." I snarked. "Why did you even come out and see me at the helipad?"

"I heard what was happening in the control room. I had to steal you before Inspector Ch'en or Doctor did."

She began wrapping my lower back-no wait, she was just covering it up.

"I'm glad that you saved me from Ch'en's rape session. Who knows what she'll do to me when she gets the full report."

"I didn't save you. I'm merely delaying the inevitable."

"Good enough for me. I'll just slink my way into my room without anyone knowing."

"But me-"

"-But you, yeah."

"And what if I told Inspector Ch'en where you are right after this?"

"What if I told Doctor I saw you do-?"

"Are you blackmailing your superior?" I heard a tone shift in her voice. A scary one.

"Perhaps." I smirked.

She patted my back. The dressing seems to be finished. "All done."

I stood with a groan. "We're just pals Dr. Kal'tsit."

I went to where my gear and attire were at. I heard Dr. Kal'tsit stand from the bed. "Are we?"

…

"Ok that sentence is a bit…"

"Yeah, yup. That's… sheesh." That was awkward.

"Let me rephrase that." Dr. Kal'tsit said, I put on my riot gear armor after my shirt. "Are you even my friend?"

I started putting on my duster. "Well I mean, we've been friends for a couple of years. Even though you changed in time. You helped me with my job, I helped you with research. I think I'm a better friend than Closure."

"Big words." She said.

"Ok maybe not the last part, but point is..! We are friends. That's a fact and you know it." I told her as I grabbed my helmet.

I turned to meet her as she just put away some of the medical kit she used. When she met my gaze, she sighed. Tiringly.

"Before I dismiss you, I'll need to check up on you." Dr. Kal'tsit said.

"Please, I'm an open book." As she opened her mouth, I interrupted. "Ooh, no pen and paper?"

"I don't need one with you." She said.

"Cold."

She let out a breath. "How's Rhodes Island faring you?"

I stretched my arms. "I guess I made a name for myself?"

"Judging from that operation, I'm guessing you did." She nodded. "What else?"

"Everyone seems nice. Except you didn't tell me we had kids with cancer here in the tank."

"That's on you for reading Eyjafjalla's file."

"H-how do you even say her nam- fuck sake, that's my job woman. I'm supposed to know how capable they are in battle. And seeing we use kids with cancer as junior marines… that's making me sort of uncomfortable."

"They aren't just kids with a disease. They help a lot more than you think. We at Rhodes treat their Oripathy and in exchange, they work for us. Ask them yourself, they would rather go into battle than feel restless and act like some sort of prisoner here in the Ark."

"Jesus, what are you, discount professor Xavier?"

"Their Arts are useful. You should just accept that fact."

"Oh I do accept that it's useful. I just don't want to see kids becoming a casualty of war."

Dr. Kal'tsit sighed. "I'll make sure they aren't."

"You better." I know I sound serious right now, but my damn voice makes me sound like I'm half-joking.

Dr. Kal'tsit hummed. "Aside from that, socially, how are you doing?"

I thought for a bit. "Well, the squad I was with was pretty fun. All of them are good people."

"Any other acquaintances you've made?"

"Other than a few passerbys? The only pals I've made are the two leaders of that squad. Even though Hoshiguma did hate me in the past. Wonder if she still hates me even then."

"No one else?" Kal'tsit crossed her arms.

"There's Eyjaf-kid and Texy. Aside from them, 'fraid not." I added.

"I see." Kal'tsit nodded. "Anyone else prying your past out of you?"

"Nope. Aside from Doctor, Warfarin was asking questions. But I did what you asked and kept quiet about it. 'Sides, it's not like I'm here to sell my autobiography to everyone in the tank."

Not to mention I don't want anyone knowing inter-dimensional travel was possible.

Then again, the probability of me getting here was unknown.

"That will be all then."

"Until next time Dr. Kal- wait." I stopped in my tracks, Dr. Kal'tsit raised a brow. "Doc said you were pissed a few days ago. I mean I knew you were already pissed at me, but why?"

Kal'tsit sighed. Rubbing her temples. "Right."

She's massaging her forehead. That means this is pretty important.

"Two weeks already, and the Doctor has already found out about part of your past. Not to mention you reignited an old flame and made your old rival aware that you're still kicking."

"Wai-wait, what old flame?"

"Gods, what if Inspector Ch'en told Doctor you were from Reunion?" Kal'tsit pointed at me.

"I thought you were at the meeting?" I asked.

"I wasn't at the first portion."

