/// Running full diagnostics...
/ Neural Link check... 21% of data under quarantine...
// Data ■■■■ corrupted
// Missing multiple data tables...
/ Frame function check...
// Visual module... Ok... | ■■■■ = Yes...
// Hydrolic... multiple damaged components | ■■■■ = Yes...
// Hearing module... Ok | ■■■■ = Yes...
// Power core damaged | ■■■■ = Yes...
/ Power is within acceptable parameters = 61% | ■■■■ = Yes...
/// Self-diagnostic complete...
/// Authentificating... Permission check... Successful
/ Affiliation: Duval's Hunter Group / Kilmure Hunter Team
/ Frame model: Prototype HSSF
/ Imprint model: Nitro Express Rifle
/ Mission ID: N/A
/ Time: N/A
/ Status: N/A
/// Attempting system reboot
As Nita's eyes snap open. A scene of dusty floor, broken wooden crates and a small pile of firearms were revealed to her. As senses were comming back, a Blaze's voice became clearer.
Beda - ... and even if it was a good idea, i am not happy with it. What will it be next?
It appears, Beda were quite irritated. She and her interlocutor were having a coversation in another room. Just as Beda finished her piece, a quite voice could be heard, but not recognizable. Meanwhile, Nita were trying getting up. Despite sluggish movements, after a few moments, Nita managed to stand up.
Beda - No! I am not dealing with that. Leave that to a Nomomo or Andre. If i go out there, i will start wreaking havoc. I better go on and watch out for our stupid big girl!
A series of angry footsteps rang through the room, and then Beda walked inside. When she noticed Nita standing, Beda were confused. Then confusion were changed to anger.
Beda - Oh! You back online? Good!
Before Nita were able even say a single word. Beda walked closer to Nita, grabbed her arm and threw to the side, successfully tripping Nita into a pile of broken crates.
Beda - Are you invincible or what? Why would you do that?
Nita - What?
Once again, befor Nita were able to do anything, she started kicking Nita. Not letting her to get up.
Beda - Stupid! Reckless! IDIOT!
After each insult, a swift kick followed.
Blaze - Stop it! Stop IT!
Suddenly, Blaze appeared behind Beda and started pulling her away from Nita. After Beda kicked Nita one last time, she finaly stepped back, and Blaze hurried to step in between Nita and Beda.
Beda - Who tought you to do this? How can you be so reckless?
Nita - What are you even talking about?
Beda - I am talking about using your frame as a shield! Why in a world would you do that?
Blaze - That's enough! Beda!
At once, Blaze started pushing Beda out of the room.
Beda - Are you going to defend that lunatic?
Blaze - I am! Go on, take a walk or something. Calm down and return when you are good!
Once final time, Beda looked with irritation at Nita, then angrily walked out of the room. Finaly, it was somewhat peacefull, and Nita managed to get up.
Nita - I guess... i don't know... what happened to her?
Oblivious to the cause of Beda's anger. Nita were confused and turned her attention to Blaze.
Blaze - You happened!
This time, Blaze turned to face Nita. Her cold and calm expression was a contrast to her ususal playfull and nonchalant face.
Nita - What is that supposed to mean?
Blaze - Using your own frame as a shield to protect Nomomo? And you see nothing wrong with it?
Nita - That was a best thing i could've done back there. We were surrounded...
Blaze - Stop.
An excuse were interrupted by Blaze's single word.
Blaze - Look Nita... I know you never asked for it. But there are someone who cares about you, and that includes me. I am not known as being patient about such things. Because i have seen this nightmare way too many times. People were thinking that they are alright. Being reckless and excusing themselfs. You think that since you are tough, you can throw away your resouse however you want?
Nita - I... I had to do something. I can't just let Nomomo be destroyed.
Blaze - And what about you?
Nita - I can take a beating... It not as bad as you or anyone else think.
Blaze - Fine then. But here is the difference. Nomomo has a spare frame... An access to a cloud. What about you? Aside from your... almost supernatural frame. There is nothing else to it. Take a mark on that and keep in mind. Now, get your thing ready. Once Anre finishes the talk, we will move out of here.
Slowly, Blaze turned around and started walking away.
Nita - The nightmare...
As Nita suddenly tried to say something, Blaze stopped at a doorframe.
Nita - ... did it ended when people started playing a roulette with a loaded gun?
Sudden question made Blaze chuckle a little.
Blaze - For them... for me it was a begining!
=== Few days later ===
Once again in a well known camp. Concrete walls and barbed wires. A truck filled with crates drives through opened gates. Workshop crew, that were playing card games on a crate, finaly decided to get up.
Workshop Crew A - Ah... Finaly! This one was a bit late to the party huh?
Workshop Crew B - Yeah... NITA! Come give us a hand please!
