Girl's Frontline: Wicked Animandum

--- memory file #7 - 5 months ago ---

"Kuuu… I'm never getting promoted like this…"

The T-doll sulked, fixing her blue military beanie, cheek pressed up against the palm of her hand.

"You're looking get a promotion?"

"Of course! Adjutant AR70 has a nice ring to it, no?"

Perking up so suddenly, you had to pause a little before you continued repairs on her right knee. It was damaged enough for internals to show, coolant dripping and metal sticking out. When you inquired about the injury, she said she a sniper round grazed her, but that it wasn't anything serious. Looking at it, it seems to have suffered under a lot of pressure from walking, rendering her unable to run. It is definitely more severe than she lets on, though it's not crippling yet.

"Didn't know Griffin promotes their T-dolls like that."

"They sure do! All you need is to catch the eye of your commander. To be important to someone, now that's a promotion."

"You seem to have fallen out of the eye of yours."

"I don't think so… all I need to do is wait. We'll re-establish contact eventually."

The story she told you was that her squad was dropped off by chopper to clear some uncharted territory of Sangvis Ferri presence. The enemy's strength was underestimated and the team ended up overrun out with their communications cut, their only means of escape shot out of the sky. You asked if she was the only survivor, to which she quickly replied that she didn't find the bodies of the others so they probably got away as well, murmuring something about how far they could've gone for her to still not have found any trace. The lack of orders were confusing her, but she believed command was simply having trouble finding her, so she wandered within the limited range of the operational area, not having permission to leave it. She only arrived to this town today.

"How long did you say you've been stranded out here?"

"It's been… 7 days now. I've been on standby mode for most of it, conserving energy. But I can't deny there's a hole in my stomach... I'm pretty much running on reserves…"

"Do you have anything to buy supplies with?"

"Not here, no. And my commander would get upset if I sold any Griffin equipment to civilians… but I'm sure I'll still last a day or two if I don't move much. Someone from HQ must come here eventually, then they'll find me for sure."

You nod to the Griffin T-doll as you tie a bandage around her knee to cover the wound. You did what you could with the few tools you had at hand, restoring part of its integrity. At least she should last longer now, maybe even hold if she seriously has to run. Seeing you finish, she stands up and stretches a bit.

"Phew, that's better. I don't look very good walking with a limp… thank you." she presented a smile, her green eyes looking down at you as you stood up as well "I didn't think I would be saved by a stranger. A doll, no less. For a moment I thought you were from Griffin."

"How did you know I wasn't?"

"You fought humans. I am strictly prohibited from harming any human individuals, even in self-defense. However, you didn't kill them, only knocked some out and scared the rest off. Killing them would've been highly illegal, so your party must be operating within the law and therefore, you are of no threat to me or Griffin operations. Am I correct in assuming you ran into me while on an errand for your handler?"

"... I guess you could say that."

"I see. I won't ask more, I understand that it may be a private matter. You even led me into this quiet alley away from public eyes to offer repairs. May I at least ask what was you interest in helping me?"

[ ] "Impulse, I suppose."
[ ] "I was hoping to get something out of it… but you don't really have anything to give."
[X] "You looked cute. Do I need any more reason?"
[ ] "I couldn't stand by while my kind was being threatened. We T-dolls have rights too."
[ ] Write-in

"I see. Well, I appreciate it either way. Your help was much appreciated… um… I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name. It would be improper to not know my savior."

[ ] "SR-2 Veresk. Feel free to call me Heather."
[ ] "Sorry, but you're better off not knowing."
[X] "I sometimes go by V, so let's go with that."
[ ] Write-in

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. If your errands ever take you to a Griffin base, try to look me up. I'll thank you properly with some dumplings-"

"They're around here somewhere! Find em!"

Both of your heads snapped to one end of the alley, loud voices echoing from the streets, similar to the thugs you scared off. Perhaps you should've retreated to a further location, they've surely come back with greater force this time looking for both you and the Griffin T-doll. AR70 instinctively grips her firearm, an assault rifle of some renown, even if she wouldn't be able to use it. Her previously bright expression faded, worriedly turning to the opposite end of the alley.

"It appears we must part ways here. I will have to keep my distance from this settlement for a while, so I'll try heading south. It was a pleasure, you'd fit right in with Griffin. Let's hope we'll meet again!"

With a swift salute and the flash of a smile, the T-doll strode off. You watched the silvery hair wave in the light breeze until she went out of sight. A sigh exits your system as you pack your repair equipment.

Ϝ: "Bravo. Applause for lil' hero Alpha! No cutie shall get hurt on your watch, huh? Well, I suppose work that doesn't pay ain't as bad as work you end up paying for yourself. Unless the payment was that cute smile, in which case it was totally worth it."

Β: "I agree!"

Δ: "I suggest the Alpha reevaluates this irrational thought pattern. The values brought by this course of action are outweighed by the risks of angering the local residents, possibly compromising our ability to trade for mission critical resources from this settlement."

Γ: "Not to mention, now there's an angry gang looking to kick her ass, ain't that right Chief? You might've caught the first few off guard, but now they might pose an actual threat after that unnecessary display of heroism."

You pick yourself up, things neatly packed away, nothing forgotten. You can still hear the angry men, thrashing through the streets. You've seen them before, causing trouble in the streets not only to dolls it seems. A band, almost like a gang, going around town collecting protection money from little shops, spreading fear into newcomers, possibly even robbing the unsuspecting and defenseless. Lack of military presence means they can pretty much run this town. Until the local PMC in charge of the area sends their enforcers, people are going to keep suffering this injustice…

E: "Hey, Alpha, how about we go beat up some more of those guys? You know you want to!"