"Shit." I voiced my thought. That fact slipped out of my mind when they were talking. Damn, how long since I remembered I was part of Reunion?

"Well, given he didn't question that after you left, I'm willing to bet that he doesn't know."

Kal'tsit sighed. "Forget about it, I'm working on a letter that will make him write a full report of what Inspector Ch'en had said during our meeting."

"Gee. Thanks. I mean I could just ask Doc what Ch'en mentioned." I commented.

"You want the Doctor creeping up more suspicion about your past?"

"...nevermind."

"With that out of the way, anything else?" Kal'tsit asked.

"Nope." I answered.

"On your way then." She said as she faced her table and went for her chair.

"By the way, can you get me my other weapons in the locker?" I asked as a last ditch effort.

"I do not have the jurisdiction to promote you to Elite 1."

"Right… See you Dr. Kal'tsit." I immediately walked out of the door and out her office.

I heard a vague 'goodbye' from her. I don't know, whatever she said might be the same thing anyway.

I turned a corner, trying to remember where my room was. Damn these halls look the damn same-

"Oh." I met the gaze of a surprised Ch'en. "Hi."

I had my hands on the button of my Stealth Boy, but a strong grip dragged my collar.

"Oh fuck, help..!"

I sat on the chair. Ch'en sat on the table across from me while Doctor was standing to my right, hands in his pockets.

Ch'en's twitching eyebrows were present for the world to see.

Here we were, in the control room where the operation had been supervised. No one was here but us three. The rest of the squad I was in left a while ago while Kal'tsit and I had a little chat.

We stared at each other. She was glaring knives at me, and I was just…

I turned to Doctor. "So how did things go, Doc?"

"Oh. We recovered the cargo and some necessities of the shared and interested parties that partook in the Operat-"

"What the hell was that Six?! Were you putting up a fireworks show back there or were you destroying Lungmen's harbor?!" Ch'en interrupted in the middle of Doctor's sentence.

"What, wanted me to even add 'Six is back' in those fireworks?"

Ch'en twitched from her position, but she knew better and instead gripped her arms tightly, and gritted her teeth. She was barely containing her rage. Oohh, good doggy.

She sighed deeply. "Not to mention you really made a mess of bodies back there."

"Yeah, you did." Doctor added.

"If I had known you didn't want me killing Reunion dimwits, I would've been breaking their legs instead of breaking their necks." I retorted.

"Six. That operation was a total bloodbath. I would have been fine if there were a few casualties, but that mountain of bodies just outscored the people you knocked out." Doctor said.

"I thought we were at war with these guys?"

Doctor sighed. "We're gonna have to keep this operation from Amiya. We did have the potential for keeping patients, but too late for that. We also have to scrub any evidence that Rhodes Island was the one responsible for that slaughter."

"And other than the mess you made," Ch'en began as I turned to her. "are you really stupid for deciding to be left behind?"

...what?

I chuckled. "Out of all the questions, this is the one you ask me?"

"Yeah actually." Doctor chimed in. "I specifically remember you promising you won't play hero."

Why do I feel like he's being sly with that sentence?

"Seriously though, you were a pivotal member of the squad. And of Rhodes Island. I don't like leaving my Operators behind in situations like those."

I chuckled at Doctor's statement. "Oh Doc, don't you worry about me. I know when I'm going to die, and I'll decide when that happens. Plus I'm plenty capable on my own. Hell, I'm just keeping this to myself, but if you sent me alone in that Operation, I wouldn't even have sounded the alarm."

"This operation was already pre-planned days before. Had we known you were alive and could participate, we would've debated on the thought." Ch'en stated.

"Then again, why should you work with me?"

"Hey, you're the one coming to Rhodes Island for help, don't twist this on me!" Doctor stated. I simply chuckled.

"We're going in circles here, Six." Ch'en grabbed my attention. "I'm going to file a sanction on you."

"Really? That necessary?"

"I'm afraid it is, Six." Doctor spoke up. "While you have successfully finished our objective, the collateral damage and the death toll is... terrifying."

"You sound like you've seen worse."

"Ever since I woke up from Chernobog, I've already had." Doctor said seriously, the laidback approachable tone he once had now void in his voice.

I sat in silence, watching the tone shift Doctor took.

"Ms. Ch'en, are we going to pay for the damages?" Doctor asked, turning to the dragon bitch.

"Likely. The specifics will come from Lungmen's Department of Defense. But do you want to take the fall for such actions?" Ch'en spoke.

"Well, of course. Rhodes Island is responsible and so-"

"Not Rhodes Island." Ch'en pointed at me. "Him."

