(03/08/2056 | 08:00)
A quiet morning for a quiet sendoff. All Helian could have truly asked for.
The rain reminded her of growing up in Inverness. It came down all at once, a fog draping itself over anything and everything the eye could see. Wrapping the buildings and structures in its embrace. The sight felt all too familiar, despite her never having spent time in this part of the world until the Sangvis crisis pulled her here.
"Something on your mind?" Hsu asked her, both of them standing in the shelter of the hangar. Behind them, ground crew workers could be heard prepping the private jet that had come to fly her back to headquarters.
"Feelin' a bit homesick." Helian admitted. "It's been a long time since I've gone back to Inverness. I cannae help but wonder what's changed."
"Why did you join Griffin, anyway?" The man asked. "Soviet Union's a strange place for a British ex-pat."
"Pot, kettle." Helian quipped, the two of them sharing a chuckle. But she had an answer ready, this was a question she'd been asked several times. "The military is no place for idealists. I wanted to do more than defend my home."
Hsu gave her a strange look with that last sentence, something that seemed to spark some offense in Helian. "Don't give me that look, Matthew. I'm still a British officer first and foremost."
"Working for a Soviet PMC." He insisted, very well aware of his hypocrisy. But he knew his reasons, he didn't know her's.
"Working for an International PMC." Helian readily corrected. "We have dolls and Commanders from all over the globe. We've been expanding our operations beyond the Soviet Union since I came aboard. Now, we're the second largest Private Military Company on the planet."
"'A shining beacon for the brave new world.'" He rattled off, wondering why a PMC would choose such a high and mighty company slogan.
Helian nodded, turning to see her doll team begin to walk up the stairs into the jet. "There cannot be another war. And I cannot help stop that war if I stayed in Scotland. The United Nations is gone, and these years will be critical in burying what bloodlust remains the west and the east."
Hsu hummed along, understanding what she was saying. Though he seemed far less optimistic. "You really think we can stop it from happening again?"
"We barely survived the third, I wouldn't put much quid on making it through the fourth." Helian answered.
The Sub-director then slipped a hand into her coat pocket, digging around to produce a letter envelope that was well and truly stuffed with papers. She passed it over to the Commander, turning to face him fully as he took it in hand and opened it.
"The reorganization of sectors has officially begun. In light of your actions, Headquarters is elevating Sector Nine to Territorial Command." Helian announced as Hsu fished out the first set of papers. "The Ukrainian Governor has also leased Griffin what's left of Zhuliany airport in Kyiv. You, your staff, and your dolls are to begin operations there once the refurbishing is complete in two weeks time."
"We're being transferred?" Hsu asked, not believing what he was being told. After everything that had happened, Griffin was now going to set him up in a white zone and a proper airport.
"You're being promoted." She clarified, somewhat enjoying her friend's confusion. "A new Tactical Commander will take over this outpost, which is being redesignated as Sector Ten. Once everything is settled, you'll have direct oversight and authority over it, as well as Sectors Eleven and Twelve."
"And you're sure it's going to be ready in two weeks?" He continued to question, not believing that a base could be fabricated in such a short time, even if it was a simple retrofitting of existing land.
Helian lifted a hand, trying to calm the man's uncharacteristic alarm. "We've been making preparations for this for months, Commander. The only recent development was your appointment to the post."
Even with her assurances, Hsu still couldn't wrap his head around such developments. He flipped from paper to paper, confirming everything that Helian was telling him was also in text. And there it was, even with the new support roster that would be transferred to such a base.
This… was never something the Commander had on his radar. It was the last thing he'd expected, having been at peace with the idea that he would be spending his entire tenure running this sleepy logistics outpost in the middle of the Dnieper's water basin.
"Things are happening up the chain. I can't oversee this area anymore, there are too many moving parts elsewhere." Helian dictated, pulling the man back on course. "Someone needs to bring this front under control. Sangvis still controls far too much territory."
"I won't let you down." Hsu promised, folding the papers back into the envelope.
"I know, that's why I trust you." Helian said, before digging into her coat again and producing another gift. This time, a silver steel flask with a maple leaf stamped on the side. "A gift from Tac-Fifty. You left quite the impression."
Hsu took it as well, uncorking it to make sure that the doll hadn't filled it to the brim with maple syrup. Helian laughed at the motion, having done the same when TAC had asked her to give him the gift.
