[Base 794, TOC]

A new day brought a new mission, which meant it was time for the briefing. Gentiane and Kalina stood in the TOC, preparing to address the Dolls about their next operation.

"Ahchoo!" Kalina sneezed, drawing the attention of the room.

"Hay fever?" Gentiane asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Nah... I think someone's been speaking ill of me," Kalina replied with a wry smile.

"Let's focus on the mission briefing then," Gentiane said, her tone shifting to serious. "Shortly before this, Griffin dispatched a squad to investigate Sector SO9. Their route passes through territory contested by both SF and Griffin, which means we can expect them to face attacks along the way."

She gestured to the map projected on the screen. "Our mission is to assist this team in reaching their destination. Other commanders might not be familiar with this area, but we've swept through it several times. Unfortunately, the SF numbers haven't thinned out at all. Based on previous encounters, we can anticipate ambushes here, here, and here." She pointed out specific locations on the map.

Some Dolls exchanged glances, recognition dawning on their faces. "Isn't this where we found M4 last time?" MP5 asked.

"Yup! It's a bit of a distance from the operation area, but we'll be treading old ground again," Kalina confirmed.

M4 shifted uncomfortably. "If possible, I'd really prefer not to go back there..."

"I'm sorry," Kalina said softly, sensing her discomfort.

The screen switched slides, displaying the route they would take, marked by arrows. "In any case," Gentiane continued, "HQ provided us with the team's operation area but no concrete information on them. They appear to be a Special Ops unit. Our objective is to enter the operation area from the flank and suppress SF activity to give them room to work. That's all. Any questions? If not, get a good rest tonight. We'll gather at 0445 tomorrow and set out at 0500. Dismissed."

As the Dolls filed out of the briefing room, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and resolve. Meanwhile, Jim was busy looking for personnel to form a new company. Since their existing units were at full capacity, he was tasked with creating Clover Company, made up of Western volunteers. To his surprise, the headhunting process went smoothly; all the volunteers were eager to fight, making his job much easier.

Given that most of them were veterans from World War III, there was no need for extensive training. A new set of gear was all they required to be mission-ready. With Clover Company formed into three platoons, they were prepared for their first mission, excitement coursing through their ranks.

[The next morning, Sector SO9, Mountain region, 0525]

Early in the morning, several Black Hawks from Base 794 thundered down at the designated LZ. Rangers and Dolls disembarked, with Night Stalker crew chiefs quickly dropping off the dummies before the choppers lifted off, leaving the ground forces with only the support of Little Birds and a pair of AH-64 Apaches.

As they moved through the dense forest, the unit emerged into a small town after a 15-minute march, ready to initiate house-to-house clearing operations. Skorpion, ever vigilant, spotted an SF patrol group roaming the street. "SF patrol group, 300 meters at 10 o'clock!" she called out, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

"Take positions! Prepare for engagement!" Gentiane ordered, her voice steady amid the rising tension.

"Envelope them in a U-shaped formation, 30 meters apart. Spread out!" commanded the squad leader.

"Roger!" came the crisp replies.

With their NVGs lighting up the night, the tactical Dolls positioned themselves, eager for the fight. A series of illumination flares burst overhead, casting a bright glow over the enemy targets.

"Fire!" With that single command, the air erupted with gunfire as every weapon unleashed a hailstorm of bullets, eliminating the four Sangvis patrol members in a matter of seconds.

"Enemies eliminated—piece of cake!" Skorpion chuckled, her confidence soaring.

"We're fighting much more effectively than before, M4! Your leadership is incredible!" PPSH praised, her excitement palpable.

"It's nothing special. Ammo check, then we move on," M4 replied, maintaining her focus.

But the calm didn't last long. More Sangvis forces appeared, flooding the area from multiple directions. G&K adapted quickly, their training kicking in.

"Let's cross the street!" Ember 2-3's squad leader shouted over the chaos. A MK46 machine gunner provided suppressive fire, laying down a barrage to cover the Rangers as they sprinted across the street.

"SF fighting position, 12 o'clock, 200 meters!" a Ranger yelled as they stormed toward a building occupied by SF snipers firing from the second-floor windows. They took cover, utilizing every scrap of solid ground available.

"Hey, we need covering fire on those windows!" one Ranger barked.

"On it! Suppressive fire!" The squad returned fire, bullets ricocheting off the building as the MAAWS team prepared their anti-structure shell.

"Hurry it up!" the squad leader urged.

"I'm loading!" the A-gunner replied, frantically securing the round.

"Back blast clear?"

"Back blast clear!"

"Send it!"

"Firing!" The roar of the Carl Gustav echoed as the round struck the second floor, collapsing a section of the building.

"Alright, let's push forward! Move! Move!" the squad leader ordered, rallying his team into action.

Meanwhile, down another narrow street, G36's echelon was ambushed by heavy fire from SF units. "Contact front!" she shouted, diving for cover as bullets whizzed past.

Rangers, G36, and SOPII quickly took cover behind bricked walls, retaliating while others breached a nearby house, transforming it into a fortress against the relentless small arms fire.

"Hostile, 1 o'clock!" SSG Harris shouted, just as another Ranger took out an SF Ripper.

"Got the son of a bitch!" he exclaimed, adrenaline coursing through him.

