"Please state your name for the record,"

"Where's my partner?"

"Your partner is fine. Please state your name for the record,"

"..."

*Sigh* "Alright. Why were you and your partner Shanghai?"

"What are you an immigration officer?"

"Please answer the question,"

"Work and maybe site-see if we had time,"

"What's is your job?"

"Really?"

"Answer the question,"

"I'm a Private Military Contractor,"

"Your mercenary then,"

"Not really what I call myself but sure go with that,"

"What job were you and your partner hired to do in Shanghai?"

"Bodyguards,"

"Really? Who was the person you were hired to bodyguard for?"

"JB or something. Can't remember his real name,"

"How can you not remember his name if you were hired to protect him,"

"We'll seeing how my partner and I were fighting in hell non-stop. You tend to forget the less important things,"

"Tell me. What happened down there?"

"What? Like everything?"

"Everything,"

"Can I get these cuffs off? We're going to going to be here for a while,"

"Better get started then,"

"Dick,"

-

(Days ago)

(Shanghai airport)

"Man for once I would like to fly in first class," Stepping forward from the crowd the human against his sunglasses while his partner walked up next to him.

"Come on you baby let's go. The faster we get this done the better,"

The bear lightly punched his shoulder causing the human to hold his limb.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"I didn't hit you that hard come on," The bear said with a smile taking point while the human followed after her.

"You know before the whole breakout I never thought China would be livable again," The human pointed out.

"That was years ago. The virus died out and it didn't take long before it was safe to live in China again," The bear pointed out while the human watched someone walk past the two with a camera.

"Really wouldn't call it Safe," The human pointed out watching two armed PMCs knock down an unarmed woman into a trash. "China is scraping the bottom of the barrel if they need PMCs to help keep law and order,"

"Not our business what other PMCs do. Come on,"

Nodding the two entered a taxi and gave the driver the address leaving the two to sit in silence while the radio played music over scratchy speakers. Getting onto the highway the human tapped the bear's shoulder and pointed out to a large structure in the distance that towered over all the buildings in Shanghai.

"Check it. Pearl Tower," The bear looked over through the window beside her partner. "You are looking at the biggest tower in all of Asia right there,"

"Since when are you an expert in architecture?"

"I'm not. It was in the brochure," He pointed out while the bear rolled her eyes, while she did her eyes caught the familiar site of an armored convoy moving down the highway across from them.

"Bozhe Moy. Look at this," This time she tapped her partners shoulder who turned to look out the window.

Pulling his glasses down he watched the transport convoy roll by.

"Man. It's like an entire army," The human pushed his glasses up. "I'm getting a bad feeling about this,"

"Yeah let's just do this thing and get on the first flight back," With a nod, the two returned in silence, and finally after a few stops, the taxi had made it to their destination.

After paying the driver, the human of the duo placed a device in his ear and turned it out.

"Cam, You set up yet?" The human asked while the bear placed a similar device in her ear while their third partner spoke up on the radio.

"Yeah. Welcome to Shanghai gang how are you liking it so far?"

"The air feels dry,"

"Don't worry you'll get used to it. Alright, your contact is waiting for you up ahead he's got your gear and guide you on your first orders. Get a move on,"

"Roger Cam thanks," The bear and the human began to make their way through Nanjing Road passing by the many buildings surrounding them.

"Oh and gang? Please don't piss off the locals?"

"We'll try,"

"Damn Medvedev place is hot," The human whipped his forehead.

"Speak for yourself. You're not the one with fur," The bear responded. "Let's just get this done,"

While they walked down the street a bit more the two turned to a lion man waiting for them, the guy stood out from the locals for the combat gear he had. However, he didn't have the uniform colors of the red PMCs they had come across earlier.

"Found the contact,"

Turning his attention the lion rose from leaning on a powerline support smiling at the duo who approached him.

"You must be the guys. Let's get through this quick," The lion spoke in a British accent, he waved for them to follow. "Word is local police will be heading here shortly and it's best we not be here when they do,"

"Straight to business this guy," The human said while the two followed the lion.