"What?" I blurted, before realizing what she meant.

I started laughing like a psychopath. "You really think, I'm going to pull shit out of my own wallet to pay for the damages done?"

Ch'en started smirking. Uh oh, I don't like the look of that.

"Six." Doctor suddenly called me. "If no one takes responsibility, Rhodes Island's reputation and name will take a big hit."

"Doc for Christ's sake. We can fucking cover up this entire thing by calling it a robbery, you know that? Ch'enny Ch'en was this operation disclosed as a non-classified operation?"

"What did you- For the love of..." She muttered some Lungmenite curses. "...this operation is never disclosed to anyone with lower access than me. This is a private joint operation between several companies. So no, the public record of this won't ever be procured to the public."

I clapped my hands. "What did I say? We can point fingers at someone else or y'know, Reunion. Call it a beginning of a mass invasion or something. Hell, even tell that to the news-"

"Six, can you please shut the-"

"Ok, that's enough." Doctor said firmly, stopping both of us in our tracks. "Ch'en, may we discuss this matter the following day? I think we could all use a little sleep by now."

Ch'en stared at Doctor in disbelief. Before regaining her composure. "If you'll excuse me."

Walking away, she left the room in both our hands. Dismissing herself basically.

Doc slowly walked from where he was to in front of me. Grabbing an office chair, he sat in reverse. His body leaning over the chair's backrest.

"Six."

...

"What?" Was I supposed to expect a response?

He took a deep breath. "You're insane."

"Not the first time I've heard that."

"Your methods, now that I saw them, are beyond what standards this company was expecting."

"Then you should've read my file properly before hiring me."

"And that's why I'm going to use the same protocols on you." Doc stood up, putting the chair aside.

"What protocols?"

Is he talking about other bloodthirsty operators, like me?

"While we do tolerate necessary casualties should the situation call for it, you could've let a lot of Infected live from that operation you were in."

"How exactly are we going to bring home militias who are gunning for our necks-"

"The LGD can converge on the site, arrest them and we can negotiate an exchange-but that's not my point. Instead..."

"What?" I asked.

I was expecting a very suspenseful moment where he would present a very tiring and tedious limit and protocol that would limit what I would do.

But it wasn't.

"...I'll put you under training."

"Excuse me?"

"Under Amiya or Blaze's command."

"What training? Training for what?"

"Control. Discipline." Doctor pointed at my helmet. "You need to learn to hold back that killing blow a lot. And I think we can start tomorrow. Or later after we hit the hay."

"I.. well..." Normally, I would be totally fine with this. Because it would be very easy to put up with.

In my situation, this is a terrible idea. Because not killing is beyond my abilities. Seriously, because of my Bloody Mess and my overturned SPECIAL stats, I cannot for the sake of it, control my ability to kill or not to kill.

"Can I object to this?"

"If you're going to object to a direct order from your superior, be my guest." Doctor sounded like he's being sly with his tone of choice.

"Well, thing is. Killing is something I can't stop."

"Liar. You subjugated some Reunion troops back there without lethal methods." Doctor retorted.

"I can't control that..!"

"My point exactly. That's why I'll have you training under an Elite operator starting later." Doctor finished his statement. "You got anything else to say?"

I'm... I'm too tired to handle this shit.

And it seemed Doc saw the exasperated expression through my helmet. Because he seemed to relax his posture and lean back on the console he was in front of.

"Six. You said you wanna 'find an answer' right? Well, this will help you find that too."

"Doc. You know this is going to be useless if we're thinking with that purpose. Right?" I replied.

"Nope. This is going to be the start of something. If you truly are the person I think you are, then you're going to keep this conversation and topic in mind."

I raised my helmet to meet his visor. "Then what happens if I don't agree?"

He sighed. "Six, I don't wanna fight you. Let alone my assistant. But if push comes to shove, then I'm going to use my power to improve you and yourself. Whether you like it or not."

"The fuck kind of reasoning is that?"

Doc didn't bother answering. He just reached a hand out to me.

"Let's just get some sleep first. Come on Six."

I stared at his hand for a little while, before grabbing onto it as I stood up.

"By the way, I'm still going to report you for-"

A fist raised very quickly.

I groaned hard, my eyes burned from the brightness in the distance. Was that sunlight? And why are my blinds open?

Well, not about to complain at this time. I sat up, waking up from that sleeping position. Rubbing my eyes, I turned to the Pip-Boy on my bedside cabinet. Time, time, time...

