Sam's 1st person POV
Syuen, the white and purple little shit, was already waiting on her chair when we entered the briefing room. She looked at me with condescension and passionate disdain. The look someone gives when they actively see everyone as below themselves. Especially when she ignored the other trailing behind me.
The Wardress duo—Mihara and Yuni—gave me a silent, apologetic stare as they stood behind her. There's only one seat across from Syuen's desk, and just from a glance, I can tell that neither is designed for Nikkes. She made that very clear when, with an arrogant smirk, she gestured to me to sit.
A briefing room like this should have more than just a table and two chairs, if our previous meeting here was any indication. She'd had the furniture hauled out to make a point. I would have made several comments on how childish her action was, but that would only needlessly infuriate her.
Starting a negotiation by angering your target is a foolish move, especially when the target has what you want and you need them to remain unharmed. Basic hostage negotiation tactic, basically.
However, that doesn't mean being docile or subservient is the correct path either.
Sitting down on the chair, I let a small part of my aura leak out, just enough to cause her smile to strain and make her bite her lower lip. A quick reminder of why I am not someone she can easily leash with her position alone.
Anis stood behind me, her back straight, her posture unnaturally formal. I could feel discomfort radiating from her. She probably had about three sarcastic snarks boiling under her tongue right now, if her grimace is any indication. I appreciate that she was able to hold it in–drawing Syuen's attention to herself is not something we need right now.
Shaking her head, she regained her sneer even when both her lips and cheeks flushed red in anger. "How's the mission, Sam Sam? I'm sure you can now provide a better explanation than you did during our call. I don't want to waste time dealing with you." Syuen's voice cut through the silence in the room crudely.
The tiny goblin (derogatory) was in full CEO mode—smug, self-important, and—once again—entirely dismissive of everyone else in the room.
Even if my gut feeling is telling me that I would win this negotiation regardless, I kept my expression neutral. There are just too many advantages for me to stop now.
"The mission was partially successful, in a sense. While the primary objective of capturing Chatterbox is not met, we manage to secure a Tyrant-class Rapture. No casualties aside from light wounds…" '…despite how lacking your information was.' went unsaid.
Too self-centered to hear my implication, she goes on. "Details, Sam Sam. I want more information about the mission. Didn't you say that you had a recording of the encounters?" She leaned forward slightly, elbow resting on the table with her head in her hand, as if she was getting bored. "Give me that recording and tell me what really happened."
"I refuse," I gave her a flat look, crossing my arms. "Look, I already gave you a living Tyrant-class Rapture. It may not be Chatterbox, but you originally thought it was a Lord-class Rapture anyway. Storm Bringer should be more than enough to cover what you were originally hoping for." I pushed, waiting for her reaction.
Behind her, Mihara and Yuni shifted faintly at my words. Mihara, as the more emotionally mature of the duo, gave me a pleading stare as if asking me to tone down my actions. But it's not something I can do if I want something from Syuen. I know that blindly obeying her will not get me what I want. Syuen is the kind of person who would happily backstab me if I appear weaker than her, after all.
Syuen leaned forward, chin resting in her palm. Her eyes never fail to track mine, leaving no room for me to reassure Mihara. So I stared back at her, eyes ablaze with my will at the forefront.
I restrained the urge to smirk when Syuen's figure faltered once again against my gaze, her body shivering against my sharpened intent. Her thighs rub against each other, trying to push back the natural response when overwhelmed with fear.
Even with her cheek flushed with anger, she still managed to regain her composure in the end. "How impudent…" She opens with a heavy breath.
"...You failed to capture Chatterbox for me, yet still talk about agreement?!" She asked with a raised voice. "You're lucky that I still found your offering to be acceptable." She added with a sharp smile, one that is filled with superiority, as if she hadn't faltered against my gaze a few seconds ago. "Just give me the recording already! Or do you want that rusty bucket to be scrapped–"
And with that, I slip into [Strategic Trance] a moment before an oppressive aura could burst out of me like a tidal wave. Simulating taking a deep breath and calming down my mind in an accelerated timeframe is barely enough to prevent my rightful anger from nuking my chance of ever saving Anne.
So that's how she wants to play it, huh?
