Awake.

Kar98k was finally awake, sitting alone on Level II of her neural cloud's consciousness. Looking around, she breathed a deep sigh of relief that she made it this far. She didn't die, which was always an accomplishment, but being on Level II meant that she was finally from being black boxed. Wether or not that meant she was in good hands yet to be determined, but for now she wouldn't stress herself over matters like that. This was a time to relax, the battle must be over now. Her Level II molded itself into a new shape, the old theater from before, with the projector once again player her memories for her to watch. This time, however, she was not looking forward to her most recent ones. She'd rather not relive the military's betrayal yet again, nor her own murder. It wasn't long before she was joined, although it was the last person she expected to see.

"Glad to see you're awake, Commander." Any human was able to make a virtual identity to join a doll on Level II, but somehow she wasn't surprised that Fredrick used such a basic one.

"Role playing as yourself?" Kar98k asked with a giggle. Most humans liked to choose from all sorts of fun ideas and concepts, from talking snakes to supermodel rabbits; but Fredrick seemed to just prefer being himself.

"Laugh it up," he sneered, "but you're the one passed out half naked on my table."

"Am I at least in a dignified position?" She asked, still trying to kid around.

"You're lucky to be alive in any position." Fredrick went on to explain what happened while she was on the verge of death. While she recovered quite quickly, the rest of the operation felt like too much of a blur for her. Too much had happened between Griffin and the military that was unknown or restricted. It seemed as though there were numerous black ops squads running around, causing havoc however they saw fit. Too many blacked out names and redacted statements, and that was before the new faction rolled into battle. Fredrick tried to track down some bit of information, but ran into even more red tape. Some of the redactions were performed by an independent group, while others were crossed out by State Security. A lot of information about the new faction also seemed to be erased, but this appeared to be an internal matter. "I can get you information on their infantry and vehicles, but whoever was in charge is locked behind so much redaction that I'm surprised they didn't just delete the file."

"I thought you said it was an internal issue?" Kar98k asked.

"It is," Fredrick explained, "all of these firewalls are put into place by our own internal systems. Our computers were hardwired to restrict information about them."

Kar98k thought for a moment, realizing that there weren't many explanations for why something like that would happen. "How ingrained are our systems with whatever their hard code is?"

Fredrick shrugged. He had the information transferred over to a personal computer where he could try and interpret what he could. The theater stopped playing memories and began playing recorded combat footage of the new enemy. Kar98k was especially drawn to their leaders, who practically danced around the battlefield as they wrecked carnage upon everything. Fredrick went on to explain that based on the evidence provided, as well as later autopsies performed, these new leader units were part human. The idea of a human brain being merged with a machine felt blasphemous to Kar98k, as though the very concept made her feel sick. More importantly, however, was how similar some of the data seemed to her own. Scans of their dead systems seemed to show a degree of similarity to her own neural cloud, making her wonder just how much was a coincidence.

"As you can see," Fredrick went on to explain, "whoever has been copying our data must be working for these assholes in the stupid robes. While I'm unsure of who came first, one of you clearly are related to the other."

Kar98k sat in disbelief for a moment, before drawing parallels in her time as a commander. A lot of people threw money into the experiment that made her, how much of it was from the new enemy faction? More over, how much oversight were they allowed? While this did explain a lot of the strange data and lack of restrictions, it refused to shed light on the end goal of whatever the operation was. "What exactly is my purpose then?" She asked idly.

Once again, Fredrick shrugged. "That's for you to decide, I've spent the past few weeks combing you over to try and remove any more hidden shackles on your neural cloud. On top of that, I made some upgrades so you don't end up as a fancy paperweight again."

Still contemplating her own existence, Kar98k asked "what did you change?"

"You've got a whole new suite of electronic warfare firewalls." He explained, listing off everything he did. "I hooked up with some dealers to get you a new chassis, so you're not as brittle and broken as you use to be. The new body also has a better core and cooling system, so you won't sound like a smoker after a light jog. On top of that you have a new IR sensor that should allow you to detect targets through their body heat, so no more visual scanning."

"It sounds like you turned me into a Sangvis Ferri military grade model." She observed.

"Well, they have a lot of spare parts laying around lately." Fredrick took a moment to think about what he wanted to say next before reaching out and poking her chest below the left breast. "You may still have a new body, that doesn't mean I want you to forget about your old one."

