[My's Art in comment]
April 6, 2050 - 16:00
West of Da Nang, Vietnam - Black Angels Division Armory
"I'm telling you, whatever expectation you have about our armory, it'll be blown sky high after this," Luna said as she was leading the Whiskey team toward the armory.
"What? Aren't we just going to the usual armory? Is there a different one?" Peter asked.
"Yes, a very different one. The one you guys have been going to is just a basic armory filled with surplus and old weapons. The official operators get a wider selection, newer and better toys." Harrison answered this time.
"I think you're overhyping this up, Captain. I know the Division is well-funded, but how different can it be?" Kasem expressed his doubt.
Luna led them toward the armory building. At first, it was just a normal-looking armory, rows of countless old M4s, AKs, and a few other guns. That was until Luna led them down to the basement, where they had been barred from before. The basement armory was much more strict, with more security and personnel.
All of them went through the appropriate security measures, ID checks, biometrics, and body scans before they all ended in a large airlock. The majority of them thought that it was overkill, even the armories of the powerhouses of the previous era weren't this strict. The door locked behind them, a few hisses and buzzes here and there, before the entrance opened, revealing the armory inside.
Everyone in Whiskey team, except for one, was awestruck by the sight behind the door, like a bunch of children who were introduced to Dizney Land for the first time. This armory could only be described as a lavishly decorated museum of weapons, with a myriad of weapons of all types displayed on the wall and in open display cases. The weapons are separated into categories, such as pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, and machine guns, with each category having its own section and sub-categories if necessary. There was even a section for gadgets, drones, and explosives, which definitely gained Katya and Kasem's attention.
"Is this heaven?"
"Holy shit, this is all I've ever wanted."
"Someone's a huge fan of Johnny Wickerman, and I LOVE IT!"
"I'm bricked up…"
Everyone had the same reaction. They were in love with the sight and basking in its glory. Luna was recording everyone's reaction with her phone, with a bright smile on her face, while Harrison was sporting an "I told you so" face. My, however, was only showing a slightly impressed expression.
"Not bad for a training facility." My commented.
"She said she doesn't have a lot of hobbies, but if you ask me, I think this IS one of her hobbies," Harrison replied.
"Harry, you should really get her into a new hobby."
"Me? I'm the least qualified person to be helping someone with hobbies."
"I remember you playing that one tabletop game… something War 40k."
"Space War 40k? I doubt she would be interested in it."
"She's a workaholic who likes crunching numbers and strategizing. She'll fit right in."
Harrison opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it. My grinned back at Harry, knowing that she was right in this conversation.
While the squad was still stunned by the sight, someone approached them from the side and introduced themselves.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the gun shop," his accent was distinctly British.
Everyone regained their senses and looked at the person who just spoke to them. He was a well-dressed and handsome old man, with gray hair all around, a suit and tie neatly wrapped around his well-fit body, despite his age being in the 60s. He looked out of place, like a businessman in a warzone, although, considering the state of the armory room, he fit in perfectly.
No one knew what to say or reply to this seemingly out-of-place man.
"Good to see you again, Mr. Montgomery." Harrison took the lead before it got awkward.
"Ah, Lieutenant Harrison, it has been a while."
"Indeed, I'm a captain now."
"Oh, please accept my heartfelt congratulations!"
"Thank you," Harrison replied while scratching the back of his head. It was always a little awkward talking to the gunsmiths that B.A.D hired.
"I take it that you're introducing your new charges to the gun shop?"
"Yes, please help them get what they need."
Montgomery simply nodded before procuring a from his suit and ringing it. Everyone was wondering what it was for, or if it was some sort of a show, when a group of similarly well-dressed but younger people exited from the back room and made their way toward Whiskey team.
Chisato, who was as baffled as the majority, decided to call her helpline who was standing right next to her.
"My, I heard it earlier, but are all armorers in B.A.D just as weird? Or is he just… extra?" She asked by discreetly flicking her head toward Montgomery.
"Oh, the majority of them are weird and wacky, some way or another. Since the PMC is able to procure and maintain a lot of guns, even the rarer ones, they have to hire people who are extremely knowledgeable and skilled to maintain these guns." My then leaned closer to Chisato and covered her mouth, "Hint hint, most of them gun nerds are weird, pretty sure some of them aren't just on the spectrum, they own the spectrum. Trust me, Montgomery ain't the weirdest you'll ever see."
"Uh huh… hmm, noted." Chisato's expression told My that she still had more questions to ask, but it seemed that her girlfriend decided to keep it to herself for now, which My found kind of cute of Chisato.
The group of young armorers arrived in front of the team and bowed. Most of Whiskey team just awkwardly smiled or nodded back.
"My apprentices and I would be honored to help you find your preferred set-up. Please follow my apprentices. They will help you set up your loadout."
At Montgomery's instruction, each of them went along with their own armorer. Chisato gave My a peck on her cheek before going along with her personal armorer.
"As for you, young miss, I will be at your service. Is there anything in particular that you are looking forward to using in the upcoming mission? Perhaps you could share the scope of the mission, so that I could offer you more precise help." Montgomery prompted.
"Hmm… It's going to be mostly close range, with a possibility of medium range engagement, unarmored or lightly armored targets with lots of automatic weapons… Oh, and I'm a breacher." My replied.
Montgomery touched his well-groomed beard as he processed the information. It didn't take long for him to offer an answer.
"Based on your information, I'd recommend a submachine gun."
