Girl's Frontline: Field Agent

by Johnny Wycliffe

Sometimes, life comes at you like an explosion through the storefront. A young man, Hadwin Galanis, finds this out the hard way as his life is turned upside-down by a PMC and Paradeus, forced to pick up a gun and fight in a war fought by machines.

15. Chapter 15: Plan A

I take a deep breath.

It's showtime.

I stepped out of the car G&K had fixed up. In the evening gloom, you can't tell it was abandoned and left to rot for 15 years. At least, not from the outside. The inside left a lot to be desired, but should hold up to casual scrutiny.

I straighten my tie, pat the inner pocket containing my new pistol, and look at the building that we're going to be infiltrating. An imposing sight, solid tan stone with fortifications making me think it's rather closer to a fort or castle than a mansion. The sky is still a bit red, the sun almost consumed by the trees.

I'm wearing the suit G&K provided, though ironically, I ended up needing Five-seveN and FAL's advice on how to wear it properly. I have a black silk handkerchief tucked into my pocket just so, cufflinks on, tie pin at the perfect height, and shoes shined to perfection.

Five-seveN insisted on cutting my hair and styling it, fading the sides and using copious amounts of gel to get it to point forwards, as well as giving me a nice shave to finally release me from my growing facial hair. This was all in service of not letting me be "un véritable désastre de la mode" which… probably means walking disaster.

"Ready?" I glance back to see AK-12, civilian name Lucia.

She's dressed in her navy gown which joins below her navel and has a metal exoskeleton around her bosom, black high heels with more metal twisted around her ankle, and a necklace made to look similar, with an emerald jewel held at the base of her throat. She scans the entire building once and then shuts her eyes, a smile placed on her features. "Yes, ready."

"Is 404 in position?" I ask, checking the bulky black watch that's way too expensive for my taste.

"Yes." M200 is in the black dress she wore yesterday. With the hair decoration and the platform boots, it's a lot more impressive than it was before. "Miss UMP 9 tells me that they're waiting for our go ahead."

"Right, thanks M2- uh, Cherry."

M200 curtsies, already into the role.

I turn back to check on the others as they slip from the car.

AN-94's dress is black on top, coming to a point at her throat and held up by a loop of fabric around her neck. The bottom flares out slightly, fading to a transparent maroon like the color of the fabric faded, but done so nicely to be clearly intentional. Her civilian name is apparently Antia.

OTs-14's wearing a black dress as well, but it's also the brightest with its golden thread weaved into patterns on the crushed velvet. The top of the dress ends in a mesh that wraps around her neck and some heels that put her slightly taller and closer to the height I imagined her to be complete the outfit. All in all, she looks like she stepped out of a painting. Her name for this operation is Groza, which is actually what she's called around base too.

Last but not least, P90 steps out and takes in her surroundings. She's once again going by Chloe and currently has no holograms activated, saving her energy for later. Kalina had procured a dress in black with subtle green tinting, matching everyone's style. P90's dress looks almost like it's made of a bunch of layers crossing over itself, a chaotic pattern that I have to say fits her personality.

We're certainly a matching group. I wonder if I should take a picture to send to Mom and Dad. And maybe to Rakim, just to see his head explode.

"Hey, Hadwin." P90 steps up to my side, interrupting my thoughts, and observes the building. "Did you notice the cameras?"

"Nope." I follow her gaze to see some black domes. "Well, those are inconvenient."

"Not really." She shrugs. "We're supposed to be seen."

"Right."

M200 hauls her guitar case out of the car and throws it over her shoulder. Not sure if security is going to allow her to bring it in, but the closer to the building it is the better.

Once we have all of our stuff out of the vehicle, AK-12 hands the key to the valet and we head up the stairs into the mansion.

P90 leans in. "Hey Haddy, which one do you want?"

"Huh?"

She points to M200 and Groza. "You've got to escort one of them, right?"

I grin at her. "I could escort you."

She snorts. "Right. That'd leave Cherry to escort Groza and that's just sad."

"What about-" I turn around to see AK-12 leading a heavily blushing AN-94 by the arm. "Nevermind. I'll escort Cherry."

P90 nods, stepping around behind the duo to offer her arm to the golden beauty.

I approach M200 and offer my arm in the same manner, only to realize M200's holding the guitar case in both hands.

"Er… is that heavy?" I ask her.

"No." She lets go with one hand, allowing it to swing freely. "It would be heavy for a human girl of my stature though."

"I see." I frown. "Here, let me hold it."

She looks up at me. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. After all, what kind of guy would I be to let a young woman struggle with her burdens?"

She sets down the case with a bemused look. "I think that's from a movie, right?"

"Well, yes. But, I mean it anyway." I reach down and pick up the case, almost toppling over from how heavy it is. It must weigh like 20 kilos! "What's in here, rocks?"

"Not quite. My rifle is 15 kilos, the rest of it is ammo and a guitar."

"...I see." I hook the remarkably sturdy strap over my shoulder and once more offer my free arm.

She takes it, a faint blush on her cheeks, and we approach the entrance to the building.

A security guard holds up his hand as we approach. "Names?"

"Hadwin Galanis."

"Cherry Tak."

I'm thrown off slightly by her last name. Tak?

The guard scans the list for a few seconds before shaking his head. "I don't see you on the list."

I try not to let the stress show on my face. "...Are you sure? We're invited, so we should be on the list-"

"Ruslan, you have the old list." A woman steps out from the shadows, handing him a new datapad. "What were your names again?"

"Hadwin Galanis and Cherry Tak." M200 responds.

"Well, you're on here." Ruslan scratches his head. "Okay, I'm going to need to search inside that guitar case."

Uh-oh.

"Ruslan, I'll handle the inspection." The woman pulls us aside as the next pair steps up, P90 and Groza. "Please don't hold up the line for this."

He sighs. "Yes, ma'am."

When I pass the woman, I mouth "Thank you, Lee."

The Englishwoman doll smiles. Commander Gentiane had recommended her for the mission, and when asked, she had been happy to join as part of the staff. I thought they were going to be waitresses with the term "wait staff" but I guess they should've just said "staff".

Gotta keep an eye out for the others as well.

Lee Enfield opens the guitar case, ignores the suspicious bit of foam poking up in the rough form of a rifle, inspects the guitar and sets it back in the case. "All clean."

"Thank you." I reach for the guitar case, but M200 grabs it before I can pull it up.

"I'll put it aside so it's not in the way." She says quietly, pointing to the stage across the room.

Now that I'm paying attention… there's gotta be two hundred people here, with more still arriving. M200's gonna have to push through that?

I look down at her. "Need me to run interference?"

She shakes her head. "I'll be fine. We need to send a signal to 9 though."

Right. I pat M200's head, careful not to disturb her hair, and look around to see if I can find a spot to talk to UMP 9. They're waiting for my signal, and the sooner we're done with the whack job of a mission, the better.

"Hadwin." I look up to see Commander Gentiane in formal attire. She's here as a representative of G&K, so she's still wearing her uniform. I briefly try to imagine her in a dress, but my imagination fails me. "Come here for a second."

"Okay." I follow her as she winds her way through the crowd, effortlessly slipping between the crush of bodies. When I finally catch up at the destination, I realize I'm next to a table with three people sitting at it. Two of them, a man and a woman, I don't recognize. The third, Angelia in heavy makeup, with long white gloves that come up to her elbows. With that entire getup, she looks like a complete human.

Commander Gentiane points to a seat and pulls out her own seat right next to the one she had indicated for me to sit in, then begins introductions. "Madam Helian, Mister Havier, this is the new Field Agent I took on." Gentiane then turns to me. "Hadwin, these two are Mister Havier, our beneficiary, and Madam Helian, the CEO of G&K. You already know Angelia."

"Acting CEO." Madam Helian corrects.

"Yeah, yeah." Commander Gentiane grumbles.

"Uh… Nice to meet you." I shake both of their hands in turn.

"Nice to meet you as well." The old man's mouth curls into a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Charmed." Madam Helian's monocle seems to be staring into my soul.

Commander Gentiane taps my shoulder. "We can't talk for long, but I wanted you to know these two. Please try not to get in their way."

I nod. "Of course."

"Also," She leans in very close, words tickling my ear. "New frequency, 622.30."

"Got it." I mutter back. "Well, nice to meet you all, but I need to go." I glance around between them.

"I look forward to meeting you again, young man." Havier says.

"We will be talking after this event is over." Madam Helian nods.

I don't know if she meant it to, but that sounded a lot like a threat.

I take my leave and once again start pushing through the crowds. I have to find a nice quiet spot-

P90's arm shoots out from between two partygoers, dragging me into a group of people who are all talking with a circle of clear space in the middle.

P90 and Groza along with several other guests in the area are each holding a glass of champagne obtained from a waiter traveling around the floor with a platter of said drinks. Nobody I recognize but whatever.

"See? Right here." P90 gestures to me.

