The Commander carried the old man up the steps, throwing one of his arms over his shoulders. He listened to his ramblings, pausing every other step whenever the old man needed to 'concentrate his thoughts'. By the time he reached the top and unbolted the door he saw two of the serving dolls preparing another few bowls of parfait and packing a plate of fresh Irish Breakfast. He waved at them as they tried to approach to lend their assistance but shook his head and wordlessly asked for them to carry on. These two he knew would pass the word along to the Mrs. and would be able to get away all the quicker.

By the time he reached the top floor of the establishment where Paddy slept, he gently guided him down, ignoring the spittle and near incomprehensible ramblings of the old drunkard, and helped remove the apron and boots. The patched up socks Paddy wore were a testament to his old ways and his love to his wife who had asked Sevs for some help help locating them. He would never wash it unless the Mrs. could sneak it away from him and finally have it washed. Or so he was told at any rate.

He gently pushed the man to finally lie in his bed and threw the covers over him and said his farewell as he closed the door. Once Sevs returned to the main dining area, he fixed his hat on his head, greedily snatched a loose berry out of its container and popped it in his mouth before seeing the girls still there. Laughing, smiling, enjoying each other's time, this was exactly what they needed. All thanks to Mrs. O'Flannigan. The smile on the Commander's face quickly soured when he realized they were probably laughing at his expense.

He approached the table calmly and asked, "So! Sorry for the wait, did I miss anything?"

Some of the girls were still having trouble breathing from whatever story Ms. Eva told them. The worry in him started to grow exponentially as he couldn't recall anything that happened that could have been as funny as how they were laughing. Ms. Eva wiped away a joyful tear as she patted the Commander on the arm and said, "Oh it's n-nothing dear! Nothing you have to worry your proper little head about! Isn't that right girls?"

Kalina picked up the cue immediately as she straightened up her posture, folded her hands together on the table and said, "Why yes, I say that's quite right, not a worry, not at all!" And after that little, charade, the table redoubled their laughter. Sevs looked apprehensively around the table, but inside, he couldn't be any happier if he tried. Pure, unadulterated laughter, ringing out so free and clear. Sigil tried to be modest but instead chose to cover her laughter using her hat and hair. Spring's laughter was a little more reserved but her smile...the way even her teeth showed...and her laughter, like chimes in the warm spring breeze. Gwen and Penny didn't seem to mind each other's company now that they were sharing the moment together. Penny leaned on Gwen's shoulder, they pointed and laughed at...with each other. And Kalina...her laugh was unique too...if you could call sounding like a severely asthmatic fish out of water gasping for breath, a laugh.

Besides all that, Sevs could only enjoy the view. He shook his head, playing along the unwitting fool, then said, "Ms. Eva, thank you so very much for the absolutely delicious breakfast. It was amazing as usual! Unfortunately, I have to steal these girls back. I had planned on taking them shopping around the town today and pick up some things."

Ms. Eva promptly tied the bandanna around her hair and nodded as she got up, the laughter slowly fading, and said, "Well of course my dear! Any time you and the girls want, you are all welcome back here! And here," two T-Dolls came out with bags of packaged food ready for them. "In case you should find yourself too busy to come back, I've made you some quick pick-me-ups for the road."

The Commander accepted them graciously and walked closer to the bar so that the rest of the girls could collect themselves and their rifles from the gun rack. Ms. Eva stepped farther aside as the girls continued their closed nichéd chatter among themselves and said quietly, "Thank you so much for your help with him-"

"Oh, no, ma'am! It's nothing-"

"But it is something! I know the history between you two and I know it doesn't feel like it's much but you're doing a lot of good. As painful as it is. I'm really thankful that he has you to talk to."

Sevs held his composure and nodded once, "Yes ma'am." was all he could say.

"Now...Sevs..." She said, as if the name was still unfamiliar to her. "What about you...do you-"

"I'm fine ma'am, ain't nothing to worry me none!" He said hurriedly, kicking himself mentally for interrupting her twice but knew that this rabbit hole was much too deep to start diving into.

"Sevs..." Her face was one of motherly worry and concern. She hated seeing this bright young man, dashing into danger as he pleased, searching for death and playing its advocate, only to be dead emotionally. She may have been a 1st Generation Doll, but she has been around long enough and seen more than enough people with their own stories to read this one like a book.

"Alright girls," Sevs announced loudly, "into the truck! Sigil, Gwen, food for later, Ms. Eva! Thank you so much again for your hospitality, I'll be sure to return the favor soon!"

"Oh think none of it dear!" She played along as she walked her guests out the door. Everyone telling giving their thanks as they passed by and loaded up into the back of the truck. Kalina hopped on the step too the passenger side and hung from the frame as she waved to the other Dolls inside. They all collected by the window and were waving cheerfully from the window seat benches. "Come back soon!"

"We sure will!" Sevs yelled out from his driver's seat through the open passenger door Kalina was hanging out of. He started the engine and waited for Kalina to be seated, he knocked on the back carriage and heard two knocks in response. Then they were off. Ms. Eva waved at the back passengers once more as they drove off and turned the corner. She wiped her hands on her apron, fixed her hair, and stepped back into the pub where all the other Dolls were.

"Do you think they'll come back?"

"I liked the blonde one! She looked a lot like Ms. Eva!"

"That human one had a funny laugh, you think she's sick?"

"No silly! She probably just couldn't get enough air!"

Ms. Eva clapped twice and the clamor from the gossiping dolls quelled as they bounced off the benches and seats and stood ready for new orders. Ms. Eva spoke gently but with some authority saying, "Now now girls, we still have a pub to run, so off to your chores. We will however be opening an hour late, but no more!"

"Yes, Ms. Eva!" said the girls in unison, and off they went doing their tasks.

Ms. Eva left the girls to their business and hurried herself up the stairs. The closer she got to their room, she could hear the tired and pitiful moans and cries of her husband. She forgone the knocking and slipped into the room quietly. She pulled up a chair and gently caressed her poor husband's head and gently hushed him back to the peace of sleep.

