The dust of battle finally began to settle as the last insurgent hit the ground. Smoke billowed from the shattered remains of the convoy, and the Operators of Rhodes Island gathered near the wreckage, their battered yet victorious forms glinting in the waning sunlight.
Among them stood the Doctor, his usual calm composure marred by the smallest touch of exasperation. His mask—once a symbol of mystery and authority—lay shattered in his hand. A large dent and several cracks on its surface told the tale of the blunt force impact that had shattered it during the skirmish.
The momentary quiet was broken by a familiar voice.
"Doctor, are you okay?" Amiya rushed to his side, ears twitching in concern. Her eyes scanned him for injuries, her hands fidgeting as if she didn't know where to start.
"I'm fine, Amiya," the Doctor replied, running a hand through his short, crew-cut hair. "Though I could've gone without losing the mask."
The team collectively froze when they realized: for the first time, the Doctor's face was completely visible to everyone present. He stood there—a rugged, strapping young man with sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing eyes. The kind of face you'd see on the cover of a military drama poster or hear about in exaggerated war stories told by veterans.
"Wait a minute," Exusiai piped up, blinking rapidly as she stepped closer. "That's your face? Like… your face?"
"Don't stare," the Doctor muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oh no, you don't!" Texas interjected, tilting her head as she scrutinized him. "You're telling me you've been hiding that under a mask this whole time? What the hell, Doc?"
"Did you think I wore it for fashion?" he deadpanned.
Before he could say another word, Lappland appeared from seemingly nowhere, leaning lazily against her sword. "I feel cheated," she drawled, a grin spreading across her face. "You're walking around like a regular guy, but now I find out you're Rhodes Island's secret prince charming?"
"Prince charming?" Nearl echoed with a light laugh. "He does have that rugged knight look about him."
"Stop it," the Doctor groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Amiya, you've seen my face plenty of times. Could you please explain to them that it's not a big deal?"
Amiya, who had been standing quietly, suddenly looked very nervous. "Um, well, yes… I've seen it during strategy meetings and breaks," she admitted, her tail swishing awkwardly.
"And you didn't tell us?" Exusiai gasped, pointing an accusatory finger at Amiya. "Shame on you! Hogging the view all to yourself!"
"Hogging? That's not what happened!" Amiya protested, waving her hands defensively.
"Wait," Silence cut in, her expression one of genuine curiosity. "If Amiya's already seen your face… does that mean Kal'tsit has too?"
"Yes," the Doctor said with a resigned sigh. "Kal'tsit sees it during breaks or whenever I need to report to her directly."
The Operators exchanged knowing looks, and a wave of teasing grins spread across the group.
"So does that make Kal'tsit the mom?" Exusiai asked with a smirk, folding her arms.
There was a beat of silence as everyone turned to the Doctor, waiting for his response.
"…No comment," he muttered finally, looking away.
"Oh-ho!" Lappland's grin widened. "That's an interesting answer, Doctor. Suspiciously vague!"
Before the situation could escalate further, someone tugged lightly at the hem of his coat. He looked down to see Amiya gazing up at him with wide, pleading eyes. "Doctor, please don't let them tease you too much…"
"Too late for that," he muttered, already regretting his decision to answer their questions.
"Wait a second," Blaze said, raising a hand. "Since you don't have your mask anymore… does that mean we get to see your face all the time now?"
"I'll just get a new mask," the Doctor said firmly, only for a chorus of disappointed groans to erupt from the group.
"Aw, come on, Doc!" Exusiai said, elbowing him lightly. "Don't hide that face from us. Let us have this one thing!"
"You've had it hidden for so long," Nearl added. "Surely, you can go without the mask for a little while."
"Not a chance," he replied, though his tone was less authoritative and more defeated.
Lappland leaned closer, her grin mischievous. "What if we steal the mask from you every time you try to wear it?"
"Don't give them ideas," the Doctor muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose again.
Amiya stepped forward, trying to regain control of the situation. "Everyone, let's not crowd the Doctor. He needs space to breathe."
"Oh, we're not crowding him," Texas said, though she made no move to step back. "We're… appreciating."
"That's what this is?" the Doctor asked dryly, glancing around at the growing circle of Operators.
"Yes," Lappland said with a wink. "Call it a morale boost."
"Doctor…" Amiya tugged on his sleeve again, her voice quieter this time. "I can go with you to requisition a new mask if it'll help."
"That might be the only way I survive the rest of the day," he replied, giving her a grateful look.
As they began to walk away, Blaze called after him. "Don't think this is over, Doc! We're not letting you hide forever!"
"Noted," he called back without turning around.
As the Doctor and Amiya disappeared into the distance, the remaining Operators exchanged amused glances.
"Well," Exusiai said, tossing an arm around Texas's shoulders. "Today's been full of surprises, huh?"
"You can say that again," Lappland agreed, still grinning. "Now, who's up for brainstorming ways to keep him maskless?"
"Don't push your luck," Nearl warned, though even she was smiling.
The group erupted into laughter as the convoy prepared to move again, already planning their next attempt at teasing their now-maskless (and visibly embarrassed) leader.
Back at Rhodes Island headquarters, the Doctor finally managed to requisition a new mask. Unfortunately for him, it wouldn't be long before it mysteriously went missing, thanks to a particularly mischievous group of Operators.