"39." PP-2000 nodded to her. A friendly, companionable gesture, and OTs-39 took a deep breath. She's practiced this in her head all morning, trying to find the right way to approach the topic, but now that she was sitting across from PP-2000 the nervousness flared.

"Do you have some time to talk?" There wasn't a good way to lead in, but PP-2000 seemed to take it in stride.

"Sure." Tossing the tablet she'd been reading off onto a different chair, PP-2000 straightened up. "Here fine, or you want somewhere more private?"

"Here is fine." Every else on their team had left for Odessa that morning, so they weren't likely to be interrupted. About half the other Dolls on base had gone along, so it was quite possible they'd run into someone else outside. PP-2000 motioned for OTs-39 to continue. "I-" Her throat closed on the words. "It's-"

"You aren't sure if combat is for you." While her tone suggested a question the words were far more of a statement.

"How..." Stopping to think, OTs-39 sighed. "SV-98?" It felt like a safe guess. Groza would never comment on such a thing, but SV-98 tended to be more blunt in her words.

"Her, and Ballista." Expression twisting between exhaustion and frustration, PP-2000 drummed her fingers into the table. "Apparently, I look like the sort of person that one should talk to about these things, because SV-98 assumed you'd talked to me about it. Ballista just dropped it on me out of nowhere, that you were probably having second thoughts about being a soldier."

Had she truly been that obvious about it? OTs-39 wasn't sure, and pointing out that Tiss suggested she talk to PP-2000 seemed like just rubbing salt in the wound somehow. "I don't know if I should be upset or not."

"I recommend being upset." PP-2000 did not try and hide the smile or the upturn of her eyes. "Damn snipers have earned it." There seemed to be more to that story, but it could wai for until OTs-39 solved her own problems. "We're getting off topic."

Yes. Her feelings. "Waking up without knowing anything about what happened to me..." Once again, the words failed, and OTs-39 could only gesture. Fortunately, PP-2000 didn't push, settling back and letting OTs-39 figure out how to proceed. "I want to help people, and do good things, but losing hours, or days of memories- Memories are part of me, my experiences, and-." Taking a breath, OTs-39 pulled herself back. Getting hysterical wouldn't help. "But I consider all of you my friends and I don't want to just lose that, moving off base somewhere else-"

"OTs-39." PP-2000 cut her off, gently. "Even if you move to another base, we can stay in contact." Nodding vaguely across the base, PP-2000 added, "I think some of our new arrivals and guests are proof that getting shuffled around doesn't mean much."

"I don't think we should consider them good examples?" OTs-39 muttered, prompting another small laugh from PP-2000.

"Is anyone on this base a good example of anything, OTs-39?" The amusement dimmed. "Groza, SV-98, and FAL and company are walking tragedies. Tiss tries so hard to seem mysterious and just comes off like a weirdo, while KSG and her group are-" PP-2000 stopped. "KSG seems well adjusted, but I'm not sure about the rest. And those three we rescued are not exactly functional members of society. And we'll ignore the part where there is someone on base who is probably planning to rig all our beds with Molotov's."

OTs-39 tried to stop the hysterical giggle without success. Heaving PP-2000 rattle off a string of quasi-insults without any hesitation stood in such stark contrast to her otherwise reserved personality, that the only obvious choice was to laugh. The temptation to ask about the only omission became too great. "And the Commander?"

"I don't think he's as bad as Groza and the others do." PP-2000 admitted after a moment of consideration. "But I also had nothing but time to sit and listen to radio chatter, while you were fighting." Another longer sigh. "He's one of the best liars I've ever heard. Told Sector 2's Commander he didn't know a thing about what was happening with a straight face."

"I see." OTs-39 wanted to know more, but they were getting off topic again. "How did you know?"

"That getting shot wasn't what I wanted?" OTs-39 nodded, and PP-2000 tried to smile, although it turned into more of a grimace. "I somewhat didn't. SV-98 blew up at me over a simple question, and I just wanted to get away from her. The Commander needed a pilot, and that's what I did before joining Griffon, so it made for a natural choice." PP-2000 rubbed a circle into her right wrist. "Looking back, I know that I was scared of getting shot and killed, but in the moment, I just wanted to get away from someone who very obviously hated my guts."

"Oh." OTs-39 didn't expect and answer that raw or honest. From the way Tiss talked, it seemed there had been some moment that convinced PP-2000, not an eventual realization after her scuffle with SV-98.

PP-2000 managed a sympathetic smile. "You and I weren't created with the idea that dying would be a common occurrence, and we're attached to our memories and bodies." OTs-39 nodded. It touched on what troubled her. " The Commander won't tell you know if you want out. And I don't see Groza objecting either."

"What about SV-98?"

