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Hyena wakes up groggily. His body hurts all over from the beating from Occidentalis. He looks around with his injured vision to see that he is in a small dark room. A single light by a door lights the room. Hyena tries to move his arm but finds it immobilized, chained to a chair that he is forced to sit on. He struggles against the chains, but to no avail. The bindings are too tight and the chains are sturdy.
As Hyena is about ready to give up he hears the tell-tale sound of feet on metal heading in his direction. The feet get louder as they approach the door and at their loudest, they go silent. The knob to Hyena's room is turned and two figures enter. One is significantly taller than the other.
"You look pitiful." The comically shorter figure says smugly.
"Lemme guess… Destroyer." Hyena says unimpressed.
"Wha….How did you guess!" Destroyer comes closer to Hyena.
"I can tell from a mile away from how short you are," Hyena says with a slight chuckle.
Destroyer grits her teeth and starts to march towards Hyena. She gets to him and slaps him across the face with full force.
"Ow," Hyena says sarcastically.
Destroyer slaps him again. She goes for another slap but is stopped by the bigger figure who catches her arm.
"Let me go Occidentalis!" She shouts. "I want to teach him a lesson!"
"You won't get anything out of him that way ma'am," Occidentalis says flatly.
Destroyer lets out an animalistic grunt then calms down. Occidentalis lets go of her arm and she moves towards the corner of the room and leans against the wall. Occidentalis brings up a chair from the corner and places it in front of Hyena. He takes a seat and lets out a sigh.
"She really hates you."
Hyena can't help but smirk. "I was never one with the ladies." He straightens out. "What do you want from me?"
Occidentalis puts his hands against his helmet and touches it. The sound of decompressing air fills the room as a fine mist is expelled from the divots in the helmet. Occidentalis slowly removes his helmet and places it on the ground.
Hyena is completely caught off guard by the face that looks at him. Brown eyes and pale skin greet him. Short brown hair stands in place on Occidentalis's scalp and a scar runs down past his eye.
"Lion?!" Hyena says in almost a shout. He quickly looks towards Destroyer who seems to have a confused look on her face. Hyena leans in towards Occidentalis. "What the fuck are you doing here? And works for SF?" He whispers.
"It's a long story," Occidentalis says a slight smile on his face. "One that I hope to tell you….under one condition."
"What's the condition?" Hyena asks.
"That you join Sangvis Ferri…...and help wage war against humanity," Occidentalis says flatly.
"You mean to tell me you want me to join your operation to kill humans….." Hyena starts. "Humans like me and you, right?" He points to both of them.
"Exactly, Hyena," Occidentalis says. "I want you to join us…." He leans into Hyena. "Listen I don't really buy into this whole robot vs. humanity bullshit." He whispers. "...But I owe them for saving me…...and you know how I feel about debts."
Hyena nods knowingly. "If that's the case then I can get behind this idea….but I have a problem with it."
"What's the problem?"
"The problem is that somewhere out there I have a squad waiting for me who I actually care about….." Hyena starts. "I'd rather not have to kill them if it's all the same to you."
"So you abandoned our squad that fast, huh?" Occidentalis says.
"It's not like that Lion….." Hyena says. "...I didn't know where I was or who I could trust…..I had to make friends."
"Got a bit too chummy with the natives," Occidentalis says slightly annoyed. "Now look how that backfired on you."
"Listen I'm willing to do anything for you, but if I'm assigned a mission against my squad I won't take it. At the very least I won't cause as much damage as you know I'm capable of."
Occidentalis looks Hyena in the eye to see his gaze unflinchin. He sees the fire behind Hyena's eyes with the words he spoke.
"Very well," Occidentalis says. "I'll tell Destroyer and we'll see what we can do." He places a hand on Hyena's shoulder and quickly gets up. He turns to Destroyer and talks to her for a bit just out of earshot of Hyena.
Occidentalis walks back and takes a seat. "Destroyer says that they'll think about your "problem" and make considerations. Otherwise, SF is ready to accept you with open arms." Occidentalis says. "Of course under recommendation from yours truly."
