Girl's Frontline: Wicked Animandum

"Very well. I shall trust your judgement and assign you and AA-12 to echelon 1." the shotgun announced, already writing your names into the digital list.

"H-hold on, I don't get to choose?" spoke up your companion, much to your surprise. Benelli halted her inputs to address the question.

"You are the only member in SR-2 Veresk's squad, are you not? I thought it would be logical for you to follow your squad leader. Am I wrong in the assumption you carry out operations together?"

"Well, no… ugh, never mind…"

The shotgun sighed, crossing her arms looking the opposite way from you. Either that is a very interesting wall, or she's avoiding your gaze, fearing your reaction and you seeing hers. This little exchange has sent the other dolls whispering among themselves, and even those keeping quiet might be gossiping through comms. The returned voice of Groza's adjutant brought their eyes and ears back forward.

"So, that leaves JS05 and HK23 for Echelon 2. Please prepare yourselves for departure in 5 minutes. Today's patrols should be shorter and quick, as we will be making preparations for some night operations today. Be sure to conserve energy, you'll need it. Dismissed."

One after another, the dolls made a quick salute and disconnected from the briefing cell, turning to depart from the command room. You follow, as everything is quite clear for now. Though directing the majority of the base's forces to patrols doesn't contribute as much to the liberation of the area as you'd like, the upcoming night operations might prove much more progressive. And now, you have an official assignment to work on. You get a message from your team that you are to gather at the entrance once ready, no delays. As the gentle sun warms your face while you pass by the window, you get a feeling this day might be easier than the last few.

--- later ---

"... spotted anything?"

"Negative… no hostiles for miles."

"You're not slacking off again, are you?"

"Would you mind if I... kept that a secret?"

"The secret weapon does not negotiate."

"Fiiine… doing another scan."

You stay on lookout while the friendly signatures behind you chatter, one being particularly high above you. The trees in this forest can get pretty tall, and one tactic of scouting the dolls stationed here utilize consists of climbing one of these trees - preferably a sniper type - and having a lookout. It might appear to be as useful with the only visible thing from above being just more trees, but using certain visual filters one could pick up heat and energy signatures. The doll tasked with climbing up was PSG-1, after she let M82A1 climb the last three and Ots-12 decided she misused her squadmate enough. The AR type has been assigned leader of this temporary echelon, and despite her seemingly dreamy mindset did rather well so far.

"Alright… second scan returned negative. Can I climb down now?"

"Request granted. The secret patrol is going well so far."

"Yeah yeah, secret… give me a minute to get down."

You allow yourself to relax somewhat now that the area was confirmed to be clear, turning around to the rest of your squad and the rustling of leaves above you. M82A1 spoke little since you departed from the base a few hours ago, though she was always listening to what others were saying. Ots-12, silent as ever, constantly travelled from tree to bush to shadow, always having something to stand in between her and whatever imaginations she's hiding from, yet her steps were light and carefree. You feel like you're getting better at keeping track of her, or perhaps she's not even trying. AA-12 was keeping her distance for the majority of the trip, occasionally striking up conversations with PSG-1 and being startled by Ots-12.

"Are patrols usually this quiet around here? Doesn't seem like Area S06 is very defended by Sangvis Ferri." asked AA-12, sucking on one of the lollipops you gave her earlier.

"It's not as much their numbers as the methods our foes utilize. We are already within range of their jamming devices, should we find ourselves under attack now we'll have no way of contacting HQ or the commander." replied the pink haired rifle type.

"Fool thy enemy, fool thyself~" chirped the echelon leader with a sing-song voice "Status unknown even to allies, the ultimate secret, ehehe~"

"... is she tripping or something?" questioned AA-12, a mixture of confusion and worry on her face.

"Oh, I assure you, miss Ots-12 is perfectly fine. She is merely in a good mood."

"I… see…" the two of you looked back to the AR who kept giggling to herself, almost as if she was enjoying your reactions, or perhaps just remembering a good joke. Your gaze was brought back up when you heard the breaking of branches, a doll's foot almost hitting you in the face. While you avoided a head injury, she avoided a hard meeting with the ground by grabbing onto the last branch, luckily supporting her weight. She hung there for a second, sighing in relief before letting go, closing the short distance to the solid ground.

"Ugh, now I've got leaves in my hair…"

"Why not add a few more and make you a ghillie suit?"

"Ha ha, good one, Tiss."

The rifle type dusts herself off, checking over her unzipped grey coat for damage and dirt. Shaking leaves off of her white hair, adjusting the checker shaped pin holding it in a high ponytail. She then took hold of her slung back rifle once more, yet adapting a laid back stance.

"So, where to now?"

"A few clicks west. Should we reestablish formation?"

"C'mon, enough with formations, I just scanned the place. Nothing's gonna sneak up on us."

"Hmm… alright then. Advance to next lookout point at a leisure pace."

