Chapter 44 – Mission Briefing

Bryant entered the room that had been assigned to him. It was a standard suite so as to not draw attention to himself. On the bed was an assortment of notes and tickets to the big Gala event tonight. His suit was being delivered as he waited. Yulia and the small escort team from Neo Karis were going to meet him at the base of the tower. Dolls were not permitted at the event, but they were permitted to escort him there. A necessary precaution given the big names that would be present tonight. Bryant mused on the few individuals he thought would be there: old friends, allies, and enemies. It would be enjoyable, even if he was working.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. A thin voice called out. "Hello? I have a suit for Mr Bryant." He stood up and approached the door, careful to look through the peephole. A maid-type stood on the other side: long grey hair, athletic build. Her eyes were shut, and she held his suit carefully out in front of her. Bryant unlocked the door and gently grabbed the handle. The latch clicked and the doll became a blur of motion. The doll charged in, drawing a weapon from behind his suit. She grabbed his neck with one hand, kicked the door closed and slammed him against the wall.

Bryant was barely able to breathe as the doll shoved her rifle against his chest. "Zachary Bryant," she spoke, the previous softness gone from her voice, "I'm going to be taking your tickets to the Gala now. I hope you don't-" Bryant reached for his sidearm. In a fluid motion, he shot and the doll dodged. The motion gave Bryant the leverage he needed to break free of her grip and take another shot. This one impacted just above the knee to little effect. The doll narrowed her glowing purple eyes at him and contemplated her next action for a fraction of a moment. She raced forward and shoulder tackled him before he could pull the trigger again. Bryant could do nothing as she lifted him off his feet and kept running through the door.

Splinters of wood exploded into the hallway as soldier and doll came barreling through a once pristine door. Other guests and hotel staff yelped and scattered as the display caught everyone off guard. Bryant tumbled until he hit the other side of the hallway. The doll stood over him and raised her rifle, unsure whether to shoot or not. In the end, she took off down the hallway. Bryant rolled to his knees and raised his gun, but there were now too many people in the way for him to risk it. He lowered his weapon and let the pain of being tossed through a wall catch up to him.

Security arrived a while later, with Andrew in the lead. Most wouldn't have taken him for a soldier. He was taller than Bryant, but not as physically imposing. He kept his shoulder length hair in a tight bun and, unlike Bryant, kept his beard neatly trimmed. He barked some orders at the security team around him and they ran down the hallway after the doll. Andrew reached down and helped Bryant to his feet. "You alright, Bryant?"

"Barely...sorry about the door."

"Don't worry about that. I'm glad you survived. That doll has been picking off my security staff since last week." Andrew looked down the hall and cursed. Bryant couldn't remember the last time he was this frustrated. Probably the closest comparison was during that military operation just before Byrant left to join Griffin. Andrew put his weapon away and helped get the bystanders settled. "Everyone: please stay inside. We can assure you the threat has passed." Bryant stood up and dusted himself off. He stared back into his room and sighed. At least his suit was still in one piece.

Andrew followed Bryant into the room and sat on the couch. "Is this the normal 'doll' greeting you get back at base?" Bryant sat down across from him and winced in pain.

"No. Normally it takes about two of them to push me through a door." Both chuckled slightly. "Damn...that hurt. Any ID on the doll?"

"It's an IOP civilian model, but has been heavily modified including a weapon etching. Top of the line: only the Military would have that kind of technology." Andrew opened the fridge by the couch and pulled out a small bottle. He poured both of them a drink. "I doubt the Military is going to put their resources into a single doll."

"So StateSec then?"

"Hm?" Andrew stopped mid-sip and looked at Bryant.

"State Security has the resources, and they would definitely make a doll for wetwork jobs."

"How do you..."

"I heard some things from a coworker." Andrew put the drink down and thought for a moment. He ran a finger across his beard and leaned forward.

"Damn, that actually might solve some things. I don't believe the State would risk destroying one of their greatest successes. But, a rogue agent might want to cause some strife between the major players." Andrew frowned and looked up at the ceiling. "Perfect. Just perfect."

"So, what's the plan?"

"The usual...flush them out and into the killzone." Andrew took a sip and sighed. "I'll double the security for the gala. I'll need you tonight."

"That's why I'm here." His tablet buzzed in his bag. Yulia and the security retinue had arrived. Things were about to get serious.

"Well...I'll let you get ready for the event…. and get you another room." Andrew raised his glass. "Cheers." Bryant raised his glass.

"Good luck and Godspeed."