Tsaritsa and the black-cloaked woman entered the halls of the Mountain to find the bunker falling apart. Cracks snaked their way along the walls and ceiling with some sections completely collapsing. The sound of groaning earth, shattering concrete, and exploding glass echoed around them as they quickly wove through the halls towards Zeldri's office. They didn't meet or hear another soul as they advanced. When they reached the door to Zeldri's office, the black-cloaked woman didn't bother trying to open it. Instead, she blasted the door; melting it with her plasma. "Knock-kno-!" As she tried to enter the room, bullets started pouring out of the doorway as MDR, AR-57, and UMP40 opened fire. Mondragon and A-545 remained stationary standing next to AA-12 who was still comforting the unconscious Zeldri in her lap. "Fuck!" she cursed and ducked behind the doorway.
"We need to hurry!" Tsaritsa yelled over the gunfire and collapsing bunker.
"I know!" the black-cloaked woman responded and re-primed her weapons. "How about this, pipsqueaks?!" Her weapons charged up and red lightning crackled out of the cooling vents of her weapons. With insane speed, the black-cloaked woman dove into the room and opened fire. Plasma tore through Dream Eater as they used their bodies to prioritize keeping AA-12 and Zeldri safe. "AHAHAHA! Not so tough when you have to use yourselves as shields!" She was very much enjoying gunning down Dream Eater for all the trouble they had caused her. The red lightning faded, and the black-cloaked woman stood triumphantly over the torn-apart bodies of MDR, AR-57, and UMP40 while Mondragon and A-545 collapsed to the floor behind the desk. "Now fo-!" Turning her attention to her objective, the black-cloaked woman was met with the barrel of a shotgun.
"Be quiet," AA-12 casually remarked as she unloaded point-blank into the black-cloaked woman's torso. When the gun clicked empty, AA-12 let it fall from her hand where it dissolved into smoke as it left her grasp. The black-cloaked woman fell to the floor clutching her body as she tried to hold her form together. "Was that your best bet?" she called out as Tsaritsa entered the room. Raising her hand, smoke swirled around and formed a fully loaded AA-12 shotgun.
"Not even close." As AA-12 fired, Tsaritsa snapped her fingers. The slug round stopped just before hitting Tsaritsa. With a flick of her wrist, the slug turned around and shot back at AA-12.
"Tch," AA-12 clicked her tongue in annoyance as her shield rig materialized and deflected the shot. She glanced down at the writhing black-cloaked woman and muttered, "To think you actually gave her privileges?"
"What can I say except: go fuck yourself," the black-cloaked woman spat.
"Hmm?" A movement to AA-12's left caught her eye. "Well, it doesn't matter."
"...!" Tsaritsa and the black-cloaked woman's eyes widened in shock as A-545 clawed her way to her feet despite having holes burned through her body.
"While your use of abilities caught me off-guard," AA-12 admitted with a tired sigh, "You are still outclassed. Nothing you do matters. Nothing you try matters. This isn't your world, it's min-!" With AA-12 distracted, and the world coming apart, the leash loosened just enough for the angered snake to strike.
"...What?" Tsaritsa was stunned as she watched A-545 grab one of her ice axes, spin around, and impale it into a horrified AA-12's head. The assault rifle t-doll threw all her weight into the strike which completely smashed AA-12's head in. Sparks and oil stained the chair and wall behind as A-545 ripped what remained of the head off the body and tossed it aside. She stumbled as she attempted to stay on her feet.
"...Hah!" the black-cloaked woman painfully laughed, "Damned snake isn't even loyal to her."
"..." Cautiously, Tsaritsa started to approach Zeldri's unconscious body while she kept an eye on A-545. "Shit!" But, said caution was thrown to the wind when A-545 turned towards Zeldri and raised the ice axe into the air.
"No you don't!" the black-cloaked woman used the last of her strength to aim and fire her weapon at A-545. The t-doll was pelted by the plasma but forced herself to continue the strike.
"No!" Tsaritsa dove towards Zeldri. If she could just reach him first. "Zeldri-"
"-Wake up."
"...Huh?" Zeldri coughed a few times as he opened his eyes. He blinked a few times and looked around to find himself sitting in the back of a car. The outside world was a blur of moving light. Sitting next to him was his father, Artyom.
"Already exhausted before the party's even started?" Artyom teased as he looked at his watch.
"Considering we'll be sitting through multiple speeches? Yes." Zeldri rubbed the sleep from his eyes and the world came into focus. He and his father were driving through the city on their way to a conference being held by the KCCO where they would announce a joint operation with Griffin & Kryuger. The operation would be two-fold: to show the unity of state and PMC, and to assault Sangvis Ferri with a united push to capture the Sangvis Mastermind and end this conflict once and for all.
