Never a dull moment in this line of work.

"Thanks for dropping by!" I say, straining a company service smile as I handed the customer their goods.

Of course, I'm lying as naturally as breathing.

A sigh escapes me as I press down on a pedal, allowing the conveyor belt to spin, bringing the products closer as I passed them over a scanner before placing them into a plastic bag.

I look up from the register to my next customer. Draped in a hood, their jacket unzipped, revealing a white dress that slowly turned to blue as my eyes traveled down the piece of clothing.

Fumbling with their wallet, they eventually produced a piece of plastic.

"Card it is?" I ask, as I tapped at my register, prompting the card reader to receive said piece of plastic.

Without looking up, she inserted the card into the reader. "Long day?" A small smile crept up onto their face as they looked up.

Suppressing a shudder as I looked into their pink eyes, I could've sworn that they were glowing before having my attention redirected by an annoying set of beeps. I shrugged before tapping at the register a few times.

"Like you wouldn't believe." Another sigh escapes me as I pointed at the card reader. "Sorry about that, could you re-insert your card again? Reader's been uncooperative as of late."

They give me a nod before taking out their card.

The doors of the convenience store opened as their chime played, giving way to more customers. Looking up to give my company standard greeting, my blood chilled as my eyes locked onto the three "customers". Dressed head to toe in white, clad in similarly shaded plate carriers, their faces were obscured by their helmets.

My eyes then drifted down to what they had in their hands.

I recoiled in surprise as they raised the objects into the air, the business end of them pointed at me. Rather, at the customer I'm supposed to be ringing up.

Out of reflex, I ducked down behind the counter and placed my hands on top of my head, my customer following suit as they vaulted over before huddling right next to me. Under the darkness of the counter, our eyes met. Less out of coincidence, and more due to the fact that they do indeed have a faint glow.

Then the yelling started. Followed by the deafening roar of their guns. I could barely make out the screams as rounds flew through the air backed up by the cracking of bullets being expended.

"Dammit." She muttered as she flicked the side of her jacket, revealing a rifle.

My eyes went wide as I stared at the hardware. Too shocked to hear what she's saying, I watched as she raised her hand, moving it close to my face and-

"Ow, did you just flick-." I could barely get out before she smothered my mouth with her hand.

"Shut up." She hissed as she readied her rifle with her free hand.

Choking back any words I had, I watched as she shouldered her rifle before getting to her feet.

Her own rifle sang its song as she returned fire at the assailants. Crouching back down, she grabbed a fresh magazine, taking out the empty one before loading in the new one and placing the empty one into the same pocket. She turned her head towards me before giving me a look.

"W-what?" I whisper out of fear.

Instead of a proper response, her hand snakes its way into her skirt before producing a handgun. Checking its chamber by pulling back the slide with one hand, she let it go before smacking the back of it, re-seating the slide and flicking a switch on its side.

"Do you know how to use this?" She whispers back.

I've only ever used guns like these in video games. But I do know how to operate them in theory, like how to load in a magazine or work a charging handle or work a safety on most firearms. Also, I've cleaned and maintained them, courtesy of my dad. I appreciated the hardware, but the loud noises they made? Not so much.

I look back at the handgun before into her eyes. This was no video game though.

"I..." I swallow my saliva. "I do."

Wordlessly, she placed the gun into my hands before getting up again. I flinch as her gun fired. Staring at the pistol, my hands trembled as it wrapped around the textured grip.

Gathering whatever courage I could muster, I get up as well.

This proved to be a mistake as my eyes locked onto the massacre in front of me.

Corpses of customers and workers alike were strewn about, with puddles of blood formed under them.

Interrupted by yelling, my eyes locked onto our assailants, who were crouching behind a flipped over ice machine. I watched in slow motion as the barrels of their rifles pointed at me. Raising the pistol in response, I get a single shot off before being dragged down.

"H-h-holy shit." My heart was practically beating at a million beats per second. At this point, I was hyperventilating.

I received another flick to the forehead. "Ow, what the heck-."

"You almost got yourself killed by standing and gawking at them." She rolled her pink eyes.

I slowly nodded, the realization steadily kicking in.

