I wanted to write about Texas or Mostima, really badly. Texas came to me first, so here I am. Right now, it's all for the fluffing of what should be a 6 star wolf.


So far, it's been a quiet and rather peaceful day, which is rather odd considering the operators that call Rhodes Island home. No random invasions into my office, no fights that needed breaking up, no endless piles of paperwork. Instead I've had superb meals curtesy of Gummy's cooking, the occasional office visit with legitimate questions about logistics and tactics, and I believe I finally figured how to beat this damned Annihilation training, based in Lungmen, that was tasked by Doberman.

Midnight did a damn good job holding the top lane, but he simply was not enough to deal with the raw amount of muscle Reunion was sending. I was hesitant to replace him with Lappland due to her bloodthirsty tendencies making it hard to time her Originium arts properly with the rest of the squad. Surprisingly enough, she managed to cooperate with SilverAsh and give us some breathing room by disintegrating the final push of Reunion elites so that everyone could focus on the commander of the incursion.

I'll send Doberman a copy of my most recent plan and we can run through the training for the thousandth time tomorrow. It's a little late today for that anyways. I quick glance at the clock in the corner of my computer tells me it is approaching elven. Now, do I stay up until midnight or call it here? Hmmmm… Maybe a snack and drink alongside some music to unwind before going to sleep. Yeah, that sounds fine.

I exited my half-stolen Ch'en's office and made my way through the long hallways of Rhodes Islands moving fortress. It was rather peaceful with it being late. Most operators were fast asleep with early schedules being the norm. Of course, there were still those who were still up and about for a plethora of reasons. Luckily enough that one encounter happened to be Hoshi with a bag of chips opened in one hand.

We had already noticed each other well before hand but decided to wait until we were closer as to not resort to yelling down the halls to greet each other. "What's up Doc." She greeted with a small wave with her free hand.

"I'm grabbing a quick snack before heading off to bed." I stopped to explain my late-night appearance to the Oni defender.

"I would join you, but I'm already a step ahead." she replied shaking her bag of chips for emphasize.

"There's nothing stopping you from coming along anyways." I pointed out, hoping to that she would accompany me to provide some much-needed social interaction after being in my office for hours. Hoshiguma was an operator I almost instantly got along with the moment she joined Rhodes Island as a liaison. She is rather carefree and laid backed when it comes to relaxing at the base but is also able to instantly turn that around and become the disciplined inspector of the L.G.D. she is known as. She's one my most reliable and effective operators and will always hold my respect.

My hope was crushed as she regrettingly replied "Except that I need to finish this report for Ch'en." She sighed deeply. "It would be so much easier if she just came along. Then I wouldn't have to write everything down."

Not letting my disappointment bleed through, "Ah, that's unfortunate. Maybe she'll decide to show up one day?"

She let out a short bark of laughter, "Maybe, if you could get the idea through that stubborn personality of hers. I swear if I wasn't there to knock her out of it every so often, she would have gotten herself killed long ago."

Joining in with my own laughter at the thought of Hoshi lecturing Ch'en I decided to end our small talk there before it tumbled on into an endless cycle, "You better get that report done before you lose too much sleep because of it."

"Yeah, you're right Doc." She agreed. We both continued are trips down the opposite ends of the halls. "Goodnight." I heard her call after we progressed a few steps.

"Goodnight Hoshi." I replied. Her footsteps faded away as the distance between us gradually increased before mine were the only noise I could hear.

I would have preferred to sit down for a drink with the tall woman, but circumstances said otherwise. Instead water is looking like the go to for today with my own bag of chips.

After that encounter, it was uneventful from there. I grabbed a bag of chips and glass of water and returned to my office to meander a bit before sleeping. I plopped down in my chair and slapped the mouse a bit to wake up my computer from its slumber. There's not much I could do on this one since it was my work computer. I guess I could look at some of the outfits that Closure sent me. Vitafield did offer to make two new outfits for Firewatch and Jessica. Hmm. I would prefer to invest into some of Cambrian's clothing. The free one they sent for Fang was perfect in my opinion and she wears it as much as she can. If only the things weren't overly expensive then there would be no problem making custom outfits for everyone. So many outfits and not enough prime. Instead I'm forced to base it on who's done the most and improved the most. Which isn't so bad since it adds another layer of motivation for my operators, but it's inevitable that someone is going to get pissed that I didn't pick them.

