XX/XX/2057
We burned down a village today, on my orders.
The residents had refused to trade their food, we sacked whatever we could and with a few casualties at the threat of more gunfire the villagers were sent away.
My men asked why we did not burn down each village.
Are these people stupid? If you kill every farmer you see, what will you eat in a month from now?
We can trade what we earned here with other villages, and show this one's fate as an example for what happens when they dare to defy our requests.
''I do want you to know that I am not happy with this arrangement.''
I said as I limped through the corridors towards my temporary office.
The grey walls clashed with the shining gray steel floors.
I hadn't missed this place.
''I guessed as much, Master.''
''But you don't have much choice in the matter.''
Damn that Alchemist!
If she hadn't crushed my arm, I wouldn't have been in this situation.
And now I was stuck having to rely on-
Having to rely on G36 to do the most basic of things.
Every time I thought about it, the broken arm sizzled in its cast.
A reminder. A mark of shame.
I should have known that they would come for the Commander.
I opened the metal door in front of me with the keycard in my working hand and waited for the door to open.
Slowly, I trudged through the doorway into the room.
G36 followed closely behind me with my d-pad in her arms.
A couple strands of hair were touching my nose.
I liked my long hair, usually, but I doubted the decision as I swept it away.
I didn't like having to deal with it with just one hand, it was harder to sweep it out of my vision and face.
I sat down on the table as G36 closed the door behind us.
We'd have to review the report on Sector 12 together, I couldn't type in what I wanted to with just one hand, it would take too much time.
It had taken me more than I'd like to admit writing the first version of the report.
''Check sections 4 and 6, give me your input.''
I said as she sat in front and laid the tablet on the table.
I breathed out.
Annoyance, it could only be called as such.
For 3 to 4 more weeks, I'd have to be bound to enforced assistance.
Those at medical said that if I didn't want to be like this, they could amputate my arm and replace it with bionics.
Not possible.
Even if I had lost my arm, I would simply learn to live without it.
One would have to accept the hand they are dealt in life if they wished to remain headstrong.
Fate could not be cheated. To do so would be an affront to my ideals.
''4.2.1 seems unnecessary , it goes over what already happened and could be cut from the report without leaving out information.''
''Should I cut it?''
But the cast, its weight, pain and unbearable posture along with the necessities that came with the healing process were too much to go on without assistance.
G36 had jumped on the opportunity to be my 'caretaker' until I healed when medical mentioned it.
''4.2.1. Isn't that the part on Finch's defense against the SF charge?''
''It is also mentioned in 5.3, before your encounter with the SF Ringleader Alchemist in 6.1. You praise him for his command in 5.3 but call him reckless in 4.2.1.''
I looked at G36, but her eyes were on the tablet.
''Because at the moment, his decision to do so was extremely risky .''
We could have fallen back to try and scrap whatever we could of the frontline. We'd probably suffer even heavier losses, but the battle could be won in the long term. Despite my drive to deal a faster, more crippling blow.
''He did show great skill commanding his dolls on the frontline, but I wasn't sure that would be the case when he first set out.''
''At that moment, I considered it a risky maneuver with , say, around a 30% chance of success. And it did work out, but it was almost at the cost of a senior commander's life.''
I watched the recordings and listened to Finch's recalling of the battle.
He had done well and answered SF movements almost perfectly.
We spent some more time looking through the report.
In the end, only small changes were made here and there on some minute details I had overlooked, like mentions of the road ambush that failed to take place.
I looked at my watch-
Right.
It was crushed along with my left arm.
''I think that's good enough , give me back the tablet so I can give it a final skim before we head over to Kryugers office.''
I tried to grab the tablet with my good hand but she pulled it away, up where I could not reach it.
I looked into her eyes for a second, unamused.
''Very funny G36, give me the tablet.''
She didn't react, merely keeping her neutral expression.
What now?
I got up to try and reach for the tablet but she leaned backward, I missed the tablet by a few centimeters.
I was too clanky with the cast and its belt over my left shoulder.