PP-2000 huffed. "She'll probably say something snide, about how you should stay where you belong or something, but she'd rather you stay out of a fight if you aren't comfortable in one. And if she runs her mouth, just punch her. It's some kind of universal military shorthand for 'hey screw you'."

"I see." OTs-39 paused. She couldn't imagine punching SV-98, or anyone else. "You don't think I'm being silly?" PP-2000 shook her head.

"Not wanting to die is normal. Wanting to know what happened is normal." PP-2000 rolled her shoulders. "If you really want a third opinion, talk to RFB. I think she's like us, and she's dating KSG so she might have some insight I don't, but as a rule if you aren't comfortable, change things around."

"And do what? I can't just leave-" OTs-39 started to say, then stopped when PP-2000 held up a hand.

"How willing are you to learn new things?" While hesitant the question was firm.

OTs-39 blinked in confusion. She didn't know where this was going at all. "Huh?"

Seeming to recognize that she'd been confusing, PP-2000 hastened to explain. "Me being the only pilot on base is a bit of a problem. I can't be everyone at once, and I need to sleep sometimes." That made sense. "And pilots are, apparently, hard to hire."

"I've never-" OTs-39 started, to object that she didn't know the first thing about flying. But, if PP-2000 brought it up, surely, she had something up her sleeve. "You know something?"

Nodding, PP-2000 uncrossed her arms. "One benefit of having a Digimind is that we can download large amounts of information about a given task and absorb that knowledge very quickly. It's not the same as actual practice, so you'd still have some learning to do, but where it takes hundreds of hours to teach a person to fly, I think I learned in under a week, and was comfortable not long after that." That speech seemed to drain PP-2000 more than anything before that. "That said, getting ten thousand hours of flight data dumped into your skull isn't a good feeling either."

It didn't take much consideration on OTs-39's part. "You'd really do that?" A beat. "I can really do that?"

"It helps everyone." PP-2000 agreed. "I need help with flying these idiots around. You don't want to get killed repeatedly, and the Commander needs more pilots. Finding another old soldier to come get shot is pretty easy. And nothing prevents a Doll from getting assigned to a new job over time. Same as people."

"And you think the Commander would agree?" Perhaps it was simply her limited interactions with him, but OTs-39 felt somewhat uneasy just going and asking the man something.

PP-2000 stood, motioning for OTs-39 to follow. "We can just ask."

"Wait!" OTs-39 scrambled to keep up, as PP-2000 wove through the halls. "Just, walk in and ask him?"

"He's not getting yelled at today." That did not feel like an answer. "And if anything, he'll be glad to have a problem solved. From listening to the Echelon leaders talk, it's been driving him mad, stacking up problems without solutions."

OTs-39 found herself in the commander's office with PP-2000, trying not to fidget uncomfortably while the other SMG using Doll explained her idea. As PP-2000 finished the Commander turned his attention to OTs-39. Direct scrutiny made her want to hide, forcing her to put effort into straightening her back and meeting the mismatched green eyes of her superior.

"This is what you want." Despite intense stare the question felt softer, even tempered, and lacking measure of judgement.

"Yes." OTs-39 nodded, before the compulsion to justify herself took over. "I'm not a soldier and if I-" The Commander held up a hand, cutting her off.

"I trust your judgement about your own choices, OTs-39." The expressionless façade cracked, as the Commander's lips turned upwards, seeming amused. "You are the person most effectively positioned to know what is best for you, and I am not going to try and tell you I know better. And PP-2000 is quite correct in that this does solve a number of impending issues that I otherwise lacked an effective method of solving despite needing them fixed within the immediate future."

OTs-39 nodded, hoping her relief wasn't obvious, even if she still didn't feel she understood well at all. PP-2000 seemed to slump in slight relief.

"I'll handle, or make Kalina handle, the paperwork to make everything official. I'm guessing you'll want to tell Groza and the others on your own time?" OTs-39 nodded. "That's fine." He waved them off. "It will take at least a couple days for everything to filter through the system, so you have at least that long."

"I understand." OTs-39 didn't plan to wait that long but it was good to know she wouldn't be effectively resigning without warning.

"Good. I'll let you two get back to your day." He waved them off, and OTs-39 realized she hadn't remembered to breathe that entire conversation.

-Faded Glory-

"Come on, you have to have some opinion?" KSG rolled her eyes at RFB's antics. Letting her pick a movie to watch would be a poor choice, but only RFB's humor would make her want to see history put out by the Soviets after the war.

"I have plenty of opinions, RFB." KSG knew for a fact that explaining in detail how Soviet propaganda misrepresented the fighting in, and around the city of Munich would not go over well in the middle of Odessa, even if she'd experienced most of it first-hand. That earned her an eye roll and a jab in the side. "I'd rather not get arrested."

"Nobody is going to-" RFB paused, her head cocking to the side, before seeming to catch up. "Oh."

"Oh?"