"We can't help that," Artyom gave an annoyed groan as he looked out the window, "If we don't do this, the press will find ways to slip into the area of operation to 'get the scoop'. We can at least placate them with speeches and a conference beforehand to make our job easier in the long run. We don't need some journalist sneaking onto the battlefield."
"Yeah..." Zeldri leaned back in his seat and stared out the window at the passing cityscape. While the conference was mostly for the press, he had been invited due to his background as a former member of the KCCO and his current job at Griffin. Another poster of unity for the press to eat up. Though, he heard the sector 09 Commander would also be here due to their heavy involvement with fighting Sangvis as well as their extensive time with the AR-Team. He still wanted to meet them at least once since he wasn't able to during the Parapluie meeting.
"Get your 'press release' face on," Artyom tapped Zeldri's shoulder as their car pulled up to the conference venue.
"...Ugh." Zeldri gave one last groan of annoyance before lightly slapping his cheeks and following his father out of the car. The main hall was packed with people mingling with one another, journalists and photographers capturing the moments, and crews working on getting the stage ready for the speeches to begin. "Looks like we're early."
"Gotta get the best drinks before they're all gone," Artyom gave a playful wink to his son as he led him to the refreshments table. Zeldri gave a tired smile as his father continued, "It'll also help when the speeches star-...Berezovich!" Artyom suddenly diverted course as a large smile overtook his face when he caught sight of Kryuger near the table.
"Mmm?" Kryuger looked over to see who called him, and he smiled as Artyom and Zeldri approached. "Artyom," Kryuger's tone was more friendly than Zeldri had ever heard as he and Artyom gave each other a firm handshake. "It's been too long."
"Well, my work in the FSB and you leading a company doesn't give either of us much time for ourselves." Artyom laughed and Kryuger's expression relaxed at the sight of his old friend. "Though, I'm glad to see you're taking good care of my son despite it all."
"He's proven himself quite the asset to the company, I'm glad to have him." Kryuger diverted his attention to Zeldri and his tone became more professional. "Don't let that go to your head, though, Commander."
"I never considered it, Sir," Zeldri responded and gave a slight bow.
"Oh, come on!" Artyom shoved a glass of alcohol into both Zeldri's and Kryuger's hands. "The press is focused on Carter and some other officers right now, would you two relax a bit?"
"..." Zeldri looked over to where his father gestured to see multiple news outlets hoarding around a group of military personnel with General Carter standing in the middle of them. "He's got a good 'press release' face."
"Years of experience will do that to you," Kryuger remarked as he took a sip of his drink.
"Mmm." Zeldri took a sip of his drink before asking, "Is the Commander from sector 09 not here? I don't see them with you."
"Them?" Kryuger glanced over to Zeldri as he responded, "I let them mingle in the hall, so they're around. You should be able to find them if you go looking since they're also in uniform."
"Then, I'll excuse myself." Zeldri finished his drink and put the empty glass down.
"Don't mingle too long." While Kryuger controlled his expression, a hint of amusement bled into his voice. "It's not nice to keep a woman waiting."
"WHAT?!" Artyom spat out his drink and went into a coughing fit as he tried to control himself.
"Then, I will take my leave."
"Wait-*cough* *cough*-what do you-!" As Artyom tried to stop his son, Kryuger put an arm around him and started leading him away.
"We've still got time before the speeches start, Artyom, we haven't caught up in a while." It was blatantly obvious what Kryuger was doing, Artyom would've stuck to his son's side otherwise, so Zeldri silently thanked him as he left. Zeldri initially thought finding someone wearing a red overcoat with a Griffin logo on it would be easy.
"...Are they a ghost?" It was not easy. No matter where he looked, he couldn't find the sector 09 Commander anywhere. "Maybe they're getting lost in the crowd?"
"Zeldri!"
"Hmm?" Hearing a familiar voice, Zeldri turned to his old CO approaching him. "Colonel Tsroski!" Zeldri reflexively gave a salute.
"At ease, Zeldri," Tsroski said and Zeldri relaxed his stance. "How's Griffin treating you?"
"Good, Sir. I've been blessed with the opportunity to continue the fight despite my circumstances."
"...Good." While Tsroski held a smile on his face, his words were hesitant. "So... You're joining the operation, then?"
"Of course," Zeldri replied, "While another commander will be leading the operation, myself and others will be helping micromanage the t-dolls so as not to slow down the operation."