~-.-~

"Right! Whew! I think that's the last of it!" Sevs said as he wiped the sweat off his brow. The summer heat still persisting and beating down on him. No doubt his back was soaked with sweat. He could feel every time the leather of his shoulder holster peeled off his back allowing a moment of breath between his shirt and skin before it came down with that uncomfortable sticky feeling.

"Yup! That's in on your list! Good thing too! I was getting tired!" Kalina said from the passenger seat carelessly waving her hand around as she spoke.

The Commander readjusted the furniture slightly then rushed to poke his head out the back carriage and yelled at the passenger, "What do you mean that you're getting tired! You didn't do a thing all day! All you did was point and buy and I carried everything else!"

"Commander!" Kalina whined back at him, "Haven't you heard of 'work smarter, not harder'? I totally worked today! I used my brains, and used your muscles, and we got so much done today! If we went with the original items you picked you would have ended up choosing the wrong things!"

"You spent almost twice more than what I planned!"

"Hey! You should be grateful! Good things don't come cheap!"

"And you," Sevs jumped out the back of the truck and stomped around, "Are neither!" Sevs bit back as he approached the passenger side. Just as he stepped up to rip open the passenger door, it flung out into him hitting him face first and sending him flying back to the pavement below. In mid-flight he thought to himself, This always happens to me. I'm not even going to complain about it anymore. And then he came to a spectacular crash on the sidewalk floor.

Kalina came flying out the car herself and landed next to the Commander's feet who stared at the partly cloudy sky behind his new bought shades as he listened to Kalina rant, "Good? Not good?! You're right! I'm not just good, I'm great! So great in fact, I am the greatest good you are ever gonna get! And you know why? Because no one can buy like I can, no one can try like I can, and no one can find the things I found for you like I can, because there is no one else, like me! So sure, I may not be the cheapest, but I," she whipped her hair back and stood proudly as she said, "Am still the greatest!" She gave a supportive thumbs up to her audience that stood at the back of the truck who encouraged her speech with a polite round of applause.

Please stop encouraging her. Sevs wanted to say, but instead took the more passive route and sigh quietly to himself. Not that anyone could read his mind anyhow. He continued to lay on his back, enjoying the small breeze and watching the clouds as they rolled by letting the sun play its game of peek-a-boo in between their open patches. The Commander's new shades helped keep some of the glare out of his eyes as he enjoyed the warmth of the brick sidewalk permeate through his sweat soaked shirt and massage his aching back. Somewhere 'above' him a child was hushed away by his mother to not stare at the strange man.

From the back of the truck the same cheerful, charismatic-and annoying- voice rang out, "Hey Commander! You're not getting paid to be sleeping on the job like some hobo."

"I'll frickin show you a hobo." Sevs grounded through his teeth. He stood up and clapped the dust off his hands, watching Kalina as she seemed to innocently walk back to her passenger seat. As she passed by the wary Commander, she delivered a quick jab to his midsection with her elbow. The Commander reacted by playfully accepting the hit and over exaggerating the pain she had caused. She clambered in to the truck and slammed the door once more then stuck out a very pink tongue at the Commander who just passed back a sneering wave.

As he went around the front of the truck, his earpiece rang indicating he was receiving a call. He checked his PAD for the identification and shrugged as it read "Number Withheld"

He clicked the button on his earpiece and responded in a cautious monotone voice, "This is Sevs."

"Commander, I apologize for the unorthodox call. An urgent contract just popped up and we need you on the next VTOL out."

"I understand," he said as he climbed into the driver's seat, "What's the job?" He threw a hand over Kalina's mouth as she turned to taunt him some more. He placed a hushing finger over his own lips, then turned to roll up the windows and start the engine. His other hand was roughly shoved away and the angry strawberry blonde Logistics Officer mouthed a very flustered, "I know!"

Sevs listened to Ms. Helianthus as she continued, "I'm sending you the Pilot ID number, link and send him coordinates and he will pick you up. I've taken the liberty of preparing your preferred equipment as well as the ammo for your echelon units. Ms. Kalina must have been more worn out than I originally thought. I haven't been able to reach her this afternoon."

The Commander turned his head slowly and wore a stone blank face as he replied, "Yeah. That girl sure works a lot! She must be all tuckered out and all of...that. That lady deserves some rest if you ask me."

Kalina kept mouthing words his eyes couldn't keep track of but he understood when she kept beating on his waving arm that she wanted to know if it was Ms. Helianthus. Honestly, why do you ask? You already know it is, he thought as he continued to hold off her barrage.

"I didn't," Ms. Helianthus replied pointedly, Sevs concurred and mentally shrugged, "But I will keep it in mind. The debriefing of the situation will be given by a-mutual-acquaintance who is very eager to see you again. Details sent to your PAD. Good luck Commander, Helianthus, out."

"Sevs, out." The lines clicked, an engine roared to life and tires squealed as a certain pedal met the proverbial metal. He drove with his right hand and when he could, typed in the commands with his left as he swerved in and out of traffic. Ignoring Kalina's sickened whimpering to "Please slow down" with the occasional gag reflex preventing from making a mess in the cabin, he finally linked up with the pilot as the automaton chirped in happily, "This is automated pilot ZD-2159, at your service Commander! Please input coordinates for rendezvous."

Sevs sent his desired location, the field of Rengerspark and waited for the pilot's calculation for ETA. After receiving the number, he smiled, gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and floored the acceleration. It was a race.

~-.-~

In A Patrol Vehicle Along the Commander's Path

"...And that," the veteran human officer said as he reached for his pint of Chinese take-out food, "Is the city! Easy, yes?"

The new Civilian Model T-Doll with the light purple hair adjusted her vest once more and then looked at her more seasoned partner and whined, "What?! 'Easy', no! Those were so many roads and streets, alleys, how-"

As her partner slurped up a long string of Lo Mien, he said, "Look, it's fine. First week is hard. I know. Stick with me, it'll be easy!"

"That's what you said yesterday!"

"See! You remember! Easier already!"

The new recruit looked towards the road indignantly and pouted, "You're being ridiculous."