"Sorry." RFB even sounded apologetic, prompting KSG to shake her head.

"It's fine." Hardly the worst faux pas of their relationship and frankly KSG just found it funny. Seeing them attempt to spin the battle as a heroic last stand against the barbaric Americans made for a twisted sort of amusement. If nothing else, it would make for a good story next time she found time to visit Nuremberg. "I'm sure Meadows will get a laugh out of it."

RFB snorted, shooting her a sideway look. "When you're talking to him again." That was a different problem in KSG's opinion, although she'd concede RFB's point, at least a bit. "I'm pretty sure he does it on purpose."

"If you are about to compare Suomi playing her music too loud while you're trying to game to Meadows using my name-" RFB's mouth snapped shut, which told KSG all she needed to know. "He'll figure it out."

"He'd figure it out faster if you weren't being passive aggressive." RFB shot back, unusually serious. "Really, KSG, it's the one thing I know of that you aren't 'this is my plan, and this why my plan works', and instead just dig in your heels."

It was a roundabout way to ask the question that RFB wanted to ask, and KSG was sorely tempted to ignore it, in her usual way. Exactly how RFB even found out about this particular argument between herself and the Lieutenant, now Captain, remained a mystery to KSG. Probably one of the few times KSG let herself get drunk, or the outside chance she talked in her sleep. As a rule, RFB left the quarrel alone, but she'd occasionally poke, usually right after Meadows did something stupid.

"Everyone thinks it's weird. Alfa and SRS asked me if I knew what the deal was." RFB forged ahead, heedless of KSG's thoughts.

"Of course they did." In fairness to her siblings, KSG yelling at the man hadn't been subtle, and yelling made for a big enough event that those who knew her would ask questions. "I…" KSG glanced around, watching the passing strangers. None of them would listen or even notice the two women sitting outside of a restaurant. There was no better time to tell RFB this, without anyone she didn't want knowing. "They gave us names, not to have names, but because it was easier to tell us apart."

"At your job?" RFB blurted the words out, and immediately flushed, her eyes trying to find some way to take the words back.

KSG nodded, doing her best to convey a lack of anger. "I remember some real piece of work explaining that it was to 'improve integration of Autonomous Dolls into the workforce, and reduce friction created by perceived inhumanity amongst coworkers." RFB blinked several times, mouthing the words as she worked through the corporate nonsense speak. "Would have meant more if I didn't overhear him telling someone else that it was just for convenience, and that as soon as there was a better idea they'd can it."

"That's messed up." Her girlfriend twirled a bit of hair between her fingers.

"Dehumanizing is the word you are looking for." Letting their food arrive, KSG stewed on how to continue. "The same way that they shipped us out to the military the moment the call for Dolls went out. Profits were expected to crash in the aftermath of the central US getting blown to hell, and Dolls were expensive. Better give us to the military where we could at least die usefully." RFB stopped eating to stare in disbelief. "My words, but the belief was widespread and all but confirmed in various corporate statements."

RFB shook her head. "I'm starting to think everywhere on the planet had it out for Dolls before the war."

There were a lot of ways to answer that. "My experience is somewhat unique. The US was known to treat us better than average, and I've run into enough Europeans with good pre-war lives that I suspect that those of us who had bad lives were an overall minority." KSG paused to take a bite. "In either case, that name isn't something I chose, or wanted, and so I'd much rather forget it ever existed."

And as was her way, RFB asked the pointed question. "Have you told him that?"

"Not in those terms, no." KSG sighed. "Usually, I tell him to sit and spin, he apologizes, and we both move on. That day I'd already had it up to my eyeballs with Alfa and Honey Badger fighting, so I may have reacted more strongly than usual."

A faint smirk played across RFB's face. "When you snap, KSG, you usually don't yell profanity into a monitor like a salty CoD player."

"Gamers have nothing on angry soldiers." It made a good way to pivot the conversation away from her past. "Gamers just spout some slur or talk about how they screwed your parents. Frontlines got far more colorful."

"I never noticed." KSG knew she earned the deadpan stare that accompanied the words, and didn't try to defend herself. The rest of their meal passed in a comfortable silence. With both of them assigned to combat teams, there wasn't much time for her to spend with RFB without a major conflict or potential issue looming over their heads, and she wanted to enjoy it.

"You really need to kick me when I start being depressing." The thought occurred, and KSG let it slip out. RFB looked up, blinking in confusion. "Pre-war treatment of Dolls, and my various misadventures are hardly good date conversation."

"It's fine." RFB waved a hand. "You wouldn't be you if you weren't serious two hundred percent of the time."

"There is serious, and then there is depressing." KSG paid the bill, crossing her arms. "And you are not going to try and tell me that this was the first one."

"Then you'll just have to figure out how to make it up to me, won't you?" A teasing gleam entered RFB's eyes, and KSG internally groaned. She'd been outplayed in this small game.