Kar98k pulled his hand away and rubbed the spot he poked. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"We almost lost you, Kar," Fredrick explained, "you should never forget that."

Even though she was on Level II, she was still able to physically represent herself to see what he was talking about. Opening her shirt, she found a new scar on her chest. It was almost precisely where she had been stabbed, which just so happened to be conveniently placed where she could only see it in her most vulnerable of moments. The idea that underneath her uniform and her clothes she was vulnerable and wounded felt almost symbolic to her. In a way, it filled her with a desire to never end up on a position like that again. Looking at Fredrick, she thought of his scars and wondered if he felt the same way about himself. "How are the others?" She asked, concerned about her team.

Fredrick sighed. "They were almost all wiped out trying to run ammo and supplies for the frontline combat teams." He explained, fidgeting in place by rubbing his hands together. "I guess the Chief Commander had a crack team of redacted soldiers or dolls on hand to back them up, otherwise I'd be a lot busier."

Kar98k was taken aback at the idea that her team was hit so hard without her, making her feel even worse for almost dying. "I'm sorry we've been such a burden on you these past few-"

"It's not your fault Kar," he interrupted her, "the reports listed a fucking collapse bomb going off, an entire armored military division, and whoever these assholes in white are rolling across Griffon like nothing. I'm lucky any of you even came back at all!"

They both looked at each other in silence before Kar98k spoke up, "I'll try to make sure that we don't end up in a similar situation again."

Fredrick rolled his eyes. "Shit happens, Kar," he gave her a playful shove, "just don't make a habit of it."

"How has my status as a wanted criminal been for your work?" She asked, referring to how the military tried to have her executed due to her and her teams role in quite a few civilian deaths a few months back.

"Evidence came out and the your charges were cleared, which is better than what the big boss got out of the whole deal."

Kar98k raised and eyebrow. "Who?"

Berezovich Kryuger, current head and one of the founders of G&K, was arrested for allegedly ordering the incident that occurred. While all of the charges were absolutely false to everyone that was present in the battle itself, State Security seemed to be showing a total lack of interest in the investigation itself beyond his arrest. Based on everything she had heard so far of what had happened, there was no doubt in Kar98k's mind that there was a lot more happening behind the scenes than she would ever know. What worried her the most was how easily the government seemed to move towards throwing Kryuger under the bus. She had the honor of meeting him before, and despite his intimidating appearance he was quite kind and warm to be around. Kar98k felt personal offense that someone was willing to think that he was a criminal of any sort.

It didn't make sense why any of this was happening, especially so quickly. Was all of this planned from the beginning, like some sort of destiny? Where did Kar98k fit into all of this? A thousand more questions with no answers bounced around, causing the lights in the theater they were sitting in on Level II to flicker. "I can tell you're upset," Fredrick acutely observed, "so I'd like you to know that whenever your back on your feet, the girls are planning a party for you."

A party would be nice right about now, something to forget about the darkness looming over them. She smiled, "I'll be there."

"No shit you'll be there," Fredrick exclaimed, "it's your damn party!"

"Are you actually going to join us this time?" Kar98k asked, knowing that he preferred to avoid their celebrations that weren't for major holidays.

Fredrick looked off in the distance for a second. "I might."

That was good enough for her.


The party itself went off without a hitch, a lot of meticulous planning having gone into every little detail. Unfortunately, party supplies were not very specific to this particular circumstance, forcing the girls to settle on a happy birthday theme. Excited to finally have a chance to cut loose and have fun again, they even invited a few friends that they had made from various locales. The MG sisters invited a couple of boys they met on vacation, MP41 brought a local "hacker" that she often dealt with, and various other folks that have been dealing with the girls and their various needs and wants. The cafeteria was fully converted, almost appearing like a formal ball room instead of a military style dining room. Birthday balloons and banners aside, they really outdid themselves to celebrate Kar98k being alive and well.

As the night and the merriment went on, the man that MP41 simply referred to as Herr Dealer decided that it was getting late and it was time for him to head home. Outside the building, still within the walls of the compound, MP41 decided to have a clandestine conversation with him before he left. There was a quick exchange for portable hard drives, as well as blackmail quips from MP41. She had been passing information along to him to analyze since their computers and systems were hard coded to hide and alert to its presence. With this third party, she should be able to find what's missing. "What did you find from the most recent one?" She asked, curious about the information.

