The seal on the construction bay broke with a hiss, the doors sliding open with a mechanical groan. Pungent smells of coolant, plastic, and metal drifted on the breeze to SASS's nose, nearly making her choke from shortness of breath as the odor filled her lungs. For all the things she'd learned to handle, the smell of the factory was one SASS knew she would never be able to tolerate.
Behind her, the clamor of the factory floor was assaulting her ears as the stench assaulted her nose. Forklifts ferried around crates of parts and boxes of fresh clothes to wherever they were needed, while squads of human personnel worked to offload material and assist freshly made dolls in getting ready to join or rejoin S17.
One such human was standing by the construction bay as the doors opened, dressed in a green jumpsuit and black boots. She put her hands on her hips as she watched the depressurization process finish, taking periodic glances at the control panel for any irregularities.
"Construction complete. Please clear the immediate area," reported the automated factory announcement system. All members of the audience stepped behind the yellow striped line. Could this be any more melodramatic? SASS wondered as footsteps echoed from inside the construction chamber.
"If it's the Commander's orders, than I, Ingram, would be delighted to serve."
"Wow, that's really…"
"Cringe?" RFB finished Grizzly's sentence. "Definitely not an epic gamer moment. She's naked!"
"I just need to get the stored Digimind back into her memory and it'll all be back to normal," said the technician, dragging out a cable over to Ingram, who looked at her funny. The tech jacked the cable into Ingram's external access port and returned to the console, starting the data transfer process.
"It's weird seeing her naked," continued RFB. "It's indecent."
"Heh, M590 knows a lot about seeing people naked," Grizzly joked, poking the doll in the side with her elbow. "Get used to it."
"She gets those scars pre-made?" asked SASS.
"Yeah. Ingram likes to keep mementos of her fights," replied M590. "She and a few other dolls. It's weird, but doesn't actually impede performance. And it does look cool."
SASS looked away from the naked doll. It was nothing she hadn't seen before, but something was different with her teammate. Maybe it was the scars. Maybe it was because she had been dead eighteen hours ago. Another attendant arrived with a pile of clothes, the same outfit as before. "Remember how that one old commander makes his dolls wear full combat gear?" Grizzly asked M590.
"Yeah. Nice and all, I don't really think it does much in the long run. It's not like it offers extra protection. And Ratnik stuff – I mean full gear – is so expensive, Griffin wouldn't bother equipping a base as big as this with it. Maybe a spec ops team. I think AR Team had more standard stuff."
"Yeah. I'm good with my clothes," Grizzly said.
"All done," said the tech, just as Ingram finished getting dressed. "Let's see how it works."
Grizzly cupped her hands around her mouth. "Ingram! Say something!"
"Recitation: I am Ingram, IOP doll and master of combat. I will remove any enemy you wish to see destroyed."
"Nice," said Grizzly.
"Wait a second–"
"Quiet, RFB."
"Did we win?" Ingram asked, grinning.
"You bet your ass we did!" Grizzly smiled back. "SASS over here was the one who landed the shots that drove it off."
SASS blushed. "It was nothing…"
"It smashed through the hangar window," M590 clarified. "Even SASS's AP rounds had little permanent effect. But, we know there's a Ringleader now."
"Great, so we can kick its ass." Ingram placed her fists on her hips. "When're we going out again?"
"Er… pending, Kerr's given us a brief break," Grizzly said. Ingram huffed, stepping across the yellow line.
"Woah, hey, we haven't even checked motor calibration yet!" shouted the technician, walking over to Ingram with her hands on her hips. She was quite tall compared to the dolls, and they all looked up a little as she approached.
"And who the hell are you?" asked Ingram, looking extra petulant.
"IOP technician Macek, and I'm the only one stopping you from leaving this factory floor, so I'd watch your tone, young lady."
Grizzly clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a guffaw as Ingram fumed at the technician, eye twitching all the time. "Miss, I apologize for her behavior," Grizzly managed. "If you would…"
Macek adopted a look of contemplation. "I don't know if I should… I mean, Kerr doesn't like dolls with lip, does she?"
"She's fine with this one…"
"Surprising." The factory floor supervisor gave Ingram a pat on the shoulder, which the doll appeared quite upset by. "Well, I guess I have to give her the all-clear. Just don't get yourself killed again, all right?"
"Kiss my ass," Ingram muttered as she rejoined her team members, rubbing the shoulder Macek patted.
"Language!" said M590.
"Grizzly swears like a sailor, and I can't get away with a little vulgarity?" Ingram looked more hurt at that than she did at anything the technician had done.
