The kid didn't even have a gun in his hand.

A conscientious objector, huh.

Well, you're in the wrong game, pal.

'The Cy-Bugs are hatching, newbie. Let's go get 'em!'

First Person Shooter just stared at her.

'What, are you scared, or something?'

Nada.

Never had she had a First Person Shooter that was such a blatant-

'Cy-Bug! 5 O'Clock!'

FPS ignored her. The Cy-Bug flew into his screen, attempting to eat the computer whole.

Game Over.

Well, that has to have been the biggest waste of $2 I've ever seen. $2 for 10 seconds of gameplay… what a pussy.

The Beacon began emerging from the tower, a familiar and welcoming sight.

'Beacon up!' the marines cried. 'Beacon up! Cease fire!'

ATTENTION. RETURN TO START POSITIONS. RETURN TO START POSITIONS.

'Good job, men,' she said, as she always did. No matter how lousy FPS was, she could always count on her fellow space marines to do her proud.

Well, most of them. Markowski is a little shi-

QUARTER ALERT. QUARTER ALERT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

It was the same kid. He had a fistful of quarters in each hand.

She sighed.

Okay, let's give him another chance. He's gotta pick up the gun at some point, right?

Wrong.

When they Game Over-ed for the fourth time, she knew that something needed to be done.

'Kohut, with me.'

'Ma'am.'

Sven Kohut was her most trusted soldier. He'd never let her down, and never would.

'New tactic: we're going to protect First Person Shooter from the Cy-Bugs for as long as we can. Maybe once they realise they're safe, it'll inspire them to actually fucking do something.'

'Yes ma'am.'

They'd been playing for 15 minutes when she saw FPS pick up the gun.

Fucking finally.

She was beginning to feel the effects of playing for so long.

If I can just grab that health pa-

PEW!

Nope. FPS got it.

Your health bar's still in the green, asshole.

FPS got two more health packs. He was quick when he wanted to be.

Okay, fuck this.

'I'm gonna let go of your hand now, kid. You're on your own.'

It was like watching a child cycle without stabilisers for the first time. FPS wobbled, but managed to shoot down two Cy-Bugs that were heading straight for him.

Kohut shot her a look that said, fucking finally.

Amen to that. Now, I really need that health pack-

PEW!

Fuck's sake.

'You are wanting some root beer, ya, Ms. Calhoun?'

'That's "Sergeant". And, you got it.'

'Bad day at work?' Oaken asked, pouring her drink.

She grunted.

'I see.'

He watched as she downed her drink in one.

'Another, please.'

'As you wish.'

She downed that one too, and put her head on the bar.

What a day...

The bar door swung open.

'...At least you get some variation. I just do the same thing over and over- it can really get to a guy, you know.'

Oh, great. It was Krush-It Kristoff.

'I can't lie to you, I had a great day. 12 kids wanted to play on Happy Mode!'

A female voice. Grating.

"Happy Mode?" Give me a break.

'Two root beers, please, Oaken,' Kristoff said. 'And that's another thing. You guys get different modes. I always start off easy and then get slowly get more difficult. It's so boring!'

'Someone's in the mood for complaining, today. Where's Handsy- I mean Helping Hans?'

'Your boyfriend is-'

'He's not my boyfriend!'

'-currently enjoying a pie made by the mayor's wife. He never visits Oaken's, you know that. Too squeaky clean for alcohol.'

Elsa lifted her head off the table, glancing in their direction.

Kristoff was talking to a woman with red plaited hair. She was wearing a blue top and a denim mini-skirt.

Ugh. Pigtails. How childish.

She is kind of cute, though…

Shut up, brain.

'Can we go to Food Fight after this? I'm starving,' the woman complained.

'You're always starving.'

'It's all the exercise. You know, you really should try it some time.'

'Have you seen me? Do I look like a dancer to you?'

'Anyone can learn…'

She zoned out of the conversation.

Elsa hated dancers. They were far too cheery, especially the ones from DDR2 .

Thank God Hero's Duty is far enough away that I don't have to hear that stupid music...

...or see that girl's stupid cute face.

She's not cute.

Yes she is.

Whatever, it's not like I'll ever see her again anyways.

But how wrong she was...

A/N: what do you guys think so far?

"Something Special" Elsa is what happens when I try and write Sergeant!Calhoun Elsa having just read rk9Elsa. Her swearing feels almost canon after that fic.

I was thinking of alternating POVs each chapter, so let me know whose POV you'd like to see next, or if you'd like me to stick with Elsa's perspective. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!

P.S: any Americans willing to, uh, Ameri-pick my chapters for me? PM me if you're interested! :)