There was a short silence after you have finished with your statement. Most of the dolls stared quietly, especially Ots-12 who was already at a loss for words before. You made a double check, the transmission did indeed go through. JS05 and the whole Beta team, as well as Alpha team listened to your words. It was either shock or disbelief that delayed their reaction.
"... to showboat?" asked the rifle, finally responding to you "Veresk, believe me, if anyone here were to risk the mission for ludicrous glory hunting, Groza wouldn't have sent us. I saw a tactical opportunity to minimize losses and decided to shift mission parameters a little to adapt to the situation."
"And how is that any different from what Ots-12 did?" you replied.
"Tiss' action took away our chance to set off the explosives in the shed, and your ass wouldn't be on fire had she just waited. And had we not waited with our shot, things would've just turned out the same way. We were meant to take the first shot, not keeping up with the time frame is not as severe as starting an assault when you're not meant to. We had the power to keep you out of harm's way, how can you blame us for using it?"
"Then why not send a runner? Why not simply warn us of the danger?" you asked.
"We needed Specter to protect us if a patrol were sent our way during the attack. We're rifle types, we aren't very versatile. After the battle was done I did send Specter, but I knew she wouldn't be fast enough."
"Hey! I tried my best, thank you very much!" complained a squatting Specter M4, rubbing her forehead. You looked around as the flames were starting to die down. HK23 and SPP-1 were helping AA-12 get up, but noticing he disabled legs they just helped her sit upright instead, having to carry her later. The shotgun was looking up at you as you stood next to Ots-12, arguing with the leader of the Beta team. True, she wouldn't be in such a state had things gone the sniper's way, but it might've gotten a lot worse had her plan failed.
"Still JS05, you're here speaking of trust when it is you who had first betrayed ours, even if for good reason, expecting us not to adapt to the situation the same way you did. All Ots-12 knew at that moment was that if she didn't move, the mission could've gone critical. Even if she thought you could've been there, at the ready with a good reason to delay your shot till the very last moment, how could she be sure? What if you weren't there? What if the mortar with the scan shell wasn't in your view? What if you had missed?"
"I do not miss." she replied, with audible irritation in her tone "Listen here, you little-"
Another silence, this time a sudden one, like she had to cut herself off mid sentence. The connection was still on, so she must've stopped herself, or someone on the other side did. Everyone was looking and listening intently, worried about what might come next. A deep sigh followed over the Zener network.
"... the operation is over. Everyone prepare to return to base. Protect the wounded and keep an eye out for Sangvis activity. We'll rendezvous at the same location we separated. JS05 out."
With that, the connection was cut. Something usually done to reserve power and hide one's signal from enemy search parties, but you can tell this time it was cut for other reasons. You looked to your side to see Ots-12 staring with wide eyes, a mixture of shock and disbelief on her star-like pupils.
"L-lilac Prowler…"
"Just call me Heather."
"Heather… you didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to. With the information you had at the time, you've made the right call, Ots-12. Us getting hurt isn't your fault. Right AA-12?"
"Ugh… don't drag me into more trouble Heather, you attract it like a catastrophe magnet." all you could do was smile at AA-12's reply. Perhaps she contemplated on whether she should laugh along or give you the finger, but she ended up just sighing instead.
"Tiss… call me Tiss." replied the assault rifle, getting your attention again "The secret weapon thanks you."
[X] "We secret T-dolls must stick together, don't we?" hug her with an arm around her back.
[ ] "How about I stick to Yew Tree, o' secret weapon?"
[ ] "You're welcome, Tiss."
[ ] "You had my back yesterday, it's only fair I've got yours."
[ ] Pat her head.
[ ] Write-in
"Hey, don't you get all friendly now! We've still got a shotgun to carry!" suddenly complained Specter M4, waving her arms around, looking all bothered "It's like two thirds of my room have started collaborating without me, as opposed to the previous half…"
--- later ---
"Well, that could've gone better."
"Perhaps it could."
"Oh Alpha, you did well defending against SF attacks and misguided accusations alike! You handled yourself well and adapted to the situation, as expected of the Alpha."
"Beta's ass kissing aside… today was just full of bad decisions Chief. Should've just stuck to the plan. Now AA-12's missing two legs and your reputation suffers cause you couldn't keep your mouth shut."
"I just wanted to defend Tiss."
"I am positive this will go a long way, dear Alpha. Not only will this strengthen bonds, but miss Tiss is also the sister of the base's momentary commander. That's a most favorable outcome!"
"Want is a good quality, but you gotta evaluate cost and gain Chief. If you wanna be friendly, do it in a way that doesn't compromise our mission. Getting JS05 mad like that and displaying our wide range of emotion might not be very favorable."
[X] "I don't regret my decision."
[ ] "Maybe I shouldn't have said that…"
[ ] Write-in
Repairs at 100%
Finalizing…
T-dolls ready for action
Have a good day, T-doll of Griffin
The repair bay doors opened with a hiss, the room's lighting hitting your eyes. You've just been repaired after a while of maintenance, shrapnel removed and surface skin damage fixed from the explosion. It was more or less a moment of downtime, a doll's body repair not being much of a painful experience as it would be for a human to treat their wounds. With the repair bay doing all the work, you could pretty much relax and think about the events of today. But it can only get so comfortable. A warm bed is always better.
You step out and stretch, feeling the healed parts perform well and without fault. You're greeted by the sight of M82A1 Barrett waiting on you outside, the rifle type not having crossed your path since your last conversation.
