Artificial

Heart-to-Heart

Operator Reach

My eyes slowly creep open to let in the morning sun, and I reach out my hand to feel for Shockwave. Finding nothing, I pat around a few times, in case she got a little too warm and shifted from my side.
Nothing. Vel must've woken her up to go work out.
I slip on my cross-com, and my HUD boots up.
12:30 PM? I must've sensed Shock was gone and woken up early.
The voice in my head yawns.
Mornin', bro.
Mornin'.
Why are we up so early?
Look at my bed.
Ah, Shockwave's gone. We'll find her, bro, get your armor on.
I open my closet to find my fatigues in their usual pile on the floor, and my armor in a pile next to it, but my helmet is nowhere to be found.
Did you lose it?
No, man, even I'm not that stupid.
Alright, we can look for it later. I'm pinging Tremor now.
I drop my cross-com on my bed and begin putting on my armor, starting with the form-fitting Kevlar base later.

I secure a titanium plate onto my forearm and adjust the fit as I approach the door, then pause to slip my cross-com back on.
Get anything from Tremor?
Yeah. She says Shockwave has your helmet, but wouldn't tell me why. She said to come outside.
A smile crosses my face.
Let's not keep them waiting.
I open the door to the courtyard, but find it empty.
What kind of fuckery is this?
Beats me, man.
The sound of a dropship's thrusters make me jump. The craft swoops down low over the Operators' barracks, then swings around to hover a few feet off the ground, kicking up tons of dust. As it clears, Velox steps forward.
"Get in, bitch, we're going raiding!"
Next to her, Evo smiles, the bright white light that simulates his teeth piercing the shade. Next to him is a soldier I don't recognize, dressed in black body armor with a bright red visor.
They look dangerous.
Maybe allied special forces?
Maybe.
As the dust finally settles, I see Shockwave next to her, eyes fixed on me, long brunette hair swept over one shoulder. I approach the ship, and she offers her hand. I take it, and she pulls me up and into her arms with surprising strength. Her lips meet mine, and for a quick moment everything else falls away. I open my eyes when she pulls away, flashing me a flawless smile as she reveals my helmet, hidden behind her back.
"I knew if I took your helmet, I'd get a chance to do that before we fight."
The smile that our kiss plastered on my face somehow grows wider.
I feel so lucky to have her.
Feeling's mutual, bud. According to Tremor, her heart rate increases whenever she sees you.
Aw, that's sweet.
The ship starts to move, and she begins to pull her long hair into a ponytail.
"What about weaponry?" I ask, turning to the others, who are already armed.
"Chill, I got you covered," Evo responds, sitting on a crate on the other side of the dropship. He stands, turns around, and opens it, retrieving a camouflaged standard-issue assault rifle. He tosses it to me, and it flies into my hands with a satisfying slap.
"Thought you might like something with a little more style," he explains, now sitting on the crate once more.
"It's nice. Thanks, bro."
"Anytime."
My gear sorted, I turn to the unknown soldier.
"Who's the new guy? Allied special forces?"
The squad laughs, but the soldier in black remains silent.
"Oh god, I'm sorry," I offer up sheepishly. "Have we met before?"
"I'd say so," the soldier answers with a soft, serious, female voice. She removes her helmet, revealing matte black metal skin and eyes like digital sapphires.
"I'm the one who made you who you are today."
Ayala?
Ayala?
"Holy shit. It worked, didn't it?"
"Yes, it did. And I want to say something I never got to say while I was alive."
She steps closer, and I brace myself for whatever insults she plans to pelt me with.
But instead, she hugs me.
"I am so proud of you, Reach."
What?
"Out of all of my soldiers, you have had probably the most impressive transformation. Vel will always be my pride and joy, but you are my proudest accomplishment. It took a lot of tough love, but I managed to take you in as a lazy, undisciplined Recruit and set you on the path to being one of the best Force Recon Operators out there."
"Wow, Captain, I—"
"I'm not done," she interrupts, still sassy as ever, then continues.
"Look at yourself. Look at all the good you've done. You've become a disciplined and focused soldier, but kept the easygoing qualities that make you an enjoyable person to be around. I couldn't have asked for a better end result. You're the one people look to in times of stress, hardship, and crisis, because not much seems to faze you. You've become a source of relief, for far more than just your little girlfriend."
I look over at Shockwave, who nods and tilts her head at me, a small, shy smile appearing on her face.
"No offense to you, of course, Shockwave. You're a cute couple, and I'm glad Reach got you out of your shell."
She blushes, and her smile widens a bit.
"Thanks, Captain."
Ayala turns back to me.
"That's another thing I was so happy to see: you finding her. I'd never seen that caring side of you before, Reach, but it's undoubtedly one of your best traits. You took a shy, nervous Recruit, and helped her gain her confidence and hone her skill, and now she rivals even Velox in strength and prowess."
Shockwave turns even redder, her smile growing again as well.
"Well done, Reach, you have the potential to be a great instructor."
There's a pause.
"Okay, I'm done."
"Thank you for the kind words, Captain," I reply. "It makes the months of getting chewed out and berated endlessly almost worth it."
Ayala gives me a disapproving glare, then fires back with, "Well, I think I got something that'll tip that scale."
"What's that?"
"You're getting your own fireteam."