It's not hard for Syuen to see how much Anne meant to me, despite never meeting the girl myself. My short track record already shows her what kind of person I am, so perhaps Syuen thought she could use Anne as a sleeper agent and leverage her medical need to control my actions. Kinda like Neon in a sense, who I am partially sure is one of Ingrid's ears in my squad.
I pulled out a small storage device I had filled with my edited recording from my pouch and showed it to her. Her gaze instantly focused on it with desire, as if she already knew what it held. Under any other circumstance, it would be detrimental to use one of my advantages openly like this.
But there's something I can claim with total certainty. Syuen is both a scientist and a businesswoman. She understands the value my recording could provide.
It certainly helped that there was also information on someone with a weapon that seems to be the precursor to Maxwell's Sniper Laser, one that is even more powerful and versatile than the modern version. Even if there are no detailed scans of said weapon, its existence could guide Missilis's weapon development.
I know that humanity had lost most of our technological base during the First Rapture Invasion. However, it really puts things into perspective when a hundred-year-old tech is still outclassing modern cutting-edge tech.
Shaking my head mentally, I return to the present. "Do you want the recording or not?" I asked in a deadpan, regaining her attention.
"If not, then I'm going to turn this in to my superior. Perhaps using it to trade a favor or two…" I said with a helpless smile, putting the storage back into my pouch.
I had hoped that I wouldn't need to make this move. "The appearance of at least two High-Value Targets at the same time is most likely going to rouse their interest…"
Because if I ever give this to Andersen, he is obligated to report it to the Central Government; otherwise, he would get in trouble with them. Then, Syuen is going to get caught up in some scandals by hiding critical information and going behind CG's back. It would damage Missilis' stocks, thus putting her position in jeopardy.
It would also mean goodbye to my anonymity. But then again, it's already dead in the water the moment Syuen finds out about me.
My action back at the Outpost had already wounded her ego too much for her to willingly leave me alone. The fact that I happen to be one of the few competent commanders is just a really happy coincidence to her.
"...You-" Before Syuen could even start her rant, the briefing room's door suddenly opened with a thud. A familiar figure walked in politely and with full confidence. A figure dressed in his signature impeccable uniform.
"It seems that I have made it just in time," Andersen announced. A standard holopad is held in his right hand.
Dozens of questions formed in my mind, but I refrained from using [Strategy Trance] and tried to come up with answers. Not when it's obviously going to be discussed soon.
Seemingly nonplussed by his entry, Syuen redirects her vitriol toward him. "Who-? No, that doesn't matter. How dare you barge into this room?! Don't you see I'm in the middle of something!?"
"I did see that, yes." Andersen nodded, but kept going, "I am Deputy Chief Andersen, Sam's superior." He said, causing Syuen's glare to wander between the two of us. "But I am not here for him, I am here on behalf of Ingrid to relay some messages."
"Oho, and what did she want to tell me by sending a Deputy Chief in her place, hmm?"
Unbothered by her tone, Andersen continued, "The first one is a warning not to ruin another commander's career, especially someone she took a personal interest in."
So Ingrid knows about that after all. Did Rapi or Neon tell her about our first meeting at the Outpost? Is the reason Ingrid isn't here herself because she was monitoring Rapi's check-up?
"She's got some nerve accusing me of something I don't even intend to do! And what did she mean by another, huh?!" She said with an unwavering voice, yet her eyes told me a different story. It darted between my 'faked' confusion and Andersen's seriousness rapidly.
With an exaggerated gesture, she stands up and points at Andersen. "A mere Deputy Chief like you dared to deliver Ingrid's baseless claim? Tell me, are you tired of living?!"
"Depends, but philosophical discussion is not why I am here. Now, on to the second matter–," Andersen answers, fingers moving over his holopad. Several photos and files are suddenly being displayed on the hologram projector, showing evidence of Syuen pressuring various commanders to go to the surface for her.
Using [Strategy Trance, I concluded that they are largely 'questionably legal' investigations but backed by valid, legally obtained data. Most of them could be used in a military court, at least. Not enough to imprison someone like Syuen, as that would require active betrayal. Something on the level of exposing the Ark's coordinates.
