AK-74M didn't quite know what to think of her newest posting. As a recent addition to Griffin most of her assignments had either been solo, or in small groups, keeping her out of the limelight that came with the larger Sector Commands, or even Tactical ones.

The Dolls of Sector 9 were absolutely capable, despite being a mix and match collection of nationalities, enemies, allies, soldiers, and civilians. Their Commander provided a surprising amount of autonomy, which only added to the puzzle the Sector presented. To the best of AK-74M's knowledge, Griffin Sectors were large, lumbering things, weighed down by personnel and red tape, while Sector 9 seemed to be understaffed, underfunded, and frankly the longer AK-74M looked the more baffled she felt.

"Something on the mind?" AK-74M jerked, cursing herself for losing track of her surroundings. Pushing down that surprise, she turned to face the new arrival, before allowing herself to show some manner of surprise once again. Hands shoved into her pockets; the white-haired Doll who held battlefield command seemed to be making a conscious effort to reduce her physical presence. While it did make her physically smaller, AK-74M could see her eyes narrow, feet positioned defensively, and the unsubtle position of a handgun on her hip.

It felt wisest to keep private musings private, as guessing how KSG would react to such observations with only limited interactions. "Nothing of importance."

Stepping up beside her, KSG didn't seem to buy into the deflection. "It's a bit dingy for a Sector Command." AK-74M glanced to the side, taken aback by the accurate guess. "We've all thought it, AK-74M, and frankly, it is an extremely accurate summary of the position we are in."

"There seems to be more to the story." She would put aside the implications of KSG's words and engage the underlying point, even if it raised more questions than it answered.

KSG's expression grew long, bone deep tiredness rolling off her. AK-74M felt a twinge of sympathy, the unsubtle cues of an overworked NCO clear. "There is more to the story of everyone and everything here. Trouble is, stories cause problems AK-74M, and I get the feeling the story of why this base is the way it is no exception. We have enough problems without digging up more."

"Meaning?" It could be said they were wading into dangerous waters. KSG didn't look at her, eyes drifting up towards the sky, which only reinforced that worry.

The next words came at a measured clip, the forced tonelessness setting off alarms in AK-74M's mind. "As a Marine, I spent a lot of time in southern Germany kicking in the teeth of your lot." Freezing in place, AK-74M tried to find some hint as to KSG's intentions from the Dolls' posture but she could find nothing. "Is it really surprising that I recognize that unit patch?"

Perhaps it should not have been, and AK-74M forced herself to remain calm and level-headed. KSG was not trying to beat her to death or shoving a knife through her spine. "I see."

A smile pulled at KSG's lips, as if sensing the turmoil her words created. "Grudges aren't worth much to me, and I would be more concerned about you holding one."

"For what reason?" While it would be hard to say for sure, AK-74M didn't think they'd met before, either in civilian life or on the field of war.

Drawing her eyes down again, KSG turned, head tilted to the side. "2nd Marine."

AK-74M grimaced, needing no further explanation. That meant they'd both decorated their hands with the blood of the others' comrades, and it explained quite a bit of how the conversation developed. Unfortunately, it did not leave AK-74M with a good way to retreat. "I don't need much of an introduction in that case."

"Vityaz." KSG broke eye contact with an expressive shrug. "What's done is done."

Threats of violence from a blonde sniper echoed in her ears. "Others don't see it that way."

"True." AK-74M would give her a lot of credit, KSG mastered the art of putting no inflection behind her words. "We cross those bridges when they come." Confusion must have shown on her face, a half-smile preceding the American carrying on. "I'll forewarn you that Alfa may try and cause some trouble."

"Because?"

"Because Alfa is hot headed and lacks even the most basic filter between her Neural Cloud and mouth." KSG's hands digging further and further into her pockets as she spoke. "Alfa is unlikely to resort to violence, consider her threats toothless."

"I do not believe SV-98 shares the same misgivings." A risk, but AK-74M would risk the prodding question. If KSG truly was the one leading them in combat, she'd surely know something, given her background as a Western NCO.

"I suspect you are right, but I cannot speak to that, having only known her a short time." A diplomatic answer, almost tailor made to say nothing.

"You are quite good at this game for someone in an officer role."

That, for some reason, prompted a snort of bitter amusement. "I spent nearly ten years babysitting a bunch of jarheads." Now that, AK-74M knew, had a story, one didn't sound both bitter and fond without one. However, that story would have to wait until a better time.

"I would not mark you as an NCO, with how you know your way about field command, and you play the word games our officers did quite well."

That drew a full laugh from KSG, a sudden and stark contrast to her otherwise very closed off manner to that point. "I don't know if I should be offended by that comparison or not." Shrugging AK-74M would let her interpret that as she wished. "But no, I never rose above an NCO rank before I left the Marines. Amongst the Dolls here, I believe Groza holds the highest 'official' rank prior to the end of her service."

"Official." AK-74M paused to debate how much to admit, and how much KSG likely already knew. The other Doll had been quite open with her, and it only seemed fair to answer like with like. "I don't think it is much of a secret that the ranks Dolls were given held little actual weight."

"If the regular infantryman had no rights, Dolls had less." That suggested KSG knew plenty then, and the words hung in the air between them. "At least in the infantry. Spetsnaz probably treated you a bit better."