She shook her head in my direction before getting up again. I swallowed before joining her, the handgun bucking in my hands.

I squeeze a few rounds in the general direction of the attackers. Notably, this keeps their heads down. Taking advantage of that, "Pink Eyes" advanced, putting a round into their cover periodically as she walked up.

Reluctantly, I followed behind as I fired her pistol.

Then the gun clicks empty.

I stare at the handgun for a few moments before snapping out of it.

My jaw dropped as I watched her leap over the ice machine and onto one of the attackers, the butt of her rifle descending onto the head of one the attackers, caving in the helmet. Without missing a beat, she tackled another, tossing them both to the floor.

With inhuman swiftness, she rose to her feet, simultaneously grabbing the rifle of one of the soldiers before launching it into the face of the third, impacting with a sickening crunch of both helmet and bone, followed by a blood curdling scream.

The last barely getting to their feet, "Pink Eyes" walked over and delivered a simple chop to their throat, crushing their windpipe. They dropped to the floor, choking the entire way down.

Staring for a few seconds at her handywork, she proceeded to put two bullets into each of them. She then locked eyes with me, sending fear down my spine. Fast walking in my direction, I took a step back as she wordlessly snatched the pistol from my grip, dropping the empty magazine and loading in a fresh one, before stowing it back under her skirt.

A few seconds of silence loomed over us before I finally speak.

I choke on my saliva before coughing and clearing my throat. "W-what now?"

She meets my eyes. "Now..." Her eyes glaze over for a few seconds before returning to normal. What the hell was that?

She frowns as she looks at me. "Now we go see the Commander."

Huh? "C-commander?"

She doesn't answer, instead she grabs me by the wrist before leading me to the back door. I stumble a few times, barely able to catch myself each time.

"W-where are we going?"

She clicks her tongue. "And this was supposed to be a simple shopping trip." Dropping her rifle only to be caught by a sling, she took her now free hand and pulled down her hood. Only a few shades darker than her eyes, pink hair flowed as the hood dropped.

Internally, I updated her moniker to "Pink Hair".

The rumbling of an engine comes within earshot. I'm frantically looking around for... something, my hand still locked up by "Pink Hair's" grip. I would try to wrestle my hand away, but I remember what she did to those three... soldiers, I think.

She still has her rifle at the ready too.

I resign myself to my fate as I watch a heavily armored vehicle roll up in front of us, the rumbling of the engine powerful enough that I can feel it in my chest.

The doors at the back swing open as two more girls step out, similarly well-armed.

I frown as I got a good look at them. They were similarly aged and heighted as well. They couldn't be any older than eighteen, are they child soldiers?

My eyes lock onto the brown-haired one with green highlights. Hanging from a sling across her chest was a rifle not too dissimilar to "Pink Hair". Her eyes meet mine and she gives me a small smile.

I give a nod in her direction.

Next to her stood a blonde, eyes ruby red, too armed with a rifle in similar fashion to the other two. Notably, she had a metal left hand prosthesis, the fingers extremely sharp at the tips.

Our eyes meet and she gives me an appraising look before giving me a toothy smile.

I simply nod in her direction as well.

The trio of girls stare at each other as I stood and watched uncomfortably, jumping at shadows as I looked around for the umpteenth time.

Finally, "Pink Hair" released their grip before shoving me towards the back of the armored vehicle.

"Uh... what's going on?" I looked into the vehicle, meeting another pink haired woman dressed in a burgundy coat.

"Get in." "Pink Hair" orders.

I blink a few more times before I'm shoved further into the vehicle. Crashing into one of the seats, I reorient myself, watching as the trio load themselves inside before closing the heavy steel doors. The brown-haired one then smacked the wall of the vehicle.

This indicated the driver to start moving, as I stumbled as the powerful engine drove the vehicle forward.

Seating myself properly in my seat, I fidget around before the lady in the burgundy coat spoke up.

"Sorry about this." I look up to meet their eyes, she has a small smile on her face. "But we're going to have you come with us."

I look around to find all eyes on me. Shuffling nervously, I look back at the lady. "W-what's happening?"

