Chapter 5 : A Brief Moment to Enjoy

Operation Evening Stroll ended at 1815 hrs with Team 417 making it to the L.Z. and being flown back to Fenris. We had been monitoring enemy activity in Sector 15 and looking for the origin of the distress signal sent to Fenris base. Found the signal came from the resistance in Sector 15.

I was unable to save that man...

We found the room where the signal was supposedly coming from was plugged by an I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device) or an explosive device made with materials other than military explosives and used in a variety of ways, such as putting it on the street or... like a bomb on a door that explodes when it opens. Warfoe almost made one of my members, Uni, her victim. Inside the room a corpse of a resistant man sat on her chair with a slash wound on her chest. Julia said that the wound was from the Saber Unit.

‘You don't have to regret it all the time Captain. None of this is your fault.’

‘Even if you say so, I was late getting to the place, getting him killed.’

I went to Julia in the Tactical Control Room to hand over the data found during our mission. Reporting the enemies encountered and giving her some documents belonging to the resistors in Sector 15.

‘Don't think too much about it. Stay patient. If you get carried away with your emotions, you could also put the rest of the Team in danger. You are not alone captain, Team 417 is with you.’

Julia tried to calm me down. Chris was wounded on her left calf during the battle against the Warfoe that attacked us at Beta Point, the rest of the team received bullet scratches, while I received wounds to my face and neck from the splinters of the exploding door.

‘Your achievements amaze me, Captain Ruger. Team 417 has never successfully carried out any mission before.’

‘Ha-Huh? What did you mean just now?’

‘Team 417 never managed to carry out a mission to the end. They always failed in the middle of the mission, when they encountered contact with Warfoe and ended up retreating to be picked up by a helicopter. They are.... failed team, as the name suggests.’

‘So... you're pairing me... with a team of... Battle-Frames that failed?’

‘They're not failures... it's just that... you know... they... have flaws compared to others... ahaha... ....’

She was still able to laugh after putting me in with a team in the middle of nowhere. I didn't know that, I thought all Battle-Frames had the same combat power. They look great from the outside too......but...

‘No wonder they suck at shooting... those girls are still scared to shoot the enemy.’

‘Yeah... it's like that... ahaha.... Alright Captain, I have received your report. Team 417 has also been assigned its own room.’

‘I'll leave the girls to you, Captain Ruger.’

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After the mission, we were informed that the office space for Team 417 had been handed over to us. The room was located at Site C, near Site B, which was used for mission departure.

The girls were very happy to hear that, excited and rushed to check the room, leaving the captain to report the mission results to the Tactical Commander. Earlier I also ordered Chris to head to the Repair Unit to have her wounds treated first. She just nodded but then ran off with the rest of the Team.

‘Hah... what a tiring day...’

Even after this, I still had to type up the detailed mission report. Julia requested it for documentation, especially using an old typewriter. She said that using a computer was a high risk because there could be a data leak.

No wonder I saw a lot of people walking around carrying paper documents when I was in the Director's office. In the advanced age of 2050, we were still using paper.

As soon as I opened the door to the room, I was immediately greeted by the cool breeze of the air conditioner hitting me. The chill made my fatigue disappear a little. Stepping my feet into the new room.

‘Captain is back! Good job Captain!’ Chris greeted me.

She was sitting on the sofa in front of the door, staring at the large holographic screen displayed on it. Holding a black coloured game console, she seemed to be playing a game right now.

‘Where did you get that game console Chris?’

‘Ah-eh... .... ah this.... The organisation gave it to us... as a reward for Team 417's first successful mission... haha....’

That's it, that's great, they even went to the trouble of giving us a gift. The reward for my hard work guiding the Failed Team like them might be, well worth it.

The room looked very messy with various open boxes near the door, along with a large table in the centre of the room that was still covered by a dusty white cloth. The table was complete with five chairs. It was filled with Filin who was disassembling a weapon and Maya who was happily eating a Custard Pudding.

