Blaze - Here you go!
With a twist of a hand, Blaze shoved nitro express rifle into Nita's hands.
Blaze - I have to say, this a heavy weaponry! Heavy gun that shoots heavy ammo, all of that for our very heavy girl! How are you two doing? How did first assignment go?
Beda - Better than anticipated. Usual case of 'track and get back'. But otherwise it's all fine. We did got a little roughened up on our way back by Varjagers, but we dealt with them swiftly.
Nita - We did?
Beda - Yes. You were under bullets... oh... did you already forget?
Nita - Kind of... i don't remember our way back.
Blaze - What the hell? I am supposed to be the strangest one in a group. Seems like i have to put up some more act to maintain my number one weirdo here.
Beda - No need Blaze... It is something with Nita's frame. Speaking of frame. Kilmure ordered for you to perform a whole check through our engineer crew. You better get to it.
Nita - Do i really have to? My frame...Beda - Just get over with it. Let the crew do their magic and if they fail, you can return and report. Meanwhile you can at least ask them to repair your frame.
With silent nod. Nita put a belt of a rifle over her shoulder and headed to workshop.
Blaze - So... Now that our big fella is gone for a bit... There were a talk going around. I heard some stuff about Suzev? Care to tell a little bit more. Do we finaly got to deal with that rat?
Beda - I don't know... Nomomo and Kilmure are busy with planning.
Blaze - Always got an edge to work out eh?
Just above the Blaze and Beda. A ray of sunlight appeared on window glass. A rought hand appeared behind a window to close the curtain. Four man and doll were standing.
Duval - ... even IF this whole deal go easy. I doubt we can get over them without anyone noticing. I doubt that Suzev's man can make it through without anyone noticing. And what is that cargo anyway?
Max - Sorry, but i have no intell on this one. Convoy belongs to URNC. Whatever that is, somebody wanted that this cargo would never appear in any ledger. I can try to try to...
Duval - No need. If Suzev is after that cargo, that means it is something good. Private information, weapon prototype, a VIP kid or even pack of fine wine. Our goal here is to make Suzev people suffer and make them tell us where Suzev is hiding. So if we get our hands on that cargo, it would be a bonus. Besides, if you were to ask around, things could get dangerous for you.
With satisfied grin, Duval sat down on his comfy chair, opened to drawer and pulled out a glass and half-filled bottle of vodka. Once Duval opened a bottle cap, he stopped for a second.
Duval - But it would be a good thing if my man could know, what kind of guards there will be.
Finaly, Duval poured some vodka in his glass.
Kilmure - Thing could get out of controll really quick. Do we really have to include the convoy in all this mess? Why can't we like... cooperate with the convoy and take out Suzev man.
Sam - Worry not little Kilmure. As Duval said, whatever that convoy is carrying, that is something important. Just count it a two birds with one shot. We get to Suzev and get a little extra for ourselves. Leave initial attack for Suzev and deal with everyone once heat is about to die out.
Despite being fairly young man, Sam looked like an old man. Partly because of his gray short hair.
Kilmure - Knowing you, your people and dolls would endup being the means of getting through.
Sam - What can i say? Can't make an omlet without a cracking the eggs.
Kilmure - That is exactly why i won't let my people and dolls to work with you. Everyone is just a means of getting to what you want.
With noticiable irritation. Kilmure turned to face the Sam. In return, Sam chuckled confidently.
Duval - Gentlemans! Gentlemans!
After drinking his glass of vodka. Duval springed to his feet, still holding a glass in his hand.
Duval - There is no need to fight on useless matters. As of right now. We need to follow with a first part of our plan. And since Kilmure just returned, i think it is better fot Sam to go with Max, try to sort things out and prepare for everything. You know what to do, and better to hurry up... when did you say that...
Max - Two weeks!
Despite feeling uneasy, Max were quick to answer
Duval - Yes. You have two weeks to prepare place, people, explosive... you know your work.
With a nod, Sam patted Max on a shoulder, suggesting him to leave. After Max walked out, Sam was about to walk out through the door too, but then turned around.
Sam - I do have one thing to say. How come Kilmure get's another big and powerfull doll at his disposal, while i am stuck with a team of buch drunkards and civilian made T-dolls?
Kilmure - Because they know what to do and that's about it. Now go on!
Gritting his teeth, Sam finaly walked out and closed the door behind him.
Kilmure - Why do you keep this fool around? He still thinks that things are the same as when he was a bounty hunter! He is reckless, dangerous and greedy bastard!