"They did." Groza's arrival did not surprise AK-74M, and KSG offered no indication that she'd been surprised either, simply moving to the side, letting Groza take a position between them. "Not much better, but they at least assigned an actual value to their lives." Crossing her arms, Groza looked between them, seeming to take a measure of the situation. "This created plenty of resentment."

"Hence, SV-98." While KSG made a statement, there was just enough of a turn to imply the question.

"SV-98 carries more baggage than simply unequal treatment." Groza paused, giving the impression that she was weighing how much more to say. "I will not claim to have handled the situation well, and I may have taken SV-98 at her word when I should not have." Shaking her head, Groza went on. "Regardless, I would not worry about her. She'll return to her usual sarcastic self soon enough."

"There seems to be a trend among those miserable sods who lost the lottery to become our lieutenants." KSG mumbled, a pointed look from AK-74M not doing anything to dissuade her. "Carrying some rather uncomfortable baggage and having a single dynamic with their superiors."

"And what, pray tell, is that dynamic?" AK-74M could see the smile under the surface of Groza's expression, and decided to keep her mouth shut, in the interest of getting an unguarded view of her superiors.

"Stoic officer meets snarky subordinate." KSG nodded to Groza. "SV-98 to you, Alfa to me, Five-seveN to FAL."

"You and the Commander?" AK-74M felt that question to be extremely forthright, even more when it wasn't really a question.

Despite not seeming bothered, KSG took her time admitting it. "Yes."

Catching AK-74M's eye, Groza flashed a quick smile. She knew what was going on and seemed quite happy to facilitate it. "I struggle to imagine you as the sarcastic foil to anyone."

"I blame the man for being a slippery bastard." A small smile tugged at KSG's lips. "He needs just as much babysitting as my old superior did, if for entirely different reasons." She glanced at AK-74M, gaze whirling from mirthful to searching in an instant. "I suspect the two of you will get on quite well."

AK-74M gestured subtly to herself, receiving a nod in reply. "I am not sure I like the implications of that."

"You really shouldn't." Again, mirth danced behind KSG's eyes, and AK-74M found herself wondering just how the other Doll kept her face neutral when all the other cues were changing so quickly.

Before she had to figure out how to carry on the conversation, Groza took up the thread. "Speaking of the Commander, where is he hiding?"

Again, AK-74M watched a whirlwind of emotions cross KSG. Concern reigned, but the way her shoulders sagged, and body rolled back into a defensive posture told a far different story. The longer they spoke, the more AK-74M realized she could pick up on more from KSG's body language than any words. "Wandering."

AK-74M looked to Groza for her cue, but her fellow Soviet did not provide anything more than additional confusion. "I'm sorry?"

To her credit, KSG seemed a bit sheepish about the short answer. "Something unsettled him." Flicking a bit of hair out of her eye, she took a few steps away, dragging AK-74M and Groza with her. "I've seen him sit down for less than thirty minutes total since we returned from rescuing M16." AK-74M realized they were wandering out of the way and to a location where others couldn't overhear.

"The Commander, unsettled." Disbelief dripped from Groza's words. "Forgive me KSG, but I struggle to believe that."

"Do you think I like the idea any better?" KSG's hands dug further into her pockets. "If I had a better explanation, I would give it."

"A previous acquaintance reaching out?" If nothing else, there seemed to be a lot of issues relating to the past lurking beneath the surface, so AK-74M felt confident venturing the suggestion.

"As good as guess as any." Nodding in her direction, KSG stopped walking, turning to face them again. "We," she gestured first at Groza, then the base at large, "know very little about Blackwood." The shift to the man's name made AK-74M unconsciously straighten. She knew this tone. "He goes to great pains to keep to himself, both in general, and about his life. The few details he has shared, when combined with some implications and actions paint a grim picture."

"The biggest clue we have is that he will carry a grudge, for years if he must." Pulling her jacket tighter around herself, Groza sighed. "He can, and will, talk you in circles, and seems to have a ready-made answer and plan for the majority of contingencies." Perhaps realizing that an example would be best, Groza paused to think, fingers drummed against her bicep. "You have been told about Scarecrow." AK-74M nodded. "That was not the original plan. He thought up, considered, and executed that scheme in the span of minutes, up to and including figuring out the best way to verbally manipulate his enemy into playing along."

"Likewise, he told a blatant lie to the Commander over in Sector 2 but based the entire thing on complete truth such that I doubt a man trained to spot lies and investigate crimes will even realize he's been had until someone tells him." KSG tacked on. "If there is one thing all three of us agree on, it is that Blackwood is a man to be wary of."

AK-74M looked to Groza, electing to dispense with the pretense. "Wary in the sense that I would have been paying him a visit?"

Groza's uneasy laugh and refusal to meet her eyes told one story. Meanwhile KSG huffed, weight shifting back and forth indecisively. "My best personal guess is that in your paradigm, he'd have been telling you who to visit."

AK-74M came up short on that, eyes darting from Doll to Doll. Groza didn't seem interested in refuting the claim, and KSG, now that she'd said it, settled down. "What leads you to believe that?" Then again, KSG did suggest that AK-74M and the Commander would likely get along, so perhaps that is what she meant.

