December 25th, 2062

?

2230

Hanzee wakes up tied to a chair. He looks around as best he can to see that he's in a small room with a table in front of him. The table is made of cardboard, an obvious sign that the room was hastily given purpose. Hanzee lets out a sigh.

The door to the room opens and a man and woman enter. The man's copper-skinned and somewhat tall. He enters first and takes a seat in front of Hanzee. The woman is the same one who knocked Hanzee unconscious. She remains by the door and stands in front of it, arms crossed.

"I'm going to make this easy on the both of us." The man says reaching into his pocket. "Do you recognize this?" He throws down a patch from a uniform.

Hanzee looks at the patch. The stained patch bears the insignia of MSF. Hanzee looks back at the man. "Where'd you get that?" Hanzee asks.

"It's mine." The man says. "My name is Commander Wilko and this is Zeta base," Wilko says. He turns to the woman and nods. The woman leaves with a frown. "It's good to see a fellow soldier from MSF," Wilko says.

Hanzee sighs. "So what's going to happen now?"

"You're going to tell me the name that the Boss gave you of course," Wilko says. "Then I'll see if you are "popular" in this "new" world."

"And if I don't?" Hanzee says.

"The firing line has been empty for some time now."

"I see," Hanzee says. "The name was Hyena."

Wilko can't help but chuckle. "Really? The great Hyena captured by a robot?" Wilko lets out a laugh. "This is too good to be true."

"Great Hyena?" Hanzee asks. "Do you know me?"

"You probably don't recognize me without my balaclava, but it's me Toad."

Hanzee looks up and can't help but smile. "Toad? You can't be serious." He shakes his head in disbelief. "I thought you would have died by now."

Wilko laughs. "I would have. The portal dropped me in the middle of an SF and Griffon battle. Luckily though my sniper dropped with me so I just picked off both sides. It just so happened that the Griffon forces found me first."

Hanzee laughs. "I'm surprised they did given your ability to camouflage almost anywhere. So did they actually find you or did you get bored?"

"I got bored." Wilko laughs. "Plus I couldn't pull the trigger on robots that look like little girls. At least not without pay that is."

"Same same," Hanzee says. "So they made you Commander of the base?"

"Well I had to do some missions for them, but after proving myself capable they put me in Command of this communications base."

"Communications base?" Hanzee says.

"Yeah, I handle all communications going in and out of this zone," Wilko says. "It was tough the first month due to the constant SF attacks, but now it's slowed down due to my forces being built up."

"I see," Hanzee says. "So what does this mean for me?"

"Well, you have two choices here." Wilko starts. "I either turn you into the proper authorities for the murder of Commander Zav of Hotel base, or I send you on a mission of my own."

"What mission?" Hanzee asks curiously.

"I'm glad you asked." Wilko smiles, putting his elbows on the table. "There's a new up and coming Commander that I want you to keep an eye on for me-." The door opens behind Wilko.

The woman from before enters the room. She places the file she holds onto the table then leaves as quickly as she entered.

"Punctual and as quiet as always that AK-15," Wilko says. "She just has a knack for timing and I dunno where she gets it from." He shrugs. "Anyway, where was I?"

"Commander, you need me to spy on?" Hanzee responds.

"Ah yes. It's not spying, rather helping." Wilko opens the file and places documents and a picture in front of Hanzee. "This is the new Commander of Sector 09." Wilko rubs his head.

Hanzee leans in to look at the photo. The photo is of a person wearing a gas mask and a dirty G&K uniform. The photos are slightly blurry and taken from an angle so making out any details is almost impossible for Hanzee.

"What do you need me to do specifically?" Hanzee asks.

"I want you to make sure that they succeed in everything they do," Wilko says, interlocking his fingers. "No loose ends if you catch my meaning and I know that you do."

"I think that's the sanest thing I've heard in months." Hanzee laughs. "When do I get started?"

"That's it, no more details needed?" Wilko says.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm doing my brother a solid," Hanzee says. "And it does help that by doing it I keep my life."

"I'll ration you some equipment from storage," Wilko says. "You can take anything you like." He stands up and moves to Hanzee, uncuffing him from the chair. "I'll explain some important details as we walk to storage."

Hanzee rubs his wrists. "Understood." Hanzee gets up and walks over to the door with Wilko. Wilko opens the door and the duo enters the hallway.

"So I had a question," Hanzee says walking.

"Shoot."

"I fucked up big time with G&K and I betrayed them and joined SF," Hanzee explains. "How will I be able to help this Commander if I'm a wanted man?"

"No one outside this sector knows about you. At least through any sort of technology." Wilko says. "This sector is a blackout zone. The only way any news of this sector gets to HQ is through me and Zeta base."

"So nobody knows I betrayed G&K?"

"No one in the G&K network knows you even exist," Wilko says. "The only way they would know is if someone personally went to HQ and told them." Wilko laughs. "But I doubt that would happen as most bases are under attack at the moment. I doubt anyone has the time to report one man."