Her senior could only shrug and go back to eating his Lo Mien from his little cardboard quarter pint container. He tried to-no-he was definitely ignoring the fact that this new recruit has been constantly readjusting the position of her vest which clung on her tighter than a latex glove on a swollen hand. He was definitely ignoring that the shape of her-terrible twos-that were barely holding behind the buttons of her uniform.

He opted to look at the alley way wall out his window to bring him any sense of distraction. He instead found himself to be the distraction as he looked at his roughly shaven face and was wondering if he always had a mole on his-

Even as still as their vehicle was sitting, and the traffic flowing in front of them, the veteran could feel a certain vibration through the air, a tickling feeling through his boots as the rumbling sound grew closer at a worrying speed. He watched as the Bobby-the-Bobblehead figure on his dash bobble all the more furiously until...ah. There it was. A G&K cargo truck was barreling its way through the streets blasting its horn as it went. The newbie beside him was about to flip the sirens on but her hand was quickly whipped by the unused end of his chopsticks.

To be honest it surprised even him that he could do that but played it off as he shook his head saying, "Nuh uh...no."

"But-!" cried the newbie, her senior continued to poke at his lunch, holding up one finger before saying, "Life's too short. So. Not this one. Trust me."

"That makes...absolutely no sense!" She was about to throw the car into gear but was halted once again when the radio crackled to life.

"All units in the Leewurden precinct please be advised, there is a G&K Commander responding to an emergency call and will be airlifted in our vicinity. Please stay out of its way. Repeating..."

At that point, the senior police officer finished another string of his noodle, dug around for a napkin in the bag to wipe his mouth, then pointed an empty hand at the radio. The new officer sat back in her seat defeated and crossed her arms, staring at the radio and mumbled, "This makes no sense."

His senior shrugged indifferently. "You gonna eat your food or...?"

~-.-~

Sevs turned the corner on Delistraat and Timorstraat narrowly avoiding a catastrophe between one of the parked cars on the already narrow roads. Kalina could feel the truck as it left the ground and the suspension groaned as it tried to keep pace with the driver's outrageously demanding set of maneuvers. As soon as the truck rolled back onto it's other set of wheels on the driver's side and bounced a bit, the Commander floored it straight through into the busy traffic.

Kalina could hardly watch. Sevs was halfway between standing off his seat and leaning into the steering wheel as the truck barreled through the intersecting road ahead of them. The Commander's tunnel vision simply locked on to his objective as he could clearly hear the VTOL coming in behind him. "C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon!" He shouted as he could see the shadow of the VTOL loom in his rear view mirror. In the back, Penny and Gwen held on to each other tightly, Sigil braced herself against packed furniture trying to keep it secure with the straps-downs. Spring however...sat still as she could. Her eyes closed and a death grip on her rifle. Not that anyone would if they could notice it but her lips moved silently, as if praying. Or cursing her misfortune, again, it was anyone's guess.

There was a small crash, the sound of metal on metal and the view of a busted open fence gate and a quickly descending V38 Cargo Capable Osprey. There was a slight bump as the truck crossed into the grassy fields then slowly lurched forward as the truck came to a stop. Once the Commander stopped the truck half way on the field, he finally sat back down in his seat slammed a palm on his PAD and shouted to the pilot, "HA! Eat it tin can! Beat you to it!"

"Congratulations sir, you've just beat a pilot who had to fly from HQ to your RV point while you still had the distance advantage." The Automated pilot said dryly.

"You sassin' me boy?"

"Not at all. Meant every word of it." The automated pilot's optics whizzed and whirred as it adjusted its depth perception to its instruments and the scenery below.

"I'll bet. Well, come on down, and let us on! Ain't got all day!" Sevs said over the dual tri-rotors spinning overhead. He leaped off the truck and started waving down his ride. As he walked over to the back of the truck the T-Dolls were already off loading and waiting for orders. Sevs waved his hand at them with his palm facing them, his arm parallel to the ground and using his elbow as a pivot point as he waved. He then pointed at Spring and Penny and thumbed at a position behind him and said as the ramp to the cargo bay opened up.

Then he approached Gwen, one hand over his ear and yelled over the beating of the rotors, "Sorry! Maybe next time! New assignment!" He reached over to Sigil who was fighting to keep her hair from blocking her view as the downward air pressure and pulled her closer. The pressure from the rotors continued to beat heavily in its surrounding area. Sevs said to the two of them, "You two, it's gonna be a long day for both of you! Get the furniture arranged as you like back home! Drop off Kalina back to her room after she gets her tablet from my Office! Granting you temporary access now!" With a few swipes and commands typed on his PAD, he reached for Gwen's right hand and placed her palm flat on his pad so it could register her hand print. Once that was completed he looked up again at Gwen and said, "If you have time after all that, see if you can't help Mrs. O'Flannigan back at the pub! They could always use a couple of hands!"

"I understand sir! Best of luck!"

"Ha! Same to you!" He looked over to the side where Kalina's head just barely passed the rear tires. She didn't know whether to cry, scream or vomit from the roller coaster of a ride. Then he looked at Gwen and Sigil and asked, "You both know how to drive this rig right?"

They both nodded. Unsure if he directed the question to either of them specifically.

"Great! I'm off! Take care! We'll be back before you know it!" And without another word, he dashed off boarding the VTOL and was off into the great blue sky. Once the beating of the rotors had finally echoed into the distance, Sigil was seen tending to Ms. Kalina who was still covering her ears. As Gwen's audio chambers reset back to normal, she could clearly hear Ms. Kalina groaning and saying something along the lines, "Ohhhh...ohhhh my head. My stomach...I'm gonna kill him. Oooohh I swear I'm gonna kill'im!"

Sigil looked towards Gwen for her lead, all Gwen could do was shrug as she helped pick Ms. Kalina off the ground and back into the truck. Too weak to fight them despite the reminder of the recent displeasure she had in her seat, she was placed lying down, her head towards the driver. Sigil volunteered to ride in the back to keep the furniture secure. With the plan in play, Gwen disengaged the brakes, checked the mirrors, and looked forward at the football fields, all the mix of children and adults staring at them...