Γ: "Epsilon, stop driving the chief into more dumb decisions. You're both always doing the dumbest of stuff, my words keep falling on deaf ears..."

Ϝ: "I dunno Gamma. Epsilon might be onto something there…"

Δ: "Continued consideration of the irrational suggestions of virtual-dummies Epsilon and Wau is ill advised, resulting in minimal mission progress and high chance of progress loss. Suggestion: exfil immediately."

Ϝ: "C'mon Delta, would it really be so detrimental if Alpha were to beat these guys up, demand to see their boss, tear him a new one a then take over this little gang of theirs? It'd be fun if nothing else~"

E: "Huh? Taking over? I just meant beating em up so they don't hurt the local dolls anymore."

Ϝ: "Is that really Alpha's impulse? Huh, living in the wastes does nothing to sway your moral compass, huh? Well, think about it. These guys got nothing on ya, and there's no military to arrest a rogue doll like you."

B: "Hehe, so many good choices… what should it be, dear Alpha? Leave before you're found, teach these gentlemen some manners, or cash in on their business? Either way, we'll be right behind you!"

You've got your supplies, your ammo, and everything you really needed on this slight detour from your journey. Your mission would remain unaffected were you to just leave as originally planned. Were you to take this opportunity however, things can either turn out better or worse, with rather unforeseeable results. There's safe, then there's risky…

[X] Leave the town
[ ] Threaten the gangsters
[ ] Challenge the gang leader
[ ] Write-in

--- end of memory file ---

The memory finished, information gathered, it was time for a not very subtle awakening once more. As you didn't see the data plane of your digimind, you deducted that it's morning and your internal clock went off. Waking up early is becoming a habit, almost like it was in the old Columba days, even on weekends. The gentle morning sun is gracing your eyes, the room is looking like every morning…

Except for the large star shaped eyes looking directly at you.

You blinked a few times to make sure it's not just memory data bleeding into your real vision because of that sudden awakening. Turns out it wasn't. What you were seeing was real. The all too familiar face of Ots-12 towering above yours. It is an odd sight to wake up to, to say the least.

"..."

"Good morning, Heather~"

"Tiss? Why are you…?"

"I noticed you thrashing around in your sleep. Considering the events of yesterday's secret mission, I thought I'd take a closer look. Were you having a bad dream? Have you been putting a lot of stress on your digimind?"

Her face was getting closer with each question, much closer. Considering you were lying down, you couldn't exactly back away. Tiss' expression wasn't changing from her usual resting face, but her eyes were twinkling more and more. Her sudden interest is rather surprising…

"C'mon Tiss, give her a break. She just woke up."

Specter voiced, prompting you to turn your head in her direction. Surprisingly, she was up too, sitting cross legged on her bed and brushing her hair. Her usually very exposing top was replaced by a somewhat less exposing tank top of the same coloration, dark purple with orange details. She likely realized how easy it was for the previous one to get damaged.

[X] "If you wanted to join me in a secret night battle, you could've just asked~"
[ ] "I'm fine Tiss, thanks for worrying."
[ ] "I've been having weird dreams… but it's nothing serious."
[ ] "It's nothing a hug wouldn't fix!~"
[ ] Write-in

Ots-12 somewhat complied with the SMG's comment, backing off and giving you breathing room. She looked like she just got out of bed, hair somewhat messy, only wearing a white tank top and tree-pattern pajama pants. You have not seen her dress this casual before, but that is likely because you always were already up and out of the room by the time she got up for her morning routine. By the way she just knelt beside you and yawned, perhaps she's more of a slow waker than she seems. Still quiet though, to be able to sneak up to your face like that… speaking of which… you look at the time, but it isn't any later than when you usually get up. Means they're up earlier.

"Why are you up so early?"

"Yawn… sis said today's important. Commander's gonna be making a secret call later, so the base must be in good shape…"

"You realize it's not a secret anymore if you just tell her?" Specter commented.

"Heather can know. She's secret enough."

"Secret enough? What… ugh, this is getting on my nerves, you two. Stop with this secret weapon thing!" the SMG complained, puffing her cheeks with a light tint of red.

"The secret weapon doesn't answer to you~"

In a fit of grumpy morning mood, Specter grabbed one of her boots and threw it at the smug AR T-doll. Though all it took is a slight repositioning of her head, and the projectile missed. She kept on smugging while Specter kept on pouting.

"You two are adorable." you spoke as you sat upright, getting some morning stretches in. All joints move well, though there are some sore spots from yesterday's repair. God knows how AA-12 must feel, she doesn't get up easy in the first place. You wonder if she's up already…

"W-well anyway... let's get to the canteen. I'm hungry, and everyone's probably already there." said the SMG type, putting her brush aside.

"Heather, you should sit with us. Bright Star too." suggested Ots-12.

"Um… is that a good idea? You know, after yesterday? Maybe Veresk should go sit at JS05's table and make up for all the yelling… you too, Tiss."

"... maybe if sis is still awake she could sit with us. I've got enough ration points for two..."

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

As the one-sided bickering continues, you get up and prepare yourself for the day. As you put on your clothes, you think about Ots-12's proposition. After yesterday, you can imagine the base dividing itself on two separate tables. Tiss and Specter would sit at the same one, probably along with the people-dependent HK23 and the lazy M249 saw not wanting to see the grumpy attitude of the rifle JS05, sitting at the other table with her squad of PSG-1, SPP-1 and Barrett. Wherever you wanna sit with AA-12 is up to you.

[X] Sit at Ots-12's table.
[ ] Sit at JS05's table to make up.
[ ] Drag Ots-12 to JS05's table to make up.
[ ] Write-in