Among the endless dunes of yellow zone. Somewhere among the broken forests. A small camp settled in a what can be counted a 'safe place'. A bunch of people were unpacking a truck, when a man with a hurried walk, passed by everyone and approached a woman, who were in a middle of checking on a doll.
Sergei - We can't go on like this Maria! We need to talk.
Woman was surprised for a moment. She looked at Sergei with hint of sorrow, then returned her attention to a screen and tools in front of her.
Maria - If you something to say, I am listening.
With frustration, Sergei looked at Nita who sat there in confusion. Maria kept inspecting the doll in front of her. Then Sergei returned his attention to Maria.
Sergei - This doll of yours is going to kill us all. What will be there next?
Maria - We are ALIVE because of her! Now we have supplies and nobody is chasing after us, at least for now. Or did you wanted to just let our group die out?
Sergei - They needed help Maria! Just a little exchange of services and information. Yes things got heated up, but that's not a reason to unleash hell and go on a rampage! What kind of monster did you created? She is killing...
Maria - WE LOOK AFTER OURSELVES SERGEI! What she did, is protect you and your fire team. She knows nothing else besides that. That was her only Indication. So don't go blaming me or my doll for doing her best to keep you safe.
In a fit of anger, Sergei raised his fist, not really intending to hit anyone. Nita springed to action, and pushed Sergei with such force that he fell on a ground.
Maria - NITA! Calm down and sit down!
While Nita returned to a previous spot. Sergei got up, he was about to say something but...
Sergei - You know what, screw you two!
Once again, Sergei walked away with anger and frustration on his face. Maria suddenly felt exhausted, both physically and mentaly. Nita then felt guity and directed gaze to a ground.
Nita - Sorry. I didn't meant to...
Maria - It's okay Nita. It's okay. This just how thing are. You can't please everybody. Somebody always get's hurt. It's just the way this world is.
Nita - What does... 'The monster' means?
Such question caught Maria off guard. She started thinking on what to say.
Maria - 'Monster' is a something or someone, who... Who is guided only by their own selfish needs and motives. Never questioning for anyone else, they would disregard anyone else and use them to achieve their own goals, no matter how small or big that goal is.
Nita - Does this mean that 'ELIDs' are monsters?
Maria - Yeah. You can call them that. Can't reason with them, they harm anyone in their paths and feed on their own instinct, even if to harm their own.
Nita - Does this mean that 'Varjagers' are monsters?
Maria - In a way, yes. They are raiding, robbing, stealing and killing people left and right. And I'am in very big doupts that their only goal is something more than survival.
Nita - Does this mean... That I am a monster?
That question took Maria by surprise. Once again, Maria tried to think of a propper answer. But nothing came to mind. And after a long silence, she said the only thing that came to mind.
Maria - No. You are not a monster Nita. It's just... It's complicated.
==== Nowdays ====
Zed - It's been month since we last saw your Martin fella, or I was in contact with Richard. But if things burn out the way we want. I am more than sure, everyone is doing fine.
Nita - I don't even know how we ended up here! Greatest trip to Odesa so far.
As both dolls were having a chat, they kept walking forward in a pitch black tunnel, the only thing that accompanied them, was sound of running water. Zed vaulted over a set of old pipes. Nita followed not so far behind and steped over the pipes.
Zed - This must be the strangest dead drop spot I have ever seen. Makes you wander, what kind of people are even out there, that could make a use out of place like this.
Nita - That makes me wander. Why did Richard put his trust into someone like me and Martin?
Zed - Must be a power thing. The fact that you managed to beat his crew, security bots and me all alone, made an impression on him. Belive it or not, he tried to buy you out from Martin before trying his luck with you. He is still interested to do that. *Hmpf* But when you shut down his offer, he was really pissed off. Didn't saw that face of his in a lo-o-ong while!
Nita - Did he made me an offer?
Zed - What? *Huh* He was nagging you and Martin for half of an hour straight, trying to buy you out.
Nita - Must've deleted thouse records as useless. But I kinda not interested.
Zed - Why is that? If I am correct, you work for a certain 'Duval' group. He is a strange one. Being both a High profile criminal that nobody knows about, and a friend of high circles among the politicians. How can he do all that?
Nita - I don't know. I never had a talk with Duval one on one. Besides, I am a relatievly new to his whole group thing.
Zed - Then why do you keep up with them? Isn't it better to work for someone much more... Not trust worthy... But let's say more stable? Someone who has some ground in a city for himself? Someone who can pay you big money for a job well done?
Nita - I have my reasons to try and stay away from the city. And while it is tempting to get more money. There is something much more to that, rather then just what I can do.
Zed - And what is it, that you can't do?
Nita - Let's just say that I am stuck, looking for someone that I never knew. And leave it at that.
Zed - Okay... Whatever you say... Oh, I think we are here.
Two dolls stumbled upon a metal door, that is bent and broken for the most part. But surprisingly, still functional. Zed opened the door to reveal a passage that lead to a collapsed tunnel. And among the rocks, laid a duffle bag.
Nita - Well. It is here, now what?Zed - Since we have enough explosives... Time to visit a liabrary!
Duffle bag were filled with explosives. Zed checked the bag. After counting the ammount, she noded with a pleased face, closed the bag and threw it over her shoulder.
Nita - Great... Remind me, why do we have to do all that?
Zed - Because that's why you, me and your friend get's to be paid! Isn't all this only about money?
Nita - Yeah... Whatever you say... Stil, I don't like this even one bit.
Zed - Relax! It's not like we are trying to hurt or kill anyone. But we need to make sure that somebody would overthink on refusing the offer to sell their building.
