December 24th, 2062

Trenches outside Echo Base

0830

"Holy fuck….." Hanzee says as he looks from his vantage point down at Echo Base.

Unlike his last moments within the base, echo base has changed. Where the lackluster garrison was are now fully armed HOC units raining down hell on anyone that approaches. Sniper towers are manned and the turrets are online. Missiles fly randomly landing within the trenches blowing SF units to smithereens. The brick walls have been torn down and replaced by tall concrete walls adorned with sandbags. The gunfire is almost numbing as it is near-constant.

"Quite the sight, no?" Gager says as she stands next to him. "From what I heard this is a far cry from the defense you put up."

"Far cry is putting it gently," Hanzee says in a hushed tone. He's fully geared and looks down at his helmet which he hesitates to put on. "What's the mission for us?"

"Sabotage," Gager says, pulling out a pack. "We are to place explosives in designated locations."

"How are we getting past that hellfire of bullets?"

"Simple. We navigate around and climb down the rockface that surrounds the base." Gager explains. "The dolls will be too busy assaulting our frontal forces to pay attention to their behind."

"I see so we're rappelling in." Hanzee scratches his chin. "Let's get started then." He says fastening the chokuto behind his back.

Gager points to a point on the mountain that overlooks the base. "A path there will lead us to our destination."

"Lead the way."

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December 24th, 2062

Mountain Face, Echo Base

1345

Gager and Hanzee make their way up the steep mountain path. The path was obviously made for mountain goats as to how steep it is. A single slip up and either of them could go plummeting to the ground below. They climb without gear only the pack that Gager carries. They keep climbing until they reach the peak of the mountain.

"We're here," Gager says plainly.

Hanzee looks around. "You sure?" He carefully looks below to see the tiny specks of movement within the base. "We're still high up compared to the base."

Gager turns to face Hanzee. "We're not going into the base."

"Really?" Hanzee questions. "Then why are we up here."

"Architect found no strategic value in this base," Gager says. "We are here to cause an avalanche which will smother the base killing all those inside."

"Oh…...wait are you sure there's no value!?" Hanzee argues.

"No value." Gager opens the back to reveal bundles of high explosives. "Thus we smother their resistance in one swoop."

Hanzee takes off his helmet letting the cool breeze wash over his face. "There's…...There's no honor in that!" He shouts his hair blowing in the wind. "Surely you must think this is underhanded."

"No, I do not," Gager says planting the explosives.

"Can't we talk about this… There is a Commander down there… Surely he has some value no?"

"Architect's word is the law." Gager plants the last explosive. "We shall follow her orders to the end. That is final." She takes out the detonator.

Hanzee lets out a growl. "Fine, but let it be known I don't agree with this." He puts his helmet back on.

"Noted," Gager says. She looks down the path. "Let us move out of the danger zone."

Hanzee nods and the duo starts to make their way back down the path. They continue moving until they make it back to SF-held trenches. The duo picks a spot with a good view of the base.

Gager turns to a Vespid. "Tell all forces in the forward most trenches to retreat back to the 2nd line of trenches."

The vespid salutes then place her hand against her helmet. Hanzee watches as the troops from the frontline retreat. Much to his surprise the G&K forces show no mercy and continue shooting at the retreating forces. He estimates at least half the force is taken down before they reach the backline.

Hanzee turns to Gager, who also watches the carnage. She is unblinking as she watches her comrades shredded by bullets.

"Let us end this charade," Gager says taking out the detonator.

Hanzee takes a deep gulp as he focuses on the base. He distinctly hears the click of the detonator and looks towards the mountain. Explosions rock the mountain and the snow dislodges itself. A massive sheet falls off the mountain and lands directly on the base covering the entirety in snow. In an instant, all firing from inside the base ceases and the battlefield is quiet.

"Victory," Hanzee says quietly.

"Not yet," Gager says turning towards the Vespid. "Tell all forces to advance on the G&K facility. No mercy for the slaves. Drag the Commander out and bring him to me."

"Understood ma'am." The Vespid responds.

"Now we wait," Gager says leaning against a sandbag.

Hanzee bites his lip. His anger reaches a boiling point then quickly fades into nothingness. "Such is war." He says folding his arms.

"What are your emotions, Hanzee," Gager asks curiously.

"What?" Hanzee says confused.

"Your heart rate raised and your hands turned to fists…...and then your heart rate returned to normal," Gager says. "Something has happened to you and I want to know what."

"It's called realization," Hanzee says bowing his head. He turns towards Gager. "As a merc your not supposed to make friends due to the nature of the job."

"Why not?" Gager asks.

"Because they might be on the other side of the barrel," Hanzee says leaning against a wall arms folded. "I made the mistake of having friends in that base," Hanzee says removing his helmet. "I just realized I forgot what I am." He says looking at the palm of his hand.

Gager looks at him with squinted eyes. "Being a mercenary….Is that why you joined us?"