"It is entirely speculative on my part." Outside of a small tension in her shoulders, AK-74M couldn't pick out any major cues about KSG's feelings from her body language. The other Doll closed off completely, briefly closing her eyes, before continuing. "And, this will stay entirely hypothetical." Nodding to Groza, KSG tacked on, "I will try and find FAL to fill her in, but if I don't, let her know this as well."

"Understood." AK-74M nodded, and Groza did the same. They had reached the truly uncomfortable part of the conversation.

Taking another moment to organize her thoughts, KSG started slowly. "We can say for certain that Blackwood's claim of being an American soldier is true, for a list of reasons that aren't worth reciting now." Another stop, this time to break eye contact. "For those of us on the ground, there were certain words and phrases that got bandied about when something came down the pipe that the higher ups didn't want us knowing, or that we weren't supposed to ask about. Marines tended to talk about 'errors in official reporting'."

"A similar principle existed in the Russian infantry." Groza offered, while AK-74M only shrugged, having been on the wrong side of that deal to comment.

"While we were waiting for you," A nod to AK-74M, "I called him on something that didn't add up." Something in KSG's seemed to beg for an interruption, but AK-74M kept her mouth shut. "I only ever ran into someone I thought was Black Ops once, little outside Munich. We got rotated off the front to reinforce and had some time to poke some rumors. Things about attacks behind Soviet lines, the like." More nods. "Ran into this unassuming guy in a bar. Obviously military, from the way he walked and talked. Figured he was like us. Got talking, made some allusions to weird shit we'd heard." AK-74M could see her fists clench in her coat pockets. "Told me that, whatever I'd heard, official reports were probably wrong, and that nothing good came out of poking. Something about that tone scared the hell out of me."

Groza's laugh sounded stilted to AK-74M. "More polite than on our side."

"Maybe." KSG managed a weak smile in return. "When Blackwood told me that reports can be wrong, I got that same feeling. That if I went looking something would happen, and nobody would enjoy it." AK-74M and Groza traded a look. While AK-74M didn't know KSG that well, she'd fought plenty of Marines, and seeing one of them genuinely unsettled said a lot. "Wherever he was, Blackwood was in deep." A few beats passed, before KSG shrugged. "Or so I'd guess."

AK-74M would throw out what encouragement she could. "For what it's worth, I would say your speculation is quite reasonable." Groza nodded from beside her.

KSG hummed, opening as she did. "Regardless, I should probably do my job, before I give people more reasons to mock me incessantly." Before either of them could find the exact question to ask, KSG slipped away, leaving them staring at her retreating back.

"Not what you'd expect, is she?" Groza broke the quiet.

"In a way she is exactly what I expected." AK-74M didn't need to look to know that Groza was unconvinced. "There is a joke that the American Marines eat crayons."

"Yes?" Groza's tone made it clear that did not explain anything.

"I am left to conclude that either there is some value to consuming wax that our leadership did not find, or that it was an elaborate ruse by their intelligence services to make us let down our guard."

Watching Groza work through that statement should not have amused AK-74M quite as much as it did. "I cannot tell if you are joking, or if you are serious."

"They arrived logistically starved, disorganized, and all reports indicated we would smash them in the field." AK-74M flexed her left hand. "Those things were all technically true. What we did not count on was the fact that they took those issues as a challenge and fought three times as hard."

"I should be concerned if KSG is joining in this little war story swap that is being organized?" Groza hazarded the guess.

"On no. You will be fine." AK-74M tapped her chest. "It's quite possible I'm going to learn something rather uncomfortable."

-Faded Glory-

"M16." AK-74M shouldn't have been surprised to find M16 sitting around with a bottle of whiskey. It took a moment to recognize her with the eyepatch, but the slouch and drink were hard to mistake. "I see your taste in drink remains poor."

"Not my fault your country is too poor to make a proper drink and has to settle for potato water." And any doubts vanished with the well-worn retort. AK-74M rolled her eyes, choosing the high road of completely ignoring the insult. "What the hell are you doing here anyway? Thought you got shipped off to a gulag or somethin'."M16's eye flickered to her shoulder, narrowing in recognition, followed by a gesture with her bottle. "That's new."

AK-74M did her best to hide the wince. Drunk or not, M16's scathing tone cut deep. "I had my orders." M16's gaze did not become any less weighty. "I was transferred out, whatever came after that is beyond my knowledge." A pause. "What the hell happened anyway?"

"Right." It was patently obvious M16 didn't buy her answer, even if it was the truth. "Good question." AK-74M's lips pursed. "Figured you'd know the answer." AK-74M shook her head, and the other doll sighed, attention turning away again. "So, what, you get tired of body bags?"

Sitting down on a nearby crate, AK-74M shrugged. "It may surprise you to learn the government doesn't pay that well for shooting people. Half the work for better money is a good deal in my book." Letting M16 simmer on that knowledge, AK-74M tossed out her own question. "The eye?"

"Mission gone wrong." M16 took another long drink, and that told AK-74M enough to stop prying.

"And the siblings?"