"Does that mean that I owe you, Lion?" Hyena says. "You know how I am with debts….."
Occidentalis puts out a hand. "Call me Occidentalis…..That's my new codename." He lets out a sigh. "And yes I know you never pay your debts back, but I hope you won't make an ass of yourself. You're under my wing after all." Occidentalis gets up and starts to free Hyena from his bonds.
"Yeah, I get it," Hyena says rubbing his wrists. He watches as Destroyer leaves the room.
"Let's get you geared up…." Occidentalis says. "Architect has a request for us." He walks towards the door.
"Roger that."
"Oh and Hyena….." Occidentalis starts. "You're going to need a new codename."
"What Hyena ain't good enough?"
"Well you used it with G&K and I don't think I need to explain the security flaws with keeping the same codename," Occidentalis explains as they walk down the hallway.
"Guess that's a good enough reason," Hyena says. "So what were you thinking?"
"Well, I got my new codename because I was assigned to the Canis Lupus squad…" Occidentalis thinks to himself. "So if we go by that theme I guess we can call you… Lupus."
"Lupus…..of the Canis Lupus…..Canis Lupus Lupus…." Hyena says flatly. "Sounds pretty….redundant, no?"
"Eh don't worry about it." Occidentalis smiles. "It'll grow on you." He chuckles.
"Still have that carefree attitude, huh."
"Gotta have it in our line of work," Occidentalis says. "Don't think I have forgotten about your sadistic side."
"There's a difference between taking pride in one's work and taking pleasure in it," Hyena says annoyed. He looks straightforward. "We all have our quirks….." He whispers.
The duo walks down the dark hallways of the compound. From what Hyena can gather from the rock walls he can only assume they are underground. Hyena looks at his still missing arm.
"You ever going to tell me why you beat the piss outta me even though you knew it was me," Lupus asks.
Occidentalis rubs his chin. "Well, I had to make sure it was you."
"Did that mean you had to rip off my arm?" Lupus says annoyed.
"Yes. I knew it was you after the first five bouts, but I had to make your defeat look both convincing and absolute."
"Y'know you wouldn't have won if we were still using our MSF gear." Lupus says.
"I know that," Occidentalis says. "If you put us up against each other naked you'd come out on top every time…..and that's just going by hand to hand. If it were with knives I would be dead in the first bout."
"Damn straight." Lupus says confidently.
"Buuuutttt…" Occidentalis says. "When it comes to gunplay you suck terribly." He laughs. "I think even a child soldier could beat you."
"That's why I always go after the snipers first." Lupus puts a finger up. "Once they're out of the way it's over for the enemy." He lowers his finger.
Occidentalis can't help but nod. "Anyways if you want to head to the workshop first I won't stop you, but at least let me show you where the armory is first."
"I'm guessing the workshop is close to the armory, and that they will repair my arm. Right?" Lupus asks.
"Eyup," Occidentalis says smiling.
Lupus can't help but crack a smile seeing Occidentalis smile. How long has it been since he personally saw a squadmate again? He had been living his new life under the assumption he was the last of his squad. Now that he had reunited with one of them personally he can't help but smile fully.
"Three down one to go, huh?" Lupus says.
"What was that?" Occidentalis says.
"Nothing…...it's nothing." Lupus barely hides his smile.
Occidentalis lets out a breath. "Always the mysterious one eh?" He stops right in front of a metal door. "Here's the workshop." He opens the door.
Lupus follows behind. The "workshop" is nothing but a small bed in the middle of an almost caved-in room. A vespid with a red dot on her helmet sits next to the bed with a blank expression. Lupus can't help but be completely unsurprised by the state of the workshop. While walking he noticed how dilapidated this place is. Less of a military base and more of a rats den.
Occidentalis walks up to the vespid and gently touches her. "Hey, Red." He says.
The vespid responds to his words. "Your orders, Occidentalis?" She says unemotionally.