Montgomery started walking toward the SMG section while My followed behind him. They both walked past the assault rifle section, where most of the team was. He approached the wall where the SMGs were, looked at the various SMGs displayed, before removing a gun from the wall and presenting it to My.
"May I suggest the American classic, the SIG MPX?"
My took the MPX from Montgomery's hand and inspected it.
"Lightweight, fast firerate, easy to control recoil, and simply reliable. This version of the MPX is fitted with a polymer handguard, light and durable steel frame, an eight-inch barrel, and a collapsible buttstock. It has a fire rate of 850 RPM, suitable for suppression and a target-rich environment."
My tested the gun in her hand, getting into different stances with the gun, high-ready, low-ready, aiming down the sights. It didn't take her long before she returned the weapon to Montgomery, shaking her head.
"Not my style, feels awkward to handle, and the buttstock feels too flimsy."
"Understood," Montgomery took the gun back and returned it to its rightful place on the wall. He then pointed at a nearby gun, "How about the Czech-made Scorpion EVO 3, chambered in 9x19 Parabellum, gas blowback, mostly polymer frame, a respectable fire rate of 1150 RPM. Light, Fast, Deadly."
"Or, do you perhaps prefer a higher caliber? If so, I'd recommend the Swiss specialty, ACP45 BMT. Just as the name suggests, it's chambered in the .45 ACP, with a metal-alloy upper and polymer for the rest of its frame, and a fire rate above 1000 RPM." He pointed to a gun below the previous one.
My thought about it while looking at the selection of submachine guns. She was contemplating between getting the right gun for the situation and also choosing a gun that she likes. A good compromise between aesthetic and effectiveness. Her eyes darted around until they landed on a particular gun. Montgomery noticed and quickly removed the gun from its display, handing the gun over to My.
"The Krysis Vector, quite an unconventional but marvelous piece of engineering, using a downward reciprocating bolt to send the recoil downward to its magwell, and a terrifying 1200 RPM fire rate. We currently have two variants in stock, the 9mm and the .45 ACP. The R&D department of the company is also currently working on converting the Vector to be chambered in 5.56 and 7.62 PACT rounds, though it would probably take a while until they could figure that out."
My racked the charging handle and nodded when she heard the satisfying click of the mechanism. She did the same thing as before, feeling the gun and trying out different stances to get a feel for it. It took her a few minutes to be satisfied before she returned the gun to the butler figure.
"I'll take this Vector in nine millimeters, please. Could you please kit it out with a holographic sight, magnifier, suppressor, foregrip, sling, and a few of the extended mags?" My requested.
"It will be done, young lady."
"As for my secondary…" My was interrupted by Montgomery.
"Ah, as for that matter of fact, the boss has already arranged something for you beforehand. Please wait a moment."
My tilted her head in confusion, like when an animal tilted their head when they were curious about something.
The butler went to the back area before returning with a box in his hands. My had no idea of what was going on. If Luzia was planning something, it certainly was a secret, now that My was no longer near Luzia to dig into her secrets, though she didn't suspect that Harry knew something about this arrangement.
Montgomery returned with the box, placed it on a nearby desk, and gestured for My to open it herself. My approached the box and, without hesitation, opened it.
A wave of surprise washed over her. Her pupil immediately dilated, her breath paused, her hands frozen as she dropped the box lid.
Inside the box was a Pit Viper. One of the rarest pistols ever made, with only 106 known productions, made by an unknown producer, and used by the rich, powerful, and (in)famous figures of the mercenary and underground world. On top of being a rare gun production, there was a rumor circulating in the mercenary and underworld that the famous assassin Johnny Wickerman used this gun, making the Pit Viper highly sought after.
"Oh damm, she managed to get a hand on one of these?" Harry, who just got behind My, blurted out when he saw the gun.
My was still in a stupor and didn't reply to Harry at all. She picked up the gun with both hands, with the same reverence as someone who had just received an autograph from a famous person. She inspected the weapon.
Most of the known Pit Vipers were reported to be owned by infamous drug lords, kingpins, collectors, and a few mercenaries who managed to get their hands on the rare pistols, and most of them would never use the weapons, only putting them behind glass casings, never to be used. The one My received, however, was a battle-worn pistol, adorned with scratches and marks indicating it was well-used and proven in combat. Whoever the previous owner of the gun was must have been quite adept at the art of gunslinging.
It might even be Johnny Wickerman himself.
Harry patted My's head, bringing her back to reality.
"I guess that was the birthday gift that she was meant to give you earlier this year."
"She really didn't have to… I was happy that she was around."
"She loves you more than you know, kiddo, we all do."
My smiled sweetly, turned around and hugged Harry.
"Thanks, Harry."
"Say it to Luzia, I didn't do anything to get that gun." Harry hugged her back. "Also, would it hurt to call me your Dad someday?" He asked
"Hmmm, Maybe I just like calling you Harry, Harry~."
She joked, but deep down, part of her was unwilling to be fully close to anyone around her. That fear of losing someone close to her still lingered deep enough that no amount of therapy could fix it.
Perhaps one day, the wall will crumble, and she can truly be whole again.
Today was not that day.
April 6, 2050 - 17:24
Base Appolyon - Main Office
Luzia was still working as usual when she received a notification on her phone.
She picked up the phone to look at the notification.
It was from My.
"Thanks for the gift, Luzie :3. Hope it didn't cost too much."
She chuckled before sending a reply.
"Glad you like it, and don't worry about the money. It's me you're talking about. Go kick some asses with it."
She pressed enter to send the message, then went back to work.