The morning started normally enough—Arthur reviewing supply requisitions in his Outpost office, Anne's cheerful voice echoing from the common area where she played cards with Alisa. Then his Omni-Tool chimed with a priority-alpha summons from Deputy Chief Andersen.
Forty minutes later, Arthur stood in Central Command's administrative wing, his goddesium prosthetics gleaming under fluorescent lights as he entered Andersen's office. The Deputy Chief sat behind his desk, but Arthur's attention immediately shifted to the two unfamiliar Nikkes standing at attention.
The first was petite, almost childlike in stature, with long blonde hair cascading past her waist. A black uniform hugged her small frame, military in cut but theatrical in presentation. An eyepatch covered her left eye, black leather trimmed with silver thread. Her visible eye—brilliant amber—fixed on Arthur with dramatic intensity.
The second Nikke stole his breath. Tall, curvaceous, with silky black hair that fell in perfect waves past her shoulders. Pale skin like porcelain, red eyes that conveyed intelligence and exhaustion in equal measure. A face mask covered the lower half of her features, black material printed with delicate red patterns. A crimson rose adorned her hair, matching the red accents on her skintight black uniform jacket that left absolutely nothing to imagination regarding her figure. A short black skirt did more to draw attention than provide coverage, paired with black leggings and heeled boots.
"Commander Cousland," Andersen said, gesturing to the pair. "Squad Extrinsic. Guillotine de Mephisto and Maiden."
The petite blonde swept into an elaborate bow, one hand pressed to her chest. "Behold! The legendary Commander who treats Nikkes as equals stands before me! Know that I am Guillotine de Mephisto, bearer of the Sealed Eye of Calamity! My power is so great that it must remain locked behind this—"
"She has an eyepatch," Maiden interrupted, her voice muffled slightly by the mask but carrying clear exasperation. "It's just an eyepatch."
Guillotine spun dramatically, pointing at her partner. "Silence! You dare mock the ancient seal placed upon me by—"
Arthur suppressed a smile as Andersen cleared his throat pointedly. "Commander, please sit. We have urgent business."
The briefing that followed stripped away any lingering amusement. Andersen pulled up holographic displays showing warehouse locations in the Outer Rim, surveillance footage of unmarked cargo transfers, and forensic evidence that made Arthur's jaw tighten.
"Exotic Squad—Crow, Viper, and Jackal—discovered illegal operations three weeks ago," Andersen explained. "Nikke slaughterhouses. Kidnapping victims from isolated posts or paying corrupt handlers for 'defective' units scheduled for recycling."
The images showed dismantled Nikke components, neural cores carefully extracted, limbs sorted by compatibility ratings. Arthur had seen combat carnage, had witnessed Rapture brutality, but this calculated exploitation of helpless victims turned his stomach.
"Exotic Squad shut down most operations," Andersen continued. "But investigation revealed something worse. These scrappers weren't just selling parts. They've been experimenting—attempting to create a Nikke using a Rapture core as the central processing unit."
Arthur leaned forward. "That's possible?"
"Theoretically, no. Rapture cores and Nikke neural architecture are fundamentally incompatible." Andersen's expression darkened. "But someone found a workaround. Intelligence indicates they've succeeded in creating a functional unit. Unstable, likely suffering cyber-psychosis, but operational."
Guillotine's theatrical demeanor vanished, replaced by cold professionalism. "An Irregular. A Nikke whose core programming has been corrupted or overwritten. We specialize in containment and termination of such units."
"The experimental Nikke is being sold," Andersen said. "Tomorrow, neutral ground between Peony Association and Hedonia territory. The Peony Association—" he glanced at Arthur meaningfully, "—provided this intelligence through back channels."
Moran. Arthur's lover was feeding Central Command information about illegal operations in her territory.
"Your mission: intercept the deal, arrest or eliminate the dealers, recover the experimental Nikke." Andersen's gaze held Arthur's. "Squad Extrinsic will be under your command for this operation. Their expertise in handling Irregulars makes them essential assets."
Arthur studied the two Nikkes. Guillotine stood perfectly still now, her visible eye sharp and analytical beneath the theatrical facade. Maiden watched him with those striking red eyes, assessing him the way he was assessing her.
"Understood," Arthur said. "When do we deploy?"
"Tomorrow, 0800 hours. The deal is scheduled for 1400. That gives you time to prepare and travel." Andersen deactivated the holographic display. "Commander, these dealers are armed, paranoid, and have no compunction about killing anyone who threatens their operation. This isn't a Rapture hunt. This is urban combat against humans and potentially corrupted Nikkes."
"Noted." Arthur stood, his prosthetic legs silent on the polished floor. "Squad Extrinsic, with me. We'll discuss operational details over lunch."
Guillotine swept into another dramatic pose. "The legendary Commander seeks to break bread with—"
"She means yes," Maiden said, already moving toward the door.
They took a military transport to the Ark's commercial district, settling into a corner booth at a quiet restaurant that served actual food rather than the standard ration packs. Arthur ordered for three, watching his temporary squad members with tactical assessment masked as casual interest.