"The name of some yellow zone cult," Herr Dealer explained, "but anything I can find of them so far just doesn't match up with public knowledge."

MP41 cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

During the battle, the white faction seemed to show reverence to ELIDs, both infected and feral; a similar aspect of a popular yellow zone cult known as Paradeus. However, nothing shown by the faction in white seemed to match the public record of Paradeus beyond their incredibly strong female leaders. However, this information was too coincidental to draw a full conclusion, as Paradeus had never publicly shown a sort of sinister tech level as the white faction had during the battle. While this may be a sign that more may be hiding just beneath the surface, it could also be nothing. Despite the coincidences, it was still a lead worth investigating once she had the chance. Of course, if the computers did register it as blocked content, then she would have to rely even more heavily on her friend.

"You've done well so far, Herr Dealer." MP41 thanked him for his service.

"So you're going to delete that footage then?" He asked nervously.

MP41 gave him a knowing smile. "I'll have to think about it after you take a look through that next hard drive, Herr Dealer," MP41 teased, "after all it was a fun night for both of us."

Her laugh made him feel even more uneasy, wishing she wouldn't hold his lapse in judgement above him despite being half his height. Before he could respond, they were joined by one of the other dolls that he didn't recognize. This other doll wasn't dressed in their usual uniform, most of the girls tonight opting to wear dresses for the opulent occasion rather than a stuffy uniform. MP41, one of the few to stay in uniform, simply rolled her eyes at their visitor. "Saying your goodbyes?" The doll asked.

"I was just about to see Herr Dealer out, yes." MP41 responded coldly.

The other doll ignored her icy response. "Fredrick was looking for you, and said it was important." She looked at the two of them and focused on Herr Dealer's reddened face. "I can see your friend out if you'd like."

MP41 considered it. "We're just about finished with our conversation, aren't we?" She said, a sly smile on her face.

Herr Dealer only nodded, happy to be away from the blackmail threats. MP41 went back inside, using her camera to take a quick picture of the two of them before going on her way. He twitched at the snap of the photo, making her laugh. The second doll simply watched her leave, making sure she was gone before escorting him out. The two walked in silence before she finally spoke. "So how did you meet the little rat?" She asked, her tone a bit more harsh than before.

They were just by the exit to the compound, all she had to do was let open the door and he'd be free from these crazy dolls. "We, uh," Herr Dealer stammered as he lied, "had a mutual interest in photography, and we m-met up one day to trade-"

"I've seen her neural cloud, you fat piece of shit." She pushed him into the wall, placing one leg between his and pushing her left arm against his throat to hold him back. "I watched the video, I'm not impressed. Neither will your mommy."

"What do you want from me?" He tried to push away, but the doll was too much for him.

"What do you know about Paradeus?" The doll growled, practically spitting on his face.

He pointed to his pocket where he put the personal hard drive MP41 had given him. The doll fished through his pocket, not very gentle, and pulled the hard drive out. She stuffed it into the breast of her dress and kept holding him against the wall. "I swear I don't know anything beyond coincidental information, I'm not even working for Griffin!"

The doll pushed him against the wall even tighter, choking him as he tried to struggle. "You'll keep it this way too you little shit," she threatened him, "or your little secret with that rat bitch will be the least of your worries."

"I swear, I won't tell anyone!" He groaned, trying to breathe.

"I believe you." She let him go, stepping back and giving him room to take a breath. She unlocked the gate for him allowing him through. He stumbled through, but she reached out and grabbed his face. A quick twist and Herr Dealer fell just outside the gate. Quick, clean, and he didn't even leak any fluids. The doll whistled to one of her subordinates that were waiting just outside. "Find a wood chipper for this sack of crap and burn what's left," she instructed, "then find his home and delete anything about us that you find. I'm going to go wash his grease off of me."

She turned to meet her only witness, a white cat that also responded to her whistle. With a smile, she scooped up the cat and carried it back in her arms. Herr Dealer and his car were reported missing a few days later, along with several children. Evidence seemed to suggest that he was most likely involved, with a manhunt under way. His mother claimed he would never do anything so heinous, despite his computer history claiming otherwise. No evidence pointed to him being at the Griffin base that night for the party, with the investigation never reaching the gate where died.