9 AM. Two hours past my usual routine. Damn, that mission must've knocked me out hard. Am I getting too old or what?

Not lingering on that thought, I sat through my daily routine. Eat something small, clean myself up, get geared up. After I tied the last lace on my boot, I stood and went for the door. It slid open, signifying a new day that dawned on the Ark.

Oh, and Texas and Croissant were there in front of me, just about to turn the corner. They were carrying boxes with the Penguin Logistics emblem stamped on them.

"Ooh hey big guy, how's your beauty sleep?" The horned girl was the first to ask.

"Fine. Like usual." I replied simply.

"How goes your scolding last night?" Texas shot at me.

Christ woman, even from that stone-faced expression of yours, I can feel the slyness leaking out.

And right, yeah. She and Hoshiguma saw me getting dragged along the hall last night by Ch'en. They watched me get pulled along while the green-haired horny girl was keeping her giggling fit in.

Humorous indeed.

Anyway, I turned my attention back to the wolf girl.

"Turned out pretty well actually." I replied.

"By well, ya mean ya got yer' hind told off?" Croissant smirked.

"Interpret it as you may. But at least I got promoted to Elite two..!"

Texas suddenly chuckled lowly and smiled weakly. I looked at her curiously while Croissant looked shocked for a bit, can't tell if it's directed at me or the wolf.

"What's so funny, Ms. Texas?"

"Nothing." She returned to her stone-faced expression. "I like it when people distract the facts from themselves by making jokes."

"So that's your sense of humor then. Man how low standard." I mocked jokingly.

"Yet half your jokes sound like they're written by a 12-year-old."

"It's called quips, Texy."

"Don't call me that-"

"Anyway. Best that I get going." I brushed past them, going to where the Doctor's office was at. "I'll see you two around."

As Six left the two Penguin Logistics employees, Croissant and Texas looked in the direction where he headed. The former then looking towards her Lupo workmate while the latter still stared blankly towards where Six walked at.

"Did... did this Lupo Ice Queen just have a decent conversation with the new different guy?" Croissant looked at her weirdly.

"You make it sound like it's an odd thing." Texas fiddled for a pocky stick before putting it in her mouth. Afterwards she walked away.

Croissant sighed, following behind right after. "Because it is."

While she followed in her footsteps, Croissant smiled. Entertaining the idea of Texas warming up to a different person other than her friends.

"Come in."

The doors slid open, showing me the office of the Doctor once more.

"You're up very early," I commented.

"You know what they say, early bird gets the worm." He was sitting on his chair, showing me the breakfast he had just brought. Damn. I feel a little hungry now. "Plus y'know, Kal'tsit and Amiya would get pissed at me for missing my early shift."

I chuckled. "I know the feeling. Makes you wanna oppose their orders but hey, duty calls."

I took a seat as Doctor unwrapped his breakfast. "The hell are you eating?"

"You haven't seen an Ursus pancake before? Gummy makes some mean breakfast." Doc asked.

"All the meals I had in Ursus territory were either stew or bread with cheese."

"From how you say it, it doesn't sound enjoyable. What happened?"

"Two things. One, we were always on the move. Didn't have time to enjoy the big city meals and shit. Two, I'm gonna shut up now because you're going to learn more about me."

Doc reacted. "Dang it, thought you wouldn't notice talking about yourself."

"Who the hell is going to not notice that?"

Doctor chuckled. Before falling into silence. "So. I thought of what you said last night, and I've been thinking. I think what you suggested is a better solution."

"What did I say?" My body showed how right I was.

"Well you know, we gain more benefits than we do by simply letting you take the blame. No one in Rhodes and Lungmen gets the fall and flak, Lungmen arouses themselves more into suspicion which would protect the citizens. Sure their Defense Department is going to get some backlash for having an opening in their city's defense. But that's just a minority. Boom, win-win." He clapped his hands before saying that last line.

"My point exactly." Even though I was just trying to get the burden off of me.

"The only issue is the actual operation. Only we know what truly happened and we have to clean up that mess before the media spreads it like wildfire."

"Well..." I then leaned back on my chair, put my feet up and my hands on my back. "...good luck trying to clean that up."

"Dang, ok then. Making us do all the dirty work." Doctor said as I chuckled and relaxed.

"Seriously though. Wave a hand if you need help. I'll try to see what I can do." I reassured him seriously.

"Does that include deciding the paperwork?"

"Fuck no. Kal'tsit's going to peel my spine out." We both chuckled.

"Ahaha... that sounds specific."

"It is."

We calmed ourselves down from our laughing. I straightened myself from my position as Doc adjusted his clothes.