"I'm reloading, cover me!" the machine gunner called, swapping magazines for his MK46.

"Got you covered!" a fellow Ranger assured him as they held their ground.

"Light up that building across the street!" SGT Kento ordered, his voice cutting through the din of battle.

The team sprang into action, firing on the enemy-held structure, bullets tearing through the air.

A squad of Rangers occupied the top floor of an adjacent building, setting up two M240L machine guns for direct fire support. From their elevated position, they unleashed a relentless barrage.

"Hostiles on the street—light them up!" the squad leader commanded, and the gunners unleashed a storm of bullets.

Amidst the chaos, one Ranger noticed their precarious position. "Hey, we've pushed too deep!"

"Target-rich environment, my friend!" another Ranger quipped, maintaining his fire.

"Hey! Level that building!" the squad leader snapped, his frustration palpable.

"Which one?" the machine gunner asked.

"The one you were shooting at earlier! Level that motherfucker!" The machine gunner shifted his aim and unleashed a torrent of rounds into the targeted structure.

Gunfighter 2-6, a nearby Apache, called in. "Ember 2-1, I need a Hellfire missile on that building with a caved-in roof, occupied by SF, 200 meters north of our location."

"Roger that, I've got eyes on, standby." The Apache pilot hovered at 150 feet, marking the target.

"Missile off the rail," he reported, and moments later, the Hellfire missile struck the building with devastating force.

"Your problems are solved, 2-1, over," the pilot confirmed as smoke and debris filled the air.

"Roger that, thanks for the assist!" the squad leader replied, relief washing over him.

"If you liked our services, be sure to give us a five-star rating—it'll help us," the pilot joked before soaring off to assist other Ranger units in need.

The fight raged on, but G&K were proving their mettle, each skirmish strengthening their resolve and camaraderie in the face of overwhelming odds.

[Afternoon, 6 hours later, TOC.]

"This is Ember 3-1, we're running dangerously close to black on ammo. I need another aerial resupply, over..." SSG Kurtz's voice crackled over the radio, urgency threading through his words. The airwaves buzzed with other reports, Rangers voicing their dwindling ammunition and mounting frustration at the relentless wave of SF units.

"They just keep coming," the Captain muttered, frustration etched across his face. The enemy's tenacity was unnerving, their numbers showing no signs of thinning.

"What's wrong?" Gentiane asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

"Aren't things going well?" the Captain replied, his tone skeptical.

"It's true we've managed to handle them," Gentiane said, "but something feels off about this endless stream of attacks."

"Yeah, after eight hours, the enemy doesn't seem to be losing ground. It's almost as if there's a factory beneath us, cranking out SF dolls continuously," the Captain added, crossing his arms.

Gentiane nodded, deep in thought. "While it's true that a significant number of SF units are still in the region, they shouldn't be able to conduct such coordinated and sustained assaults against us."

A plan began to form in her mind. "Kalina, prepare to conduct a Class III satellite scan of V6J8A."

"Huh? Are we re-routing a recon satellite?" Kalina asked, surprised.

"It seems we need to," the Captain confirmed, his expression serious.

"It'll take about 22 minutes for the closest satellite to adjust its course," Kalina replied, quickly calculating the logistics.

"Alright. All units, cease advance—find favorable terrain nearby and stay alert. We need to be ready for anything," Gentiane ordered, her voice steady.

"Copy/Understood/Affirmative/Roger that," came the chorus of responses, each unit shifting into position, eyes scanning the horizon for threats as the clock ticked down.

[Combat zone...]

"M4, see that house? Two o'clock, the two-story building," SSG Kurtz pointed sharply with his rifle barrel. "That'll be a good place to set up."

"Copy. 3rd Echelon, with me. Those buildings will give us a solid vantage point," M4 replied, adrenaline surging through her veins.

"Let's move, Grimsey. Take point."

"Roger that," Corporal Grimsey acknowledged, the weight of the mission heavy on his shoulders. He led his four-man team to the front, pulse racing as they approached the building.

They stacked up outside, the tension palpable. "Breaching on my mark... now!" Grimsey commanded, throwing a flashbang inside. The deafening pop echoed, sending a shockwave through the air.

"Bravo is internal!" came the call.

"Roger, Alpha is moving in. Keep clearing!" Kurtz ordered, his voice firm and steady.

"Affirmative," Grimsey replied, guiding his team deeper into the structure. They swept the first floor, every shadow and creak of the floorboards setting their nerves on edge.

"Stacking up on the staircase," Grimsey announced, and the Rangers braced themselves, weapons poised.

"Hang on, ah shit! My contacts are messing with my eyes—someone take over!" Private Goonsvill exclaimed, irritation cutting through the tension. "M4, can you cover for me?"

"Alright," M4 replied, shifting into the lead. Her heart raced as she stepped forward, every sense heightened.

"3rd Echelon, report," Kurtz demanded, the weight of expectation hanging in the air.

"West wing, clear," Skorpion called out, her voice steady despite the adrenaline.

"East wing, clear," PPSH added, tension thrumming in her tone.

"Bravo moving to the second floor," Grimsey reported, glancing back at M4. The air felt electric, each second stretching as they prepared to slice the pie, inching toward the second floor.

