Płońsk a Polish city marked as a red zone. A decadent-looking place, without human soldiers with the streets overflowing with corpses, men killed by humandroids probably. When Team EXPIATIO arrived on the location, they immediately started looking for Alchemist but for some reason neither she nor even Sangvis Ferri's enemy troops came out.
Makarov, at the head of the team, ordered the Dolls to patrol the area. PA-15 and 9A-91 checked some abandoned buildings while SCW and Makarov searched for survivors, meanwhile OTs-14 was on guard and awaiting an attack by Alchemist; AA-12, disgusted by the vision of those dead bodies, moved away until reaching a gigantic chasm at least two hundred meters wide and twenty deep, a bomb seemed to have exploded there; to her right, AA-12 saw that there were other smaller craters along the way, she came over to check and at that moment she felt the ground under her feet tremble, a metallic noise was getting stronger, something was approaching her at very high speed. Suddenly a Manticore came out opening a path between two buildings; the machine aimed its cannon at AA-12 which, shocked, immediately took cover. The other T-Dolls heard the explosion caused by the shot and reached the Manticore.

" A fucking Manticore! " SCW yelled.

" Fuck yeah! " PA-15 exulted excited.

" You shouldn't be happy, you know. " Commented 9A-91.

" Why? The harder it is, the better! "

" Okay, girls, the important thing is not to ... "

The Manticore fired another shot, the T-Dolls managed to dodge the attack just in time. OTs-14 patted Makarov on the shoulder, winked at her and collided directly against the Manticore with PA-15 and AA-12; Makarov, shocked, was speechless to see those girls behave in such a crazy way.

" So what's the important thing? " Asked SCW to Makarov.

" Just ... try not to die, okay? "

" You're so dramatic, Makarov! Look at the bright side! " Exclaimed OTs-14 after dodging the attack of the Manticore. " If we manage to get out of this alive you'll make a good figure as a leader! "

OTs-14 started shooting at the machine while PA-15 jumped to get on it and shoot it at the weak points; AA-12 positioned herself behind the Manticore and started shooting. The Manticore targeted OTs-14 and another shot was fired but the girl was able to dodge the attack with an agile jump to the left.

" Don't get killed, okay? " AA-12 said, OTs-14 replied by raising her middle finger. " There's no need to be so rude. " AA-12 saw PA-15 get off the Manticore and said. " If you jump on it again maybe we could find a way to hit it where it hurts the most. "

" Ah, ah, ah! That would be great! Another ride! " PA-15 exclaimed jumping over the Manticore again, at that moment 9A-91 and SCW fired at the machine to distract it and to allow OTs-14 to recover her strength. PA-15 managed to damage the cannon by shooting at it but the Manticore didn't stop moving and ran towards SCW and 9A-91 and then AA-12 arrived and raised her shields to stop the Manticore running.

" Seriously ... how the hell is it possible that Sangvis Ferri has ... always the biggest toys? " AA-12 was in trouble, the Manticore kept pushing and the girl could no longer resist but at that moment OTs-14 came and shot a leg of the machine, the Manticore stopped and PA-15 targeted the other leg of the machine and destroyed it.

" Destroy it! " Exclaimed Makarov.

AA-12 destroyed the Manticore definitively. With the end of the battle, the T-Dolls let out a sigh of relief but knew that the mission had to go on. The team resumed their march and after two hours of walking they stopped in an old toy shop. SCW immediately got comfortable to be able to take a quick nap while PA-15 started looking for old toys to play; 9A-91 remained by Makarov's side who glanced at a digital map of the city.
OTs-14 left the building to find a liquor store or a bar, AA-12 followed her with Makarov's permission.

" So ... is this something you do often? " Asked AA-12.

" What are you talking about? "

" Looking for alcohol. "

" Only when I'm bored. Also I'm not looking for "alcohol" but wine and not just any wine but good wine. "

" Ah, so it's a completely different story. I see … " She said in an ironic tone.

" Why are you following me? " Asked OTs-14, suspicious .

" Because I don't want you to get into trouble because of your stupidity. " AA-12 replied putting the lollipop in her mouth. " Besides, I'm aware of your fame and therefore I know that in a completely theoretical way you could fight alone, but ... I don't trust you. "

" Tell me one thing: you don't trust me, you behave in a grumpy way towards me and it's clear that you don't like me, yet you follow me. Can I know why? "

" People like you only bring trouble. You like to challenge authority, you like to feel the best ... but because of your arrogance you end up having your teammates killed. "

" I see you like to say idiocies. "

" So the accident in Moscow was a coincidence? You have no responsibility? "

" I know my responsibilities. " Said OTs-14 turning to AA-12. " I'm good at killing and I kill. I'm the best on the battlefield and I've proven it several times. I'm not a rebel and I don't try to resist authority, I simply act following my instinct. "

" And where did your instinct take you? In an abandoned weapons factory where you found a device that brings corpses to life? That's all? I inquired about your account, OTs-14 ... and while giving the idea of being a stable girl you behave in an anomalous way. "

" There's a connection with Griffin & Kryuger, I'm sure of it. "

" Do you have any evidence? "

" No, not yet, but I'm sure Griffin & Kryuger has something to do with those devices I've found and if

I'm right ... "

" If you're right what happens? "

" If I'm right, it means that perhaps my other suspicions may be well founded, so it means that Griffin & Kryuger isn't totally innocent. "

" Aaah, now I understand what's going on here. " AA-12 approached OTs-14. " Now I understand why Alchemist is interested in you. You're on the line, you're one step away from the abyss, a single push and you could betray us. Now things are clearer. "

" What do you mean? " Asked OTs-14, worried.

" It means that we're not friends. If you act suspiciously I'll make a hole in your skull. "

OTs-14 and AA-12 reached a bar and entered without problems. There was no enemy around and Makarov had not sent any requests for help. OTs-14 started looking for wine on the shelves while AA-12 lurked near the door to watch over OTs as well. Looking at her one didn't have the impression that she was an evil girl, during the battle she had shown that she had the well-being of her teammates at heart, she was very professional and knew how to stay calm during a battle, she didn't give the impression of being a defective or problematic T-Doll.
Then, AA-12, observed the reflection of OTs-14 on a mirror placed on the wall and noticed that the girl's eyes were particular: they weren't simply sad they were melancholy and also pained. AA-12 had already seen such a look ... but where?

" Nothing. " Said OTs-14 in a disappointed tone.

" So can we go? "

" Yes, let's go back to Makarov. "

The two girls left the bar and AA-12, behind OTs-14, constantly brooded over that particular look that she had seen. Those were the eyes of a person who no longer had anything to love, those were the eyes of a person that was surrounded by the darkness of her heart resigned to pain, a look that wanted to take refuge in the past and let the future die.