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"Commander, there are a few footprints over here!"
"There are also some over here. Judging by the size, they should be from small children."
Just as Renault was having a headache trying to reach the other party's wired telephones, UMP40 and Super-Shorty shouted out one after another.
Hearing the shouts, Renault shook his head helplessly.
The other party was using a corded telephone and the only thing he could confirm from the constant busy signal was that their telephone line had been disconnected. If there were a signal receiver on that thing, he wouldn't be having a headache.
It seemed that this town was not only ancient in terms of doll type, but also used communication tools from a century ago. How did these people manage to live until now?
As Renault walked over to UMP40 and Super-Shorty, HK416 also approached.
"The footprints were left recently, probably the day before yesterday or yesterday. Some of the footprints lead towards the bottom of the valley, and others go to the town."
The bottom of the valley?
Renault glanced towards the bottom of the valley and saw that it wasn't devoid of people. Although the terrain wasn't as good as the town's, there were quite a few houses there, albeit dilapidated and likely uninhabited.
"Leave two people with the gunship. The rest of us will split into two teams. UMP45 will take a group to the bottom of the valley to check the situation, and the others will come with me to the town."
Upon hearing this, HK416 was about to follow, but Renault pressed down on his shoulder, "You're coming with me. UMP40 will take the others to the bottom of the valley with 45."
UMP45, UMP40, MDR, and Vera went to the bottom of the valley, while Simonov stayed in place with M870. Renault took HK416, M500, and Super-Shorty with him towards the town.
"Really, why do I have to stay behind and watch the gunship? Is this something others can still drive away?" M870 sighed somewhat helplessly as she looked at Simonov who was at a loss for words with a flask in her hand.
"That's unknown. Probably because I think you look meaner."
"Huh? Me? Meaner? How can that be!?" M870 exclaimed loudly. Then she saw the leather jacket adorned with various skulls on her body through the smooth surface of Simonov's flask.
Snap! That P90! She really tricked me! What's with this outfit being more fierce? Now it's a mess!
The one who had similar worries to M870 was HK416. She didn't want to hang out in this kind of town more than going to the bottom of the valley for scouting. She really didn't like the sight of those humans staring at her from time to time.
As for why she didn't have this concern while shopping before, it was because she wasn't holding her own imprint weapon when shopping. The humans around her wouldn't care what she looked like at all.
But holding a gun was a different story.
That was how it was after she ran away from Griffin in the first place. As long as she held her imprint weapon, even if it was stuffed into her gun pouch, people would stare at her.
Granted, most were too afraid of the weapon to get too close, but it couldn't stop them from looking at her.
"What's the point of letting me tag along? UMP40 is more suited to this situation than I am, right?"
UMP40's imprint weapon was suitable for street situations and her accuracy had improved, so they should be better able to cope if they switched.
Moreover, her magazines were loaded with armor-piercing bullets, specially made by Renault, and in a crowded street, she had to ensure her bullets wouldn't penetrate walls and injure passers-by.
"Indeed, but UMP40 is better suited to dealing with small children. Do you want to add 'scaring small children to tears' to your record?"
Compared to the very affable UMP40, HK416's current costume was really not very pleasing. She didn't have her regular carry bag with her, but the tactical undershirt she wore was full of magazines and grenades.
Just by standing here, an outsider would think HK416 was from a different world than M500 and Super-Shorty beside her.
Except for some ammo pouches hanging on their waists, they didn't look as exaggerated as HK416 at all...
"I..." Hearing Renault's words, HK416 looked down at herself.
As soon as she heard about the mission, she had prepared following her training routine and didn't consider how she looked.
No wonder UMP45 was smiling before she left! Couldn't she have warned her? Did she have to watch her get embarrassed?
But fortunately compared to Renault, she was relatively normal, with just a few more magazines and conspicuous grenades.
But she knew Renault's coat concealed a lot of gear. She wondered how he managed to carry so much with it.
However, HK416 was miscalculating today. Trying to find some comfort in Renault, she soon realized Renault's coat looked very light, its hem fluttering abnormally...
No way! Renault's coat would swing so lightly? Wasn't it heavier before?
Wait a minute! This coat! It looks the same as the previous one! But if you look closely, you can see it's new!
"Wait! Renault! What's with this coat? Where's all your equipment?"
"Hmm? Of course it's at home. M1 Garand said the other one needed washing, so I changed it."
Weapons and equipment were naturally in the old coat. This coat was only sent by M1 Garand two days ago. There was no reason to rub a bunch of maintenance oil on the lining of a new coat, right?
"Then... aren't you carrying no weapons whatsoever?"
Renault doesn't carry weapons anymore?
How refreshing!
She must be dreaming. This situation must be a simulation by UMP45 to tease her!
"I have them with me," Renault said, lifting his coat and revealing a gun hanging under his armpit and a hand axe.
Since this commission was introduced by the freighter captain, the first commission was just delivering vegetables. If not for the second commission's high price, he would be an ordinary vegetable vendor now. There was no need to bring so many weapons.
What's more, he wasn't allowed to wear new clothes.
Unfortunately, Renault's 'refreshing' outfit left HK416 frustrated.
Everyone else was lightly equipped.
They didn't think to remind her! And now they wanted to bring her to a crowded place for public humiliation?