The doll responded to your question with a chuckle, her gaze staring into her empty plate. You tilted your head questioningly, waiting for her to speak.
"Free time, can't remember the last time I had much of that…" another chuckle "Work's been keeping me busy day and night. Managing reports and communications to HQ and commanders of neighboring sectors, and planning operations, it's quite a hassle…"
"Sounds like you could use a break."
"Hahah, Benelli said as much." she sighed "I've had a bottle of wine collecting dust for a while now, and I'm finding no chance to open it any time soon. Doesn't change when my duties are done either, the commander's latest regulations prefer us on our toes at all times… such a bother."
Groza absentmindedly fiddles with her fork, observing its simplistic shape and design, sharp edges and no intricacy. It's a military base after all, no banquet. Set places it neatly on her plat again, yawning shortly after, hand before her mouth in a polite manner.
"My, I must sound like M249 now. Though, I suppose I've got better reasons…" her golden gaze shifts to the side "Before the commander had that food dispenser installed, I had taken a liking to cooking and preparing meals by myself. Now it is prepared beforehand, and although convenient, crosses another hobby off my list… how are your culinary skills, Veresk?"
[ ] "People often compare my food to poisonous death traps."
[ ] "I don't cook. It's not a necessary skill for a doll."
[ ] "I prefer to eat food, not make it. Would love to taste you...rs~"
[ ] "They're adequate. I was outfitted with the basics during my old job."
[ ] "I love cooking!"
[X] Write-in: "I make snacks sometimes. Theres only so much you could do for snacks in the field though."
OTs hummed in thought, hand supporting her chin again casually "At least I can still let some music play while I handle my daily duties. The confines of my chambers allow for nobody else to get distracted, and Benelli doesn't mind. Though I do have to turn it off whenever I have to dedicate a given task all my processing power. I can't remember the last time I sat down just to listen and nothing else."
Her gaze looked distant again, like looking back and thinking of simpler times. She ran a hand through her hair, its style like untampered with, clean and spotless. While she may be neglecting her hobbies, she is not neglecting her outside appearance. To keep up this look at all times, no wonder the dolls are looking up to her.
"What about you, Veresk? I understand you didn't have much time for yourself lately either. Anything you'd rather spend it on than work?"
"I like collecting things."
"Hm, no jest, that's slightly evident… are those truly Hunter's hair pins?"
"You bet."
"And that scarf, it used to belong to an SF Dragoon unit, am I right?"
"Glad you noticed. I removed the logo."
"You also carry quite a few things around. I'm surprised your mobility is so unhindered. As an elite with a lot of experience, I must say Veresk… you are quite a peculiar T-doll."
[ ] "Please, call me Heather."
[ ] "You're not so bad yourself~"
[X] "Oh stop it, I'm blushing~"
[ ] "I am honored to receive such praise."
[ ] "Where are you going with this?"
[ ] "Thank you, OTs-14."
[ ] Write-in
"Which is why… I'd like to ask you something." her gaze shifted back towards you, golden eyes looking square into yours, tiredness forced aside for a bit of seriousness "Your personal task. I understand that you cannot disclose any information until it is done. And although we already established that it would not hurt G&K or any involved parties, as a way of repaying my and StG44's trust, I ask that you reveal the nature of your task after your return. I do not like being unaware of what goes on above or under my command, Be honest with be, even if in time, and we'll be all good."
…
[X] Agree.
[ ] Agree. (lie)
[ ] Disagree.
Soon, faintly in the background, you started hearing the steps and chatter of the resident T-dolls approaching the mess hall. Noticing this, Groza stands up.
"That's my cue to return to my dorm. The others don't need to see me like this. It was good talking to you, hopefully next time will be under better circumstances."
With that, the commanding T-doll takes her leave, graceful steps being taken to the canteena's other exit as to avoid running into the other dolls. You were left to your own food and thoughts for that short moment, thinking about the conversation you've just had. The assault rifle has turned out to be an interesting character off duty. And to leave on such a sudden request… you'll need to give it some more thought. AA-12 would undoubtedly be curious as well…
--- later ---
"Is everyone present? Then let's begin. You can now open your documents."