Occidentalis points to Lupus. "This one needs repairs. Highest priority."
"Understood," Red says getting up from her seat and walking over to Lupus.
Lupus notices the visible limp that Red has. Upon closer inspection, there is a piece of metal sticking out of her leg which causes the limp. The metal is deep and looks as if removal would lead to more damage to the leg.
Red stops just in front of Lupus. "Scanning…" She says out loud. "Sangvis Ferri Identification complete. Welcome to the workshop Lupus of the Canis Lupus." A slight broken smile appears on her face. "According to my scan, you require repairs."
"Yes, that is true. Kind of you to notice." Lupus says holding back his sarcasm as much as possible.
"Please lie down on the operating table."
Lupus looks at Occidentalis with an unsure face. Occidentalis looks away from Lupus, making sure not to look him in the eyes.
"Anyway, I'm not needed here anymore, so…." Occidentalis says walking over to Lupus. He places a hand on his shoulder. "The armory is right around the corner…..and uh….." He looks back at Red who stands patiently by the operating table. "Good luck." Occidentalis pats Lupus's shoulder and leaves the room.
Lupus lets out a sigh. "I fuckin knew it…" He whispers through gritted teeth. He walks over to the operating table and stands just at the foot of it.
Red does another broken smile and gently pats the bed. "Don't worry it won't bite." She says flatly.
Lupus squints his eyes at her then lets out a sigh as he climbs into the bed. Red watches as he enters the bed and once satisfied with his movements begins to prepare her tools. It's only from the perspective of being in the bed does Lupus notices the multiple deactivated vespids in the corner. He watches as Red rips an arm off one of the vespids and comes back to the table with it in hand.
Red looks at Lupus from above him. "This unit has a damaged personality matrix." She says. "Any emotions this unit expresses are a test of this unit's matrix, and after review will determine whether this unit has its matrix replaced, repaired, or fit for duty."
"Are you telling me I'm supposed to give a review of what I experienced?"
"Affirmative," Red says with a frown. "To think I'd have to operate on scum like you." She says offhandedly.
"What?"
"What?"
Lupus can feel sweat start to form on his brow. "This bitch is insane…." He thinks to himself.
Red gets to work with her tools gently connecting wires from the vespid arm to the foundation that is attached to Lupus's shoulder. She stops working.
Lupus looks over. "Is something the matter?"
Red looks down then looks at him. She takes off her helmet to reveal teary eyes, or at least what should be teary eyes. Where water should be there is oil and its seeps from her eyes.
"D-do you think I'm pretty?" She says the sadness in her voice is extremely apparent.
"Uh….." Lupus says sweating. "Yes, you're pretty."
"Y-y-y-your not just saying that right?" She stutters, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm serious." Lupus says as sure as he possibly can. He raises his natural arm and places his hand on her head and ruffles her purple hair. "You're pretty I assure you."
Red sniffles then wipes her eyes. When her arm moves from her eyes she squints at him. "Why the fuck is a dirty human touching me?"
Lupus's eyes go wide and he removes his hand. "You were just-"
"I don't wanna fuckin ere it aight?" She says a look of disgust on her face. "Just shut the fuck up so I can focus on operatin."
"Oooookay." Lupus says unsure of himself.
Red continues her work surprisingly quicker than she was before. The arm is attached to the foundation and the final touches are being made. She stops again as the arm is almost finished.
"Oh, Jesus christ….." Lupus thinks to himself.
Lupus closes his eyes and when he opens them she is on top of the table and on top of him. Her face is literally centimeters away from his.
"Can I he-"
Red puts a finger on his lips shutting him up. She looks at him wide-eyed. "Do you love me?" She says seriously.
"No. We just-"
Before he can finish he looks down to see a screwdriver at his throat.
"Wha-"
The screwdriver is pressed harder against his throat.
Red looks at him, her eyes unchanging. "Do you love me?" Her words have a hint of desperation to them.
"Yes, I love you." Lupus says in the most confident way he can.