"Persica." M16 waved her bottle in a manner that was intended to be demonstrative, but AK-74M always assumed it was simply a failure of Americans, or pseudo-Americans. "They're good kids."

AK-74M rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she did so. "Rumors claim that one of those 'good kids' is a violent nutcase, one is a waif who can't chose between stone cold murder and hiding behind coattails, and a third who wants to be like me." AK-74M tapped her shoulder for emphasis. "Less the black bags perhaps." M16 tried, with limited effect, to look upset. "That doesn't sound like good kids, unless you've decided that UMP40's idea of a 'good kid' holds?"

As expected, that made M16 bristle. "Nah." Several beats passed, before a bit of a sly look crossed the other Dolls face. "And AR-15 doesn't want to be you. She wants to be cool."

"Mhm." AK-74M let the attempted insult slide and put no effort into sounding convinced of the rest of M16's point. "She's an uneducated civilian with delusions about my kind of people, and what makes someone 'cool'. Perhaps akin to a certain hanger-on of yours." Her dig landed far better, M16's single eye narrowing in actual anger before sighing and downing more whiskey. "Thoughts?"

"Interesting bunch, although I can't get a good read of the Commander." Shifting to look more directly at her, M16 leaned forwards, elbows on her knees. "Somebody put a whole lotta soldiers in one spot just to waste them fighting Sangvis."

"It seems everyone is noticing that." Sighing, AK-74M leaned back, watching M16 closely. "And not a theory as to why between them."

"No theories anyone will say." M16 corrected, but AK-74M shook her head.

"Hard to call something a theory when it lives and dies at the feet of our new officer."

"And nobody buys the idea that it's all a coincidence." Her lone eyes flicked up, gaze hard.

AK-74M answered it with a steely glare of her own. "Even with this," She tapped her arm again, "Nobody really believed I was some random Doll who signed on with Griffin. But not one of you could have proved it, and you know what would have happened if you did."

"Getting tossed in a shallow grave is not my idea of fun." M16's eyes dropped.

"People tend to object." AK-74M sighed. "The trouble, M16, is that even those who are supposed to be close with him are at a bit of a loss." A bit of a lie, but AK-74M would honor KSG's request to keep quiet. It would also help to see what M16 picked up.

"You got a good read on her deal? Giving orders in the field?" M16 knocked back most of the rest of her bottle. "Not the usual arrangement."

"It is an unusual division of labor, but it seems to be effective." AK-74M let herself beat a pattern against her leg with her free hand. "He is not an infantry officer by training, that much everyone agrees upon. KSG has earned her respect in blood and battle, even from those who did the same. While there is some complicated political game behind the scenes, it seems that the face value answer is accurate. Although I would not disallow the option that the Commander is willing to play along because it convinces the others he can be moved."

M16 held out the bottle. "You weren't this cynical before."

"I will take your word for that claim." A long silence followed, a mercenary and a soldier caught in reminiscing. "How much trouble are we really looking at?"

M16's arm dropped, whiskey sloshing audibly. "All four of us in one base? Plenty of trouble." Us meaning her sister, from what AK-74M could tell. "Sangvis isn't going to let us get away that easy. Whatever it was that Persica wanted seems important to them." Straightening she tried for a wry grin. "We made it this far, we'll figure things out."

"So, you say." AK-74M rolled her shoulders, already feeling the tension settling in as she absorbed the information presented. "And the rest of the people here?"

"You tell me, AK-74M." Falling into a drawl, M16 carried on. "Some genius put a Polish Woman and a Ukrainian man in the same command staff as an American Green Beret. I'm pretty deep in my cups, and I know that's a terrible plan."

"Da." AK-74M shook her head. A bad idea undersold that considerably. Just a Pole and Ukrainian on the same base would be a recipe for trouble. Her eyes drifted down, M16 waving the drink in her direction. With a huff, AK-74M swiped the bottle and drained the rest. It burned and didn't taste any better than she remembered. "Still don't know how you drink that."

"Having taste is a burden, I know." M16 caught the empty bottle that AK-74M threw at her head.

Once more they lapsed into quiet. M16 seemed entirely content to let AK-74M consider how she wanted to continue the conversation, and AK-74M wasn't quite sure. It had been informative, but there seemed to be gaps. "As someone used to knowing, I'm finding not knowing quite annoying." As expected, M16 ignored that quiet statement. "I will reserve judgment for now."

"Right." Standing, M16 offered a hand, pulling AK-74M to her feet. "You could pull that stick out, you know. Actually try and get on this with lot."

"I am not in the business of taking advice from drunkards."

"I thought you Soviets aspired to alcoholism." M16 shot back.

"We drink what we can drink." AK-74M corrected her with a wave. "And it is not as if your country is in a position to judge systemic alcohol addiction." She looked M16 up and down. "You're staying then?"

"That's the word from Persica. We're working with this Commander for the foreseeable future." That meant more trouble. AK-74M couldn't say she liked that idea much. "Ah, it won't be that bad!" M16 bumped her on the shoulder. "There's a whole base here."

"Numbers does not mean we can handle problems." AK-74M swallowed a few extra words.

"You can just admit that you Soviets tried that, and it failed." The smile didn't make it to M16's eye. "Nobody is going to run you up for party disloyalty around her AK-74M."