Satisfied with its lack of tree sap, Hsu pocketed it as well. "I'll be sure to thank her."
Helian smiled, before seeing that everyone had loaded onto the jet. Time was running short, and there was work she would still have to do both during and after the jet ride.
"One last point. I did manage to scrounge another team to help replace your losses." She revealed, one last gift of her own before she left him. "They'll be waiting for you in Kyiv. Along with that second team I promised you in June."
"Trying to alleviate a guilty conscience?" The man teased, getting the woman to laugh.
"Please, Negev would have run you ragged. If anything you should be thanking me twice."
Hsu smiled at the news, being the best thing he'd heard in days. A smile that both of the seasoned fighters shared, looking out at the gray clouds.
It was then that the engines began to wind up to life. Though it was time to leave, she felt a desire to stay. The fact was she very much enjoyed being in the field again. Giving orders like a real officer. And, though she'd never say it to his face, had grown somewhat attached to the man next to her.
Sure, he was too blunt for his own good. Too stuck in his ways. Too cynical and jaded for most to tolerate. And yet, she did. She did more than tolerate him, she'd befriended him. After over a month of working side by side, she'd grown comfortable with his presence.
This didn't have to be goodbye.
"When things finally settle down, come visit me. My office could use a guest." She requested. Again, she saw him smile. And again, she found herself enjoying that more than she could explain.
"Be safe, Matthew."
"I will. I'll call once we've settled into our new base." He promised, before walking out of the jet's tarmac. Helian walked off, boarding the aircraft. Minutes later, it rolled out onto the runway.
Hsu walked outside, watching the plane pull into takeoff position. He watched in silence as the aircraft sped along, soaring into the sky and flying towards the rainy day's gray clouds. As the plane disappeared, he could feel something inside him drop. His good mood left as soon as she had, and now he was reminded of everyone else who'd left him behind.
But, it didn't matter. The Commander took a breath, knowing what to do next. He put his cap back on, tuned his radio to Kalina's voice channel, and walked into the rain as he returned to his daily duties.
New base or not, he still had this one's issues to sort through.
(17/08/2056 | Zhuliany Airport, Kyiv | 12:00)
The two weeks that had been leading up to this moment had been blissfully slow. No assaults, no dangerous missions, no changes in the plan or grand revelations. Just normal, peaceful logistics work. Preparing the outpost for the change in hands, and organizing transport for his staff. Everything, everything had gone smoothly.
Helian had called the night before, assuring him that there were now delays in any of the proceedings. Base refurbishing had completed on schedule, the new teams she'd promised were already at their new operations center the day before he even flew in. On top of that, the replacement he'd requested for PPK had made it without a hiccup.
Even their flight here had gone off without a hitch, as he sat quietly in the cabin while Kalina, Khan and Santiago continued to speak on and on about their new home. The three of them seemed even more excited than he was, each of them having languished in a backwater outpost for far longer than he had.
Morale, for once, was high. For the first time since he'd come here, the Commander felt like he could actually relax.
Santiago's voice soon filled his ears, directing her three passengers to look out to their left and see their new home. Kalina jumped close to Hsu, leaning over the man to get a better look. Khan stood up, grabbing a handle and giving them both some space.
As they'd been told, it was another airport. Long ago it had been the mainstay airport for private jets flying in and out of the Capitol, but since the Soviets had come to power it had fallen into disuse.
The complex was on the south-eastern side of the city, with the contamination wall standing only a few kilometers south and running parallel with the main airstrip. The main terminal building had been repurposed for a new central operational facility, and more than a few civilian domiciles surrounded the territory. This part of Kyiv was simply a green zone, with smaller businesses and middle class homes surrounding the newly manned station.
"Looks like we're going to have neighbors." Khan observed, smiling like a kid in a candy store as he laid eyes on what seemed to be a gas station down the road. "Doubt they'll be happy with all the noise! Probably should have a word with whoever they've got in charge of this district before we get angry phone calls."
"Angry phone calls? About us?" Santiago replied from the cockpit. "Impossible, we're such nice people!"
"Look at the SIZE of this place! Think about it, no more ammo shortages! No more shoe-string budget!" Kalina gushed, finally scrambling over Hsu so she could sit on the edge of the bench. The Commander caught her arm, making sure she didn't take a head dive out of their transport.