Judging by the slightest widening of Syuen's eyes in this accelerated perception, she knows she's in deep trouble.
"–Ingrid has reason to believe that you are the reason the Ark's had lost several working personnel–both commanders and Nikkes alike–, thus sabotaging the military. She wants you to stop meddling in Elysion's domain." He finished.
"Tch. If you already know this far, then there's no use hiding it." With anger behind her eyes, she glared at Andersen. "What is Ingrid going to do about it, then? Telling the Central Government? Surely she knows that as the CEO of Missilis, I am too important to be held responsible for all of that?"
"Perhaps under normal circumstances, you would be." It goes unsaid that Syuen's position is not as secure as she would like, going by her reaction to Andersen's implication.
Slamming her hand on the table in front of her, she curses. "Damn her!" She then glared at Andersen. "Ingrid wouldn't trust just anyone to convey all of that to me. Considering that, she must have given you further instructions." Getting a nod from him, she continues, "What is it, then?" Syuen hissed.
[BR]
A few minutes later.
Sam's 1st person POV
To summarize it, Andersen's arrival had sped up our negotiation while also preventing it from going downhill. Syuen knew that Ingrid had her cornered, but she was spiteful enough to drag any proposed solution down to the mud. Something that should've taken less than five now would take at least triple that.
Oh, and downhill here meant me running out of patience and then doing something in a fit of anger—like inserting a 'Matou-style magical crest' to her body.
No, I hadn't made one, and I'm vehemently against it. I'm simply hypothesizing what kind of fate worse than death I could inflict on Syuen. Creating what is essentially a magic rape worm, ensuring a special place for me in hell, would cost me way too much, including throwing away the good relationship I had with the Wardress.
Andersen coming in the way he did was truly a lucky break in that regard.
As for the outcome of the negotiation, it essentially boils down to our previous agreement. Syuen obtained the achievements, most of the salvaged materials (that I hadn't smuggled into my room), a (modified) copy of the recording, and —more importantly— SB's core. Meanwhile, I gain the right to recruit Anne into my squad and receive a signed guarantee that all her required healthcare treatments (including mindwipe, as needed) will be covered by Missilis.
Turning his head to me, Andersen asks, "Dammit Sam, is this what you call 'keeping a low profile'?"
"But Sir Andersen, it was Syuen who kick-started this whole fiasco. It's not Commander Sam's fault that bitch decided to crash our place so early in the morning." Anis defended me, feeling more comfortable expressing her opinion now that both Syuen and the Wardress had left the room.
"Besides, the evidence clearly showed that–on paper–I had become the type of commander she preferred to oppress. So it was a matter of time until she did that." I said mirthlessly, raising my hands in a 'what can you do' gesture. Lowering them, I smile at him with a respectful bow. "Thanks for covering our backs. Let me know if there's anything I can do to repay both you and Ingrid."
A frown marred Andersen's face. "You shouldn't easily offer your assistance. There are people out there who will unreservedly take advantage of that." He shakes his head. "Still… at least you had informed me of what happened at the Outpost a few days ago. It gave me enough time to prepare that as a deterrent against Syuen's retaliation." He said, referring to his interruption during the negotiation.
"Then, will you get into trouble if I don't turn this in?" I asked, holding another copy of the recording. I had prepared three of them just in case.
"...Do you mean the proof of encountering a pilgrim and a heretic?" Andersen questioned with a raised eyebrow. Seeing me nod, he elaborates, "Officially, any sighting of Pilgrim or Heretic must be reported to the Central Government for safety concerns." We both share a knowing glance, aware that turning in that video would mean alerting the CG of my achievement.
"So while I can cover this whole 'shebang'," The formal smile on his face cracked as he said it. "If you can't keep a low profile, then it would be better if you turn it in. That way, I can arrange something to make staying in the Outpost more convenient for you."
I look at him with furrowed brows. Before Andersen could explain further, his watch beeped. Looking at his wrist, his smile tightened. "I'm sorry, but we have to cut this short. I have a meeting soon. Tomorrow, see me in my office. Good afternoon."
Without waiting for my confirmation, he left the room. His rapid footsteps grow fainter each second.