But who do I choose next? I chomped on another chip while I twirled in my chair. Most likely SilverAsh or Exusiai. Honestly, I don't know where I would be without them. SilverAsh wouldn't care that much overall, he would probably prefer a personal thank you more than anything and, I don't want to torture Mostima by having Exusiai flaunt her new outfit every time they meet. Why can't I get offers for someone like Platinum? But then Gravel would snap at the thought of me choosing another Kazimierz Knight over her. This is exactly like playing minesweeper.

Texas. A brilliant idea me! If anyone deserved a gift, it would be Texas. She is the literal logistics part of Penguin Logistics. Between her and Closure, it makes getting the materials I need a breeze. Closure orders, Texas transports. Not only does she help with running this monster moving fortress, she also is a monster on the battlefield. Usually I have her work with Siege as my vanguard team and they can handle almost anything Reunion throws at us initially.

Cambrian offered to make a custom outfit for the "legendary" Texas. Looking at it now, it is a solid design overall but more importantly it fits her job. Keeping the same white, red , and black color scheme they made an enhanced version of her coat, built to hold more utility and to keep her warm for any job that might take her North. Following the same design, they did with Fang and Courier they kept the same special sleeves, detachable parts and zipper pockets making it viable for more than just cold weather.

I doubt anyone would be too disgruntled about my decision. Texas is widely respected amongst all the operators and it would be a simple task to calm any of those that would disagree with my choice. It's hard to deny that Texas is anything but hardworking.

A yawn suddenly escaped from me as I glanced at the digital clock on my computer. An hour had passed between me getting my snack and contemplating outfits. Midnight is not too shabby compared to my previous habit of staying up until two in the morning when I first awoke from my coma. I could get a solid rest before I need to be up again. Tossing my bag of chips in the bin next to my desk I stood up from chair. I'll take the glass back when I wake up, I don't feel like making the trip to put it up right now. Stepping around my desk, my hands came up to unclasp my helmet as I walked towards the door.

I expected to get my helmet off before I reached the door, but I ended up fumbling with it for a second making me reach the door with no hands. The problem quickly solved itself as the door slid open on its own.

The Lupo in question earlier, stood in the place of my door, a little surprised that I was right there with my helmet partially pried off. I quickly pulled my helmet down, mostly out instinct, and asked "Oh, hey, what's up Texas?"

I expected a short, quick answer but instead her lips parted to inhale a breath of air in preparation to answer only to close right after. Her eyes danced between my vizor and into the room behind me. I watched as she lightly shuffled on her feet. It was odd to see Texas seem so… Nervous? Embarrassed?

"Do you want to come in?" I asked the uncertain wolf-girl.

"Y-Yeah… Thank you Doctor." Texas regained her voice but with a stutter. Yep, might as well turn on the alarms throughout the entire base. Texas with a stutter? That's not a natural occurrence.

Fully clipping my helmet on I turned around and walked back to my desk. The soft footsteps of Texas followed behind me. I passed the chair I usually left in front my desk for visitors and pulled it out. Lightly patting the top of it to indicate she could sit there I walked around my desk and sat back down into my own chair. I watched as the uncharacteristically timid woman gingerly folded her knees up to her chest as she sat down.

The room filled with a deep silence as we sat there. Texas stared into the top of my desk with her head on her knees. I wanted to ask "You alright? What's Wrong?" or "Do you want to talk about something?" but I was unsure where to start. I would assumed she would have initiated a conversation. Texas is strong mentally and physically and overall self-sufficient enough to handle a majority of her problems alone. If there was anything that could stump her, she had Penguin Logistics to support and back her up too. Which is why I'm baffled right now. How do I approach or even help with a problem that someone like that would even have? I'll let her open up when she is ready, I guess. I'm prepared to wait.

