Sounds of live office filled the room. People were talking in a distance in different groups, some talked loudly, some were trying to be somewhat silently. Few Copy machine making bitz of lazer crust on papers, someone cough in a distance, elevator ring followed by a sound of multipe shoes steps on a marble floor. This cacophony of sounds were unsetteling for Nomomo, as she waited on a bench in front of a wooden door. A dark sign with golden letters said "N. Matthews | Chief of security department". Whatever reasons were for her being called here, she didn't knew anything. And the only thing she could do, was wait. Just wait.
After what felt like eternity, but it was just ten minutes since she arrived here, door finaly opened. Two unknown man walked out with a slight smiles on their faces.
Unknown old man - ... that is what i kept telling you! Come on, this is all fine!
Unknown young man - I don't know boss. Maybe we should just follow usual protocol?
As both man walked away, the sound of their conversation mixed with boiling soup of a office sounds, no longer recognizeble even by Nomomo's new audio modules. Then a late-middle aged man appeared in a doorframe and looked at Nomomo.
Matthews? - [Deleted] i belive? Come on in!
With uneasy feeling, Nomomo got up from the bench, and followed man inside the office. Once the door were closed behind Nomomo, the sounds of office were reduced to a just rustling sounds of clothes friction and muffled sound of cooler spining in a computer block, somewhere under a big desk in a middle of a room. And as Matthews? sit down on a chair, his attention were switched to a computer screen.
Matthews? - How was your shoping trip with [redacted]? I heard he spent nearly 2 milions on your frame alone. DId you try your new hardware at a training grounds yet?
Nomomo - No sir. After upgrades, I was required to accompany Mr.[redacted] to a meeting.
Matthews? - Yeah, heard that story. But today i called on you for a different reason. I reviewed your actions durning that accident two weeks ago. Was that your first ever real fight?
Nomomo - I can explain Mr Matthews...Matthews - Just Nikifor. We all collegues here.
Sudden interuption in her speech, thrown Nomomo off guard. And she were feeling uneasy and nervous from that.
Nomomo - Yes Mr Nikifor...Matthews - Just Nikifor... no need for Mr here.
Nomomo - ... Yes... As it stands... it was indeed my first ever gunfight.
Matthews - That explains your reckless moves dutning that incident.
With a sigh, Matthews switched his gaze from computer screen to a doll in front of him.
Nomomo - I know sir. I tried to do my best to...
Matthews - [Deleted]. I wanted to point out a few things. First of all yes... Due to your hesitation and lack of support, we lost four man. Two more are in a hospital right now, probobly will be stuck there for a few months. It is inspiring that the first thing you did, were to check on a VIP, but what were all thoes drills about?
Nomomo - I am sorry sir.
Matthews - This is not about being sorry or not [Deleted]. You were showing biggest results durnig drills, you were promised to be a great bodyguard. And when moment comes, all i see is a wild doll trying to invent a bycicle again. Taking unnecessary risks and doing reckless stunts. And for what?
Suddenly, whole room felt like silent hell for Nomomo. Because if anything, it was truth. Real fight were much more overwhelming, unlike numerous simulations where she would act like professional and complete all of them with flying colors. And now, Nomomo didn't knew what to say.
Matthews - And what was that "jump and shoot mid-air" thing? Where did you saw anyone use that?
Nomomo - Nowhere sir. At a time, i was needed to both close the distance and fend off the attacker. So this solution were deemed optimal for a moment.
Matthews - On what earth do you live in if it is "deemed optimal"? Do you take all this for...
It was obvious that Matthews were about to say more, but managed to hold back.
Matthews - I don't know why, but [redacted] insisted to let you stay as his personal bodyguard. Something i am highly disagree with. And he even went as far as to put so much money in upgrading your frame. Seriously... that guy... what is he even thinking.
Slowly, Matthews switched his attention to his computer screen. His face were showing frustration.