The Rangers on the first floor aimed their weapons at the staircase, the threat of friendly fire looming as they maintained vigilance. "Stay sharp," Kurtz reminded, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

M4's fingers tightened around her rifle, the weight of the moment pressing down. This was it—every decision mattered.

"Ready when you are," Grimsey said, eyes locked on the door ahead. They all felt it—a collective breath held, waiting for the storm to break.

"Everyone... I think I found something," M4 reported, her voice steady but tinged with an undercurrent of unease. The Bravo team had uncovered bullet holes peppering the window and floorboards—clear signs of large-caliber plasma weaponry used by SF elites.

"Bravo, stack up at the doorway," SSG Kurtz commanded, urgency in his tone. The team moved into position, each member acutely aware of the potential danger. The second man squeezed M4's shoulder, a silent signal. She button-hooked right, moving fluidly as the others followed suit, weapons drawn, eyes scanning every corner.

Inside the room, the sight that met them sent a chill through M4. A torso of a Doll lay lifeless on the floor. "As I thought," she murmured, her heart heavy. "Clear. The building's safe, but... we have a situation here."

"What is it?" Kurtz asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"Get up here and see for yourselves," Corporal Grimsey urged, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the moment.

When half the squad gathered around, the grim reality sank in. "That's... STG-44," PPSH whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"Which means this place is..." Skorpion started, but her words were interrupted as AR-15 stepped into the room, the weight of recognition hanging in the air.

"The location where we were attacked two months ago," she stated, a grave certainty in her voice.

"Don't tell me you already knew about this?" M4 asked, disbelief mingling with a hint of betrayal.

"Yes..." M4 admitted, shame washing over her. "Our previous mission was classified beyond Commander Gentiane's clearance. We couldn't let her know."

"I see..." Skorpion replied, the understanding passing between them heavy with unspoken burdens.

"Let's keep our mouths shut then," Kurtz said, his voice firm. They all understood the stakes, the secrets bound to their lives.

"So... should we recover STG-44's body?" M4 questioned, hope flickering in her eyes. "Or mark this location for a drone recovery?"

"There's no need. Just let her rest here," PPSH said softly.

"But..." M4 began, struggling with the weight of loss.

"It'll be fine. Commander Gentiane ordered a similar model from HQ a while back. I can scan her ID code; we'll be able to obtain her backup Digimind from Griffin and install it into a new body," Skorpion explained, her voice soothing yet resolute.

M4 nodded slowly, the logic settling in but not easing the ache in her chest. "Ah... that's right."

One of the Rangers spoke up, a hint of discomfort in his tone. "Man, I forgot these Dolls can be a little sentient."

"Yeah, it gives me goosebumps, damn," another Ranger added, unease rippling through the group.

PPSH walked to STG-44's lifeless body, gently closing her eyes. "Thank you for all that you've done. Rest in peace." Her voice trembled, but she stepped away, a heavy heart leaving the room alongside the other Rangers.

M4 lingered, drawn back to STG-44. She picked up the ruined field hat, the memory of battles fought together flooding her mind. "Waxing melancholic won't improve your combat efficiency," AR-15 said, her tone sharp but not unkind.

"She once fought by our side. I won't leave anyone behind," M4 replied, placing the cap gently on STG-44's body. The weight of her words hung in the air, a vow that resonated deep within her.

As she turned to leave, M4 whispered, "M16, please return safely." The prayer felt both a plea and a promise, echoing in the silence of the room.

[TOC, Base 794.]

"3...2...1... The satellite's passing over the combat area. The data's coming in!" Kalina's voice cut through the tension in the TOC.

"Put it up on the big screen," Gentiane commanded, her heart racing.

"Roger!" Kalina replied, her fingers flying over the controls. As the screen flickered to life, a wave of disbelief washed over the room.

"Holy shit..." one of the staff muttered, eyes wide as the data revealed a staggering density of SF forces.

"This... we've cleared this area multiple times. How are there even more than before?" Kalina's voice trembled with confusion.

"It's like they're a fucking virus. There's a shitload of them," the Captain said, disbelief morphing into frustration.

"What the hell is SF?" Gentiane whispered, her brow furrowing in concern just as the comms crackled to life.

"Madam Helian, do you have any orders for us?" she answered, bracing herself.

"Commander Gentiane. Time is tight, so I'll dispense with the formalities," Helian's voice came through, clipped and urgent. "We've just received information from our forward recon team. Conditions on the ground are not as we previously observed. The situation looks grim."

"Yes, we just conducted a satellite sweep and learned as much..." Gentiane replied, her voice steady despite the chaos.

"That is because a new ringleader has been deployed to the region: 'Intruder'."

"Intruder?" One of the command staff echoed, disbelief etched across his face.

"Yes. She appears to be a new model for SF. We have no information about her in the product catalogs available to us."

The air thickened with tension as the implications sank in. "The situation has changed. We'll need to start from the SF control node. Kalina, bring up the heat map of SF signal activity and overlay it on the tactical map," Gentiane instructed, her mind racing.

"Roger." Kalina's fingers hesitated, but she quickly complied, her eyes darting between the screens.