She lets out a sigh. "I'm a Commander for "Griffin and Kryuger", a PMC. I go by Commander Gentiane." She gestures towards the girls. "These girls here work for me."

I stare before nodding unknowingly.

She looks at "Pink Hair". "I take it you fought back against your attackers?"

I nodded slowly.

Commander Gentiane clicked her tongue before looking back at me. "Yeah, we might have you stick around with us. At least until we know you aren't in any danger."

My heart drops. "D-danger? Why would I be in danger?"

"Since you fought back against Paradeus forces, they might have your face saved in the combat logs."

I stared at the cold steel floor. "W-what the fuck?" Was all I could say.

Silence looms before I cough a few times. "S-so what now?"

"As of right now, we are currently heading back to our base."

I raise a brow. "W-which is where?"

"Classified." She simply states.

My shoulders droop.

"May I know your name?" Brown-hair asks.

"A-Adrian. Adrian Baikal."

She gives a small smile. "Adrian." Repeating my name, she extends a hand. "M4A1."

I tilted my head. "As in, the firearm?" I reach out and shake her hand.

She nods. "Codename."

"Ah." Duh. Why would she be named after a gun?

"Pink Hair" leans forward. "AR-15."

I nod in affirmation.

Last, but most certainly not least, the blonde got up and seated herself next to me, a cheerful smile plastered on her face.

"I'm M4 SOPMOD II! But my friends call me SOP!"

"M4 SOPMOD II." I parrot.

She extends her hand? Claw? before placing it on my shoulder. "You can call me SOP too!"

I shudder as her metal hand gripped my shoulder. It wasn't anything painful, just unnerving.

"SOP, then."

She releases her grasp and flashes a smile.

Commander Gentiane then starts. "Was that the first time you ever held a gun?"

I lean back into my seat slightly. "Not the first time I've held a gun. But fired? Yeah."

She gives me a look. "You've held guns, but haven't shot any till now?"

I sheepishly shrugged. "Yeah, I've only ever held guns to break them down, clean them up and reassemble them."

"But you never shoot them?" M4A1 chimes in.

I look in her direction. "I like guns for what they are rather than what they do. To me, they're like marvels of engineering, each piece purpose built to interact with another to create a mechanism." I scratch my head. "I guess you could compare this to people who appreciate analog watches. Tons of engineering go into them just for us to tell the time."

Commander Gentiane shrugs, seemingly satisfied at my answer. AR-15 copies the sentiment, M4A1 nods and SOPMOD, er, SOP looks up, as if thinking about my words.

Silence befalling the inside of the vehicle once more, I resign myself to twiddling my thumbs as I await my fate of, wherever we're going. My eyes drift over to the trio of "guns", who're once more staring at each other, their eyes strangely devoid of life and their bodies deathly still.

...What kind of odd bunch did I get myself mixed into?

They must be some sort of military, judging by their equipment and their commander.

I frown, didn't soldiers wear uniforms for the sake of uniformity? Apart from Commander Gentiane, who wore something befitting of the rank of "Commander", I think. The girls wore nothing resembling a soldier, apart from the occasional piece of armor and mag pouch.

I contemplate the group before being launched to the side, being saved by my harness as the armored vehicle braked to a halt.

Commander Gentiane and the girls get to their feet, filing out the vehicle as soon as the doors opened. Realizing I'm still strapped in, I fumble with the harness before scrambling to get out.

I almost trip, narrowly missing the step as I get out.

Now, I fully expected to see a military base, as promised by Commander Gentiane. Notably, you would understand my confusion when I was met with less of a base, and more of an up-armored warehouse. A very large warehouse, but a warehouse nonetheless.

"Welcome to our humble abode." Commander Gentiane says as she plants a hand on my shoulder.

As we passed the doors, we're met with a lobby, as makeshift as it is. Due to the nature of warehouses, there are hardly any walls or rooms, so to circumvent that lack of, sheet metal of various shapes and sizes, some hammered out, were bolted and welded together to create walls.

We walk further into the room before stopping abruptly, with me almost running into M4A1.

Commander Gentiane turned around and pointed at M4A1 and AR-15. "Alright, both of you, come with me." Both nod and hike up their namesakes.