Matthews - I asked few of my friends to get you on a proper training ground. In a few days, you will be sent to a "Griffin & Kryuger" you will be in training there for one month. Get some proper experience or die trying, you got that?
Nomomo - Yes sir...
Matthews - Great. Now you can leave!
Feeling uneasy, Nomomo turned to leave, but stopped right at the door for a few moments.
Nomomo - Mr Matthews... I know it is irrelevant, but what exactly do you mean that [redacted] insisted that i would stay as his bodyguard?
With uneasy sigh, Matthews turned his head to Nomomo once again. After a short moment of silence, he noded slightly, as if he didn't belive in what he was about to say.
Matthews - He said that you were doing a great job and that you have great potential. And the way i look at things... I don't see anything. Just rich boy found a new toy.
With a silent nod, Nomomo walked out of the door. Matthews turned his attention back to a computer.
=== Yellow Zone ===
Settelment built on ruins of some old village. Wooden houses were surprisengly sturdy even now. Steets were full of soldeirs and regular people were walking around carefully, mostly trying to stay in doors. One of the barns were reformed in a command center. Four dolls were waiting outside.
Andre (Jaish) - ... I don't want to sound mean. But i think this isn't a URNC concern at all.
Sr. Lt. Tavin - And as far as i am concerned, i don't care whether you mean or not. You are requred to help and you will get your payment, or you can scram off.
Inside the barn, Andre were surrouned by a bunch of soldiers. One of them were lieutenant Tavin. Old man with straight back to solidify his presence, his hair were turning gray, but some still were holding solid brown color on them. Both Andre and Tavin were looking at a map, placed in a middle of a barn.
Andre (Jaish) - Fine... I don't really mind it all. But i can't act if i don't know what to take from all this.
Sr. Lt. Tavin - And you don't need to. All i need you and your team to do, is to take care of this powerplant. Once you take a hold of it. My man will move in and you will be free to go!
Andre (Jaish) - And why can't your people come on out with a support?
Sr. Lt. Tavin - Mr. Jaish! You are asked to do your job. I said what you need to do. That is all.
Both Andre and Tavin looked at eachother with resentment in their eyes. Soldiers were waiting for resolution. Will there be a fight?
Andre (Jaish) - Fine! Have it your way. I will get moving then.
Finay, soldiers in a barn made a sigh of relief. And as Andre walked out of the barn, he walked to a dolls. All four doll were waiting, and once together, they started moving away from the barn.
Nomomo - So?
Andre - I don't know why are they here. Not telling a thing too. But they are asking to get rid of a Varjagers from powerplant... For some reason they can't sent their own people over there.
Beda - I looked around while everyone were busy. They are using church as a medical center.
With a slight nod, Beda pointed to a direction of building at the end of a street. It was half broken down, but every hole were repaired with tarpaulin. Few soldiers were staitioned on a lookout for this building.
Beda - And i saw alot of people there. Seems like they were having a rough fight just a few days ago. And on top of it all. URNC is known to use bots and such with them. But i saw only five assault bots, and two dinergates running around.
Andre - Yeah... i thought felt that there is some kind of desparation in the air.
Blaze - Oh... come on, did we missed all of the fun?
Andre - If my guess is correct. They are waiting for a backup here, but the powerplant... Whatever that is, this is a pressing matter for them. And a this place... I don't know. But i just wan't them to get out of here as quickly as possible. So... i have to visit my friends here. You four, try to do some recon on that powerplant. See if you can deal with our friends over there quickly enough.
Blaze - Will be done boss! Come on girls, we have a powerplant to burn!
Without a care in a world. Blaze rushed to a car, Beda and Nita followed unamused.
Nomomo - Are you sure about that whole deadl, maybe you should tell Kilmure? And what about that whole deal with Suzev...
Andre - Not right now Nomomo. When the time comes... I am sure he will understand.
Nomomo - Fine... We will be back in a day or two. Take care!