"And way more responsibility." Hsu said, piping his voice up for everyone to hear. "We've made it pretty far, everyone. But now we're in the premier league. I'm expecting everything you guys got."
"Have we disappointed yet?" Khan asked, sitting himself back down across from the Commander.
"Not in the slightest. If anything, you three did the heavy lifting. I was just the clean up crew." Hsu said as Kalina returned back to her original seating, clambering over his lap just as she had before.
"We need to celebrate!" The Logistics Chief decided, absolutely hyper and giddy with excitement as the helicopter began to descend. "Think about it! A new base! We finally got the replacement bodies shipped in! Two whole new teams! We're an actual sector, now!"
"I'm always up for a party. Especially one where we won't get shot at!" Santiago called out.
Kalina cheered, then turned over to the two men who flanked her. Instantly she clasped her hands together, eyes wide and pleading. "Please, please please please! C'mon, Commander! Think about what everyone's been through! This is like a vacation!"
"Problem is, a party's going to take a few days to get set up." Khan reminded, bringing Kalina back down from her emotional high. The girl stuck her tongue out at the Englishman, displeased at any protest.
"It would. Unless someone hired a catering company ahead of time." Hsu pondered. "Parties need food."
"Decorations, too." Khan followed up.
"Tables and chairs set up for everyone."
"Oh, a dance floor! Can't forget a dance floor."
"Music's essential." Hsu agreed, meanwhile Kalina grew ever more confused. Her head bobbed back and forth between the two men as they rattled off what was necessary. The Pole was confused, until she saw both of them lock eyes and smile.
"...You're kidding me." She said, before growing giddy all over again and bouncing up in her chair. "Yes! Yes, I love you! I love both of you!"
"Love him, it was his idea. I just helped plan it." Hsu insisted, directing Kalina's affections over to the engineer as she jumped over and wrapped her arms around Khan's neck in a constricting hug. The man laughed, returning the gesture but asking for the girl to give him back his lungs before he passed out.
Hsu glanced at the cockpit, seeing Santiago poke her head around. The pilot focused on Kalina and Khan's embrace, before giving the Commander a thumbs-up of approval and focusing back on what was at hand.
The Commander smiled to himself, content with his good deed for the day. Until, as they grew closer to the ground, something caught his eye. A black van, parked close to the landing pads. Five figures were standing by them, still looking like black pikes from this distance.
An unwelcome welcome wagon.
(12:22)
The fleet of four blackhawks touched down in near unison on their own landing pads, each coming to a soft landing. The dolls all began to file off, happily chatting with one another. 'Oohs' and 'ahhs' were heard in perpetuity as they walked out across the tarmac, a few of the more childish ones running off into the grass while their team leaders followed in a panic. Most continued to migrate straight for a tall, five story building. An airport hotel that had been renovated into a proper barracks for human personnel and dolls alike.
Hsu and his entourage remained on the helipad, looking down at the group that had ignored the dolls and remained waiting for them.
Four cyclops military androids stood, three of them clutching an AN-94 while the fourth held a shotgun. Even from a distance, they looked menacing. The armor, the blow out panels, the lifeless frames and ammo pouches that were strapped along their chests. Weapons of war, weapons that had no place in a White Zone.
At the head, a blonde woman stood. She looked older than Hsu by a few years, but still managed to cut a stunning figure. A white business suit and pencil skirt, with a shining ruby pendant hanging at the end of a long golden chain that reached to her navel. Every bit of her attire, from the designer shoes to the $60 dollar bob haircut, seemed like it belonged to someone with authority and the capital to back it.
Hsu's brain instantly clocked into fight or flight mode, having spent the last year of the war being almost murdered by the tactical dolls that the woman had as her bodyguards. Both Khan and Santiago also seemed to grow hostile, the engineer's hand hovering near his concealed carry while the pilot was openly brandishing her MP5K.
The Commander turned around, bringing all three of their eyes to him.
"I'll find out what the hell this is. You three go meet your new departments." He ordered.
"You sure, mate? Those aren't good odds." Khan pointed out.
"If she wanted us dead, letting us get out of the helicopter was stupid." Hsu assured. The engineer sighed, but accepted, ushering Kalina along with him as they both walked down the staircase and made a beeline for the central building.
Hsu then looked to Santiago, who hadn't budged.