"Alright... at least it doesn't look like they're trying to hide themselves," Gentiane murmured, her resolve hardening. She turned to her echelons, her voice steady but urgent. "This is 794 base HQ to all echelons. There's been a change of plan. Echelons 1 and 2, move ahead and link up. Echelon 3, head to coordinates FB1CX. I'll brief you on the details along the way. Move out, now!"

"Roger!" came the immediate response, but the gravity of their new reality hung heavy in the air.

[3rd Echelon...]

"Man... is the weather going to turn bad?" Skorpion squinted at the sky, which had darkened ominously.

"And it was so sunny just this afternoon," PPSH added, concern creeping into her voice.

"Welcome to a yellow zone. Unstable weather's just part of the fallout from the war," AR-15 said, her tone pragmatic but wary.

Suddenly, the radio crackled to life. "CQ CQ... Ah, M4A1, AR Team, do you copy?"

"M16! Is that you, M16?!" M4's eyes widened with hope.

"M16! Are you okay?!" Both M4 and SOPII spoke over each other, their relief palpable.

"What's going on?" Gentiane asked, her focus sharpening.

"Uh, command, it seems someone might have tapped into our comms—possibly an AR team member," one of the Rangers reported, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Oh..." Gentiane's expression hardened.

"Ah, so you're there, M4. Is everyone together now?" M16's voice crackled through, buoyant but distant.

"We're all here, just waiting for you!" M4 replied, urgency edging her tone.

"That's great! Don't worry, things are fine over here. I found a resupply point, but I still need to take care of some things on my end," M16 continued.

"What else is there?! How much longer before you can come back?!" SOPII interjected, her worry escalating.

"About that... we'll have to see how things go. Ah! In any case, I'll be hanging up for now!" M16's voice cut off abruptly.

"Hello? Hello! 16-sis? 16-sis!" M4 called out, frustration creeping in.

"Is she always like that?" Private Polansky asked, incredulous.

"Always," M4 admitted, a mix of exasperation and affection in her voice.

Gentiane let out a heavy sigh, her resolve hardening. "Alright, at least we know she's fine. She might even be nearby. Once we finish our tasks here, we'll launch a search immediately."

"Thank you, Commander Gentiane. Echelon 3, continue operations!" she commanded, her voice firm.

"Let's move out!" The urgency hung in the air as they readied themselves for whatever lay ahead.

[Somewhere in the town]

A two-man US Army Ranger sniper team moved cautiously through the debris-strewn streets, scanning for a new vantage point. They reached a four-way intersection, the crumbling facade of a bar providing a potential sniping position.

"Alright, this building could work—" The words barely left SGT. Pavel's mouth when a projectile whizzed past, smashing into the sign above him. He flinched. "Sniper! Into the building!" He dove through the window, his partner, Felix, scrambling in right behind him.

"Fucker almost got me," Pavel growled, adrenaline surging. "Stay tight on your rifle, Felix. Let's go!"

They maneuvered through the dark interior, moving swiftly to the second floor. Pavel pressed himself against the wall, eyes darting. To his right, a window offered a view; to the left, the remnants of a wall lay in rubble. "I'll draw her fire. You take the shot when she exposes herself. Position yourself behind those ruins—if you miss, relocate immediately. Don't stay in one spot or she'll zero in on you."

"Roger that, Sarge." Felix set his rifle against the debris, heart pounding.

"Ready? Now." Pavel leaned out just enough to catch sight of the enemy sniper. A bullet slammed into the wall behind him, forcing him back. "Shit! She's on to me!" He grabbed a shard of glass, using it to spy on the enemy. "Third floor, third window to the right—do you see her?"

Felix adjusted his aim, but the sniper was momentarily obscured. A projectile impacted nearby, sending debris flying.

"Damn it, she relocated! Move!" Pavel ordered, and Felix swiftly switched positions, taking cover behind Pavel.

"Where is she now?" Felix asked, breathless.

"Hang on..." Pavel scanned again, catching a glimpse of the enemy on the second floor. "First window on the left!"

Felix steadied his breath, adjusting his scope. He fired—impact, but not enough. The enemy sniper reappeared in the same spot, eyes locked on their position.

"Hit her again!" Pavel shouted.

With a quick squeeze of the trigger, Felix shot again. This time, the enemy sniper went limp, falling from view.

"She's down! Nice work!" Pavel exhaled, relief flooding him. "But we need to move. This position is compromised." He took a last look through the shattered window. "Shame, it had a decent line of sight. Let's keep moving. On me!"

With urgency fueling their movements, the two snipers slipped out of the building, the tension of the hunt still heavy in the air as they searched for their next strategic advantage.

[13 hours after the beginning of the operation. Local time 1800, weather rain, and snow.]

Ember 3-1 and 2-1 maneuvered through the war-torn region with the 3rd Echelon, their mission clear: neutralize the command nodes within the town. Other Ranger squads spread out in support, bracing for the chaos ahead.

"Intel shows three in the lookout tower, six at the gates, and eighteen inside the buildings. Not too many," Gentiane assessed, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "This must be the control node. We'll launch a direct assault. M4, brief everyone."

"Already done," M4 replied, her tone sharp. "Skorpion, Papasha, arm the grenades."

"On it," they echoed, their eyes focused, ready for action.

"Throw as many explosives as you can. We'll breach under the cover of the blasts," Gentiane ordered, the tension crackling in the air as the Dolls and Rangers prepared for the assault.

