The commander refused to watch the live feed. It was a show of faith in his team, certainly, but at the same time he knew that brutality that he had taught them.
Bait the enemy in, grab them by the belt, dismember them and leave them to the wolves, then disappear into the darkness.
However when dolls fought there was no blood, no viscera, no intimate savagery… at least not in the ways when humans fought one another. It was just a combat exercise with dummy rubber rounds, anyways.
Still, he couldn't stomach it… not right now. The suddenness of this charade had brought a host of unpleasant memories forward. Even if the dolls were Viktor's, they hadn't done anything wrong- victims of circumstance, much like some of the commander's previous opponents. There was also that slim margin that his girls would get hurt- after all, even with dummy rounds enough of them could certainly cause damage… and he shuddered at the thought of seeing 45 or 9 coming back riddled with dents.
Thankfully, it seemed that the margin he had set was just meaningless worry. Judging by the frantic motions and dramatic expressions that Viktor was making from his command booth, the fight wasn't going the way the blowhard had planned. No, instead of watching the feed, the commander took the time to quietly tried to comb the combat data that was coming in at an impossibly rapid pace. He had precious few minutes to add it in to his presentation before they would convene for the debriefing.
The engagement was approximately one minute and thirteen seconds since first contact. Two units moved autonomous from the echelon, though the command doll was present, so that was a hand-wave for their independent actions away from the echelon. More interestingly, the sniper team still functioned well autonomously, despite being outside of the primary command-doll's range.
The only error the commander could think of was that he technically had two command units within the same echelon, but the data showed that FAL's command module was disabled since touchdown.
"That concludes the exercise. Commanders, we will bring the mainframe units back for debriefing and data consolidation." Helian announced through their intercoms, "Please standby in the assembly room until then."
"Permission to stand-by at the landing zone?" The commander clicked back on the intercom. He was in no hurry to face Viktor's indignation and shattered sense of self. The intercom's speaker hissed and crackled back at him.
"...Granted."
The commander quickly slipped from the small command room under the watchful gaze of his audience. Kryuger, Helianthus, and two members of IOP traced his path with their eyes, perhaps surprised to see where he was going? Or was it the fact that he was seemingly shirking all of the post-engagement work he would normally need to do.
It didn't matter to the commander- let them judge him on his actions in the real field than in this little arena. He stepped out into the shockingly frigid air, pulling his winter coat tighter around himself. It would be a good ten-to-twenty minutes before he even heard the buzz of the rotors, still, he descended the stairs down to the landing pad, staring out towards the shattered city beyond.
"A commander must be detached from his troops." A gruff, authoritative voice called out from above. From the observation deck overlooking the pads, Kryuger stood tall and assertive. "Did you not learn that?"
"I hadn't the luxury to." The commander called back up to the CEO, "Where I was from, everyone knew one-another."
"Where you were from, commander. Look to where you are now." Kryuger's expression had not changed from that steeled, determined grimace. A powerful silence resonated between the two men, broken only by a sharp gust of cold- snow was coming.
"Dolls…" the commander mumbled, "They aren't human but…" He could feel Kryuger's gaze burning into his back, the weight of that man's authority and power too heavy for just one person to bear. The weak must recognize the strong.
"I look forward to your… presentation, commander."
Words that sent frigid needles throughout his spine, making the commander uncomfortably shiver from beneath that heavy red coat. He had lost track of just how long he stood there ruminating Kryuger's words until the deep reverberating buzzing floated in on the winds.
Each passing second felt like a shutter snap in a camera, the two dots in the hazy horizon growing close with each blink. The weighty thump of blades churning the air; it was a sound he was used to hearing in his post-mission ritual of waiting by the helipad. The commander held his cap and shielded his eyes as the first helicopter made its final approach, the machine-made windstorm growing more and more violent as it touched down.
He watched as the team leapt off of their transport, a warm surge of pride welled in his chest upon seeing their exhausted, yet triumphant smiles as they lined themselves at attention next to the chopper's doors.
"Bring it in, girls." He yelled over the whine of the engines winding down, motioning for them to break rank, to which the five so readily did, pulling into a tight circle- not quite a group hug… certainly no hugging in front of command or anyone that would consider him too lax with his subordinates.
"I am so damn proud of you all." He spoke into the tight huddle, "All of you exceeded what was asked of you."
Their execution of the plan proved a theory he had been harboring, and now he felt less foolish for preparing such an extensive information presentation beforehand.
The other dolls stood by their helicopter waiting for dismissal, all but silent and shamed in defeat. He expected glares of anger or spite from them towards their rivals that excitedly buzzing around their commander, when Obolensky was no-where to be seen.
It took him a second, but he realized that they weren't stares of hatred or anger.
They were envious eyes.
He gave them a quiet, piteous smile before turning his attention back to his team.