"I'm curious." Was all the Brazilian said, but it was enough to show she wasn't going anywhere. Not wanting to pick a fight, and secretly a bit relieved that someone would cover him, Hsu nodded and both of them went to approach this strange arrival.
As they came close, the woman flashed a set of perfect teeth in a practiced smile. The dolls around her didn't move, not reacting to their encroachment.
"Commander Matthew Hsu, yes?" The woman said in near perfect English, her accent notwithstanding. "It is good to meet you. My name is Olena Sikorsky, I am a councilwoman of this great city."
The alarm bells only rang louder in Hsu's head as Sikorsky revealed who she was. He had dealt with politicians for a living, spending his entire civilian career keeping tabs on the lot. Years of questions, interviews, investigations and writing articles. There were heroes and liars, honest public servants and dishonest sociopaths who wanted to rule over everyone else.
This one, however, looked more than just dishonest. It felt like he was standing in the presence of a ponzi scheme mastermind.
With Santiago at his back, however, he remained unemotional. Hsu tipped his hat in respect, appearing ever the gentleman as he made sure he never took his eyes off of this legislator. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Sikorsky?"
The woman held that smile, something that was still putting him on edge. "I was hoping for an audience with you, Commander. With Griffin's arrival in the city, the Government and its members are all very interested in these new operations."
"Unfortunately, we have a busy day today." Hsu said, speaking honestly. "If you want a longer discussion, I'd be happy to go to City Hall and speak with the City Committee some time next week."
The politician finally changed expression, frowning at him like a disappointed girlfriend. "So formal, Mister Hsu. After we drove all this way, you'd turn us back? The reactivation of this airfield caught many of us by surprise, after all."
"This vaca acts like a short car ride is charity." Santiago muttered, still watching the military androids. "Perhaps I take her up in my helicopter? Show her what a real ride is."
Hsu shook his head, not wanting to escalate this beyond diplomatic overtones. "I'm sorry, Miss. Another time, I'd be happy to speak with you privately."
The woman released a dramatic sigh, but pressed no further. "A shame, but I will take you up on that offer. Hopefully, you'll be ready for contracts very soon."
"If the Governor allows it." Hsu said, planting the sector's allegiance clear as day. Griffin was here by request of the regional and national administration, not the city's. If this woman wanted to hire them, she had to get in line.
And even after that, Hsu felt like he'd say no.
The committee member nodded, slipping back towards the van. Each of the dolls sprung to life with her steps, entering the vehicle along with her. Once occupied, the van sped off, rolling alongside the runway and turning out back onto the street.
Santiago stepped forwards, standing to Hsu's side and elbowing him. "Not bad, Chefe. Who knew you could speak in complete sentences."
"On occasion." Hsu admitted, his vision still focused on where he'd lost sight of the van. "What's your take?"
"Speaking personally? She's self-absorbed." Santiago said.
"And as a police officer?"
Santiago's frown grew even stronger, finger tapping the lower receiver of her SMG. "She's dirtier than a drug dealer. If I was still in uniform, I'd get a warrant to raid her office."
The Commander hummed in agreement, making a mental note to do some digging on the local powers that be. Even if they didn't answer to them, he'd have to make peace if they were going to operate in this area long term.
But that could wait. He had a meeting to get too.
(12:45)
As the Commander settled into his new office chair, he flipped through the folder of information he had on the three dolls standing before his desk. The two team leaders on the sides, and PPK's replacement in the center.
To the left stood an average height doll, white hair tied into two separate twintails that went down along her back. Her eyes were as gray as her coat, a black pellise covering her shoulders that was paired with a black skirt. Crimson accented the edges of all her clothing, even the black wedge cap she wore. She held a self-confident smile, alert but not tense.
To the right was a tall golden brunette, her hair cut short above her shoulders with a pair of silver aviators nestled in. She wore a fur-trimmed blue jacket vest atop a white high cut blouse, complete with a pinstripe blue and white bowtie that sagged. Brown work boots, jean shorts along with leather accessories was the sum of her outfit. She seemed relaxed, almost aloof.
Then there was the short one between the three. Dull long silver hair, with the same braid as G36 at the bang. Mischievous eyes of the same tone, and a cocky grin that bled arrogance. Her outfit was plucked straight from an office park, black shirt with a white collar and a blue tie. A green and blue coat sagged off her bare shoulders, enshrouding black shorts and a pair of hot pink sneakers.