Nita - Yes!
After being called, Nita came placed ammo and tools on ammunition workbench and walked together with a crew to unload the truck. Immideatly taking off a few crates at once.
Meanwhile, a group of people were walking around a main building.
Andre - ... I don't know. But it's your call.
Kilmure - Just like Duval said... But you are right in some way. Duval can say a lot of things. It's what he is good at... His whole life he talked his way out any problem. Now we all here. And about that whole deal... I really don't like that URNC are so close to our base.
Andre - But it's Suzev we're talking about.
Kilmure - Yeah, i know. But everyone at this camp is ready to drop everything just to kill that bastard. And as far as i am concerned, we don't need to be there. Especially after that URNC event. We are on high profile there now.
Andre - Not we, but a bounty hunter named Jaish... But i get the point. Maybe you should talk with Duval about this? I bet Harry would be delighted to take that hit.
Kilmure - Take that hit? After he take that hit, half of our camp will take a 'HIT'. Ever since that highway robbery last month, we were rich. Did anyone managed to use even a single credit chip from that pile? Did even a single bar of sardis gold were taken through bargains?
Andre - Yeah... Is it still laying around?
Kilmure - Untouched... somewhere in a basement.
Martin - OH! There you are!
A young man with a fluffy, short ginger hair, covered by a cap, appeared around a corner and runned closer to a Kilmure and Andre.
Kilmure - Oh no... Who thought it was a good idea to let him walk out of medical tent?
Just at the sight of Martin, Kilmure already annoyed... in a good way.
Andre - Martin! How are you feeling?
Martin - Oh... You know them doctors. Yapping about laying in bet or what not. So i did the best thing there is and just were working hard to be healthy and strong.
Kilmure - Don't worry. Knowing you, it will take a few days for you to be beaten down and weak.
Martin - That what you think of me? I have to warn you and everyone else, that...
Annoyed, Kilmure rasied a hand to stop Martin.
Kilmure - Alright, alraight. Stop right there master poke lackster. We are on our way to Duval to have some real talk about real business. You got something important to talk about or you came looking us just for fun and games?
Martin - Oh... I know what that mean! Show me what you got and I'll show what you're missing.With a smirk, Martin made finger guns at Kilmure and Andre. Then turned around and started walking with a quick step towards main building.
Kilmure - Next time i wan't to beat this parasite... Don't stop me please!
A small but small laugh broke through Andre and Kilmure serious faces.
Andre - Come on... Otherwise that kid could start talking with Duval by himself. And that is sight i want to behold, but never let happen.
Kilmure - Same... Same...
Both Andre and Kilmure hurried to a main building. As they followed through corridors, they found Duval and Sam talking on a staircase. Martin joined in right away.
Duval - ... and what of it? Most of them are either lost or gambeled away. We have only very few clues on where did it all go. Not a great picture, no matter how you look at it.
Sam - And that's what i am talking about. Duval! All i need a small team of three and we will get to the deal. It's a huge bank to just miss out on such thing. All we need to do is go out there and act like we know our deal.
Martin - Wha are ya talking about here? Another big heist job?
Duval - Oh, Martin. Feeling fine now? Kilmure, Andre! Came out for a business?
Kilmure - In a way... I don't think my team should get involved with that raid on Suzev.
Sam - What? Dropping so early Kilmure?
Duval - Sam... Yeah. Is that perhaps because of a little URNC earlier?
Kilmure - In a way. My dolls ended up on high profile. I need to talk with our man to take down their heat a little. Don't want to appear in most wanted list any time soon.
Sam - I told you it was a bad idea, Andre. How far did your man made?
Andre - Not now Sam... But yeah. That whole deal with URNC were wild. Fortunatly they were hunting down another most wanted target, so we ended up being on a good side with them. But still ended up in trouble.
Duval - I heard you. But... Since it all came down to this. I still have a few news for you guys. Sam, Martin, if you have nothing else to discuss, i suggest you to take a good walk and enjoy the sunny day like this. Otherwise, gentlemans, let's move to my office.
Martin - Hey! How come i am not invited to a party?
Sam - Hey Martin, do you have a smoke?
While the intimidating trio walked upstairs and into the office. Somewhere outside the main building. Near to a tent camp. Blaze were working on mixing chemical reagents, using her own workbench. Anything for a funny chemistry.
Nomomo - Mind if i sit down?
With quite steps, Nomomo approached and asked Blaze, who didn't even bothered to answer. So Nomomo pulled up a nearvy chair and sit down near Blaze.
Blaze - I am fine. Just a bit angry.
Nomomo - And that's why i am here. It is a rare thing for you to be angry. And to be angry for that long? When was the last time you were that angry?
Blaze - When Doronin said that he was fine...