Moving deeper into the plaza the three passed then quickly came into an alleyway while the duo followed their contact.

"Up and over. I've got your gear stashed up ahead," He informed after he ducked under a broken fence with the two following close behind.

After passing the broken fences the three came into a tight alley, the lion quickly pointed to something that the two didn't see and ran over behind a trash can.

"Hostiles! Get to cover!" He whispered causing the pair to get behind an old road fence. "Don't worry I got this,"

Slowly peaking from cover, the two watched a pair of cops walk by but before they could question the reasoning for them to hide the lion got up with a handgun and fire two shots killing the police officers.

This caused the two to get up from behind cover a bit skeptical of the actions of their contact.

"Was that necessary?" The human asked lifting his glasses to which the lion shrugged.

"This is Shanghai. Better safe than sorry," The lion defended while holstering away his pistol. "I'm JB by the way. They didn't give me your names,"

"Duncan,"

"Dasha,"

"No shit! I've heard about you two. I spent some time working for that bitch Amelia back at HMS myself," JB said with a smile.

Duncan shrugged.

"Small world,"

"Yeah. Getting smaller all the time. Anyway, here is the gear you guys asked for. Sorry about the state of it new stuff is hard to come by around here," JB pointed to the trashbin he was hiding behind.

Dasha lifted the lid while Duncan stood next to her and shrugged reaching in and pulling out a duffle bag full of gear.

"It'll be fine,"

"Spasibo," Getting her gear from the bin and shutting it.

(A few moments later)

Duncan pulled on his vest against his mask's straps, ensuring his equipment is nice and snug on his body.

"Need help with all that armor?" Dasha Asked checking her weapon.

Duncan shook his head.

"Nah I'm good," The human stated while pulling a strap tight on his gear.

"Aren't you hot with all that gear on?"

"I'm from Texas Dasha. Besides your one to talk Ms. Jacket,"

"Poshel Na Khuy," Dasha said with a smile while Duncan flipped her off.

"You two done yet. We are on the clock here," JB asked while Duncan raised his weapon.

"Yeah yeah don't get your panties in a twist," Pulling down his mask Duncan stood beside his partner.

"Alright let's get moving. Time we get paid and I think it's about Beer-O'clock," JB stated pushing a gate door open while the two armed PMCs followed after him.

"Faster the better," Duncan stated aloud while cocking the AK in his hands.

"Here place these beacons. I was told your masks got those new fancy GPS that show you what to do," JB stated handing the two a set of transmitter beacons.

While JB was on the lookout the partners moved over to a set of power relays to planet the beacons.

"Mine's all set,"

"Same. What are these beacons for away JB?" Dasha asked punching in the activation code on her device.

JB shrugged and moved over to another door and opened it.

"Didn't ask. I do what I'm paid for and keep my head low," JB stated while trying to open the old rusted gate door.

"Has to be a guidance system a bit old but there no doubt," Duncan pointed out however he didn't get time to think while JB moved away from the old door.

"Hey, can you two get this? The damn thing is jammed to hell,"

"No problem," Both Dasha and Duncan grabbed the gate and with their combined efforts easily forced the door open allowing JB to enter and step in while letting the gate snap back into place.

"Bollack! The doors are rigged with an alarm," JB looked at his pistol and then at the partners. "Think one of you guys can knock out those powerboxes for the alarms? My aim hasn't been the best as of late,"

Looking past the gate at power boxes in the distance, Duncan nodded.

"Looks easy enough," He raised his assault rifle and with two quick pulls shot the

Hitting the powerboxes dead on Duncan chuckled.

"Nailed it," Dasha rolled her eyes while JB pulled the gate open.

"Nice! You shoot two stationary targets. Now let's get going the lift should be up ahead," JB sarcastically praised Duncan who huffed under his mask.

"Don't have to be an asshole about it,"

The three moved down the street and into a run-down car garage in which a small service elevator was waiting for them.