She then looked at SOP. "You can... give a tour to our newcomer." Her face grew stern. "Make sure to keep away from restricted areas."

I open my mouth to say something but hold it back as they left the room, passing through a cut out of a door frame in the metal wall.

Now left alone with SOP, I turn to her, who scratches her head.

I put my hands behind me. "So... what now?"

"Now I show you around the place!" She takes my hand with her metal one. Not as uncomfortable as I would've expected, but the metal was cold.

Passing through the same door Commander Gentiane and the other two passed, I'm met with a much larger room. I surmise that this is where everyone sleeps, judging by the rows of bunk beds. Though...

As we passed, dozens of teenage girls stopped whatever they were doing and turned their heads to stare at me. I shrink at their gazes. I glance at SOP, who seems none-the-wiser as she scans the room for something.

Seems like she came up with something as she redoubled her efforts, retightening her grip around my hand and picking up her pace. I barely keep up with her as I attempted to not meet the gazes of the girls we pass. SOP pulled on what looks like an extremely heavy steel door with ease before pulling me in. Till we passed the door, I felt their gazes burn into the back of my head. Thankfully, the door closed behind me.

This time, it looks like we found ourselves in some sort of shooting range, judging by the dividers and targets set up further down the room at various distances. Padding the walls looks like foam wedges, and at the farthest end, past the targets, was what looks like sand piled up. I think that's to stop bullets?

"This is the shooting range!" SOP introduces grandly.

I look past the blonde to see a few more faces, who were talking amongst themselves before looking in our direction.

"Ooooookay, why are we in the shooting range?"

"Because!" She flashes me a smile. "If you're going to hang out with us, you'll need to learn how to use a gun!"

I frown. "I don't think I'll be hanging around for that long."

She adopts her own frown. "You're not?"

I shake my head. "I'm not a soldier. Just a few hours ago I was working a shift at a convenience store." I pick up a corner of my apron. "I'm still in the uniform too."

She blinks a few more times before grabbing my hand again and leading me to a divider. Nudging me into the slot, she removed her namesake from her sling and set it down on the table. "Do you know how to shoot a rifle?"

I sigh. Guess I'll play along, I won't be here for long, but I don't know how long that long is. "I know how to hold and clean one."

She shrugs and points at her rifle. "Get to it then!"

I give her a side-eye, to no effect, before rolling them and picking up the rifle. Holding the piece of hardware up, I inspect it. Surprisingly well maintained and clean, unexpected given how SOP carries herself. Well, from the brief interactions I've had.

I look back over to the rifle's owner, who has a deep blush on her face and is fidgeting in place.

I give her a confused look. "W-what's wrong?"

"N-nothing, it's just you're looking at my rifle way too closely and intensely." Her eyes fail to meet mine.

Again, confused. "Is... Is that bad?"

She wrings her hands. "W-well, you didn't know, so I guess that's fine, but those guns are like an extension of us."

Huh? "You're not making a lick of sense."

She coughs and rifles through her pocket, producing a magazine. "Anyways. Here, use this and shoot those targets."

I give her another side-ways glance before taking the magazine and loading it into the rifle before pressing the bolt release, the bolt driving forward and chambering a round with a satisfying snap.

Shouldering her rifle, I look down the holographic sight and line up the reticle with a target that's about twenty meters out. Satisfied at the placement, I flick off the safety and pull the trigger.

I blink in reaction as the round is fired, the empty brass casing flying from the rifle and bouncing off the divider wall before clattering to the ground.

Steeling myself, I brace the rifle tighter and continue firing.

Flicking the safety back on, I set the rifle down and stare at the target. Not all bullseyes, but I hit the target. I look back over to SOP, who is nodding in approval.

"If we keep this up, maybe you'll have to stay! You're pretty good for someone who's never shot a rifle!" The blonde looks at me excitedly.

I open my mouth to protest the excited "gun" before my eyes catch someone approaching.

"Hey there, I don't think I've seen you around before." The newcomer says.

I eye the firearm hanging from their sling. "Hello, and yeah, I'm new around here."

She extends her hand. "I'm P90, nice to meet you."