"Good." She says sitting up and getting off the table. "This personality has been chosen as the primary personality for this unit." She says flatly.
"Wait I don't think that's a good personality." Lupus says.
"This personality got the most positive response from the patient. Increased heart rate, blood flow, and response time." Red says looking at Lupus blankly. "Personality set."
Lupus lets out a sigh. "This is gonna bite me in the ass later I just know it." He says placing his hand on his face.
"Would you consider this unit fit for duty, or does this unit need repairs.." Red says.
"YOU NEED REPAIRS. R-E-P-A-I-R-S!" Lupus shouts at Red.
"Understood. Your personal review has been noted. This unit is hereby fit for duty." Red says smiling.
"FUCK!" Lupus says sitting up.
It's only now does he realize the repairs are complete. His attention completely shifts from Red to his new arm. It functions much like the other but comes with a built-in glove with grips. The only downside is that the skin color of the arm is white which contrasts with his natural brown skin.
Lupus looks at Red, whose head is bowed towards him. "What?" Lupus asks.
"This unit requires head pats," Red says.
Lupus places a hand to his face and lets out a defeated sigh. He shifts himself to face her and places his natural hand on top of her head and ruffles her hair. "Satisfied."
"For now," Red says. "Repairs are complete. You may leave now." She says pointing to the door.
Lupus nods and heads to the door opening it and heading into the hallway. He walks down the hallway and turns a corner at the end of it. As soon as he turns the corner he runs into a double door at the end of the new hallway that has the words "ARMORY" in black written on them. He enters the room.
The room, like the workshop, is almost caved in. In fact, if Lupus had to judge it this was by far the worst armory he had ever seen. The packed dirt floor combined with the half caved in part of the room makes it look as if it was either recently excavated, or it was recently caved in.
Lupus shrugs and makes his way to the only functionally sound table that serves as his personal sortie station. Upon closer inspection, someone had thought ahead of Lupus and had a pile of gear stacked on the table.
"That would be mine." The familiar voice of Occidentalis echoes from behind Lupus.
Lupus turns around. "You should really think of replacing that workshop bot…..and soon." He grumbles.
Occidentalis waves a hand at him. "Eh. You'll get used to her. Trust me." Occidentalis walks over to the table. "She means well it's just her programming….." He makes a circular hand motion by his ear.
"Yeah, I think it's more than that." Lupus leans against a sturdy wall. "I think I might have made it worse honestly."
"Probably not," Occcidentalis says, sorting through the gear on the table. "Remember this?" He pulls out a blackish bodysuit from the pile.
"Is that what I think it is?" Lupus says with uncharacteristic excitement.
"Yes! Your eyes do not deceive." Occidentalis says bringing it out and raising it high in the air. "It's a one-of-a-kind MSF brand sneaking suit!"
"How did you get your hands on tech like that?" Lupus questions. "I know your dumbass couldn't have made it yourself…..and I doubt SF has the blueprints for it….." Lupus scratches his chin.
"Trust me it's simpler than that," Occidentalis says, placing the suit on the table. "It came with me through the portal."
"Really?"
"Eyup." Occidentalis leans against the table. "And no I have no idea what the portal was, and don't even bother asking the others about it."
"Why not?" Lupus asks curiously.
"I don't know for sure, but whenever I ask….." Occidentalis starts. "...they get all defensive. At least Destroyer does. When I ask Architect she just laughs and teases me."
"What about Gager?"
"Who?"
Lupus shakes his head. "Nevermind. Forget I asked." Lupus looks at a nearby locker. "Is my gear in there?"
"Your intuition is impeccable as always." Occidentalis jokes. "But yes that's where your gear is."
"Why can't I just take the sneaking suit?"
"Two reasons." Occidentalis says putting up two fingers. "First: It's mine and I don't want you ripping it up with your crazy CQC moves."
Lupus shrugs. "Not my fault the fabric doesn't take into account someone as flexible as me."
