"You're...the Griffin commander?" Scarecrow eyed Zeldri suspiciously. She'd never heard of a commander coming to the front line before; especially one that was injured like Zeldri was. But, judging by the shocked expressions of the t-dolls, this truly was their commander. This only led to more questions... "To what do I owe the disdain of meeting you here?"

"..." Zeldri took a few steps away from the Tigr and towards AA-12 before he was stopped by Scarecrow's drones getting in front of him. Their integrated plasma guns were primed but held their fire. "Pioneer Reconnaissance Doll Model SP65, codenamed Scarecrow." He faced the Ringleader who gently hovered above the ground roughly fifty feet away from him. "As a doll focusing on intelligence gathering, I should be asking you that same question."

"Congratulations on doing your basic homework." Scarecrow was having some of her drones scan the horizon for additional Griffin troops. Surely their commander wouldn't come to the front by himself with only that truck, right? "But, you lose points for walking into your death, human. You and your forces are outclassed." She put more power into her repulsers and hovered a bit higher than normal so that she would be looking down on Zeldri as their conversation continued.

"Is that why my single team, who wasn't at full strength, was able to wipe out your forces?"

"..."

"You're by yourself now, Scarecrow. You're outnumbered. So," he offered the briefcase to one of the drones that were near him as he spoke, "I've personally come to discuss the terms of your surrender."

"...!" Was this human well and truly insane? First, he surprises her with his unconventional tactics that took half her forces before the battle began, and now he speaks of her surrendering to him? "...You have the gall, human?"

"...Commander?" AA-12 tried to get up, but Zeldri held up his hand for her to stop.

"Just wait there a bit, AA-12. This will be over soon. Also," he turned his attention back to Scarecrow, "That's 'Commander Zeldri' to you, Scarecrow." Zeldri forced the briefcase onto one of the drone's front fins. Scarecrow's sensors weren't detecting anything dangerous within the briefcase, all it was doing was transmitting a GPS signal. The drone returned to Scarecrow's side and she opened the briefcase to find exactly what she scanned; a GPS transmitter. She cocked an eyebrow at Zeldri.

"And, this is?"

"Insurance."

"Insurance?" She dropped the briefcase to the ground and scoffed at him. "Are you truly sane human?"

"Completely," Zeldri said before he heard someone stifle a laugh from behind him. The black-cloaked woman was leaning on the hood of the Tigr with her hand over her mouth trying to contain her laughter. Zeldri ignored her. "You have two choices here, Scarecrow." Now that the drone had returned to Scarecrow's side, Zeldri continued walking towards AA-12. "You can either surrender yourself to us and be taken prisoner. Or, you can be destroyed."

"Hmph," Zeldri's gall was starting to amuse Scarecrow, "Do you always start off your negotiations by attempting to kill the other party?"

"If you're destroyed, then I don't need to waste time negotiating." A sound answer Scarecrow could respect. "Now, choose." He stopped walking as he placed himself between Scarecrow and AA-12. There was a crater in the ground in front of him from an explosion that happened a long time ago.

"I choose neither, human." Scarecrow brought all her drones to her side and aimed them at Zeldri. "I choose your death."

"...I figured as much." Zeldri silently mused to himself.

"Comma-!" AA-12 tried to speak but suddenly received a message from Horris of all people. As she read the message her eyes went wide. "YOU IDIOT!" AA-12 and her dummy link frantically scrambled to their feet.

"...!" Scarecrow was surprised by AA-12's outburst and went to fire, but hesitated as she saw that AA-12 wasn't attempting to charge at her. Instead, AA-12 and her dummy tackled Zeldri into the crater and deployed their shields around him. Perhaps, this was some last desperate attempt to save him from her drones? "You-!" Unfortunately, for her, she would only realize too late what their actual intention was as the 152.4mm HERAGPS (High Explosive Rocket-Assisted Global Positioning System-guided) artillery shell direct impacted the briefcase that was still at her feet. Scarecrow's light frame body wasn't meant for direct combat, let alone an artillery strike, and was easily blown apart by the explosion.

"..." Zeldri, despite being in a crater and under two shield t-dolls, still felt the shockwave of the explosion. He started to lose consciousness. His hearing was gone and his vision was blurred, but he could still make out AA-12 as she desperately called out to him even as he blacked out.