Wait a minute....eating a pudding?! Machines can eat food like humans?!

I walked towards the table where Filin and Maya were sitting, trying to ask them why Battle-Frames can eat like humans.

Filin answered my question by saying, ‘We also have metabolism like humans. Although our power comes entirely from the core. Eating human food can restore our energy as well.’ Se said.

I couldn't process what she was saying to me at all. A machine that has a metabolism like a human? They eat like a living being you know! What in the world has gone mad.... or... am I going mad?

I ignored everything I heard just now, walking to my desk at the centre back of the room. On the desk was a typewriter, unlike the old typewriters from history, this typewriter could erase unnecessary words like a computer. Something that 20th century typewriters cannot do.

On the left wall of my desk, there was a blank whiteboard that read ‘TEAM 417’S OFFICE.’ Underneath that was the text, ‘MISSION’ that sat between the windows of the room. It looked like a place to put intel and important documents that supported the mission to me. I didn't realise that Uni was there, holding a cup of coffee, sitting in her office chair reading a book.

Instead of wasting my time looking here and there, I'd rather just do my report now....

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‘Hrrnggh... Gah.... finally finished too.....’

I stretched my arm muscles to relax the hand that I had been typing for hours. I started typing the report since 19:15, now it was 22:05. I've been sitting and typing here for almost 3 hours. It's really a tiring job.... being a Team Captain.

Maybe having a few drinks can ease my fatigue. The other Team members were still in the room. Chris was still playing her game console, this time with Uni they were playing two people. Maya was fast asleep at the table. Filin, meanwhile, was making coffee at the coffee machine on the right side of the room. Near the table where Filin was making coffee there was a small fridge, maybe there were drinks inside.

I opened the door of the small fridge that was only as high as my waist. Inside, there were 4 storage compartments with 1 freezer. The fridge itself was fully stocked with various snacks such as bread, pudding, light snacks, bottled milk and a large bottle of kola drink.

I had no idea it was this full, even though it was only our first day in the room. Was Fenris that kind to give us a fridge full of food? I think... .... no... ....

‘Where did all these snacks come from?’ I asked, trying to interrogate them.

‘Of course we bought them.’ Uni replied.

‘Bought it?’

‘Right, we bought them from the Supply District using mis-’ Suddenly, Uni's mouth was gagged by Chris who was beside her. She looked very surprised when Uni was about to finish her last sentence.

‘Why are you gagging Uni's mouth, Chris? What was she about to say?’

‘No, nothing, nothing. I just had a reflex....didn't I, Uni?’ She tried to negotiate with Uni. Uni just kept quiet and nodded her head.

‘What did you buy it with? I didn't hear it wrong....don't think you can hide it.’

I approached them slowly. They must be hiding something. I can't be fooled by your lousy acting.

‘We bought it using the Captain's mission money.’ Filin said.

‘Mission... money... ? We get money from missions?’

‘That's right, every mission completed we are given money to buy the necessities of life in Fenris. Those who don't work don't eat. We also use the money to buy consoles-’ Uni had her mouth shut again by Chris when she was about to explain it to me.

I-I got the money after the mission....and didn't even know about it?! So... they used the Team's money on their own without telling me first... who had been tirelessly reporting missions and doing reports for the Team?!

‘How much.... how much money did we earn from the mission?’

‘Around.... 1,200 Euros if I'm not mistaken. It was all spent on the room equipment, such as the tables and chairs, the coffee machine I used and to buy some food for the fridge as well. Although... most of the money was spent by Chris on the big screen and the game console for 750 Euros.’

‘Se-Seven hundred and fifty Euros?!’

She spent that much money on the game console and screen?! Damn it... I can't even enjoy my own hard-earned money. She just casually bought a game console!

‘Chriiissss...... Can.... you explain everything to me. While your Captain was struggling with all her might to write and type up the report.... but you casually used the Team's money to buy an expensive game console.’

I turned back to her, preparing my fist for Chris who was still on the sofa. She was hiding behind Uni.