Duval - I know a man when i see one Kilmure! Besides, he know his role and does the job. Now... take a good rest, lay low for a week or two, untill Sam makes all preporations for a raid. I heard that Martin and Andre were injured, you all could use some propper rest.
Kilmure - Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.
An lazy nod and a sigh, the only things Kilmure could afford at the news that next two weeks he is going to spend resting. Kilmure gestured for Nomomo to leave, and then he just walked out of the room too.
=== A week latter ===
Same busy base. Heavy gates opened, then five cars drived inside, few people from medical department rushed to a cars, with equipment ready to transport injured. Cars were coverd in bullet holes, broken glass and one car even were missing an intire door.
That is just another huner team returned from another mission. Nita placed a crate of different metal parts on a top shelf in workshop, her gaze is fixed on a scene, where grop of people were carried to medical tents. While few heavily damaged dolls were carried to workshop by other dolls.
Blaze - This is Harry's team. And there is Harry...
Just a few steps behind, Blaze placed another crate on a floor. She were looking the same direction, and pointed at a man that walked out from driver seat door of very first car. Bald Middle-aged, muscular man walked over to a Duval, that were standing outside. After a small talk, both Duval and Harry laughed, then walked inside the building.
Blaze - Did anybody told you that you are lucky? That you are ended up in Kilmure's team?
Nita - That... yeah... I think someone did.
Blaze - Memory is hazy again? Comeon! Place that crate over there.
Nita - Oh, yeah!
From sudden commotion, Nita's attention returned to a crates. She lifted a crate with ease, and placed it on a top shelf.
Nita - I am kinda used to my... Problems.
Blaze - Doesn't mean you have to be okay with them. Did you ever tried to fix them?
Nita - Few times. But all attempts failed. And equipmet that were used for the fix became useless.
Blaze - Oh man. I can feel that this is going to be a pain. Nevermind... Come on, we still have crates to carry around.
Nita - If you say soo.
Blaze and Nita walked out of workshop and around the building. A truck full of crates were parked. Workshop crew stood there, as crates were so heavy, they couldn't even lift them. Even then, Blaze were having trouble carrying more then one crate, while Nita took stack of three crates, and walked back to a workshop.
On a way back. Familiar voice of Nomomo and Beda appeared.
Beda - ... that is easy for you to say! Your frame probably costs more than any other doll here. Hell, i am sure that even if we were to sell this whole place and equipment. It would still be not enough to buy out your frame.
Nomomo - That is not the point here...Beda - Then what is the point then? Miss "I got every top grade stuff installed in me and that gives me no advantage over others?"
Nomomo - Stop it Beda! We have things to discuss!
Beda - Sure! Sure!
Blaze - Oh, Hey! Where the hell have you been? I haven't seen you since yesterday.
Nomomo - We have a small problem. Not our usual business, but Kilmure want's to keep up with our contacts. So a team of five are going out for a ride.
Blaze - What is it now?
Nomomo - Emergency from settelment five hours away from here. They are having an ELID troubles with a mix of Varjager on top of them. As i said, not our usual job.
Blaze - Are we playing a saviours now?
Nomomo - I don't know why, but there is something else that Andre wanted us to take care of, Kilmure wasn't really happy with whole idea, but gave a green light on it. So Andre is coming with us.
Nita - Ok, so you will have to go like... right now?
Nomomo - What do you mean "you"? You are going on this mission with us Nita. And yes... Drop this boxes and let's go! I will get the car ready.
Nita - Oh, Ok!Blaze - Sweet! When can i blow up something?
Both Blaze and Nita placed crates on a ground, then all four dolls walked out of workshop and headed to a garage. A few heads of workshop crew appeared around the corner.
Workshop crew - Ah man! You gotta be kidding me? Nita was so good at carrying these crates and now she is gone? Why can't we get our own special workshop doll?
In the garage, Andre were already to move out. And once he saw dolls coming, he took a passanger seat at the front. And within a few minutes, car were already on a move.
Blaze was set behind the wheel. Andre on front passanger seat, while three others dolls were slightly cramped on backseats. Nita were taking most of a space, as she even had to even lean a little forward to fit in.
Nomomo - And what are we even going for? How it this settlement is important?
Andre - Not much, but there is a side project going on for a while now. I just don't wan't for everything to go on waste. That is why i asked your help out here. Things could get serious if anyone else were to find out about this.
Beda - If you say so! But i hope we get something out of it.
Andre - Let's just hurry up! Blaze, can we go any faster?
Blaze - Oh Yes!
With exited smile, Blazed pushed the pedal to hit the mettal.
=== Long time ago ===
"... thirteen people killed and eleven more were injured durning a shooting in a bar. Both shooters were shot dead durning arest attempt. Police is currently investigating the identity of a shooters. Most of the victims were students, celebrating the end of..."
