Girl's Frontline: Wicked Animandum

You breathe a weary sigh, this is gonna take a while to explain. Pulling up a nearby chair to sit down on, you let your weapon lean against the table, running a hand through your hair. AA-12 takes a seat as well, shaky as her legs are this late. You hear the crunching of wrapping paper beside you, enough indication for you that she'll be alright for the next couple of minutes. Or hours…

"Well, you probably heard about the incident a couple of days ago, when…"

--- some time later ---

Sip…

There was a little quiet moment just after you finished talking. It seems they didn't realize the story got to the present already. Either they were too entranced with your storytelling or analyzing it too deeply. They were skeptical at points, prompting you to require AA-12's support for them to believe your claims, but otherwise rather patient. JS05 set down her cup of coffee she fetched a while ago to stave off the effects of the night, while Groza sat and listened intently, not a hit of tiredness in her golden eyes.

"So…" began JS05 "You managed to outwit a Sangvis ringleader we had next to no combat information about, and all that with a civilian jeep and a gas can."

"... pretty much."

"... Groza?"

"... the combat data checks out… it was an insane amount of luck and timing, added with the unusual circumstances the chances of that maneuver having gone wrong was above acceptable levels… impressive."

The T-doll gives you a faint smile, hands connecting on the table. She asked some very specific details at times, especially during some of your questionable feats. From outmaneuvering a Manticore to outdrawing Hunter, it was no trouble digging into your memory files and giving her the exact numbers. With yours and AA-12's data combined, she could picture some of the scenes.

"I have not expected survivors of the Alzome incident to come knocking on our door just days later. I have read the report. It was a heavy operation, yet set out on this trip the day right after."

She tapped the table, it's surface litting up again. With a map of Area S06 on display, likely made of satellite imagery, Groza zoomed in on the border against Area S09. You noticed it was an image of the village, though the imagery wasn't of high enough quality to recognize anything other than a series of structures.

"To think civilians lived so close by, and with a way to pass the minefield unharmed…" she inspected the map you handed over, noting the human handwriting "Griffin command would've sent representatives and supplies were it still standing. A more diplomatic approach would've been preferred as opposed to the way you handled things… but I understand you were only two combat oriented models."

"HQ isn't going to be upset, right?" AA-12 questioned.

"You had no choice, your hand was forced many times. I'll make sure you won't get more than an earful. Frankly, you should be commended for your performance."

AA-12 slumped back in relief, the chair creaking a little. Another big worry fell off her chest, and she looks so comfy now she might not get up any time soon. The rifle T-doll was the next one to speak.

"Honestly now... that must've been one hell of a journey. Glad I stuck around to listen to this, reading it off a piece of paper would've been boring. Please tell me you two girls are staying."

"Well…"

"Before that…" OTs-14 intercepted, raised hand silencing everyone in the room "While the report you provided was sufficient, it think it is about time we heard about this mission of yours."

She looked at you, but something about her gaze was different this time around. It was firmer, stricter, maybe even suspicious. Your plan to make her forget that detail by recounting your journey first has failed, and it seems she knew exactly what you were trying to do. Even AA-12 perks up, she cares more than she lets on. Surrounded from every side by confrontation, you have no choice.

"... our mission… my mission, it is a personal matter. One the importance of which is so high, it directly conflicts with my core ability to function as a Griffin T-doll. The completion of this task is my top priority. And StG-44, who was the local commander at the time, has given me permission to carry out my objective."

…

Silence. Even the computers in the room seemed to rumble more quietly. So it is with a certain kind of tension rising, ambient sounds getting drowned out. You were waiting in the agonizing calm for either of this base's dolls to speak up, while your companion looked at you wide eyed. Finally, the base commander before you spoke up, reaffirming her authority.

"Personal, you say… I'm assuming you won't disclose any details?"

…

"Of course… then let me ask you this, Veresk. Does this task of yours present any form of risk of harming Griffin&Kryuger PMC, our resources, allied parties or any human life whatsoever?"

"No."

"How many others know the nature of your task?"

"StG-44 and anyone currently in this room."

"... well, that settles things then."