"Go!" Gentiane barked, and the attack erupted. PPSH and Skorpion hurled grenades while Rangers unleashed a barrage of rounds from grenade launchers and MK46s. The explosion rocked the area, catching the enemy off guard.

In the chaos, they stormed through the enemy lines, swiftly neutralizing opposition and obliterating the control node in under ten minutes.

"Commander, the control node is destroyed!" M4 reported, adrenaline still coursing through her.

"Damn, that was quick!" a Ranger cheered, but the relief was short-lived.

"Received," Gentiane replied, her expression tightening. "Kalina, what's the status on the enemy?"

"Scans show all channels are down. The SF in the region has gone offline," Kalina confirmed, but her tone hinted at something amiss.

"Excellent! Have they caught up with the drone's path?" Gentiane pressed.

"Affirmative. We'll have control of the supply line in five minutes," a command staff member reported.

"Good work, everyone. Let's keep this momentum!" the Captain encouraged, but the atmosphere shifted as an unexpected voice crackled over the comms.

"My, my, very well done, ladies and gentlemen of Griffin." The sinister tone sent chills through the team.

"Comms breach!" the communications officer shouted, panic rising.

"Trace that source!" the Captain ordered, urgency in his voice.

"Roger!"

"Yet another public broadcast... are all SF ringleaders programmed to be drama queens?" Gentiane muttered, irritation threading through her concern.

"Seems like it. But still, we should be cautious," the Captain replied.

"Congratulations on destroying my backup units. That was merely a distraction, and it won't even dent my plans." The ringleader's laughter echoed ominously before cutting off, leaving the team in stunned silence.

"Son of a bitch! We almost had her!" the officer fumed, frustration boiling over.

"Focus! You've done well. Now, let's regroup and figure this out," the Captain commanded, rallying the troops.

"Who the hell developed SF's Digiminds? They're all insufferably cocky," Gentiane said, her brow furrowed. "It doesn't make sense for one ringleader to command such a vast area. This feels like a trap."

"Maybe they're stalling us," the Captain speculated, tension thick in the air.

"Echelons 1 and 2, stay on target and eliminate them!" Gentiane snapped, the urgency returning.

"Roger. Echelon 1 has arrived at the target location. Beginning sweep," G36 reported as the screen flickered to life, showing helmet cameras stacking up.

"Breach!" SSG. Harris commanded. The breacher detonated the charge, the door splintering under the force. The team surged inside, weapons drawn.

"Clear!" SOPII called, but unease crept in.

"Command, this roost is a bust—nothing here but a control node," SSG. Harris reported, frustration creeping into his tone.

"Then this node was broadcasting..." G36's voice faltered as she connected herself to the node, shock evident. "Commander, this node is broadcasting fake data!"

"Shit! Echelon 2! Cease advance! Take cover!" Gentiane shouted, urgency now a roar in her voice.

"Contact front!" Rangers opened fire as enemies swarmed, chaos erupting around them.

"This is Ember 3-3, large concentration of hostiles!" came the frantic call.

"What the hell is happening!?" Ingram yelled, firing off rounds before FNC pulled her back.

"Stop! The commander ordered a retreat! Fall back!"

"Fall back! Fall back!" The Rangers shouted, tossing smoke grenades to obscure their movement as they scrambled to safety.

"That hotel we passed is still intact! We can use it!" M14 shouted, adrenaline fueling their desperate bid for cover.

"Go! Go! Go!"

"In here!" A Ranger kicked down the door, leading the team inside as they rushed to secure the building. "3-3, this is 2-2. We've occupied a building nearby. Marking our position with a white light!"

"Roger, we see it! Move in!" Echelon 2 and 3-3 linked up, the tension palpable as they entered the friendly structure.

"Lock it down! Mount a defensive perimeter!" The Ranger squad leader's voice cut through the chaos.

"Hooah!" came the fervent reply, but the weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air.

"Echelon 2! Ember 3-3! SITREP!" Gentiane demanded, her voice cutting through the tension.

"3-3 here, we've linked up with 2-2 and secured the building. No casualties so far, over."

"Good. Clear the rest of the buildings and familiarize yourselves. Move!"

"Roger!" The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as they prepared for whatever was to come, the threat of the unknown looming ever closer.

[TOC]

"Use Echelon 2's visual data to generate a structural model," the commander ordered, her tone decisive.

"On it!" Kalina replied, her fingers flying over the controls as a holographic model of the building materialized before them.

"Only one exit—that's good," Gentiane noted, her focus sharp. "Choco and Ingram, take your dummies and secure the main door."

"Roger that," they replied, their voices steady and confident.

"Switch with us, FNC," the Rangers chimed in from the background, their camaraderie evident.

Across the table, Jim burst into a chuckle, breaking the tension.

"What's so funny?" Gentiane shot back, arching an eyebrow.

"Nothing, really. Just find it adorable that you call FNC 'Choco.' Didn't know you were into pet names," he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Shut up! I didn't hear you calling her by a different name," Gentiane retorted, a hint of defensiveness in her voice.

"That's because I suck at it," he admitted with a shrug, his casual demeanor disarming.

"Speaking of which, I can tell you want to call me something else," he added, leaning back with a playful grin.