I relaxed into my chair hoping to at least convey the feeling into Texas. There was no response as she continued to stare blankly at my desk, lost in her own thought no doubt. She was probably just as loss on where to start as I was. So, I waited.

And I waited…

It wasn't hours that passed by but more so the minutes and the seconds. I didn't want to reboot my computer or shuffle through files paperwork. I wanted to sit here and wait so that she knew that I was ready for whenever she was. I instead studied her, following her long silver hair before it hid behind her back, watching her wolf ears occasionally twitched and flicked, appreciating her slender legs tucked in front of her, noticing the silver haired wolf tail wrapped around to rest on her feet.

Rhodes Island is place where models gather, I swear. Every woman here is absolutely stunning with their otherworldly beauty. Even if it has done nothing for my sanity, I've narrowed my preferences quite a bit. Not in a completely describable way, but it's more like I just click with some better than others. I can appreciate the beauty of the operators hired here all day every day, but there are only a select few that mentally just instantly connect with me.

I've caught on a bit though. Usually it's more of the quiet and reserved operators that I have an urging to understand. I appreciate the calmness they bring but can still hold a desirable conversation once you got through to them. Frostleaf is a solid example. She was a loner amongst loners before some of the other operators and I pushed her to open up a bit. It took some time, but she is a lot more receptive to invitations to hang rather than listening to music by herself all day. It's nice to invite her out for a drink and to simply just chatter about this and that.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the craziness that someone like Exusiai brings with her infectious joyful personality. Sometimes you need to tease Meteorite or Liskarm, cause some havoc with Siege, attempt to arm wrestle Hoshi, or have a party with one of the reserve teams. But… Overall, I prefer the calm personality of someone like Texas. I could honestly sit in the same room as her, staring off at the passing landscape, and be content for the next hour just by being in her presence. She probably wouldn't care if I did, but I think it might be a little weird, so I haven't done it.

Another hour might have passed, if Texas shuffling in her chair hadn't broken me from my thoughts. My eyes refocused on the Lupo in front of me. She was no longer staring into the table but was focused on me instead. Her mouth once again opened for air necessary to talk but shut again as she lost the words. Nah uh, I'm not letting her do this to herself.

"Texas. We are not going to get anywhere if you don't talk to me.", I paused briefly before continuing, "I'm prepared to wait all night and into the morning if you need to but… you're taking the blame when I get harassed for not sleeping properly."

She nodded before inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, "Doctor…" her voice came out soft and uncertain but at least she was speaking, "Do you think I'm a murderer?" Her light brown eyes searched my visor for the answer I couldn't give.

"I…" A murderer? "What do you mean Texas?" The question felt more specific, but I didn't have the information the answer. I needed her to elaborate a bit more.

She looked like she was about to retreat back into her mind for another session, but it was only for a moment this time, "I've killed people…" I was about to tell her that sounded stupid considering that we are fighting Reunion. Their rage doesn't allow for mercy to be an option. She cut me off, before I could, with a glare, "I know what you were about to say." The normal Texas fell back again as she tried to continue "I mean, before Reunion… before Penguin Logistics."

Ah… her past is creeping up.

I didn't want to delve into Texas' past. It's the one thing she will never speak about. Even when its eating away at her right now, I think not going into any details or insinuating anything would be better out of respect. Her file revealed enough to know what's going on anyways. I didn't expect something like this to be gnawing at her but even the strongest of people have their weakest moments.

"Listen Texas… You need to stop right here." Obvious confusion covered her face at my response. "I don't know where these thoughts came from. Maybe you were laying in bed and thought a little too deeply or Lappland finally broke through, but we are stopping this train of thought right here right now."

