"IWS2000, we have arrived."

"Mmm... five more minutes..."

Sigh, this kid... a couple minutes ago she was munching the Commander's snacks, and now she went to dreamland again?

I lightly poke her cheek, "Come on, dear."

She lets out a long yawn. Back to square one, huh?

"Come on, take your briefcase on the trunk. You are strong enough to do that, yes?"

As I asked that, I help her with her safety belt before opening the door for her, and then I do the same on my end.

"Yes..."

She slowly gets out from the car, err, the Commander's car, and followed me to the trunk.

I open the trunk to show its contents.

A briefcase that I know and love since acting as the leader of the Commander's first echelon, a couple of suitcases (that the Commander had packed with some clothing for both me and IWS2000, apparently.) and her own briefcase that has her rifle stored inside.

"Mrs. Negev, the Commander told you to bring those suitcases as well, right?"

"Yes, they're... clothing, for both of us."

"I see! Commander really cares for his members!"

I laugh, letting my back endure the weight of my briefcase. Even though I'm slim and... lightweight, I can carry heavy items easily. Same goes to IWS2000 as well.

She managed to get her briefcase out from the trunk as well, though she carried it like... a school backpack for elementary students would use. Huh... reminds me of someone...

Probably not important.

I close the trunk as delicate as possible to not damage the car, before locking it with the car key.

With my briefcase on my back, and my two hands grabbing one suitcase each, I breathe a sigh.

What is the Commander thinking?

"Mrs. Negev, let's go in!"

"Ah, of course. Let us go inside."

Area X23.

Nothing that I know about this place other than that it is a safe area with no signs of Sangvis troops attacking the residents of this area.

But if this area is peaceful, why did the Commander...?

Either way, his reasonings that I will soon find out aside, we are now standing in front of the door that would lead us in to our "home".

I open my right hand's glove, before placing my palm on the scanner that's placed on the wall. Invisible to humans, but us T-Dolls can see its exact location.

[Access granted. Welcome home – Secretary IWI Negev & IWS2000.]

Me aside, how does the system... no, this must have been the Commander's doing, as well.

The door automatically opens, and I let IWS2000 enter first.

"Woahh! Mrs. Negev, look! Everything looks so high tech like back in the headquarters!"

I let out an impressed whistle, as the little offspring ran around the living room with glee.

The decorations, the furniture around the area, they all reminds me of his taste.

The Commander has a huge addiction to historical paintings... and also cats. It doesn't surprise me that the biggest painting is about Schrödinger's cat, as well.

"Ah, kitty! It looks so cute!"

"Indeed, IWS2000. That is Schrödinger's cat. But I assume you knew about the theory?"

"Umm... A hypothetical... theory about a kitty and a toxic object that are both placed in a box together. Until we open the box to check, the kitty will always be deemed as alive and dead at the same time."

I clap my hands, "Very good. Indeed. It is nothing but a hypothetical theory made by Erwin Schrödinger, an Austrian like you."

"Yeah, I know about him. But... isn't it cruel?"

"What is?"

She looks at me with sad eyes, before glancing back at the painting.

"I mean... it's just a normal kitty, trying its best to live a normal life..."

Ah...

True, in the eye of a six-year-old, it is a cruel thing to do.

Scratch that, I assume some people are against the scientist back then, as well.

Crap, how should I answer to that?

"Mrs. Negev, do you think the kitty deserves it?"

As if noticing my silence, the little girl asks me.

"..."

I take a deep breath, before kneeling in front of her so we're on the same height.

"Listen, IWS2000."

"In this world, some sacrifices are inevitable. Humanity, like our Commander and our other human comrades in the HQ, has done a... lot of sacrifices in order to survive."

"The Commander did...?"

I nod, "Indeed. While I am not proud of anything bad humanity has done, and believe me, they've committed a lot of crimes that my Lord wouldn't forgive so easily, I also know they did those acts for the greater good."

"Greater... good...?"

"Uh huh. And the little kitten that Schrödinger used? It was one of the many sacrifices needed to shape the world we are living in today, as well. Sure, it's not peaceful as a couple of years ago, but... we are here because of those sacrifices, no? You meeting the Commander, meeting everyone in the base... and meeting me."