SVD, the leader of the new Echelon Four. Grizzly MkV, the leader of the new Echelon Five. XM8 to fill the absence in Echelon Two.
"You've been with the company for ages, SVD." Hsu observed as he read through the sniper's Griffin records. "Says here that you got brought in by the Director a year after Griffin was founded."
SVD bowed her head graciously. "Da, Kommandir. Director Kryuger hired me and a hundred other dolls. Most of us, like myself, were part of the Ministry of the Interior's Internal Troops."
"No wonder you've got the Elite title. Record backs it too." Hsu observed, flipping the page. "Rest of your team have a similar track record?"
"We came in the same batch, yes." SVD informed. "Saiga was OMON, Seven-Four was VDV, Mosin was Reconnaissance."
"And this last one?" Hsu asked, stopping on a page and turning it so the profile faced SVD. The doll's smile flickered, growing less than comfortable.
"...A-Five-Four-Five is a recent addition." The sniper explained. "A 'gift' from the KCCO. Built to full military standard, but she was activated after the War."
"You don't seem to hold her in high esteem." Hsu said, retracting his arms and turning off from A-545's page.
SVD simply chuckled, amusement coloring her colorless eyes. "She was programmed with Russian patriotism that reaches zealous levels. I'm a doll that was built in and spent most of my service in Ukraine. Need I say more?"
"No, you need not." Hsu assured, having already experienced the enmity of the locals for the Muscovites personally on several occasions. Their ill wills being passed onto their dolls didn't surprise him at all.
With that settled, he grabbed a new folder of files and opened it, turning now to face the other echelon leader. "So you and your entire team were all Police dolls?"
"You got it, Chief. I was a detective with the LAPD before the collapse incidents." Grizzly confirmed, rubbing the back of her neck. "After that I did a stint in Miami, but the beat wasn't nearly as hectic as SoCal. Eventually Griffin started sending out feelers for dolls over the neural net, so I came over."
"Any other Americans on your team?" Hsu asked.
"Mossberg Five-Ninety. She did riot stomping for the State Troopers in New York." Grizzly answered, the Commander looking at the profile of the darker skinned doll. "We've got a few Russians, too. VSK did patrol in Saint Petersburg, Four-Four-Eight did traffic in Moscow. MCX is British, but she did Counter-Terror in London for a while."
"Least you've got a varied skill set." Hsu said, making a mental note that the Soviet doll count had now reached eight. That meant they broke even with the Yankees, not counting the AR team. Though considering none of them were actually American, not counting them made sense.
That left XM8, who looked at him expectantly. He could tell that this one was going to be trouble, just by her attitude.
"...SVD, Grizzly, you're both dismissed. Go ahead and get settled in at the dorms." Hsu permitted, SVD clicked her heels, then spun around and left. Grizzly gave him a two fingered salute and did the same. XM8 looked over her shoulder, watching the two leave her alone with this man she'd never met before.
"Uh…" She started, the door closing shut. "You're not gonna do anything funny to me, right?"
"Eh?" Hsu asked, confused.
"Listen, I've met plenty of Commanders who get the wrong idea. Gonna tell you right now, I am not interested." XM8 declared, turning her nose up at him. "You're not my type anyway. Most chicks don't actually dig scars, y'know. Plus the glasses and the frown don't help. Curt attitude isn't really that endearing e-"
"Kid."
"Yeah?"
"Shut up."
XM8 released a mocking gasp, clutching her chest and turning away as if she'd been shot. "And you're rude, too! Wow, no wonder Gretel told me you're single!"
Hsu groaned, feeling another stress migraine crashing its way over his senses. The girl was clearly trying to get a rise out of him, and frankly it was working. She could tell as well, seeing as he could hear her snickers of victory.
"Alright, alright. So what do you want to talk to me about?" XM8 asked, giving him some reprieve.
"Why did you put your name forward for a transfer here?" The Commander asked, bracing for another rapid-fire back and forth.
"Uh, hello? My big sister's here. Y'know. tall, blonde, scowls a lot…" She explained, before grinning as Hsu began to scowl himself. "Yeah, exactly like that!"
The Commander rolled his eyes. "You've got three other sisters in Griffin. Why come to Thirty-Six's sector?"
"This one had an opening, duh."
"So does SL-Eight's."
"You think I wanna be stuck out in Novosibirsk? I don't care if it's a big city, it's still Siberia!"
