Slicy-Dicey leveled her experimental blaster pistol toward one of the only two places she hadn't probed for the reploid prey target. She paused as the pressure door hissed open and her friend, Reaper, fell into the open trough where the huge light pipe was exposed for repairs. Her commander, Recon2015, said drolly to him,"Panel's open. Mind your step. Might fall in." She watched Reaper clamber out of the trough with her right-side eye, while keeping her main eye on the duct with the loose grate. "Slicey-Dicey! I had to tell you this in person! Guess who got guard on those 'teleporting' Scavs?" Reaper sounded way to pleased to mean himself. Slicey said tersely,"This had better be important for you wander onto a closed course! We're tied with blue team five to five with two shared kills!" Reaper shook his head and asked her commander,"Recon2015--can you explain your subordinate's curious thought processes? I was told a dozen targets were released. Five,five, and two are twelve! A TIE! No one gets the new meta-form matresses. Slicey is so stubborn!" Recon2015 kept station and remarked,"She has 'good instincts', even if she's sterile. The terms are 'Ancient Dozen' of legend. Be quiet." Slicey was ready to move. She heard a noise of a faint scrape from the open light-pipe housing. She twisted around with a snap and fired once. The three legged reploid fell in a heap at Reaper's feet as he jumped to the ceiling to grab a pipe. She grabbed up her prize. She said,"Ancient Dozen of legend...'Baker's Dozen' equals thirteen. The tie breaker is always odd numbered." Reaper dropped down next to her and remarked,"You have guard duty, as do I!" Slicey sighed, "How can my standing get any lower? I wasn't good enough to go with Captain Rose on the last Op. Now Guard duty?" Recon2015 said,"Versatility IS always noticed! Capitan Rose didn't want to interrupt your development of your blaster-pistol. The reploids were stunned, not destroyed. Most impressive! I would guess you were selected to gain intelligence from our prisoners. Be open-minded." Slicey nodded. "Our world has changed forever. We must change as well." She stepped over the open trough in the floor, followed by Reaper, who was saying,"Aw, we should just shoot them and not give them second chances." Slicey whirled on Reaper as if to lunge at him."Don't be so ARTICIALLY INTELLIGENT!" Reaper stepped back and fell into the hole in the floor again. She sprinted off down the connecting hallway, calling behind her,"I only hope your reasoning is on sounder footing than YOU are!" Recon2015 laughed as he helped Reaper out of the hole. "I hate that female", Reaper grumbled. Recon2015 said,"She has that effect on some people." --TO BE CONTINUED!--