"Adrian, likewise." A small smile creeps up on my face.

"So, what brings you here?" She raises a brow. "Are you the new commander?"

I shake my head, new Commander? "Nope, I'm only here until further notice."

She raises a brow. "So why are you here then?"

I sigh. "Workplace got attacked by terrorists... I think, and AR-15, M4A1 and SOPMOD picked me up after we fought them."

"We?" She placed a hand on her hip. "You fought too?"

I cross my arms. "Yeah... AR-15 gave me a handgun and we fought off three soldiers. She did most of the work though, I just shot a few bullets and that was it."

"Huh."

"Yep."

Her eyes narrow. "Anyways, have you gotten a full tour?"

I glance over at SOP, who has a slightly hostile glare directed at P90.

"U-uh, no I haven't." I point at SOP. "She was in the middle of giving me one though."

She turns her head to meet the glaring blonde before giving her a grin. "Say, have you eaten yet?"

Speaking of which...

As if on cue, my stomach growled in response. "Guess not."

"Then!" P90 takes to my side and hugs my right arm, taking me by surprise. "I'll guide you to our cafeteria then!"

SOP takes my other arm. What the hell is going on?

Less guiding and more of a forced march, we eventually made our way to the base's cafeteria. Well, as much as a cafeteria as you can make it within a warehouse. Still, it somehow has a cozy air to it.

"Over there." P90 pointed towards the bar.

Taking our seats, a new face pops up from the makeshift kitchen. "Oh, hello! Nice to see a new face, I'm Springfield, nice to meet you."

"Adrian, nice to meet you as well."

She stood behind the counter, her brown hair dressed neatly into a bun, a green apron draped over her. From a pouch she produced a notepad and pen.

"Now then, what can I get for you?"

I look around for a menu before noticing that there's a distinct lack of any signage. "Uh, I guess I'll take the special of the day?"

Responding with a smile, she wrote something down into her notepad before turning towards the SOP. "I'll take a turkey club!"

Then turning to P90.

"I'll order the alfredo pasta."

Jotting down their orders, she clicks the pen, retracting the tip before heading towards the kitchen. The sounds of clanging pans and pots emanate from the back, followed by dull thumps.

I redirect my attention to the TV strung up haphazardly in the corner of the room. Just as a commercial for some sort of energy drink ended, the local news station popped in, "Breaking News" in bold lettering panning across the screen, before transitioning to a live feed of my workplace.

"This just in, reports of an intense firefight between two unknown parties took place at this convenience store." The reporter on scene points at the business, wall littered with bullet holes made more apparent as the camera zoomed in.

"As of now, seventeen bodies have been recovered, with three belonging to what local authorities are describing as terrorists." The news reporter shakes her head. "Unfortunately, said authorities have been unable to locate any survivors, should there be any."

The screen cuts in half as a news anchor at the studio transitions in. I turn away and place my head in my hands as I realized what is happening, the noise in the background melting into a muffled mess.

My thoughts descend into a doom spiral before being interrupted by SOP getting up from beside me, being replaced by a new person. Slowly turning my head to get a good look at them, I recognize the burgundy coat.

"How're you holding up?" Commander Gentiane asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I look into her eyes before glancing back at the TV. "...Don't think I'm going to be able to go back to work anytime soon."

She grimaces as she grabs a remote from behind the counter and mutes the TV. "Not only that, but I also have some bad news, or good, depending on how you look at it."

I frown. "Well, can't be that bad."

She sighs. "Er, not really news, but I'm going to give you a few options."

I raise my brow.

She raises up her index finger. "For one, you can leave."

I fail to hide the surprise on my face.

"Yeah, but I would advise against that, we haven't exactly determined whether or not your participation in repelling Paradeus forces is detrimental to you or your family."

"F-family?"

She clicks her tongue before shaking her head. "I probably shouldn't have said that, but I guess you're in deep anyways. Yes, Paradeus wouldn't be above going after families, but, we don't have any official records of them doing so."

"...Okay."

"So, yeah, I'd advise against that."

I nod slowly. "Then, what're my other options?"

She raises up two fingers. "You can stay here till we can find out that you aren't in any danger."