Everyone looks at me expectantly.

I turn to P90. "Chloe, what's going on?"

"We're discussing partners." She gives me an amused grin.

"...Okay?" I look around at the still expectant faces. If P90's trying to communicate something to me without the others figuring it out, I'm lost.

"I just wanted to prove you're real." She tips the glass of champagne so she can take a sip. "So, now that we're done with that-" She grabs my arm and pulls me in close. Bringing her face right next to mine. A kissing sound comes from her direction, but I don't actually feel anything. "-go grab us some food, okay?"

"Alright." I try to keep my expression neutral. We have a backstory in place, but that's not it. She's clearly up to something, but it's probably better to play along for now. "Anything in particular that you want?"

"Shellfish would be nice."

Groza raises a hand. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like something too."

"Yeah, yeah." I make my way out of the circle, and then head for the food tables along one wall, pushing through the ever denser crowd. Actually, it's so dense now that I could probably…

First, I take out my phone and adjust the earpiece's settings, before tucking the phone away. I then disguise pressing the transmit button tucked behind my ear by scratching. "9, you're good to go. We're in, no problems." I keep an eye out, but everyone else is being too loud and not paying attention.

"Roger! We'll be coming in by the west entrance."

"Got it." I stop touching my ear and look back towards the food table. I see M200 in line and head straight for her.

"Hey Cherry."

She looks up. "Hadwin. Everyone's here?"

"Yeah. Chloe and Groza are asking me to grab them food, they've already found a group to hang with."

"Hmm." She looks at the food table for a second. "Do you need help?"

I hesitate. "I could use some help, yeah."

"Okay." She gestures for me to step into line beside her and I oblige.

"So, have your guitar ready for later?" I ask after a few seconds.

"I stored it in the back room. I met someone on the staff who told me that if I was any good, I'd have a place in later proceedings." She smiles softly. "I played a bit on their guitar and he gave me a thumbs up to go."

"Oh yeah? Good for you!" I pat her head once more. Like G11, she seems to like it, though I still have to be mindful not to ruin her hairdo. "I can't wait to hear you play."

"I think I might be getting nervous." She glances around at the people around. "I generally play for only a few people."

"Oh, you'll do fine. I've heard only good things about your playing."

"Thank you."

"Er, do you know when you're going to be playing?"

"Probably in half an hour or so. It sounds like someone else cancelled."

Half an hour. Should I relay that to 404?

"I see. Is there anyone before you?"

She shrugs. "I didn't see a list of performers or anything."

"Shame." I blow out my lips. "Okay. Well, I'll tell everyone you're performing soon then."

"I- I understand." She hesitates. "Maybe don't tell everyone. It's a lot of pressure."

"Ah, I'll hold back then."

"Thanks."

The back of her hand briefly touches mine, up until we move forward to the buffet table and we split to either side.

I find some shrimp and some muscles for P90, then fill up her plate with other stuff that I guess she'd like. I also put a few things on my own plate, but not very much. I didn't really realize it until now, but my stomach is pretty upset right now, probably due to stress.

I'm not really cut out for this infiltration stuff. I feel like the crowd is starting to press in, resulting in me shrinking. In fact, I'm not really cut out for any of this soldier crap. I'm kinda surprised I was able to get this far without getting seriously injured.

Wait, my leg broke, and I almost died again when I got it fixed. Hmm. Okay, I'm surprised I made it this far without dying.

M200 shows up from the other side of the table, a plate in each hand. I nod for her to follow. She bumps me after a second, careful not to spill her plates or upset my balance. "Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"Your face looks like you're really worried."

"Crap." I try to screw my features into a convincing smile, but I don't think it works that well. "Sorry, just thinking about things."

"Well…" She gives me an adorable smile. "Don't worry about anything right now. We're at a party!"

I want to be sarcastic and reply that I need to keep an eye out for 404, but I realize that until they actually call for me, I can't do anything, and being super tense isn't going to help my disguise.

If only it was as easy as just telling myself to relax.

We approach the circle that P90 and Groza are part of and I gently poke P90 with her plate.

P90 turns around. "Oh, there you are! What did you get me?"

"Shrimp and muscles." I offer up the plate.

"Awesome!" She grabs the plastic fork and starts digging in.

"Who's this?" One of the other people in the circle asks, pointing at M200.

"Oh." I look down at the smaller girl at my side. According to the backstory we made up before coming here-

"I'm his sister." M200 says politely. "Nice to meet you."

That's not the backstory we made up. Between her and P90, I'm starting to get a bit uneasy.

"Really? You don't look like siblings."

Indeed, M200 has gray hair and light pink eyes, and my hair is black and my eyes are as dark as they get.

"I'm adopted." M200 adapts her story on the fly.

I place my hand on her shoulder in what I hope is a brotherly fashion. Just pretend she's Lexi, they're about the same age, so just act the same way.

P90 steps up on M200's other side. "Soon she'll be my little sister as well, isn't that right?"

"Yes!" M200 beams.

...What. How are they able to coordinate-

Oh right. The Zener network.

"Oh, Chloe, guess what!" M200's face is animated like nothing I've ever seen on her. "I asked the music guy and I get to play on the stage!"

"Really? That's awesome!" P90 says.

"It's excellent that your skills are being acknowledged." Groza says politely. "I'm looking forward to watching you."

"Can't wait." I agree.

Now, I really should be eating my own food, but I'm still not hungry-

A familiar face melts out of the crowd. "Excuse me, is there a Hadwin Galanis here?"

I raise my hand. "Yes?"

NTW-20, dressed as a particularly stoic maid, bows graciously. "If you would follow me, your presence is requested."

"...Okay, hang on one second." I hand my plate to P90. "Here, if I'm not back in ten minutes, feel free to eat this too."

"What, not scared I'll be too fat to fit into my wedding dress?"

I stare at her for a second before recovering from the surprise announcement, thankfully covered up by the local crowd "ooooh"ing. "You're not going to get fat from a few extra sandwiches."

She sticks her tongue out at me playfully, and I shake my head and follow after NTW.

"What was Chloe talking about?" NTW-20 asks once we're clear of the group.

"It looks like she's taken her character off-script. Right now she's my girlfriend, or fiance, or whatever. Cherry's my sister." I sigh. "I hope nobody else is going to toss me curveballs."

"I don't think you should hold on to much hope." NTW shakes her head. "P90's a prankster, so she'll be doing that all night if you let her."

"Fun." I glance around. "By the way, what's going on?"

"Some of our guests are having trouble." She says cryptically and from that I infer that she means 404. "They specifically requested your assistance."

"I have a radio for a reason." I mutter. "Okay, lead me there."

NTW nods, increasing her pace.

The small radios Kalina had procured are not compatible with the Zener network, locked into a fairly noisy frequency for stealth, and generally a pain to work with. She had found four of them, and they're distributed to Me, Commander Gentiane, UMP 9, and MP40 who's the leader of Echelon six, handling the operation outside.

NTW leads me towards the back of the hall, then gestures for me to head into a door marked staff only.

I head in and NTW closes the door behind me. I press a finger to my ear. "9?"

From down the hall, I can hear a voice drifting down the hall. "-and I would be SO grateful if you'd just let us by-"

That's 9's voice. I walk towards it as someone else, a man this time, starts to speak.

"Yeah… I don't think I can let you through." The man sounds apologetic. "We're trying to run a tight ship here."

"But, my brother is in there." G11's voice sounds like she's about to cry.

I turn the corner and spot a man in a security guard's uniform and four girls on one side huddled together.

It takes me a second to realize it's 404, since they've put some effort into disguising themselves.

9 and UMP 45 are dressed in similar dresses, both black as the night, and completely backless. They both have black gloves that come up to their elbows and flats. Their hair is let loose, splaying over their shoulders, held out of their faces by matching headbands. The only difference between them is the fancy cloth covering on 45's face, hiding her non-functional eye.

G11's got on a simple sundress that makes her look even younger, a yellow and orange piece that just exudes innocence. Her hair is done up in a fancy braid with some small bows placed in the locks of hair strategically and has tears in her eyes, glistening as she begs the security guard.

416 has what must be the most eye-catching thing on the planet. It's purple and white, with a flower the size of a plate on her waist on one side, and the other side has ruffles all the way up to her chest in layers making it look like she's holding up the edge of the dress constantly. Her hair is done in two long tails reminiscent of the way RO usually has her hair.

I step up, scooping up G11 as I show up. "There you are!" I exclaim. "I was looking all around for you!"

"Brother!" She grabs onto my clothes, pulling me close as she can, like she's scared. "The man over there won't let us in!"

I glance to the twins for confirmation, but 45 looks away and 9 is busy trying to adapt to the situation. 416 though-

"That is correct." 416 steps up, eyes cold. "After I spent all that effort to get your sister here. Maybe I should report him to his manager."

"Now now." I continue to hold G11, who's buried her face into my shirt. "He's just doing his job."