Nita - *Haa-a* Old fashioned cocktail of greed.
Zed - It's more than just greed Nita. It's a greed in mix with a pride built over a decades and hundreds of succsessful compains. And when such forse meets with an old stubborn idiot... Well... Let's just say this gets dirty really fast!
Nita - I'l try to keep it in mind.
Zed - Don't worry. I worked with Richard for almost eight years. This will be fine! He isn't the worst man out there. At least he has some standards and empathy for others.
Nita - Did you worked for others?
Zed - I am a mercenary doll! Of course I have! Girard group for instance... Can't say anything else.
Nita - Never expose your job with a client?
Zed - Never expose your client!
=== DHG Camp ===
Beda - Andre! Andre! I got a reply!
A single doll were running through entire camp with a communicator in hands, almost tripping multiple people on her way. She rushed to a barracks and stopped right in front of Andre, who were talking with gun man from another team... At a sight of Beda who were holding communicator.
Beda - I got a repley! Corter has a new job and as he said... *ahem*... "This business requres a man and a team of your skills". And he is asking us to meet up with his team at coordinates in two days.
Andre - Yeah... I will catch you latter then.
The gunman looked at Beda with concern. Noded to Andre and walked away.
Beda - Wasn't that JayJay team's gunner? Is he in a camp?
Andre - Yeah... JayJay is back at the camp. You have a business with him or what?
Beda - U-u-uh... No. I hope we won't see each other actually!
Andre - What? Why?
Beda - Before joining your team, I was in JayJay's team, Remember? He pushed the limits of my frame and neural system to the boiling point... Never mind that. We can go on a HUNT!
Andre - Hunt? What kind of a job did he offered? Give me that!
With a quick move of a hand, Andre snatched a terminal from Beda's hands and started reading the messages. There were only one message with mission details and nothing more.
Andre - Who were on a line with a client? Don't tell me that you were the one to do the talk.
Beda - No, No! Of course not... It was Blaze who had the pleasure to talk with Corter!
Andre - And why the hell would Corter talk with a Blaze?
Beda - I don't know... But she was the one who got the call from Corter in a first place. She wanted to find you when he called, but Corter said that he was calling on her for a reason.
Andre - Oh, damn... Okay, fine! Let's see what is he asking us to do...
Finaly, Andre opened the message and started reading. And it was just the way he loves it. Everything is clear and understandable, even some photo and drawings for a job. Meanwhile, the job wasn't that much simple, but nuthing new or extraordinary. After going through the entire file, Andre returned the terminal back to Beda.
Andre - So this is what you meant by Hunt? And who the hell is this 'Darryl Coldron'?
Blaze - Just someone who thought that it would be a good idea to steal from our client!
At this moment, Blaze approached the duo from the side of a workshop, carrying a backpack in her hands and slowly putting it on a back.
Blaze - I already run a background check. Former 'Griffin & Kruger' officer, was discharged with dishonor for not following orders, which resulted in a massive financial loss for a company, but saved a few dozzen lifes of people. After that, he joined a 'Legion' bounty hunter group and were somewhat sucsessfull. Untill yesterday, where he and his group decided that it was a good idea to not follow orders once again, killed Corter's man that he was supposed to escort and flee with all of a cargo that was there. If you let me speculate... That cargo was far from being something as harmless as ammo, food or even weapons and dolls. Something much more dangerous was out there...
By the time Blaze finished. Andre went through all seven stages of acceptence... Silently.
Andre - I feel myself as a joke, compered to you girls.
Beda - Don't worry Andre... Everyone feel themself like that around Blaze. She just has that perfect mix of genius and madness in her. And nothing you can do about that.
Blaze - Hey... I know my boundries you know? How about yours?
Andre - Alright. Stop here... I know where this is going. Where is Nomomo?
Blaze - She is in a workshop. Will be here in a few moments.
Andre - Damn... And Kilmure still hasn't returned... And Duval too. It's been a month already. I'm sure they are fine. Otherwise we would have caught some news from someone. But I can't go out with you girls... And Martin is going around too... I think you are out to go with Harry.
Beda - Really?
Andre - I can't just leave the camp. Who is going to be in charge? Duval and Kilmure is missing. And if we leave Sam in charge here, he is going to wreak the hell out of everything here.
Blaze - It seems like nobody likes him around here.
Andre - In a way, yes. Both me and Kilmure never liked that guy. Never really understood why Duval keeps him around, if the only thing he is good at, is being a sharp and dangerous... But you know what? Why can't you just go on your own?
Beda - What?
Andre - Just the way it goes around. I mean... I am more than sure that you can handle yourself.
As Andre said that, he noticed Nomomo comming closer. With a sigh, Andre looked around.
Andre - Look. I can't go, so either you girls try to go out on your own, or try to ask Harry. Either way, I belive in you. Nomomo! I'm leaving you in charge of things here. Now, I have to go... Never thought that being in charge of a camp is such a pain in the back.
Beda - Yeah... Good luck to you with that!
Finaly, Andre looked around, then on his wrist watch, and then pulled out his terminal and started calling someone, while walking away from his group of dolls.
Nomomo - So he just left me in charge and... What's next?
Beda - Just what he said... Either we go on our own, or ask Harry to accompany us. Either way, we have two days at spare, and then we have to move out.
Nomomo - Move out? To where?
Beda - Didn't Blaze told you about the request from Corter?
Nomomo - Request from Corter? No. She just said that we have an important talk... What happened? Did Andre finaly managed to find a job for us?
In that instant... Something CLICKED in Beda's data. And she looked at Blaze in disbelief.
Beda - Blaze... Did Corter really called for you?
Blaze - Nope... I called for him!