"And you already have a plan, don't you?" Time to see just what she'd end up giving up for this.

-Faded Glory-

Groza found it surprisingly awkward walking the streets of Odessa. The fighting came long before her time, but even with FAL on her arm, some part of her struggled to relax. They'd found a relatively unoccupied bit of road overlooking the ocean to stop, giving plenty of time for Groza's thoughts to wander, for both good and ill.

"For someone well learned, and well-traveled, you are surprisingly light on stories." FAL's remark was offhanded, dragging Groza's thoughts away from questions of the past.

"Regrettably, most of my stories involving SV-98 tend to include her being a bit of a bitch." Groza shook her head, trying to chase off a stray thought. "Then again, that seems to be a running theme with all of us, doesn't it?"

"Having at least one squadmate that causes all manner of trouble?" FAL laughed, softly. "Yes, it rather does. It is a good thing there is some shared experience for them to bond over, or I fear we might have a genuine problem on our hands."

"There is already a problem on our hands. Three lieutenants with a chip on their shoulder, military experience to back it up, and one bunch of new recruits without a clue." Groza leaned against the railing looking out over the ocean. "And a trio of squad leaders married to the idea of working, and thus incapable of relaxation."

"KSG seems able to divorce herself from work, at least for a period of time." Groza wasn't personally quite so sure FAL had it right. While KSG seemed more relaxed around RFB than any other point, she also knew the telltale signs of a brain that never slowed. "Although, I will concede we may have a problem, standing here talking about work when we could be finding something else to do."

"It's a critical affliction of growing old, we run out of things to talk about." Groza turned away from the sea. A pretty view that nonetheless felt tainted. "Or so I was told."

"Sounds like a rather boring person, to make such a claim." Groza knew a probing question when she heard it, but would 'fall' for the bait. It made her life easier having a lead in to talk about her own past anyway.

"I would not call him boring."

"Your old superior. This Colonel that SV-98 holds in such low regard." Immediately catching on, Groza could feel FAL tense.

Groza tipped her head. "Not the sort of man you want to work for, or catch the attention of." A truth she'd realized far too late.

"You Soviets did not have the best of luck with your officer core, did you." An absent musing Groza did not see a need to reply too. "I can't say ours were the kindest or most reasonable, but when compared to the stories you, or Soviet soldiers tell, they seem almost saintly."

"I've never swapped stories to know, and Dolls were rarely exposed to prisoners to hear any stories that way." An easy admission, even if it omitted the fact that Groza didn't take any chances to see prisoners that had been put before her.

"That is perhaps the obvious thing." Seeming to chew on her words, FAL carried on more deliberately. "We were integrated with human troops, as opposed to separate units. Some of us held leadership roles, and were trusted in them." She nodded vaguely west. "The US took it a few steps farther, needing a way to recover from the bombing, so they put Dolls in NCO roles if they had the knowledge or lived long enough. We never took it that far, but Dolls were treated the same as human soldiers, in terms of value. Whether they liked us or not, higher ups treated everyone alright."

"Ours tended to be quite clear where we stood with them." Groza hoped she did not need to elaborate on that point.

FAL hummed, although her expression made it clear she took the point. "I can't say I remember much about those we served under. Between snipers and dumb luck, they tended towards a lifespan measured in weeks instead of years. Command claimed we inflicted the same on the enemy..." Her eyes drifted a bit out of focus, and Groza held her thoughts. "In the end, they all blur together. Five-seveN or Ballista might remember them better but for me they are just a presence, without really sticking out."

"Consider that for the best." After that, they lapsed into a comfortable quiet at that point, again watching the Black Sea lap against the natural protections.

"What do you suppose is next?" FAL breaking the silence seemed to be a theme of the day, although this time Groza had a better answer lined up.

"Peace and quiet, hopefully. HQ seemed to be quite upset with the Commander, and we still need to ship Sector 2's Echelon back to Sector 2." Groza waved that off. "Our final target had gone to ground and a single woman with knowledge can stay hidden for a long time. So, we're probably stuck on patrol duty and watching the base for the time being."

"You say this like a lack of excitement is a bad thing." A gentle nudge prompted her to meet a pair of amused eyes. "It gives us time to settle down."

"Some part of me refused to believe things will settle down." Groza admitted in a low voice, but didn't argue the overall point. "It would be nice." FAL didn't reply, threading their fingers together.

-Faded Glory-

KSG waved off the perhaps overly enthusiastic sales rep, mentally congratulating herself for not outwardly sighing.

"You could have at least let him think he's being helpful." RFB's quiet words tried to be reproachful but came out dry.

"I could." Elaboration was not required.

