On a dusty hill, in a plain nowhere. Car stopped on a roadside. Three dolls were looking around trying to find something. But whatever they were looking, it didn't showed up.
Beda - We are on this wild goose chase for two days already! Are you sure it is supposed to be here? The intel we bought was iffy at best!
Nomomo - Whoever that intell was bought from, Kilmure trust him or her. And i have no reason to doubt Kilmure decision. Keep looking, someone has to guide us inside.
Beda - Still... An underground chanel? Here? I bet the truck is long gone... Probably to Kyiv. How long did it was since last time they were spoted here? A week?
Nomomo - Four days! And since we are here. We can as well try to look around and pick up the pace for them. Maybe they even somewhere here.
Nita - Sorry to interrupt... But... Is this how usualy you go around for a mission?
Beda - What do you mean?
Nita - We are alone here... Like, no one is supervising dolls?
Beda - Oh... What happened? Feeling little lost since no one is looking out for you durning a mission?
Nita - No. It's just... I used to do patrols alone, but whenever i had to do something serious...
Nomomo - Listen here Nita. We can afford to work on by ourselfes, while we are doing good work and provide for our little group. Nobody is going to question us. As for you... If you are worried, consider me being your supevisor. And here comes my first assesment, you need to calm down and listen to what i am saying. Got that?
For a few moments, Nita were about to say something... but then she just noded.
Nomomo - Good... Now we need to look around and wait. Soon our conact will appear, they should be here in few minutes. And i will do the talking!
=== Memory [Code Link Error] ===
Nita - I don't know... I feel like something happened... but, don't know what... Just that something did happened... and it was something important... sorry Maria...
On a long forgoten bridge. Maria were having a smoke, leaning against the railing. The camp could be seen just a few hundred meters away. Sun was high above their heads. One of very few days of peace and quite. So much, that even collapse radiation were less than usual for a yellow zone.
Maria - No... I had to know that this is how you would endup. Knowing side effects of your structure. We just need to be much more carefull with you from now on. And never leave you without any kind of supervision.
Slender fingers, guided smoking cigarette in a Maria's lips. Inhale smoking bits, exhale smoking cloud. Finaly Maria's hands stoped shaking.
Nita - I am sorry...
Maria - Nita! There is no your fault... Sometimes, you are left with something completely out of your controll. And this is one of such cases. And when you endup in such predicament, there can't be your fault. You just have to find a way to deal with it and do your best.
Nita - I... okay... But what if i forget our conversations today?
Once again. Maria trapped poor cigarette in between her lips, then breathed in and breathed out smoke cloud. Then, an exhausted smile appeared on her face.
Maria - You know what is funny? We did had such conversation few days ago...
Nita - Oh. I am sorry, i didn't want to...
Maria - NITA! I told you, stop saying sorry!
Nita - Okay, it's just...
Maria - I know... You don't remember anything. And that is fine... There is nothing you can do about that. *sigh* maybe i should make you something like an external hard drive?
Nita - You already tried that...
Maria - Yeah, that was a disaster... Wait! You remember that?
With confusion, surprize and fascination, Maria turned to face Nita.
Nita - Not much. Just that you did tried, and we ended up with ELIDs swarming us. Someone died, i don't know who, but someone did.
Confused face of Nita with concerned eyes were on clear display as she remembered that.
Nita - It even feels like... like if it wasn't my memmory to begin with...
Maria - That... is... wow. And i thought last few months were lost to you. Do you perhaps remember anything else? Perhaps something from the lab?
Fot a minute, Nita and Maria stayed silent. Maria was just hoping for an answer that would give her some sort of idea what to do with her.
Nita - Sorry. No such records of a lab or something like that. Last available record is partially corrupted and most data is missing.
Maria - And that that memory is about
Nita - Few moments after we escaped. To be specific... how you scream at me for being "a monster that should have never existed in a first place". Hiting me with your arms and crying...
Maria - Oh...
Once again, Maria's hands started shaking, and she quickly turned around, to lean on a railing once again. Despite the fact that Maria were trying to hide her face... A glimpse of shame were noticable even for Nita. Once again. Silent as they were.
Maria - That... unfortunatly is a truthfull memory... that did happened.
Another pice of cigarette burnt, and another smoky cloud later.
Maria - You did the best thing you could. It just so happened that you killed my friends...
Nita - I am sorry...
Maria - Nita! You did what you had to. Nothing we can change now.
=== Underground ===
Heavy chains started clanging agains eachother. Heavy platform finaly reached desired depth. And underground city of brookers were holding everyones attention. Neon sights were calling for attention
Beda - An underground city of underground brookers. Can we get even more low?
Max - Yes you can. But you need to get to white zone first.
As three dolls were looking around, a skinny man in beanie hat walked past them, and was first to step off the platform. Nita and Beda followed the suit, only Nomomo returned to the car.
Max - Follow me! I'l show where you can get a praking tickets!
And with that, Max went forward stoping just near the corner. Waiting for a car to move. Nomomo slows down when passin by Nita and Beda
Nomomo - Finaly! Now, don't lose time. Look around. If intel is any good, we should find someone here that knows something. Maybe even you can spot that damned truck.
Beda - And what about you?
Nomomo - I will talk with our contacts, maybe we can get some more info on stuff around here. Just keep in touch. If anything, make a call!
Beda - Fine! Just stay safe. I don't like this city even one bit.
Nomomo - And Nita! Special task for you. If you find any familiar faces, don't try to talk. I don't want any unnececary attention here! On that note, i have to leave you! Stay safe!