The security guard sighs. "Well, I see you know these four, correct?"

"Yeah." I nod. "I apologize for their behaviour."

416's eye twitches, but she thankfully doesn't interject.

"You kids go back to the party, you hear? This is supposed to be the staff area. The party's out front." He puts on a beleaguered smile. "Maybe we should put up a sign saying that that's a side entrance and to use the front door."

"Getting a lot of traffic?" I joke.

"Yeah, let's just say that more people have come in through there than I'd like. A bunch of weirdos too." He shakes his head. "But that's not your concern. Go on, shoo, shoo!"

I set G11 down, but she maintains a death grip on the tail of my jacket.

The five of us head back towards the main hall until the guard heads back to his post.

"Scheisse." UMP 45 mutters. "Now how are we going to get in there?"

"You need to get past him?" I ask, only to be completely ignored.

"I could try to knock him out." 9 suggests.

"I could just shoot him as well, but where would that get us?" 416 snaps.

"Closer to the door." UMP 45 mutters. "But it would attract unwanted attention."

I look down as G11 tugs on my uniform. "Can you help us, brother?"

Wow, in the course of an hour, I gained two sisters. "I'll see what I can do."

"Hey Haddy, do you think you can distract him for a minute or two?" 9 asks. "As long as we can get past him, we should have a clear shot to the stairs downwards."

"..." I look down at the cutely dressed G11. "Well, I have an idea…"

Two quick conversations and a few minutes later, I head back to where the guard is stationed. "E-Excuse me!"

"Hmm?" He looks over at me. "Is something the matter?"

"I'm so sorry." I scan the floor like I'm looking for something. "Have you seen a small yellow bow? My sister lost one."

"No, I didn't see anything like that." He scratches his chin. "Maybe it fell out on the way in."

"Oh, okay, thanks." I start heading deeper into the building.

"W-wait! That's the wrong direction!" He claps a hand on my shoulder before I can get anywhere. "Here, let me show you the way."

"T-thanks." I slump my shoulders, only partly an act.

"No problem." He chuckles. "Your sister reminds me of my daughter."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. She's adorable as a button too, and she's impossible to tame. One time, my wife spent an hour doing up my daughter's hair for an event, and she took only a minute to pull the bows out! Sofia was so mad…" He trails off, chuckling some more.

"That sounds terrible." I grin. "But it is pretty funny."

"I know! I had to try so hard not to laugh." He pushes open a nondescript door, and I suddenly find myself looking outside. "Well, see if you can find anything. I'll be right here to let you back in." He leans in the doorway.

"Thank you." I pull out my phone, turning on the flashlight and scanning the grassy ground.

Of course, there's not really a ribbon out here. Originally, I was intending on leading him into the building like I was in a panic, but this is a lot better. Just have to wait for a signal.

"Hadwin, we're down the stairs. You can come back." 9's voice comes through my earpiece.

Okay. Let's hope the second part of my plan works. I drop a ribbon I took from G11 to the ground, careful not to shine my flashlight onto it as it drops. Once it settles, I swing the beam of light onto it.

"Ah, here it is!" I hold it up, then turn to the guard. "Thank you so much!"

"No problem." He chuckles again. "Let's get you back to your sister so you can rejoin the party, yeah?"

"Much appreciated."

He leads me into the building and I carefully wipe dirt off of the ribbon as we walk. He doesn't stop when we get to his post, but continues towards the main hall.

"Hey, sis?" I call.

"B-Brother?" G11's face looks up from where she's been crying with 416 patting her gently. She notices the ribbon and runs up to me to give me a hug. "Thank you!"

"Make sure to thank the man too." I point at the security guard. "He helped me find it."

"...Thank you." She says quietly before hiding her face in my shirt.

"No problem. Now, you three head into the party."

"We will." I nod to him and start guiding G11 back to the main hall.

Once the guard is out of sight, 416 and G11 fade out of existence, and P90 steps out of the shadows, fanning herself. "It worked."

"Yes, it looks like it." I tuck the ribbon into my pocket. "Sorry for the short notice."

"Good thing you had NTW contact me, she sent me pictures of these two." She continues to fan herself. "I don't think I got them completely right, but enough for a short glance."

"Well, back to the party then?"

"Well, let me cool down for a second." She huffs. "Using the holograms generates a lot of heat, and I'm not exactly lightly dressed here."

"I see." I sit down next to her. "Should I avoid having you use it?"

"No, it's fine. It's better if I can pretend to be someone and if there's only one hologram to project, I can do it for a lot longer." She sighs. "I might need to eat some more food though, it does consume a lot of energy."

"Got it. I'll do another food run for you."

"But…" She lowers her face and flutters her eyelashes. "I might not fit into my wedding dress!"

I snort. "I really doubt T-dolls can get fat. Also, who are you getting married to? I don't remember giving you a ring..."

She laughs, and holds out her hand, where a nice engagement ring appears out of nowhere. "I've got that covered."

"Well then. I guess it's official."

She nods, grinning wide. "Please take care of me."

"Always." I drop the joking tone and rest my hand on her shoulder. "Ready to go back in?"

"...Yeah." She seems slightly taken aback by the shift in tone, but gets to her feet with my help. "Let's see how Cherry's performance goes."

"Oh, is that soon?"

"She should be starting any minute."

I push open the door and glance to the stage, where some of the staff are helping M200 set up a microphone. She has her guitar ready, and is sitting on a stool.

She strums the strings a few times, before nodding to herself. One of the stage crew gives her a thumbs up and she strums a few more times before starting to make an actual musical pattern. Her voice joins in a moment later, soft and enchanting.

"When you walk away,
I can hear you say,
'Please, oh baby, don't go.'"

She continues to sing, the majority of the crowd stopping what they're doing to listen.

Holy crap, she's good. All her modesty from earlier seems like a lie, her face perfectly neutral to fit the somber tone of the song.

"Wish I could prove I love you,
But does that mean,
I have to walk on water?"

Some of the crowd starts singing along as she gets to the chorus and I would have joined in if I knew the lyrics.

When she wraps up the song, the crowd cheers, and M200 blushes bright red. She stands up, gives a small bow, and almost runs off the stage.

A minute later, she appears from the backstage door and runs up to me, a big smile on her face. "I-I did it! I did it!"

"You did!" I pat her head some more. "You did so well. I'll have to listen to you play more often."

She beams up at me.

"Maybe once we're married, we can adopt her." P90 muses aloud.

I shoot her an annoyed look, but she's got her mischievous smile in place.

"Okay, so." I straighten up. "I managed to get our guests downstairs-"

"Excuse me, sir?"

I glance up… then back down as I see a small maid with ruby eyes and a blue bow. Tokarev, who had volunteered for waitress duty. "Yes?"

"Some of your friends are causing a commotion. Please follow me."

Oh no. Plural means it's not likely to be Groza, so it's probably the Russians.

I follow the dainty Tokarev to where a small section of the crowd is focused on four people in the center.

One one side, AK-12 who's frowning, but still has her eyes shut, and AN-94 who's holding to her tightly. On the other, two handsome dudes that probably have more money than the entirety of Sector 3. The younger one is blonde, about my height, but muscle bound. The older one has just as many muscles, but is also a good ten centimeters taller to boot. They're clearly related.

Looks like they tried to pick them up, but got rejected, given the impatient wheedling in the first one's voice as he says, "Come on, it's just for the night."

"I said no." AK-12 says flatly and AN-94 nods, seemingly scared.

Despite the demure act… these two are considered elite T-dolls, right? They could probably attack the entire crowd at once and win. Not that that would help in this case, but the apparent difference is kinda funny.

I'm just about to turn away from them, letting them handle it, when AK-12 spots me. I can tell because her head moves ever so slightly in my direction. A fraction of a second later, AN-94 whips her head in my direction. "H-Hadwin!"

Reluctantly, I enter the circle. "What's going on, Antia, Lucia?"

AK-12 reaches out towards my voice like she's not sure where I am and I reach my hand out to guide her. Right, she's pretending to be blind for the sake of not opening her eyes. Once she's located me, she grabs my arm and holds herself to me. "This is my boyfriend."

...Eh?

"Oh come on, you can't just grab any random guy and say he's your boyfriend." The first guy rolls his eyes.

"Really?" She turns to me and sticks her tongue out, licking my cheek. "Sure tastes like I remember."

Okay, that's a bit extreme, but- "Can you not do that in public? You're embarrassing me."

"What." The second guy groans. "I thought she was pretending!"

"But, the other one's still free." The first one turns to AN-94, who no longer has AK-12 to hide behind.

"Um, H-He's also my boyfriend!" She grabs onto my other arm.

Are you fucking kidding me-

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" The second guy shouts, drawing even more attention even as the already gathered crowd gasps at AN-94's exclamation.

"No way some skinny dipshit like him could have two babes on his arms." The first guy growls at me, stalking closer. "Who do you think you are?"