"AHAHAHAHAHA!" Only for him to be awoken by the sound of gut-wrenching laughter. Zeldri cracked open his eyes to find himself back in the world of white. The back of his head was sore, and his whole body felt stiff. "HOLY SHIT!" The black-cloaked woman was rolling on the floor laughing hysterically nearby. "Out of all possible plans, that's what she fell for!? That!? The most obvious stall tactic in the world?! AHAHAHAHA!" She could barely control herself, so Zeldri ignored her and sat up. The world was still a completely white void with himself and the black-cloaked woman as the only two people around. "Oooohohohoo~, that was a good one, Commander." Before he could stand, the black-cloaked woman threw herself on top of him from behind and draped her arms around him.

"...!" A warmth suddenly pulsed through his body and he was starting to get extremely tired.

"There, there~." The black-cloaked woman cooed as her hands moved up to cover his eyes. "While you deserve a rest after a long day, Commander, neither of us are in a position to do so." Although he tried to fight it, exhaustion overwhelmed Zeldri and he once more blacked out in the woman's arms while she whispered into his ear. "Wake up, Commander, you're screaming again."


"..." Zeldri awoke to the sound of a vitals monitor beeping methodically nearby. Slowly, he cracked open his eyes as he tried to get used to the bright lights above him. He could feel all his limbs, and his chest rose and fell with every breath. He was alive. After giving a sigh of relief, and letting his eyes adjust more, he fully opened his eyes to look around. Sterile white tiles lined the floor, the walls were a light blue, and the ceiling was a dull white with LED lights embedded into the tiles. The vitals monitor continued to beep next to his bed that had a curtain around it for privacy. He was back at the Mountain in the medical ward. "...I see." His plan worked. Deciding to test how sore he would be from being danger close to an artillery explosion, Zeldri attempted to sit up and move his arms but found his left arm wouldn't move. Looking down for the first time, Zeldri was met with the sight of AA-12 sitting in a chair next to his bed. She was in a standby state while resting her head on the bed and holding his hand. Upon feeling the bed stir, she exited her standby state, blinked a few times, and looked up at Zeldri. Their gazes met. "...Good mor-!"

"Commander!" AA-12 cut him off as she got to her feet and forced herself to fully come online.

"Good morni-"

"Why the hell did you do that!?" Again, she cut him off. Zeldri was completely stunned for a moment as he was used to seeing AA-12 being calm and only mildly interested in the world around her. Someone who, no matter what, could keep their cool. But, now, her voice shook and tears were starting to well up in her eyes that were filled with a mix of sorrow, relief, and anger. She looked extremely human.

"...Can I sit up, first?"

"...Sure." Although she wanted her question answered, she obliged and helped Zeldri sit up in a comfortable position. While he could feel all his limbs, they ached as he moved them. When they finished, the door to the room opened and Annika rushed inside after receiving AA-12's message.

"Commander!" She practically ripped the privacy curtain off the metal rod as she threw it aside.

"Good mor-"

"Какого черта ты это сделал (What the hell did you do that for)!?" While AA-12 was on the verge of tears, Annika was actively crying. "You...You...!"

"You should have sent a doll!" AA-12 interrupted Annika's stuttering.

"I needed the briefcase to be close to Scarecrow," Zeldri tried to explain, "Getting her to lower her guard with my presence was the best way to do that."

"But, you could have died!" AA-12 retorted. "We dolls could have gotten it close!"

"The one I sent could have, also, died."

"We're replaceable!"

"So am I."

"...!" AA-12 couldn't believe what Zeldri just said and Annika's eyes widened in surprise. "You're no-"

"If I die, then HQ sends a new commander." Zeldri interrupted her. "Though, human lives are important and of a higher priority than doll lives as you can just come back in a new body."

"So then-!"

"But does that mean humans can't defend dolls?" It had been quite some time since he'd taken command of the Mountain. He'd interacted with dolls and humans for most of it. And, while his past self would never have considered it, it was getting harder and harder for him to tell the difference between the two, anymore. "How you rest is different. How you eat is different. How you exist is different. But, you are all still my soldiers."

"..." AA-12 remained silent as she was lost for words, and Annika was getting her tears under control.