-Faded Glory-

"Commander." Finding the Commander on the range was a surprise for AK-74M, but nothing prepared her for the pile of spent casing at his feet. She'd only ventured here upon hearing gunfire, not having planned to visit this part of the base until she wanted to get some practice of her own in, with an initial prediction of the snipers, Ak-Alfa, or FAL. Not her new superior.

"AK-74M." A shallow nod served as the barest of acknowledgement before he went back to shooting. Shifting her focus down range, AK-74M squinted a bit, before realizing he was emptying bullets into the face of a picture. She couldn't pick out details, said face being all but annihilated by the holes, but it told her that he was a respectable shot. At the very least, good enough to not drag down the 417.

"Do you make a habit of shooting pictures, sir?" Even though in the moment the question was perfectly reasonable, the question felt insane.

"As a rule, no." Dropping the empty magazine to the benchtop, he turned, sizing AK-74M up. Immediately she understood why the others were on edge, as despite his bland appearance, Ian Blackwood screamed danger. His eyes were slightly too narrow to be relaxed, posture moderately stiff, and even as he turned in his seat, his hand stayed close to where a sidearm might be. While it was only a matter of circumstance the still cooling rifle behind him didn't help. "I will infer the others spoke to you about me." A bit of mirth entered his eyes, and AK-74M realized she hadn't been as subtle in her searching look as she intended.

"They have voiced several concerns and opinions about you, yes." AK-74M decided that she'd take the diplomatic answer, in an effort to not cause any problems inadvertently. Her choice seemed to amuse the man more than anything else.

"I am not going to be upset with you for bluntness, AK-74M. They, and you, are unlikely to scrounge up a new insult or accusation." From what she could tell, he believed that, and if KSG's guess, and her own growing suspicions, were right, it'd be an accurate statement.

"A lack of information, either available or volunteered, has created an air of mistrust and discomfort around you." She would hold on to the other speculations, out of respect for KSG, and along with the knowledge that if KSG were right it would leave to trouble. "You have a taste for revenge and are prone to avoiding the spotlight, as well at attention in general."

"Ah. That." Either he was genuinely embarrassed or one of the best actors AK-74M ever met, and she couldn't discount the second option, which told her plenty. His eyes were not in agreement with his body, showing embarrassment while the rest of him remained tense. "I would not call it a taste for revenge, merely an intent to see the traitors get what they deserve." AK-74Mcould respect that, even understand, which must have shown on her face, as the man relaxed. Giving her shoulder a look, he hummed. "I will infer that your background has not caused issues."

AK-74M shook her head, not bothering to question the change of topic.

"This is by far the most reasonable bunch of infantry I've ever met." The remark seemed directed at nothing, even if it did pique AK-74M's interest. A bit of a different confirmation of his previous military status, as well as the suggestion he'd been assigned to work with regular units in the past. "Usually, someone would have had a go just for the sake of having a go. Either that or started making unfounded accusations." A long-suffering sigh followed, as he slumped forwards, elbows on his knees. AK-74M let some of her own rigidness fade, if only as a small gesture of respect. "Kryuger has far too much faith in me. I can at least appreciate Helian's animosity."

"I do not follow." While the sentiments about the infantry were easy to understand, from her own experience, AK-74M did not understand the rest.

The commander looked up at her, seeming to consider for a long while. There was some calculation going on behind those eyes that AK-74M found herself disliking. Probably assessing what was worth letting her in on, and how she might let that information pass on to the others. "In various fashions, I have known Kryuger for many years, and a number of those were consumed with attempting to recruit me into the position I have now." A bemused headshake followed, as the man's posture straightened. "Every three months, like clockwork for years."

"That is a lot of effort to recruit one old soldier."

"Not just me, there were plenty of soldiers that Griffin went after." Another pause. "Kryuger is an idealistic man, at his core. He plays at pragmatism but, in many ways, he is ultimately an idealist, and he knows it." As he spoke, AK-74M could see the Commander tense, and force himself to uncoil. It made for an unusual exercise, watching the small changes in his mannerisms. "And in being so, he puts an incredible faith into people's abilities, even when that faith is misplaced.

Some part of AK-74M felt like she drew an obvious conclusion and missed some more subtle one. "You believe that faith is misplaced."

"Given your history, the things you've done in your life, AK-74M, would you trust yourself with an idealistic cause, or would you suspect you'd fall back on what you know?" The man that she'd known lurked beneath the surface appeared slowly work his way up, arms crossed, eyes hardening word by word. "Because it's familiar, easier, comfortable, or any other reason?"

Answering that question felt impossible. AK-74M understood on an intellectual level what he was saying but summoning up an answer proved to be beyond her. "I am told that people can rise above what they have been."

"So am I." Luckily that seemed to be an answer all in and of itself. The Commander's attention turned away from her, shifting back down the range again. "I doubt either of us care to talk about idealism."

"No, sir." There had been enough uncomfortable talks today and even if the double talk of her usual world felt more comfortable, AK-74M did not feel at ease.

The silence lingered for just a bit longer than it should have. "I suppose you've always been forewarned that I go digging into everyone's past."

"KSG did suggest something to that effect."