"Uh… their boyfriend?" The words sound strange coming out of my mouth, mostly because it's absurd.

"Okay, that's it." The second one steps up, raising his hand into a fist. "You just signed your death warrant."

I have both my arms tied up. AK-12 isn't reacting to hold up her blind disguise and AN-94 is still shaking while holding my arm. I brace for impact-

"Muffin?"

I open my eyes back up to see a cheery waitress with a tray of muffins stepping between our two groups. With her hair done up in that way, it takes me a second to place her.

Springfield.

"What?" The guy stands still, his fist raised, in abject confusion.

"I asked if you'd like a muffin." She repeats, holding up the tray.

"I…"

The first guy pushes past his friend. "We don't want your stupid muffins. We're in the middle of something!" He snarls at her, but she keeps her composure.

"Well, I suppose you are, but is this place really appropriate?"

They hesitate. "I guess not." The second one says, "But this guy's being a prick to us. I want my pound of flesh."

"Mmmm…" Springfield tilts her head in thought. "No, I'd prefer you didn't cut up any of our guests."

At this point, the two are thoroughly confused, looking at the tall woman who dared to interrupt them. "No, I mean-"

"She knows what you meant, idiot." The first guy smacks the second guy, before turning to me. "You're going to get your face mashed in, kid."

I have to stop and stare at him for a few seconds. I mean, he has no way of knowing this as he brandishes his knuckles at me, but I have a combat android on each arm, and the waitress offering a muffin is also stronger than he could ever hope to be. I can also see Tokarev lurking in the back, fingers playing with something sharp and glinty. It's so absurd, I have to struggle to keep a grin off my face.

"Hey, it's not my fault." I try to hold my hands up to placate the man, but again, both arms are held by combat robots. "Why don't you try asking politely instead of harassing them?"

"We'd still say no, but at least it wouldn't be a spectacle." AK-12 continues unprompted.

The two guys once again start posturing, and out of the corner of my eye I can see Springfield carefully placing the muffins on the table.

"You know, I don't think this little no name shit knows his place."

"Yeah."

I glance to the side. "Am I supposed to know who these two are?" I ask AN-94, but someone also in the crowd, who I was ignoring to avoid panicking, answers.

"Those are Lord Rud's sons, Danylo and Yaroslav." Pointing first to the older, than the younger of the two.

Ah...

I glance back at the two muscle heads. "Hey, there's lot of other women here, so- WHOA"

Danylo swings a punch to my face and I barely duck in time, AK-12 and AN-94 tugging my arms down to assist, then scrambling to the side to get out of the way as Yaroslav comes in with a haymaker.

As I scramble backwards, bumping into the members of the crowd that are slow to react, my mind draws upon my memories of high school. I've always hated people like these two, but I've always lost when fighting with my fists.

I wish Lucas was here to help AK-12 and AN-94 while I get beaten up. Though, once again, they probably don't need much help. In fact, I'm the only one who probably needs help in this situation.

I don't plan on standing there and taking lumps like a punching bag, however. I twist away from the incoming haymaker and curl my left hand into a fist, throwing a short punch at his stomach.

Surprisingly, it connects. It's too weak to actually do more than surprise Danylo and send him two steps backwards, but he backs into his brother, which gives me a second to get my footing.

Okay, sitrep. I'm infiltrating a party to hide the presence of thieves who are currently stealing a diamond. The man who owns the jewel's sons' are currently attempting to engage in combat due to some unwanted flirting. This will probably be very distracting and almost ensure 404 is able to do their work.

Now I just need to not get crushed.

The two recover, Yaroslav goes to the left, Danylo to the right, the two circling around to trap me in a pincer. Once again, I recognized this from high school. It's easy enough of a tactic that even muscle brains can figure out how effective it is, and pretty darn effective if it's two on one.

But, it's currently two on five. They just don't know it yet.

I see AK-12 walk out of the crowd just in time to "accidentally" trip up Danylo, who squawks in outrage as he crashes to the floor. I barely spend enough time to verify he's not going to come after me immediately before switching my attention over to Yaroslav.

Yaroslav throws another punch, this one aimed for my nose. I managed to get my head out of the way by throwing my arm up and partially deflecting the blow, but I was unable to block his second attack, his other fist snapping out and hitting my ribs.

It hurt a lot more than I'd like, but if he was aiming to knock the wind out of me, he was too high by a few inches.

I throw my own fist, this one properly wound up and aim for his stomach once again. Aim for the soft bits. Skulls and ribs aren't fun to punch, your knuckles don't like impacting bone. Learned that the hard way.

But stomachs?

I manage to connect and Yaroslav doubles over, the wind knocked out of him.

I don't have time to celebrate, AN-94 crying out "Hadwin!"

I whirl around to see Danylo charging at me, arms outstretched and hunched over to try to bowl me over. I don't have time to react as he plows me into a table, upsetting everything and sending some plates crashing to the floor.

Someone in the background screams.

I raise my fist up and beat on Danylo's back, getting two blows in before he picks me up and slams me flat on my back on top of the table.

Now I'm the one sucking wind and Danylo stops his attack to survey his handywork, a grin spreading across his face.

Yeah. He's enjoying this.

I try desperately to get my breath back, but he rears up, fists clenched together for a double hammerfist.

When he brings his fists down, I roll sideways, so desperate to not be in the path of his hands that I forget I'm on top of a table. The drop is short, but heartstopping, and I crash to the floor unceremoniously.

I manage to get up to my hands and knees before I notice that Yaroslav is back in action, coming up to me and rearing back for a kick.

He would've got me too, if Springfield hadn't nudged her serving platter, which had fallen to the floor, under his foot.

He goes sprawling, robbed of his footing, and careens into the crowd, angry shouts from other guests mixing into the cacophony.

I barely make it to my feet to see Danylo nursing his hands where they hit the hard table, and when he spots me standing up, his eyes burn with a white hot fury.

"You're fucking DEAD!" He howls, grabbing a plate off the table and whipping right past my ear. He was aiming for my head, but missed through sheer luck.

I scramble around to avoid the next porcelain projectile and then the next.

My left hand lands on a chunk of ceramic and my pain shoots through my hand. I fall over, my hand no longer helping to support my weight. Looking back, Danylo is advancing, grabbing another item off the table.

I'm not going to be able to dodge this one.

He raises the plate, his eyes narrowing as he aims it more carefully now that his target is stationary.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see AN-94 and AK-12 grab silverware, AK-12's eyes opening up. Tokarev's knife slips out of her waitress sleeve, and she steps right up behind Yaroslav.

"ENOUGH!"

A loud, deep male voice booms out over the hall drawing almost everyone's attention. I'm too busy trying to sit up without using my left hand and without stabbing myself with any more shattered plates.

"You kids are ruining this party!" The voice booms, though quieter now that he's closer. He's on the other side of the table from me, and the crowds are watching him, standing stock still like deer in the headlights. "I told you not to start any trouble and yet here we are!"

One of the guys, I think it's Yaroslav, mumbles out a halfhearted apology that I don't really catch.

I manage to get my legs underneath me and sit up in a kneeling position. My left hand is tucked up against my stomach to keep it out of the way and I carefully sweep aside the remaining fragments in my way with my good arm.

"What was this even about, huh?" The voice demands.

Neither of the Ruds speak up, but a familiar voice makes itself known from out of sight. "I believe they were trying to pick up dates, aggressively." Springfield's light tone is almost inaudible next to the other voice. "It seems that young man took exception to that."

"'That young man'? Where?"

I manage to stagger to my feet just as the eyes of the crowd adjust back to me as Springfield gestures in my direction.

Uh… all the eyes on me kind of hurt. I want to shrink away and hide somewhere.

Glancing around, I can see AK-12 and AN-94 once again pretending to be humans and holding on to each other, and on the other side is P90, Groza, and M200. Only once I confirm their presence do I look at the reason the fight ended.

The man that the booming voice belongs to is facing me as I finally look in his direction. Average height and built like his sons but with an impressive black beard to boot, stands Myroslav Rud. His sons stand before him, heads hanging. Sharp eyes glare at me and I almost immediately drop my own gaze.

Coincidentally, looking down shows me the state of my clothes. The nice deep red suit's no longer nice, having been shredded to bits by the shards of porcelain I had scrambled over. Where the cuts had punctured skin, blood mixes with the dye to make it almost entirely black. Most worrying though is my left hand, with a chunk of plate on both sides of my hand, having gone straight through the palm and out the back. Blood drips from the wound to the degree you can tell where I stabbed myself by tracing the trail of blood back.

I try to flex my hand to test it on reflex and the feeling of bone grinding on the ceramic aborts that idea faster than the spike of accompanying pain can.

"Him?" Myroslav asks from Springfield.

Springfield nods.

Myroslav steps around the table, the crowd hurriedly backing away to give him space to move. "I see. You're telling me that my sons decided to gang up on this young man?" He looks to the crowd and some of them nod. He then turns to me. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"...Sorry. I wasn't intending to ruin the party." I try to keep my face neutral, but the adrenaline has worn off slightly and my hand is really starting to hurt.