As a group you proceeded forward, no organized structure to your formation for once, like taking a carefree walk through the forest. Might not look as peaceful with your weapons drawn, but for dolls like you it'd feel weird not to have them on you. AA-12 walked ahead of you, almost at the helm of the group. You two remained a small distance away from each other until one of the rifle dolls approached her. There's a lot of white haired dolls in G&K...

"Hey, um, shotgun?"

"Name's AA-12, told you yesterday."

"Oh, right… I didn't expect one of SAW's friends to just show up one day and share our room."

"Friend is... a bit of a strong word."

"Didn't you carry her back to base in your arms?"

"T-that was merely a business transaction."

"Oooh, and what was the payment?"

The shotgun looks to the side, suddenly finding the trees very interesting.

"... sugar."

"You carried a heavy machine gun type T-doll through the cold night for some candy?"

"I… have needs."

"So, basically, you're willing to go quite the distance for sugary treats, right?"

"I don't like where this is going…"

"Oh, I bet you will~"

While eavesdropping on their conversation from a safe distance, you notice that your companion isn't the only one that's been approached by someone. It's a little odd how it took you this long to realize, considering she's pretty tall. Her long coat rustled lightly in the wind, an aesthetic many rifle types seem to share and like. In the sun's radiant glow, her features seemed almost too beautiful for a typical military doll...

"You appear troubled."

Do you? You check over yourself, realizing that you might not have been keeping track of your gaze and facial expression. This odd change of pace might be getting to you.

"Is it your companion?"

[ ] Shake your head.
[ ] Nod.
[X] Write-in: "Potentially."

"Hm…" she hummed in thought, looking at the pair walking a distance in front of you, too invested in their own conversation to notice you talking about them "We have noticed she displayed… some form of resentment for you. I will not ask why, nor can I provide any answers you want. This is… your own cog to fix."

She explains in a gentle, calm voice. Her tone seems unchanging no matter the situation, like her expression, not smiling but not brooding either, no enthusiasm but also no discontempt, yet without what humans would usually call "robot" behavior.

"However, if I could soothe your mind concerning certain matters, please allow me."

It was a little hypocritical considering she just stated that she cannot provide any answers you'd want. Although she seems kind and willing to help, it feels a little sudden and out of nowhere. Still, you get what she's saying. You don't know much about Area S06 or the dolls stationed here. She's offering reassurance, or warnings perhaps. Either way, you're not one to look a gift horse in its mouth. And there is an immediate worry that you have to admit to having, if your allegedly troubled expression was anything to go by…

"... AA-12's momentary roommates are PSG-1 and M249 SAW, right?"

Your eyes keep facing forward, seeing that your companion hasn't caught onto your words. M82A1 notices this too, and keeps her tone gentle and noticeable to anyone not listening.

"Correct. Are you perhaps worried whether they make appropriate roommates?"

[X] "She looks out for me, so I look out for her."
[ ] "Just doing my job as squad leader."
[ ] "I like her… is that odd?"
[ ] Write-in

"I see. Personally, I don't interact much with the other inhabitants… but I know to spot one's heart even from a distance. What they'd wish upon a star… similar to humans…" she looks up at the half exposed sky, rays of sunlight shining through cracks in the leaves and branches, passing over and through. "M249… so simple is she. Uncaring but not cruel. Worries are like wind for her, she's open and content with the faults she has. She'd only ask for a rest and something warm and soft. That might be why she's drawn towards your companion…"

You chuckled to yourself, as you can confirm the warmth and softness of the subject.

"However, she can be influential… some would say negatively. Her roommate, PSG-1, a hard worker on the field but outside of it she grows reliant. She wishes to do the best of the opportunities she's been given, but…"

"She got lazy."

Your breath hitched. You suspected this would happen sooner or later, Ots-12 sticking her head in-between you two. The tall rifle seems unfazed by the sudden intrusion, her gaze rather welcoming actually. The AR continued once she had her fill of your slightly startled reaction.

"Dozing off when she thought I wasn't looking… her room is rather messy but easy to hide in because of that." the rifle type nodded in agreement to her words "Now, if you excuse the secret weapon…" she increased her pace to walk ahead of you, aiming for the other pair of conversing dolls, likely with the intent of scaring them as well.

"As the squad leader summarized… faults are natural to all dolls. I do not know your companion well, you must decide for yourself whether to shelter her or let her be. That is the duty of a leader figure. Of a-..." suddenly she cuts herself off, looking to the side "I am sorry, what you proceed to do with this information is none of my business… I only ask that you trust them, as I trust them. My life, my dreams… they're incomparable to theirs."

She pauses, her gaze looking distant.

"Should you wish it, I can tell you about one more resident, but I'm afraid that's all I can do for now. I do not wish to influence you too much."

"... why are you telling me this in the first place?"

"... I can tell you have a wish. Dolls can only make their own dreams come true. Everyone's here for their own sake…"

A wish, huh...

… you wish to know more about:
[X] Ots-14
[ ] SPP-1
[ ] Ots-12
[ ] Spectre M4
[ ] JS05
[ ] HK23
[ ] M1014
[ ] M82A1
[ ] Write-in