One player came up to the driver's side, knocked on her door, and held up a flattened football. Then Gwen threw up her best apologetic smile and her thinking came around to meet Ms. Kalina's sentiment. If she was going to kill the Commander, it would have to wait until she was done with him first.

~-.-~

The Commander walked up the ramp and into the cargo bay, taking note of the hard-to-miss modified open-top jeep and of the huge stockpile of supply crates containing an assortment of ammo, weapons, gear, and medical equipment. A lot of medical equipment. Seeing how nobody came up to greet him, he closed the ramp behind him and made his way to the cockpit throwing his backpack into the passenger side seat. Spring and Penny started kitting up from a crate conveniently labeled "SEV'S ECHELON".

As the Commander grabbed the hand rails leading up to the cockpit, a masked individual popped up from beyond the hatch and stared at him curiously. The gas mask with heavily tinted windows for the eyes did its best concealing the individual's true identity. The black hooded sweater over the head and black gloves that held on to whatever surface it could to brace itself in such a position was not helping either. The mask tilted its head curiously, Sevs matched it's expression. The head tilted another way. So did his. Eventually, he conceded to curiosity and stepped back cautiously.

The individual then performed some display of impressive contortionist's acrobatics as their legs came twisting from its original position above on to the the steep stairway. The individual, was incredibly slim in figure, Sevs noticed as she placed her hands on her hips and threw it to one side. At least, he assumed it was a she. Spring took only a moment's notice as she threw a curious glance their way before continuing to order her magazines on her Battle Dress Attire (BDA). Penny, who did not have the luxury of such sophisticated wears, continued to place extra magazines around her thighs under her dress and one in the only convenient pocket of her uniform. Penny did, however, keep a wary eye on the new comer.

Sevs finally decided to break the awkward first contact and stuck his hand out, "Commander Sevs, Misfits Company, and you are...?"

The individual stared at him a moment longer before casting her gaze to the ground, she shook her head in disappointment before lowering her hood and ripping off her gas mask. By the time her hood revealed the very crest of her hairline, Sevs knew who exactly this was. The feline ears also made it a rather dead give away.

"Nyow that's not very nice Commeowder! Forgetting your best friend like nyat!" Purred the IDW Combat model.

She threw the gas mask at the Commander who caught it with ease. Sevs turned the mask around, inspecting it, dual-filtered system with two circular biochemical rated filters. Screw-on secured and connected. "Yeah, sorry about that Ida. Probably the mask that threw me off-?" He shook the mask in his hands and looked up only to find the IDW model, or Ida as he knew her was standing mere inches away from his face. He recoiled slightly in surprise but stood still wondering how he continued to get himself in these situations.

Ida's face was scrunched up and her eyes continued to scan his face back and forth like a pendulum. Her head rotated from side to side. Then she gave Sevs a disconcerting feline smile and said, "You shaved today."

The Commander blinked a few times as his brain rebooted to register her words,"...Why yes. Yes I did, thank you for noti-IDA!"

Ida had suddenly leapt on the Commander and latched on to his neck. He knew exactly what was happening and tried to shove her body off of him but she only hugged tighter and braced her feet on his thighs keeping him in a awkward position to struggle with his lower half trying to avoid her boots from ending anywhere north of their current positions.

"The Commeowder shaved just for Ida-nya! The Commeownder remembered Ida loves soft faces!"

"I. Shaved. For. Me! Get. Off. Of. Me! IDA!" The Commander continued to struggle but no matter which direction he pushed, her body just seemed to swing side to side instead. Seeing her dear Commander in being grossly invaded by this so called "Best Friend", Penny moved in to intervene but all too late as the Commander said, "I didn't want to do this but..." he took his hands and jabbed them quickly into Ida's exposed armpits. The very second that Ida threw back her head in surprise and the pressure released from his neck, he transformed his jab into grabbing the collar of her jacket and pushing an open palm on her belly, then throwing her over his head in a general direction behind him as the sudden shift of weight caused him to fall.

Ida's expression of surprise turned into curiosity then of pure joy as she flipped through the air, tucked her legs in and pushed off the ceiling and landed ever so gracefully right in Penny's path. The whole scene was so unexpected that by the time Penny managed to maneuver around a stack of supply crates the IDW model had just landed in front of her way causing a collision. Or it would have if Ida had not been aware of Penny's urgent rush over. Ida turned quickly and caught her as she fell forward and said brightly, "Meow you have to be careful! It's crowded enough as it is!" Ida winked as she helped Penny back to a stable position on her feet. As soon as Penny recovered she swatted Ida's hands off of her. Ida retracted her hands and bounced back towards the Commander and whispered not so quietly.

"She's a feisty one, nyeah?"

"She's uh...a strong advocate of personal space?" The Commander suggested as he shrugged.

"Hmm..." Ida thought on his words for a bit before throwing up her hands and shrugging, "Don't know what that last bit means-"

"Obviously."

"-but sounds like a personal problem, would'nya say, Commeowder?"

"No comment." Sevs answered quickly as Penny stormed her way over. He then said loudly before he could be read the riot act, "While I got get prepped up, why don't you read these lovely lil' ladies in on their briefing! I'll be back!"

Ida clicked her heels together and gave a salute and smiled as if enjoying some small joke that was left unsaid. As the Commander went around Penny, he frowned slightly and said sternly, "Be good, play nice. I'll be back."

The Commander then scooted his way to the back of the VTOL and passed the word to Spring the the briefing was being held with Ida. She courteously nodded and made her way to the front. The Commander grabbed his gear from the crate and started changing his outfit. From Penny's perspective, all she could see was the Commander's head bob up and down in between the crates. As Spring came walking up the lane, even more of him disappeared from view, which wasn't helpful.

Spring offered out a hand when she arrived and said, "Enhanced Combat Model Springfield, designation Spring. A pleasure to meet you Ms...?"