Anis slumped her shoulders, letting out a sigh. "Welp, that was a weird way to wrap this up." She remarked on his departure. Then, with a wry grin, she offers, "Now that we are done with work today, wanna go grab some coffee?"
"Sure, if you wouldn't mind leading me around in the Ark," I answer back with a smirk.
"Ah, yeah, you had amnesia…" Her face dimmed a little. Before I could cheer her, she clapped her hands with a newfound spirit. "I know! How about a little tour around the Ark? Maybe it could jog some of your memory."
"I'm in. Spending the rest of the day with a pretty gal like you sounds like a good time." Finger made a handgun and 'shot' her. I blew off the 'imaginary smoke'.
"It's a date then!" Anis exclaimed confidently, unfazed by my cringe attempt at flirting. "And since it's a date, would you buy me a necklace on the way? It doesn't have to be expensive. I just want them for my personal collection." She requested hesitantly.
"Don't worry about that. We still have most of our credits left since our last resource gathering mission. Especially since now we don't have to worry about getting our supply sabotaged by Syuen." I reassured her, showing her the credit balance on my phone apps.
The radiant smile adorning her face is already a good enough payment in my book.
[BR]
At the same time.
Penny 3rd person POV
Located a little far from a busy road is an affordable hot pot restaurant mostly visited by Nikkes. Here, the two squads that met the peculiar commander called 'Sam' chose to spend their gifted allowances. Stacks of various foods, including beef, chicken, vegetables, and seafood (all made of Splendamin), filled their tables.
"Cheers!" Proclaimed her squad leader, a glass of soju held high in the air. It didn't lower her enthusiasm when only Penny followed her gesture.
In one corner are herself (Product 23), Raon (Product 12), and Mori (a regular Nikke wearing Missilis MP Nikke's gear). The latter had been a recent temporary addition to their squad. However, considering how Raon is treating her, Mori would likely remain a permanent member.
"Here Mori, have these short plate slices! Don't be shy, come eat with us." Raon prompted Mori, a lively smile adorning her face.
"W-was it really okay for me to eat with all of y-you?" Mori asked cautiously, clutching her chopstick like a nervous child.. The food in her bowl, courtesy of Raon, is still untouched.
A bitter taste suddenly arose from the back of Penny's throat. She clenched her fist under the table, holding back the urge to gag. She forces herself to remain calm, even when watching Raon's kindness toward the regular Nikke causes her blood to boil.
How was it fair that, unlike MP Nikke, regular Nikke have body, voice, and face unique to themselves? Surely, she is justified in resenting her, in hating the evidence of how replaceable an MP Nikke like herself is.
But Raon is a good judge of characters, so Penny would bury down any unpleasantries she felt toward Mori for now.
"We don't really mind. It is tactically more effective if we celebrate the successful mission together." The leader of the squad across from them, Hunter—Soldier OW, claimed. But try as she might to remain unaffected, Mori's presence still caught her attention several times.
One of Hunter's squadmates (Art—Soldier FA) nodded along, seemingly more interested in her food. Penny took notice of how Art pulls out a brush from somewhere and uses it to lightly coat several sirloin cuts with sweet and sour sauce and then grills them casually. It was as if the presence of a regular Nikke sharing a table with her was not an important detail.
"I still can't believe how friendly that commander acted toward us. Have you ever met him before, Raon?" Hunter's other squadmate (Eten—Soldier EG) probingly asked.
"Well, we did meet him once–" The pink-haired Nikke with blue streaks looks like she's about to squeal girlishly, so Raon quickly gets to the point. "–but it was during guard duty!" They all share looks of understanding. Guard duty is just like customer service but worse, after all. "I doubt he could even recognize me or Penny when we were on the clock," Raon claimed with confidence.
"I see… bummer," Eten muttered, streaks of blue hair lazily covering her left eye.
"Stop playing around and eat some food already, Eten." Hunter scolded stoically, causing Eten's cheeks to puff out.
"You are not my mom…" Eten grumbled under her breath. Picking up a random piece of food from the hot pot, she then addresses the sole outlier in the group. "Anyway, mind telling us how you ended up in an MP's gear? I thought the body of a regular Nikke was already tougher than the materials that MP Nikke's use as their armor?"