Hanzee smiles. "Somewhat. I joined cause I thought that I would live longer if I did." He looks at Gager and shrugs. "I guess I was somewhat right." He walks over to Gager and leans on the sandbag she leans on. "Being a merc is admitting to the world your the scum of the earth." He looks at the sandbag. "Kill for a dollar and betray your friends for less…." He looks at the sky and reaches for the sun with his hand. "Nothing in the world like it."

"I see," Gager says unemotionally.

Cheers can be heard approaching the duo. Both look towards the sounds to see the soldiers dragging something with them. As the soldiers get closer Hanzee can make out the figure that they drag. They drag the figure and throw it in front of the duo. Hanzee puts on his helmet.

"He fought to the last with his dolls." A Vespid says. "At the end though when we destroyed his slaves he tried to kill himself, but we got to him before he got a weapon."

"Good work we'll handle it from here," Gager says dismissing the Vespid as well as the soldiers around them.

Hanzee looks up to see flurries start to come down. Whether they are from the avalanche or the weather he does not know. He turns to look at the Commander. His eyes go wide for an instant then return to normalcy. He knows this man. Alexei Commander of Echo base. The man who showed him kindness now kneels before Hanzee.

"Damn SF. Couldn't of let me have some dignity in the end." Alexei says smiling meekly. "What now?"

"You die," Gager says readying her weapon.

Before she can finish readying her weapon Hanzee steps in front of her.

"If you would allow me….." Hanzee says unable to look at her.

Gager squints at him then sighs. "Very well. I trust you'll make him suffer. He killed many of my comrades today." She lowers her weapons then takes her leave.

Hanzee watches her walk down the small hill they sit upon and continues to watch her until she disappears into the trenches. Only Hanzee and Alexei remain on the hill overlooking the remains of Echo base.

"I don't recognize your unit SF bot," Alexei says. "You a new type? Are you the one who caused the avalanche?"

Hanzee removes his helmet and lets his hair sway with the wind. He turns towards the still kneeling Alexei and looks at him with a melancholic look. Alexei lets out an audible gasp and starts to struggle against his bindings.

"No use doing that," Hanzee says. "If I don't get to you first the rest of this base will, and they seem a bit more sadistic than me."

"Why?" Alexei starts to uncharacteristically sniffle. "Why did you betray us?"

"I-I…..didn't want to," Hanzee says trying to explain with his hands. "Believe me I wanted to stay with you. I wanted to fight with the girls against this foe." He starts to pace. "I wanted to accept that maybe my life would be different here and that I would find my "boss"." He stops in front of Alexei. "But you left us!" Hanzee shouts. "You left us to die!"

Alexei doesn't bother to fight the tears forming in his eyes. "I didn't know that SF would come for us!"

"We're in bloody enemy territory!" Hanzee shouts. "Anybody with a brain would know to leave more than four soldiers to defend!" Hanzee starts to shake trying to maintain his calm. "You left us to die!" He points at Alexei.

"I-I didn't!" Alexei says tears streaming down his face. "Please believe me Hyena!"

Hanzee lifts Alexei by his shirt collar and slams him into the sandbag. Hanzee looks Alexei in the eyes.

"I don't go by that name anymore…." Hanzee says through gritted teeth.

Hanzee lets go of Alexei's collar and takes a step back. He lets out heavy breaths in a vain attempt to calm himself. Alexei looks at him with fear in his eyes. Hanzee's breathing returns to an artificial normal.

"Be happy Commander," Hanzee says withdrawing his Chokuto. "You will be joining your dolls soon. Any last words?"

Alexei shakes his head as he looks down. He looks back up at Hanzee with a melancholic smile. "Send me to them."

Hanzee flinches at those words then smiles softly. He takes a step towards Alexei and places a hand on his shoulder. With his other hand on the Chokuto, he raises it above his head aiming to decapitate Alexei in one slash.

Woah here she comes

The song hits Hanzee's ears and his eyes go wide. He turns around to see a helicopter coming towards them. He lets go of Alexei and quickly puts on his helmet.

"Gager we got incoming!" Hanzee reports.

"I know I see. One measly helicopter will do nothing." Gager replies confidently.

"I don't know about this be on guard," Hanzee responds.

The only response is static.

"Gager!" He rips off his helmet. "Fuck! They got the comms."

Hanzee turns to Alexei who starts to chuckle.

"Looks like he's come…"

"Who's come?" Hanzee asks.

"You remember that old bear, Boris? Well, he got promoted….."

The sound of planes hit Hanzee's ears next. He turns to the sky and looks desperately for the aircraft. He finds them flanking the helicopter, but just barely due to the camouflage. Strangely enough, he recognizes the craft. Tu-95's, heavy soviet era bombers, flying in bombing formation. What he doesn't recognize is how he can barely hear their engines.

Watch out boy she'll chew you up The song blasts at ear-piercing decibels.