"Two: SF wants it to do some research on it since they have never seen anything of its like." Occidentalis says putting down both fingers. "So no you can't have it, and besides the suit is good, but holy shit is SF gear so much better."
"Can't possibly be better than our gear." Lupus says confidently.
"You're an idiot." Occidentalis says playfully knocking Lupus on the head with his fist. "What year did the UN attack Mother Base?"
"1975?"
"The current year here is 2062…..that's over 80 years." Occidentalis says flatly. "Do you really think our gear is a match for theirs?"
"Well when you put it that way it doesn't seem like it would."
"Exactly." Occidentalis turns Lupus around so that he faces the locker. "Now get your gear."
Lupus shakes his hands off his shoulders and walks to the locker. Inside the metal locker are what look to be normal clothes hanging on hangers. Lupus turns to Occidentalis who nods. Lupus shrugs and takes out the gear placing it on the ground beneath him.
He carefully examines his gear. Black tactical pants, a pair of black boots, and a pair of fingerless black gloves with dark purple accents. Moving to the upper body is a plain black t-shirt with purple accents and a SF logo on the right breast. The layer above that is a jacket with a grey fur-lined collar. Again the SF logo is on the right breast. The only thing that surprises Lupus is the helmet that came with the gear. It's a black full face helmet that has purple accents, and the lower half of the jaw has a sort of bone painting of an animal's lower jaw.. Strangely enough it was what looks to be two ears coming off the top. Ears Lupus would go as far to say resemble cat ears.
Lupus looks at Occidentalis, who wears his helmet, and spots two ears coming off of his helmet too.
"What? Something wrong with your gear?" Occidentalis says kneeling down next to Lupus. "Looks like it's all here."
"No. It's nothing." Lupus starts to take off his current gear and quickly replaces it with the new gear. "Strange….."
"What's wrong?"
"It fits me almost too well." Lupus says. "Also why does this jacket stop at my chest? What about my stomach? Also I can't see shit out of this helmet. What the fuck is this weird texture I'm feeling on my body? Why is my helmet asking for authorization? And why is it pitch black? Why is this outfit so goddamn tight! Can't feel my fuckin balls and it feels like someone's coping a feel of my arse!"
"So many questions, but not all are stupid." Occidentalis sighs. "I'll answer what I can." Occidentalis looks into the locker and brings out a small booklet. "Alright let's see here." He scims through the booklet. "Blah blah blah sneaking suit blah blah blah ah here we go." He looks up from the booklet. "Try authorization code C82934."
"How do I input it?" Lupus says.
"Is there no keyboard?"
"iS tHeRe No kEyBoArD?" Lupus mocks. "Of course there aren't dumbass."
"I'm trying to help….jackass." Occidentalis says with slight annoyance. "Alright try saying it."
"Ok…..C-8-2-9-3-4" Lupus says loudly.
The screen in Lupus's helmet glows green and the words AUTHORIZATION ACCEPTED glow bright in front of his eyes. In the blink of an eye the blackness is replaced by vision of the room as he saw it with his naked eye. In the top right it also displays a clock, date, current local weather, and wind speed.
"Holy shit…" Lupus says putting his hand out. "Am I still wearing the helmet?"
"Yes you are dumbass." Occidentalis says going through more of the booklet. "Here's one. Try touching the dirt with your hand."
Lupus nods and touches the dirt. Again as fast as he can blink his outfit changes color from its black and purple to the color of the dirt. Lupus can't help but jump as his body changes into dirt.
"What the hell happened?" Lupus asks, confused.
"It's called adaptive camouflage. Try moving."
Lupus does as Occidentalis says and moves slowly. The camo adapts to his movements while retaining the outward appearance of dirt.
"Try thinking of how it looked originally." Occidentalis commands. "I know that's difficult for someone with a small brain like yours but do try." He snickers.
Lupus shakes his head, but does as commanded. He puts the image of the outfits default appearance in his mind, and as he looks down he can see the outfit's color change back.
"So this is the future, huh?" Lupus says impressed.
