New mission.

"You're raising the level of my security clearance?" Sam said, doing his best to hide his true reaction. 

"In this base, at least," Alice said with a smile. "I want you to keep an eye on the weapons and make sure they aren't showing any weird signs."

"Aren't you being too paranoid? I don't think they would be able to function normally if there is a bug in their programs."

"Well, this is just a safety precaution. We don't want anything catching us by surprise."

"Not that we could do much even if we knew," Sam replied, following it with a sigh.

It's not like they could just factory reset a Valkyrie if she were to lose control. Looking at the AI blueprints, it would be a complete disaster if the restrictions placed on the weapons were broken. The best that could happen in that case is that they would stop functioning entirely, and since each one is unique with no backups, they would have to build a new one from the ground up if they want a replacement. 

"Your research hasn't been going well, right? Surely you have the time to handle this." Taking another piece of paper, the commander held it up for him to see. "I'm not ordering you to spend every waking hour monitoring them, however, I would appreciate it if you checked on them from time to time. Try to integrate yourself into their daily lives and see if anything suspicious happens when no one is looking."

The paper contained Sam's schedule, which puts him on standby for almost the entire day with the examination being the only duty he had to take care of. With that much free time on his hands, he had no excuse. Not that he wanted any to begin with.

The increased security clearance means that he now can enter the Valkyries' quarters, one of the most restricted areas on any of the Resistance's military bases. It was a section that only the commander could enter as far as he was aware, with only rumors about what goes on in there circulating among the soldiers. 

One thing he was sure of is that the quarters contained bedrooms for each of the Valkyries. Bedrooms mean beds, and beds mean bed activities.

Sam began to feel that something odd was going on with his life. No one person could have this much luck. If it wasn't completely ridiculous, he would've thought that Alice knew about his dilemma of not having a place where he could peacefully bang the Valkyries and decided to help him with that, handing him the keys to their bedrooms.

It's almost as if the whole thing is scripted. Maybe some kind of hidden camera prank aiming to expose his deeds. Or it could be an elaborate plan to ruin his reputation.

'Well, I guess I already did that…'

He has already crossed the line. If there was someone out there watching and waiting for him to do something he isn't supposed to do then they should already have all the evidence they need to destroy him by now.

This was just another incredible stroke of good luck, one he plans to exploit as much as possible.

But Sam wasn't an idiot. He wouldn't jump at the opportunity just because it was presented to him. Alice should already know that he hated his job. It wouldn't make much sense for him to suddenly accept this new mission without pushing back against it.

"Do I really have to do this?" He said, pretending to grimace. "You know I don't like interacting with those things, right?"

"Well, we don't have a choice." The commander sighed. "You're the only one whose job concerns them so it's only natural that you have to be the one to do it."

"This will be a major pain…"

On the inside, Sam was dancing. He was already starting to contemplate which of the Valkyries would be the first.

"You really don't like being around them, huh?" Alice commented. "I heard they're really popular. To think you aren't a fan of theirs."

"Admiring them from afar is one thing." Sam let out an exasperated sigh. "But working with them isn't as good as it might sound."

"Really?" 

"You might not know this since you're a woman, ma'am, but being subjugated to the temptation daily isn't good for one's mental health."

"Are you saying that… you want to sleep with the weapons?" Alice asked with a nervous smile. 

"I would be lying if I said I don't," Sam said, his expression unchanging. "I'm still a man, you know." 

"I… see…"

It was only after a few seconds that Sam realized what he had just done. Putting aside how creepy it sounded, he had told Alice directly that he was a normal man that has the same thoughts and urges as anyone born with a penis. It was something he wanted to do ever since he realized he had a crush on her but was never able to. To think he would one day just blurt it out in a formal conversation while she's acting as his superior.

Looking up to confirm Alice's reaction, he realized that he had really done it. The white haired woman was looking away, her cheeks flushed. Unbeknownst to him, his statement reminded her of what happened the other night and she couldn't stop her professional mask from falling off.

"Um… right… I guess you really are a man…" Alice said, sounding rather flustered. "I guess I… sometimes forget about that…"

Sensing the awkwardness spreading, Sam decided it was time to leave. Standing up, he decided to confirm the details of his new mission just in case his mind was playing tricks on him a couple of minutes ago.

"So, all I have to do is check on the weapons from time to time and report to you if I find anything weird?"

"Hm? Ah! Y-yes! That's right!"

"Well, I better get going then," He said, turning around and walking toward the door. "I want to get lunch before they return from their patrol."

"I see…" Taking a deep breath, the commander tried to calm herself. "Well, I will be looking forward to your reports."

For some reason, seeing him hurry to leave made Alice feel a hint of anger. She never planned to bring up what he did the other day, not wanting to ruin their relationship despite it all. A part of her still wanted to be close to him, but another served as a source of pain constantly reminding her that things will never be the same

"By the way, Alice." As she was in deep thought, Sam came to a stop and turned to look at her. "How are you feeling?"

Alice was silent for a moment, her expression frozen with confusion. After a moment of thought, she tilted her head and asked in an even tone.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, usually when your engagement gets broken you usually cry about it for a week," Sam said, recalling the half a dozen times it had already happened. "You didn't call me yesterday so I was starting to get worried."

Once again the only thing Alice could think of was what had happened that night. However, seeing the concern on Sam's face washed away her embarrassment allowing her to respond normally.

"You don't have to worry about that." She said, her lips curving into a warm smile. "I'm over it already." 

"Really?" Her response caused him to raise an eyebrow.

"Really," Alice said, waving her hand as if shooing him away. "Now, you better get going. Weren't you in a hurry a moment ago?" 

"Well… if you say you're fine then…" 

Sam still had some doubts but decided to trust what she said. Once he closed the door to the commander's office, Alice was finally able to relax. 

She let herself slump over her desk pushing the piles of papers aside. The conversation they had played in her mind on repeat. She was sure she was doing just fine until he started talking about sleeping with the weapons. At that point the mask hiding her true feelings slipped off and the embarrassment she had been suppressing resurfaced. 

Alice had no doubt that Sam wasn't aware of her knowing about his actions from that night, but it was clear that he felt something was off.

"… He really is a man, huh…" She murmured to herself, the image of her childhood friend appearing in her mind. "Does that mean he wants to…"