Artificial

Priorities

Operator Riot

I wake up to her arms around my waist and the smell of coffee. I don't open my eyes, instead electing to pause and enjoy one of the most peaceful moments I've had in recent memory. The aroma of my favorite coffee blend permeates the room, prepared by Tower as a more gentle alternative to an alarm clock. More important are the toned, wiry arms wrapped around my waist in a possessive display of affection. They belong to Katya, who I think may have finally found some confidence. I gently remove myself from her grasp, grab a mug of coffee, and exit to the patio. I slip on my cross-com, and Tower speaks calmly in my ear.
"You seem happy."
"I am. It's so peaceful."
"That's not what I'm talking about."
I chuckle.
"Yeah, last night was pretty great."
"I won't ask for details."
"Good, you weren't gonna get any," I respond, unable to stop myself from laughing again. "But that's not the only reason I'm so happy."
"What is it, then?"
"It's everything. I'm out here drinking my favorite coffee on a peaceful morning, back in my bed there's a woman I care about, who's finally showing confidence, who just shared an intimate moment with me the night before. Life is better than it's been in a long time. This place...it's starting to feel something like home."
As if on cue, the alarm blares across the base. I sigh, down the rest of my coffee in a single swig, and re-enter the cabin. "What's going on?" Katya sleepily asks as she rouses herself from slumber.
"Defense stations!" Lazarus yells over the speakers. "The Saclarians want payback, and we're gonna make sure they go home empty handed!"
"That," I reply flatly as I don my armor. "Time to prove your worth, hon. Gear up."

We run from the cabin toward the command center of the base, where the sounds of combat dominate the sounds of a once-peaceful morning. We find Lazarus commanding the forces of FOB Ayala from the courtyard, and report in without hesitation.
"What's she doing here?" Lazarus immediately responds.
"She's here to help defend the base!" I answer, taken slightly aback.
"She's a recent defector!"
"She's trying to prove her loyalty! We can trust her!"
"I do trust her, you idiot!"
Whoops. Misread that.
"But she's a massive target! If they take her out, it'll be a devastating warning to anyone else who considers defecting. We need to keep her in the back and make sure she's protected!"
"Okay, that makes sense. Let's get her to the armory, that should be safe!"