"IOP wants to get the combat data straight from you rather than waiting for it to be processed through third party means." His dolls all frowned and seemed ready to complain, but he held up a single, authoritative hand to stop the grumbling.
"Ja, ja. Let's go ladies." 45 motioned for the echelon to move along with a casual wave.
"See you in a bit!"
"We'll share all the juicy details with the base after its all parsed."
"Nine, can you share the clip of my shot hitting the-"
His dolls filed out behind Viktor's team, still excitedly chatting away with one another, but 45 lingered behind. There was a glint in those amber eyes of hers that the commander found just the slightest bit unnerved.
"Commander, you should think about a reward for such stellar performance." 45 smiled wide, but something about it felt… off, "It's a commander's job to keep morale up, wouldn't you agree?"
"And what would you suggest, Forty-five?"
The T-doll quietly placed a finger upon her chin, a look of quizzical innocence that somehow did not match the doll's personality.
"Something ambitious- something daring." Again, that wry smile pulled onto the youthful features of 45 as she stared her commander down. It seemed like something was on the tip of her tongue-
And then the doll shrugged, chuckling to herself at the commander's confusion.
"See you, commander~" She gave a wave before dashing off.
Despite 45's confusingly cryptic statement, seeing his team's excitement was the breather he needed- a calming warmth before the storm that was going to batter him soon enough. With a deep breath, the commander slipped back into the observation room, finding that Viktor was already standing at attention before the gathered audience. The man shot the commander an impatient glance.
"My apologies for being late-"
"You are not late, Commander Obolensky merely wished to start the debriefing early, even without the combat data." Helianthus waved away the commander's concern, taking her seat once more, "We will commence the meeting once the data transfer begins."
"Ah! My additional materials-" The commander had let the data slip his mind for only a second, causing the man to curse quietly. He was too used to G36 catching what slipped through the cracks in his memory.
"I believe that they were delivered through the secured network earlier, commander." One of the IOP representatives spoke in a bored monotone. The man was swiping up on a tablet, eyes barely registering what was on it. He leaned over, showing the tablet to the cat-eared IOP representative. Quiet murmurs drifted throughout the room as both the commander and Obolensky were stuck standing at attention.
"How could this happen?" Viktor lamented quietly while the audience was distracted, "You must have cheated." His words growled low, clearly intended for only the commander, however, Viktor's obvious misgivings were being picked up by all in the room.
"I did everything as instructed by command. You simply made tactical errors." The commander shrugged before taking a moment to look over his tablet, swiping between the combat data and what he was going to present.
"Bullshit! My-"
"The data is in. Commander of the op-for, walk through your strategies." Helianthus crossed her arms, face a mask of contempt that the commander just could not understand. Still, he had to comply, regardless of how Helianthus prematurely judged him.
"My unit reconnoitered the area before the battle, gaining visual map data of the area as well as possible points of engagement." The commander began, pulling up the exact same data he had shown his dolls in the planning stages, "They extrapolated with what data they had available for the operation and determined that an ambush would be the best course of action-"
"Was there a reason why you sent an under-equipped force?" Helian seemed to speak for the rest of the G&K command staff and IOP representatives, whom all continued to remain silent during her interruption.
"Yes, ma'am." The commander motioned for those in the meeting to look at their tablets as he drew attention to the pre-mission meeting- to the data on his doll's mind-maps. "I have been pushing irregular skirmishing and guerrilla tactics training for my teams using a memory fragmentation exploit. Given that most dolls only know or have the capacity for static formations, I used this exercise as a test-bed for their non-standard tactics."
While the commander was expecting the IOP representatives to but in once again, it seemed like everyone was thoroughly enthralled by the data. Even Kryuger nodded slightly, quietly tapping his way through the document.
His rival seemed to seethe under the impressions from command, and was more than ready to try and blurt his piece, but he wouldn't get the chance. It was not the place of the loser to interrupt until they were acknowledged… Viktor understood at least that.
"As you can see by the data provided, given a field-command model doll, an echelon is capable of advanced maneuvers without the oversight of a human commander, even with fragments of a tactics process." There was murmuring between the two IOP representatives, and it had caused the commander to pause somewhat. Still, he cleared his throat to get their attentions before continuing, "Specifically, T-doll units that have significantly built rapport working under a specific commander appear capable of inferring and extrapolating a commander's intent, and in some cases, operate more efficiently than if they were under direct command."
He again directed their attention to the display. In his mind, he praised G36's precise note-taking and ability to put together all of their abstract conversation into a visual format.
"As you can see by the display from the pre-mission planning, the dolls were able to combine their processing power to formulate a battle-plan-" The commander watched as the different permutations of the plan cycled by- at least a thousand variations, all stemming from the initial idea, in his opinion a treasure-trove of data accrued from his doll's neural clouds.
Command remained silent, but one of the IOP representatives, that slovenly cat-eared woman, was whispering to the other.