"I can never tell if you're jealous or this is just another bit of the whole practical and to the point attitude." RFB shook her head, and KSG saw no reason to admit it was neither. She didn't care if RFB talked to other people, and it wouldn't really slow them down if they had the salesperson tag along, KSG just didn't have the fortitude to deal with salesperson speak and being upsold things at the moment. Or the desire to see RFB let herself be sold something she didn't need to spend more of KSG's money as some kind of 'revenge' for KSG being depressing.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, RFB's idea of payment involved buying more things related to gaming. A bit more surprisingly it didn't involve KSG buying RFB something for herself, but RFB deciding that it was 'past time KSG had an acceptable setup'.

In reality it was all a not-so-subtle hint that RFB wanted her to join in on game nights with TMP or her sisters, which KSG would be willing to do without rebuying most of the stuff she sold when she left her original Griffon Posting in Minsk

That led them to the back of the nearest thing to an Ikea that existed in Odessa, in search of a chair that passed whatever magical standards RFB set for something to sit on. Frankly, KSG did not understand, as chairs were chairs, and everything beyond basic function didn't matter.

"I think this means I owe K2 money." KSG realized, as they wove through the aisles.

"Huh?" RFB didn't stop moving, keeping her bafflement to her voice.

"She's the one I told I would never buy one of your overpriced chairs." Rolling her eyes in mock defeat, KSG couldn't resist a small jab. "She was sure that you'd seduce me into it somehow."

"Well, you would be satisfied sitting on a rock." RFB ignored the accusation, focusing on the unimportant details.

"It would need to be a rather comfortable rock." Then again, KSG couldn't really deny the point. She'd spent long enough sitting on dirt and rocks that comfortable seating didn't mean much. Even less if you were dealing with sitting in an IFV.

"My point exactly." Still rolling her eyes, RFB dropped into one chair, shifting a bit to get comfortable.

"And I don't see why it matters. We're made of synthetic fiber and metal; we don't need lumbar support or whatever nonsense these chairs supposedly provide." KSG leaned against the shelving, arms crossed.

"I'm not making out with you on a wire and sheet metal deathtrap." And there was the real reason. That, and RFB intended to steal said chair if she visited Sector 9 again.

KSG would play along. "I thought you were above cheating to win." RFB flipped her off. "Not in public, thank you very much." RFB flushed, and KSG laughed, shaking her head. Sometimes, it was just too easy.

"You're the worst, you know that?" RFB grumbled, without much heat.

"Have you considered not setting yourself up to be embarrassed?" KSG countered. RFB rolled her eyes, trying a different chair. "Any idea where your sisters vanished off too?"

"Suomi's probably hunting for a music shop. Who knows with the other two." RFB shrugged. "Bit surprised Deagle even came along."

"Strangely, I'm not." KSG couldn't say she completely understood Desert Eagle, but of the bunch she seemed most likely to have some kind of plan for a day like this. "She always adapted to the post war world the best." Which meant that she was probably hunting down either clothing or just milling about aimlessly. Maybe got dragged along by K2.

"Compared to you or Suomi, anyone is well adjusted." RFB settled into a fifth chair. "K2's probably just being a tourist." She shifted a bit. "Try this one."

KSG obliged. "It's fine." It was a comfortable chair. RFB crossed her arms, the picture of displeasure. "Not sure what you want from me, RFB."

"Ugh. You are hopeless." RFB rolled her eyes again. "MG4 didn't come along?"

"Cities aren't her thing." KSG shrugged, letting RFB pull her up. If RFB asked her to sit in it, that likely meant that she'd chosen, and they'd be heading out soon, which meant KSG should probably figure out how just far into debt her girlfriend would be sending. Before she could ask the question, her phone chimed.

The message came from Groza, with an attached image. Opening it with some trepidation, KSG did a full double take prompting RFB to crane her neck to see.

"Isn't that a-" A wave of giggles swallowed whatever RFB intended to say next.

KSG took a deep breath. Then another. "I will assume there is a good explanation. I hope there is a good explanation." Otherwise she might just throttle her newest addition.

-Faded Glory-

"What's it like knowing FAL for so long?" OTs-12 didn't really know what prompted her to tag along with FNC and FN-49. The chocolate addict and her demure partner seemed like better company than anyone else, but it was fairly obvious they'd be going shopping for more candy for FNC, which did not constitute what OTs-12 found fun. If nothing else, it made a good chance to get to know the duo.

"Just is?" FNC threw in an over-the-top shrug. "We all got grouped together, and FAL and Five-seveN looked after us." Pausing to grab a few more bits of candy she went on, "You get used to her antics after a while, although that's probably true of anyone." OTs-12 came up short, caught off guard by the suddenly sharp stare that FNC sent her way.

"We just accept that FAL is FAL." FN-49 stopped short of an outright disagreement, opting instead for a disapproving tone.