With a simple swipe of her hand over the table, she brought forth a file on the display. Upon further inspection you noticed it was your report. She must've been devoting part of her processing power to write it based on the tale you've recounted. The fact she showed very little signs of splitting her focus so much speaks volumes about her processing power, and makes you wonder just what else is going on inside her digimind. Truly an elite chosen to temporarily fill the shoes of a base commander. She lets you watch the file just sit there for a while, until she adds a "confidential" tag onto it, with a rather high security rating. That means not just anyone is going to be able to see it...

"Your secret will remain one until you have finished whatever it is that you need to do. Until then and afterwards, if you wish to remain here in Area S06 it'll be under my command, stationed at this base. You are a Griffin T-doll, and no matter you personal motives, you are expected to act like one. Do that, and I will show you the same hospitality StG-44 has given you."

…

Well, you can't quite tell if things could have gone better, but they definitely could've gone worse. All things considered, it was a generous offer… offer? No, order. Nobody knows you're not truly a part of Griffin yet, they're not giving you a choice here. You can choose of course, but refusing now would ruin everything in every way possible. To keep up your deception, you accept by:

[ ] Nodding in agreement to her demands.
[X] Saluting your new commanding officer.
[ ] Shrugging like you have no choice.
[ ] Write-in

"You sure about this, Groza?" asked JS05.

"She's been honest so far. Besides, StG-44 - if gullible - is capable and cautious. I'll trust her judgement on the matter."

"And I'll trust yours. Base has grown by two girls today. You two think you can perform that jeep maneuver on the local ringleader? If so, then you're ok in my book." the rifle gives you a thumbs up as she finishes her coffee, laying the empty mug on the table. Groza swipes the file away, going back to the map and her features softening like nothing serious happened. It seems everyone was pleased with the deal, except for one...

"... so that's it?" she asked "It really was no super secret mission entrusted to you by high command, just some… personal squabble of yours. And you dragged an elite like me along, to use as a shield..."

"AA-12, I-"

"Save it. I'm through with this. I… I need to be alone."

Without giving you a second look, she picked herself off the chair and stormed out of the command center. OTs-14 was quick to react.

"JS05, follow her. Put her in a room with someone friendly."

"Got it." she nodded, giving you a wave before leaving "See you in the morning Heather. Welcome to Base Chordeiles."

With the closing of the door, it was only you and the base commander now. You half expected the atmosphere of the room to change, for her to show her true colors which she could only do with no-one around, but none of that happened. She just tapped away some more at the interactive table, sorting through a list of sorts.

"Your companion seemed displeased… does that happen a lot?"

[X] "She'll be okay."
[ ] "She just needs some sugar."
[ ] "Yes. It's not easy to deal with."
[ ] Write-in

"I trust you'll be able to sort things out with her. You are her squad leader after all, her morale is your responsibility. If you fail, I'll be forced to reassign her to someone else." she said that with a stricter tone, but it soon returned to normal again "I suggest you try to do so in the morning though. For now, you'll need a room to rest in. Here, choose your roommates."

She flips the display, turning the list of names towards you. There's a pair of names, each assigned to a room, one being off limits. You choose…

[ ] M249 SAW and PSG-1
[-] Ots-14 and M1014
[X] Ots-12 and Spectre M4
[ ] SPP-1 and JS05
[ ] M82A1 and HK23

"Very well. My darling sister Tiss will escort you to your room."

"Secret weapon Ots-12 reporting."

You were jumped by an overwhelming sense of deja'vu as a sudden voice from behind you nearly made you jolt out of the chair. Her entry so quiet you didn't even hear the door open and close, making you wonder just how long she's been standing there. It was an average sized doll with white hair styled into two long braids ending with star shaped pins, head topped off by a red beret and a headset more akin to ear protection purposes than communication. She had the most peculiar looking eyes, light blue with what you could swear were purple star shaped pupils, watching you with an absentminded gaze that suggests she's not entirely there. Speaking of stars, they're all over her, on her dress-like uniform, her thigh highs, her over jacket, like she's stolen part of the night sky. Would explain how she's so sneaky.

"Is this the secret guest I am to escort? Very well. Follow me, the secret weapon shall lead you."

That's the third time she said the word 'secret' in the first ten seconds of your meeting, but she wasted no time getting on her way, already halfway through the door. She didn't even stop to look if you were following, she just went right ahead as you were catching up. Groza gives you a final small wave as you leave.

"Rest up Veresk, you won't catch many nights of sleep after this one."