I wasn't going to let the momentum stop. I'm going deep into this, "I don't care where you came from before, the family you were a part of, or what you did before. Because right now, I'm looking at the Texas of Penguin Logistics. The Texas of Rhodes Island." One of my hands aggressively cut through the air, attempting to slice away her worrying thoughts. "Fuck everything you did before you joined Penguin Logistics. The fact that you are thinking about it now, that you regret whatever actions you did previously, tells me that you are a good person. The insane, the mad, the bloodthirsty are the ones who never think about the people they've killed." My hand swiftly came back down as I pointed into my own chest, "I think about every life I've commanded to end and sometimes it eats away at me, at the dead of night, until I'm almost gone. As it should. It's what keeps me sane. It's what keeps me human."

I didn't care that my voice had risen in volume, "Lappland can fuck off into a different mobile base about 'bringing back the old Texas'. The Texas right now is the one staying if I can do anything about it, because I think she is perfect the way she is!"

I took a few breathes to recollect myself. Texas stared at me wide-eyed, mouth slightly open in raw surprise at my rough language and sudden explosion of emotion. She didn't expect me to cut straight into it. Dancing around the issue and gently comforting her didn't feel like the proper way to deal with this, not for Texas at least. "If the past ever comes… I'll be right here to hit it right back with you. Just don't be afraid to knock." I said a little more calmly than before.

I didn't expect it but, tears built up slightly in the corners of her eyes. Her Lupo pride wouldn't let it go any further but with her already entering this discombobulated and unsure, she would be fragile enough to emotionally unveil a bit. She brought a hand up to wipe away the wetness in her eyes before it got any further. Her eyes were still red, but a natural beautiful smile covered her face instead. "Thank you, Doctor, I needed that." Her smile shifted into a frown as she contemplated, "I shouldn't let my emotions take hold me so easily, I don't know what happened."

"Don't worry about it to much, everyone has their moments." I tried to ease her worries.

"You're right but… I don't want it to affect my effectiveness." I couldn't tell her that she was wrong but,

"Letting it build up is equally as bad, Texas. Like I said before, don't be afraid to knock." I noticed another hour had ticked by making it one in the morning. Tomorrow, more like later today, was going to suck. "We should probably sleep." I suggested.

Unfolding herself, Texas partially stood up before hesitating, "Yes, we should to keep our energy up… Lappland might be in my room. I forgot to lock it on my way here." That would be a problem. The only reason she didn't break down her doors was because of the punishment that it would entail and due to the fact that we had the ability to administer it.

"Ummm." I wracked my brain for a solution. "Do you want to sleep in here for tonight? I could get you some blankets and a pillow to make a makeshift bed." Wait, what kind of gentleman am I? "Actually, scrap that idea." She was about to agree with me before I suddenly swapped my mind.

"Doctor? I don't min-" No.

"You can take my room, I'll sleep in here." She was obviously about to object at the idea of sleeping in my bed. "Hush, Doctor's orders. You don't get to object."

That didn't stop her though. Her stubbornness came through as she continued to refuse me, "I can't take your bed Doctor, that wouldn't be appropriate."

"Its not like I'm sleeping with you Texas." A sly grin was hidden underneath my helmet, "Unless that's what you want."

I watched her face gain a slight pink hue at what I was suggesting. She crossed her arms and glanced away from me, not meeting my eyes. "No! I-"

I over exaggeratingly slumped my chair, "Ah… So you're calling me unappealing… I see…" I murmured just loud enough for her to hear.

Normally, I doubt Texas would have been affected by my show, but tonight has been far from normal. "Doctor! You- I-." She threw her hands up in defeat. "Just give me your keycard before I stab you. You're as bad as Exusiai sometimes."

Pulling it over my neck I threw the keycard to the waiting wolf-girl. Snatching it out of the air she deftly turned around to leave the room. "Goodnight Texas." I said to her back.

She pressed the button to slide open the door but stopped before exiting out into the hall. She looked over her shoulder at where I had regained my posture. There was a brief pause before she decided to answer, "Thank you Doctor, and goodnight." With that, she left.

Right, I think that went well. So… How am I going to sleep in here?


If you want my Penguin Logistics Goon Squad.

Zelgius#0985

I just need clues, yeah?