"FAL is FAL." OTs-12 repeated, the words striking an unusual chord in her. Phrased differently, but it carried the same weight as SV-98 telling her that 'Groza is as she is'. At the time, fresh from NGO work, OTs-12 didn't entirely understand how that phrase made a lick of sense. Now, she understood the passive acceptance of the quirks that someone carried in the aftermath a little better, FNC and FN-49 said it a little differently. They were fond, but without the dry acceptance of SV-98. If anything, those words felt disapproving.

"Yup." FNC gave the word some extra pop.

"Frustrating or not, she's taken care of us." FN-49 continued. "Even if it wasn't always a good idea."

"Why shouldn't she have looked after you?" Given how united the Belgians seemed to be, that sentiment felt out of place. Then again the open admission of their leader's faults went in contrast to that position as well.

"FAL stuck her neck out a lot to keep us all together." FNC stopped her browsing to gesture, far more animated than usual. "Not just that thing in Prague, but lots of times before. It's the only thing Five-seveN doesn't give her grief about, because even she knows she'd lose that argument."

"Forgive me if I don't believe that, given how Five-seveN is. It's a bit scary." Admitting that the other woman scared her might have been an indication of weakness, but OTs-12 didn't care.

"She scares us too, don't worry." FNC mercifully let her off without any judgement, seeming in complete agreement with OTs-12.

"If she didn't, it'd be worrying." 49's turned away from FNC to OTs-12. "Five-seveN knows what she's doing, almost all the time. Especially when it freaks people out."

"That's..." OTs-12 wanted to say stupid, before catching herself. Maybe insulting FAL's second was a bad idea, even if it felt appropriate. "Why?"

FNC added yet more chocolate to her pile. "Cause she wants FAL's job, and FAL isn't going to give it to her, so she winds FAL up instead."

"She won't get it. Five-seveN'd get us all killed!" While obviously it was good to see that FN-49 knew that, OTs-12 felt very much like she'd missed something.

"Surely it wouldn't be that bad?" A tentative question, as they made another circle of the shop. Five-seveN might have been worrying but surely, she wouldn't get them killed.

"Would you put SV-98 in charge of your team?" FN-49's counter came with a surprising level of force.

"Probably not, but she doesn't want the spot, and I think if we offered it to her, she'd stab someone. Probably us." OTs-12 scratched her head, stewing on that thought for a while. "98's weird. She's all 'I'm a soldier don't mess with me' but also 'Being a soldier is the worst'." Her companions giggled at the deliberately bad impression. A thought occurred and she paused. "You know, have we ever seen them talk?"

FNC froze, hand hovering some extremely expensive truffles. "Five-seveN and SV-98?" OTs-12 nodded. "Uhm.."

That thought drew a whimper from FN-49. "Please no."

"I mean, it'd be funny." FNC very obviously put no effort into being convincing, at least in OTs-12's eyes. "We could even throw Ak-Alfa in the mix!"

"Stop having ideas." Once again, FN-49 surprised her with the degree of force behind her words. "They'd all kill each other!"

"I'm inclined to agree with her, there would be violence." OTs-12 shuddered at the thought. "Briefly, very funny, then terrifying."

"Maybe." FNC checked her large pile of sweets one final time. "You guys want any?" FN-49 shook her head, and OTs-12 shrugged. "More for me then."

As FNC went to pay, FN-49 leaned over, speaking in a low voice. "She'll share with me later, so I don't need to get any myself." That didn't track with OTs-12's image of FNC at all, the shortest assault rifle user always striking her as exceptionally covetous of her sweets. The entire reason they were in this shop was that very tendency.

"You know her that well?" FN-49 nodded, a slight smile on her face. "Not sure if I envy how close you guys are or not." Another sudden admission. "I don't know nearly that much about my teammates compared to how much you seem to know about each other."

"You haven't known them nearly as long." Somewhere in there, OTs-12 could hear the rebuke. "And you probably know a lot more than you think you do."

OTs-12 started to disagree, before stopping. Logically, 49 had a point, and the middle of a random store didn't seem the place to debate it. "Maybe." She allowed.

"You do." The other doll insisted. "FNC and I know each other really well because we're usually working together, same for FAL and Five-seveN. Ballista's the one we all know the least about, she's pretty big on taking care of herself."

That put OTs-12 back on safer ground. "She's been hanging around PP-2000 a lot."

FN-49 nodded. "She got in the middle of some fight between 2000 and SV-98. " There was a gentle probe there, that OTs-12 wasn't going to rise too. "Ballista's help keep FAL and Five-seveN honest. When you hear lots of yelling, it's probably her fault. Or her yelling."

"You talking about Ballista telling Five-seveN to stop pretending to be a ditzy whore?" FNC rejoined them, now with shopping bags full of candy. OTs-12 choked on her tongue, wide eyes no doubt giving away just how she felt. "Happened just once. Middle of a firefight, Ballista yells that over the radio."