"Accept the double standard," smiled M590, and they started walking across the factory floor towards the exit. Eight construction bays were located in the immense excavated cavern, plus tens of thousands of square feet of storage space for materials, power generation, technicians' offices, the vast network of computer banks required to run the center and store doll blueprints, administrative offices, and machine storage. All of it was beneath thousands of meters of rock, and it was one of the new S17 constructions, since a great deal of the base interior was from the original Soviet structure.
"So… how did I die?" Ingram asked. Grizzly handed her the combat recorder.
"Sangvis Ringleader stuck you through the chest with some sort of melee arm extension. You survived for, what, 45 seconds?"
"30," said M590, keeping a straight face. It was 47, thought SASS.
"Aw, really?" pouted Ingram. "That's impossible. Nobody could defeat me that fast!"
"This one could," said Grizzly, getting serious. "It shot K5 and T-5000, it's armored, and it was using Griffin IFF tags. Not to mention the fact that we barely noticed it until it was right on top of us, and we moved through that hangar top to bottom."
"So then what's the game plan?"
"We don't have one," said M590. Ingram looked dejected. "Kerr just briefed the base on the situation last night, and everyone's standing by waiting for orders."
They arrived at the weapons station. "Ingram MAC-10, DWID 18," said the eponymous doll. The doll manning the counter, G3, nodded and punched the weapon ID into the console. Behind her, the automated retrieval rack went to work, bringing up the gun from storage.
"Here you are," she said, setting the weapon and extra magazines on the counter. Ingram quickly retrieved the items.
"Where's my knife?"
"Oh, I have it," said SASS, reaching into one of her pockets for the knife and sheath. Ingram raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Why do you have that?"
She doesn't remember, SASS reminded herself, suddenly quite dejected. For all her bloodthirsty comments, Ingram had been rather endearing before her death. ...it means I'm having the most fun I can… She had become rather attached to the doll. "I just happened to pick it up, I guess," she lied. Ingram shrugged and took it from her hands, clipping the sheath back on her belt.
"I'll take the combat recorder later. What're we doing now?"
"Well… I don't know," said Grizzly. "We don't have any job right now. Kerr's just… let it go, I guess."
"A free day!" proclaimed RFB. "Time to finish all my placement matches!"
As they walked through the immense blast doors, Grizzly dropped back and matched pace with SASS. "How're you doing?"
"Fine," said SASS. In truth, she was dog tired. They had returned to the base so early in the morning it could still be called nighttime, drenched and battle-weary. K5, T-5000, and Ingram's corpses had been taken with them for forensic analysis, ferried off the helicopter the moment the set down. Type 81 had been waiting for them upon their arrival, hands clasped together behind her back.
"Good grief," Grizzly had muttered while climbing out of the helicopter. "Not now…"
"Grizzly, I am to escort you to Commander Kerr," said Type 81, smiling serenely. Grizzly looked at M590 for help, but the shotgun doll merely shrugged.
"Uh, when? In the morning?"
"You are to come to the command center as soon as possible."
"How long will it take?"
Type 81 tilted her head a little to the side in askance. "As long as necessary."
Grizzly sniffed, the concrete under her dark from the rainwater dripping off her jacket. "Right. Well, I guess I'll follow you."
"Thank you for your cooperation," smiled Type 81, leading Grizzly out of the hangar. She and the other three would stay separated until a few hours later.
"Talked to NTW-20 much?" asked Grizzly. SASS shrugged.
"We aren't meeting as often as we used to. She said I was doing good on my own, and she had her own business to deal with. I do need to talk to her tonight, though…"
"About?"
"Uh… the plan for the next few weeks," SASS lied. In truth, she wanted to ask NTW-20 to accompany her to the performance tonight. She had checked the online event schedule – surprisingly full of dates, considering Kerr's policies – and saw that M1919A4's show was tonight in the café. It couldn't be a better opportunity for SASS: she could both catch up with NTW-20, make mention of her performance in last night's battle, and bring her to the performance. For all of SASS's humbleness, she felt rather proud of herself for coming up with the plan. How could she refuse?
"Right," said Grizzly. SASS smirked to herself. This'll be a good night.
They stepped into the large elevator that would take them to the main base. M590 folded her arms across her chest and leaned back against the wall. "I'll be glad when this whole scenario is over. Shchuka, dead dolls, and a new Ringleader are the last things I wanted this weekend."
"It won't affect us too much," said Grizzly. "Just some tighter security measures. We probably won't even be called in to deal with the Ringleader, since a bunch of us can't even load AP ammunition. Rose and Chamomile will handle them, maybe Cornflower."