"Now how the hell did you guess that?" Gentiane shot back, rolling her eyes but unable to hide a smirk.

"Your face says it all," he replied, laughter in his voice.

"Damn it," she muttered, a smile creeping onto her face. Just then, Kalina let out a mock cough, reminding everyone to refocus.

"Right. Ingram, make sure you count your rounds," Gentiane instructed, her tone returning to businesslike efficiency.

"Tch."

"If the guards rush you, use your invincible smoke bomb and think of something," the commander instructed, urgency in her voice.

"Yes, yes, yes! I know!" came the frustrated reply.

"FN-49 and M14, head to the roof and snipe the enemy as best you can."

"But, commander... visibility is really bad..." FN-49 protested, unease creeping into her tone.

"SF's aiming modules won't see far in this weather. Don't worry, you have the high ground—you'll spot them before they spot you," Gentiane reassured, though her brow furrowed with concern.

"Uuu... okay..." FN-49 conceded, glancing nervously at the darkening sky.

"Jim, I know what you're going to say, and it better not be a Star Wars reference," Gentiane warned, her voice sharp.

"Goddamn it," Jim playfully groaned, but a smile tugged at his lips.

"The enemy won't take the building for a while, but they can't escape either. Echelon 1, once you finish there, support FN-49 and the others," Gentiane commanded, her voice resolute as an explosion rattled the air.

"Someone stop this girl this instant!" a Ranger yelled, tension palpable.

"Damn it... why did they ambush my weakest Echelon? Are they bullying me for having too few Tactical Dolls? This will force my echelons to support each other. They're wasting my time and drawing out the battle. I won't sleep tonight," Gentiane lamented, her frustration boiling over when an emergency transmission crackled through.

"Commander! Urgent order! The special team has located the SF ringleader of this sector. Your mission has changed from suppressing SF forces to eliminating Sangvis Ferri's 'Intruder'! Use the marker left by the special team as a breakthrough point," Helian briefed, her voice clipped and urgent.

"Understood, ma'am. We'll crush this little rat at all costs," Gentiane replied, adrenaline surging.

"Well done, special team! If we take care of her quickly, we won't have to do overtime! Echelon 3, change of plan! Head to the new objective and break through ASAP!" Gentiane barked, a spark of determination igniting within her.

"Ah... Gentiane...? Isn't sending them over by themselves really dangerous?" Kalina questioned, her tone skeptical.

"Hm? Who said anything about sending them alone?" Gentiane replied, already dialing in reinforcements.

"Wait... is that...? So his real name is Jun Shi? I wonder where 'Sekigun' came from. Ah, whatever, I'll ask him later," Jim mused, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Lieutenant, order Mustang 5-1 to sling load a GM ISV to the battlefield!"

"Understood, Captain." The lieutenant quickly relayed the orders to the Night Stalker pilots, who sprang into action, preparing the Chinook.

The heavy-lift helicopter soon delivered the ISV to the Ranger squad, their spirits lifting at the sight of it. They hopped in, ready to speed toward the target, adrenaline coursing through their veins.

After ten minutes of jostling through the war-torn landscape, they came to a halt, scanning the area for their assault.

"Is it really okay to just ignore the remaining nodes and charge straight into SF territory?" PPSH questioned, her voice tight with anxiety.

"Yeah... my back feels a bit chilly. It's like SF could pop out at any moment," Skorpion added, glancing around nervously.

"I trust Commander Gentiane's decision, but this plan... it does seem a bit risky," M4 admitted, doubt creeping into her mind.

"There's only one thing we need to focus on," AR-15 said, raising her fist for a bump. "And that is to win." M4 bumped her fist with hers, followed by PPSH and Skorpion, a unified front amidst the uncertainty.

"Let's move out, ladies!" SSG. Kurtz declared, the unit moving with urgency.

"15, sync our position to the other echelons," M4 instructed through telepathic communication. "Papasha! Skorpion! Break their formation apart!"

They entered the town, PPSH and Skorpion laying down fire from behind a wrecked car. The ISV skidded to a stop as Kurtz dismounted, firing shots as the Rangers took cover behind whatever debris they could find.

"We're losing dummies!" PPSH reported, panic rising as she witnessed one of her dummies go down.

"There are too many enemies! Keep suppressing them! We'll recover the dummies' ammo later!" M4 shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

"40 mils, downrange!" SSG. Kurtz commanded, and a Private fired an M320 grenade launcher at a group of SF units, the explosion clearing a path toward their target.

As they pressed forward, M4 spotted a Vespid doll in an upstairs window, her instincts kicking in. She fired and neutralized it with deadly precision. "The SF signals are centered on that building up ahead! Get in there!"

"You heard her! Go, go, go!" a Ranger yelled, urgency cracking through the air.

"Don't slack up, Rangers! Let's keep moving!" another Ranger barked, pushing them onward.

They breached the target building, the intensity of the mission surging. "Command, this is Ember 3-1, going internal," SSG. Kurtz reported as they began clearing each room.

"Where are you, ringleader?" M4 muttered, determination etched on her face as they kicked down doors, adrenaline surging.

At last, they burst into a theater, and there stood the SF ringleader on stage, clapping mockingly. "What a marvelous performance! I didn't expect you to make it here so quickly."