"Ruin it? Who said anything about ruining it?" He claps a hand on my shoulder, and in surprise I look up to see him smiling. "Looks like the evening is just getting started!"

He turns to Springfield and Tokarev, both of them on the sidelines. "You two, clean this up."

They move to comply and suddenly the crowd starts moving again. AK-12 and AN-94 show up from one side, and P90, M200, and Groza from the other.

"Your friends?" Myroslav asks, noting the new arrivals picking their way across the floor.

"Yes." I say. "Your- ouch- sons were picking on those two." I glance down at my hand, which is starting to throb. "I guess I got in over my head."

His hand is like iron, anchoring me in place. "Don't worry about it. I'll make sure my sons leave you and your friends alone. In the meantime, why don't you get that looked at?"

He gestures to my hand and I nod, the pressure on my shoulder finally letting up.

AN-94 and AK-12 immediately swoop in, AK-12 being almost dragged by AN-94 to keep up appearances, grabbing my arm and twisting it up to look at the palm. With the three of us blocking all angles, a pinkish red glow bathes the interior of our little formation as AK-12 examines the wound.

"This is bad." She pronounces after a few seconds. "We need to get you to an infirmary."

"Huh? No, we can't." I reply. "We have to make sure 404 can get out of here. We can't just ditch them."

I get stares from five dolls, the other three having joined our little circle just in time to hear me.

"Uh, Haddy? If you don't get that cleaned up, you're gonna lose your hand." P90 says carefully. "I'm sure Cherry, Groza and I can make sure 404 gets out, so you go with Lucia and Antia to get your hand fixed up, okay?"

"..." I look at the dolls. "Can we just do a temporary fix for now? We need to see this through."

They all pause and I quickly realize they're talking over the Zener network to each other. I wish I had Aleah to let me listen in right now…

"Okay, Antia and Lucia will take you to the small medical room on site and patch you up the best they can." P90 says. "We'll keep an eye out for 404, when those two are done patching you up, we'll see about you rejoining the party."

"Hmm." I narrow my eyes.

"We also need to find you a new suit." Groza looks me up and down. "That one is ruined."

"There's a spare in the car." M200 sighs. "I'll go get it."

"There is?" I ask.

"Yeah. I packed it." M200 taps my shoulder on her way past me. "Get to the medical room. You still owe us all a dance."

Eh?

Before I can inquire further, she walks off towards the crowd.

P90 snatches the small transmitter from my ear before I can react and AN-94 starts leading both me and AK-12 towards the back of the building.

I'm escorted straight back into the back room area, guided by the two dolls. Now that we're out of sight of the general crowd, AK-12 is in the lead, though her eyes are still closed presumably because there's guards around.

It's only once the two practically shove me into a room filled with weird medical equipment and a patient bed do I finally speak up. "So… how serious is it?"

AK-12's face turns to me. "You're likely to lose your hand."

I wait a few seconds for the qualifier, but no, that was the entire sentence.

"Uh, unless I get it fixed right now?" I feel a chill go down my spine.

"No." She grabs my left hand and holds it up, once again opening her eyes. "I mean, if we're not careful, you will lose your hand entirely."

I shut my eyes and try to even out my breathing, fighting the panic building.

I can hear AN-94 rummaging about for some things, setting boxes next to me on the bed before scrambling away to look for the next thing.

I eventually open my eyes back up as sickening curiosity overpowers pain.

AK-12 examines it for far longer than I'd ever seen her examine something before, her eyes shining light on the wound and giving everything a surreal air. Her face is laser focused on my hand, no expression to be seen. One hand is holding my left perfectly still with my palm up, and with her other hand she is carefully reaching down and pulling the shard out, ever so slowly.

I watch in sick fascination as the porcelain, dyed crimson in blood, is drawn out millimeter by millimeter in perfect silence aside from AN-94's ongoing efforts to find medical supplies.

"Hadwin, stay still." AK-12's voice is cold, the same way UMP 45's was the first day I met her, or that Nyto. "If you move, I might sever a nerve."

I suppress a shudder as hard as I can and decide to distract myself by looking around the room as much as possible. A few microscopes on one of the tables, next to a fume hood like you'd see in chemistry class. AN-94's search isn't exactly neat, and the stuff she pulls out and stuffs on shelves, well, I've never heard of cyclopentadiene, but from all of the warning stickers on the sides… it's not a safe chemical.

Now that I'm thinking about it and distinctly NOT thinking about something else, I realize that this really isn't a medical room. In fact, a lot of stuff seems odd for it to be in a normal medical room. Microscopes might be found in a lab and fume hoods are for mixing dangerous chemicals. There's a small freezer off to one side, and when AN-94 opens it, there's more stuff in there. This really doesn't look like a private medical room. Instead, it reminds me of-

"H-hey, AN-94?" I try to keep a new wave of panic out of my voice.

"It's Antia, but yes?" She corrects me on using her codename.

"If you were going to connect an underground tunnel to this building, where would you do it?"

She pauses her search for medical supplies and peers at me curiously. "I suppose I would attach it to the main hallway if it doesn't need to be concealed. If it does, I'd attach it to the vault. Preferably though, I'd attach it to one of the maintenance sheds out back so it wouldn't show up on a plan." She tilts her head. "Why?"

"Because this room reminds me a lot like the building out in the forest that I helped blow up." I swallow to lubricate my suddenly dry throat. "One that was owned by Paradeus."

Both dolls pause, AK-12 looking my way and almost blinding me with her gaze.

"Antia, go fetch Angelia." AK-12 commands.

AN-94 is out the door faster than I would've thought possible, the fabric of her dress flaring behind her as she runs past.

"Ange has some experience with Paradeus. She'll be able to tell us if this seems similar enough to other bases to be considered a threat."

I lick my lips and watch as she turns back to slowly extracting the shard of porcelain. It's actually a lot further out of my hand now and blood flows from between our hands where she holds mine in place.

I know some people consider holding hands to be romantic, but right now, she might as well be an industrial car assembler robot for all the human personality she's exhibiting, every movement perfectly precise while her other hand is a vise, like my hand is welded to a table.

I close my eyes and concentrate on breathing in a pattern.

In, out. In, out. In-

The door bursts open and only AK-12's iron grip keeps me from jerking away. I look to the door to see Angelia frantically looking around, AN-94 right on her heels. Once she spots AK-12 pulling the shard out of my palm, she hisses through her teeth.

"Christ, Hadwin. Chloe told me it was a small splinter. That's going to need medical attention."

"I'm working on it." AK-12 says in a flat monotone, eyes glued to my wound.

"Yes… Hopefully that will be enough." She glances at her gloved right arm and I realize she's thinking of her prosthetic.

AN-94 immediately returns to pulling open cupboards and Angelia joins her, looking at the stuff as AN-94 pulls it out.

"S-so." I speak up, looking at Angelia while I try to distract myself once more. "Does it look like a Paradeus base?"

She hesitates. "I don't know." She admits. "On one hand, it's very suspicious that there's a lab down here. This building is kind of old, but it was always a home, not a converted hospital or other public space." She surveys the room again, as if trying to save the image to memory. "On the other hand, there's nothing here to tie them to Paradeus. Yes, it's suspicious, but they could be working for a whole number of people, not just Paradeus."

"I see." I once again suppress a shudder. It's starting to feel really cold in here and I can feel the blood that leaked from my hand starting to soak through my pants where it's pooling in the dent my weight puts in the bed. "Sorry to raise the alarm."

"No, it's good that you did." She frowns. "I can't stay for long, I told the group I needed to head to the bathroom, but it'll look suspicious if I take too long." She drums her fingers. "For now, we assume it's someone else. We can't risk drawing the attention of any governments, so we're just going to pretend this doesn't exist unless we find other evidence."

I nod. "Okay, that's… I guess that's a plan."

"It'll have to be." She gently sets a hand on my shoulder. "Once you're cleaned up, send Antia up and I'll send Commander Gentiane down. In the meantime, I'll explain your condition and see about aborting the mission."

"Uh…" I look away for a second and coincidentally notice the porcelain shard is almost fully removed. "404's already in the lower area. We need to make sure they make it out."

"Of course, but Hadwin-" She squats down slightly to be at eye level. "-you need to go to a real doctor or you may lose your hand."

"I… I know." I look away, this time also away from my left hand. "But, I'm not going to leave 404 for dead."

"Even if it costs you your hand?" She asks.

"Four lives are worth more than my hand." I reply, still not meeting her eyes.

"...Didn't one of them break your rib a night ago?" AN-94 looks up from her work.

"I told you I don't know who it was-"

I try to protest, but Angelia cuts me off. "Yes, and they almost got him killed back in Sector three." She turns back to me. "Nobody bought your lie, Hadwin. We have security cameras, and while UMP 45 may not have shown up on the footage, she's the only one skilled enough to make it look like you're talking to a ghost on the recordings. Especially that quickly."