"What does that entail?"

She leans onto the counter. "We set you up with a room and you live on base till you're no longer in danger."

"That doesn't sound that ba-." She cuts me off with a wave.

"But. Your freedom will be severely hampered. You are a civilian after all."

"Oh."

"Yup."

I swallow my saliva. "The third, then?"

"Which is also the last. We have you join us."

My eyes narrow. "J-join? Like, as a soldier?"

She snorts. "God no." She tugs at my apron. "We could use someone such as yourself over at our commissary."

I give her a look.

"Yeah, it'll be like your old job, just, dealing with all this." She extended her arms to encompass the room, and likely everything beyond.

"...Uh huh."

She takes up the remote again before unmuting the TV. "I won't ask for an answer now, so I'll give you until tomorrow to come to a decision. Personally, I'd go for option two for the sake of simplicity..." She shrugs. "But that's up to you."

I watch her as she gets up and leaves.

"Oh! Before I forget." She walks back and leans onto the counter. "You're free to move around, but do your best and try to stay away from any restricted areas." She gives me an evil grin. "Also, don't get too close to my troops, as cute and beautiful as they are."

I flashback to the room filled with armed teenage girls before a faint blush reaches my face. "Y-yeah."

She gives me a single nod before finally leaving. As she passed the door, SOP retook her seat next to me before giving me a smile.

"So you are joining us!" She hugs my arm again.

I recoil at the excited blonde. "Uh... no, didn't you hear? I've got other options apart from joining."

She deflates a little at the statement. "But it'll be fun!"

I scoff before turning my head in the direction of P90, who's got a shit-eating grin on her face. "Well, I think it be pretty cool if you were to join. The base has been waiting for some fresh faces."

I shake my head before sighing. "Well, we have until tomorrow... I guess."

Thankfully, Springfield came to my rescue in the form of food on a platter. With a bright smile, she took each dish off the platter before setting them in front of us.

"Enjoy!"

Immediately, SOP dug into her sandwich, not minding the toothpick keeping the sandwich together. P90 flashes me a wink before sinking a fork into the pasta and twirling it. I get to my own meal, which is a stew, chunks of tender beef paired with potatoes and carrots sitting in a generous serving of broth.

I nod at the food approvingly before digging in.

After fishing through my wallet for any bills, I grimaced at my lack of funds. Instead, I hoped they accepted card, which was probably unlikely, considering the fact we're basically in the middle of nowhere inside the notion of a military base.

Which, to my surprise, they did, as Springfield presented to me a small card reader with a smile. After paying for my, and begrudgingly, SOP's and P90's meals, I sat at the bar to contemplate my decision. SOP and P90 had long since left after eating, setting me up to pay the bill, but I ignore the thought.

Instead, all brain power is allocated to determining my next move.

On one hand, I could straight up just leave. Considering that this is a PMC, they're likely a lot shadier than they let on. Also, they seem to only have teenage girls as soldiers, which is plenty shady enough. Though, I'm not sure if they have my face saved. This... Paradeus, that is.

On the other, staying here till I find out they aren't actively searching for me, or my family, is a pretty decent option. I probably won't be in any danger, and likely to be confined to a room, but this is a military after all.

And on the final, proverbial hand, I join. Which is possibly the most stupid thing I could do right now. Sure, it's just working at a commissary or whatever, but still, I'll be working for a PMC, which dad would kill me over.

But it'll be fun!

I shake my head. Fun? Yeah right, I almost just died back at work, now I'm in the middle of nowhere in a warehouse filled with armed girls.

I flip the keycard to my room that Commander Gentiane gave me. "I have until tomorrow, huh?" I mutter under my breath."

Getting up from the bar, I head towards the exit before coming to a halt just a few steps from the door.

For whatever reason, I find it difficult to not pick the third option. Like some sort of feeling that I'll be making a huge mistake if I don't go for the third option.

I mull over the feeling before shrugging.

"Let's just hope the contract is reasonable."

Much to Commander Gentiane's surprise, my decision didn't take till tomorrow. She mumbled something about dolls, but when I asked, she waved me off before setting down a contract onto her desk before sliding it towards me.