"I see..." Tsroski swirled the drink he held and looked at Zeldri with an almost pleading look. "You shouldn't push yourself, remember. You will be in the frontlines during the operation, and with your leg that might be too much."
"...Are you suggesting I don't take part in the operation?" Zeldri had known Tsroski for years, and this was the first time he'd heard the man ever try and take him off the battlefield. "With all due respect, Sir, I need to be a part of this. Finally, ending Sangvis Ferri? I can't miss that, even if my leg still hurts!"
"Zeldri-"
"I, for one, like this man's enthusiasm." Someone new approached and joined the conversation. He was a man in his early forties and wore a gray suit and black tie. Seeing Zeldri raise an eyebrow at him, the man introduced himself, "Oliver Minx, representative of Zeratul Pharmaceuticals. My apologies for butting in, but I believe commander Artyomavich here would be an invaluable asset to the upcoming operation, colonel Tsroski."
"A pharmaceutical company?" Zeldri kept his eyebrow raised and looked to Tsroski for an explanation.
"Yes," Tsroski explained, "Zeratul, while a German company, has made great strides in the field of medicine. And, because their CEO is a Rossartrist, they have offered the Neo-Soviet Union contracts for said medicine as a way to help all those in need."
"Indeed, and my appearance here is to also see how you Soviets will finally end a threat to humanity." Minx smiled warmly, though Zeldri could tell it was a perfectly practiced business smile meant to ease a client's mind. "Which is why I believe having every available asset on the field could only help. As one of Griffin & Kryuger's representatives, Commander Artyomavich, I took the liberty of looking into your background. And, if you'd like, I can even offer you and your base an exclusive contract as you're so out of the way on the border of a yellow zone in the Urals."
"...While I appreciate the sentiment, Mr. Minx, I will have to decline your offer." The Mountain was a place of secrets, so having some foreign pharmaceutical company walking around was something Zeldri wouldn't let happen. "Thankfully, the Urals acts as a natural containment wall between us and the adjacent yellow zone. So, an increased intake of medicine isn't necessary."
"I see," while Minx held his smile, Zeldri swore he heard a hint of annoyance in his voice. "While a shame, I will not push as this isn't a place for delicate business deals." He gave a shrug. "If you ever change your mind, feel free to reach out to us. We at Zeratul Pharmaceuticals are always creating possibilities in this new world for all those in need." With that, Minx gave a respectful bow and walked off into the crowd.
"...Be careful of that one, Zeldri," Tsroski spoke when he was sure Minx was out of earshot. "While they are helping the Union, Zeratul Pharmaceuticals has been one of the major players in Europe. You did well in refusing them, but watch yourself."
"I will." Zeldri watched Minx until he disappeared into the crowd and turned back to Tsroski. "In either case, I will be joining the operation, Colonel. And, if you will excuse me, I must be going."
"Very well." Tsroski didn't hold up Zeldri any longer and let him leave. As he watched Zeldri go, Tsroski muttered under his breath, "...Take care, Zeldri."
"..." Zeldri went back to his search for the sector 09 commander, but eventually gave up and meandered outside to get some fresh air when Carter started giving his speech. Maybe they were avoiding him, for some reason? There was a cool breeze that gently caressed his cheeks as it blew past which brought with it the various smells of the city as many places got ready for the dinner rush. "...Huh?" Another thing that came with the wind was the unmistakable sound of singing. Following the sound led Zeldri to around back of the venue where a small fire had been started in a barrel with some men standing around it that Zeldri recognized. One of them had a guitar and was singing an all too familiar tune.
За это мы боремся.
Ради этого мы умираем.
Отпусти меня снова домой.
Дорогая бабочка.
(For this, we fight.
For this, we die.
Let me go home again.
Dear butterfly.)
"...Huh? Zeldri!" One of the men standing around the fire was his old friend Peter. "Holy shit, how are you?!" He immediately ran over and gave Zeldri a hug before dragging him over to the fire. Zeldri recognized some of the people as his former comrades while others were new to him.
"Terribly bored of speeches."
"Then you've come to the right place!" Peter took a bottle of vodka from one of the backpacks laying around and handed it to Zeldri.
Дым, который мы сделали, затмил солнце.
Рев, который мы издали, оглушил пушки.
(The smoke we made has eclipsed the sun.
The roars we gave have deafened the guns.)
"How's life as a 'Commander' treating you?" Peter slapped Zeldri's shoulder and added with a sly grin, "Dicked any robots, yet?" The men around them started chuckling to themselves.
