"So these are for her, huh? That's kinda sweet… yeah, she's just down the hall. C'mon."
The shotgun complies, giving you time to gather your stuff from the bench. Would've been nice to wrap them up like a package, but it's not christmas, this is more out of necessity. You sheathe the blades on your belt, one on each hip, double the preparedness. With those two as your main tactic for CQC, you take the smaller combat knife and hide it in your left boot. You still have to decide what to do with those kitchen knives, but that can come later. You get off your seat and follow AA-12 out of the repair bay.
"Didn't know you had a thing for tinkering, but I guess every doll can handle the basics. That jeep wouldn't be running nearly as long if we were so clueless." she commented, reminiscing "It's funny, you always struck me as more of a software type. E-war module and all…"
[ ] "Eheh, y-yeah, funny…"
[X] "I'm nothing compared to actual crafters. These boots are barely level 1."
[ ] "I could do better, I'm just low on material and tools."
[ ] "You're right actually, I'm far more specialized in the virtual side of things."
[ ] Write-in
"We don't have many of your type in Griffin, since E-warfare is so ineffective against Sangvis. It's often labeled as outdated, a thing of the past… but you're a pretty high end model."
You look up at that comment. Indeed, you are quite a rarity, factually speaking. Your lips curve into a slight smile, a little bit of smugness seeping in, flashing it to AA-12. She looks confused for a moment, before realizing you might've taken it as a compliment and are flattered.
"I-It's just a rarity, is all… can't blame me for being curious now, can you? You basically showed up out of nowhere."
Curiosity. A gateway to many conversational topics. It seems you're just too mysterious for people not to become interested. Though the shotgun has likely the best reasons to be curious, having been traveling with you for several days now for a trip that she will likely not be officially compensated for. Perhaps you should tell her sometime, about your past, how you got into this mess… what you did to her brain while she slept…
"Well, here we are."
The two of you come to a halt, standing before a sliding door. Room 05-1 was written on it with a white marker. The doll you're looking for is likely inside. You [ ] knock / [ ] let AA-12 knock and enter. First thing you notice is that the room is the same size as yours, along with the single window on the furthest wall, complete with a pair of beds. The inhabitants were home it seemed. The rifle, JS05, sat on her bed, her weapon laying beside her in a few pieces, all spread on her light green blanket. It appears she's doing some cleaning of her equipment, now that she appears very clean herself. Her drawer was open, some magazines and tools inside, along with some black leather gloves different from those she has now. A few sets of hair care products sat on her nightstand, a nice smell filling the room which you've noticed around JS05 during the day too, but it's much more intense here. Oddly enough, you smelled the same aroma around AA-12 lately… the rifle perked up at you.
"Oh hey, AA-12 and Veresk. Here to chat?"
"Hey JS05. Hey SPP-1." waved AA-12.
"O-oh, welcome!"
On the right side of the room, the handgun lay belly down on her bed, but quickly shifted into an up-right cross-legged position when she noticed you enter. The damage she sustained on mission had long since been repaired. Her blanket was an ocean blue with bubble patterns. Despite being off duty, she still had her diving mask hanging off her neck, but at least she was all dry at the moment. On her nightstand sat an aquarium, though it appeared empty. A poster of a beach was hanging off the wall above her bed.
"Hey SPP-1." you greet her "I've got something for you."
"For me?" she tilts her head. You approach, offering her the makeshift boots with a friendly smile. The doll gasped "T-these are…!"
"A pair of boots I made from that Brute's legs. I've removed the internal components and adjusted them to fit your shoe size. I also added some cushioning, so your feet won't hurt."
The small doll listens and watches with awe. Shyly, she takes the gift and carefully inspects them in her own hands. You wiped off any coolant stains beforehand, but the smell will remain for a while. She doesn't seem to mind.
"You made those yourself?" asked the rifle T-doll. You turn around and nod "Cool, we finally have a tinkerer. Most of us don't really know how to craft much besides explosives, but that's a basic in almost any T-doll's handbook."