‘Ka-Captain... I... I can explain it, so... she-stop that scary look of yours... Captain.’

‘Uni, get away from him if you still love your life.’ She even used Uni as her shield, what a loser.

‘Okay.’

‘E-Eh! Uni! Protect me, Uni!’

‘No, it's all your own fault Chris.’

‘I thought we were friends!!!’

‘I'm sorry, my life is worth less than being your protector.’

‘UNIIIII!!!’

Chris tried to play the soap opera drama of a woman abandoned by her betrayed best friend. Then she intended to run away from my pursuit, I immediately grabbed her legs swiftly making him fall down with a sound,

‘BHUEK!’ loudly on the floor.

‘Don't try to run away from me, Chris.’

‘Ka-captain... please forgive me... I'm still young...’

‘No, you have to pay for what you did.’

‘I'll pay another day Captain.... Please!’

‘You can't... you must accept your punishment.’

I quickly turned her who was face down on the floor to face me who was now on top of her. She looked so scared that she was on the verge of tears. I wasn't going to let her off so easily, if I let her off she'll do whatever she wants later.

I stuck the bayonet in my hand near her right ear to scare her.

‘I will confiscate your game console for one week. Also, you have to clean this room every week. Starting from tomorrow.... and.... If I find a single speck of dust in this room... you know the consequences, understand Chris?’

‘I understand... please forgive me Captain Ruger!!!’

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2345 hrs

Team 417's Office Room

I've finally finished all the reports that I've typed up in full. After that, I still have to give this report to Julia to check it again and then she will hand it over to the information department, then to the Director.

The team members had also left the room. Leaving me as the last one here to switch off the lights and close the door.

They looked tired from accompanying me to finish the document until the end. I told them to leave me alone, but they insisted on accompanying me until midnight.

As a result, Maya, who was fast asleep, was carried by Filin who embraced her. She even fell down from Filin many times while walking because she was sleeping while walking. As for Chris, she was still crying from fear after being threatened with a bayonet, accompanied by Uni who led him back to her own room.

What a strange team

After I checked all the appliances that used electricity I turned them off (except for the fridge of course), then closed the door to the room and locked it. Then I was about to go to Julia's place until I met a man who greeted me from the right side of the room.

‘Yo, you're a new member aren't you?’

He was a young man, muscular like any member of the military, had ginger hair and was wearing his full military gear. It looked like he was going on a mission, but why in the middle of the night like this.

‘Ah, yes. I only arrived a few days ago. Ermm.....’

‘Anyway, I forgot to introduce my name. Jackson McPeterson. Just call myself Jackson or Jack. People usually call me Private Jackson.’

He extended his hand to me, giving me a handshake. I used my right hand to answer his invitation.

An American name... obviously because of the ‘Mc’.

‘My name is Ruger Schmitt. Nice to meet you. So... are you a Private? But it doesn't look like it from your clothes....’

The outfit he was wearing was a tricolour combat suit in the evening colours of black and grey. Wearing a combat helmet complete with google nightvision on the helmet. He was also carrying a large bag on his back. Doesn't look like an ordinary soldier in my eyes.

‘No, they only call me Private because of my troublemaking behaviour. I'm just like you, the Captain of the Team. We're Team 101, Red Team or Fireteam.’

Team 101? I've never heard of the other teams in Fenris. But I think there are more teams out there... and I don't know about them of course. Then, he also mentioned the terms Red Team and Fireteam what else is it.

‘You, you're a Captain too, right? Which team are you from?’ he asked me.

‘I'm from Team 417. It was formed recently.’

After I mentioned my team, he sighed and patted my shoulder. As if he understood what Team 417 was like. Feeling sympathy for me.

‘Good luck with Team 417. They are notoriously unruly and suck at missions. It's fortunate that they now have a Captain.’

He then looked at his watch.

‘It's about time. Sorry I have to leave first. We have a mission.’