"...Oh."

"Don't worry!" AN-94 stands up and raises her fists tight to herself in encouragement. "Commander Gentiane decided not to have 404 hunted for their actions against you as long as you're not going to."

Well… I guess that's better than there being a firefight on base. "Thanks." I mutter.

"I'll be going." Angelia backs out of the door. "I better get word back soon."

"Roger." AK-12's monotone rolls out of her mouth.

AN-94 sits on the bed beside me, on the right side to not sit in the blood, having run out of places to search and returned it to the shelves in a hap-hazard manner. "So, Hadwin." She begins, before hesitating. "Um, thank you for your assistance in getting rid of those two."

"Oh, it's no big deal." I say, ignoring the fact that due to the imminent loss of my hand it is quite the big deal. "I am curious though, why didn't you say you were dating?"

"Hmm?" AN-94 seems confused.

"I mean, you two are clearly dating." I glance back at AK-12 for confirmation, but she's still cold as a glacier. "Right?"

"No!" AN-94 blushes. "We're not dating! AK-12 is just showing me how to be an elite doll."

"She's decided that mimicking me is the best way to become an elite doll." AK-12 voice drifts over, detached.

"I'm not there yet." AN-94 lowers her head. "But I feel like I'm getting closer every day."

"Ah. Sorry for assuming." I sigh. "Still, I think you'd be able to lie and tell them you had a significant other already and they'd leave you alone."

"I did tell them." AN-94's expression falls further. "They just acted like that was a bonus."

Ah.

"I wish humans made more sense." She mutters.

"Me too." I shake my head. "I'm a human myself, and I still don't get-"

"Oh." AK-12's voice is still in a monotone, but I whip my head over to see she has the shard of plate fully extracted. Still, she's staring at my hand and not releasing her grip. Her eyes flick to me. "Hadwin… can you feel anything?"

Hmm?

I focus on my hand. I still feel the burning pain… but only on the outer edge of my hand, opposite side of my thumb. In fact, I can't feel anything inside of my ring finger-

Oh.

Oh no.

I try to move my thumb, and nothing happens. Nor with my index finger or middle finger. My pinkie and ring finger move, but I can't feel or move anything else.

AK-12's eyes close and her face contorts in sympathetic pain, panting hot breaths to cool herself down. "I did my best, but…"

I stare at the half functional hand. With just my outer two fingers, I can't type, I can't hold anything… that hand will be practically useless.

I hear myself talking, as if from a distance. "It's fine, you did your best."

"I'll finish treating it, but…" She hesitates. "Just, be very careful with your hand. We still might be able to save it."

"I see."

Belatedly, I realize that maybe I'm not really prepared to lose my hand. Simple activities like eating with a knife and fork or playing a video game flash through my head. Things I'm not going to be able to enjoy.

While I'm completely spaced out, AK-12 and AN-94 have made short work of dressing my hand, and AN-94 had left to do her assigned duty of informing the others before I came back down to reality.

"Uh…" I mutter, trying to get my bearings as AK-12 puts the rest of the stuff away. "Thank you."

She turns to me slightly. "I failed."

"But, you did your best." I reply. "So… thanks." I look down at my immobilized hand, bundled in what must be a kilogram of bandages.

"...I'll accept your praise." She seems thoughtful. "Yes, you certainly are curious."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing." She offers me a hand up and I take it with my good hand. She pulls me to my feet. "Now, since I'm blind, you'll have to escort me out."

"Right." I offer my right arm and she takes it. I notice that she's actually taller than me with her heels on. "Also."

"Yes?"

"I know Antia's performance wasn't exactly a masterclass, but she was speaking the truth. We're not dating. It's closer to a teacher and student."

"...Okay?"

"I just wanted to be clear. After all, I will be asking for a dance from you in payment for working on your hand, and I don't want you to think you're getting between us."

Despite myself, I start to smile slightly. "You know, for someone who's saying they're not in a relationship, you're denying it pretty hard."

She puts a mock wounded expression on her face. "You wound my pride, good sir."

"Ha."

Suddenly, M200 appears from around the corner, holding up a suit that looks identical to the one I have on, though immaculate instead of shredded and soaked in blood. "I got it!"

...Right. I'm not presentable.

There's a bathroom to one side, and I point that way. "Okay, I'll put it on in there. Can you take Lucia with you?"

M200 hesitates. "Are you sure you can do it with your hand like that?"

I glance down at the bandage like it's condition will have changed in the past five seconds. "...Probably."

"I'll help him." M200 turns to Lucia. "You can return-"

"I'm blind, so I can't make it back myself." AK-12 retorts, her nose in the air. "I'll just have to help him, since I can't see him anyway."

"..." They stare at each other for a second before turning to me and as one saying, "I'll help!"

"...Fine." I decide it's not worth fighting about and let them follow me in.

It's not the first time I've had help getting dressed. Last time was even with T-dolls, back home with some of Anti-Rain. Still, it's kind of embarrassing, AK-12 kept a pleasant smile on her face and pretended not to look, and M200 did her best not to stare, but since I ended up needing the help… well, I'm glad I'm not cripplingly shy, or I might have blown a blood vessel.

Once I'm finally back in order and the shredded suit's been tossed into a trash bin, I lead AK-12 out to the main floor, M200 following right behind us.

On the other side of the door, clearly waiting for me to come out, is Commander Gentiane, P90, AN-94, and Groza.

The Commander steps in front of me even as AN-94 taps AK-12 on the shoulder to have her switch helpers. "Hadwin."

"Sorry, Commander." I mutter.

"I'm told it wasn't under your control… but the fact that I seem to have a talk like this with you every other day of your ten days of employment means that I'm going to have to force you to stay at base for a while just to avoid getting you killed."

I open my mouth to respond, thinking of my half-insensate hand, but AK-12 speaks up before I can.

"He's going to need some reconstruction surgery on his hand, I couldn't avoid some nerves." She sounds subdued once again.

"I see." Gentiane looks back at me. "You're under strict orders to not aggravate that hand any more. If I catch you doing anything risky with your hand, I'll kick you out in the middle of an ELID infested forest with only a knife."

"...Understood." I think she's joking… but I don't think I'm going to test that theory.

P90 steps up to me. "Here, there's an update." She pushes the earpiece into my ear.

I tap the transmit button on the top of the device, looking like I'm picking my ear. "Status?"

"We have… uh, the package, and we're almost out." UMP 9 sounds subdued. "It's not a diamond though."

"Eh? But, we came here for a diamond."

"Yeah… See, it has the logo of a diamond on it, it's on its own pedestal in the center of the vault, and there's not really anything else down here that's more likely to be it, but…" She hesitates again. "It's not a diamond."

"Then, what is it?"

I'm interrupted by Commander Gentiane turning around. "Oh, Mister Myroslav!"

I immediately straighten up and miss whatever 9 says back to me as I turn to face the new arrival, the big Ukrainian man known as Myroslav Rud.

He nods to those surrounding me, before turning to me and looking at my hand with a critical eye. "I see my sons did a number on your hand, boy."

I shrug as casually as I can. "I've had worse."

Myroslav grins. "You've got gumption, I'll give you that." He looks around and notices AN-94 and AK-12. "Say, since I clearly owe you a favor, would you come with me for a moment?"

"Er-" Commander Gentiane starts to speak up, but Myroslav cuts her off.

"Commander, I appreciate your concern for my other guests, but you're a guest here." His voice turns slightly and I feel a new chill go down my spine. "Unless, of course, you brought some of your subordinates here?"

"...No, I was just concerned and figured my emergency medical knowledge might be important." She says, her face passive. "If the young man's okay, then I'll just head back."

I hold up my hand awkwardly. "I'm fine, ma'am. Thanks for your concern."

She nods and turns away.

P90 and M200 look at each other. "We'll see what food's available."

P90 also grabs Groza's arm, leaving AK-12, AN-94, and me alone with Myroslav.

"I'll let you kids in on a secret." After checking nobody else is listening, he leans in with a conspiratorial whisper. "I have something really important in my basement. I was planning on displaying it later, but since I owe you for my son's behaviour, I'll show you ahead of time. I'll even let you hold it."

You know, if I didn't already have an idea of what he's talking about, that would sound sketchy as all hell. It still sounds sketchy as all hell, but at least I have AK-12 and AN-94 with me. "Okay." I try to put on a smile. "Why not?"

AN-94 and AK-12 share a subdued look behind Myroslav's back, but he's too busy looking at me to notice.

"Well then, follow me." He gestures for us to follow him, once more heading back into the back rooms of the building.

As we walk, I hear Commander Gentiane talking in a hurried whisper in one ear all of a sudden. "9, you need to return the diamond. Right now."

"What?" 9's voice is incredulous. "We're almost out!"