"True enough."
The elevator reached the main floor and its heavy doors opened to reveal the bustling main atrium. RFB had barely taken a step onto the stone floor before arresting her movement and falling in step with the others. "Look!"
"It's the Commander," M590 said tersely, and she and Grizzly glanced at each other before walking out of the elevator. SASS kept pace beside them, scanning the floor. It wasn't hard to find Kerr, the only human wearing the distinctive Griffin trenchcoat. She was marching across the floor from the direction of the command wing, heading straight for the freight elevator. Behind and to her sides were Bren and M1014, while Type 81 walked immediately to her right. "Just keep walking."
"Talk to me," Grizzly muttered.
"What?" said M590, looking at Grizzly in askance. "I don't get what you–"
"I don't want her to talk to me!"
"She's not going to talk to you, for–"
"Look, it's possible–"
"Ingram," said Kerr as she drew closer. SASS turned her gaze towards the Commander, taking in her older visage. Despite her braided grey hair and lines of age creasing her face, Kerr exuded authority, from her confident stride to the steely-eyed gaze that rested on SASS's face for the briefest of moments. The doll quickly turned her eyes front.
"Ma'am," said Ingram, raising a hand as Kerr stepped past. In a moment, the two groups had left conversation range as Kerr and her cohort stepped into the elevator.
"What was that?!" Grizzly said.
"Kerr does like Ingram." M590 shrugged. "She did talk to you this morning, after all."
"Well, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth."
"Wow," said RFB. "She's so…"
"Robotic. Isn't it sort of ironic?" jeered Grizzly.
"That's enough." M590 briefly rested her hands on Grizzly's shoulder as they approached the dormitory entrance.
"Where's NTW-20's dorm?" Grizzly asked SASS.
"I dunno… I'll go ask the desk."
"Well, I'll see you back at the dorm. Don't hang around that place too much, alright? There are some weird dolls in that echelon."
"I got it," said SASS, splitting off from the others as she headed for the reception desk. Grizzly was remarkably parental for someone of her attitude, though SASS had to admit that she didn't really mind it. She needed a little bit of guidance.
She approached the counter, which was built into the stone wall of the habitation wing entrance. The white-haired doll manning the desk, Kar98K, twisted around to face SASS as she approached. "How can I help you, miss?"
"I'm looking for NTW-20's dormitory," said SASS. She hoped it wasn't classified like other parts of Hunter Squadron, though she wondered why something as trivial as living quarters would be subject to such a restriction. Kar98K furrowed her brow, but typed up the name in her computer.
"That's room 141," the doll said.
"Thank you," SASS said hurriedly, turning away and heading down the hallway. 141. The doll re-tied her blue ribbon, careful to keep her hair from becoming too messy. It occurred to SASS that she ought to button her sweater, so she did that too, then reached behind her and ran her hands down her hair to neaten it. Don't hang around that place too much, alright? SASS shook her head. She wouldn't even step a foot into it.
The door stood in front of her. SASS raised a hand and tapped her knuckles against it. From behind the door, she could hear the blare of horns and rat-tatting of drums before the lock clicked and the door swung open to reveal a green-haired, red-clothed doll.
"You're not 44," said the doll.
"Er, no…" SASS replied awkwardly, suddenly starting to feel very anxious. What did she want? The doll turned around. "NTW! Visitor!"
Behind her, Tokarev was dancing around the common room with herself, singing a tune along with the music all the while. SASS furrowed her brow as she attempted to make out the words.
Ждут победы России святые.
Отзовись, православная рать!
Где Илья твой и где твой Добрыня?
"Coming!" NTW-20's voice echoed from the back before she appeared from the kitchen and strode up. FAMAS stepped back into the living room as NTW-20 leaned against the doorjamb. "SASS?"
"S-senpai," SASS replied, suddenly caught up in her nervosity.
"...can I help you?" NTW-20 asked.
Do it! "Uh, I w-wanted to ask if you wanted to go to M1919A4's show… with me… I'm not doing anything tonight, so if you're free…"
NTW-20 said nothing for a moment. Maybe she's trying to figure out how to let me down gently, SASS thought. It was a dumb idea, now that she thought about it. She should've just asked Grizzly and M590 if they wanted to go with her, or gone alone.
"Yeah, sure. I'll go get ready. Why don't you come inside?" NTW-20 smiled before she turned around and walked into the living room, SASS standing in shock for a moment before following. "You met Tokarev a while back, but this is FAMAS and Type 79. Girls, this is SASS."