‘Mission? In the middle of the night like this?’ I asked.

‘That's how it is. I'm not supposed to tell the other teams but... I'll just tell you. We, Team 101 will be deployed in the Warfoe area to liberate Sector 27. There are many people held hostage by Warfoe. A dangerous mission in short.’

An airborne mission. Although I don't really understand the details of the mission. Being parachuted from an aircraft that was many kilometres in the air sounded very dangerous. They were also dropped behind the enemy, who could have been surrounded by the enemy themselves.

‘Well even though the mission is dangerous, as long as there is this M4A1, I can handle it. Hahaha.....’ He laughed as he showed me his M4A1 SOPMOD.

‘Good luck on the mission, Jackson.’

‘Thank you very much. Give my regards to the girls of 417, tell them ‘Congratulations on getting the Captain!’ ‘ Then he waved his hand to me as he ran down the hallway.

Airborne missions are....definitely a hassle to be deployed to a place you don't know....

I hope we don't get such a difficult mission....

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‘Hmm... Alright. Everything looks good. I accept your report, Captain Ruger.’

I was currently in Tactical Control Room 25 to submit my report to Julia. She had checked my report and told me everything was fine and could be reported to the information department.

‘Have all the girls gone back to their rooms?’ Julia asked me.

‘Yes. They're back. It was a tiring day. They arbitrarily bought room furniture using mission money. I didn't get any of that mission money... damn it.’

‘Eh really? I told them to split it evenly. They used all the money?’

‘Split it equally, my arse. Even Chris bought an expensive games console and a big screen. 750 Euros she used to buy it you know.’

‘Chris!.... haha.....’

I could only rest my head on the cold metal table. My eyes were tired and begged for rest. I wanted to bury my face into a soft pillow, not a hard metal table like this.

‘So....how does it feel to be on Team 417?’

‘Can I change the team?’

‘Unfortunately that is not possible, Captain Ruger.’

As I expected.

‘Those... Battle-Frame girls are different from the enemies you met today, aren't they?’ Julia asked me.

I let out a long sigh and pulled my face away from the table to look at her. She was now sitting in front of me, resting her face on one hand, waiting for me to answer her question.

Huh... Oh my God, she didn't even let me go back to the room.

‘They're annoying, unruly, selfish and I hate them more than Warfoe.’

I told him everything I was thinking. They were indeed very annoying and unruly. All on their own. More troublesome to deal with than Warfoe. I don't like teenage girls with a lot of attitude at all.

‘Captain... you still hate them, even though they're already-’

‘But....’ I cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

‘They're so much better than those killer robots out there that have no feelings at all.’

‘I still don't trust the Battle-Frame completely. I think I'll take back what I said. They've shown me what they're capable of on the first mission, I consider them different than the Warfoe.’

Julia smiled at me. She then took something out of her trouser pocket. It was a brown envelope which she handed to me.

‘I had expected that the Captain would accept them later. This is a bonus from the Director. As congratulations for making Team 417 succeed in the mission for the first time.’

I took the envelope and checked inside. Inside the envelope were many Euro bills. It seemed to be around 200 Euros. The amount wasn't too much. But a bonus is still a bonus.

‘Congratulations on succeeding in your first mission Captain. Also, I hope you can keep your emotions in check on future missions, okay?’

Ge-Geh... She apparently still remembered that....

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‘Hmm.... Maybe I'll shift a little to the right....’

‘.... or a little to the left.... Well... done.’

I then moved backwards to look at the decorations that I had prepared since this morning.

Not too good....and not too bad.

I woke up in the wee hours of the morning around 5am. Then decided to spend all my bonus money on party decorations. To my surprise, the Supply Department had some paper decorations, some ribbons, a pack of balloons, and Confetti Poppers. They sold them to me for free, as if they knew what I was going to do with them.

I then bought a few other things I needed and brought them into the office without my own team members knowing. After that, I put together a welcoming party decoration for the team members.