"Hey guys how do you like the new upgrades on your masks?" Cam's voice spoke over the radio.

"So far they're great Cam. You outdid yourself this time Sestra," Dasha remarked while the lenses of the helmet flickered slightly.

"I aim to please. By the way, how is the weaponry? Not too bad I hope?" Duncan shrugged at that.

"They're Chinese knock-off AK with knock-off 7.62 but should get the job done for now," Pulling back on the ejection bolt while inspecting the weapon Duncan didn't notice JB turn to him. "But I kinda wish we could have brought in our regular firepower,"

"It was easier to ship your armor kits and buy locally besides on the next job I promise we'll use our arsenal. Also, I just got an extra mission objective but I want to confirm it before passing it along. Stand by a sec you,"

"Copy that Cam," Dasha responds leaving Duncan to start up some small talk while the elevator climbs the floors.

"When did you work for HMS?

"Me? I was one of the first," JB answered while he checked his pistol. "Pretty cherry gig there. Shame it went the way it did,"

"Yeah. Too bad," Duncan responded while moving his finger to his gun's trigger.

Dasha and Duncan looked at one another while Dasha shook her head and her partner moved his finger. A few dings later, the door's to the lift opened letting the three onto the floor. JB peaked out but stopped when he saw a hand trio of police officers.

"Hold up let's do this a bit more quietly don't need to go loud just yet," JB ordered. "Follow my lead,"

Carefully JB sneaked up from the lift to where the officers were, they're backs to the PMC they didn't notice that their Lieutenant was grabbed from behind and held in hostage hold. The lieutenant squeaked causing the other two officers to turn guns raised, but JB had a gun to their superior's head.

"<Guns! On the ground!>" JB Boomed in Mandarin which the two officers shook slightly when Duncan and Dasha walked behind the Lion.

Seeing their friend being used as a meat shield and outgunned, the two cops surrender allowing Dasha and Duncan to subdue the cops with their handcuffs. Taking their keys and leaving them on the ground, leaving JB to finish cuffing the lieutenant.

"Alright, you two go ahead and scout I'll deal with these three. But we only have a few of these beacons to set up and then were done," JB informed leaving Duncan to smile.

"That's it? Easy goddamn money!" Duncan declared.

"Yeah and a high potential for multiple hostiles though," JB warned while the two took up the stairs into an unfinished part of the building.

Leaving the lion with the bound cops both the bear and the human went up the stairs guns at the ready. This time they ran into another pair of cops and like the three before these cops hadn't noticed them yet.

"Duncan another group. I'll grab that one and you cuff his buddy," Dasha suggested which Duncan nodded in agreement.

Dasha walked up behind one of the officers while Duncan went from the side behind cover, like JB she grabbed the cop and spoke. Even though her Mandrian was a bit rusty she was able to get her message across, this left Duncan to tie the cop up. He quickly got the cop down allowing Dasha to follow suit, but they were intercepted by three strange popping sounds.

"What the fuck was that?" Duncan turned to the small staircase they had entered while JB was quickly going up the stairs.

"Sorry about that one of the blue boys tried to bite me. You guys done here?" JB asked while he got onto the floor. Dasha looked at his off hand she could swear that he pushed something down his pocket.

"Yeah we're done here," Dasha answered leaving the cop cuffed along with the rest of them.

"There should be new data uploaded to your mask's GPS I'll hold off here until it's clear," JB ordered, the duo got up, and Duncan went to a latter that went to the roof by following the directions in his mask.

Dasha was close behind him but she took a second to glance to JB who stood over the cops and took something from his pocket.

"Hey, Medvedev a hand?" Hearing Duncan call for her the bear rose the latter and found her partner by a power box. "Need to pair this together remember?"

"I know give me a second," Dasha went over to the box opposite Duncan and put another beacon up.

"I'm good,"

"Synced,"

"Alright, steller. Wait... shit you guys are about to get company cops are on your way to you," JB warned over the radio however the door across the floor they were open burst open with police officers spotting the duo and opening fire on them.