"Aren't you gonna have that breakfast?" I gestured my head towards his pancakes.

"Yeah." He put his hands on his mask. Preparing to take it off.

"Wooah, I'm gonna witness what the Doc looks like?"

"What? Oh right." He paused before clicking the buttons underneath his helmet. "No, you're not allowed to see my face. Only Kal'tsit and Amiya have authority to do so."

I raised a hand, but he intercepted that. "Don't ask why."

I lowered my hand. "So what, I just walk out?"

"Well. Seeing as how I pretty much called you for a day-off today, and that your instructor would probably answer the call later, I figure I can let you do what you will until the intercom calls you again."

"Wait, you still hung up about that trainin-"

"Yess. Six." He clicked the buttons on his helmet as air pressure fizzed out. "Now go before you see my face."

I sat there for a bit. Before sighing and getting up on my feet and heading out for that doorway.

Well, since there's nothing to do for the rest of the day. I'll just relax.

I was minutes away from the cafeteria. Contemplating on what to buy for breakfast. That is, if breakfast is still available. Hm. Wonder who has kitchen duty for today? Doc did mention Gummy cooking pancakes for him, hopefully, she's still in her shift. If not, here's hoping I could swoop in and cook an omelet for myself.

Wonder if I should eat at the cafeteria? Dunno, I'm assuming there's a lot of people there by this time. I might just have to ditch the room again and go somewhere else.

"...where is it? Didn't I have 12 magazines? Why am I missing one then? I can't afford to get another, that was all my snack allowance...!" I saw the scaredy-cat girl walking ahead. Seemingly unaware that one of her pistol mags dropped to the floor. She kept rummaging her pack, but not caring to look around her. Man...

I picked up the magazine and called her attention. What was her name again?

"Yoohoo." I whistled. She turned around towards me, I raised her pistol magazine. "Jass? Jes? I don't know- lady!"

"O-oh!"

"You dropped this." She jogged back at me.

"T-thank you so much, Mr. Six!"

"Nah, like I said just call me Six."

"Thank you then, Six. Where did you find this?"

"Dropped out of your bag, just right there." I pointed to where I picked it up, she looked embarrassed after knowing that.

"That's so unprofessional of me. I-I have a recon operation coming up in a bit, and already I'm this clumsy." She inwardly whined. I chuckled.

"Two days in a row kid? Man, you should take a break after this." Compared to me who's taking a day off given by the Doctor, I should feel embarrassed.

"Yes, unfortunate I have to deal with two consecutive missions."

"When're you leaving, uhhh..." Seriously, I forgot her name.

"Oh right! I should get to the helipad now! They're waiting for me!"

"Want me to walk you there?"

My mouth moved faster than my brain I suppose. Force of habit.

"I-it's fine, Six. You don't have to..."

No turning back now. "It's fine. The cafeteria can wait."

I started walking ahead, Jessica followed by my side. Good thing I remember where the helipads are at least. Unlike last night where my head was a mess.

"So kid," I started to make idle conversation. She yelped a bit. "what're you gonna do in that operation of yours?"

"It's just recon. Th-the landship is heading into unmarked territory and we are very near Chernobog. I'm going to really try and be careful not to compromise the mission. Just like last night.."

We turned a corner. "Speaking of, you use a handgun right?"

"O-oh, yes I do. Weapons like that are very rare. I wonder... where you got yours." She said the last part somewhat quietly.

Oh yeah, right. Firearms are a rarity in Terra. The commonplace to see or acquire them is Laterano. And I barely go to Laterano.

...Actually, now that I think about it, Laterano's going to kill for my knowledge about firearms. They're inherently the only state very sensitive about this stuff.

Speaking of, why haven't I been caught by them?

Ah well, more on that later. Returning to the cat's question...

"Ah, my weapons are a commodity from my homeland." Better to be half-honest than think of a clever lie. Even though I can think of one on the spot.

"Homeland?"

"It's classified stuff. Besides, it's pretty hard to pronounce." I mean I'm not wrong. A lot of people mispronounce how to say Mojave properly, so...

"I see..." She seemed to understand. "...how much does it cost you for the ammunition?"

Ah, another cultural difference in Terra. Apparently, ammunition here is not manufactured from your standard gunpowder and lead. Nope, it's all Originium bullets here. Which is also dangerous because... you know, the effects of Originium itself? Not only that, that shit costs like an arm and a leg. And meanwhile here I am, making surplus ammo and a rare instance of armor-piercing variants.

I totally could've made a hit on the arms dealing business. But I know better by doing what the Brotherhood originally did.