"W-woah!" you turn back at the sudden yelp to see SPP-1 trying to stand with her new footwear on. It made her just a tiny bit taller "T-they're a bit heavy."
"You'll get used to it."
"T-this wasn't really necessary, Veresk-"
"Jeez, just accept it already." suddenly voiced AA-12. She had entered the room further so the door could close behind her "You clearly needed some footwear when on land, and we got you some. This is for the good of the squad."
"R-right." the handgun complied, forced to drop the modesty. She walked around the room a little, getting a feel for the new garments "I… think I can get used to this."
"Glad to hear it. [X] You look cute. / [ ] They suit you."
The handgun blushed lightly, sitting back down onto her bed, feet hanging off the side.
"Thank you Veresk."
"You're welcome."
SPP-1 looked quite happy. You have indeed put a smile on her face. Not to mention, the boots work and haven't fallen apart. With this, her battle efficiency might noticeably increase.
"Now, since you two are already here…" started JS05, just finishing putting her weapon back together "How about you tell us about some of your adventures in the past few days? We still have some time before tonight's operation, and after having heard about your journey, I'm just too curious."
"Huh? Veresk was on a journey?"
"Oh, you haven't read the report, have you SPP-1? Figures, Groza probably doesn't want everyone to know… but I'm sure it'll be fine."
The two dolls look at you, eager for a response. Curiosity is indeed written all over their faces. You suppose you can't blame them, it was a rather peculiar journey after all. You've seen a lot of action, made quite a lot of scenes, and it'd make for juicy story material. You look back at AA-12.
"Well, I don't mind." she replied, on board with some story time. Surely you won't be able to recount the whole journey now, so you'll have to take a particularly juicy part and give them that. Plus, JS05 already heard your encounter with Hunter, so that one's out.
[ ] Tell them about your escape from Alzome.
[X] Tell them about the bar fight.
[ ] Tell them about your search for Jan's body.
[ ] "I'd rather not."
--- nightfall ---
"Alpha team, in position. How are things on your end, Beta team?"
"Beta team, in position. Ready to enter enemy territory on your mark, over."
"Roger that. We're free to proceed. Begin operation now."
"Affirmative. Good luck everyone."
You were walking this path the second time today, yet it looked vastly different under the cover of the night sky. For tonight's operation you were once more split into two teams, though the tactic was slightly different this time. You, SPP-1, Ots-12, HK23 and AA-12 approach the enemy outpost slowly and undetected, getting as close as possible while Beta team, consisting of PSG-1, JS05, M1014 and Specter M4 distract patrols with fake signals so that you can get closer, while they circle around to a hill overlooking the area. Once both teams are in position, Beta opens sniper fire to draw mortar fire away, giving you an opening to rush in before the Jaguars can get a lock on you. Both teams then proceed to exterminate the enemy. As the operation takes place in territory under the influence of signal jamming once more, you were advised to trust in your teammates and stick to your plan, as communication between the two teams will cease once the operations starts.
Ots-12 was appointed team leader, taking the lead with SPP-1 who worked as your spotter. You were in the middle, doing your best being on lookout and combat-ready, followed by AA-12 and the machine-gun type T-doll HK23. This is your first time working with her, yet she seemed to be the nervous one, always standing a little too close to the others. AA-12 has expressed discomfort, but would have to stick through it with the MG sticking to her while sneaking around. Slow and heavy ones last after all. Swift and fast in front to identify threats and evade them. It has been a while of walking so far, and things seem to be working out. SPP-1 noticed a number of sensors and traps, more than last time, likely in response to your earlier trespass. It might've been the triggering of these that alerted them to your presence the first time, you can only hope you won't be uncovered again. You proceed, patrols missing you again and again, led astray by the fake signals released by Beta team. At least, that's what you assume. You have no way of detecting signals in the jamming field, but Sangvis clearly does, and they can detect attempts at communication, which is what Beta team uses to lure them away. This continues for a while, until…
Boom!