I gave her an angry look this time, but when she didn't react I sat back down, defeated.
She wanted something. I'd have to listen to the very least.
To this, she appeared satisfied and put the tablet on her side of the tablet.
''Master. Why was Aclhemist surprised by what you said in the command room back in Sector 12?''
Her tone was a questioning one.
An interrogation, it would seem to be.
''I thought you were lying to draw away her attention at first, but the longer I thought about it, the less it made sense.''
''When did you meet Sangvis Ferri for the first time?''
She must have seen and heard it from her dummy.
A loose end, I forgot about that.
''What makes you think that I would give you an answer?''
There were some things better left unknown.
Curiosity, kills the cat, after all.
I was happy with my current state within GnK, unintended information leaks could jeopardize my standing. Not that it would matter to high command, but the lesser ranks might find issue with it.
''I have known you for long enough now, Kaan.''
''Usually, talking to you is comparable to talking to a brick wall.''
She explained with a cold stare, right back at me.
''That is unless you consider yourself weak or compromised.''
''Only then will you cooperate with requests from others.''
''Am I wrong, Master?''
She finished with a smug look.
Was she?
She wasn't.
I sighed.
I'll applaud your efforts.
''Impressive deductive skills G36.''
''Very, impressive.''
Of course, I shouldn't forget about her true mission.
There was always a reason, nothing in this world happened without reason.
''I thought Kryuger or Helian would have already told you about my past.''
I said with disdain seeping from my voice.
This confused her, I could see it in her eyes.
Hear it in her tone.
''Why would they, Master?''
''It is company policy for Griffin to leave the relations between the T-Dolls and their Commanders, including that Commander's past, in their own hands.''
I knew that. I read the document when I signed up for Griffin.
But I thought that Kryuger had-
Was I wrong?
Had I been making things up?
No...
I was sure that was the case. There was no way it wasn't.
Kryuger wouldn't let such a thing slip by, he was too capable to make the simple mistake of leaving his dog without a leash.
...
How much did G36 hear?
She shouldn't have heard anything after my mention of Dobruja.
But there was no reason for her to ask this unless she didn't truly know...
''G36, you remember one of my core rules that I told all Wolf Squad members, right? That I would not lie to you, my soldiers, and if I was in a position to not say the truth I wouldn't say anything , at all .''
I said with wear in my voice.
They were bound to start asking questions, but I delayed it by a good while.
Not entirely satisfactory, but it was a good run.
''Yes, Master.''
She said with an acknowledging tone.
Hm.
I guess this could be a way out for me.
''Then have I been wrong to assume that...''
Will you lie, G36?
Will you betray me?
I haven't betrayed you despite my suspicions, I haven't chewed you out despite my frustrations. I haven't wronged you, yet you wronged me before we even met. And still, I did not seek revenge.
Show me merit.
Treat one as they treat you.
''Kryuger placed you in my squad to keep an eye and a leash on me?''
The members of Wolf Squad had been well selected because I was too incompatible with the other T-Dolls. I barely passed the official Griffin exam for compatibility with T-Dolls.
But despite that, G36, whose personality was the opposite of mine had been forcefully, despite my wishes, admitted into my squad.
They said I should have a helper-like personality to help me with my post-war recovery, have an assistant to help with my tasks despite my personality.
There was no world in which that was the truth.
But I do not blame Kryuger.
I would have done the same if our places had been switched.
It was a good move, ensuring loyalty while playing matchmaker to his personal ideology by giving me a personal connection to his way and cause.
Yet, I wished to confirm my suspicions.
What if I was wrong?
What if he hadn't seen that far, thought that far.
Opinions could only carry one so far, facts were needed.
I had been expecting shock at this as well, but G36 proved level-headed.
''Would you like to cut a deal then, Master?''
She said, going back to a neutral cold stare as she leaned in.
In turn, I put my hands together atop the table, I would listen.
What could you offer me here?
What did you have to leverage?
From where I was standing, you had nothing girl.