"The ammo? Just as expensive as how you'd expect. I buy a crate full so that's 56k of LMD down the drain." I told her.

"Ah, of course. You buy different types of ammunition for your weapons. I only rely on my handgun so I guess it's cheaper."

Soon enough, we made our way to the helipad. The same transport was used, the ramp was open and the rotors were spinning. The people inside were a busty devil lady with a heavy crossbow and... are those explosive grenades? She better lug those carefully. And then the other person was a girl no older than 17 with a beanie and I can't tell if those are earmuffs or headphones. Oh no wait, those are headphones. She also carried with her a large axe. And there was no one else on board, except for the same pilot maybe.

Good lord, are these the only members of the recon squad? I mean I know it's supposed to be small but shouldn't it be comprised of like 4-5 members? Oh damn, I should join and improvise.

Sike, like hell I would expend time on a plot that's probably not supposed to be touched.

"So this is it." I muttered.

"It is." Jessica boarded the aircraft.

"You're late Jessica." The busty devil lady told her.

"Sorry, sorry! I was checking my belongings!" She apologized profusely.

"It's fine Meteorite. She had a busy night." The girl with the headphones spoke.

"Right.. yes."

"I-It's fine!"

There seemed to be a voice up in front. They turned to it before the one with the crossbow sat and yelled back at the cockpit.

The aircraft began to rise as the three took a look at me. Jessica turned to me one last time, waving her hand. "Goodbye, Six!"

I simply waved back.

"Right, what was I doing again?" I stared at the aircraft disappearing in the distance.

Oh right. Breakfast.

That, is a wing chun practice dummy.

And I, was going to combo its ass.

Wait, is that the right term? Combo?

Currently, I'm in the training area of the Ark again. I took my brunch here so that I can directly eat while taking a break. Plus, no one else was here for now so I'll take that opportunity of silence for myself.

I took off my armored trench coat because it was going to put more weight on me. I only had my armored vest on and I want to test myself and my limits once more by letting it out on that dummy. Praying that thing doesn't bend or snap. Or else that Dobermann is actually going to murder me. What was her name again?

Ah well, don't give a shit. For now, I want to let it all out on this training equipment.

I got into a proper stance. My right palm crossed to my left wrist that had the Pip-Boy. Both hands open and straight.

I took a deep breath. Before focusing my mind on what to do.

...

Freestyle.

Get grip on dummy. Right wrist slap on right leg. Raise forearm on right leg. Follow with palm strike to face. Block lower leg with right palm, block left leg with left palm. Follow with right hand chop, front forward.

Oh shit, the dummy's wobbling- get a grip me.

Feint left palm, right punch to face. Block right leg with palm, punch with left fist. Palm strike rightmost side of right leg. Block left leg with elbow, palm strike face. Raise leg, prompt kick.

At this rate, my enemy should be down on the ground.

Continue strikes, turn blocks to parries. Evolve palms to fists. Don't let up, follow to the face. Outspeed forearm, elbow strikes. Return to palm strikes to face... left arm dislocate. Punch face, repeat twice. Repeat thrice. Repeated punch to torso. Break ribcage, knock breath out of throat. Continue assault to the face...

...

Holy shit. I stopped and let out a heavy breath. My brain turned off when I continued my practice. I backed off, looking at the dummy.

Which had one leg about to break and the front torso fracturing.

Oh crap...

"Senpai?"

I felt a little jolt not expecting someone to appear behind me. I turned to whom it was, Eyja-girl.

"'Sup kiddo." I nodded at the young girl. She held a paper bag as I made my way to the bench where I left my coat on. "What're you doing here?"

"Um, I was just passing by. Until I noticed you were here, training." She answered.

"How much did you see?" I referred to how I was beating the shit out of the dummy.

"Um... a lot?" She replied meekly.

"Can you uh, not tell anyone about me breaking that?" I pointed at the dummy.

"Oh..!" She giggled. "Sure senpai. You're secret's safe with me."

"Thanks kiddo." I sat down and moved my coat so that she could sit. I patted the spot beside me and she seemed to take a hint.

"Have you had your breakfast yet, Six?" She asked as she sat down.

I unwrapped my sandwich. "Nope. That's why I have this."

"Oh. I see." She unwrapped her own paper bag, revealing some white fluffy bun. "Would you like one as well Six?"

I stared at the food she presented to me. It was still steaming hot, and it really looked soft.

"Sure why not." I said as she lowered her hand, letting me have the bun. "What do they call these?"

