Inside the staff dormitory, steam bubbled steadily from the smokeless stove. MDR drank beer with gusto while enjoying hotpot.
UMP45, Candice, and Sten ate quietly.
"45, 416, Sten, come drink a can with me! Beer with hotpot is amazing—ku! Humans are truly gifted when it comes to beverages!"
MDR downed another can enthusiastically as she tried to persuade them.
"You go ahead. As medical personnel, I need to take care of the commander's injury and stay clear-headed at all times. We can drink when there's actually something worth celebrating."
HK416 shook her head and refused without hesitation.
"I don't want to drink either. I can't numb myself with alcohol. I need to remember… that I hurt the commander."
Sten said seriously.
"Hey, misfires happen. There was nothing you could do about it. And the commander didn't blame you either. Staying stuck in guilt won't help him."
MDR patted Sten hard on the shoulder.
"Damn it… why am I such a useless tactical doll…"
Two lines of tears fell from Sten's eyes.
"Low production cost… that's an unchangeable fact. After all, your price tag is only nine dollars. Just find ways to make up for it with your skills."
UMP45 said calmly.
"I'll try my best."
Sten lowered her head and continued eating.
"Hey, 45, want to drink a can with me?"
MDR grabbed a can of beer and handed it to UMP45.
"No. We'll be rotating guard duty soon, and you should stop while you're ahead. Save the rest for after the watch ends."
UMP45 took the beer and set it aside, then without discussion shoved the remaining half-crate under the bed.
"Eh? Guard duty? Don't worry, don't worry. I've only had three cans, I won't get drunk~ Just give me two more!"
MDR reached out to grab another can from UMP45.
"Heh. Doesn't matter. I'm quite good at sobering people up. If you collapse drunk on duty, I'll wake you up properly… with my fists."
"Eek!!"
Seeing UMP45's smile, MDR froze instantly and put the unopened beer back down.
"What? Not drinking anymore? Weren't you not drunk?"
UMP45 wore a gentle smile.
"Ahem! I suddenly remembered the commander is injured and relies on us for protection! Getting drunk would cause trouble, so I'll stop for now!"
MDR even put down the half-finished can in her hand.
She didn't have any grudge against UMP45, but she had a strong feeling that if she actually got drunk later, something terrifying would happen to her.
That feeling came from her skill: Danger Sniffer.
Because there was no strict formation, shields, or evasion, her skill had evolved into an early danger premonition and a boost to close-combat ability.
In previous missions, even when facing mutated zombies, she'd never felt like she was about to be injured.
But the instant UMP45 focused on her just now, MDR felt an oppressive sensation like storm clouds overhead, making her immediately cautious.
"Big sister 45, can you teach me how to fight? I think you're really amazing."
Candice spoke up while eating.
"Combat, huh…"
UMP45 looked at her with a half-smile.
"Yes! I'll try my best not to slow you down. Take me with you to guard the gate and tell me what I should watch out for, okay?"
"If you're absolutely sure, I'll train you. But you'd better be mentally prepared."
"As long as I don't die from it… train me however you want."
"Heh… interesting little one."
---
Guard Room
AA-12 lay sprawled on the table, resting without a word.
"Don't we need to watch outside?"
Lianne reminded softly.
"Ah, it's fine. We've got the rabbit sniper. Leave it to her. Someone that serious will notice anything within five hundred meters. If zombies get close enough, she'll notify us through the tactical headset."
AA-12 replied flatly.
"I see… um, AA-12, what's your real name? AA-12 is the name of the gun you're holding, right?"
Lianne tried to make conversation.
She had found it strange earlier—aside from Candice, the girls around Lux all seemed to use code names. From UMP45's words, even Sten was named after a submachine gun.
"I'm called AA-12. That's my name."
AA-12 answered indifferently.
"Huh? What about before you got that gun?"
Lianne asked in surprise.
"Boring. I don't remember that stuff anymore. Don't bother me. I'm not interested. Just let me lie here quietly."
AA-12 frowned and spoke coldly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you angry."
Lianne apologized quickly. She hadn't expected a simple question to set her off.
"Hmph."
AA-12 turned away and stopped talking.
Lianne sighed. She knew she hadn't been accepted yet, and fitting into this team would be difficult.
---
"It's time to switch shifts."
HK416 glanced at her watch.
UMP45 and MDR set down their chopsticks, picked up their guns, and left the dormitory with Candice.
After they left, HK416 gently reached out and touched Lux's cheek.
"Honestly… why is it always you who gets hurt… If only I could take your place."
"Mmm…"
Hearing Lux make a groggy sound, HK416 panicked and quickly pulled her hand back.
Lux slowly opened his eyes.
"Sorry, Commander. Did I wake you?"
"No. I'm hungry… and a little thirsty."
HK416 helped Lux sit up and brought him a bottle of mineral water.
Lux gulped down more than half before setting it by the pillow.
"Do you want me to feed you?"
HK416 asked.
"No need. Just get me a bowl of rice and some dishes. Eat with me. If I'm not mistaken, you've been sitting by my side the whole time and didn't eat, right?"
"Huh? How did you know? Was MDR too noisy for you to sleep?"
"No. You were still sitting there when I woke up. You were in the same spot before I fell asleep, so I figured you hadn't moved."
"I-is that so…"
"Where are the others? Why is it just us?"
Lux asked.
"It was time to rotate shifts. UMP45 and the others just went out."
"I see."
Lux nodded as HK416 picked up a lunch box and started serving rice.