"Combat Model AYEEE-DEEEDAHBULYEW nya!" In the cockpit behind her both the pilots and the copilots pulled the string of two poppers and a stream of string and confetti flew and fluttered in the air. As the cloud fluttered slowly down to the floor, the both individuals had already resumed their task of flying. The whole charade aside, "Designation Ida! You can probably guess who gave that name to me!" She said proudly.

Spring nodded in agreement that the certain individual did seem to have a habit of designating almost every doll with a name. He had a habit of doing a lot of things...a lot. Putting the thought back to the furthest corner of her mind, she noticed that Penny had decided to take her fashion of curtsying as her introduction.

Ida didn't seem too concerned about what Penny had to say rather than making an all to close of a first impression. Ida quickly wrapped Penny in the tightest hug she could manage despite Penny's near breathless protests. Her feet were swinging frantically and her hands twisted this way and that trying to break free. But the iron-clad grip of Ida would not relent. Once it seemed that Penny's very core might shatter in this warm embrace, Spring coughed lightly into a closed fist. First once. Then a few times to get Ida's attention.

As soon as Ida let go, Penny slumped to the ground like a lifeless sack of parts. It was sad really, she was so fired up earlier to give Ida a good what-for but ended asking herself what-for? Ida turned with a curious look at Spring who gently reminded, "Our briefing?"

"Oh nyeah!"

She removed an item from her back pocket and unfolded it onto a nearby crate revealing a map with several areal photos of the surrounding area. She then began her debriefing as Penny was coming back around and struggled to her feet with Spring's assistance. Spring noticed that the largely present feline accent had lessened substantially during the presentation. It was still there, but just not as obnoxiously present.

"Here we are! Intel from His Meajesty's Intelligence services, MI5, indicates that one of our airfields in Seething, England is about to be assaulted!" A picture of said airfield is presented, this was in the middle of yellow territory so there were some defenses present but not any to withstand any sort of major assault. Ida continued, "As you can see, the towers around the airfield give clear views all around but can't be defended as easily with the exception of the ATC! The reason that this is such a high priority for us, is because that airfield is currently evacuating all of our injured T-Dolls and Human Echelons back from their northern campaign."

Several pictures of different Aircrafts ranging from light transport helicopters, VTOL's, and even two full Galaxy class planes. "All available air transportation vehicles have been modified to make the most efficient of their space and not be used to help push back any sort of attacks! So that's why we have that vehicle in the back there! We have a Commander already on the ground aiding with evacuation efforts as well as setting up defenses."

"And while they're doing that, we'll be running counter-offensives to drive them out." The Commander spoke with authority as he walked up from behind. Penny was fully alert and corrected her posture as the Commander joined in the conversation.

Ida nodded vigorously, if not excitedly, as she threw out a few more pictures. Some trucks unloading sandbags, dispensing weapons and ammo, a picture of the Air Traffic Control tower, and shot of the on-site hanger-bays. "Spring, you and your rifle will have the best vantage point from the ATC tower, there your first priority are to engage any hostiles that breach the perimeter going straight for the transports, second priority are any mortar teams, then given the chance, calling out where we need to shift our defenses. You're going to be pretty busy up there. Do your best." Spring nodded curtly as she readjusted the sling on her rifle.

The Commander turned to Penny, "You're gonna be pretty busy yourself. This one's going to take some time and a bit of luck. The on station Commander reports that there have been some unusual sabotages happening around the airfield as they've been preparing for the assault. Doll's would notice their weapon has been tampered with, some vehicles would be missing batteries. We think we have someone dressed as us going around trying to hamper the evacuation efforts. First priority is to defend any nearby allied units should you find yourself in an engagement. Should you locate and identify the saboteur, call it in to Spring and move to eliminate. Capture if able but elimination is priority. If he is able to regroup with the attacking force or launch his own attack, tag and fall back. We'll take care of it from there."

"I'd be absolutely delighted to take care of such a problem for you Commander!" She said with such pleasure in her voice.

"I'm sure." was all he could reply. Then he spoke to the general audience. "The intel we have currently is a mix between Anti-War extremists and Sangs. No matter who, what, where, when or why, if they're the enemy, they're gonna die." The Commander paused, his head jerked back slightly as if coming to a realization before saying, "Huh. That should be our motto. It fits."

Spring looked mildly annoyed at the slight deviation from the debriefing but sighed inwardly and allowed it, still studying the map, the pictures and the given topographical overlay on the map. All of the different distances and angels was sure going to put her scope turrets to work but this was what she was trained for she supposed. Her attention to the Commander returned as his own train of thought did as well. "Anyway, me, Ida, and another echelon will be in that jeep as the Fast Action Response Team so -"

Ida snickered. She tried to hide it behind her two hands but it only made her laughing more obvious. Now it was the Commander's turn to seem mildly annoyed. "What. What'd I say?" His eyes seemed to adjust to read some invisible teleprompter in front of him trying to analyze his words before his jaw slacked for a moment then turned into a grin, his head shifted towards a downward gaze and he chuckled a bit. "Hehe, yeah okay. I get it." Ida dropped all pretenses and started laughing, her arms first hugging her midsection which quickly evolved to just keeping herself standing.

The copilot looked back at his passengers for a second then at the pilot. They shrugged at each other and went back to checking their instruments and guidance systems.

"Yeah okay I get it, F, A, R, T. Great FART yeah yeah, c'mon Ida, come back. Come ooon back." Sevs said trying to reel her back to reality. Her hysterical cackling and laughter did eventually subside to her catching her breath and wiping more than a few tears from her eyes.

"Finished?" Sevs asked, he was amused as Ida gave him a light punch to his arm and said, "You always were the funny one! That's why you're my favorite nya!"

"Yeah, okay," he replied sarcastically "Anyway," he continued "that's only step one. We'll go over the next bit after we finish there. Questions, comments, concerns?"

Ida was most likely going to make some off-hand comment about his previous remark but was quickly shut down as he said, "Besides, good ol' Ida here..." Ida flashed a great big toothy smile as if she was only good and innocent.

Seeing no one else speak up, he leaned behind Ida to poke his head into the cockpit and asked, "ETA?"