"How much of it was your input?" Kryuger surprised everyone by being the first to not go through the mouthpiece that was Helianthus, "The method of combat reeks of the Urals."
"I gave my echelon all of the known information and ruleset, as well as abstract parameters that ran contrary to their standard deployment protocols. Functionally, I handed command over to the command doll UMP-forty-five, and from there the team computed their own tactics." The commander admitted readily, "Though, to reiterate, my dolls have been undergoing non-standard training under my personal supervision."
Again, there was more quiet muttering amongst the top brass. To say that he wasn't nervous was a lie. If anything, the commander wished that he had G36 or FAL at his side to help steady him.
"Obolensky, you are dismissed." Kryuger waved Viktor off, not even bothering to check the man's data.
"Mr. Kryuger, sir. Surely you-"
"I said you are dismissed, Viktor." The CEO growled, pointing towards the door.
The commander's rival let out something akin to a growl cut with a burp of disgust. It was an awful sound that perfectly encapsulated what Viktor must have been feeling in that moment. However, the commander could not spare a second look at his would-be-rival, as soon Kryuger's glare was transfixed upon him, demanding his utmost attention.
"Commander. Given your prior experience, why did you see fit to train androids in such a manner?" Kryuger's glare sharpened as he folded his hands before his face, leaning in upon the table.
"Because they are my soldiers, and I want them to succeed in situations where I may not be available to directly commander them."
"You are aware that the dolls you are provided are G and K property, correct? You do not own them."
"They are under my command, and therefore I am responsible for them." The commander's response was a tad bit harsher than he wanted to direct towards his boss, but it was too late to walk back his comments. So he doubled down.
"Even more so if they are not my property, I wish to return G and K property in better condition than when it arrived at my base."
A single, pelting laugh caused everyone at Kryuger's table to jump.
"Tell me, commander. What is it that you hope to accomplish by showing us this data?"
What was it he was trying to show them?
What was he trying to show them?
His dolls- his girls- were more than just androids? That they were machines that were growing and learning- or was it just the illusion that they were? That...
"That I am a superior commander to Viktor Obolensky." The commander coldly called out, "That if I was giving the same resources as he, I would be able to conduct successful operations against Sangvis Ferri instead of nonsensical patrols in the green zone and logistical mission. I wish to be placed in a sector closer to the frontlines."
"Lucky you, then." Kryuger boomed, grinning wide. It was not a joyous expression; the commander saw it as the expression a wolf would make when it finally cornered its prey.
"There is an opening in the 'S' sector. Considering your attention to data as well as your soldiers, I feel you will succeed where your predecessor failed."
Helianthus looked as if she were ready to object, but Kryuger's words were absolute.
"You are dismissed, commander. The details of your transfer will be sent to you once you return to your headquarters."
"Thank you, sir." The commander saluted, turning on a heel for the door, trying his damnedest to not take a second glance back.
No, there was no point looking back. The only thing he could do now was hurry back to his echelon and make sure they were prepped for departure.
"Always vigilant, always ready." He repeated to himself, trying to stave off the chill that clung to him in the halls.
When the door quietly slid shut, not a single person struck up conversation. To an outside observer, it would look as if everyone was absorbed in the data, but in reality, no one dared speak their mind- rather, no one yet dared voice their objections to Kryuger's sudden decision until the CEO had settled himself once more.
"That man is responsible for the lawlessness in the Urals. How do we know that all of this 'training' he's giving is not an eventual subversion of the T-doll's programming- of IOP's protocols?" One of the IOP representatives was the first to break the silence.
"It is a possibility," Helianthus quietly plucked her monocle from her face, wiping it down as she spoke, "but I believe this is less some grand conspiracy and more an overly ambitious commander."
"He is a criminal-"
"Was." Kryuger looked over the tablet once again, "Judge by the data, not by the nature of the man." His voice raised to that of a thunderous rumble. A silence washed back over the room, held firmly in place by Kryuger's complete authority. When all had calmed themselves, the CEO turned towards the cat-eared IOP representative who had remained silent during the whole proceedings.
"What are your opinions, Persica?"
"His theory and evidence, as amateurish and redundant as they are, only further prove my data." Persica spoke up, her grin wide, "The Anti-Rain Team is completely capable of self-sufficient action without a human commander."
The smug grin on her face only widened as Helianthus and Kryuger quietly whispered to one another.
"But he shows promise." Persica paused, "If they were to need a commander, I believe that he would be sufficient."
"That settles it. Helian, cancel the rest of the trials." Kryuger stood, slinging his uniform jacket over a shoulder while turning his back to the complaints. "We must ensure every piece at our disposal is in place. I would remind you all of our mission." His words were sobering, bringing everything back into focus.
"Helian, I want you to proceed to Sector "S" as well, and begin conducting intel sweeps with the commander's assistance."
"S-sir!"
"We will no longer just be holding the cordon." Kryuger cracked his knuckles, "It's high time we start taking the fight to SF properly."