Her eyes stared at mine before looking down.

"...I'm sorry, Mrs. Negev. I guess you are right."

She looks at me with a smile...

"Ah... that is all fine, IWS2000. Why don't you go to your bedroom? I already received the map from the system... it should be on the second floor."

"Okay..."

I watch her go upstairs.

Curses, I'm with her less than a day and now things are getting awkward? All because of a bloody painting of a cat.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, before setting my briefcase on the floor.

I sit on the comfy sofa, letting out a tired sigh.

"Commander... what should I do...?"

"What you should do is to check up with Steyr-chan, no?"

"Waah!"

I look to my right, the sight of the Commander sitting on the other side of the sofa could be seen.

"Come now, why the shocked expression, Negev?"

"I-I mean, you just...! No... this is one of the technologies in this house, isn't it, Commander?"

He nods, giving me a smile.

"Indeed, it is."

I focus my eyes, and I soon noticed that the Commander I'm seeing is nothing but a projection.

He stands up, "walking" around before looking at me.

"So, first impressions?"

"First impressions...? I apologize, Commander, but I don't know what you mean."

"I'm talking about Steyr-chan, Negev."

"...Ah."

I nod.

"I... didn't know kids would be this..."

"Annoying?"

"Well, a little. She's... I don't know how to... handle her questions."

"I see, that's quite a problem."

"I hate to say this, but... I don't understand her at all."

He laughed a little, before coughing.

"That's just how any beginners would feel, Negev."

I look away. This isn't how I want to do this mission...

"Take it easy, okay? You have a lot of time."

"A lot of time? Sir, I-"

"Steyr-chan is safer with you rather than in the base. And I trust you completely. Plus, it's a great chance to teach the young T-Doll about this world, no?"

I think about it for a moment.

Wait a minute...

"...What do you mean she's safer with me rather than in the base, where we have... everyone, to say the least. Shouldn't it be the opposite?"

The Commander looked at me and fixed his glasses.

"Negev, there is a reason for that."

"I want you to make her days as enjoyable as you can. It doesn't matter how, just make her enjoy her days... with you. Everything... will be revealed one by one."

"But I have 0 experience with kids!"

"But you are my secretary. I've talked to you about my younger days. You're the most human out of every T-Doll in our legion... 404 being excluded."

"Well, if you put it that way..."

"Plus, I overheard your conversation with her on the way. Negev shisou, huh? Kinda cute."

"W-well, I am a-"

"Specialist, after all. And you're mine to boot, how lovely."

"My break time is over. Have fun, Negev-chan."

He waves his hand before disappearing.

The most... human, huh?

I laugh, placing my right hand on my face.

"True, I feel like he has made me less of a machine nowadays. I wonder if this is what they meant about having a heart?"

But now...

How should I do that...?

Ah, I did sense there's an underground facility...

I nod, before going upstairs.

"...IWS2000? Where are you, sweetie?"

I try to call her.

The Commander told me a couple months ago that a human child would respond faster with "Dear...", "Sweetie..." and the like.

"I'm here..."

I hear her voice trailing off from one of the rooms.

When I open the door, I can see her sitting on her designated bed, reading what seems to be a storybook.

"What are you reading?" I ask, sitting beside her.

Flipping the page to read a new one, she replies: "It's a book full of Austrian folktales. I am reading The Enchanted Sleep now."

Ah, I knew about that story.

The Commander had a friend from Austria, and she apparently gave the Commander her book.

"...I recognize that book."

"Do you, Mrs. Negev?"

"Indeed, it was the Commander's, given by his friend. She came from Austria, too."

IWS2000's face beams after that.

"Really?!"

I nod, "Yes. The Commander... he has a lot of friends from around the globe."

"Cool! You know, Mrs. Negev, I'm curious."

"Curious about what?"

She puts a finger on her chin, thinking.

"...What does it feel to be an adult?"

"E-eh?!"