''We exchange information. I tell you the answer to your question, and you give me the answer to mine. I feel that is fair by your standards, Master.''
Eh.
It is...not. But I won't overrule the deal.
Because, is it what I want?
My curiosity can be sated with just one answer, but I would have to tell her more without igniting the spark of yet another curiosity.
A tightrope to be walked. It would be possible but hard.
If, I were to take it.
''I do not believe that to be an equal exchange. The amount and value of information you'd receive far outweigh what I get in return.''
She smiled at this, like she had me where I needed to be.
I raised my eyebrow. What did you hatch out now, G36?
''But I did save your life, did I not?''
''Your life should balance out the deal.''
She finished with confidence.
I wasn't convinced.
She had done what she had been designed, asked to do.
''So? Isn't that what you are commanded to do?''
''Master, your command was to protect the artillery and its crew. Not your life.''
''But-''
''If I hadn't taken the decision to rush into the command room you would have been dead.''
I opened my mouth and raised my right hand, but the left one rubbed against the edge of the table.
It hurt. But that wasn't why I stopped.
She was right.
But that was a part of the plan. A contingency.
The artillery was placed right next to the base, to provide them cover with jamming and rapid response timing.
I knew she would run into the base if she saw trouble, I just never expected that it would be a spec-ops type ringleader that would infiltrate the base.
I was expecting a frontal assault, like what they had done with Finch's frontline.
''I knew you'd rush towards the room.''
''That's why I bought as much time as possible by trying to mess with the Ringleader and shouting to alert you to the situation and mask your approach.''
Not the entire truth, but it was kind of true.
When I realized the specific model of Ringleader, I knew to feign pain.
She had shown her true colors back in Dobruja.
Slowly stabbing, reveling in the pain of dying men.
Shooting their hands off, prolonging their misery for as much as possible.
Back then I wasn't able to punish her undisciplined nature, the battlefield was too chaotic.
But now? Another loose end had been tied up.
''And if I was too late you'd be dead. That still means I showed exceptional performance. Like what you wrote in your report, Master.''
She held the tablet high and turned it towards me.
'G36 showed incredible decision-making skills and-'
Yeah. I did write that.
It was true, facts could never be denied.
I rubbed my face.
''Fine.''
''I'm taking the deal.''
I leaned back into the comfortable chair, cold comfort was all I had left.
Pitiful.
I smashed my good fist on the table.
''So tell me. Was I right or wrong, 'special agent G36'.''
I tried to imitate Kryugers's voice without much success when titling G36.
Maybe that was her actual title, you could never know.
I didn't.
After what I could only see as a sigh of relief, she shyly gave me my answer:
''Kryuger did ask me to keep an eye on you-''
''HA!''
I said, excitement slipping through my lips.
''I fucking knew it!''
I got up and slammed the table even harder.
''I knew it , I knew it all from the beginning.''
I stood back down, but I couldn't help the smile on my lips.
Sometimes, it did feel good to succeed.
I closed my eyes and shook my head.
I still had it in me.
When I reopened them G36 stood a little scared.
My mistake.
She was probably expecting anger, not mania, I should explain myself.
''I'm not angry, because I would have done the same. Not angry at you, or at Kryuger. Not at all ''
I said, full of satisfaction and pride.
''-but it was only at the beginning because we wanted to confirm your loyalty to your own words. That's what Kryuger said, and that you were a veteran of the Thracian War .''
She finished despite me interjecting my own comments.
Huh.
I was sure that Kryuger would have told her...
''But it was only for a short while. After the first couple of months, the only reason I kept an eye on you was for your own good, Master!''
She sounded disturbed.
I think she was expecting disappointment, from the fact that she had kept it a secret. That was my guess.
I felt, nothing.
''Then why try to change my worldview, challenge my philosophies and choices at every opportunity?''
''Because that is what's good for you! Your ideals are wrong-
She tried to finish, but I wasn't going to buy it.
''Good and bad? Right and wrong? Is that factual or just your personal opinion?!''