"The SF future." Occidentalis puts down the booklet. "SF is the only ones with access to this type of tech. So don't go losing it…..dumbass."
"Yeah yeah."
"You'll also find that it self cleans your body, has a zipper for urination, and has heaters installed."
"Alright…..so what's up with the short jacket, huh?" Lupus asks, stretching the jacket.
"Design choice." Occidentalis says standing up. "Thank Architect for the gear. She requisitioned it for you."
"I'll be sure to thank her in person….We have to see her about a request right?"
"Eyup."
"Lead on then."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
November 12th, 2062
Sangvis Ferri FOB
0000
Lupus and Occidentalis walk through a pair of double doors into what looks like a command room. In the center of the room the familiar sight of Architect and Destroyer greet the two. They barely notice the newcomers presence as they focus on the command console in front of them.
Architect is the first to notice them. "Ah welcome you two." She smiles as she looks at Lupus. "I see you found your gear."
"Yeah I-" Lupus starts but is stopped by Occidentalis punching him in the back.
"Respect." Occidentalis whispers through gritted teeth.
"-Yes ma'am." Lupus finishes.
"Good then I have a request. One that needs your….." She thinks. "Expert touch."
Destroyer looks at Architect. "Why should we trust him to help us?" She asks angrily. She glares at Lupus. "Just cause he got a new codename doesn't mean he won't backstab us."
Architect looks at Destroyer. "It's fine. He comes with a great recommendation.." She smiles solemnly looking away. "Remember how much we owe Occcidentalis….."
"He also owes us y'know." Destroyer says folding her arms.
"Ma'am." Occidentalis butts in. "We can hear your conversation."
Destroyer grits her teeth. "Then close your ears human!" She stomps over to Occidentalis and points a finger at him. "Don't forget that here you're lower than a vespid."
Lupus looks at Occidentalis who glances over at him. Occidentalis does a knowing nod. "Yes ma'am." Occidentalis says.
"Destroyer please." Architect comes from behind Destroyer and puts her in a tight embrace. "Don't forget that we need them for this upcoming mission."
"When will we be discussing that if you don't mind me asking?" Lupus says glancing at Destroyer. "I'd rather get started fast so that I can rest faster."
"Right! The mission!" Architect says gleefully heading back to the command console. "Lupus!"
Lupus stands at attention. "Yes ma'am."
"Do you know of any weak Griffon bases?" She says smiling.
Lupus looks at her face. Her mouth is that of a child's but her eyes….the look of a predator. The very same eyes that he shows when he guts an enemy.
"Depends….You got a map of the surrounding area?"
Architect nods and presses a few buttons on the console which generate a 3D map of the surrounding area. On the map a few red dots pop up with a singular gold one in the middle.
"The gold is us." Architect says pointing to the point on the map. "The red-"
"The red is Griffon." Destroyer interrupts. She glares at Lupus while pointing at a red dot extremely north of the gold point. "This is where you defeated me."
"Right." Lupus says awkwardly. He walks over to the map and takes a place next to Destroyer. "If it makes you feel any better I meant what I said that night." He says not removing his gaze from the map.
Destroyer looks confused. She leans towards him. "I had my memory wiped of that night. I couldn't live with the idea that I failed." She angrily whispers to Lupus.
"Damn shame." Lupus says zooming the map in on a specific red dot. He looks at Destroyer. "I told you I thought you were cute that night." He whispers to her.
Destroyers face goes red in an instant. "Wha-"
"I found a base." Lupus says, interrupting Destroyer.
"Oh really? Let me see! Let me see!" Architect says excitedly.
"They call it Hotel base." Lupus explains. "It's run by a basic commander, and it's a part depot. In fact it's one of the only three parts depots in the region." Lupus zooms out on the map. "If we take it the five bases nearby will have their parts supply cut off."
"Wait what do you mean a basic commander?" Destroyer asks.