"MG-Thirty-Six's does as well."
"Kaliningrad is way too wet. Plus it's boring! Nothing ever happens that far west."
"Boring means safe."
"And safe. Means. Boring! I'm a mercenary! If I wanted to be safe I'd pack my bags, go back to Kuala Lumpur and be a tax collector again!"
"We're probably going to have a lot of boring missions here too. This is a regional command sector now."
"I mean… can't have excitement all the time. Or else the exciting stuff's less exciting. C'mon, Commander, you gotta be less dense."
The migraine in Hsu's head only seemed to grow as this conversation dragged on, while his intelligence was in an absolute freefall. The girl was obviously hiding something, but she was also obviously not going to tell him whatever that was. Asking anything else would waste his time and probably take another day or two off of his already limited lifespan.
So the man stood up, slipping a hand in his pocket as he went around the desk and towards the door. "The team you're joining is pretty tight knit. Thirty-Six will be happy to see you, but I expect you to get along with everyone in that echelon."
"I'm a natural people pleaser, Commander." XM8 said with no sense of irony, following alongside the man as he waved for her to do so.
"I'm sure you are…" Hsu agreed sarcastically, secretly looking forward to unpacking his box of liquor. That, finally getting to see his new bed and some peace and quiet were all he wanted right now.
(15:11)
As Khan finished the final checks on the AI cores, he realized just how much this new repair bay outclassed the old.
At the logistics outpost, they lack even the most basic amenities. There were no stasis pods to keep disabled dolls connected to a perpetual source of electricity. There was no automation, he and his subordinates had to work on each doll as if they were a team of robotic trauma surgeons. Storage was miniscule, comfort was non-existent for the dolls stuck inside for prolonged amounts of time. It was a slapdash, thuggish affair.
This new facility almost resembled a hospital wing. Creature comforts for the dolls in the form of actual beds. Machines to help install new parts instead of having to do each procedure by hand. Actual windows so they could see the outside. And it was clean, he'd forgotten what a clean repair bay looked like.
He flicked the final switches, looking at the new bodies laid out for each of the previously incapciated dolls, then gazed at the audience. All of the team members were present, their own bodies now restored to mint condition.
As the console hummed to life, Hsu approached his Chief Engineer. "Things going smoothly?"
"Despite all of this equipment being refurbished, it's functioning as if it was new." Khan reported, wiping his hands dry with a rag before putting on a set of insulated gloves. "Believe we've kept everyone waiting long enough. Who should we wake up first?"
"Let's start with the ones who've been asleep the longest." Hsu decided, looking to see the unliving bodies of Garand and Springfield. Khan offered no protest, happy to finally have his personal assistant along with one of his closer friends be the first to be brought back. He took their cores in each hand, walking over each of the four dolls and placing their AIs within their new physical forms.
Carefully, he inserted the blue cubes into the terminals above their bust. The man then quickly buttoned them back up, taking a step back and typing into his tablet as he activated the booting protocol for Garand first.
Thompson, M14 and BAR all approached, standing close as they waited for the first of their fallen friends to wake again. Hsu, remembering what Garand's last moments were, positioned himself next to the bed as he anticipated what would happen next.
Garand's green eyes sparked back to life, and the mechanic sat up in a panicked frenzy. Her chest rose up and down as she began to hyperventilate, clearly still thinking that she was in a battlefield. Until Hsu craned himself before her, taking her shoulder to help steady herself.
"C-Commander…?" Garand asked, taking in her new surroundings. "What-. Where are we? Where's the ringleader?"
"Gone. We haven't seen her for weeks." Hsu assured, squatting down so he was head-level with the doll. "You're safe, don't worry. We got your core out of there and put you in a new body."
Garand ran a hand against her cheek, feeling the untouched artificial skin. None of the scrapes or cuts she'd garnered were there anymore. It was like they'd never been there to begin with. She looked at Hsu again, then out to all the eyes of the three teams focused on her.
"...God, I was so scared…" She muttered, quiet enough that only the Commander could hear her. "I was so terrified that I wouldn't remember anything. But it's still there…"
Hsu remained quiet, offering her a hand as her three teammates approached. Thompson showed the same lack of tact as usual, cackling away at her recovered friend.
"First that firefight with the bandits, now this. You really lose your head out there." The Captain mocked, enjoying the scowl that Garand put on. But both girls dropped much pretense, with Thompson taking her hat off and flipping it over onto Garand's head. M14, unable to restrain herself any longer, jumped to hug her cousin as she began to sob with joy.
