"Noted. I suppose that leaves me and someone else in the front line... I'll be counting on you to cover my back then." the shotgun gives you a small smile, before turning back to her notes "You are free to go now, Veresk."
You nod, taking your leave out of the command center. Your next objective would be base duty, as mentioned before. The dolls that arrived alongside you have already started work, coordinating through the Zener network on who's doing what, where and when.
Counting ammo reserves.
Make sure to do the grenades afterwards.
I'll handle those. Anybody checking the cameras and sensors?
Leave that to me.
Hey, what about guard duty?
HK23 is there… alone?
Oh gee, that's a bad idea... anybody free to help her out?
Can't, checking rations.
Hey, Veresk isn't doing anything...
Even though you weren't there physically, you could feel everyone's gaze on your back, the way someone would usually feel when expected to agree to something that's just been suggested. You're figuratively cornered, though guard duty doesn't sound so bad.
I'll do it.
Knew we could count on you. She's just outside the entrance.
Now, who's cleaning the hall?
I did last week, now's SAW's turn.
I'm… um… doing reports right now…
Oh the hell you are.
The dolls continue to bicker over Zener, until a clear enough warning from Benelli caused all wireless communication to die down. The network is not to be used for casual chatter, else it just needlessly fills its cache and may limit its efficiency in an actual emergency. It's one of the reasons dolls prefer verbal communication despite having many other options.
You reach the base entrance, as empty as you remember it, and push open the door leading to the outside. The Sun, now much later in the day, greeted you with its warm shine, accompanied by a light breeze. And just outside the entrance, like you were told, stood a T-doll you saw earlier but never took a proper look at before. And for once you didn't have to raise your head to meet her at eye level.
Long caramel blonde hair tied with two hair buns, flowing over a thick black jacket and scarf with orange accents. A black skirt peaked from beneath, and the rest of her legs were covered in black thigh-highs and boots. Her weapon was a big one, perhaps too big, but you remember how AAT-52 handled herself, and suppose the dolls doesn't have to reflect this size to be effective. Another MG type, and she doesn't look like a rookie, though she certainly holds it like one. Standing in a very tense stance, constantly looking over the landscape, her finger thankfully off the trigger but just barely keeping up trigger discipline. She seems very nervous, but nothing's happening, nor is there any hint of anything happening.
You take in some air in preparation of announcing your arrival, but she seems to have noticed you just before you had your chance. Her deep purple iris widened and she jumped, taken by surprise.
"AH!"
After that little scare however, she noticed just before pointing her weapon your way that you're just another Griffin doll, and her relief was instant. In fact, she seemed very glad to see you all of the sudden.
"Thank god, I was standing here all alone for who knows how long! Thank you for showing up!"
She closed some space right away, but didn't get close enough to breach any sense of personal space. Her excitement died down somewhat, turning to embarrassment. The two of you observed each other, as it seems she didn't have a proper look at you the first time either, though she was avoiding your eyes for whatever reason. You noticed that the front of her jacket is open, revealing a rather tight looking white button-up shirt beneath, and at that moment you realized that there's still a department that she's a lot bigger than you in, as out-of-place as it seemed…
"Hey… you must be SR-2 Veresk, huh? I-I'm HK23. This may be a little late, but, um… welcome to the base. Eheh…"
You nod, being friendly for now. She appeared nice enough, if even more susceptible to blushing than SPP-1. Why's it always the short ones? You set your observations aside for now, focusing back on what you came here for.
"Anything to report?"
"Oh, um… not really… I mean, I keep worrying something might jump out from behind the wall… or that the fence won't hold against an enemy attack, or… w-what if some ranging animal were to attack?!"
She gesticulates, her tone shaky as she gets way too worked up. She seems to overthink things, though she tries to get a grip on things.
"I-I mean, there were no signs of anything like that happening, nor did the radar pick anything up so…"
"... so nothing."
"... y-yeah, nothing."
She silently shifted in place for a quiet moment, looking at the ground. It's not like you scolded her or anything, she just seems ashamed all of the sudden. You decide not to push it, perhaps she's a new model or something, or her personality is just a peculiar one. Either way, you've got a task to carry out.
"Where's my post?"
"Huh?"
"Where am I supposed to stand guard?"
"Oh! Um… here."
"... two dolls protecting one side?"
"Y-yeah. The other sides don't need as much protection as this is the main entrance… you just need to stand here, y'know, with me! Please…"
…
[X] Stand guard at the main entrance
[ ] Stand guard at the back entrance
--- later ---
"I thank everyone for gathering on such short notice."
The radiant voice of Groza spoke over the quickly silencing chatter of the command center. The message didn't say to hurry, but since it was sent by the current base commander and not her adjutant, the girls seemed even more on time. The commanding T-doll herself seemed well rested and calm, though she had that business look on her face since the meeting began.