"Yo," said said the brown-haired doll, looking up from a book. "Tokarev, can you turn down the music?"
"Sure," replied the Russian doll, prancing over to the stereo and twisting the knob.
"You were on the hilltop," said the green-haired doll. "How was Grizzly?"
"Er, she was fine…" SASS was a little confused. "Not the first time, I think."
"Right, right."
"So how long have you been in S17 for?" Type 79 asked, setting down her book and looking at SASS.
"Ah… well, probably about two months. But I was in Griffin way before, in S09."
FAMAS snorted. "S09? What was that like?"
"Hey, it's not too bad," said Tokarev, breaking off from her singing. "The dolls may be a little unruly, but…"
"But the Commander's a horny pushover, half the sector's in complete disrepair, it's one of the most important sectors anyone can command, and all of our problem dolls come from that sector," said FAMAS. "No offense, SASS."
"I-I wasn't involved in that stuff," said SASS, thinking of Ingram.
"Are you just saying that because of her?" Type 79 said, raising an eyebrow as she looked at FAMAS.
"Of course I am. She's the biggest problem doll on base from that sector."
"Hey, be nice," said Tokarev. SASS had little idea of who they could be referring to, but given how much it mirrored Grizzly and M590's conversation before the last mission, she could take a guess.
"So, heard much about the new Ringleader?" FAMAS asked conspiratorially.
"Actually, I met it last night," said SASS. FAMAS's playful grin dropped, and the three members of Hunter in the room leaned closer to SASS.
"What do you mean 'I met it'?"
"We were clearing an old Soviet airbase and trying to restore the power when we… when we found a Griffin signal. But it attacked us, and killed Ingram after a fight. And… it talked like a Griffin doll. Like one of the dolls lost in the forest a couple weeks ago. It shot T-5000 and K5 before we could drive it off."
"Signal emulation? Voice changing?" FAMAS licked her lips. "That's… new."
Tokarev chewed her lip. "That doesn't sound easy, FAMAS."
"We'll handle it. We always do."
"We'll see," said Type 79 vaguely.
One of the bedroom doors opened and NTW-20 emerged. She had only brushed her hair and removed her kneepads, but SASS thought it meant everything.
"How do I look?" asked the pink-haired doll.
"Pretty," SASS murmured.
"So what are you going to again?" FAMAS asked. NTW-20 looked to SASS for an answer.
"M1919A4's band, or something. I don't really know what she plays."
"I heard BAR's in that band," Type 79 said. "It can't be anything too contemporary, if that's any indication."
"Well, we'll just find out, won't we?" NTW-20 said. "SASS?" Quick as a flash, SASS was at NTW-20's side. "You three, don't invite anyone over past curfew again, and Tokarev, I don't want a noise complaint. I'll talk to you about strategy when I get back, whenever that is."
"You got it," said FAMAS, leaning back into her seat. NTW-20 made for the exit, SASS close behind.
"Thank you for the compliment," NTW-20 said once the door was closed. "You look nice too. What's with the buttoned jacket?"
"Oh, I thought it would be better," said SASS, placing a hand over the front of her jacket. "Do you not like it?"
"It's fine," said NTW-20, smiling. "How was your mission last night? Besides meeting the Ringleader, of course."
"It was… fine." SASS had to think about what else had happened, her thoughts straying to Ingram's impalement on the Sangvis's spike. "Sangvis was modifying a bunch of old Soviet planes for their own use. I… shot some Rippers that were in the middle of recharging."
"Lucky," said NTW-20. "Really cuts down on work when they're right there like that. And it's easier to stab them, in my case."
"Yeah," SASS agreed halfheartedly.
"Yeah."
"Senpai?"
"Yes?"
SASS folder her hands and brought them up to her mouth. "Er… thank you for all the help you've given me. I've never had a teacher before, and, um, you've done a great job."
"Ah. Well. Thank you." To SASS's surprise, NTW-20 seemed to stumble over her words a little as well. "I try."
SASS fidgeted with her hands as they walked in silence for the rest of the trip. As they approached the café, NTW-20 stepped forward and pulled the door open. "After you."
Readers,
No, there are not three new chapters, only SuperSASS Chapter 6 is new (chapter 7 is the old chapter 6). This is because I forgot to upload the ACTUAL chapter 6 before the fifth StG44 chapter, so anyone reading that chapter and the SuperSASS one after it may have been confused because everyone was talking about the Ringleader. The NEW Chapter 6 is the missing chapter and reading it should help make everything after it more clear.
Thank you!