Chapter 1: The Diapered Decoy -- Ashley
In the aftermath of the failed operation, the base was eerily silent. The team, usually filled with lively chatter and the sound of boots clanging against metal, was now a tableau of worried faces and whispered conversations.
"Tess," Becca started, a grimace on her face as she relayed the latest news about Michelle. "The doctors... they've never seen anything like it. They can't even separate her from... from Rex. They've tried the 'Silver Bullet' command again, but it's like it doesn't register."
Becca's hands clenched into tight fists, her usual jovial demeanor replaced by raw concern. Lisa, ever the quiet observer, watched the exchange with a furrowed brow, her usually bright eyes clouded with worry.
In the background, Amber stroked Ranger's fur, her fingers sinking into his soft coat as if seeking comfort. The Doberman, usually so playful, seemed to sense his owner's distress and whined softly, nuzzling against her hand.
Tess, standing at the center of the room, let out a sigh, rubbing her temples. She had always been their rock, the one they looked up to when things went south. But now, even she looked worn down.
"We can't lose focus," Tess finally said, her voice firm despite her obvious exhaustion. "We still have a mission. Ruth Dagger is still out there, and we can't let Michelle's... situation distract us."
The team nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. They had a duty, and as much as they worried about Michelle, they couldn't let their personal feelings get in the way.
As the team returned to their duties, Ashley walked into the room, her usual bright smile absent. "Hey, Dennis," she greeted the base's technician, her voice lacking its usual cheer.
Dennis, a burly man with a friendly demeanor, returned her greeting with a smile. "Got something for you, Ash," he said, revealing a new uniform, its fabric glistening under the fluorescent lights.
Ashley raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "A new uniform?" she asked, turning the fabric over in her hands. Dennis confirmed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Made it myself. It's got all the latest tech."
Ashley smiled at Dennis's enthusiasm, her own worries momentarily forgotten. She thanked him, promising to try it on later.
Later that day, Ashley found herself alone in her quarters, the new uniform laid out on her bed. Her bright blue eyes, usually sparkling with excitement, were dull and clouded with worry. She ran her fingers through her short bobbed blonde hair, a gesture she often did when stressed.
With a soft sigh, she began to undress and tried on the new uniform. The fabric was smooth against her slim figure, and the uniform fit her perfectly, almost like it was tailor-made for her petite frame. She admired herself in the mirror, appreciating the way it hugged her curves, highlighting her strong, athletic build. She felt a sense of pride wearing the uniform, a reminder of her duty and dedication to the team.
The next day started surprisingly usual. Ashley admired her reflection in the mirror. The new uniform was a perfect fit, hugging her figure in all the right places. But as she began her day, a nagging discomfort in her crotch area began to manifest. She tried to brush it off, attributing it to the newness of the uniform.
However, as the hours passed, the persistent itch became impossible to ignore. Her movements were awkward, her face a picture of concealed discomfort.
Despite her best efforts, Ashley's discomfort didn't go unnoticed. The usually bubbly and energetic member of the team was uncharacteristically quiet, and her teammates were observant enough to notice.
"Everything alright, Ash?" Tess inquired, her brow furrowing in concern. Tess, always the leader, was ever vigilant about her team's condition, especially given the recent events with Michelle.
Ashley attempted a reassuring smile, but it came out as a grimace. " I'm okay, Tess. Just a little chafed, that's all," she replied, her voice strained.
Tess awkwardly patted her gently on the head. "Try to bear with it, okay? I'll ask Dennis to make some adjustments."
Becca, who had a knack for turning serious situations into light-hearted ones, chimed in, "You sure it's not Ranger's fur sticking to you?" She winked at Amber, who offered a small, strained smile in return. The whole team was struggling to maintain their normalcy, the unspoken worry for Michelle like a heavy cloud over them.
Lisa, the team's sharpshooter, was quick to cut through the attempts at humour. Her usually distant demeanor gave way to genuine concern as she turned to Ashley. "Have you seen a doctor yet?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.
Ashley shook her head, her attempts to downplay her discomfort starting to crumble under the weight of her teammates' concern. "I guess I could... It's just a little uncomfortable, is all," she finally admitted, much to the relief of her concerned friends.
They were a team -- a family -- and the situation with Michelle had brought them even closer. No one wanted to see another one of their own suffer. Even if the issue seemed as trivial as an uncomfortable uniform, they couldn't help but worry.In another part of the base, Dennis, their cheerful technician, was in his workshop, a phone pressed against his ear. His normally jovial demeanor was gone, replaced with a cold detachment.