"Nah, I'm not a pedo like you." While Zeldri gave a joking answer, a part of him was uncomfortable with Peter's attitude towards his dolls. But, this wasn't the time or place for philosophical debates, so he deflected it with humor.
"Сука (Bitch)!" Peter raised his glass as a mock attempt to knock Zeldri over the head with it, but Zeldri casually deflected it with his forearm crutch. The men roared with laughter as the jovial mood continued.
Это было один или два раза?
Я забыл твой совет.
Теперь мы в бегах.
(Was it once or twice?
I forgot your advice.
Now we're on the run.)
"What about you?" Zeldri asked after taking a swig of vodka. "How's Jacob handling things?"
"..." The soldiers fell silent and the mood darkened. Peter forced a smile on his face as he stared into the fire. "Jacob's gone."
"..."
За это вы боретесь.
За это я плачу.
Пожалуйста, вернись домой.
Потерянная бабочка.
(For this, you fight.
For this, I cry.
Please come home again.
Lost butterfly.)
"...Scavs?"
"Nah," Peter shook his head and took a swig of vodka as Zeldri passed him the bottle, "Sangvis. Bastards have some new tech now. Fucks aren't even trying to hide anymore and are sending completely white dolls against us."
"White dolls?" Zeldri thought back to his encounters with Sangvis and all the reports he kept up to date on, but he couldn't recall any stating Sangvis as using white dolls.
Ваш стул за столом всегда накрыт.
Ваша фотография на столе всегда вызывает сожаление.
(Your chair at the table is always set.
Your picture on the table is always regret.)
"Yeah... So, I'm leading things now." Peter passed the bottle to the next person. "And, I immediately regret all the shit I gave you knowing what I do now about leading these chucklefucks." He attempted to bring the jovial mood back, and some of the men flicked him off.
"Get used to it," Zeldri chuckled, "That's one of the 'perks' of being a leader."
Это было один или два раза?
Я дал тебе совет.
Живи или умри, просто беги.
(Was it once or twice?
I gave you advice.
Live or die, just run.)
"..." Zeldri stared into the fire and felt his mind wander. As he did, the world stuttered. The singing soldier lost his voice and the guitar became muffled over the fire.
"Say," Peter asked as he stared into the fire, "Do you remember Jacob's obsession with callouts?"
"Huh?" Zeldri thought back and, at first, didn't remember anything, but something in the back of his mind said it was true. "I think so?"
"Ah, I was wondering if you remembered his favorite. I wanna use it as a way to remember him, you know?"
"..." Zeldri thought back until his mind gave him an answer. "I remember Zulu Three was his go-to." Everything froze and all sound stopped as the world processed what he said. "Another one was-"
"Commander." A voice from behind caught his attention and Zeldri turned to see a young girl in a white dress with long brown hair.
"...Y-"
"You shouldn't keep a woman waiting."
"...!" Now that Zeldri thought about it, this strange girl's words were right. "Well," he said and turned his attention back to Peter, "I'd love to stay longer, but I've got somewhere to be."
"Don't tell me you're leaving us for some girl?" Peter joked, but when Zeldri silently smiled at him all the soldiers gathered started letting off joking cries of mockery.
"Ooooh~!" they all mocked.
"Shove it up your asses," Zeldri said and flicked them off one last time before leaving. As he passed the strange girl he gave her a friendly smile, "Thanks, kid." He didn't know her, but she got him back on track so she probably wasn't a bad kid.
"Of course," she replied and watched him leave. Once he left, she approached the fire. None of the soldiers reacted to her presence. As the flames reflected off her eyes, she snapped her fingers to cause the world to resume, and somberly finished their song.
За это мы боремся.
За это ты умрешь.
Пожалуйста, вернись домой.
Моя бабочка.
(For this, we fight.
For this, you die.
Please come home again.
My butterfly.)
Zeldri walked a few blocks away from the venue towards the meeting location. The sun was still setting which bathed the city in gentle orange light. Zeldri enjoyed being in the white zones as his time there reminded him why he fought. People wandered the streets without a care in the world. Some were taking their dogs for walks while it was still somewhat bright out. Friends gathered to enjoy quality time together. And, couples got together to enjoy a long night.
"You're here."
"..." As Zeldri approached, he was greeted by Helian who was wearing a red dress and ivory jacket. The sunlight danced across her face as it peaked through the buildings. "Did you wait long?"
"No," Helian said and hooked her arm around Zeldri's good arm. This instantly gave away her lie as Zeldri could feel how cold the jacket already was even through his coat.
"Then, let's start with dinner," Zeldri said and led Helian through the city to begin enjoying their night.