The echo of an explosion, distant, but in the same sector. Mortar shells. Everyone looks its way. Clearly it wasn't directed at you, but something else…
"Isn't… that where Beta team…?"
"They're on the move constantly. Sangvis couldn't have hit them… right?"
"... we must proceed with the operation. We must not reveal ourselves."
With your worries set aside, you move your feet forward. Hit or not, your objective is still clear. There may even be a chance you can capture the outpost by yourselves, though the risk is significantly higher at that point. If Zener was online, most of your allies would've likely made a backup right now…
Another while of walking later, you are now considerably close to the outpost, enough to see its light between distant trees. Ots-12 motions everyone to halt. It might not be the most optimal waiting spot, but it's likely sufficient. Now you play the waiting game. Beta team is meant to make the first move. You may only charge in after they have already drawn fire. So you wait…
Everyone checks over their weapons and equipment, then lays down to avoid detection. The forest ground isn't clean, but at least the situation doesn't demand you to bathe in mud.
And you wait…
The air is chilly, the forest quiet, wind rustling leaves and branches against each other. Were one to close their eyes, they'd not be able to even guess the not-so-peaceful armaments capable of utter obliteration just a little further ahead. But your eyes are open, prepared...
And you wait…
You check your internal clock… according to the briefing's calculations, Beta team should've been in position by now. Not only that, the assault should've started already too. You wonder if perhaps they encountered a patrol… but as you ponder, more and more time passes. The operation stretches.
And you wait…
Looking at the faces of your teammates, it appears they're having the same thoughts. You're not just worrying over small things like Benelli, everyone's feeling that something's off… but nobody's saying anything.
And you wait… until…
"Sea Horse, Lilac Prowler." spoke Ots-12, quietly "Follow me, we're going to get a closer look."
Reluctantly, SPP-1 nodded. You guess she's "Sea Horse" if Tiss' codenames make any sense. You know you are "Lilac Prowler" and since she's the team leader, you can only nod along. A risky course of action, but considering the amount of inaction when there should be action by now, you suppose it's somewhat justified. Still, you can't help but feel this is going to end badly…
Slowly and with the utmost care, the trio of you, Tiss and SPP-1 proceeded to sneak closer to the base, HK23 and AA-12 staying in hiding as they're not stealthy enough to follow you any closer to the base. You however do a pretty good job at it. Avoiding some more traps and lit areas, you get ever closer and closer. Not even during your approach has Beta team made their move… but eventually you make it close enough to see the encampment itself between bushes and trees. Sangvis units working, setting up machinery, and guarding. There were fewer riot walls set up, likely because the encampment was built for long distance engagements. Ots-12's eyes scanned what could be seen, taking into account every detail. She moved around a little, getting a better angle at something. You noticed it were the mortar units she wanted to observe. At the moment it appeared they were on standby, but also loaded. They were ready to fire at a moment's notice. The assault rifle kept observing, eyes practically glued to the explosive artillery launchers. You were trying to spot what seemed so interesting to her, until you noticed a Sangvis unit approaching one of the mortars with some sort of case. It opened to reveal more mortar shells, by different in shape and coloration, black with red lines. Upon spotting this, Ots-12's eyes widened.
"Scan shells." she whispered "They're shot straight upwards, light up like a flare, and illuminate anything on the ground below. Data and photos are sent straight back about any irregularities. T-dolls light up like Christmas trees on those images."
"That… that means we'll be spotted!" concluded SPP-1.
"Once that shell launches… both we and Beta team will be spotted." explained Tiss.
"Then… we have to do something!"
"... but the mission parameters are to attack after Beta team makes their move."
"But… what if they won't make it in time?"
"We can't reveal ourselves here. I'm a secret weapon, I… must stick to the plan."
[ ] "We must stick to the mission."
[X] "We must act now, Tiss."