"Since when did the damn Marine's do their jobs?" The moment of levity served only to provide absolute tonal whiplash as he returned to seriousness. His attention remained away from her, but AK-74M couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. "You put me in an odd position, AK-74M. Most of the soldiers here have been out of that line of work for some time. You, however, stepped away from the military only a short while ago."

"Yes." Starting with an easy bit of information, doubtlessly leading to a more pointed observation.

Pulling a box of rounds over, he started to reload some of the magazines sitting on the benchtop. "Spit shined record, by any standard, well regarded for ability. Team player, bit frosty outside of 'work hours'. Fought with distinction during the war, in a unit that KSG affords respect to, which I find rather telling."

"You are leading me to a conclusion, Commander."

Pausing the reloading the man grunted. "Marines, Army, there's always been a bit of an interesting relationship there. But, as a general rule, if one of the Marines sits down and says, 'watch out for those guys', we're likely to listen." AK-74M dipped her head, taking the point. "So, if KSG figures you're worth her time, I'm inclined to listen to her judgment."

Fortunately, the Commander did not mind the scrutiny that AK-74M subjected him to, resuming the repetitive reloading action. "We are people with unique skillsets." Stopping, his eyes turned to her, cold, dark. AK-74M gulped, recognizing the dangerous waters, even if she suspected he would agree with her overall sentiment. "That is not something I intend to continue doing, Commander."

The atmosphere remained tense, before he turned away again. "Then we have that in common." Taking a fresh magazine and loading it with more gusto than before he settled into a shooting position. In short order he emptied the mag, AK-74M tracking the small puffs of paper as the shots struck home. As he ejected the spent magazine, the Commander sighed. "I will hope your associates are better at getting the memo than mine."

It felt 'safe' to poke a little bit of fun at the man, at that moment. "I might suggest shooting them, instead of pictures of them."

"In democratic countries, we call that murder, and it tends to be frowned upon."

"It is only murder if you are convicted, and I doubt anyone could pull that off." AK-74M shrugged, hiding her own smile. "After all, the East Germans still have some repressed issues involving the Americans." A gesture to his weapon.

"Last I checked, at least a few units on that side of the line used these."

"Those like them, yes." She took the point for what it was. "It seems a little roundabout for spring cleaning." Again, he laughed, full bodied, head falling back with unchecked mirth.

"Spring cleaning." Still shaking his head, the Commander swallowed the rest of his laugh. "It's nice to know the lingo carries over." Levity fading for a more solemn stare, he went on, "If they give you grief, let me know." That could have meant her old unit, could have meant this base, but she suspected she meant the former.

"Are you sure that is something you wish to tangle with?" That said, leaving it open ended would give her a better idea.

"Vityaz? Sure, it'd be fine." Waving the concern off said quite a bit on its own. She couldn't say what unit he might have been in that made him think that wouldn't be a major concern, but it was telling. "I'd figure something out." An interesting way to say that he'd send someone to meet their maker. "Also, a favor. Go easy on the AR team."

"You are the second person to mention that."

"They're a bunch of civilians, gussied up to be SOF, with none of the personality and training that makes it happen. It's already wound up enough people, I'd rather not have the other actual SOF on base decide to have a try." He slotted the fresh magazine in, letting the bolt drop with a heavy metallic note.

"M16 has warned me that there may be complications involving them."

"Good enough." He returned his focus to the range. An implicit dismissal if she'd seen one.

"Sir." With a salute, AK-74M slipped away, letting the steady retort of gunfire follow her out of the range.

-Faded Glory-

"-problem with everything attempting to be an aircraft on this base is that they are old as hell, poorly maintained, and at least one of the airframes is so full of rust I'm pretty sure if I turned on the engine the whole thing would shake apart." The voice was not immediately recognizable to AK-74M but spoke with a degree of quiet authority.

Picking through the hangar there seemed to be some truth to those words. Only two of the helicopters seemed to be in use. One of which was sitting out and surrounded by tools, boxes, and other odds and ends that were more than likely not related to the flight operations in the least. The second was further in, also surrounded by equipment although not as much for repair.

"And new equipment is expensive." Another new voice.

"Helo's are expensive." The first speaker agreed. "Someone is going to have to figure it out, as we've got enough people, we can't really operate with just one any longer." AK-74M stepped around the helicopter, into the line of sight of the two speaking Dolls. One was very obviously part of the flight crew, the other seeming to be listening to her lecture. With the visual, AK-74M would finally put a name to the face, in PP-2000 and OTS-39. "Wandering?"

"Getting the feel for things." AK-74M went for the short answer.

PP-2000 nodded slowly, using the motion to look AK-74M up and down. No longer sitting in the pilot seat of a helicopter, and without her bulky flying helmet and gear, AK-74M realized that she stood over a head taller than the other Doll, more accounting for her heels. OTs-39 as well, which made the whole scene feel rather strange, a feeling that doubled when AK-74M caught sight of Ballista lurking by the helicopter's tail, curled on a pile of crates with a book in hand. PP-2000 finished her once over at about the same time. "Unless you know how to repair a Huey, not sure how much we have for you."

"Helicopter repair is not within my skillset." An easy truth. "I prefer to leave such things to the mechanics."