"It sounds like Myroslav is taking Hadwin and the DEFY dolls down to the vault. We can't afford for him to notice it's gone, especially since it's-"

"Okay, okay, we got it." 9's irritation is clearly expressed in her voice. "We're going to head back now. Hadwin, if you can hear me, you're going to need to delay Myroslav so we can get ahead of you."

I want to respond, but Myroslav looks back right as I reach for the transmitter. "By the way, son, I didn't catch your name?"

I think several people have said it in front of him, but I can't remember. Better play it safe. "Hadwin."

"Hadwin… I see." He nods to himself. "A good name. Greek?"

"Yes sir."

"None of that! Just call me Myroslav."

"Okay." I blink.

"And don't think I forgot you two lovely ladies." He turns to AN-94 and AK-12. "May I have the privilege of knowing your names?"

"I'm Lucia."

"My name is Antia."

He nods. "Russian. Very nice names there."

"You know Russian?" AN-94 asks.

"Not really." He shrugs. "I do talk with Russians on occasion and I've always been interested in names. For instance-" he points to AK-12. "Lucia, your name means 'light' and Antia, your name means 'flowery' or 'blessing'."

AN-94 blinks. "Really?"

"Yes!" A grin crosses his face and he stops to face us. "Names are fascinating. They can tell you so much about a person, even though theoretically they shouldn't! There's a study done, oh thirty years ago now, that actually found a correlation between a name and how someone is perceived."

"That's interesting." AK-12's head tilts. "What kind of study was it?"

"Several countries pooled together their job data with salaries and first names, and found a correlation between names and status in society." He turns fully to the doll pretending to be blind. "Are you interested in names as well?"

"Not that." She holds a finger to her lips. "I was wondering if the study also contains factors adjusted for ethnic groups that are the non-majority. If the data is not sorted properly, then marginalized groups with names that the majority wouldn't use would rank lower, and that would confuse the cause for the effect."

"Yes, I see your point." He nods. "The paper addressed it like this-"

I start to blank out and notice, creeping through the shadows, four figures in dresses. G11's not exactly the picture of stealth in her orange dress, but they're already almost past us.

I return to the conversation as Myroslav wraps up, noticing me staring off into the darkness and tracing my vision.

I panic, not wanting him to see 404 disappearing around the corner. "Um!"

"Yes?" He focuses on me, and out of the corner of my eye I see the four dolls slip down the staircase.

"Uh, w-what does my name mean?" I point to myself. I don't really care, but anything to keep his attention.

"Hmm… Well, your name is actually an old english name that ended up crossing the seas and became a semi-common greek name." He smiles, a tooth grin that seems almost predatory. "It means, 'A friend in war'."

...What?

AK-12 snorts and everyone looks at her. She doesn't react until AN-94 pokes her. "Hadwin, friend in war." She repeats. "That's hilarious!"

"Yeah, yeah." I grumble good naturedly. "I can't fight my way out of a wet paper bag, but I'm a 'friend in war'." I sigh. "Maybe I'm a friend to my enemies, because I'm so easy to beat."

"You should think more of yourself, Hadwin." Myroslav admonishes me. "My son's aren't pushovers and you managed to hold them off long enough for me to stop them. It's quite an achievement."

"...Thanks?"

He laughs and turns around leading us once again.

Okay. Hopefully I bought enough time so that 404 can put whatever it is back. Myroslav continues chatting merrily, talking to us like old friends, and even pointing out some of the features of his basement, like the massive wine cellar and the storage room apparently set entirely aside for fancy cheeses.

It's only once we get to a large, maybe four meter tall and wide metal door, that I realize that 'vault' wasn't an exaggeration. The door is already slightly open, with two guards on either side of it.

"Hmm?" Myroslav's expression freezes up somewhat. "Why is my vault open?"

One of the guards snaps to attention. "I apologize sir! We had an erroneous reading on the sensors and we were busy checking it out as per your policy, sir!"

The other guard gives his coworker a look. "Yeah, we made sure nothing was stolen. Everything on your list is still there." He hands a checklist to Myroslav, who glances over it.

"Good job, you two. Stand at the entrance while we head in and make sure nobody tries to follow us in."

"Yes, sir!"

"Uh-huh."

We pass the guards and I briefly wonder what exactly 404 did to get into the vault. Knowing 45's and 9's hacking skills, they probably just tripped the sensor remotely.

Inside of the vault is surprisingly barren. There's a few shelves that are nicely ornamented with some fancy china that probably cost more than the entirety of Sector 3 positioned tastefully. Against another wall is a small pedestal with an actual gold bar on it.

In the center is a bookcase filled to the brim with what looks like files. This bookcase blocks line of sight to the other end of the room, and Myroslav gestures for us to go around.

For a brief moment, I worry that we'll find 404 standing there in full view, but thankfully they're not next to the pedestal near the back of the room.

Where are they, then?

"Here's the grand prize of my collection." Myroslav leads the three of us up to the pedestal and carefully removes the glass case, picking up the small object and handing it to my good hand.

I look down at the device. It has a diamond on it, like 9 indicated, but it's clearly a computer of some kind. A fancy computer with gold inlays on its surface, but a computer nonetheless. I really don't know what to think about it as I flip it in my hands. Wait, what the fuck is that?

AK-12 politely coughs. "Erm, Hadwin, can you please describe it for me?"

"It's a computer, with gold inlays on the sides, and a diamond pattern etched on the top." I describe, purposely pretending not to have noticed one other detail.

"It's a lot more than that, my boy." Myroslav says, once again lowering his voice. "It's actually a key."

"A key to what?" I ask, handing it to AN-94, who carefully rotates it in her hands as I had.

"Well… let's just say, it unlocks a power so great countries went to war over it."

Behind Myroslav, I can see AN-94's eyes widen, and AK-12's eyes flash open for a second as well.

Meanwhile, Myroslav's eyes are locked onto my face, and for a brief moment his expression looks like he's searching my face for something.

"Well then, that must be one hell of a key." I scratch my face. "Like, for nukes and stuff?"

His eyes narrow suspiciously. "No. Actually, it unlocks a trove of ancient wisdom from an ancient race of aliens."

My entire brain shuts down. "Aliens."

"Yes."

All of my suspicion goes out the window as I mentally reclassify him from possible Paradeus colluder to utter crackpot. I have to humor him though, or he might trap me in his vault. "Uh, yes, Aliens! Wow! Have you ever tested the key to see if you could find anything cool?"

"No." His intense gaze subsides and he straightens up. "I suppose I haven't. For now, I'm content to preserve the knowledge here, where nobody can misuse it for their own ends."

"I see. Glad we have someone of your caliber protecting it." I nod along. I want to get out of here, I want to get out of here.

"Well, I think that's all I wanted to show you. Please keep it a secret, if you would."

"Oh, no problem." I say, plastering a grin on my face. "I don't think I'd have any reason to tell anyone about this."

If I had to describe Myroslav's expression at that moment, it'd be 'perplexed'.

He leads us out with nary a word, talking to the guards briefly before having them shut the door.

As the door shuts, my earpiece buzzes. "Hadwin, we're still in the vault. We'll figure out a way to get the key out. Make sure we have an esc-"

The signal cuts out as the door closes, the loud thunk of massive steel bolts being driven into recesses in the floor sounding like a nail in a coffin.

I didn't see them in there, but if 9 says they're still in there, then…

I have a really bad feeling about this.

We're led up to the main floor without exchanging any words of consequence and Myroslav excuses himself once we're back in the light of the party.

Almost immediately, P90 shows up in front of me. "Hey, Hadwin?"

"Yes?"

"I talked with the DJ playing the music and he's cued up a song for each of us." She smiles. "We've got a few songs before our set, but then you finally have to make good on your promise to dance with all of us."

"...I don't remember making a promise, but sure." I shrug. "What songs?"

"That's a secret." P90 winks. "I'm last, so save some energy, okay?"

She melts back into the crowd and I'm left staring after her. I turn to AK-12 and AN-94. "I don't suppose…"

"You'll have to wait." AK-12 confirms. "I look forward to it, Hadwin."

"Yes." AN-94 nods, once more in mimic-AK-12-mode.

"Right." I stretch. "For now, let's get a table. I want to sit down."

"Agreed." AK-12 squeezes my right arm a little. "You did a good job down there, Hadwin."

"Eh?"

"I wasn't sure at first, but he was definitely probing to see if you know what the key was. He fully expected you to know what he was talking about and was surprised when you didn't."

"Ah." That explains the confusion. And why he told me all of that info without being asked. "Man, I feel like an idiot."

"Interestingly, your terrible poker face saved you." AN-94 says bluntly.

"Wha-"

"Hadwin, you can't lie to save your life." AK-12 signs, patting me on the shoulder as we sit down at a table near the dance floor. "The fact that you truly don't know what it is saved us today."

"Rude." I snort. "But I guess. Still, aliens? What the hell was that about?"