"I suppose you're right," Hanzee says uneasily. "Do you still give physicals?"

"I haven't practiced medicine since I've gotten here, but for you, I'll see what I can do," Wilko says. "We're here."

Hanzee looks up to see a sign above the door labeled "Storage". Wilko opens the door and leads Hanzee into a medium-sized room with many lockers and storage boxes. In the center of the room is a table.

"Unfortunately even though you're free to take everything there isn't much to take," Wilko says. "The only thing we have in surplus is the equipment that AK-15 uses."

"Show me."

Wilko nods and goes to a locker. He opens it and takes out folded clothes and places them on the table.

"I'm sorry that this is the only equipment I have to give," Wilko says. He picks up the mask on top of the clothes. "I'll have the clothes modified for your size."

Hanzee lets out a sigh. "I guess you want my SF equipment?"

"Of course," Wilko says. "Though I'm helping you, I'm loyal to G&K. Your equipment can go to HQ for study." Wilko leans on the table. "Of course, you will be properly recompensed when the time comes."

"As long as I get something out of it," Hanzee says. "What about weapons?"

Wilko sighs and slowly takes out a Colt 1911 and places it on the table. He folds his arms and looks away from Hanzee.

"That's it," Hanzee says.

"Yup."

Hanzee places a hand on his hip and points to the gun. "Is this your idea of surplus?"

"I told you there's not much left," Wilko says. "Since the death of Commander Zav things have been tough on the logistics front." Wilko glares at Hanzee. "I wonder who was responsible for his death."

Hanzee lets out a cough. "I wonder who could have done that. Must have been someone really skilled at espionage and killing."

"Must have." Wilko shakes his head. "Anyway, let's get your physical out of the way. I'll have someone take the clothes and modify them."

"Alright, let's go," Hanzee says leaving the room.

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December 26th, 2062

Zeta Base

0030

"Alright well, I have good news and bad news," Wilko says looking at the clipboard.

Hanzee looks at Wilko from the patient's bed. "What's the good news?"

"You're completely healthy," Wilko says. "Your right arm is in a good maintenance state and doesn't need to be replaced. Your heterochromatic eyes are in good shape as well. Your weight is 120 lbs. I took your size measurements for the clothes as well. Your three sizes are 61,53 and 88. In centimeters of course. Now onto the bad news….."

"Lay it on me, doc." Hanzee jokes.

"I'm not sure how to rationalize it." Wilko starts. "Whether it was the energy from the portal or perhaps the weight of your new arm….."

"Just tell me," Hanzee says, folding his arms.

"You shrunk an inch."

Hanzee looks at Wilko with surprise. "What?"

"You shrunk an inch," Wilko says adamantly. "You are now 5'3."

Hanzee cups his face with his hands. "Goddammit."

Wilko places a hand on Hanzee's shoulder and pats it. "It's okay, I've heard that there are things out there that can help with your height."

"It's fine," Hanzee says. "As long as I don't break the 5'0 threshold then I'll be happy."

Wilko nods. "Well other than your height being fucked your in perfectly healthy shape." Wilko leans against a nearby hospital bed. "Are you ready to get on with the mission?"

Hanzee gets off the patient's bed. "Affirmative."

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December 28th, 2062

Forest of Sector 09

1320

The helicopter flies slightly above the treeline. It banks back and forth as incoming missiles try to blast it out of the sky. Flares are deployed. The missiles follow the flares and explode mid-air leaving the helicopter intact.

"Jesus Christ!" Hanzee yells. "I fucking hate flying!"

"Ah shut up you wuss," Wilko says. "This sector is mostly under SF control so this is to be expected."

"How far is the LZ?" Hanzee asks.

"We should be coming up on it shortly."

The helicopter starts to make its descent and hovers gently over the top of a tall ruined building.

"We're here!" Wilko shouts over the helicopter blades. "You'll rope down and continue your mission."

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Hanzee says.

"Yes. There is a ringleader called Agent in this Sector. You are to avoid her at all costs." Wilko says. "She is the Commander's problem, not yours. However, if the Commander is in danger you are to engage."

"How will I know?"

Wilko shrugs. "Trust your gut." Wilko takes out a bag from under his chair and hands it to Hanzee. "I prepared this for you."

"What is it?"

"Supplies for the next two days," Wilko says. "Other than that you're on your own. Remember to keep communications at a minimum. I don't want anyone to know about us."

"Understood," Hanzee says.

Wilko opens the helicopter doors and throws down the rope. "This is where we say our goodbyes."

"It was good to see you brother!" Hanzee says. "The Lion is awake."

Wilko looks at him confused but understands after a few seconds. He looks down. "That's great to hear." Wilko looks at Hanzee. "Stay safe brother. I pray that we meet again."

Hanzee nods, taking the rope in his hand. He slides down and lands on top of the concrete building. He watches as the rope is cut and the helicopter makes its exit.

Dressed in AK-15's gear, and with the Colt in his holster, Hanzee enters the building.