"We never found out why." FN-49 took up the thread. "Ballista refused to explain, and Five-seveN 'doesn't remember being told that'." OTs-12 doubted that, and from the tone so did her companions.

"I asked FAL once, when FAL was really drunk, and got told to stay out of it, and that it was for my own good." FNC wasted no time staring at her chocolate, happily sighing the moment the sugar hit her tongue. "Was kinda weird, FAL normally doesn't hide stuff."

"Whatever it was, Ballista doesn't say either, so it must have been serious." Perhaps an obvious statement, but perhaps in the otherwise open environment of that bunch it made sense to call out something like that as strange.

Even so, it just highlighted another stark difference between them. "Not sure if it's good or bad, I don't have any stories like that."

"Good!" Both Belgians declared without any hesitation, taking OTs-12 off guard.

FNC went back to her sweets, leaving FN-49 to the task of explaining it. "Having stories about all the horrible things that happened to you isn't really that enjoyable."

"Explains why Groza and SV-98 just make offhand references." For better or worse, she never really thought about that. "I know that horrible things happened to them, and I got access to enough information to guess at a few more, but details from them might as well not exist." Wandering beside them, she sighed. "Just not sure how to feel knowing there's so much history out there."

"Be happy it wasn't you, and help your stupid Captain when she does stupid Captain things." Conditioned to see that as sarcasm, OTs-12 found herself waiting for a follow up, but FNC seemed to be quite serious. "If Groza is half as stupid as FAL she'll need all the help she can get."

"And now they're together." Genuine fear laced FN-49's tone. "That can't go well can it?"

"I didn't think about that." Despite not having considered the implications, OTs-12's mind immediately ran away. "We're doomed."

In contrast to FN-49's emphatic nod FNC shrugged. "It could be worse."

"I think the sugar has gone to her head." OTs-12 met FN-49's eyes over FNC's head, a bit surprised by the fond and somewhat amused look on the other Doll's face.

"She's just bitter that nobody saved her chocolate." Around her giggles, FN-49 explained. "Apparently it's worth more than her legs."

"It is!" FNC snapped. "I looked, my legs are super cheap, I paid a bunch for that chocolate!"

This would be her life for the foreseeable future. "You need better priorities."

"My priorities are just fine; you just don't appreciate the better things in life." No doubt about it, FNC was pouting.

"If you say so." OTs-12 rolled her eyes, trading a bemused look with FN-49.

-Faded Glory-

"Five-seveN." FAL's voice was deceptively quiet, leaving Groza rather glad to be somewhere other than the center of attention.

"Yes?" Five-seveN's expression radiated innocence, which might have fooled a passerby, but only solidified her guilt in Groza's eyes.

"Why is there a mink around my neck?" FAL pointed to the offending animal, who had draped themselves around her neck, and now haughtily stared across at Five-seveN. "And why does Ballista have a bird?"

"They are called pets, FAL." Hands on her hips, Five-seveN abandoned her innocent act, sliding into a more normal sort of annoyance.

"I'm familiar with the concept of domestically kept animals for companionship and enjoyment." FAL's deadpan reply didn't take any of the offered bait. "That does not answer my question. Groza received a reply to the message she'd just sent to KSG. In the white-haired woman's usual way, it came off as short, direct, and underlined with a high degree of upset. FAL looked over Groza's arm, a brow rising. "Or KSG's it seems."

"Aw, what's her issue?" Of the bunch, Honey Badger had the most explaining to do, given her own new companion, yet she seemed entirely oblivious.

"That you decided to take your weapons namesake as a pet?" Groza sighed. At least none of her teammates were involved in this particular debacle, and she could wash her hands of it. "And that she's the person who's going to end up explaining this to the Commander?"

"I think Five-seveN can do that." FAL left no argument in her tone, arms crossed. "As this was her idea."

Five-seveN made to argue, but Ballista cut her off. "That seems reasonable to me." Betrayal flashed over the bunny girl's features, the sniper regarding her with cool disinterest. "I don't know why it surprises you that I turned out like your two."

"Because they're a pair of femme fatale seductress types, and you seem like you'd fail to seduce a rock?" Honey Badger threw out, managing to stand up to the withering glare surprisingly well.

"Ignoring aspersions on my character," FAL cut off the argument, "None of us are responsible for this." Groza nodded along, suspecting that KSG would not mind them speaking for her this time.

"Fine, fine, I'll smooth things over with the Commander." Five-seveN huffed. "You really do spoil all my fun, you know."

Common sense suggested that she should keep her mouth shut, but Groza couldn't resist taking a jab. "And you were trying to run a betting pool on our love life."

"Tried? She was." Honey Badger and Ballista overlapped each other, trading a surprised look before Honey Badger forged ahead. "I think Kalina was in on it."

