Hey look! I'm ALIVE! And this chapter kinda sucks but I'm gonna put it in anyways so I can kick off the great Stampede chase!

Anyway, THANK YOU. You guys rock so much. I'd especially like to thank Shavainethfor giving me the brilliant idea of the shoulder strap story! And if I don't figure out how to add it into this chapter, it'll be in the next one! (Seriously, dude. I was mad at myself for not even THINKING to add that.)

A week and a day passed, and all was well. Um...kinda. It seemed Milly did well with office work, but since she'd shown up slightly late every day, she'd been doing more cleaning work than anything. Though she didn't mind it one bit. She had a job and that was all that mattered. It just so happened that when she and Meryl were called to the Chief's office, she was scrubbing away at the sink in the bathroom.

She looked up at the door swung open to see Meryl with a peculiar look on her face.

"We've just been called to the front desk; come on!"

Dropping her things where they were, she followed obediently into the office, though got several more 'looks' from her coworkers since she'd failed to take off her headscarf and apron before then. At least her work clothing wasn't dirty!

"…We've just got news that a city has been destroyed." Was the 'greeting' as soon as they entered.

"….What?" Meryl was completely taken aback by this. It could only mean…

"I have no choice but to assess the situation from the inside. Which means….sending some of our own workers out there."

Out there…? She pondered to herself. Hah. I wonder who the 'lucky employee' is…? But then...I WAS assigned to his case recently...Again, her thinking had gotten in the way of here hearing, since he'd obviously asked her a question.

"..Well? What do you think?"

"…Pardon me?"

He frowned a bit, but repeated himself. "You're the one keeping tabs on that Humanoid Typhoo—"

"…Sir!" She'd interrupted, fearful that Milly would hear word of him and not want to be any part of the insurance company.

Instead of stopping himself, he waved her off. " She'd have found out sooner or later. Besides, that's why I called the two of you in here."

…What's that supposed to mean..? Wait…She thought, beginning to softly clench her firsts. He wouldn't dare…

"As I was saying…You're the one keeping tabs on that Humanoid Typhoon, so I feel you are the best candidate. Plus you've got no children to look after, and it's a lot easier that way. Before you leave though, I'd like you to go to the shooting gallery downtown a—"

"I can't believe this! You owe me a VACATION! How can you just ignore that and send me off into the desert alone like that?"

"It was an obvious choice. No one here has as much experience in this field as you do. Besides, it's not like you'll be by yourself. I've decided that Miss Milly Thompson will accompany you." He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands calmly as if he had nothing better to do.

"She's barely been here a week, and you're sending her out there?"

"Yes, with you. You're going to need a secretary and since you've been getting along so well, I figured this was the best choice. And it's a good learning experience." He replied with a slight chuckle.

"Learning experience?"

Since she hadn't said a word while the entire conversation was transpiring, you'd wonder why they never asked for her input. Milly stood there, very silent, simply listening to all that was being said. Apparently Meryl and she were to go 'out there' and look for someone known as the Humanoid Typhoon. It was obvious that they needed it done quickly for the sake of the company. So…it was then that she chose to make a statement…

"All right sir; we'll do it!"

Both stopped arguing immediately, and peered up at the tall girl whom was looking very confident. Meryl took on an aggravated look, while the chief assumed a pleased one.

"It's settled. I'll give you three days to prepare, then it's off to work." He joked, and gave them a small wave as the two girls left the room. Meryl hadn't even had the chance to object, and Milly seemed rather happy about it all. Finally, something other than paperwork! Little did she know, accepting this assignment full of countless adventures would change both her and Meryl; it would be something that's impossible to forget.