"Shit!" Hanzee shouts. He grabs hold of Alexei and heads down the hill towards Gager's last known location. "They're using the song as sound mufflers." He thinks to himself.

Hanzee finds Gager resting against the trench wall. She looks at him confused.

"What's the matter?" She looks at Alexei. "Why isn't he dead yet?"

"That's not important right now," Hanzee says desperately. "We need to find cover. Now!"

"For one measly helicopter?" Gager says pompously. "I think not."

"Are you blind?" Hanzee grabs hold of Gager much to her surprise and points her to the sky. He points at the Tu-95's. "Do you not see those bombers!"

"What bombers?"

Hanzee takes a step back and grabs his head. "Fuck! That's the camo they're using." He grabs Gager's shoulder. "Listen the camo is preventing your robotic eyes from seeing them but believe me there are bombers there."

Woah here she comes

Gager slaps Hanzee across the face causing him to be sent to the ground. "Do your job Human!"

Hanzee jumps to his feet but hesitates on the response. "Very well, but I'll only do it underground." Alexei looks at him with surprise.

Gager waves her hand as acknowledgment.

Hanzee grabs hold of Alexei's bound hand and runs with him through the trenches. He looks up to see that the bombers are about to make their bombing run. They make it to one of the underground bunkers which has been voided of troops. Hanzee pushes Alexei into a corner and covers him with his body.

"Two bombers. Two cruise missiles." Hanzee repeats to himself.

She's a maneater

The first bomb fires on the last word. It causes the bunker to shake violently. The second missile hits close to the bunker causing the leftmost wall to falter causing dirt to blast at the duo. Hanzee lets out a breath of relief.

As his breath ends the ground shakes violently as a continuous bombardment starts. The mixture of explosions and gunfire meld into one singular sound as Hanzee is forced to cover his ears. His ears feel as if they are reverberating as the sounds flood into his ears. Even as a battle-hardened soldier this frequency and constant sound are enough to make his head spin.

Hanzee looks at Alexei who much to his surprise seems unbothered by the sounds but instead is smiling.

Alexei looks at Hanzee. "What?" Alexei says happily. "Never been on the receiving end of an AC-130?"

"AC what?" Hanzee says clutching his ears.

"Boris's pride and joy Белая смерть," Alexei says. "An archaic plane from the past that by all means should not be this effective." Alexei laughs. "But when you put dolls in charge of all operations…..It becomes extremely deadly."

The explosions stop and the gunfire ceases. Hanzee gets up and removes his hands from his ears. His ears can't stop pounding. He searches the dark bunker for his helmet which he finds covered in dirt. He puts it on activating its dark vision in the process.

The bunker has thankfully maintained its integrity and the exit to it is still functional. Hanzee stands Alexei up and guides him to the exit. The duo exit the bunker and Hanzee is immediately taken aback by what he sees outside.

The once magnificent trenches have been reduced to rubble. Bodies of different SF units lie strewn across the trench line each missing a limb of some kind. Hanzee climbs out of the bunker and helps Alexei out.

"Gager. Come in. Gager."

Nothing but static.

"Welp that doesn't work," Hanzee says looking at Alexei. "And if I can't communicate with my watchdog…." He takes off his helmet placing it on the ground facing the battlefield.

Alexei looks at him confused. "What does that mean?"

"It means that the cat has free roam," Hanzee says taking out his shoulder-mounted knife. He walks behind Alexei and cuts off his binds.

Alexei's face of confusion intensifies. "What game is this? You were just about to kill me before things went sideways for you."

"Let's just say the pay isn't worth it," Hanzee says taking out a flare from his pocket. "But don't get me wrong. I'm angry as all hells with you and your "free spirit", but it's not worth killing you over." He hands Alexei the flare. "Use this when your somewhat a distance away from here. I have a feeling that helicopter was for you."

Alexei looks at the flare and then back at Hanzee. "You're a strange one you know."

Hanzee lets out a chuckle. "Yeah, I know."

"Hyena was never a good name for you," Alexei says. "You're more like the Cheshire Cat or maybe Cheshire for short?"

"That's a new one….." Hanzee places a hand at his chin. "Maybe I'll go with that one." He looks behind Alexei to see the helicopter making a landing a distance away. "Enough talking. Go!" Hanzee pushes Alexei towards the direction of the helicopter. "Mend your wounds as I will mine."

Alexei nods and starts to run towards the helicopter. Hanzee lets out a sigh.

"Cheshire, huh?" He says smiling as he turns towards his side of the battlefield.

(A/N: Hiya Gh44444 here! So from the criticism, I got from the last chapter I made the executive decision to continue this story. I make the slight guarantee that the quality of this writing will hopefully improve as I continue. I'm sorry if it doesn't I'm only a fledgling writer, but I strive to get better and your constructive criticisms help me trust me. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter and look forward to future ones cause I don't think I'm done with this story. Have a wonderful day you guys and I wish you all the best.)