"40 mikes sir!" the copilot answered. From Sevs' view, he could see they were well over the English Channel and England's mainland wasn't too far away, relatively speaking at any rate.

"Good enough." He returned to the group and said, "Get some rest while you can, it's gonna be a long day soon as we touch down." Spring bowed slightly and took her leave, she fiddled with her helmet, and continued to do maintenance checks on her rifle. Penny curtsied, with a seething glare in Ida's direction, then also took her leave as she took a seat on a crate nearby. Once those two left Sevs finally let out that breath he unintentionally had been holding.

He looked down at the map and the pictures and tried to formulate a plan with the information given. Ida took a seat next to the map and swung her legs carelessly humming some tune that was unfamiliar to the Commander. After a few moments, Sevs finally said in a low voice in Ida's direction, "You look well."

"You don't look too bad nyah-self Commander!" She replied cheerfully.

"Good Ol' Percy keeping you busy these days?"

"Just the way I like it!" She confirmed

"Tch. Reckless." Sevs said sardonically.

Ida struck his arm lightly, slightly frustrated, "Nyaahh, speak for yourself! The only Commander rated for Frontline Combat and-"

The Commander waved a hand between them and returned his gaze on to the map, "Yeah yeah yeah, I get it I know, I'm special. Still. When was the last time you got some R&R?"

"When you last got repaired." She answered as if that should be the end-all to the discussion.

"You were there?" An wary eyebrow shot up.

"You couldn't tell?"

"Hard to see in the dark, y'know. Still human and all."

"Nyaaaah, excuses!" She punched his arm again. It was starting to feel a little sore with how many punches he's had to that arm accumulate already. He rolled his right shoulder trying to ignore the dull ache.

"Contrary to your apparent belief, not everyone is made in the good Doctor's image." He continued dryly.

"Well meow, that can be easily f-" a smile creeping up on Ida's face

"No." He interrupted sharply. He took a breath to calm himself from the very idea of becoming the Doctor's next experiment and said, "Just...No."

The Commander corrected his position from hunching over the map throughout their small banter, he put his helmet on top of the map, then tore off the velcro cummerbund beneath the flap on his plate carrier. He lifted his plate carrier over his head and laid it across his helmet. He began adjusting first his open-top magazine pouches so that they would be staggered on top of each other leaving room for his First-Aid Kit just left of his chest, have convenient access to the cut-away scissors in the middle, two glow sticks, and to his Sig P226 sidearm near the center right of his vest. Day operations were much more preferable to him because it was just so simple. Go find the target then shoot them and their buddies until they go away.

He noticed Ida was still staring at his work with mild interest and decided to ask the question while he still could. "So. Ida."

"Nyah?" Her cat-like ears twitched to attention. She shifted her seat a bit and a smile grew as if waiting for the next punch line.

"You..." he hated asking but he knew it had to be asked. He struggled to find a more delicate way to ask but couldn't. "How've you been holding up...since he passed."

Ida stopped swinging her legs. Her ears drooped significantly and her smile fell, and so did the Commander's spirit. Ignoring the mental berating happening in his mind, he breathed in sharply trying to regulate his anxious beating heart as he waited for an answer. His hands, now on autopilot as they made their adjustments to his plate carrier.

Ida was no longer looking towards the Commander, she threw her hoodie on, zipped it as high as she could and mumbled something under her breath.

"If you said that you're fine, you're lying. And we both know it."

The Commander stared at Ida, he knew he was tugging at her tail and was going to have to pull teeth for this one, he might even lose one of his own. But this, he felt, was necessary. As he waited patiently, still tending to his gear, his mind wandered to when they all first met.

~-.-~

3 Years Ago During Commander's Candidate School

A visibly battle-hardened man wearing the same black beret, freshly cleaned and shined boots and stiffly pressed shirt that accented all his intimidating muscles, walked onto the stadium with the eyes of the remaining company of recruits following him. He pressed a button on his neck connected to the throat microphone and announced, "Recruits! These will be your very first Combat Model Unit. These are fresh out the I.O.P factory and will be your training partner, they will be your adjutant, they will be your unit to command in battle. They are expensive to make, so do not use them carelessly! Their lives are now in your unfortunate hands. Let's see if you can handle them. Now listen up for your designation, Charlie Oh-5!"

"S-sir!" Said a drowsy recruit. He stood up from his seat at attention.

"Wake the hell up!" Other recruits around him snickered as Charlie 05 responded fearfully with an "Aye s-sir!"

The head instructor then barked again, "Someone fill Sleeping Beauty in before he wastes precious clientele credits again! Charlie 05, sit the hell down."

"Aye sir." He said a little more disheartened. His buddies next to him gave him a good jab to the ribs with their elbows when the head instructor left the stage to allow the egg-heads to start rattling off recruits.

"Thanks for nothing you guys." Charlie 05 said bitterly trying to fight off the jabs his friends were torturing him with. Lima 07 to his left, Echo 12 to his right and the ever silent Bravo 2-4 behind him. Recruit Lima 07 "Sevs" leaned over and whispered, "Hey, don't blame us, we've been trying to kick you up since Lead got up there. He spotted you the second he got up there man."

Recruit Echo 12 "Lexi" leaned in and said with his thick polish accent, "That is right! It is like...he has a thing for you man!"

A not-very-reassuring hand patted him on his right shoulder from behind. He could already imagine Bravo 2-4, ironically named "Little John", just shaking his head in that universal response he does. A pair of delicate arms gently pried Bravo 2-4's hand off of Charlie 05's shoulder. This woman had finely brushed brunette hair cut to regulation standard not exceeding her shoulder, and tied in a short rolled bun. Little John watched in confusion as his hand seemed to move itself back down to his lap until Alpha 99, "Honey Badger" or "Honey", patted his shoulder in reassurance. Then she too whispered to join the conversation, chastising the other two boys in front of her, "Now now, play nice boys."