BAR smiled, then went over to Khan. The engineer was hovering over Springfield, preparing to reactivate her as well when BAR plucked the datapad from his hands.
"If you're gonna be the first one she sees, do it right." BAR advised firmly. Khan hesitated, but eventually sat himself beside Springfield's bed as he took her hand in his. Seeing that they were ready, Hsu broke up the ongoing love-fest and directed the rest of echelon one to Springfield's bed as well.
After a few inputs, Springfield woke up as well. Her resurrection was far more muted, the doll groaning as if she was coming back from a bad dream. She rose slowly, free palm pressed against her forehead as her eyes remained shut.
"Goodness, that was horrid…" Springfield said, before feeling the warmth wrapped around her hand. She looked to her left, seeing Khan as he sat by her.
"Assad…? Is… is that really you?" The sharpshooter asked in disbelief. After weeks of being trapped in her core, she'd begun to lose track of time. All she had was her memories, and after watching those on repeat for so long, things had begun to become muddled.
"I'm right here, Savannah." Khan promised, smiling at his oldest friend in the sector. Springfield beamed at him, before she pulled him into a joyful hug. One that the rest of her team-member soon dog-piled into, all five of the reunited dolls beginning to speak to one another.
Hsu, having taken the datapad from BAR, now went to the next in line. He waved for IWS' team to come close, before offering the device to IWS.
Gingerly, the sniper took the tablet in hand. She gave a sheepish look to the dolls around her, both S.A.T.8 and K11 offering her smiles of encouragement while AUG simply nodded in agreement. She too, then, activated the procedure. Seconds later, Type 100 began to move, pushing herself back up and looking around. Her mind flashed back to her own last moments, her suicidal charge in an effort to bait out Hunter's fire. She knew that she would die, but she had hoped that she would at least live long enough to know if her labor produced fruit.
So when the shrine maiden saw her four teammates standing before her, it was a forgone conclusion what would happen next.
"...Did we win?" Type 100 asked in anticipation.
IWS nodded, smiling wide. "We won. All thanks to you."
Type 100 sighed in relief, the anticipation of weeks time finally dissipating. She bowed her head in solemn gratitude, meanwhile K11 let out a victorious cheer as she jumped to the flank of her gaming buddy. The others soon followed, and Hsu once again took the tablet into his own hands again.
All that was left was G36. He looked to his adjutant… his friend one more time, before gathering the rest of her team. He then offered StG44 the device, gesturing over to the still hibernating maid.
"Are… are you sure?"
"Out of everyone on this base, you're the one she'll want to see the most." Hsu said with certainty. StG gulped, recalling when she had used that same phrase the last time they were here. When it was M1897 on the bed, and G36 was waiting in the wings wondering what to do.
Now M1897 was there, pushing her forwards along with PPSh-41. XM8 was already standing next to the bed, looking down at her eldest sister with an unreadable expression. Hsu took a step back, letting the four of them have their moment.
So, StG44 breathed deep, input the command, and set the tablet down.
Just as the others had, G36 also awoke. She looked more dazed than anyone else, releasing an uncharacteristic yawn before realizing where she was and who was there. She looked at StG44, who was on the edge of tears. She saw both M1897 and PPSh, giddy at the return of their Captain.
And then she saw XM8, and all her senses sharpened.
"What are you-?!" G36 began to say, before the words sputtered out in an unintelligible mess. XM8 grinned, leaning forwards so her head hovered right next to her sibling.
"Well, sis. Seeing as you went and got scrapped, I figured that meant you were losing your edge." XM8 said, lifting a hand and flicking the maid in the forehead. "So I came here to help my outdated model avoid getting taken out twice. You can thank me later."
G36 sputtered again, beginning to fume at the absolute insolence that her youngest sister was displaying. Especially seeing as they hadn't seen one another for almost a year. But before she could enter one of her furious lectures, the two smallest members of her team dove onto the bed. Both bouncing up and down, cheering that their caretaker was alive and well.
StG44 sat down to her side, away from the ruckus. The older German laced her fingers in with hers, nestling close while the tykes continued to sing her praises.