Nomomo - Oh... Yeah, that was...
Blaze - Nita said that people were playing roulette with a loaded gun. She is not different. And you are not different either Nomomo. Hate being reminded of that.
Nomomo - I thought we were over it.
Blaze - Not untill i am sure people around me are not gambleing their lifes away.
Nomomo - Then we both made a wrong choice to join this group.
Glass vial of unknown chemical slowly tilted, mixing with another chemical. Then vial were put inside a shell, grenade for a grenade launcher were ready. Blaze put down her tools and leaned back on her chair.
Blaze - I just hate it all. I like Nita, she is somewhat fine. But i didn't expect her to be so much like... Like i am back at being teacher again. And i loved it, i like being someone who helps others. I like showing others the deal of the world, get others to stand up for themselfs.
Nomomo - Oh... I get it...
Blaze - Do you?
Nomomo - Don't know anything about it. But this is the first time i see you genuine smile like that.
A soft and pleasing smile slowly dissapeared from Blaze's face.
Nomomo - I get what you mean. Maybe you should talk with Nita about all this?
Blaze - No need. I will get to it when a right moment appears. There is no sense in rushing things.
After a few moments. Nomomo silently noded to Blaze and relaxed in a chair. Her gaze then fixed to a front entrance of a main building. Sam approached Kilmure as he were walking out.
Sam - So, how did it all worked out old man? Did our dear old man Duval said that you are not fit for another heist? Or were you dropping out because your brain is grown soft?
Kilmure - Shut it... Why are you still here? Didn't you had a task at hand?
Sam - Unlike you Kilmure. I know when and what to do. And this is a perfect moment present you with somethin, or rather someone. I know a big guy of your caliber.
After cautiously looking around, Sam pulled out a paper card with a numbers written by hand on it.
Sam -This, is a terminal number of some fancy fella called 'Richard'. I had few deals with him, but he is not my type to deal with. Figured, maybe you will have better time with him.
Kilmure - And why would i deal with anything about him? Who is this guy anyway?
With an exasperated sigh, Kilmure took paper card from Sam.
Sam - Just some big guy with lots of money, lots of power and unbridled ambition. Remind you of someone does it? But anyway, this guy used to give out me few jobs, but as i said, he is not my type to deal with. Always drawing grand schemes, talking about stuff like greater good of humanity, but forcing me and my team run around like a cheap action heroes. Main word here is 'cheap'.
Kilmure - And why do you think i will take on this guy?
Sam - As i said, he looks like a your type of game. You and your team fits the term of 'cheap action heroes'. *haha* And i would recomend call him as fast as you can. He is busy fella. Now, i have to go. I have some matters to attend to!
With a quick step, Sam rushed away, leaving Kilmure staring at terminal number.
=== Kyiv ==
Somewhere in a white zone, somewhere in Kyiv, in a spacious apartments, a beautiful sun hit the windows. Early-middle aged man, with brown hair, were laying in a bed, half naked, staring at the walls of his appartments, as they were turning bright and warm from the sunlight.
Woman - Oh... Someone should have told me that a all mighty Richard Corin is such a beast.
A soft woman hand appeared and slightly tapped on Richard's muscular chest.
Richard - And i have to say, you have the best way of asking infromtaion for your news line.
Woman Reporter - Maybe i can come back next week? For a new interview?
Richard - Maybe... Who knows. I have a grand plans for a next few months. Maybe you should call me next week, and we will discuss... your new interview?
Woman Reporter - Sounds like a good plan. But are you in a hurry? Maybe we can discuss some more questions? Because i do wanna hear more about your new project.
With a slick smirk. Richard reached out for a terminal on a bedside table. After looking at a time, he thought for a moment. There is nothing pending for his attention right now.
Richard - Well, my lady... If you insist, i do have a few hours to spare.
Satisfied with moment. Richard threw terminal back at a table, then turned his attention to a woman in front of him.
Richard - What will be your first question? Maybe the answer would be...
But his speech was cut short, as another terminal started playing music. Not the one on a bedside table, but the one under the bed. With a soft sigh.
Richard - Well... Sorry love, but this is special type of the call. Seems like something important.
Woman Reporter - A call at a moment like that? And what is this terminal?
Richard - One for publick use. Another for business use. I am sure you understand, for a moments when an emergency happens. So i guess i have to go somewhere.
While music kept playing, woman understandingly noded few times, then get up from the bed and started dressing up. Meanwhile, Richard pulled out a terminal from underneath the bed and walked away in another room before answering the call.
Richard - Yes?
Kilmure - Hello? Is that Richard?
Richard - Yes. Richard speaking.
Kilmure - Fuck you Richard!
After that, the call was immediately dropped. Richard was left stunned.