"Intruder! Where's M16?" M4 demanded, her voice firm.

The Intruder sighed, the spotlight shining down on her. "M4A1, the Griffin doll who disposed of Executioner. AR-15, the Griffin doll who took out Hunter. What reason is there for me to reveal such important information to my nemesis?"

"Huh?" a Ranger glanced around, confusion painting his face.

"Well, it would be more dramatic if I responded that way, don't you think? Haha, I have no idea where she is and frankly, I don't care. Finding her was never my mission. Did you think that after recovering one of your sisters from Hunter you'd get the other one from me? Though you've put on a stunning performance, it's time for you to take a bow," the Intruder taunted.

"What are you so cocky about? We've already taken out your minions! You're the only one left!" Skorpion shot back, anger flaring.

"Oh? Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am the direct superior of the elite Sangvis Ferri dolls Scarecrow, Executioner, and Hunter. I am SP914, known as 'Intruder'."

"Ember 3-1, this is Ember 1-2. We're on the scene now. Standby for assistance," came the call over the comms.

"Roger that! Get over here quick!" Kurtz responded, urgency in his voice.

"Since I am a command model, I win by strategy, not brute force. I've arranged enough troops to keep your friends occupied, so forget about reinforcements. As for you, the elite dolls of Griffin's AR team, I won't underestimate you," Intruder declared, a sinister smile on her face.

"What's going on?" a Ranger asked, tension rising.

"There's a lot of them..." PPSH said, dread creeping in.

"Where?" M4 pressed, eyes scanning for threats.

"Everywhere..." PPSH replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I believe you ladies are at least ten times stronger than the civilian dolls and humans by your side. So I'll field an appropriate amount of force to show my respect for you," Intruder proclaimed, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

"Come! Now, display your talents to your heart's content!" she challenged.

"Then don't mind if I do," SOPII's voice crackled online, igniting the tension to a boiling point.

[Outside the theater]

SOPII fired a 40mm grenade from her M203 grenade launcher, the explosive detonating with a deafening roar and obliterating a cluster of SF dolls. "Weak! Too weak!" she taunted, her simulating adrenaline surging.

"How is it? Is sharing vision useful?" PPK called out, her eyes alight with excitement.

"Yup!" SOPII replied, grinning.

PPK giggled darkly, her voice dripping with anticipation. "Now then. Let the assassin's banquet begin!" With that, the T-Dolls opened fire from their elevated position, a hail of bullets raining down upon the unsuspecting enemies.

Across the street, a group of American Rangers occupied a nearby building. They smashed open the windows, rifle barrels jutting out as they unleashed a torrent of gunfire at the SF dolls below. The crack of gunfire echoed through the air, a symphony of destruction.

Rangers surged into the streets, moving as a cohesive unit with tactical precision. They pushed forward, a force fueled by determination and a fierce desire to win. Each soldier advanced with purpose, using superior tactics to outmaneuver the enemy.

Explosions lit up the battlefield as grenades detonated, sending debris flying and creating a cloud of chaos. The Rangers pressed their advantage, covering each other as they advanced, their resolve unyielding against the onslaught of Sangvis Ferri forces.

"Keep the pressure on! Don't let up!" one Ranger shouted, adrenaline fueling his voice as they fought to reclaim the streets.

The clash of gunfire and the shouts of the Rangers intertwined, creating an electric atmosphere of combat—a relentless drive toward victory that surged through every soldier and Doll alike.

[Theater]

Gunfire echoed through the theater, and Intruder's confusion deepened. How were her forces being slaughtered outside? She had meticulously calculated every variable. "It's nighttime, and the weather is terrible—how are they shooting with such precision?" Linking her vision to one of the SF dolls, she quickly realized the truth. "Ah... they've set up a specialized observation network. When did they sneak in? You were the bait all along."

"Ember 3-1, clear the debris! We're blowing that wall wide open! Steer clear of the blast!" a Ranger warned Kurtz, urgency lacing his voice.

"Get down! Get down! Down, down, down!" Kurtz shouted as everyone ducked for cover. Outside, Rangers unleashed their MAAWS, the rockets roaring through the air before two explosive rounds detonated against the wall, sending rubble cascading and exposing Intruder to the chaotic night.

"SF ringleader in sight! All sniper units, engage! Engage!" the Captain commanded through the comms, adrenaline surging in every operator.

"Target acquired—ringleader, range 700 meters, windage 2 knots east," SGT. Pavel relayed, his focus unwavering as he prepared to fire.

With a calculated adjustment to his scope, Felix squeezed the trigger of his M107A1 rifle, the round slicing through the air and striking Intruder's arm.

Another sniper team, known as 'Hitman,' was poised on a separate rooftop, their precision unmatched.

"Target acquired—ringleader, range 700 meters, windage 1.5 knots south," Master Sergeant Hume instructed. Staff Sergeant Swagger adjusted his scope, every breath steady as he prepared for the shot.

"On target," he confirmed, taking a moment before gently squeezing the trigger. The .50 caliber round roared forth, hitting Intruder in the side of her torso and blowing a gaping chunk from her body.

"Hit!" Hume declared.

But the final blow came from NTW-20, the rifle's report deafening as it sent a devastating round that shattered the left side of Intruder's head, the force of the impact dropping her to the ground.