Suddenly, TV screen turned off. And Blaze saw her own reflection. Her face was in mix of anxiety and unrest. Ever since that day, her appearence barely changed.
Jambulat - Vera! There is nothing you can do. How many times did you watched this record?
A dark, rainy evening on a street. Blaze who was known as Vera back then, stood in a comfy room, with a big couch, two woden tables, wardrobe near the door, big TV were placed on oposite side to couch, and a big window covered in raindrops. This is well known lounge of university. Used by most teachers. Teachers like Blaze or a man behind her.
As Blaze turned around, she saw a man standing in front of her. A bald, lean man in formal attire. He was put down a remote on a table, with sad look. Then opened wardrobe and pulled out the coat.
Blaze - It's just that...Jambulat - No need... Vera... There is no need to explain anything.
For a moment, man stopped in his thoughts. Then finaly put on his coat.
Jambulat - Listen... Vera... I spoke with principal. Rest of students from your class will be placed in others... so for now you won't be placed as a head of a class. Maybe next year everything will be fine?
Blaze - Yeah... maybe.
With nothing else to say. Blaze turned around to look at the TV. Now there were only her reflection. A man behind her wanted to say something else. After a minute of not being able to say anything, he just silently noded and grabbed his bag.
Jambulat - See you tomorrow Vera!
Blaze - Yeah... See you tomorrow Jambulat!
Once he left. Blaze silently walked around the room, pick up the remote and turned on the TV once again. "... And easy to reload! It doesn't even reques to pull..." *switch* "... tired of bugs ..." *switch* "... Then they turn twenty four, and what do they have? Debts from flawed education system, responsibilities guilt tripped on them by goverment and mentaly broken mind from abuse and constant stress that the system put them throught."
Strange old man in fancy suit were talking on a TV. For some reason, his speech caught Blaze's attention. Like if she were looking down the wrong idea, like a wrong type of business. So she sat down on a couch. Blaze's eyes were glued to an old man who kept talking and answering to a question that she never asked. Her gaze slightly stopped on a line on a bottom of a screen. "Dr. Reginald = Psychologist"
"And what do you think this will lead to?" - Sudden question came from programm host
"It will lead to a terrible consequences. What else can happen. All it comes is downfall of our whole legacy. Everything we were trying to protect, everything we were trying to preserve. We getting to the point where our whole generation is about to be left traumatized in best case scenario, and self-destructive in worst case. And unless the whole society were ready to change, and i am telling you, it won't, we are getting to the point where everyone is both angry and afraid of everyone else. And this mix of anger and fear are going to push next generation to do terrible things..."
Once again, TV screen turned off. This time, reflection on a TV screen showed Blaze's face lost in thoughts. After a few minutes of contemplatin, Blaze stood up and walked to a window.
Blaze - It already did...
Silently murmured in to the empty room.
Blaze - It already did!
=== Back on a road ===
After a long few hours of speeding through yellow zone. A set of concrete walls wraped in metal appeared on a horizon. It took a minute for Andre to see what look like a settlement.
Andre - I think we are comming closer!
Beda - You think?
Andre - We are comming closer!
As car approached the walls. Few cars appeared, painted as military and mounted with guns, speeding to intersept with the car.
Nomomo - Blaze, slow down!
Without a word, Blaze slowly stepped on break pedal. Their car slowed down and came to an hault after a few moments. Two cars stopped nearby to a their car.
Andre - Ahh hell no. This is URNC! What the hell did they forgot here? Stay here, i will do the talking!
Few soldiers came out and rushed to surround the car. Andre put on a gas mask, then opened the door and walked out with his arms up. Then another man walked out from URNC car. This one wasn't carryig a rifle, but a pistol was still in a holster.
Andre - Officer, i think there is some kind of misunderstanding!
Officer - Who are you, and what are you doing here?
Andre - My name is Jaish Crowman, i came here because my friend here sent a distress signal, but didn't explained anything. So i hurried here to find out what happened.
While talking, Andre slowly reached out for his ID in his inner left pocket of a jacket, and then handed to officer. Officer took a closer look at the ID.
Officer - An bounty hunter? Good. We might need help. Follow us inside, we will explain everything.
After a simple hand gestures, soldiers relaxed and lowerd their guns. Then officer handed ID back.
Andre - Sure thing... Lead the way.
After officer and Andre were back, all cars drived straight to the settlement
Beda - What the hell happened here? Is that a little project you were so proudly talking about?
Andre - No... I got no idea what is going on. But first, lets talk follow them inside!