Another morning, another briefing. Everyone was once again present in the command room, standing at attention before the shotgun T-doll in charge of the meeting. Once again, you can't spot Ots-14 anywhere, but that's not surprising, you've seen what state she's in. Besides, her momentary adjutant can hold a briefing rather well. Still, things seem rather different this time. Each one of you was handed a set of documents and instructed not to open them until she said so. Some of the dolls rolled their eyes as this happened, but said nothing. When she confirmed everyone was present and received their batch of documents, it was time to open them. However, when you laid eyes on the contents within, you fail to make any sense of the words… are those even words? What language is this? Is it even a language? No matter how you twist the piece of paper, you can't make any sense of this. And looking at the other T-dolls, they can't either. JS05 lets out a heavy sigh and says...
"Um… Benelli? They're encrypted… again…"
"Of course they are. An added security measure, same as before. This way, should the data fall into enemy hands, it'll be useless for them!"
Now that you look at it… there really is no resemblance to any language you've encountered before. The letters are taken from numerous alphabets, and you can see some patterns, but nothing you can hook onto to even begin transcribing it. The rifle continues to talk while the others have partially given up.
"Yeah, you said as much last time… and do you remember what we said last time? We don't have the cyphers installed."
"E-eeh?" the shotgun reacted "H-have none of you installed it? I thought after last time…"
"Hasn't Groza told you not to needlessly encrypt data?"
"... not today…"
"Pft, great…"
The rifle dropped the documents on the table and raised her hands in an exasperated manner. It appears this is not the first time such an incident has occurred, though the shotgun type quickly regained her composure and tried to salvage the situation.
"W-well then, guess there's no alternative than to install it now!"
"No time, it'd extend the briefing to at least twice its normal duration. You know the details, just tell us normally."
"B-but… fine…"
He shoulders slumped down, gaze aimed at the ground, giving up on her overcomplicated efforts in compliance to simplicity. The digitized surface of the table extends into the room once more, the 3D interface only visible to dolls displaying mission parameters just like yesterday. Only difference are the roads displayed on the map.
"Today's patrols will be replaced by scouting missions. As with the recent destruction of the nearby signal bouncer, Sangvis Ferri's jamming field has been pushed back and some uncharted ground has been made accessible. We will be venturing into the area to see if we can uncover more enemy outposts."
"There, was that so hard?" chuckled the rifle T-doll, to which Benelli only looked away. It would be a poor course of action however, as upon seeing the window she immediately turned back forward. Odd, the window sills were closed…
"Um, M1014? A question." voiced SPP-1, observing the map, specifically the spot marked as the Sangvis outpost you cleared yesterday "You mentioned signal bouncers? Did we not destroy one of the jamming devices?"
"Yes, and no. It wasn't the source of the local jamming field, it bounced off the original signal and boosted it over a further area. This means that SF is keeping the primary jamming beacons deeper inside their territory, using these signal bouncers to extend their influence. This might be good news, seeing as it could mean that their jamming technology is costly to deploy so they're careful in its use. Though, that also makes it all the more difficult to get to."
"Hmm…" hummed the other rifle present, PSG-1 "So if we were to disable the primary jamming beacons first, their signal bouncers would become useless."
"That would be ideal, yes. But knowing SF, they would not just leave it within our reach. We will likely have to disable many more signal bouncers until we get close enough to a beacon, assuming they won't move it."
"Has command settled on a strategy yet?" inquired JS05.
"As the commander is still much too preoccupied to tackle the matter himself, Ots-14 had been discussing a course of action, though it may still take a while. For now, we'll observe the enemy and gather data."
"Speaking of Ots-14, is she still asle-"
"W-without further ado! We have two teams again… team A will consist of Specter M4, SR-2 Veresk, AA-12, JS05 and SPP-1. Team B will consist of…"
--- hours later ---
"... target spotted. Down the hill west of your position. Can you see it yet JS05?"