"Ringleader down!" a Ranger reported, his voice barely breaking through the din of battle.

[]

"Hahh... as I suspected, SF strategies really are cliched," Gentiane mused, a hint of relief breaking through her earlier tension.

"You can say that again," the Captain agreed, allowing himself a brief smile.

"I knew she'd pull a significant portion of her forces back to deal with M4. Her fixation on the immediate threat gave us the perfect opportunity to infiltrate and turn the tables on her."

Kalina raised an eyebrow, still processing the risks. "But sending Echelon 3 into the heart of SF territory was a massive gamble. Wasn't that too risky?"

"It was a calculated risk, yes—a tough one," the Captain acknowledged, his expression softening as he glanced at Gentiane. "But it paid off. We've shifted the momentum in our favor."

The air around them felt lighter, the weight of impending doom momentarily lifted as they contemplated their victory, but the battle was far from over.

[]

The Rangers and Dolls closed in on Intruder, weapons raised, the air thick with impending violence. One Ranger gripped a Beretta 1301 tactical shotgun, ready to blast her to pieces if she attempted to self-destruct like a Scarecrow.

"Oh my... my Digimind was no match for human cunning after all..." Intruder mused, her voice dripping with mockery. In the distance, the thundering rotors of DAP Black Hawks filled the air as they strafed another group of remaining SF dolls.

"Aren't you going to put up more of a fight, Intruder?" M4 challenged, her gun steady and unwavering.

"The script has played out as it was written," Intruder replied, an eerie calm in her tone. "What difference does it make to change my ending? My only regret is that I couldn't offer them a splendid finale with this body of mine. Time flies... when you're having fun..."

"Fun? In this situation?" one of the Rangers shot back, disbelief etched across his face.

"Silly human... that's merely a matter of perspective," she replied, a cryptic smile curling her lips. "Like all of you, I am just a player on this stage, acting out a script designed to kill time. And now, I have finished my part. Is that not enjoyable? Besides... this is enough for now... the main event is about to begin."

"...The main event?" M4 echoed, a chill creeping down her spine.

"Hehe... the thing about drama is... you need a little bit of suspense..."

Before she could elaborate, the Ranger with the shotgun had heard enough. With a swift motion, he pulled the trigger, sending a blast of 12-gauge buckshot from a Beretta 1301 into Intruder's head. The silence that followed was deafening, the shock evident on everyone's faces.

"What? She was getting annoying. I just sped up her process of dying," he shrugged, a hint of defiance in his tone.

"Even until the end, she refused to give us M16's location..." AR-15 murmured, frustration boiling beneath the surface.

"It took us so long to find a clue, and now it's gone... Damn it! Where the hell is M16?" M4 shouted, her voice breaking with urgency and despair.

"Don't be too upset, M4... Remember what Commander Gentiane said? She'll organize a search once this operation is over. There's still hope..." PPSH interjected, her voice soothing but laced with concern.

"But..." M4's protest hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. The tension among the group thickened, a palpable mix of anger, fear, and determination swirling as they faced the unsettling aftermath of their confrontation.

"Well, about that..." a voice echoed from the shadows.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" SSG. Kurtz barked, his team instinctively leveling their weapons in the direction of the voice, ready for anything.

"Whoa, easy now! Jumpy, are we?" A woman stepped into the light, a playful grin on her face.

"Stand down, everyone," Kurtz ordered, and the Rangers reluctantly lowered their rifles, confusion mingling with relief.

"M16! You're back!" SOPII exclaimed, bursting into the theater alongside other Rangers. The joyful reunion was abruptly shattered when M4 delivered a slap that felt like it came straight from Asgard.

"OW! What the hell?! I'm already wounded! What would you do if I had died?" M16 protested, rubbing her cheek as M4 buried her face against her sister's chest.

"Just go ahead and die, then! You don't need to download a Digimind backup; we'll just send you back to the foundry and reinstall your memories!" M4 cried, her voice thick with frustration.

"Come on, give me a break! I just got back. Let me see my little sister smile, okay?" M16 replied, a soft laugh breaking through her irritation.

"How the hell did you get here without anyone noticing?" AR-15 asked, arms crossed and brow furrowed.

"You do know I found the ringleader, right? What do you think I was doing before this?" M16 shot back, ruffling M4's hair with a teasing grin. "Alright, alright. Give me the command frequency; I have important information for the commander."

M4 tightened her grip, and soon SOPII joined in, wrapping her arms around M16. "Hah... what will I do with you two? Oh well, I guess it can wait a little longer."

"By the way, I'm Staff Sergeant Benjamin Kurtz, squad leader of Ember 3-1, 3rd Platoon, 1st Squad, Alpha Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment—formerly, of course. We're the ones who saved your butts out here," Kurtz introduced himself, a hint of pride in his voice.

"I'm M16, and thank you for helping us back there. It could've gone a lot worse without your support," she replied, her eyes shining with gratitude.

"Yep. Now, let's get back to base. Can't keep the Captain and the commander waiting forever."

"Alright, we'll be there. Just let me deal with these two first."

M16 chuckled, her spirits lifted, but the underlying tension of their mission still lingered in the air, a reminder of the dangers they faced together.

[To be continued...]