"Welcome home." StG said. With those words, G36 could feel her frustrations melt away. Instead all she could feel was relief and joy, taking solace that she was once again surrounded by not just her friends, but even her family now. She let herself relax, resting her head atop StG's shoulder as she floated away into bliss.
It was almost perfect. Almost everything she could have asked for, except for one person who had quietly slipped out the door.
But as Hsu walked outside and back onto the tarmac, he knew that right now, they were all his friend needed.
(19:41)
The next few hours, G36 had spent them getting reacquainted with a physical body and catching up with what she had missed.
IWS and M4 welcomed her back, the duo filling her in on all major developments. She was given a map of the new base, as well as her adjutant permissions being added into its mainframe. Both dolls had also regaled her with their stories of being her interim replacements, and while she was grateful that they'd gone out of their way to help, she was also glad to step back into the role and ensure that their mistakes wouldn't persist.
Both of them may have been dear friends now, but that didn't mean they weren't criminally inefficient.
The maid had also been acquainted with M4A1's other siblings, both of whom she took a quick liking to. M16A1 seemed capable and discreet, though somewhat chaotic. AR-15 appeared to be stern and professional, which she could always respect.
She'd even met the new team's, namely their leaders. SVD seemed cocky, but also as friendly as one could be. Grizzly was also very amicable, though seemed to be a bit lax. She expected neither to be trouble, at least.
Eventually, all of the base personnel and the dolls gathered in the main terminal's largest room. Some dummkopf had decided that today of all days was a good time to throw a party. Outwardly, G36 agonized about having to clean the mess the next day. But to herself, after Thompson had taken her out to the city all those weeks prior, she was looking forward to the festivities.
Before that, however, one last thing needed to be settled. She opened the door to the new dormitory's roof, looking out to see as the sky became dim with dusk's approach.
The hotel's pool was still here, though drained and filled with leaves. Complete with a diving board and a hot tub, which would almost certainly be demanded by half their roster to be reactivated for their use. The furniture was still there as well, green and white pinstriped lawn chairs along with plastic tables and some remaining umbrellas.
Hsu sat alone in one, having pulled it to the edge of the roof as he looked out towards the contamination wall. The old soldier didn't have a drink in hand, he wasn't even leaning back. He simply sat forwards, elbows resting on his knees as he was lost in thought.
G36 approached, going to his side. She stood ready, hands clasped at her waist like the dutiful maid she was. "Would you like me to fetch a drink, Master?"
"I'm fine, Gretel." Hsu assured, taking a long breath. "How's everyone doing?"
"Very well." She reported. "They've all begun celebrating, though many are wondering where our 'illustrious' Commander has disappeared to."
"I hate crowds. And my party days ended when I got out of college." He said.
"So be it." G36 responded, looking out to the setting sun. "...It's a beautiful view."
"The world's a beautiful place. Just easy to forget." The man observed.
"XM-Eight told me the 'advice' you gave her." She said. "'Look out for your family, you'll never know how much time you have with them.'"
Hsu chuckled as his words were repeated. "Kid's annoying. But she cares a lot about you."
"And I, her." G36 confirmed.
The both of them continued to soak in the scenery, watching the sun as it dipped lower and lower. Until, eventually, it was gone. The base's evening lights came to life, bathing each corner in white light. Red and green bulbs outlined the runways, while yellow blinking lights marked rooftops. The civilian homes around them shone with their own light, and the outside traffic became utterly silent as workers had returned from work.
Music could be heard singing out from the main terminal, the base warming party having gotten into the full swing of things. It was a lively center in a sleepy district. Something that was sure to become a trend for the duration of their stay here.
Neither had moved much from their spot. Both simply… existed. No flowery words, no grand gestures. Not even a simple embrace, as they had readily shared with one another whenever one needed it. Both the man and the doll were close enough to know what the other thought now.
They simply watched over their new dominion. Standing next to one another, taking comfort in the fact that both were there. Until Hsu looked up to his adjutant, and broke the silence with a lopsided grin.
"Think it's time we crash that party." He said. G36 rolled her eyes as the man got up and walked to the stairs, but followed her master diligently.
She almost didn't realize that she was grinning just as he was.
A/N: Act One, officially closed. Act two, coming some time in April. Didn't throw too many references in this one, was going for more of a Season Finale vibe than anything.
Also to the guy in the back; I've played all the AC games from AC4 onwards. Never touched the PS1 games.
See you next time when we get to return to some City Operations
o/