"Claiming someone as 'irreplaceable' is a farce, AA-12. Griffin can get another commander from their academy. The military can train a new officer from their pool of soldiers. I.O.P. can get another a-doll and turn them into a t-doll. We're all replaceable." He adjusted himself in his bed and cracked his neck. "Which is why I'll do everything I can to make sure you all come back."

"...Eh?" AA-12 had tried getting a sucker out of its wrapper to calm herself down but froze when Zeldri spoke those words.

"As your commander, it's my responsibility to ensure the success of my mission, and part of that is to make sure everyone comes back alive. That extends to dolls. From a cold perspective, you could say it's to cut down on costs to get new dolls. But, for me..." He paused before letting out a long, heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "...I think the pain killers are making me more sappy than usual."

"...Jeez," Annika gave a chuckle, "You were on a roll and ruined it, Commander."

"If I'm gonna say something heartfelt it should be done while I'm not high on meds."

"Fair enough."

"..." AA-12 sat silently for a moment before getting up and walking away. "I'm gonna return to my dorm, now."

"Mm," Zeldri gave a nod as she left, "I'll see you tomor-"

"Oh no, you don't!" Annika hushed Zeldri by putting her tablet over his lips. "Don't think that sappy speech gets you off the hook. You aren't leaving this bed until you're cleared by Valeriya! And, another thing..."

"..." AA-12 left before Annika went fully into her scolding. As she walked through the halls, she fiddled with the sucker she still didn't get out of the wrapper. Her mind was...distracted. "Oof!" So much so that she bumped into Horris without even noticing him.

"Hm?" Horris turned to see who it was. "Oh, my apologies, AA-12."

"Mmm." Even though she looked at him, her eyes didn't focus.

"Something wrong?" Horris looked into the t-doll's eyes to see if something was loose.

"No, it's..." She stopped and thought about it for a moment before asking, "How long have you known the Commander?"

"Zeldri?" Horris leaned back and scratched his chin. "I was there the day he was born, so his whole life."

"I see..." AA-12 wasn't used to asking for help, especially for something like what she was feeling. "Do you...know what he likes?"

"What he likes?" Horris seemed a bit confused by her question.

"Like...something even someone like me could do to...make him...happy?" The last part of her request was practically a whisper as she was getting embarrassed just saying that thought out loud. She quickly shook her head. "Nevermind, it's-"

"I," Horris interrupted her and she saw an unreadable smile take over his face, "Do know one thing."


Zeldri couldn't sleep. He was used to his leg being in constant pain, but who could have guessed being that close to an explosion would make the rest of your body be in constant pain? The clock next to him said it was just past midnight. "Бля- (Fu-)" As he went to curse to himself, the door to the room opened and someone's footsteps entered. The privacy curtain was pulled, so he couldn't see who it was. The fact they didn't announce their presence put him on edge. As the footsteps drew closer, they briefly paused and some rustling could be heard. Then, the footsteps continued but this time it sounded like the person was no longer wearing shoes. Zeldri's eyes had already adjusted to the dark, so when they came around the curtain he saw who it was. "...AA-12?"

"...!" AA-12 jumped a bit at Zeldri's voice. "A-...Ah... Commander... You're awake?"

"...Yeah." She hesitantly got closer and Zeldri could see AA-12 had her jacket zipped up, for once. "What do you ne-!" Zeldri was taken completely off guard as AA-12 climbed onto the bed and straddled him.

"..." She hesitated as she sat on top of him. Her blue eyes softly glowed in the dark creating a surreal scene from Zeldri's perspective.

"A-" As he spoke, she started to clumsily unzip her jacket. There was nothing underneath. "AA-12!" Zeldri grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"...!" AA-12 didn't fight against his grip and remained still.

"What the hell are you doing?" His tone wasn't mad, but rather concerned as this was completely out of character for her.

"...But," she spoke with a whisper, "This is all I can do..."

"..." Zeldri adjusted himself under her so he could sit up. "Do to what?"

"..." Despite her being here, it was obvious AA-12 was completely out of her element and wasn't sure how to proceed. "You..." She hesitated but forced the words out. "Haven't scrapped me."

"Why would I scrap you?" While Zeldri really wanted to know why she was sneaking into his med-ward bed with nothing but a jacket and her leggings on, he let her go at her own pace.