"It's just called a steam bun." She said as I took off the edible paper underneath. She grabbed another bun from her bag and began doing the same.

I raised the food to my mouth, even though I was still helmeted. I noticed Eyja-girl staring at me from time to time, I'm only assuming one thing if she does that.

Pfff, like hell she's going to see what my face looks like.

Even though I still had a helmet, behind the mask I had my mouth wide open. And magically, putting the food near my mouth part removed a sizeable portion from the bun.

"E-eh?!" Eyja-girl couldn't help but blurt. I'm guessing she witnessed that magic trick.

"Hm. Tastes good." I nodded. Time to ignore what I just did like it's normal. I continued eating the bun as if nothing happened.

"S-senpai? How did you do that?" Eyja-girl asked curiously.

"Did what?" I still played it off.

"You..." She gestured to eat something. "...eating without taking it off?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" I was going to add 'ever' to my sentence, but that would just make me look more skeptical.

"What you did... mou!" She started pouting.

I chuckled lightly. "Kid, I don't know what you're talking about but that looks adorable."

"Please stop petting me!"

Ah gee, adorable.

After we finished our meals, we put away the trash inside the paper bag so we can throw it in the bin later. I began wearing my armored trench coat again because I didn't think I'd go back to training after eating food.

Eyja-girl still sat beside me. "Kid, don't you have somewhere to go?"

"Ah, I'm duty-free right now senpai. I've had my classes yesterday and we had an operation last night. Management did not assign me to anything so I was told to rest." She explained.

"But, don't you still have something to do?"

She giggled. "Senpai, it feels like you're trying to be left alone."

"Hey, that's you thinking that, you can keep it up but don't think it's what I intend." I said lightheartedly as she chuckled.

We settled down after that. I tried to think of something to say, but to be honest.. last night. Didn't she like, kill Reunion members with her arts? I think that's the last thing she'd want on her mind but someone has to say something.

"Kid." I began. "Do they give kids like you some sort of psychiatric treatment?"

Eyja-girl looked at me. Her expression didn't seem to darken. She just looked neutral. Like, genuine.

For a second, I would've considered her a psychopath.

"Well, senpai. I had an appointment with Dr. Kal'tsit early this morning. Talking about what I had experienced last night."

"Was it therapeutic?"

"Senpai, are you concerned about what happened last night?"

If you ask me, I was more concerned about them. Like damn, a bunch of kids and some people not experienced in like... situations like that. To me, it was just Tuesday, but I have to remind myself that these young people probably don't get to see someone get burnt to a crisp or cry in pain if their bones were snapped like a ruler.

So... "Yeah. I'm concerned about what you guys witnessed."

"Senpai.." Eyja-girl started. "...I'm not used to being on a battlefield. And I believe I would not, for a while."

She looked at me, her eyes resolute. "But I want to believe if I'm participating in this, then I know good would come out of it. After all, I know Rhodes Island can bring this land to the dawn."

I looked at her for a moment. She leaned towards the idea that Rhodes is the 'good guy' of this whole plot we're in right now.

"Do you really trust Rhodes Island that much?"

Trust goes a long way.

"Mhm! Rhodes Island offered to treat my disease." She didn't even hesitate. "And I know you'll help us there senpai!"

What? What's with me all of a sudden?

"Kid. You better be sure of your word on relying on me."

"Senpai, you brought us home last night from that operation. I think misplacing trust on you is a silly thing to do!" She chuckled.

I couldn't help but sigh. Lord, when was the last time kids relied on me? Those orphans from... never mind.

"Well kid. Rhodes better hope I'm good for them." I pat her head again. I smiled smugly behind my helmet.

"By the way kid, can you teach me how to pronounce your name?"

After having that talk with Eyjafjalla, we went our separate ways. I decided to do more random favors for different people (recently I was delivering building materials from Closure) because I had... absolutely nothing to do.

Seriously, Doc hasn't called me back yet to meet with that instructor. And no one needs help that I could help with.

Even though Doc did call a day off for me, I can't help but feel antsy. Nothing. There was nothing for me at all. Passing the time in my room would be preferable if I knew I did all my job quota for the day. But knowing there's a lot of things I probably haven't done yet...

I sighed, walking through the somewhat busy halls of Rhodes. Every Operator minded their own business luckily, some did notice me but I could barely care if they reacted to me or not.

What time is it actually? I raised my Pip-Boy as I checked my clock. Oh. It just turned into high noon. I guess I can run for lunch before-

"Oomph. Watch your step- Six?"

"My bad uh... Dr. Kal'tsit?"