"I think they found the bodies of their buddies!" Duncan commented taking cover.

"How did they get up here so fast?!" Dasha shouted while Duncan lifted and returned fire.

"How should I know? Deal with those guys quick!" JB responded over the radio.

"Don't have to tell us twice!" Duncan hit a cop knocking him down. "Dasha! Agro!"

With a nod Dasha crawled behind the cover while Duncan let loose with his weapon getting the officer's attention, quietly the bear got to a spot that was perfect for a flaking position. Taking her shot the bear lifted the rifle and opened fire on two officers, the cops were dead on the spot leaving the few left to break cover and attempt to fall back but it left Duncan the chance to take them down quickly as they arrived.

The human and the bear scanned the open space for any stragglers they would have missed but the small cop squad seemed the only force that stood in their way.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

"Damn, the stories of you two are no joke. You a mean pair right out of hell," JB responded while moving over to them.

"How did they know where we were?" Dasha asked.

"They're dead now. It doesn't matter let's just finish this thing and be on our way," JB ordered leaving the two to follow.

"Did your contact tell you who the potential threat was?" The bear spoke making her partner wonder too.

"Like I said: Long as I'm cashing checks I don't ask questions," JB answered while they moved.

"I dunno man. I'm getting a realllll bad feeling about this," Duncan noted while Dasha readied her beacon down which her partner followed suit.

"Feelings like that usually mean it's time to get the hell out of dodge. Let me synchronize the signals and we can call it a day," JB agreed while the three quickly got off the roof into a different elevator than the one they and the cops used.

Taking the maintenance lift halfway down the three got off, JB took point pulling a laptop from his bag and opening it up on a railing overlooking all of Shanghai. Dasha and Duncan covered the lion while JB logged into his computer.

"This will only take me a minute guys just watch my back," JB answered leaving the two watching for any potential hostiles.

Dasha watched the door to the maintenance lift, leaving Duncan to watch the catwalk connecting to the side of the building.

"Glad it was you guys with me. Didn't think it would be that much trouble tonight," JB spoke up while he worked.

"No problem. I did most of the heavy lifting. Dasha just looked pretty," Duncan joked while the Russian narrowed her eyes at him.

"Hey, can your contact hear me?" Cam's voice spoke over the radio again.

Dasha looked at JB before responding.

"No,"

"I just confirmed the new orders. They'll paid extra if you terminate the contact. They want him dead as soon as he finishes," Cam's words caused both partners to look at one another giving a glance to the lion.

"Copy," Dasha answered while Duncan held his gun ready.

"I'm glad I ran across you guys on this job. Not many locals would want to have a beer with me I got a couple of HMS stories that will spin your heads," JB commented. "By the way who were you talking to?"

-(Cast your vote)-

*Kill JB

*Spare JB

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Update: The creator of Dasha made a update of her character model so I found it fitting to add the update plus a update to Duncan's gear because of it looked too 'heavy' for practical use in a war zone. Which I agree to disagree but I changed to make more realistic even though this is a furry story.

Put your votes in before 3/25/24, all votes will be submitted and locked in with no more being accepted after the 25th. Votes will be put in a chart and posted in the next chapter at the very start.

This is my first story where I'm letting you guys choose what happens and what goes down, unlike the OG army of two 40th day, there will be consequences of the vote. It could affect the characters down the line, however, there wouldn't be a 'good' or 'bad' ending rather it'll be an ending that is shaped by the votes.

Something new for me but it's here.

Also, this is the 'new hope' of what I want for a short story series. I do plan on making a sequel and a prequel to this, but since I played AoT 40th BEFORE the first game I thought it would be fitting to have the first story of this series in the middle like how George did with Star Wars.

Plus you guys have no idea! How little Army of Two, artwork there is... Dasha was not as difficult but it was close enough since SFW is so hard to fine of her. However, the creator did have some stuff I could work with.