Reading over the document, it was surprisingly light, the pay was fair, a little more than what I earned back at my old workplace, and room and chow was pretty much free.

It did have a few footnotes that did raise a brow. Something about "T-Dolls" and "not responsible for any spontaneous relationships" with said "T-Dolls". Whatever "T-Dolls" are aside, I find nothing wrong with signing this contract.

Taking up a pen and signing at the bottom, Commander Gentiane sighed before taking the document and placing it into a blue folder. Standing up, she waved me over to follow her into a smaller room, housing a single desk in the center.

I eyed the accommodations before she pulled in another, extremely pretty at that, girl who's holding a stack of paper. I watched as she set it down onto the lone desk before sitting down behind another desk at the front of the room, setting down her bulky rifle before scooting in closer.

"Uh, what's all this about?"

Commander Gentiane crosses her arms. "Just an aptitude test."

"...Aptitude? Don't tell me there's more to it than just ringing up customers."

She adopts a small smile. "Nothing of the sort, just a formality so we can get to know a little about our new hires."

My eyes narrow on the Commander before shrugging. Taking my seat at the small desk, I read the front page of the stack.

In the corner of my eye Commander Gentiane nods a few times before turning towards the girl that is now disassembling her rifle and cleaning it.

"Alrighty then, DSR, keep an eye on Adrian and let me know when he's done. I'll be in my office."

"DSR", I suppose, nods a few times before getting back to her rifle.

"Okay, then." I mutter as I read the first few questions.

The first few questions were, odd, to say the least, but I'll roll with it.

"How do you feel about androids that act like humans?" Well, never seen one before, apart from movies and videos, but I doubt they're anything as egregious as the movies and videos let on.

I pick up my pen.

I don't have any particularly strong feelings one way or the other.

I tap the pen on my chin a few times.

If they act human, then they are human, right?

Okay, even for me, that was kinda cringy. I'll probably erase that later or something.

"How do you feel about constantly having a firearm within range of you?" I feel this has to do with the nature of a PMC...

As long as it isn't pointed at me, I'm not against it.

I probably should have asked how serious they wanted the answers to be...

Going through the stack, I realize that subsequent questions have to do with androids or guns, with some having the two inter-mingle.

I grimace. Nothing of which has to do with handling shoppers or dealing with a commissary.

Seems DSR took notice to that, as she leaned over on the desk, propping her head up with a hand as she stared at me. A more primal part of me takes note that as she leaned onto the desk, her chest-

"Having any troubles?"

I shake the delusions out of me. "N-not exactly, just wondering when the test will start asking me reasonable questions."

Her smile falters slightly. "Are these not reasonable?"

I shrug. "I was promised that I'd be working at this base's commissary." I point at the test. "Nothing about this pertains to that."

She maintains a smile in my direction.

"D-do I have a time limit?"

She produces a pocket watch from a breast pocket. "You have an hour left."

I'm about more than halfway done...

Whatever, not like they can put me in a different job.

Narrowly finishing before the time limit, I exhale in relief as I set down my pen.

DSR, who had just finished assembling her rifle, looked up. "All done?"

"Yup. Do I turn this in to Commander Gentiane?"

"Nein, hand it here, if you would please."

I nod as I get up, walking over to her desk and handing over the test. As she read through my answers, she adopted a most curious look on her face.

"Is... Is something wrong?"

"Nein, not at all. In fact, I think it would be a waste for you to be a cashier at our commissary."

H-huh? "Really?"

A genuine smile crosses her face. "I believe so myself."

Resisting her radiant smile, I turn away slightly. "W-well, I think that's up to Commander Gentiane to decide."

She deflates slightly, but keeps a smile. "It would seem so..."

Placing her large rifle into a black polymer case- where'd she get that anyways?-, she slung it over her shoulder before gesturing to me to follow.

Finding ourselves back in Commander Gentiane's office, DSR handed over the test, which she looked over with scrutiny.

So here I am, sweating bullets over a test like back in high school. I watched as Commander Gentiane's face went through a rollercoaster of reactions to my answers, a lot of which giving me the impression that I probably answered incorrectly. Or as incorrect as one could get in a free response.