I interjected.
She opened her mouth but nothing came out.
''Yeah, that's what I thought.''
''Regardless, feel free to try whenever you want , I am always open to debates. With every argument, I get convinced more that I am on the right path.''
I do not know what G36 was thinking, she looked dejected as she had once in Sector 12. But there was no point being down when the bright future was ahead. New information would give her new things to think about, other than her personal failure to bring me over to the 'correct' philosophy.
''A deal is a deal.''
I confirmed, not just to G36 but also to myself.
It weighed hard on me, on my mind, but I wasn't going to lose my good mood here.
''I'm not only a veteran of the Thracian War . I also fought with the Army of Rumelia against the Neo-Soviets, Pan-Europa, and the Yugoslavs before defecting to Griffin.''
I paused.
Should I tell her?
I should, a soldier deserves to know.
''That isn't the entire story, but it's enough for you to know.''
''Army of Rumelia?''
She asked, waiting for confirmation with a concerned tone.
''Yeah.''
''That's where I fought against Sangvis Ferri, even GnK. But while Sangvis still uses the same models and I am guessing mainframe AI, Griffin switched to a new generation of T-Dolls.''
''It would have been interesting to see your generation of T-Dolls in the enemy frontline, that I am sure.''
I would not betray the reality.
However:
She didn't need to know.
''Did you fight for their ideals?''
''What do you think?''
''If I had been fighting for their ideals of terror, would Kryuger have hired me?''
I replied with sarcasm.
The ultranationalist, jingoist radicalism in the Army of Rumelia could never fit me.
She was speechless, presumably digesting this information.
I regretted my tone choice now.
''Look. My hands are definitely not clean.''
I raised my good hand to the surrender pose.
''Everyone knows of the atrocities that have been committed in the Balkans , it was their doctrine to display them to sow terror into the hearts of Europeans after all.''
The Rumelia days...;
Brutal, but nothing that could bring me down.
''But In Kryugers's words: 'We have similar ideals.''
''So do not look at me with those eyes G36 , this is why I did not wish to share this information. But you can confirm this with Kryuger, or pass it on to the rest of Wolf Squad.''
She could.
But I would have to advise against it.
''But be aware. If you want to know, that is not my problem. But if someone else tracks your footsteps and learns of this information? I am sure I do not need to explain why that could prove disastrous.''
I said with a more serious tone.
While she was still mulling things, I swiped the tablet away, got up from the table, and motioned towards the door:
''I hope that today's conversation has been productive, G36.''
But she did not respond.
She stood there.
I hadn't even told her the full truth, and this was already her reaction?
Then let's hope there doesn't come a day that I have to explain everything I left out.
''Stop looking so, conflicted.''
''Whatever happened then wasn't enough to break me , you should try to not get affected by it too much either . It's not good for you.''
''Now get up, we have to deliver this report.''
She silently got up and slowly followed behind me as I limped once again towards the door.
''Hold the tablet for me.''
I said as I gave the tablet to her and checked my pockets for the keycard.
''I thought you weren't happy with Finch, Master.''
''But in your report, you said that he should remain commander of Sector 12. Do you want to double-check it a final time?''
I swiped the keycard which opened the door with a beep.
''I do not agree with his methods, but I do believe that to be the best course of action currently.''
We walked out and the door closed behind us.
''The T-doll's connection with him, the hassle that and the logistics problems changing a commander would bring... The cost is too much.''
''It would be more preferable if they pushed towards Sector 09 from Sector 12 , it would allow us to apply pressure in the SF eastern flank.''
The rest of the path was slow, silent.
G36 seemed to be deep in thought, and I was personally enjoying the silence.
From time to time we would pass by other human staff, sometimes T-Dolls, but the hallways were mostly empty back at base.
It was to be expected, operations had been heating up against SF.
Almost every front was active currently, the only reason we were back in HQ was because I was incapacitated from being able to command Wolf Squad on the field.
''We have arrived.''
I said to G36 when we came face to face with the doors of Kryugers office.