I intended for that last bit to be a joke, but the two dolls look very uncomfortable all of a sudden. I don't get a chance to press them on the issue before the next song starts playing and AK-12 stands up. "Hadwin, it's time."

I stand up and, being mindful of AK-12's pretend disability, guide her to the dance floor where others are already dancing. I carefully grab her left hand in my right, looping my lame hand around her waist.

Ostensibly, I'll be guiding here but in actuality she's the one who helps guide me around, swinging around gracefully to the somber song.

"And it's a long way forward, so trust in me
I'll give them shelter, like you've done for me
And I know, I'm not alone, you'll be watching over us
Until you're gone"

The lyrics seem to have a theme of loss, oddly. My sister told me that if someone wants you to listen to a song, it's what they want to tell you but can't find the words. If that's so, I'm getting a little anxious. Is she telling me she's leaving?

Wait, she's not part of G&K. That's kind of inevitable.

Strange. I've only known her for a few days and I don't want her, or any of the T-dolls really, to leave. I think it'd be pretty sad.

Strange how fast you can get attached to people.

The song ends on a sad note, AK-12 bows cautiously at me, and I copy her movement. To my surprise, we get a smattering of applause from the peanut gallery, P90 almost whistling before Groza stops her.

I guide AK-12 back as the next song starts, and M200 steps up.

This song is a lot more energetic than the last song. Instead of dancing together like I had practiced yesterday and earlier today, She turns to face me and starts to twist back and forth.

Everyone else still on the dance floor is doing something similar, so I just copy what she's doing, if a little slow so as not to slam my arm into anything.

"He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineers would see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by they would stop and say
'Oh my what that little country boy could play''

M200's singing along with the lyrics, changing 'boy' to 'girl' and happily belting out the lyrics. It's a fun song, and by the end, I'm starting to feel a little tired. After all, I've been doing a lot of dancing for practice and I'm not known for my stamina.

But, no sooner are M200 and I back at the table that has all of the dolls there than the next song picks up and Groza gracefully gets to her feet.

She carefully gets me into the standard dance posture, but as the song progresses she starts quietly giving me instructions. "Left foot out." or "Sweep around riiiight now."

If before AK-12 made us look like we're nice dancers, Groza makes us look like we're professionals.

"(Oh-oh, here she comes)
Watch out, boy, she'll chew you up
(Oh-oh, here she comes)
She's a maneater"

When I stop paying attention to the step and more to the lyrics, I realize exactly what song's playing. Mom and Dad like this one, it's apparently one from my Great-grandmother's collection.

Kinda funny she picked it, but with her noble looks, she can certainly pull off that maneater vibe if she wants. I catch her rhythm, figuring out where she's guiding me and really starting to get into the song when she surprises me by guiding me to arch my back to an extreme angle where I can see our table upside down, and she's holding me up.

I've seen this happen before, but only on the internet.

Isn't the guy supposed to be over and supporting the girl?

Ah well, we got more applause as the song wrapped up, this time from a few tables, not just our own. That's kind of embarrassing, but hey. The squad wants to dance, who am I to disappoint?

Groza heads back to her spot as AN-94 steps out not even waiting for me to return back to the table. The next song is queued up and it's a slow song.

This one is also one I've heard before and I even know the words.

It'd be embarrassing to actually sing to her though. I grab her left hand with my right, and wind my hand around her waist as appropriate.

She gets a faint blush on her cheeks as we move slowly to the music.

It gets worse when a spotlight lands on us. I glance around and see P90 talking to the DJ, who's also got control of the lighting.

I shake my head and return my attention to AN-94. Might as well make the most of it.

From the crowd, a low chant of "Sing! Sing!" can be heard. It also suspiciously started from next to the DJ booth.

AN-94's flush grows even deeper.

I quietly ask, "Do you want me to sing?" We're nearing the end of the song already, but...

To my surprise, she nods.

I wait for the final chorus to kick in and join in with the words.

"Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight."

If anything, her blush deepens even further, enhanced by the spotlight as the final bars of the song wind down.

I can feel my own cheeks burning as this time we do get whistles and cheers. Okay, P90, you can stop egging on the crowd.

Actually, next is her turn.

A second spotlight extends out, hitting her as she strides into the dance floor, only for one of the lights to turn off once we're in the same area. She grabs my good hand, grinning. "You ready?"

"Hell no." I return her smile.

The music starts up, and this time the crowd is certainly watching, the other dancers even clearing us out a space.

It's not a song I recognize, but it's pretty upbeat.

P90's swinging me around skillfully and I realize she's actually got a partial projection going to make us slightly more fluid.

I wonder if anyone's recording.

She twirls me around and around only to stop abruptly as the music dips and I have to keep my balance slightly due to the sudden shift in tone of the song.

Her lips move in time with the lyrics and I can't help but laugh at the contents.

"With a taste of your lips, I'm on a ride
You're toxic, I'm slippin' under
With a taste of a poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic?
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic?"

I don't know if she planned on doing this song from the beginning, but it seems oddly appropriate. In any case, it's certainly raising my mood. This party's kind of been one disaster after another, but right now it feels like… like what I expect the cool kids felt at prom.

Only took me two years. Lucas would be proud.

I start singing along as well, turning it into a duet as the song winds down.

Once again, people cheer us on as we walk off the floor, P90 laughing as she holds onto my arm. Man, that was fun. I almost don't feel embarrassed anymore!

When I sit down, several people come over to talk, oddly enough. I thought it was weird enough that people were clapping, but a few guys walked over to ask how I managed to dance with so many girls. I had to point out that they could've asked one of the many girls that, but they're clearly too shy and should probably work on that.

Then a few women who wanted to say they were impressed with my skills and I told them straight up it was my partners' skills.

AN-94 and AK-12 also both got a few requests to dance from less awkward guys, but they politely refused.

A young boy of about twelve managed to talk to M200 after a few false starts and she patted his head so I guess it went well? Kind of funny the 12 year old has more guts than some of the guys my age though.

Then again… I wouldn't be talking to them either in their position, so that kid's got more balls than I do.

I almost got used to people coming up to me when Commander Gentiane plops down in a seat she had dragged up to our table. "You seem popular."

I sigh. "I promised to dance. Apparently."

"Well, glad you followed through." She grins. "However, you attracted some more attention."

A chill goes down my spine, all the cheer from the dance draining. I mean, Gentiane is smiling, so it can't be that bad, right? Or maybe, she's just trying to keep up appearances?

"...Uh…" I lick my lips. "It's… not you, is it?"

She blinks. "Wow. Rude."

"Nonono, I mean, you're my boss and all-"

She waves my explanation away. "Yeah, I get you. For the record, I'm more into girls." She jabs a thumb over her shoulder. "My boss though..."

"Ehhhhh."

I glance over Commander Gentiane's shoulder to where Madam Helian is fiddling with her hair and smoothing her dress.

"I know, I know, she's a bit on the older side-"

"What? No." I blink. "She's our boss, right? And I've never met her before. Why would she want to dance with me? That seems weird."

"She's… got trouble dating." She says this last part conspiratorially. "Just humor her, okay? She's going back to Russia after this and I'd like it if she had a little chance to relax."

I hesitate. "Well… I don't see why not." I stand up and start walking towards the table Commander Gentiane had come from, where Mister Havier, Madam Helian and Angelia still sit.

Madam Helian perks up as I approach, surprise plain on her face.

If you're gonna be this shocked, don't send your subordinate over to ask.

I get within four paces of her when her face suddenly goes from shock to cold calculation.

I stop in place in confusion at her expression, only to have a heavy hand land on my shoulder from behind.

I slowly turn around and behold a face I really didn't want to see.

Yes, the lab was suspicious. The mark on the bottom of the key in the vault was suspiciously close to Paradeus' logo.

But, with Anisim Zaytsev attending the party, I don't think I can pretend we're not fish swimming in a pool with sharks anymore.

"Hello Hadwin." He says, face contorted with rage while attempting to maintain a cheery smile. "Would you like to have a chat?"

---

Author's note: Yes, the music is all in English. Yes, it's all music that's relatively modern to our time period. No, I'm not inventing songs for 2044 top hits chart, and no, I'm not finding songs in Russian.

I've never made it clear what language everyone's speaking, just kind of assuming it's English, or Greek. With this, I guess we'll just say English took over as it's the de-facto language of the internet and communicating between countries. It almost is already, sooo...

Also, hey, technically this chapter is all one giant unbroken scene. Part 2 of the mansion heist is gonna be baller.

One final note: As car season ramps up to full, I'm going to be travelling a bunch. I may have to slow down my releases a tad, so don't freak if the next chapter isn't in two weeks.

Beta Reader Note: And yes, there's a slight nod to a Back to the future reference

Also: Y'all gotta remember that Hadwin went from a Civi with a boring 9-5 job to less-than-certified Decoy dummy with a gun in a span of two weeks.

Also also: Imma go die of withdrawal from not enough beta reading now...