"I mean, the Commander is... I don't know, he looks dumb. But beneath his glasses, his eyes... I feel like he's been through a lot. Does all adult humans and adult T-Dolls in the base work in the same way?"

I look at the ceiling, thinking of a good response.

True, the Commander is like a set of Matryoshka dolls. You open his first layer of secrets... and you will find yourself standing in front of another wall that hides another secret. So on and so forth until you reached the last doll.

His gentle eyes that are accompanied by his glasses represents his pacifistic approach towards life, but every T-Dolls that has seen him on the battlefield could tell he hides something far more sinister inside him. Him going to the battlefield was something many of us deemed as a bad decision, but he made it clear that he would rather die alongside us than sitting nicely in the base.

...But in the end, Helian would scold him and he was from then on must only stay in the base unless necessary.

"...Mrs. Negev, are you okay?"

"O-oh! Sorry, I just thought your question was a nice one. You see, IWS2000, adults like me and the Commander... has many things in their minds. For example, the Commander always thinks of a way to execute an order carefully so us T-Dolls won't get brutally damaged. Another example is me thinking about how to help him as best as I could. Both humans and T-Dolls help each other out. I believe that is what us adults must go through every single day."

"I see... so the true meaning of being adults is... to help each other, despite our differences?"

I nod, giving her a smile.

"Indeed, dear. You learn quick, I find that enjoyable."

I raise my hand hesitantly... before placing it on top of her head.

"...Eh?"

Startled, she looked at me with wide eyes.

"...I have a lot of expectations on your shoulders."

Patting the girl on the head, I smile at her.

The smile I always wear whenever I'm alone with someone who I trust the most.

"...Ehehehe... this is the first time you smiled at me this way... it feels nice..."

Commander... I may be a Specialist when it comes to war and on the battlefield.

I may be a proud leader with a famous reputation for winning wars after wars against the Sangvis Ferri for your sake.

I may be your one and only beloved.

But I am not inexperienced with kids.

But I am not familiar with their world, and I do not stand their antics.

But... But still...

I think I may have learned a thing or two about their, no, her perspective of this world.

"...Mrs. Negev?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for being so dramatical about the kitty painting."

...

I chuckle, still ruffling her hair.

"I am a Specialist, Steyr. I won't be mad over such a trivial problem."

"...Steyr?"

"Did you just call me Steyr, Mrs. Negev?"

"W-well, I just think calling you IWS2000 all the time would be time-consuming, and a Specialist must never waste her time over trivial things."

Before I could open my mouth again to say another line, Steyr hugs me with great force for a child, resulting in the two of us falling off the bed and into the floor covered by fluffy carpet.

"Uwaaaaaah~~! I'm so happy...!"

"Ack! Steyr, get off me...!"

She happily hugs me, as we roll around the carpet. Is she... crying?

"...Steyr... my clothes will be wet..."

"Uuuu..."

Her small figure holds on to me, as she silently lets out happy tears on my chest.

"...As expected, children really are the worst..."

I pat her back, letting her cry as much as she wants until she's satisfied.

Commander, this is fine, right?

I think to myself, looking up at the ceiling once more.

"...I will be sure to make our days fun together, Steyr. I swear upon my name."

A/N: Thank you so much for reading this chapter. Now, you might be thinking "Pfft, please, Negev wouldn't be able to handle a lost cause like a child... right?" and honestly? I completely agree. In my understanding, Negev is totally not suitable to be a parental figure, let alone a solo parent at that. But in this chapter, what I wished to show is her willingness to learn, accept, and adapt to new situations. Much like her in real life counterpart that can adapt to harsh situations, I wish to show how Negev will adapt, improvise and lastly overcome challenges that are given towards her. I'm not all too familiar with the concept of Matryoshka dolls so much, so I apologize if I got it wrong.

Starting from chapter three and onwards, more T-Dolls will come to visit Negev and little Steyr... and maybe give our beloved Specialist some advice or two... much to the pinkie's dislike.

With all that said... Again, thank you for reading this chapter. Reviews are deeply appreciated, as well as those who follow this story or even set this as one of their favorites! See you next time, SK07, signing out.