"But we are mom." Sevs whispered as he reached a hand over Charlie 05's chair. Unseen to him, Honey grabbed somewhere on Little John's thigh, and as if on reflex, a hand shot out and whacked Sevs in the back of the head. Little John's face looked in silent horror and with such remorse for his actions. Sevs scowled at Little John hissing, "Wha- I thought you were on our side!" Little John shook his head and waved his burly arms as if not contesting what was said to him, as if it wasn't his fault.

Charlie 05 let out a small laugh as he pointed at Sevs and said triumphantly, "Ha! That's what you-OW!"

He clutched the back of his own head as Little John's abnormally large hand came swatting down before he could finish his own sentence. Lexi was given his own dose of medicine just as he was about to burst into laughter. The two of them turned to Lexi and asked together, "What was that for?!"

Honey, seeing her job completed, leaned back with a victorious smirk knowing that the boys couldn't do anything to her now, and said, "That, is for sleeping in the first place. And that, my dear Lexi, is because I felt like it."

Sevs looked at the stage as the lines of recruits grew and their T-Dolls were introduced and assigned to them. It wouldn't be long now. Charlie 05 continued to nurse his aching head while Lexi, still in protest over his given informal designation, began to spout obscenities and argue about his treatment. Charlie looked at the stage with mild interest through his pain.

None of what his friends told him helped at all considering the whole Company knows now that he was sleeping. It wasn't that surprising to anyone really, "Sleeping Beauty" Or "Beau / Bo" as others called him, had earned his rep for being able to sleep instantaneously. It was rumored once that he was able to keep up in formation while completely passed out. Rumors also had it that this remarkable young man also managed a passing score on his live fire rifle qualifications while half-awake.

Despite all these rumors, to this merry band of misfits, as long as everyone could do their job, it didn't matter. Soon enough, it was their turn to be assigned their T-Dolls. The group got to their assigned sections and waited the Lead Instructor seemed to have chosen Bo for today's bucket-of-laughs as he assigned him first in his section to get his designated T-Doll.

He stepped up to the stage and waited as the Pod's hatch hissed then opened revealing someone resembling feline features, from her ears to her...tail? She stepped out with the help of the supervising Technicians and was given her issued weapon and gear. She acknowledged her receipt and then faced her new Commanding Officer and bellowed, "AYEDEEDAHBULYEW-NYAH! Pleased to meetcha! Are yah gonna adopt me neow? Are we going to be best friends from now on? Are we!" She asked excitedly. Her eyes widening in expectation, her hands folded together as if begging. Bo could feel the rush of embarrassment flood his face as he tried to avoid the wide eyes of his new issued companion. He looked at her ears as the continued to twitch back and forth. She was everything like a cat!

She wore a semi professional attire, a white collared shirt,

He then said quietly, "Uh..Uhm. I uh..." The Combat IDW Model leaned in closer, so close he could start counting teeth, then he said with a bit more confidence, despite everyone snickering around him. "Yes. IDW. We're going to be the best of friends from now on."

"REEAAALY!" She was so overcome with joy she bounced on each foot for a moment then latched on around his neck, nuzzling his face with hers. "We're gonna have so much fun together neow!" She said as she clambered on to his back. Bo couldn't figure out why but he reflexively gripped her legs and suddenly found himself giving IDW a piggy-back ride.

As amusing as everyone found this as, the Lead Instructor couldn't let that show as he growled in a menacing manner, "Charlie Oh-Five! Get off, my stage, now!"

"Aye sir!" And with that, Bo marched himself off the stage, IDW latched tightly around his neck and pressed against his back, and the only thing he could focus on besides his balance, was how unbelievably soft IDW felt against his cheeks.

~-.-~

Commander Sevs strapped back on his plate carrier, shifted its position slightly, testing its balance on his shoulders then nodded in satisfaction. He looked back at Ida who was fiddling with her zipper, intentionally or not, she was still avoiding eye contact with him. Sevs sighed deeply as he tucked his helmet under his armpit and walked over to her. He lifted a hand and hesitated for moment before fully committing to placing it lightly on Ida's shoulder. He could feel her tense up for a moment. Then, just as quickly, she seemed to relax.

She pushed her self off of the crate, stood square in front of the Commander, and mumbled something under her breath. The Commander, leaned in a bit trying to catch what she had said and asked gently, "Sorry. I didn't-"

Then he was caught by surprise when Ida wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly. But this time, not out of affection, but out of a certain desperation. He listened as her quivering voice whispered through her hoodie and into his ears, "It's just not fair." She sniffled a few times and tried to muffle her sobbing through the hoodie and into his shoulders. He silently wished he took the plate carrier off to be of more comfort to her but didn't hesitate to return her hug with earnest as he replied back, "I know. It never is...I'm sorry."

Penny almost shot out of her seat to intervene again from where she was sitting but a polite cough from across her seat from Spring drew her attention. Penny turned to face her and watched with some confusion as Spring shook her head slowly. Penny then turned to see that the Commander led Ida over to another stack of crates, sat her down and was in a personal conversation with her. They were going over something on his PAD and the mood over there seemed to be lifting a bit from what could be observed.

Penny felt a pang of guilt and frustration but ultimately decided to take her seat again and leave the two alone. But she did make a mental note to see the connection between these two "best-friends".

While she was staring, she took in the Commander's new arranged outfit. He was wearing a digital forest Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) with his sleeves tightly rolled up past his elbows. He had switched out his sidearm and placed it near the bottom right of his plate carrier with the holster at a slight upward angle. His First-Aid kit readily available in the front with two Tourniquets and a pair of sheering scissors. What really interested her about his set up were the extra shoulder pads. They were made of the light and flexible Kevlar material and seemed rather bulky compared to the Commander's shoulder. He had strapped his Kukrii on his left shoulder pad, then, just barely peeking out from behind was the end of the handle for his other blade placed at the small of his back.

The Commander's helmet had shock-rated headsets and a speaker for on the field communication, and then some sort of transparent half visor. It was very interesting indeed.

"Commander!" Shouted the co-pilot.

The Commander stood to attention quickly and in one stride poked his head in to meet the co-pilot. "Status."

"Take a listen sir." The copilot adjusted some of the instruments on the dash and tuned into a concerning radio broadcast.