Andre - Yeah, you know i will!
With a little hesitation, Nomomo followed the rest of a group to a car. Meanwhile Andre turned around and walked to a different path, through the village.
=== Latter that night ===
Beda - Seven... Eight?... Looks like Eight!
All four dolls were lying low in a bushes. Taking a look at a powerplant, or rather a fortress surrounded by metal walls made out of scrap. Projectors and robors placed to look guard this place.
Blaze - Don't know about you guys. But this is the biggest Varjager's camp i have ever seen. More like their hideout. I even ready to place a bet that they choose this power plant not just because it was easy to defent, but because it is running full and well, providing electricity for them.
Nomomo - What kind of powerplant is even that? I see no smoke, no water nearby. I dont see any windmills. If it is working, this is something i never heard about.
Blaze - Yeah... good point.
Nita - I just hope they are not working on a collapse radiation...
Sudden words, made other dolls question what they just heard. And then they all turned their heads to look at Nita.
Nita - What?
Beda - Generate power from collapse radiation? It this a some sort of ELIDs technology?
Nomomo - Back to the point! What are we going to do with this thing? I doubt that four of us can clean up this whole thing. We need more firepower.
Blaze - Don't know about firepower, but i can get you some powerful fire! And don't forget, this is a yellow zone. Anything can happen here, and you can get in all sort of trouble!
Beda - What do you mean?
Blaze - Your ELIDs talk just gave me an idea. Remember our little trick with magnifying glass?
Nomomo - Yeah... and?
Blaze - I can try to blowup some of their walls. And invite for dinner some new guests. And they won't be able to refuse. And once the party will be over, that is when we come in.
For a few moments, Nomomo looked at a powerplant, thinking everything through.
Nomomo - Seems legit... Let's go with that. Me and Nita will make slight distration on a west side wall, you and Beda take a position at south-east. And once you see the signal...
Nita - Wait, wait! Are you going to call for ELIDs? And how are you going to do that? And what is that "magnifying glass" trick?
Blaze - Oh... I have a good thing just for that! Was waiting for a perfect apportunity to use it though. And as for "magnifying glass" trick...
Nomomo - We can talk about it latter. We need to finish here before sunrise, so let's get moving!
*Nomomo hits Nita on a shoulder*
Nomomo - Come on... follow my lead. The faster we are done here, the faster URNC is going to leave the village and we get back to camp.
Nita - Uh... Sure thing.
And just like that, Nita and Nomomo crawled away. Then hurried to sneak around the powerplant. Blaze and Beda slowly followed the suit, but their spot was closer. And as soon as they reached it. Blaze took off her backpack and started mixing chemicals.
Beda - Sometimes i get a feeling that you are not insane as you seem. But then i see this and all it all makes sence. Can you even get anymore crazy then that?
Blaze - I sure hope i can. Because if i can't, then i start thinking like a normal doll! And i hate thinking the normal way. But i do have a normal question for you... What you think on that new doll?
Beda - Nita? Not much. She is good, but she hides alot. What about you?
For a few moments. Blaze stoped working with chemicals.
Blaze - She is... Not bad... Almost innocent.
Beda - Innocent? Her? She brutaly murdered three Varjagers, something even you never do!
Blaze - That is not what i meant.
With a heavy sigh, Blaze continued her work an making something.
Blaze - I meant that she acts almost innocent... and it's genuine. Main point here is "almost". It's like... Like she doesn't know the world. Like if she lost and doesn't know what to do...
Suddenly, Blaze's hands stopped. Her gaze shifted to a stars above her.
Blaze - Like many of my students... They never really knew what they wanted. They were just studying and attending my lectures, but they never had any particular plan for a future. Some of them...
A glimpse of sadness appeared on Blaze face. Then she lowerd her gaze at her hands, and resumed her work, without saying any other word.
Beda - Yeah... i know... sorry...
Blaze - No need. Let's just hope they will be okay.