Whatever she meant with that, it was behind the door now. Ots-12 was not slowing down so neither could you. At least a warm bed was waiting for you this time. As you walk through the base's halls, seeing the black night outside the windows, you prepare for your new pre-sleep routine. Meaning…

"Yep, it's me again." said your voice "Now that went swimmingly. Bravo. Bra-friggin-vo. Btw, 50% of me also thinks it went terribly. Might've been sarcasm, might've been sincere. Who knows? You do! So tell me, which was it?"

[ ] "It went swimmingly."
[ ] "It went terribly."
[X] "If it's 50\50, then it literally doesn't matter."
[ ] Write-in

"If that's the general consensus, so be it. Anyway, guess listening to talk shows again is out of the question this time, hm? Spending the night with our usual activity it is then! Except digimind domination, trust me, it's a little too early for that. So, what will it be? Memory cracking, or a little expansion of yourself?"

[ ] Decrypt memory file
- [ ] File No.8
- [ ] File No.9
[X] Unlock dummy-link

I'm not especially well-versed in either guns or Girl's Frontline, and we've met a fair number of gun girls now, so I went ahead and made myself a cheatsheet for all the characters. Figured I'd share it for anyone else who might need it:

I spent entirely too much time on that, especially as I'm implying that I'll update it over time.

"Got'cha. Finally, this place won't feel so empty anymore."

Ignoring what was essentially a self directed insult by yourself, you focus back on reality as your lead approaches a door. She didn't say a word the whole time you followed her, steps silent as if upon a carpet. Without knocking first she barges in, though barge may be too loud of a gesture. It is revealed to be a small room with a pair of bunk beds, a night stand at each one, plain grey walls and a wooden floor. A carpet lay in the middle, where the room seemingly split into two halves. One was rather tidy, bed sheets tucked away, nightstand empty save for a lamp, but you could see some boxes and things underneath the bed, all neatly packed but the sheer number of things was overflowing. - The other half of the room looked more lived in, decently clean, cosmetic products sitting on the nightstand with a set of magazines. The wall was adorned with pictures and posters of female pop-singers and TV stars, all sharing traits like radiant color palettes, brilliant smiles and stylish modern clothes. Some you could swear looked like dolls, T-dolls even, unless firearm photoshoots are a new trend you haven't caught up with. On the deep purple sheets lay the SMG T-doll Spectre M4, her weapon just next to her pillow. With headphones on, she didn't notice your entry, too interested in a fashion/life magazine for young women. Her orange eyes seemed kinda tired too, she likely isn't planning on staying up long anyway. It smelt nice though…

"Welcome to secret dorm 3. Please enjoy your stay."

"T-Tiss! Seriously, I told you to knock!" Spectre blew up, finally having noticed. The shock had her flip the magazine out of her hands and forwards. Like a projectile flying towards, you calculate it's trajectory and with the simple extension of your arm, it lands into your hand. She kept glaring at Ots-12, but the doll didn't seem to acknowledge her.

"Would you like a bedroll? Allow me to look into my secret stash, I shall fetch one for you."

"Hey! Don't just ignore me!"

While she proceeded to do just that, she crouched down and started reaching under her bed. It only took seconds for her to find and pull out a neatly packed bedroll. It seems that despite the chaos, she knew what was where, so in a sense it really was secret. She stood up to give it to you.

"And what's Veresk doing here? Don't we have a spare dorm?"

"Due to details I cannot disclose, Veresk will be assigned to our dorm for the time being, separate from AA-12."

"That's weird… did this order come from Ots-14?"

"Yes."

"Not my place to question then… a word in advance would've been nice though." the SMG, getting her answer, composed herself in front of her new roommate to look more presentable. Meanwhile you took a look into the magazine you caught. You yourself [ ] have an eye for fashion / [X] aren't particularly interested in fashion. It was rather modern, though it focused on very girly attire of the expressive kind, fitting for an idol if you exclude some of the more skimpy ones. An odd one… you hand the magazine back to her.

[X] "You've got good taste."
[ ] "I hope to not be much of a bother."
[ ] "This is just a temporary arrangement."
[ ] Write-in

"Well… welcome to our dorm. Let's get along!"

Her expression changed to a cheerful one, arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture. Though, her arms then linked above her head, eyelids fluttering shut as she yawned, stretching.