Setting down the test, she leaned back into her office chair before giving me an appraising look.

"S-so... how'd I do?"

She got to her feet before exhaling and extending a hand out towards me. "Welcome aboard."

BEEP BEEP BEEP

With a groan, I swiped my hand in the direction of where the alarm was coming from. Finally getting my hand around the alarm clock, I turn it off before reluctantly raising myself up.

Forcing my eyes open, I read the bright red numbers on the device.

06:00 AM

That didn't feel anywhere near eight or something hours. Whatever.

Throwing off the brown t-shirt and black shorts provided to me, I toss on the uniform. Not too dissimilar to what I had assigned to me back at my old workplace.

A white button-up shirt and black slacks, with a sky-blue apron to finish off the look. Appreciating the comfortable material that went into the uniform, I headed towards the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

Oddly, I'm motivated to go to work for whatever reason.

Heading towards the door, I notice a small piece of metal wrapped in plastic sitting on a small shelf next to the door, a sticky note attached to it.

Glad to have you aboard. This is your name tag, please have it on when you are on shift. -RO635

More codenames...

Unwrapping the plastic, I inspect the small metal piece. Emblazoned on one side is my full name, with the other side hosting the metal pin meant to go through my apron.

Attaching it to my apron, I unlock the door and head out.

But not before being thrown to the floor as something heavy runs into me.

"Owwwww." I mutter as I reorient myself, the world spinning around me.

I think I catch the sound of someone clicking their tongue in annoyance. "Watch where you're going next time." Followed by the sounds of someone giggling.

Sitting myself up, I glance in the direction of the voice. To no one's surprise, it's more teenage girls. But to my surprise, they're all glaring daggers at me.

Silver-hair speaks up first. "Next time, stay out of our way." After attempting to blow me up with her mind, she walked away.

Twins? I think, both casted me a side-ways glance, less out of hostility, more out of curiosity before walking off as well.

The last of the group, as well as the shortest, yawns in my direction before rubbing their eyes and leaving.

"What the hell?" I mutter as I get to my feet.

"That was squad 404." An unexpected voice tells me.

I jump before turning to meet the voice. "What the shit!?"

They recoil in surprise as if they hadn't just snuck up on me. "S-sorry about that, I'm RO635." She outstretched her hand.

I clear my throat before shaking their hand. "Adrian."

RO635 looks me up and down before locking onto my apron, specifically, my name tag. "Looks like you got the message."

I tug at the corner of my apron. "That I did. So I guess I'll head to the commissary?"

She nods. "Do you know where that is?"

"...No."

She gives me a small smile. "Well, that's why I'm here. Commander Gentiane gave me orders to direct you to your new workplace."

"Great." I gesture for her to go ahead. "Lead the way."

Rush hour back at my old job was nothing new. It never came often, usually once a week when payday came around for the office workers that dropped by. Big sellers were always alcohol and premade meal boxes. Though they weren't that bad.

So you'd understand my anxiety as I rushed to scan and bag the numerous goods the base's troops intended to purchase on my first day.

"C-cash or card?" I say all too quickly as my hand hovered above my register.

Behind my customer was a mile-long line of teenage girls, baskets in hand filled with goods.

My eyes twitched as the customer I was ringing up pulled out bills rather than a card for the umpteenth time. For whatever reason, they insisted on using cash, despite knowing full well that it takes longer for me to process. On top of that, they also found it amusing to watch me squirm as they stared at me.

What put the icing on the cake was the fact that there were two other lanes manned and free for use behind me.

I sighed as I accepted the bills from my current customer before handing them the exact change. Which they also insisted on taking their time on, as well as getting a bit too handsy when accepting the change.

Much to my chagrin, my boss, Commander Gentiane, was standing to the side, a shit-eating grin plastered on her face.

"I did say that you should've picked the second option for simplicity's sake."

I roll my eyes. "They do know that there are two more lanes open right?" I say all too loudly, with little to no effect.

"I think they're here to meet our new hire."

"They can do that when I'm not on the job."

She shrugs. "Hey, at least they're contributing to the base's finances."

"I'm glad I can be of assistance." I deadpan.