I accidentally bumped into the Lynx lady. She looked a bit annoyed but I just thought that was her usual expression.

"You look like you're in a hurry. I'll-"

"Not really."

Fuck I intended to escape from this woman.

"Walk with me to the meeting room."

She began walking towards the direction I just came from. "I just... came from that..."

I sighed inwardly before jogging up to her side. She was hugging a bunch of folders and notes.

"Want me to carry those?"

"No. These papers are none of your concern." She didn't even stare at me. Oh, typical Dr. Kal'tsit.

"Your choice." I retracted my nearing hands from her. "So, I was going to get some lunch. What had to be so important you have me escorting you?"

"I've been up to date about what happened lately."

"Tell me you took your beauty sleep last night."

"Your inevitable ability to create a bloody battlefield happened again last night." She finally stared at me.

"Two things. One, are you going to berate me like Doc? Two, you're still studying my shitty phenomenon?"

"I am not going to enforce our ideology and our ethics to you. I've already learned from telling you what to do. Instead, I'm going to try and vouch for your condition. Tell Doctor about not needing to put an assigned instructor to you."

I... I... did. Did she just..

"Are you fucking supporting me?"

"Would you like me to refrain from doing so?"

"No no, I'm just surprised. You didn't support what I do in the past."

"I am only vouching for you this time because this condition is something you cannot control. Also yes. Your phenomenon is utterly intriguing. It has become a pet project of mine ever since." She turned her face back to the halls in front of her.

Man, I am... shocked, surprised, and touched that she's doing this for me. Dr. Kal'tsit never once stood by my choices. Yet somehow she still accepts it...

If you're confused as to what phenomenon Dr. Kal'tsit is talking about, she's referring to my innate abilities I gained back in the Mojave wasteland. She doesn't know that I came from another dimension, but she is studying the odd elements of my capabilities. For example, my Bloody Mess perk. She is literally confused as to why a single bullet can implode an entire person's body. Another example, Adamantium Skeleton. If my spine and heart weren't already powerful enough, she's curious as to how my entire skeletal system is made from some tough metal. Even though it still technically is calcium.

There are more perks I have that baffle her. And she's studying how it triggers, what changes, and if this could be replicated.

You know what I thought when she pitched this research to me?

I thought she was crazy. Thought the Kal'tsit I know got replaced because of how interested and ecstatic she was from sharing this idea with me. And then I got my cheeks pinched.

Boy oh boy, that memory feels so fresh. As if it happened yesterday.

I look towards Dr. Kal'tsit. Man. While she looks like she hasn't aged since we met, she really feels like a different person. Back then, she was a little more lenient than what she is right now. You'd think she's just saving face and standing up to her image. But really, she would've been the same person I met if she-

"ALERT! Alert!" PRTS boomed. "All dispatched recon teams have been compromised. Repeat, recon teams have been compromised! Level 6 access personnel please report to the cortex!"

Dr. Kal'tsit and I stopped in place. The siren light heads around us blared orange. Dr. Kal'tsit's expression turned a bit worried.

"Uh oh. That don't sound right to me."

Reply to Lain360: i hAtE ArKnIgHtS I HaTe aRkNgItHs!

Reply to CrappyIdiots (jan 4): Fun to speculate if Six would ever have his own Operator/E2 art, hm? Rosmontis will appear later in a different chapter of the story. Still pretty far off since I still have to tackle Chapter 6.

Reply to Seething Abyss: God I swear, I feel people are gonna beg for more Six and Texas.

Reply to Just a random guy117: See what I'm saying with that Six and Texas thing-

Reply to Nantono: Oh for fu-

Reply to Kazragoth: I mean, between us two, I am picturing his voice as Ryan Rey while I write this. Also, this takes place before Chapters 4 and 5.

Reply to Friendlyshadows: I'm kind of excited to write more of Six's time in Lungmen or his past in general. Interesting if I use the Six cyborg = no aging at all path. But I'm afraid the other route will be the one I'm following.

And yeah, the part where Closure doesn't know the other stuff stored in the ship while Six can tinker around with it will be also fun to walk through.

Reply to CrappyIdiots (jan 7): Well I was thinking of using the actual Pelican from Halo for a different group that Six would be a part of. But when the time comes, we'll see.

...

Author's Notes: Thanks to the people who waited and liked this story. Writing this and following the main story will go a long way, but it should be fun.

Also, since after Chapter 8, the Reunion arc is done, should I end this story once it reaches it and make a new one for a new arc? Or keep this story going and make it very long?