"Everyone else does." Her words were filled with a tired bitterness as if they'd been spoken so many times before. When Zeldri didn't say anything, she continued, "I...have a terrible personality. And, I've had to go to the repair bay from overdosing on sugar. And-"

"What?" Now Zeldri was genuinely confused. First, he'd never seen her in the repair bay for such a thing. And, second, how could a doll overdose? And on sugar, no less?

"There was an...error when I was scrapped by my first commander," AA-12 admitted. "My core wasn't removed correctly, and as a result, I still have the memories of my previous commanders."

"Is that not common?"

"No," AA-12 softly shook her head, "All t-dolls need to be reset after being scrapped. Otherwise, they end up like me; knowing they're worthless junk meant to be scrapped at any time." She paused as her eyes fell to Zeldri's chest. "Miss Persica doesn't know why, but it was deemed I continue operation to see what affects it has on my digimind."

"...And?"

"...You're my third commander, from what I can remember." There wasn't any bitterness, anymore, despite talking about those who scrapped her. She was just tired. "That's why...I wanted to show you how much it means that I'm still here and how you...treat me. And, all I have is this body so...Um...Commander...with me...together...I..." It looked like she was deep in thought until she let out an annoyed sigh. "Ahhh! You understand what I mean, right?"

"..." Zeldri mulled over her words for a few seconds of silence before taking a deep breath. "If all you have is your body, then make sure you take care of it." Without resistance, he zipped up her jacket. "Also, let me give you some advice."

"...?"

"It generally doesn't look good when the girl is hesitating so much and is doing it to 'pay off' a self-imposed debt." He brought up her hood and gently pulled it over her eyes.

"Mmm," AA-12 grumbled a bit and lifted her hood out of her eyes so she could see.

"If you truly want to thank me, then keep doing the excellent job you've been doing protecting your team and helping as my adjunct."

"...You're just not attracted because I'm a doll, right?"

"Partially, but that doesn't diminish my previous statements."

"Tch." AA-12 clicked her tongue and relaxed her posture for the first time since she'd entered the room. "At questions like that, you should lie, Commander. No wonder you're still a virgin."

"Oi!" Zeldri wouldn't take that lying down and pulled AA-12's hood back down over her face. "And, who says I'm a virgin?"

"Hey, hey! Stop with the corporal punishment! I'm against violence!" AA-12 lazily tried to fight back which caused her to start squirming on top of Zeldri. And, that's when he felt something.

"Huh?" Zeldri let go of AA-12's hood and looked down. With all her squirming, AA-12's jacket had ridden up her legs and hips to expose...it.

"..." AA-12, upon noticing where he was looking, blushed and looked away.

"...AA-12," Zeldri spoke in a calm and controlled tone. Or, at least, as controlled as he could manage. "Where did you get that?"

"...Well..."


"Hmhmhmmm." It was about twelve-thirty in the morning, but Horris was still up tinkering with the vehicles. Though it was almost time for him to head to bed, so M7 was organizing his tools and cleaning up the area. He smiled mischievously as he wondered how his gift was received.

"Huh? Commander!?" One of the nearby a-dolls sounded startled as Zeldri entered the garage.

"Hohohoooo~" Horris wiped his hands clean before he went to turn towards Zeldri. "Already up and abou-!" A box was tossed at Horris' feet. It had rather...ornate designs on it and the product's logo, Wombforce 3090, was proudly plastered on every side. Horris could feel a dangerous presence looming over him and looked up to see Zeldri looking down at him. "Uh..."

"Horris." His words were daggers. "Care to explain why one of my dolls now has this installed into her?"

"Well, you see..." Horris trailed off as he glanced around nervously and eventually met M7's gaze. She looked disappointed in him and averted her eyes. It was the most crushing blow he could have ever received. "I can explain," Horris said as he stood up.

"You can run," Zeldri responded as he pulled out his Makarov and loaded a mag.

"..." AA-12 watched from a doorway as Zeldri started shooting at Horris' feet. Annika eventually came up to see why Zeldri was out of bed and actively firing his weapon. Upon seeing the box and getting an explanation, she pulled out her C96 and joined Zeldri in shooting at Horris' feet. "Bunch of weirdos." AA-12 popped a sucker into her mouth and started walking to her dorm room. The results of that night made her feel relieved by Zeldri's actions, and also a little disappointed. "..." But, she would never admit that to anyone.