With a sudden burst of power, car hastly rushed to the corner, where Max were waiting. Then both Max and the car dissapeared out of sight.
Beda - Now it's just you and me. I hate to do the footwork. And especialy when...
Slowly, with a deep sigh. Beda looked at Nita... Her huge frame stood out.
Beda - Why do you have to be so freaking huge?
Nita - Designed that way... What else can i say?
Beda - Fine. Let's first look around. Maybe we can find something noteworthy?
A couple of dolls started walking through rugged streets.
Nita - There are alot of shops. But who is even buying all that stuff?
Beda - That is something we don't have to worry about. But since we are on the walk, i still waiting for an answer. Why you decided to stay?
Nita - Meaning?
Beda - Meaning... You saw the city. You walking with a powerhouse of a frame, you are an T-Doll, i am more than sure that you could find yourself a good job somewhere in a city. Why keep on walking through all this and keep up with a company?
Nita - Sounds like, you want me off the team then?
Beda - No. I like you, but there are much better opportunities somewhere out there. You know, i always envied civilian dolls. But i can't get myself to become one... Expecialy after... well... you know my story. My point is, you could get out of here and do something you like the most.
Nita - I don't really have anything going for anything else. And if i had to choose. I don't wan't to stuck in a city... I have to stay out for yellow zone. And besides... I don't like police and law enforcement after what happened to you.
Beda - Hey, wait... You making judgments based on others stories?
Nita - As much as i remember myself. I was stuck as a enforcer for a group of people i cared for. And now that group is gone. And there are a few things that i have to worry about.
Beda - For example?
Nita - Let's just say that there are people actievly looking for me. And leave it at that.
For a moment' Beda wanted to ask something else. But decided not to push any futher.
Beda - If you say so...
=== On a Drive ===
With car parked on somewhere with other cars. Max and Nomomo were sitting on oposite sides of single round table. Max on meanwhile were having a feast out of few meat rolls on a stick.
Nomomo - So all and all, you need to get that patch through wall. And what's the catch?
Max - If my guess is fine... You and your team will get a thirty percent cut of this little ordeal. Just a little but of cargo stealing and lifting. That should be easy for someone like you! What would you say?
Nomomo - I don't like that thirty percent part. Because we will be puting our hands on a line while your boys will be sitting and waiting? My answer is a no! Find someone foolish enough for that.
Max - Hey, hey! The info is hard to come by these days! Besides, I think Kilmure would be happy to hear who you will be stealing from!
Nomomo - Fine! Try to impress me!
Max - No other than Alexander Suzev!
Slight smirk appeared on Max's face, while Nomomo was unamused at all.
Nomomo - That's it? Ok, Sixty percent and then we can talk!
Max - That's a robery!
Nomomo - The only robery here, is that you are trying to get me in high risk, low reward job only through emotions. Kilmure probably coulde'v thought about that. But i don't care about what he has aginst Suzev's face or anyone else. Your deal is bad one. And unless you take it up to Sixty Six percent, i am not going to deal with your games.
Max - But you just said sixty percent !
Nomomo - Oh... So maybe i should go and say a nuber higher than that? How about full seventy percent? Or you should find someone else for this job. But i thinke there is something more to you, other than a greed. If my guess is currect, if anyone find out that you are making that kind of a deal here. Then your reputation is at stake. Am i right?
Max - Ok! Ok! Fine! You want sixty percent cut? You will get it!
Nomomo - I don't think so... Sixty Six!
Max - Fine! Then so be it! Sixty Six percent would be yours!
With a evil smile. Nomomo took one of meatballs from the stick, Max were keeping in hand, and then took a bite. Max frowned for a moment, but then relaxed a bit.
Nomomo - Now... What was it that you need?
=== Walking Around ===
Broker - If you are looking for something like that, you should take a look at the workshop garage. But if anything, i didn't told you anything!
Beda - Thank you for your help!
With kind words, Beda sliped few credit coins in a handshake with broker. Then they hurried the sepperate ways. After making big enough distance, Beda finaly stoped. Looked at Nita. They noded to eachother, and then started walking again.
Beda - Ok... Thanks to your huge frame. You do look intimidating.
Nita - Did he said anything?
Beda - The workshop garage... The only clue i got. So...
After few minutes of walking, they stopped at a corner, to look at supposed workshop.
Beda - This thing is on tight surveillance.
Nita - Everything here is on surveillance.
Beda - Yeah, but not like that. Few robots, guards, turrets. I haven't seen anyone else in this dump to have such heavy security. I think we have to get inside there somehow.
Both dolls, sigh. Not an easy task was ahead of them.
Beda - I will try to look around. Stay here for a moment.
Nita - Ok, dont get in to trouble!
With easy steps, Beda walked to the side and around a corner. It looked like she is going to make a huge lap to see things for the best view. Meanwhile Nita were standing, looking around, not really doing anything, occasionally looking at workshop from a distance. Few minutes passed by, then another. People were taking weird glances on huge frame of Nita, probobly thinking she is some kind of a guard here.
But then, weird doll runned up to her. Looked at Nita with interest and confusion.
Unknown Doll - Are you some kind of street performer? What are you performing?
Nita - I am not performing. Just waiting.
Unknown Doll - Oh! Waiting for a friend? Or waiting for my concert?
Nita - What are you...
Unknown Doll - You just look kind of sad! But don't worry! Veply will make you happy!
Nita - What?
Veply - I just need to get few things before i make proper concert just for you! I will be back!
And just like that. The strange doll "Veply" just runned of in to the distance, leaving Nita confused.
Nita - What the hell just happened?