"Excuse me if I seem tired… it's been a long day. Wanted to be asleep by now…"

"Ots-14 didn't seem very tired."

"Heh, the more late it is the more awake she'll seem. Woman's a night owl. And she's so popular…"

"And you're her sister?" you asked, looking at Ots-12 who was already sitting on her bed, preparing it for her use.

"Correct." she answered simply, then added "The wondrous thunder that strikes the battlefield at night, while the secret weapon hides in the shadows of her light…"

He eyes half lidded and distant, it was more like she was talking to herself than to you. Her hands are absentmindedly fluffing up her pillow for the third time now.

"Don't mind her, Tiss is a little… off. Especially when she's tired. Everything's a secret involving her."

"Se… cret… weapon… is... zzzz…"

Next time you looked at her, she was already comfortably huddled up on her bed, sleepy face square against the fluff of her pillow, mumbling noises emanating occasionally. Her sizable headset had moved to cover her ears, likely muffling all noise from the outside too. After a while she slept rather quietly, her breath soft and movement minimal. You might as well forget someone's sleeping right there.

"Btw, you… really never heard of me? I'm sure the girls in S09 know me, they must!... right?"

[X] "No, I haven't caught a single mention of you, though my time there was short."
[ ] "Oh, yeah! Spectre M4! You were that T-doll that… did that thing… that everyone knows about... yeah…"
[ ] "Not sure why anyone should know you. You seem to be trying too hard to get attention."
[ ] Write-in

"I-Is that so?"

"Yew… tree… reporting… zzzzz…"

With the continued reminder that someone's trying to catch some sleep in the room, the both of you were prompted to quiet down. The SMG gave you a quiet nod.

"Good night, SR-2 Veresk."

Afterwards she put her headphones back on, but the magazine was put to the side, now actually aiming to sleep. You extend your bedroll, setting it down in the middle of the room, between the two beds where you've got the most space to sleep. Finally slipping inside, it was a comfy bedroll, definitely cleaner and warmer than the last two that you've used. Falling asleep here would be no trouble, you've had a long day as well, possible harder than all these dolls combined. Fended off a ringleader, saved a village, and nearly lost everything in the process. Not to mention the adventure you had the day before, a bar fight would make for a juicy tale indeed. But as these thoughts ran through your mind, your consciousness slowly drifted to the level inner level. You could see it now, your own digimind, just as bland as it was before. The stock layout and appearance really were only built for functionality. As your virtual self stood on the floor of light and code, staring at the bleak and empty sky and white walls, you feel only your presence within here. Yes, the you behind you.

"Boo!"

"Can't scare yourself."

"True… especially when you know it's coming."

"So… about the other dummies…"

"Right! Lemme explain."

With a light step, your mirror image skips around to stand in front of you. She clears her throat before continuing.

"Sooo… what would a person need another voice for?"

"...?"

"Like, just someone you can always talk to, especially when you're in a pickle. Someone who can't suffer the typical affliction of absence, and is always there to share a thought or two."

"What does this have to do wi-"

"C'mon, just answer the question!"

…

[ ] "For approval."
[X] "For a second opinion."
[ ] "For encouragement."

"Hmm, close. The answer is perspective. That's what we're here for, outside of our individual dummies. We are all you, analyzing the same situation yet coming up with differing solutions. Call it an extra layer of filtering. We run our data by you or you run yours by us, and then we come up with a united consensus. Make sense?"

You nod.

"Good. Well, at the moment you just have me. All that you are and aren't. To make a new virtual dummy, you split me. The two resulting dummies will be Beta and Gamma."

"So you'd be Beta or Gamma?"

"I'd be both, silly. You can split the brain, but only together they're one."

"Right…"

"Suffice to say, Beta and Gamma are different from me. Like I said, I'm all of them, all of you, and none of you. Once I've been split, the new dummies will be saved and there's no need to repeat the procedure to keep em."

She gives you a sweet smile, one you don't see on yourself all that often. Not that you don't smile much, it just doesn't have that sort of beaming aura this dummy has. It makes you wonder…

"What will happen to you then?"

"Oh, now you're making this difficult? C'mon, you've gotten this far, don't worry about an annoyance like me. Just take good care of Beta and Gamma for me, will ya?"

… Yet another farewell...

"And if you will really miss me that much, you can just work your way up to Wau. I'd say she's the most like me. Anyway, without further ado, we should better get on with this."