Finding herself the center of attention, Mori's shaky composure faltered. The slice of meat on her chopstick falls back into her sauce bowl. "Ahh…. well…." Evidently, she doesn't want that to be brought up.
"Cut it out. She doesn't have to explain it if she doesn't want to." Penny's lips moved on their own despite her better judgment. Raon looked at her with tears in her eyes, bragging that she had raised this girl to a stunned Mori. Her leader's declaration caused Penny's heart to almost leap out of her chest.
"...Really? You don't find it suspicious that a regular Nikke like her is geared as an MP Nikke?" Eten inquired.
Biting back the response that would disappoint her leader, Penny quickly arranges a fake answer. "As long as it doesn't put my squad in danger, then her reasoning doesn't matter."
"Got it. Not my squad, not my problem." Eten then dropped the whole matter and continued eating.
"Squad leader, look." Art, who hadn't spoken since the food arrived, proudly displayed her plate to Hunter.
It's a plate of steak cut aesthetically on a puddle of mouth-watering sauce with vegetables and mushrooms placed around it. Both the vegetable and the mushroom are cut like a flower. It was a beautiful arrangement that Penny would hesitate to eat.
To such an extravagant display, Hunter says, "Good job, you make everything bite-sized this time. Eating this using only a fork should be tactically easy."
Meanwhile, Eten had already pulled out her phone and was preparing to immortalize it digitally. "Oh, this is so picturesque! Would you mind if I shared this in Blabla, as usual, Art? No? Thanks!"
And so, the celebration of the mix-match squads continues.
"So this is that famous affordable hot pot place! Master, a table for two!"
"Belorta, please don't rush ahead! I'm the one carrying our stuff!"
Ignore the two totally random regular Nikkes entering the restaurant, please.
[BR]
Several minutes later, inside Syuen's personal office.
Neutral 3rd person POV
"Was lying to Commander Sam necessary?"
"Hm? What do you mean, Mihara?" It was odd to see Syuen acting so cheerful despite the disastrous negotiation she had just finished. She is practically trembling with energy, as if her loss to Ingrid's representative was within her calculation.
"Was it necessary to lie about Chatterbox's class to Commander Sam? Isn't that dangerous?" She clarified her question.
"Oh that…" With an amused smile, Syuen explains. "I didn't lie to him about that. From the raw data Missilis managed to gather, based solely on energy readings, Chatterbox was classified as a Lord-class Rapture at best. I simply didn't include my suspicion based on how peculiar it acts."
The amusement slowly turned into a full-blown manic grin as she continued. "A Rapture that could easily disengage and ambush all mass-produced squads I sent toward it? Wouldn't it be stranger if it were less than a Tyrant-class?"
Syuen's cheer vanished in an instant. The stiff smile on her face sent a chill down Mihara's artificial spine. "And even then, its intelligence managed to surpass my expectations! Ahh, how I desire to tear it down with my own hand…"
In any other situation, Mihara would welcome the feeling of fear she gets from Syuen. But glancing at her confused partner, Mihara knows indulging in it right now is wrong. "Then, about our defeat…"
"That's totally out of my prediction," Syuen said carelessly, as if she hadn't gambled the life of the Wardress squad. Mihara held back her tongue because she knew that opening it wouldn't change anything.
Unaware of the tension she causes, Syuen continues. "I had been overestimating your current body's capability to handle the strain of influencing a Tyrant-class Rapture." Her eyes glittered. "Or perhaps categorizing Chatterbox as a Tyrant-class Rapture is a faulty assumption. That hypothesis about theoretical classes between a Tyrant and a Heretic seems more plausible now."
"Uhh… What does it mean for us?" Yuni tilted her head and frowned. Hesitantly, she asks, "Did… did we fail you?"
"Of course not!" Syuen retorted in an instant, her eyes set ablaze. "You two had worked fine as I intended. It's just a matter of power. Something that could easily be solved when I'm done with both of your new bodies."
Syuen's office fell silent for a moment, broken only by the faint hum of the ventilation system.
"I'm sorry. New… body?" Mihara wondered, her voice trembling at Syuen's unexpected revelation.