"As you all know, the main obstruction standing in the path between Griffin and the liberation of Area S06 is Sangvis Ferri and their far reaching jamming technology. It has been the main hindrance of our operations and even with the commander present we couldn't do much to secure a further foothold. We had to rely on patrols on the outskirts of the affected area to spot Sangvis outposts and take them out, as going in blind without a clear target has been forbidden by HQ. Today, my adjutant's squad has found another one such target. However, it's not all good news we have today…"
Of course it couldn't have been that straightforward. The dolls around you have lost their battle eager smile, except for Benelli who seemed to already know the situation. As expected of an adjutant.
"I have checked over the readings several times. Both I and Benelli can confirm with all certainty now: the area of effect is expanding. Therefore, we must take action before the entirety of Area S06 is covered in Sangvis' jamming field, including this very base."
The news have reasonably unsettled your fellow dolls, as you know yourself how much of a hindrance the lack of long range communications are for large scale operations. As you operated on the outskirts of the affected are until now, the Zenner network still allowed connections between dolls at close range, which is how your squad could coordinate. However, were you to go deeper in, even that would fail you. Your experience as a Sangvis prisoner comes to mind, making vocal communication and sign language the methods you'll have to fall back to.
"To that end, today's operation will consist of a night assault on a Sangvis base at this location."
The visual representation of Area S06 zoomed in, highlighting an area around a river, well within reach of the enemy's jamming technology. Ots-14 looked to her shotgun adjutant to continue on with the technicalities of the briefing.
"The main assault force will follow the river into enemy territory, eventually stumbling onto our target. The charge will be led by M249 saw and myself, backed up by SR-2 Veresk and AA-12, with the added assistance of SPP-1 as scout. While the enemy is being engaged from one side, a second team will attack from their flank, consisting of JS05, Ots-12, and M82A1, a smaller team that can use the element of surprise and keep their distance. Spectre M4, PSG-1 and HK23 will remain at base with commander Ots-14 and await word of the mission results."
The visual aid has soon dissipated, all dolls having memorized the plan. They didn't seem discouraged, quite the opposite. The briefing was nearing its end, and Benelli neared the only window to open it, letting in some of the late day sun to illuminate the usually artificially lit room.
"Nightfall will be upon us soon. Restock on equipment and energy, we'll be departing in two hour- eep!"
She was carrying on talking while looking at the gentle orange sun, until her gaze shifted down to the ground outside the window, and she visibly recoiled. Something scared her enough to cause her to jump a little, but after a quick shiver to get the shock out of her system she closed the window sills right away. Ots-14 decided to take over, seeing her adjutant's questionable reaction to heights and taking a few eyes off of her blushing face in the process.
"This will be an important operation that may very well dictate how Griffin continues our conquest throughout the area. I trust everyone to do their best and to look out for each other's teammates. Let's show the ringleader of Area S06 how severely she underestimates our valor."
--- later ---
Even if the climate was warmer, the nights were just as dark as in Area S09. Thankfully you were equipped with a tactical flashlight, and you had a reliable scout at your side. Though her area of expertise was of the moist variety, the river at your side proved plenty useful. SPP-1 swam with great efficiency, keeping up with the rest of the squad and doing the scout's job of surveying the area ahead. The cold night waters didn't seem to bother her either, saying her body's used to it.
"Damn it's dark…"
"Please try to keep up, M249."
"Trying, trying…"
You're already deep enough for Zener to become completely unavailable. The strength of this jamming signal is quite something, you can tell. The E-war module might be tricky to use in this situation, the lack of a friendly network to hide behind making it even riskier. You'll have to limit its use to direct physical connections or after dealing with the jamming device.
You keep on running as a group, until you hear the wet splash of an arriving handgun sticking her head out of the water.
"Enemy base located. It's up ahead."
Benelli, the squad leader, was quick to approach her and respond.
"Affirmative. What's its structure?"
"Loose, no native structure they built around, just sets of riot walls positioned in a few squares in accordance to the nearby trees."
"Any sign of the jamming device?"
"There's antennas and a satellite dish, but it could also be a radar station. If that's the case they'll spot us if we approach as a group."
"That's fine. We're equipped to meet them face on. Be ready to provide support from the river."
"Got it!"
With a jump and a perfect form, the handgun dove back into the river. The shotgun turned around to face you, AA-12 and M249 saw.
"This is it. Remember, use the element of surprise. Cover or switch with your teammates if they come under heavy fire. Main objectives are extermination and jammer destruction. Let's do our best."
With a nod from each member, including you, she faces forward again and leads the charge. With quick yet light steps, at least from you, the distance between you and your target grew shorter. You soon would start seeing lights, the purple glow of Sangvis Ferri, shining between cracks of distant trees. The cover of the forest served you well so far, but now alongside enemy sight, you'll be using these trees to dodge bullets as well.
Your formation is…
[X] SGs in front, SMG and MG in back
[ ] MG and SG (Benelli) in front, SMG and SG (AA-12) in back
[ ] MG and SG (AA-12) in front, SMG and SG (Benelli) in back
[ ] SGs and MG in front, SMG in back
[ ] write-in