Guillotine had resumed her theatrical persona, gesturing wildly as she explained her combat style. "With but a gesture, I can channel the sealed power within me, unleashing devastation upon—"
"She throws knives very accurately and uses sniper rifle," Maiden translated. "Also uses mobility gear for rapid repositioning."
"You wound me with your mundane descriptions!" Guillotine clutched her chest as though struck.
"Someone needs to tell the Commander actual useful information." Maiden's voice carried long-suffering patience. "Guillotine is an infiltration specialist. Close-quarters combat, target elimination, exceptional spatial awareness. Her... theatrical nature... is exhausting but doesn't impair her combat effectiveness."
Arthur took a drink, watching the dynamic between them. "And you?"
Maiden's red eyes met his. After a moment, she reached up and removed her face mask.
Arthur's breath caught. She was stunning—delicate features, full lips, flawless pale skin. But what drew his attention was the mark on her tongue as she opened her mouth slightly: a neon blue pattern like a barcode or circuit diagram, glowing faintly in the restaurant's ambient light.
"Vocalization modification," Maiden explained quietly, her voice now unfiltered and surprisingly soft. "I can speak commands that interface directly with Nikke neural architecture. Verbal override protocols, behavioral modification, emergency shutdowns."
"Mind control," Guillotine said bluntly, her theatrical tone absent. "Maiden can make Nikkes do whatever she tells them. That's why she wears the mask—so targets don't see the mark and realize what's coming."
Arthur processed the implications. "That's why you handle Irregulars. You can shut them down verbally before they cause damage."
"Exactly. I'm also equipped with a shotgun." Maiden replaced her mask as their food arrived. "Guillotine handles physical threats. I handle corrupted programming. Together, we've neutralized seventeen Irregular incidents across three years."
"Eighteen," Guillotine corrected, picking at her meal. "You're forgetting the incident in Sector Twelve."
"That one doesn't count. She was just drunk, not corrupted."
"She tried to demolish a residential block!"
"Because she was *drunk*." Maiden sighed, looking at Arthur. "Commander, working with Guillotine requires patience. Fair warning."
Arthur smiled slightly. "I've commanded Nyx for months now. I'm familiar with... colorful personalities."
They discussed operational parameters as they ate. The deal location was an abandoned factory complex, multiple entry points, high probability of sniper positions. The dealers would bring the experimental Nikke in a secure transport. The buyers—a mid-tier gang called the Red Vipers—would arrive with cash and heavy weapons.
"Standard intercept tactics won't work," Arthur mused. "If we engage too early, the dealers bolt with the Nikke. Too late, and the buyers scatter with their purchase."
"We could use the Sealed Eye of Calamity to—"
"We'll position Guillotine for overwatch," Maiden interrupted smoothly. "She can eliminate snipers and provide covering fire. You and I move in close, use my vocalization protocols to disable the experimental Nikke if it becomes hostile."
Arthur nodded. "Solid approach. We'll need to coordinate with Moran's people—make sure they don't interfere or mistake us for rival dealers."
"You know the Peony Association's leader personally," Maiden observed. It wasn't quite a question.
"Moran and I... have known each other for years," Arthur said neutrally.
Guillotine's visible eye gleamed with curiosity, but Maiden kicked her under the table before she could launch into dramatic speculation.
They finished lunch and made their way to the Ark's western gate—the official entrance to the Outer Rim. Security checkpoints processed their credentials, guards eyeing Arthur's Special Commando authorization with respect and his goddesium prosthetics with curiosity.
The gate itself was massive, reinforced steel designed to seal completely in case of Rapture incursion. Beyond it lay the transition zone—the dangerous space between Ark protection and true wilderness.
Arthur checked his Omni-Tool, confirming equipment loads and communication protocols. His M-99 Saber was secured across his back, Omni-Blade primed in his right arm, medical supplies integrated into his left.
Guillotine adjusted her gear with theatrical flourishes that somehow remained efficient. Maiden stood silent, her masked face turned toward the opening gate.
"Commander," Maiden said quietly, "this mission is different from hunting Raptures. These are humans exploiting Nikkes for profit. Humans who view us as property to be dismantled and sold. Are you prepared to eliminate human targets if necessary?"
Arthur met her red eyes steadily. "I've killed Raptures, corrupted Nikkes, and threats to my people. If these dealers are torturing and murdering helpless Nikkes, they've made their choice. I won't hesitate."
Something shifted in Maiden's expression—approval, perhaps, or relief. Guillotine's theatrical mask slipped again, revealing genuine respect beneath the dramatics.
The gate finished opening, revealing the Outer Rim's chaotic sprawl beyond. Arthur stepped forward, Squad Extrinsic flanking him, moving into a world where Ark law held little sway and survival demanded harder choices.
Behind them, the Ark's protection faded. Ahead lay Moran's territory, illegal operations, and a Rapture-core Nikke that shouldn't exist. Arthur's goddesium legs carried him forward with steady purpose, two specialists at his back, moving toward an intercept mission that would test more than his combat skills.
The Outer Rim swallowed them, and the hunt began.