Chapter 1 – Old Wounds

The cool wind nipped at exposed skin and drove the inhabitants inside. The temperature divided the population: some took joy in the first warmth of the new year, while others chose to remain inside to avoid the lingering chill. The androids - the 'A-Dolls', Bryant corrected himself - scurried here and there to help with whatever task was assigned. Bryant paused to take in the scenery. It had been far too long, he thought, since he had seen peace.

He walked absentmindedly, following the crowd as they went about their routine. Bryant arrived at his destination; a small office building right next to a cute little café. Bryant stepped inside and caught the eye of the owner. "Ah, hello Mr. Bryant. The usual today?" He nodded and took a step back from the counter. The TV above them was turned to the news. It flashed clips of the battlefield.

Destroyed dolls littered the fields. The A-Dolls assisting with the café looked troubled, but kept working. "Damn…SF really is pushing for that sector." Bryant nodded quietly as the rest of the patrons commented. "Griffon is doing their best…but, it's not enough." Bryant felt a chill as the images fixed on dolls being recovered from combat. Bryant reached up and put his hand on his breast pocket. Once the camera moved on, Bryant took a sharp breath and relaxed. Someone bumped into him. Bryant was jolted from his trance.

"Oh, uh, excuse me." The stranger said. She looked up at him and smiled. Bryant gave a slight nod.

"Don't worry about it." The stranger left and Bryant picked up his things. He stopped and looked at the woman. She watched him out of the corner of her eyes. Bryant couldn't tell if she was interested or angry.

Bryant thanked the owner and left the café. He entered his building went to work. Hours of programming lay ahead of him. He sighed and began typing away. The news reports gnawed at his mind, bringing buried thoughts and feelings back to the forefront. The lights flickered suddenly. Bryant stopped and looked around. The power cut out. In the silence and darkness, Bryant heard gunshots and explosions. Everyone rushed to the windows, but couldn't see anything through the smoke and panic.

Bryant's phone buzzed. He retrieved it, and saw a notification. "Answer the call". Bryant didn't have time to process before his phone buzzed again. The phone buzzed as the call came through. Bryant answered. "Hello?"

"Good. You're calm. We need that." The voice said. It was a woman's voice, but scrambled.

"Who is this?"

"No time. The power comes on in twenty-two seconds. You'll need to – "

"No. Find someone else." Bryant hung up the phone and stared at it. He counted down, and the power came on shortly after a time. A few seconds later, his phone buzzed again. Bryant accepted the call but didn't say anything.

"You've lost some time, but we can still recover. You have thirty seconds until – " Bryant ended the call and blacklisted the number. He turned to window and watched with the rest of his coworkers. Through the smoke, they saw shades of purple and black roll down the streets. The emergency sirens turned on, and every building with power entered lockdown. Sangvis Ferri forces were attacking. Bryant and his company ran for the panic room. Bryant stayed behind to cover their escape. He drew his handgun and kept it at the ready.

His phone rang. The screen showed a number he didn't recognize. He pushed the button to hang up, but the phone kept ringing. Bryant answered. "Alright, talk."

"Damnit, Bryant! You aren't making this easy. Your building is going to lose power soon. Once the power is cut, you will have about a minute until – "

"I said find someone else! I don't know who you are, and I'll be damned if I take orders from a voice." The voice tried to argue again, "No, listen: you have resources and information. Go with your contingency plan. I'm not interested."

"Bryant, you are the contingency plan." The lights flickered and once again he was left in darkened building. Sunlight passed through the smoke and windows. Bryant held the phone to his ear as the words finally sunk in. "You were not our first option, Bryant. We had over twenty contingencies in place, and you are the last one. You have sixty seconds." Bryant took a deep breath.

"What do you want from me?"

"Plans have been set in motion that have been sitting dormant for years. We are facing situations that can only be described as apocalyptic. We need someone of your skill and your experience on the frontline. You have thirty seconds."

"My skills?"

"You were a T-Doll Commander with Griffon for years, Bryant." Bryant shook his head and began pacing.

"I'm not working for them again! After all the shit I went through." Bryant began raising his voice. "You can't make me – "

"Bryant. A police T-Dolls is approaching. There is an SF patrol on an intercept path. Unless you intervene, the doll will perish and we may well lose the city. Its fate is in your hand. You have five seconds." The call disconnected. Bryant swallowed hard and turned to the hallway. If the doll tried to get to the panic room, the SF patrol would tear it apart. Bryant tightened the grip on his pistol. "My choice my ass." He muttered as he ran for the door.

As he approached, a T-Doll opened the door. A civilian protector USP Compact model. She gave a slight smile as Bryant came closer. "Three o'clock!" he called out as he slid into the hallway. USP braced herself and turned to take aim. The SF doll rounded the corner and opened fire. USP took a few direct hits, but dispatched the attacker. Bryant faced the opposite end of the hallway and put three bullets into an approaching sniper. Once the area was quiet again, USP leaned against the wall.

"Thank you, sir. You saved me." Bryant stood up and dusted off his leg. He nodded quietly. "Where are the others?"

"Panic Room. They got there safely." USP nodded. Bryant noticed 'blood' spilling from the wounds. The memories pricked at his heart, and his breast pocket felt heavier. He swallowed hard and pushed everything else out of his mind. "You're hurt. Let me help." Bryant fetched the first aid kit, but was stopped when his phone buzzed again. He handed the kit to the doll and answered.

"I knew we made the right choice with you, Bryant." Bryant looked at the doll, who was busy fixing up her wounds as best as possible.

"I'm not sure I made the right choice with you." The voice chuckled.

"As if you had a choice, Bryant. Head down to the first floor, south side men's restroom. There is a package waiting for you outside. Best of luck, Commander."