"Not surprised." Glaring at her craft, PP-2000 gave it a good kick. "Americans have weird ideas about how to build aircraft."

"It's called reliability." Looking up from her book, Ballista wore something that passed for a smirk. "You Russians should try it sometime." AK-74M and PP-2000 made the same rude gesture, before trading a look of surprise at the brief camaraderie.

"I guess we haven't properly been introduced." Shaking the exchange off, the pilot made a vague attempt at a salute. "PP-2000. Current pilot, and I guess auxiliary help to Groza's team."

"Ots-39." The white haired Doll waved.

"I think we talked." Not quite an introduction from Ballista in the back.

"I believe you suggested that I ignore your superiors and their 'bizarre antics', yes." AK-74M confirmed, receiving a nod in return.

Those things done, Ballista sat up fully, fixing AK-74M with a sharp stare. "Forgive the bluntness, but what are you doing here?"

"Getting to know everyone" Nodding to the pilot and her apparent student, AK-74M went on, "In my experience knowing, and being on good terms with, the people flying me into a combat zone is smart."

"Here I thought you'd be avoiding SV-98." PP-2000 ventured. AK-74M didn't catch her wince fast enough, the pilot's eyes narrowing. "What'd you say to her? She'd gotten out of her snit."

Without knowing just how much this group knew, AK-74M chose to give the least descriptive answer she could, along with filing away the mention of a previous snit for future reference. "Accidentally prod old wounds."

A snort came from Ballista, as PP-2000 sighed. "We need a therapist."

"We don't have the budget for a pilot. Where do you think this base is going to find a therapist?" OTs39 piped up.

"That's a Kalina problem, not a me problem." Not a hint of shame or remorse could be found in PP-2000's words. "Money is her job, not mine." AK-74M withheld comment, and PP-2000 turned back to her. "Just give SV-98 a bit to cool off. If she is being properly stupid, her personal recommendation is to punch her in the face."

So, whatever happened before it likely involved PP-2000. "I don't see me punching her going well." A fight between AK-74M and SV-98 would end in a very injured sniper, and not much else.

"It wouldn't." The faux cheer left AK-74M rapidly reassigning her opinion of the pilot. "It would, however, be quite funny, and she probably deserves it."

"I probably deserve what?" SV-98 ducked under the tail of the helicopter, freezing when she caught sight of AK-74M.

"Getting punched in the face." PP-2000 turned. "At least, according to you." A long pause followed, SV-98 glowering at AK-74M and PP-2000 in turn. As the seconds ticked by the silence seemed to discomfort the rest of them far more than AK-74M herself.

Eventually SV-98's arms crossed, visible displeasure remaining. "Well?"

AK-74M blinked, trying to work her way through what that question meant, before reminding herself that SV-98 was not the previously people she'd be interacting with, and not every word would have three layers of meaning. "Well, nothing." AK-74M shrugged. "I'm not looking to start things."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"You can believe what you wish." AK-74M shrugged, meaning every word. "You would not be the first, or the last."

That may have been the wrong answer, SV-98's entire body tensing. "And what, that's all? You're just going to 'I don't care what you think of me' and think that lets you get away with the horrible shit you lot did?"

"I do not think the opinion of anyone else absolves me of anything." AK-74M shook her head. "And I am not going to begrudge you for having a negative opinion of me based upon that affiliation."

If her previous words had been poorly chosen, what felt like an entirely reasonable remark turned out to be catastrophically wrong. SV-98 stepped forwards, head tipping up to keep glaring at AK-74M, even though she was slightly shorter. Close enough to swing if she wanted too. "Do you know why I don't like you, AK-74M?"

"The marked difference in treatment between regular infantry and special forces, resulting in you experiencing a much greater degree of hardship compared to myself." Groza suggested as much, and it seemed to match with what she was having thrown in her face now. "You resent me for not suffering as you did, along with resenting me for being Spetznaz where I did things that you and your compatriots were incorrectly accused of."

"And you think you know everything don't you?" The sniper's pupils dilated, a sure sign of her rising anger. AK-74M shook her head, already tensing for a fight. "You remind me of this real piece of trash Colonel we had. Took Groza under his wing. Wanted to make her 'better'." She seemed to wave AK-74M to say something, but she kept her mouth shut. "Had an answer for everything. Could guess what was going on in your head and didn't give a shit about what happened to us."

"What makes you think I don't care what happens to you, SV-98?" Most of the assumptions being made about her, AK-74M could understand the line of logic behind, but that one just completely missed her.

"Considering the number of times, you Spetsnaz types were supposed to get something done, and we walked right into a strongpoint that hadn't been attacked at all? Considering how they treated Spetsnaz compared to us?" Breathing heavy, she cut herself off. "I spent years getting treated like less than trash, to be thrown away that exact same way. Then they keep you around until a few months ago?"

"I didn't-" AK-74M started to object that she didn't choose that, those were factors out of her control.

Defending herself seemed to be the wrong answer, as SV-98's patience ran out. Unfortunately for her, AK-74M had been waiting for the outbreak of violence, stepping back and letting the punch sail harmlessly in front of her.