"She was." Groza didn't need to ask to know that much. She could feel an artificial headache coming on. "Kalina will take every chance to make a ruble, including placing bets on when people will get a clue."

"It'll be fine." Five-seveN waved that concern off, even under the staunch glare of the two captains.

"See that it is." FAL rubbed her temples. "Honestly Five-seveN must you always be a pain in the ass?"

"Because you insist on being no fun?" Five-seveN shrugged. "If I didn't keep you on your toes, who would?"

"Why is FAL wearing a ferret?" FN-49 broke the silence, having returned with FNC somewhere in the argument.

"It's not a ferret, it's a mink, and because someone decided to be cute." FN-49 gulped, opting to hide behind Ballista, while FNC just shrugged, taking a bite out of a new chocolate bar.

Groza could see the rest of the Dolls approaching in a ragtag group, and sighed, bracing for what was sure to be an uncomfortable conversation.

-Faded Glory-

Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair. The on-base Dolls were largely asleep, and the off-base contingent would not be returning for a few hours yet, which gave him some time to properly sit and think.

With the benefit of hindsight, the entire operation set Ian on edge. A surface level investigation into Persica's name ran into a wall almost immediately, setting off plenty of alarm bells, and even a more pointed search bounced off a curtain of nonsense. As a valuable asset for the Soviets, the idea that someone went out of their way to scrub Persica from the records didn't surprise the man, but it did mean that he would need to get creative in his information hunt.

Attempting to look into the Anti-Rain group turned up rumors and conjecture and pointed back to IOP and 16Lab without turning up a wit of useful knowledge. IOP could be secretive as hell about their stuff, but 16Labwas locked out tight beyond what they put out publicly. Even somewhat more underground sources turned up nothing, which only added to unease brewing in Ian's chest.

Finally, the Dolls themselves. A colorful collection to be sure, although they did not seem suited to the situation at all. SOPMOD struck him as the least concerning of the bunch, simply because of her straightforward if violent nature. AR-15 seemed to have a serious chip on her shoulder, and her little stunt worried him. Meanwhile, M4 seemed to be the biggest wildcard, as reconciling her ruthless killing of Executioner with the meek and mild-mannered soldier that he spoke too on the radio proved tricky. Some element of the story was missing, and while they seemed to be a functional enough squad, Ian knew a relatively green group when he saw them.

"Too many questions." Candor forced him to admit he'd been outplayed. "You win this round, Kryuger." Despite the words, Ian couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't actually Kryuger who outplayed him.

The chime of an incoming call broke his thoughts. Turning, he jabbed the accept button, unconcerned about the somewhat more haggard look he currently sported. It was unreasonably late, and they could suck it up.

"Blackwood." Helian's image snapped into focus.

"Ma'am." That did not bode well.

There was no preamble or polite negotiation for the terms of conversation. "We've located your final target."

"The problem?" No point in acting like he didn't know how this talk was going to go.

Helian's lips thinned. "They, along with the operators assigned to the search, were located by Sangvis Ferri, and are unable to exfil."

That sent his mind racing. "How long can they hold?"

"At last reporting they were falling back to a more defensive position. M16 believed they would be able to hold for at least a day, as Sangvis did not seem eager to engage in a full assault at the time." Helian checked her watch. "That was two hours ago."

"Two hours." Trying to think about the possibilities, Ian felt himself floundering. "It will be that long again before I could hope to put boots on the ground anywhere."

"I am aware." Helian waved that concern off. "As well as your sudden personnel shakeup?"

"That is a concern as well, but I could field a three-man Echelon if needed." None of them wanted it, but it was possible. This would also go over swimmingly with his troops, considering they'd be coming off down time and straight into combat.

"That will not be required." Helian tapped her tablet, a chime of an incoming message arriving following shortly after. "There is currently a Doll on location who will be joining your forces there." Ian ignored the new file for now. "I will be leaving Skorpion under your command for this operation."

"Understood." That would help with the intelligence situation. "Team on the ground?"

"A…unique…unit." Helian frowned.

"Black Ops, got it." Ian nodded. "They'll be gone before we arrive?"

That seemed to be a relief. "Likely, yes."

"Understood." Annoying but workable. "Method of contact?"

"They will be contacting you." Reasonable but annoying considering they were a black ops bunch, but somewhat annoying. "Further questions, or can I continue?"

"No, ma'am." Pushing questions and frustrations to the side, Ian settled in. Hopefully this would let him put all that behind them.

AN: Back to the plot, after some random details, and silly memes. Not to much to say here, beyond the usual chaos of a chapter.

Next chapter(s) should come fast, I've got about half of it already written so I'm hoping that it'll flow quickly. And I can torment Branded more than usual, so that's exciting.

Questions, comments, and all are always appreciated. Until next time.