"I can see it. Calculating bullet trajectory. What's the armor?"
"Light, it's merely a scout drone. A shot anywhere on its body should destroy it. I'll make sure it won't be able to send any distress signals."
"Rodger SPP-1. Taking the shot."
Bang!
The large caliber round zipped through the forest, cutting through any vegetation in its path, tunneling through the air on its way to the target. Impact was immediate.
"... target down. It's safe to come over."
With a satisfied smile, JS05 picked herself off the ground from her lying sniper position, hauling the great rifle onto her arms. She looked back to the rest of the squad, you, AA-12 and Specter hiding your positions behind trees.
"Up and at em. Keep your eyes peeled for any more drones. I'll take care of them."
"You just want something to shoot at, don't you?" commented Specter M4, getting out from behind her cover.
"How could you tell?"
"You're wearing that smile again." the SMG pointed out "The same smile you make when you steal my kills."
"Oh, I wouldn't know what you're talking about."
"Ugh… forget it."
With the short chat ending, you follow the momentary squad leader through the forest, to where the target had been shot down. The distance she covered was impressive. The handgun type T-doll was waiting for you at its end, crouching next to and inspecting the fallen drone. Sangvis Ferri surely had no shortage of those. JS05 leant against her rifle, towering over SPP-1.
"Found anything interesting?"
"Well… I checked the batteries, and it seems it hasn't been deployed for too long. If we assume it departed on the patrol shortly after activation, we can calculate the distance it covered in a straight line and-"
"And figure out where it came from. Or, at least the general area."
"Y-yes. For now, it confirms there is indeed an enemy base."
"If it contains a signal bouncer, it's definitely in the jamming field's range then. That narrows it down quite a bit I'd say…"
The sniper pondered about the information for a moment. She looked off into the thickness of leaves and branches, while SPP-1 stood up from the destroyed drone. She still didn't seem very tall next to the green rifle. She walked over towards the rest of the squad, her steps a little careful. Her feet were bare against the grassy ground, the fins she usually wears hanging off her waist.
"My feet hurt…"
"That's why humans invented shoes. That, and fashion." replied the pink haired SMG.
"But I can't swim well in shoes…"
"It's not like you're swimming right now. You should've brought some spares!"
"I… don't have any…"
"You… don't have any shoes?"
Timidly, the handgun T-doll look to the side, avoiding the gaze of her comrades. It is pretty odd to hear such a confession. T-dolls usually get stationed with several spares of their garments, especially shoes. Griffin wouldn't sent their soldiers to fight naked. This either means she had somehow lost possession of her normal footwear, or it was never really part of her kit. Either way, she did not seem all that comfortable on land.
"You know, I bet Heather has the same shoe size."
You look up to the one who voiced this suggestion, AA-12 flashing a thin smile. An odd jab to see coming from her.
"Wouldn't you want to know?~" you replied with a smug look of your own, returning it with double her intensity.
The handgun, unsure of the implications you two were throwing at each other, interjected "I-I'm fine! Maybe I'll just… ask the commander to requisition a pair. Yeah..."
"SPP-1, you know the commander. At best you'll have to buy them yourself, like I did with my clothes." suggested Specter. Then she looked like she got an idea "Oh, we could go shopping together! We can find you something really trendy, like all the stars are wearing! That swimsuit is getting a little drab if you ask me."
"W-wha..?"
"Alright, enough chatter." the until now silent voice of JS05 said, bringing you all back to attention. Green eyes skimmed over each of you before continuing "I'm willing to bet the local outpost is a few more clicks straight ahead. Since we're already this close, we might as well get a closer look, check their numbers and defenses."
"Wouldn't that be a little too close?" voiced your companion, AA-12 "We already know the approximate location, and Benelli told us to avoid engaging the enemy. Quite frankly I'd like to too."
"C'mon, we can handle one lousy little outpost if it's anything like the last one. We'll return with more data for when we come back for the night assault. I'm sure Groza will be pleased. Doesn't that sound better?"
What do you think?
[X] Go scout further
[ ] Return to base for now