Leaning back on her fancy chair, Syuen tiredly exhaled. "Yes, new bodies. The one you two were currently using is only a step better than the prototypes." Noticing Mihara looking at her doubtfully, she raises her voice. "I'll have you know that I totally can design a better body than the one you are using right now! Did you think I would design a squad meant to surpass Matis so halfheartedly?"
While still skeptical, Mihara decided to simply nod along as if in agreement. Right beside her is Yuni, who vibes with Syuen's confidence and claps despite not understanding most of what Syuen said.
[BR]
Several minutes ago
3rd person POV
Two figures sit across from each other inside one of Elysion's maintenance rooms. Unlike the usual protocol, they are the only ones here. The mass-production Nikke who had worked here had left them inside to grab herself some well-deserved R . And thanks to the usual policy to make each maintenance room soundproof, there's a small chance of anyone eavesdropping.
"...That certainly explains his sudden rise in competency." The stern woman with brown hair remarked, hand on her temple. "Are you sure this… is on his side?"
Across from her, the agent nods. "Yes, boss, or at least that's what my mentor believed." Fixing her glasses, she continues. "As far as he's aware, my mentor couldn't control when exactly will trigger."
The agent raises her right index, "Either it's an automatic mechanism triggered when unknown criteria are met," she then raises her middle finger, "or it's some kind of higher dimensional being simply content just giving random things to my mentor," finally she raises her ring finger, "or so many other explanations that, frankly, we are going to be here forever just to map out the infinity." She shrugged in acceptance.
The stern woman could only sigh. "Very well. Since so far it has only acted in Sam's favor, I will categorize it as a benevolent third party, just like you wanted."
"Yes! Thank you, Boss!" Celebrated the agent, pumping her fist into the air. The agent, who seems to be shorter than the stern woman, hugs the latter. The stern woman could only shake her head softly. Her hand rubs the agent's head gently.
"You're welcome. Just remember that—"
The agent cut off, "—Yes, yes, anything said in this room is confidential and should never be shared with anyone except you. Please, something like this is as easy as handloading."
[BR]
? Interlude
In a place where space doesn't exist and time is meaningless, where everything is submerged in endless darkness, a black-haired figure is seen ethereally drifting without purpose. Or perhaps her purpose has already been fulfilled, so she is waiting for it all to come to an end.
Silver slowly crept into her pristine black hair, starting from the very root, as if she were reforming the center of her being. The white bandage, once wrapped tightly around her head, has slowly been undone. The blue and white clothing she wore had long been damaged, replaced by the darkness that she now wore like a shroud.
This is it, this is the end. She thought deliriously.
Perhaps if it didn't happen that day, her fate would've been etched in stone.
A brown-haired man stood amidst the battlefield as if it were natural for him. His eyes bore deeply into what she had now become. It was not filled with scorn, hatred, fear, or anger.
Instead of looking at her as if she were a sin made manifest, he sees her for what she was.
It was a glare filled with guilt over perceived failure. It was filled with amazement over the miracle that had happened. It was gratitude deeply buried in horror of what had been done.
Commander?...
[BR]
(78k/80k) Progress
A/N: Unreliable Narrator saved the day, baby!
Sorry for not updating this for a long time, folk! Simply put, Real life had pulled a 5D chess maneuver upon me. As my mother would put it, the consequence of choosing the wrong answer. And I do agree with her. The choices I have made lately are suboptimal at best and self-destructive at worst.
So really, it's my own damn fault. No use in hiding behind the horse girl gambling game. Or Nikke. or YouTube,
But really, curse YouTube for all the shit it has been pulling.
Anyway, to talk about this chapter, to be honest, I hadn't been ready for this to be released yet. I originally wanted to do 7k words before updating this, and maybe finish by Anis's date. That way, you would have a high note ending, instead of this melodramatic I pull last-minute. But I just can't wait for it anymore, so suffer!
Anyway, question of the day: Do you think my writing is something you would pay for? Honest question here.
Cookies if anyone can guess the source of MP's from canon. Hint, only 3 of them canonically exist.
Also, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then please enjoy these edits I made. It should be worth 2k at least: (Image avaiable on AO3 and QQ)