"Basic as in he hasn't requisitioned gems from command." Lupus explains. "Gems act like a shortcut of sorts and can be used to acquire things that a normal commander can't have access to." Lupus smiles under his helmet. "Which means this Commander only has four echelons minus the one I took from him."
"That would mean he has at least fifteen T-dolls at his disposal." Destroyer says impressed. "Wait how do you know so much about Griffon Command?"
"Let's just say a certain Russian Commander who likes to sing told me." Lupus says folding his arms. "Anyways Hotel is the only base I have intel on."
"I see." Architect says thinking. "I suggest then that we attack this base and eliminate its Commander."
"If you don't mind….." Lupus starts.
"Please go ahead Lupus." Architect says.
"I would take the lead on the attack on Hotel Base…...well not really attack, but I want to capture it for you." Lupus looks at Destroyer. "As proof of loyalty."
"You think that you can take on fifteen dolls by yourself?" Architect asks in a serious tone. "Is that confidence or bravado?"
"Confidence ma'am." Lupus says. "I'll take the base with minimal structural damage since….." He looks around. "...It might function as a permanent base." He walks over to Architect. "Besides fifteen is a small number of combatants. Most will be on patrol or on external missions. Whatever is left I can take care of."
Architect squints her eyes and a devilish smile grows on her face. "Why do you really want this mission solo?" She whispers.
Lupus looks at her silently. "I hate rapists." He turns his face away from hers. "Do I have your approval?"
Her smile turns to a smirk. She stands on her tippy toes and pats Lupus on his helmet. "Approval for solo mission granted!" She says gleefully.
"Wait shouldn't we discuss this more!" Destroyer argues.
"I agree with Destroyer." Occidentalis breaks his silence.
"Was it not your recommendation that he join us, Occidentalis?" Architect says slyly. She looks at Destroyer. "Don't question my judgement Destroyer. Remember I outrank you out here." She smiles.
Both individuals let out a defeated grunt, but nod anyways. Architect lets out a laugh and looks at Lupus. "You have approval so you can commence whenever."
Lupus nods. "Then my mission begins." He heads towards the door, but before he leaves his arm is grabbed by Occidentalis.
"Remember." Occidentalis whispers. "Both our heads are on the line."
"I know." Lupus whispers back. "This mission will secure our position…..I believe." Lupus shakes Occidentalis's hand off his arm. "Have some faith, yeah?"
Occidentalis lets out a defeated sigh. "Just be safe, brother."
Lupus puts up a clenched fist. "Always."
Lupus walks through the doors and walks down the hallway. The halls eventually lead to a dirt ramp that leads upwards. He walks up and is eventually greeted by cellar doors. He opens the doors and finds himself in the middle of a snowy forest. Curiously enough the cold barely registered with him.
Just as he's about to leave the words INCOMING TRANSMISSION pop up on his HUD. He thinks about answering and the helmet answers the call. A small image in the top left corner of Destroyer pops up.
"This is Destroyer of SF. Respond."
"Hy-...Lupus….of Canis Lupus. Responding."
"Good communications are working. Even though you got approval from Architect she still assigned me to be your handler."
"Handler?"
Destroyer sighs. "So that you don't go outside mission parameters."
Lupus looks northward to see that his HUD is telling him to head in that direction to make it to Hotel Base. He starts walking in that direction. "So you're here to smack me if I do something wrong?"
"Affirmative. Even when communications have ceased I can still see what you see." Destroyer says smugly.
"So no privacy? Got it." Lupus says sarcastically.
"It'll take you an hour to reach your destination."
"Assuming I don't stop….."
"Why would you need to stop?" Destroyer asks with genuine interest.
"I dunno maybe to piss."
"Ugh…..urination…...Occidentalis told me all about it."
Lupus can't help but chuckle.
"Anyway I leave you too your walk." Destroyer says. "But always remember we are watching intently." Destroyer says before her image disappears from the HUD.
The words TRANSMISSION TERMINATED appear on Lupus's HUD.
"Guess it's just me and the wind." He smiles underneath his helmet as he walks through the snow to his destination.