Chapter 6 – New Beginnings in an Old Jacket

Bryant hated the red jackets that Griffon Commanders wore. It was irritating on the eyes, and it brought thoughts of death and blood to the front of his mind. What made him more uncomfortable was the gazes he got from the escort dolls. Those eyes that held unmistakable curiosity and kindness. Bryant couldn't make eye contact for long. He didn't think his heart could take it.

The commander that picked him up, miraculously, was an old friend. That had put him on the fast-track out of the destroyed city. No paper work or waiting for identification. However, this commander insisted rather strongly that Bryant meet with Helianthus in person. The thought of seeing that woman again filled Bryant with very mixed feelings.

Bryant made his way down familiar corridors and past familiar faces. He reached the door to Helianthus's office and took a deep breath. He knocked twice and waited.

"Come in." her voice echoed, only slightly annoyed. He heard movement on the other side, perhaps she already had company. Bryant sighed and opened the door.

"Miss Helian…good to see you again." Bryant said with all the finesse and charm he could manage. It wasn't much, probably because of all the soot and tears from his encounter. Helian, on the other hand, looked picture perfect. Her brown hair came down just over her shoulders, and her jacket was clean, pressed, and buttoned up. She looked flawless, even without her makeup, and her monocle was perfectly positioned over her right eye. Bryant wasn't sure if she used it to read, or to make herself look more intimidating.

Next to Helian's desk stood the other woman who put him through the wringer: Scientist Persica. She was the exact opposite of Helian. Her clothing, hair, and face all gave the impression that she hadn't slept in weeks. The oversized cup of coffee in her hand proved it. She had dark circles under her eyes, and listening to her voice made Bryant tired as well. Her lab coat was tossed haphazardly over whatever clothes she happened to wear that day. He was surprised the coat had only one small coffee stain.

Bryant nodded towards the scientist. "Doctor." She made a happy greeting noise and sipped some coffee. Helian just grunted. "The Commander who picked me up told me to come see you."

"Yes. Take a seat, Bryant." She said. Bryant suppressed every urge in his body to roll his eyes and sat down. The chair was not comfortable by any stretch, but every muscle in his body burned from the exhaustion. He'd sleep well tonight…if he could get the faces of the dead out of his mind. "We received an anonymous tip that Sangvis was marching in force against the city. Did you have anything to do with that?" He shook his head.

"Your guess is as good as mine, ma'am. I sure wasn't me." He stretched a bit, and felt his body fight him. Helian glanced at Persica, who was nervously gnawing on an already short nail. "Is…something wrong?"

Persica nodded. "Bryant…the call we received mentioned you by name." Bryant nodded and pulled the earpiece from his pocket.

"Let me guess: woman's voice? Modified to hell and back." Helian nodded. "I have my own theories, but I'll keep them to myself for now." He turned to Persica and pointed to the earpiece. The doctor nodded, took it, and put it in her coat pocket.

"I'll study this…tonight." Bryant sighed.

"You really should get some sleep."

"Not until -" she stopped herself mid-sentence and took a sip of coffee. "Not until I finish." Bryant knew better than to pry. Especially not with Persica.

"So, are we done here?" Bryant asked. "I'm really beat. And I haven't eaten in about twelve hours." Helian nodded.

"For now. I'll let the dolls in the mess know to give you some food." Bryant nodded and stood.

"Thanks." He turned to walk out, but stopped right by the door. "Hey…what happened to the USP model that was with me? They loaded her up on a different helicopter."

"You did fry her memory core when you…well, broke her. They took her to the repair bay. I'll have her sent to the mess hall when they finish up." Bryant nodded and thanked her. He turned to leave, but Helian spotted him pull the worn ring from his breast pocket before he left. "Can't let her go, can you Bryant?" she mumbled and turned to Persica. A small droplet of blood trickled down her finger from where she had been biting.

"Helian…I'm worried." Helian nodded.

"As am I. It isn't a coincidence, and I'm positive he doesn't believe that either." Helian pulled a small stack of papers out of the drawer and looked at them again. Four doll designs. 'Dossiers', really. "This close…"

"Helian…"

"I'll authorize the mission. And, I'll accelerate the program for the RO635 unit just in case." Persica stopped chewing and looked at Helian. She sat at her desk and put a hand on her chin. "Whoever did this wants Bryant onboard for some reason. I say, we play this game of theirs for now. Afterall, Bryant has a knack for getting himself out of strange messes." Helian nodded again. "Presica: prepare for mission. I'll get a list of all Sector Nine commanders."

Bryant sat quietly. A few of the security officers stopped to check his credentials, but it was a quiet and lonely meal. USP staggered in about an hour after Bryant sat down. She sat down next to him and leaned into him. "I'm…tired." Bryant nodded and awkwardly gave her a pat on her head.

"You did good, kid. Get some sleep. I'll be here a while." She nodded and gave a sleepy reply before falling asleep. After a few minutes, a small detail of soldiers came into the mess hall, escorting Helian. This was something official. Bryant sighed and put both hands on the table. "Look, if you're gonna arrest me, at least let the kid sleep a bit longer."

"That's not why I'm here, Bryant." She held out a small box, a briefcase. It was scarred and beaten up. Bryant raised an eyebrow.

"I retired. I was deemed unfit for duty."

"Well, we need to make an exception. Something is stirring, Bryant. And we need someone with your…talents."

"You mean you need a War-Dog. Those days are gone, Helian…it took everything I had…" He took a deep breath. His body shook, and the heat drained from his body.

"You survived, Bryant. That's what you do and that's what we need." Bryant lowered his eyes to the worn case. He knew what was inside, unless they had moved. Inside were all the tools and the spare neural clouds that had survived his last mission as a Griffon Commander. "Please. Will you accept."

Bryant took a quick glance at USP. She was sleeping peacefully on his arm. He couldn't put her in danger. He shook his head, and spoke in a whisper. "I can't do it, Helian…I can't lead them like that."

Helian sighed for a moment. "Fine then. I can't conscript you, anyway. But," She motioned to USP, "I can't let her go with you. I'm not trying to blackmail you, Bryant: but she's equipped with a Griffon combat core, and must remain under Griffon employ."

"Helian, I'm not – "

"You won't need to go on sweep and clear or reclamation missions: I'll put you in a supporting role. You won't need to get aggressive unless you want to." Bryant thought about that for a moment. Not the offer, but the tone of Helian's voice. It was almost as if she were pleading with him, not asking him. He held the advantage in this negotiation. And he didn't like that. He sighed, defeated once again.

"My old jacket won't fit…I'm a bit bigger now." Helian nodded and left the briefcase with Bryant.

"I'm pleased to have you back, Commander Bryant."