"Right... How do we do this?"

"Simple. Take my hand and pull."

She extends her arm to you, inviting you into her palm. You accept. You decided to do this, and you will go through with this. It's nothing new after all, you've done this before many times, you just forgot. She gives you one last encouraging smile as you pull. The arm moves with you, but she's standing motionless in her place. A second image of yourself emerged like a ghost, the mirror has tripled. Finally disconnected, you let go of the new one, she and the one she emerged from stumbling around for a bit. They looked nearly identical, but unlike before, there was a difference, both between each other and you. One had two curly locks of hair hanging off the sides of her face, ending with a yellowish pigment. The pattern on her poncho was just lines that didn't make any particular repeating shape, only having a starting and ending point. The other had a cap on, the suncover shaped hexagonally, colored grey with black stripes and a blue outline. The pattern on her poncho were triangles shaped into hexagons. The dummy didn't tell you anything about this… have you done it right?

"Yes, you did well, Alpha." the first one said, the one with the blonde locks, straightening up again. She gave you a warm smile "A flawless execution, like always."

"Honestly chief…" said the other dummy, fixing her cap a little, her gaze in the little shadow it was creating on her face "That could've gone better."

"Oh Gamma, always so pessimistic."

"It's no pessimism Beta. I disagree simply because I believed otherwise. Not to mention, that split took Alpha several hours, doubt she even realized."

"Oh, you're right, I must agree. My bad, ehehe."

The two exchanged greetings like longtime friends, while you were left to observe two split and relocated parts of your own digimind converse with each other, and you listening. Hopefully your head won't hurt if this keeps up. For now thought it feels rather… natural. Either way, it seems the procedure seemed successful. Mission accomplished.

…

… now what?

"Alpha, if I may…" Beta requested to speak. Waiting in silence, you nod, allowing her to proceed "We have just analyzed some data, and we would like to offer insight on these matters."

"What she's saying is basically, now that we've been reactivated we can help you with your most recent fuckups. No offense chief." explained Gamma. It seems they're both fully operational now. You nod, it would be the best way to test out if they'll be of any use.

"Firstly, with the revelation of the situation in Area S06, our original objective has become slightly… altered."

"Not really, it's still the same, there's just an extra step now."

"Yes, there is. It took some digging, but alongside the original mission parameters also lay instructions to dealing with the possibility of hostile occupation of the drop off location. So, the extra step, you wonder? Reclaim Area S06!"

… Out of the frying pan...

The dummy kept smiling enthusiastically with her arms in the air, beaming with positivity in spite of the… not so welcome revelation. Even as agonizing silence prevailed, she did not break her pose.

"Not as much reclaim as just reduce the hostile threat to a minimal level. The client wants safety apparently, and extra loops for us to jump through."

"Yes, that is a more accurate description of our new primary task. But don't worry Alpha, I am sure that with your newly gained allies, victory is assured!"

"Nah, I really doubt this is gonna be enough. This is a whole operational sector, you're gonna need more firepower than that chief."

"Hm, true, we must gather more allies."

…?

"Alpha? You look confused."

"She's likely wondering why you just contradicted yourself, Beta."

"Ah, must be true. We haven't explained what our roles are, after all. As Dummy Link Beta, it is my role to agree with everything the Alpha says. I'll support you all the way!"

"And as Dummy Link Gamma, I have to disagree with whatever you say. Simple."

"Very true, very true! But know that our views, if predetermined, are always within reason! You need but to ask!"

"Eh, that's up to the chief to decide. Hopefully, with our guidance you won't mess up as often as you did until now."

It… makes sense, you suppose. It must make sense. Your previous self kept these two around, so they must've been of use. If not in your head, then once you've gotten your hands on some physical dummies to link with.

"Anyway, back to the matter at hand! That being… your wake up call!"

…?

"You've had a difficult day. Several difficult days! You need to have a long rest, or your digimind won't have enough time to optimize. I'll be sure to wake you once you've slept as long as you can."

"Bad idea chief. I suggest waking up early. You've got repairs to do, equipment to resupply, a shotgun to apologize to, and quite frankly, you stink. No offense."

Already, two thirds of your mind are of differing opinions. It is up to the main third, you, to decide on what to do.

[X] Wake up early.
[ ] Wake up late.
[ ] Write-in