"Greetings Veresk. I hope you are well?"
[X] "Physically I'm at 100%. Mentally I'm worried about that there can of sweets." point at AA-12's repair pod.
[ ] "I've seen better days."
[ ] "Don't worry about me, the one who was truly injured is in the pod beside me."
[ ] Write-in
"It is good to see you well. Ots-12 and JS05 are in the middle of delivering their reports to Ots-14. I hope you do not think ill of her, JS05 was only doing what she believed to be best."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed it is. I cannot say more however, I have already spoken more than I should." she connected her arms in front of her in a polite manner "I hope you understand, I wish to not sway the hearts of others in any way. It is not my place to offer guidance. Not anymore… but, instead I… would like to ask for it."
At this point, Berrett looked slightly to the side. Her light pink gaze fell on the floor, distant and indirect.
"On the hill, when you were having your dispute, I stepped in. Merely a hand upon her shoulder, but it was enough to quell JS05. Was my intervention… no, I know it was wrong. That is unrelated to this. What I ask is… Veresk… do you... like jazz?"
...?
[ ] "Actually ye-"
[ ] "Um, no, but I-"
[ ] "Not really-"
[ ] "What do you me-"
[X] Write-in: "I don't think I ever got a chance to listen to it, why-"
"Ah, I apologize. This must be odd... I'll.. just be going now."
And just like that, she pushed herself off the railing and walked away without looking back. Disappearing as suddenly as she first appeared, you could only wonder what that was about, and whether it was something you said that scared her away. Clearly she wants to be left alone for now... so you turn your attention to someone who's been alone for too long. The repair station next to yours is still hard at work, and it likely still will be a while. It's inhabitant is getting part of her body reconstructed after all. You approach, and lightly knock on the hull a few times. Silence...
"I know you're in there, AA-12~"
"Ugh... I was trying to relax, you jerk..."
Spoke a voice from within, muffled and echoing a little, shadowed by the sound of machinery. The shotgun sounded tired.
"How are the legs?"
"Um... they're starting to look like legs again? Guess that's good? I'm feeling kinda woozy though..."
"How much candy did you have?"
"Um... a few?"
[ ] "That better not be coming outta my cut."
[X] "Want me to get you some more?"
[ ] "Just don't overload your system. The limit of sugar a doll can take has not been measured yet, but please don't try to find out."
[ ] Write-in
"Meh... I just wanna get out of here already. Mission's finished, I wanna hit the bed..."
"You know, I could request Ots-14 to put us into the same room, now that we're good."
"O-oh, um, about that... uh, oh! Sorry, gotta quiet down, gotta repair some... um, internal damage..."
"Just use Zener then."
"U-um, can't, I'm running, um, updates..."
"Then I'll wait. I've got time~"
"N-no! Um... I wouldn't inconvenience you like that... L-look, I'll just catch you later! K-bye!"
"... AA-12?~"
...
She fell silent afterwards. You have no idea what's really going on behind those doors, but you decide to leave it be. Teasing her any more would be rude. You're repaired, and a shower could do you some good before going to bed this time. Specter complained.
You left the showers like you left the repair bay, like a shiny new doll. Back at your room you were welcomed back by your fellow SMG. She complimented your cleanliness and explained that Tiss was still delivering her report with JS05. It seems to have turned into quite the lengthy discussion, and although she couldn't stop herself from trying to eavesdrop a little, Benelli was standing at the door making sure nobody intruded on their business so she was quickly shooed away.
"I did hear a few words as I was walking by though. It was mostly Groza talking. Maybe she's scolding them... if you ask me, both could use some. Tiss has been getting on my nerves since day one..."
"You think she made the wrong call?"
"I know that if she didn't attack, nobody would've gotten blown up. She always diverts from the mission slightly if she feels like she can get away with it. But I dunno, some of the others think differently... I'm surprised you jumped in for her, you're the one who got blown up."
The two of you kept chatting for a while before deciding to call it a night, Tiss will come when she'll come. You lie onto your back and let the day's exaustion pull you into the blankets of the night, falling gently asleep. Quiet was your mind, surrounded by it without and within, until...
"You don't need to wait for us every time chief. Just pick whatever it's gonna be tonight."
There they are.
"So, what will it be this time Alpha? Another consciousness split, or keep discovering the past you've forgotten? Whichever the case, I'll support you all the way!"
"A head's up first though. As you hopefully remember, you cracked the last available file just yesterday. That means we've got the first layer decrypted. I'd congratulate you, if only it didn't take you so damn long. Anyway, here's the new list."
[ ] Unlock virtual dummy
[ ] Decrypt memory file:
- [✔] File #1 - 1 year ago
- [ ] File #2 - 11 months ago
- [ ] File #3 - 1 year and 7 months ago
- [✔] File #4 - 1 year and 5 months ago
- [ ] File #5 - 2 years and 5 months ago
- [✔] File #6 - Day of capture
- [X] File #7 - 5 months ago
- [✔] File #8 - 5 months ago
- [ ] File #9 - 3 years ago
- [ ] File #11 - 2 years ago
- [✔] File #13 - 2 years and 3 months ago
"But keep in mind that these second layer files take longer to decrypt Alpha. No more doing two files in a single night. But that's barely a slow down, we'll get them all eventually!"
"As if she decrypted two a night more than once. What a pathetic sleep schedule…"