"This is Commander Archibald stationed at Seething Airfield, broadcasting to any friendly G&K units nearby! We are under attack! I say again! We are under attack! We are evacuating wounded personnel but lack sufficient manpower! They are coming in from all sides! Any G&K units please respond and assist!"

Without any hesitation, the Commander threw on his helmet, dialed in to the G&K Emergency broadcast station and responded, "Commander Sevs to Commander Archibald of Seething Airfield, come in."

Some static then the sound of explosions near by could be heard from the other side of the line. "By God, who is this? Never mind that. Can you assist, we're in a spot of trouble and in a world of hurt right now and there isn't a damned thing we can do at the moment!" In the background, Sevs could hear orders being shouted at almost everyone and in every direction possible. The pilot pointed through the cockpit windows and noticed the vague outline of the airfield. Some plumes of dust and explosions could be seen in the distance.

"Commander, we are on approach from North by North-West vector via VTOL, mark the a location and we'll commit a strafe run."

"Just fire anywhere won't you? You're bound to hit them!" The Commander replied frantically.

"Negative Commander, can't tell Cowboys from Indians up here, gotta give us a target."

"Fine, come in West and strafe the Southern border of the airfield, multiple Technicals encroaching the perimeter. Danger close, 80 meters of friendly Aircrafts taxiing down the runway!"

"Copy, Designation Paladin will approach from Western vector, strafing run on enemy Technicals, danger close, 80 meters of friendly aircraft. Paladin copies all. Eta 10 mikes." Commander Sevs switches off his mic and pats the copilot on the shoulder and asks, "You got the order?"

"We've got the ball." The copilot responds confidently as he fixes the instruments with one and fist-bumps the pilot with the other.

"Good, give one good strafe, turn it around and land us right on top of the Control tower for deployment. We'll clear you the LZ to transfer supplies and personnel."

"Copy that Commander." The pilot answered this time. The engines of the VTOL roaring to life as they hit their max speed trying to close the distance between them and the airfield.

The Commander secured his helmet on his head, picked up his SCAR-L with 4x power ACOG sights and announced in the crew bay, "Lock and load ladies, we're going in hot! Party's already started and we're bringing the goods!"

For whatever meaning that was supposed to have Ida pushed back her hoodie, wiped her nose with the base of her palm and threw on a carnivorous smile. "Guess that means it's my turn to-"

"Yeah no...I'm still driving." Sevs interrupted quickly.

"No fair!"

"Of course it's fair. I live longer, you shoot more. What more could you ask for?"

Ida thought about the question for a few moments as she skipped her way to the vehicle that was stowed in the back of the VTOL. Then she found her answer and replied excitedly, "Catnip?"

"I'll think about it."

"Really?!" She asked even more excitedly, to which Sevs replied equally as tiredly, "I said I'll think about it."

Sevs helmet visor went from transparent to a dark transitional shade from top to bottom. His HUD winked online and several screens calibrated itself to its last used configuration. Accessing his PAD, he made some slight adjustments as needed, then climbed into the modified jeep on the driver's side. Some slight weight shifted in the rear and a very heavy and distinct bolt handle could be heard being racked back and forth.

Without looking back Sevs mentioned nonchalantly, "Just watch where you aim that thing."

"Nyaah, you worry too much Commeownder!"

"And you, Ida, don't worry at all!"

"I won't!"

"That's not-"

"This is Paladin, beginning strafing run!" The pilot announced over the on-board P.A system. Not a moment later, the tri-barrel 30 caliber nose gun could be heard spraying it's cry of death and destruction as the VTOL flew over it's target area. Spring helped to lower the loading ramp of the VTOL revealing the ground behind the target area littered with exploding vehicle parts and a mix of gruesome carnage. A wonderful euphoric shiver ran down the Commander's spine as he gripped the steering wheel and started up the Jeep.

"Strafing complete! Moving to LZ!"

Penny took position by Spring's side hugging the hull closely to allow the Commander's jeep plenty of room for clearance. The VTOL made a wide swing before returning to the Airfield where there were still plenty of encroaching targets in the area. Mortar strikes and stray fire were running rampant around the area. The defending units that could be seen were holding on, but barely.

"Spring, Penny, you know what to do! Best of luck!" Sevs said as the VTOL lowered with its loading bay facing out towards the airfield. Civilian personnel were running about trying to continue with the evacuation keeping themselves as low of a profile as they could. And with a blast of a horn and a sudden increase in radio noise, the Vehicle blocks were kicked and the Commander's vehicle shot out of the VTOL like a bat out of hell. The jeep swerved this way and that avoiding the crucial evacuating and wounded personnel as hot brass started raining in every direction imaginable.

As soon as the VTOL touched down Spring immediately sprinted off the ramp to her position, Penny, on the other hand, chose to take a more relaxed approach and strolled right out and off the ramp as if it were just another day in the sun. She stretched her arms high as she could and watched with mild interest as the Commander navigated the vehicle around the perimeter clearing the runway of targets. Well, it could be said that the Commander was more or less barreling through rather than navigating as he crushed a mix of Sangs and Anti-War extremists under his vehicle. Ida on the .30 Cal mounted machine gun on the back seemed to be enjoying herself as she kept thumbs constantly pressed on the butterfly triggers.

Personnel were now passing her by as they rushed to transfer the supplies to where they were needed, medical supplies were seen being rushed into the Galaxy class carriers and carts of wounded T-Dolls and personnel were seen being escorted by their tending Technicians. As wonderful as a sight it was to finally be in the thrill of it all. She had a job to do, she supposed, so off she went, to lurk and find her prey.

How exciting!

A/N: Sorry for the late post you guys. Had an operation earlier this week that needed...operating. Anyway. Here comes the fun exciting action! Next chapter stay tuned! And as always, CC, ideas, reviews are all accepted! Fanart of this would be a dream come true.

Special Request: Any fanart linking to 2 star dolls in SFW attire would be much appreciated for ideas! P.M me for email address to send to!

Thanks, and happy hunting Commanders!