Cleaning up a room filled with empty boxes, sweeping it, cutting ribbons, inflating balloons, and attaching ropes for me to attach the lettering from the paper decorations on the large office table.

Chris, even though I told you to clean it up....

It was a very troublesome job for me to do it all by myself. It was tiring and emotionally draining to have to sweep up the balloons that had trouble inflating and the papers that littered the floor of the room.

W E L C O M E
417

Yup, nailed it

It looked beautiful over there. Beside it, colorful balloons and various ribbons fluttered along their strings. Perhaps it was enough. Now it was time to clear the table, which was covered with scattered papers and leftover ribbon scraps.

I placed a white cloth back over the table after dusting it off, then layered it with a black polka-dotted cloth for a festive touch. After that, I carefully attached colorful ribbons along the edges of the table to enhance its charm.

Once the table arrangement was done, I retrieved the food I had purchased earlier. Though it was just fast food—pizza, hamburgers, and a few light pastries—I thought it was perfect for snacking. The refrigerator was also stocked with an assortment of pre-bought snacks. The centerpiece was a three-layer cake, topped with candles in the middle. The cake had been freshly baked by the Supply team this morning—fresh from the oven, you could say.

I arranged some trays with plastic plates, spoons, forks, glasses, and even a vase of flowers. Of course, I made sure to include cola and a few cans of beer. After all, no party feels complete without some beer.

That should do it...

I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 10:00 AM—time for them to arrive. I had told the team there would be a meeting at 10, using Julia's presence as a pretense that we were discussing team matters.

Click.

I turned off the room's lights, readied a confetti popper, and positioned myself near the table, prepared to surprise them as soon as they entered.

"Why did the Captain call us here so early? There's no mission today," someone grumbled.

"Even Julia was summoned. It must be something important," Chris replied.

"Oi, Maya, don’t sleep while walking. Didn't you get plenty of rest last night?"

I could hear their chatter as they approached. I had drawn the curtains on the window to my left, making it easier to hear their voices from inside the room.

"Huh, the lights are off? Is the Captain not here yet?"

Then, I heard the sound of the door opening. They were here. All that was left was for them to turn on the light...

Click.

The sound of the light switch was audible. The room lit up, and I activated the confetti popper.

Bang!

"Enemy attack! Take cover!" shouted Filin. Standing near the light switch, she immediately ducked.

Everyone hit the floor, assuming the sound of the confetti popper was an enemy gunshot. Even Julia was among them, her eyes squeezed shut in fear.

"Idiots, as if there would be enemies attacking inside the office," I said, crouching down to address them as they lay on the floor.

"Captain?" Chris asked, still prone on the ground.

"Yes, it’s me. Now get up—all of you. There’s no enemy attack."

My plan to surprise them with the confetti popper was a complete bust, as they mistook it for a real threat. They began dusting themselves off and took a proper look around the room, realizing what I had done.

"Captain... all this..." Maya wandered around, marveling at the decorations I had prepared. Her eyes glistened with emotion.

"A... party decoration? Did you do all this yourself, Captain? That’s... peculiar..." Uni, ever her usual self, regarded my efforts as strange, despite the fact that I sacrificed my sleep for all of this.

"Whoa... there’s even a cake. I didn’t expect this, Captain," Filin said, astonished at the sight of the cake on the table.

I lit the candles in the center of the cake while Julia remained on the floor, still too shaken to rise.

"Julia, there’s no need to be scared. Everything’s fine now," I assured her.

"N-No enemy attack?"

"None. It’s safe. Stand up already. You don’t look very commanding lying there covering your head."

I helped her to her feet. She looked genuinely shaken, which was surprising for someone who was supposed to be our Tactical Commander. How could a simple surprise scare her so much?

"C-Captain... You even prepared a welcoming party for us... sob..."

Chris stood near the table, her hand over her eyes, clearly on the verge of tears. But I hadn’t forgotten about her promise from yesterday.

"Chris, didn’t I tell you yesterday to clean this room? Why was it still a mess this morning...?"