SV-98 seemed to realize the precarious nature of her position, in the split second before AK-74M retaliated, slugging her square in the nose with enough force to knock her back several steps. Something vaguely crunched on impact, and AK-74M mentally chided herself for putting a bit too much force into it.

"Uhm-" OTs-39's shock and horror might have been amusing, in a different time or place, but AK-74M had to ignore them, as SV-98 recovered, and lunged a second time.

"Goddamnit." The snap of Ballista's book closing happened at the same time as AK-74M hitting SV-98 a second time, this time in the cheek, before following it up by closing and kneeing the other Doll in the chest. A grunt followed as the air left the sniper's lungs, and she feebly managed to land a hit on AK-74M's shoulder with her other hand. Catching said hand on the next attempt, AK-74M stared down at the other Doll, then catching her other wrist.

SV-98 didn't take that as a cue to stop, instead headbutting AK-74M square in the chin, sending them both tumbling to the floor as AK-74M stumbled, but refused to release her grip. The sniper struggled and they rolled once, then twice, before AK-74M got enough leverage to twist around, dropping her knee into the small of the SV-98's back, pinning her firmly in place.

"You know, that might be the legitimately stupidest thing I've seen you do." PP-2000's remark brought AK-74M back to the moment, and the knowledge that she'd just gotten into a fistfight with one of her squad mates, with an audience no less. Granted, SV-98 swung first but that didn't mean she needed to respond with quite so much force.

SV-98 muttered something that sounded incredibly rude.

"You do realize I can effectively beat your face into the concrete if I want to?" If SV-98 wanted to deal with a stone-cold killer, AK-74M would give her that, for at least a moment. In reply she struggled more.

"Miss AK-74M?" Hesitantly, OTs-39 spoke up. "Please don't beat her up too much?"

Ballista snorted, eyes intent on the confrontation. "Do continue, this is quite amusing."

SV-98 twisted under her, and AK-74M ground her knee down, making her prisoner whimper. "Neither of us control the actions of others, SV-98. I do not hold you or Groza responsible for the suicide charges the infantry were forced to engage in, and I would ask you expend me the same courtesy regarding the actions of special forces."

"You don't know-"

"The first thing about what happened to you." AK-74M finished the accusation. "I don't. And I do not pretend to. But, based upon the stories I have heard, I had a great deal of respect for you, for enduring that situation, and an equal animosity towards those who put you into it."

"You…" SV-98's anger caught, as she tried to process that statement.

"Would happily pay a visit to that Colonel you mentioned." The intent was clear, so no further explanation would be required. Relaxing the pressure on the sniper, AK-74M sighed. "We are on the same side, SV-98."

A long drawn-out pause followed, and AK-74M wondered if she'd pushed her luck. "Fuck you." Despite the words, the tone made it clear that SV-98 didn't mean anything by it, and AK-74M stood, letting the sniper roll over. Holding out a hand, she pulled her upright.

Wincing at the deformation of SV-98's nose. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine." SV-98 shrugged it off. "Surprised you didn't beat my face through the floor."

"Not all of us are murderous psychopaths, SV-98." AK-74M countered. The sniper snorted, shaking her head.

"Right. Not quite what I meant." Giving AK-74M a long look over, she huffed, glancing sideways at PP-2000. "You could really tell me I'm putting my head up it."

"I could." PP-2000 agreed without hesitation. A smile was pulling at her lips, and AK-74M got the feeling that the pilot just wanted to see SV-98 get hit at least once. "But this way got you to pull your head out of your ass much faster, and without two weeks of angst."

"Some friend you are." She didn't sound very upset by that, at least to AK-74M's ears.

"I try." PP-2000 shrugged, as Ballista laughed.

Turning back to AK-74M, SV-98 stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Just don't bring up history, and we'll be fine."

"I can respect that." AK-74M agreed, holding out a hand. SV-98 looked down at it, then up at her, before nodding, and accepting the handshake. Perhaps more forcefully than strictly required but that was fine.

"Well that makes this upcoming little chitchat that KSG's team wants to have far more boring." Ballista stood, stretching. "If we're not going to get stories from the tortured Soviet markswoman, and the ex-Spetsnaz."

"Chitchat?"

"Stories?"

Several voices overlapped, and confused looks were traded.

"Ah, right. You would have been focusing on things on the ground." PP-2000 spoke up. "MG4 had the realization that Honey Badger does the opposite of what she's told because she doesn't know why she's told what she's told."

"So decided that storytelling would make things better?" SV-98 shook her head. "I don't see that going well."

"I suspect KSG has some ulterior motive for agreeing, probably a desire to cut off any lingering national tensions, or some such." Ballista shrugged. "We'll find out, I'm sure, as well as learn many interesting things."

AK-74M hummed, not commenting that it seemed to her that it was a subtle way to fish for information about the rest of them. If nothing else, she'd take what she could from the experience, and consider it a good time to continue mending the bridge with her newest teammates.

AN: Apologies for the delay getting this chapter out, I had a work trip that I forgot to take the file along for and that delayed me quite a bit. 74M is an absolute joy to write, even if she's not likely to play POV all that often.

As always big thanks to Branded, for turning this around in less than 12 hours.

No promises on the release window for the next chapter, I need to play MS and my free time isn't high at the moment.