October 29, 1956 - Leningrad, Rossiya. Morning.

Today was the day of General Gabriel Faire's funeral. My friend. My love. My fiancee. And sadly...today was my birthday too.

It was a ceremony attended by a crowd of people. Commanders young and old. Soldiers, statesmen, politicians. Close and distant friends. Even ordinary peasants attended there.

Gabriel was a great man. He had been in the military since he was 15, and he was an amazing strategist. He served in the BWMG for a short time before officially becoming part of the SVS. He won numerous battles through sheer wit and deception. He was one of the first commanders who grasp the potential of Metal Maidens and created the tactics which many commanders use today solely limited to the use of Metal Maidens.

But he was nice, and humble. He only liked simple things and was very easy to approach. He was honest, not caring if what he says hurts others or himself when he wants to prove a point. But most of all...he chose someone like me to be part of his life. A nobody like me, without a family or some kind of influence over anyone.

I attended the ceremony, but I refused to give a speech. I was too shy, too hurt, to do it. I wanted to mourn him privately. I wanted to...I wanted to show him that I accept his death...and I will fulfill his last words. It's just...right now...I am lost on what I am about to do.

"Zoya...I'm sorry for your loss...", a woman wearing a longcoat spoke to me as I stood outside the place where Gabriel's tomb was. I knew who this woman was.

"Sensei (teacher) Sophia? I am glad you came."

"I'm glad you're okay too, Zoya. It would have hurt me had I found out you died after what you just did."

"Sorry to make you worry, sensei. I just got too worried for Gabriel at the time. I forgot about my safety..."

"Are you alright?"

"...no...No sensei..."

I was about to shed a tear when Sophia-sensei held it with her finger. I'm glad she came, and that she was alive.

Her name was Sophia Malinovskaya. She was our instructor when she transferred to Frunze months ago to teach more students. She used to be an active Metal Maiden and she is really strong. In fact, she happened to be a new type: An IS-2 tank type.

"Sensei...I wish I could've been like you..."

"Zoya...", she said with concern

"If only I had become stronger...faster...if only I were an IS type too...I could have saved him..."

Sophia patted me on the shoulder and said:

"Nothing would've changed Zoya. In my opinion, even if you did, you might have not made it either. All we know so far was that Gabriel died a hero, died fulfilling a mission, and was too seperated at the time from you."

"I wonder...what killed him..."

"You want revenge, Zoya?"

"No...sensei...even if I wanted to, I'd be too weak for it. Revenge won't change anything..."

"Good, Zoya. Gabriel would've not wanted you to feel that way too."

"I...I'm just curious what monster killed him. Those injuries...the fact he fought it alone..."

"Sadly, we may never find out, Zoya."

"By the way...I know it's a bit out of place but..."

"...Happy...birthday, Zoya..."

"...*smiled* Thanks...sensei...but I need to leave for a while..."

"Zoya, what will you do?"

"I don't know. Maybe... I might...change my hairstyle...or something...something..."

"Just...leave me alone for now...sensei..."

-- -- --

Malinovskaya Academy. At Zoya's room.

Zoya laid down on her bed as she tried to sleep and let the day pass. She wasn't interested to see Gabriel's funeral. She was restless, unable to do daily tasks or find something to enjoy herself. Being alone...it is all she wants to do for now.

6:15 PM

Sometime later, someone knocked on her room. Zoya ignored him/her. That person knocked again - for 5 times. Zoya refused to respond, covering herself with a blanket.

Moments later, that person, without saying a word, slid a piece of paper under the door, and left. Zoya noticed the paper - she got out of her bed to read it. The paper read:

Zoya, it's me Aurora. Sensei told me you left and did not attend Gabriel's funeral. I looked for you everywhere, I'm glad you're here safe and sound. I understand you have a reason for not opening this door...if that were the case...I won't bother you anymore...

I just wanted to greet you for your birthday today...in case you're interested...meet me at the training room. I have a present for you, I'll wait for you until 8:00.

~ Aurora

It turned out to be Aurora, Zoya's classmate and closest, if not her only, friend. Reading the letter made Zoya feel a bit more comfortable. She was happy that Paulina cared for her in these tough moments.

Still, it was not enough. Zoya did not feel motivated to come and see her friend. She decided to get back to bed and sleep, not changing her mind to end day at her room, all by herself. She wasn't worried if Aurora would scold her for not coming. She knows Aurora very well - Aurora is a nice and shy person, and won't mind at all if she refused her request.

The weather outside was cold, as cold as Zoya's state of mind. For now all she wanted was a nap. For now she wanted to calm herself down. For now...she wanted to be alone.

As Zoya closed her eyes and prepared to sleep, she whispered:

"...Someday, Gabriel...someday...I will change...I will get stronger...for you...for everyone...I promise..."

--- ---

Two years later...somewhere in Northern Gallia...

Somewhere on the road, a certain girl uses her binoculars to scout the area she and her accomplice is in...

"Commander, I see enemy scouts moving west. Two LAVs, one MT. Your orders, sir."

"Zzzz...zzz...", the person she was talking to was sleeping.

"Sir?", said the girl trying to wake him up.

"...uhh...wait...Calm down...I know what to do...", the man replied as he just woke up.

"Hehe...are you sure, Commander?", the girl replied.

A story was about to begin...

--- ---
A/N: I will publish the next chapter probably by the next few days.

UPDATE!: I just lost my internet connection. I might update again probably this coming Thursday or Friday.