"Ugh..." She seemed to have just remembered.

"You... forgot?!"

"S-Sorry, Captain! I overslept! Aah—don’t twist my arm—it hurts, Captain! It hurts!"

I locked her arm so she couldn’t escape but let her go after a moment.

"I’ll let it slide this time. Don’t forget again. Now go. You’re off the hook today because it’s a party."

She rubbed her arm where I had held her and joined the others, who were already admiring the food-laden table.

"Alright, now that everyone’s here, take your seats. I’ll explain why I called you here."

Everyone found their seats. Chris and Uni sat to my left, while Filin, Maya, and Julia were on my right. I took the central position at the table, almost like someone celebrating a birthday at their own party.

No... this does look like a birthday party.

"Erm... so... the reason I called you all here is... to celebrate the formation of Team 417. You could say... this is a welcome party. Congratulations to the members of Team 417—our team is now officially established." I spoke, standing in front of them as they looked at me with serious expressions. I felt a bit awkward and struggled to find the right words.

"And also... to celebrate our success on Team 417's first mission. I heard none of you have ever succeeded in a mission before, is that right?"

All at once, the members of Team 417 averted their eyes from me, as if silently saying, *"Could you not bring up something so embarrassing right now?"* Even Julia let out a small laugh, seemingly amused by my indirect jab at them.

"And... lastly..."

I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as I faced each of my team members one by one.

"Chris... I want to apologize for causing you to get hurt in yesterday’s battle."

"No... there’s no need for you to apologize to me, Captain."

I had caused her to be injured due to my lack of attention, nearly getting her killed when a Wolfhound Warfoe almost hit her. If Filin hadn’t spotted the Wolfhound in time, Chris might have been shot.

"Uni, and Maya. I’m sorry for yelling at you both. I know you were scared, but... forgive me for raising my voice and getting angry at you."

"Ca-Captain... you didn’t have to..."

"Honestly... I was shocked when you yelled like that..."

In the tense situation of being surrounded by enemy fire, I had shouted at Uni to muster her courage and shoot, while scolding Maya for firing erratically. I shouldn’t have yelled so harshly—it could have demoralized them. I need to be better at controlling my emotions.

"And... Filin and the rest of the team... I apologize for the cruel things I said to you. I admit, you’ve proven to me that Battle-Frames are different from Warfoes. I came to understand that during yesterday’s mission."

"Good, as long as you’ve realized it," Filin replied.

I had made harsh remarks, saying that Battle-Frames like them were more terrifying than Warfoes. But they had fought tirelessly to protect humanity, unlike the Warfoes.

"Aren’t you going to apologize to me, Captain Ruger?"

"That was the last one."

"Ehh... but Captain, you’ve caused me so much trouble, you know..."

Julia, as usual, was insistent that I apologize to her.

"Fine... I’m sorry for not controlling my emotions..."

"I can’t hear you... louder, Captain Ruger."

This girl...

"I’M SORRY FOR NOT CONTROLLING MY EMOTIONS!"

"Good. Next time, wait for HQ’s decision and don’t act on your own. Understood, Captain Ruger?"

I was absolutely fed up with her...

I grabbed a can of beer and cracked it open, letting its contents fizz dramatically.

"Without further ado..."

"Once again, congratulations to Team 417..."

I raised the can in front of me. Julia followed suit with another can of beer, while the rest of the team picked up their glasses of cola. Everyone now had a drink in hand, raised high in the air.

"To Team 417's success—cheers!"

"Cheers!"

On that day, we celebrated Team 417's welcome party with enthusiasm. Laughter and playful banter filled the small room at the Resistance Organization's headquarters, even as the killer robots roamed the world outside.

That day, I began to realize... it was time for me to place my trust in them—the Battle-Frames. They were humanity’s last weapon... to reclaim the world for mankind.

But...

When it’s all over...

When the war with the machines comes to an end...

What will become of the Battle-Frames who fought alongside us?