The crash echoed through Arthur's quarters before the door fully opened.
Arthur stepped inside to find his coffee table in pieces, fragments of synthetic wood scattered across the floor like shrapnel. Jackal stood in the center of the destruction, shotgun still strapped to her back, examining the remains with scientific curiosity.
"Huh," Jackal said, poking a broken leg with her boot. "That one was hollow. Disappointing."
Another crash—this time from the bathroom. The shower door, apparently.
"Jackal," Arthur said carefully. "What are you doing?"
"Testing stuff." She grabbed the desk chair—Rapi's chair, the one she'd claimed during briefings—and twisted the armrest until it snapped free with a tortured squeal of metal. "This one's sturdier. Good craftsmanship. Still breakable though."
The chair followed the coffee table into oblivion. Jackal moved toward the desk next, running her fingers along its edge like a connoisseur evaluating fine wine.
Nyx appeared in the doorway, tactical vest still on from morning drills, Screamin' Eagle rocket launcher across her back. She surveyed the destruction with raised eyebrows.
"Commander," Nyx said. "Are you redecorating? Because this seems like an expensive way to do it."
"No," Arthur said flatly.
The desk didn't survive. Jackal grabbed one corner and *heaved*, Nikke strength sending the entire structure flipping onto its side. Contents spilled everywhere—data pads, ammunition magazines, a half-finished mission report that scattered like leaves.
"Ooh, bullets!" Jackal crouched to examine a 9mm round. "Can I eat this?"
"No," Arthur said.
"Why not?"
"It'll explode in your mouth."
Jackal considered this, then carefully set the bullet down. "Okay, that's fair."
Anis stormed in next, weapon still in hand from range practice, face flushed with indignation. She took one look at the devastation and rounded on Arthur.
"Are you insane?" Anis demanded. "You brought *her* here? To the Outpost? Commander, she's a walking disaster! Look at this place—it looks like a Rapture went through it!"
"That's insulting to Raptures," Nyx observed. "They usually leave structural supports intact."
The couch groaned ominously as Jackal tested its frame, bouncing experimentally. The springs protested.
"Jackal needs structure," Arthur said, watching his furniture die in real-time. "Boundaries. Patience. The A.C.P.U. can't handle her, and letting her rampage through the Ark isn't sustainable. So I'm going to educate her."
"Educate," Anis repeated incredulously. "Commander, she's currently dismantling your couch!"
Indeed, Jackal had discovered the couch's weak point—the central support beam. One solid kick, and the entire structure collapsed inward with a crash that made everyone wince. Cushions exploded outward. Stuffing drifted through the air like snow.
"Yesss," Jackal hissed victoriously, fist-pumping.
Lyra entered quietly, Basilisk sniper rifle slung across her shoulders, violet eyes widening at the scene. "Oh my. This is... extensive."
"Extensive," Anis muttered. "That's one word for it."
Another crash from the bathroom—the sink this time, judging by the sound of ceramic shattering. Jackal emerged moments later, wiping porcelain dust off her hands.
"The fixtures are pretty weak," Jackal announced. "You should get better quality stuff. The shower door basically fell apart."
"It was fine before you touched it," Arthur said.
Scarlet arrived last, SMG mag-locked to her back, red hair still damp from washing up. She assessed the situation with the practical efficiency of someone who'd seen worse.
"Alright," Scarlet said. "So we're dealing with this now. Commander, what's the plan?"
"Treats," Arthur said. "Positive reinforcement. If Jackal can learn to stay still and exercise patience, she gets rewards."
The silence that followed was broken only by Jackal investigating the entertainment console, testing whether the screen would detach. It did, with a concerning *crack*.
"Treats," Anis said slowly. "You're going to train her like a—"
"Careful," Scarlet interrupted.
Lyra stepped forward, reaching into her jacket to produce a Splendamin bar—the individually wrapped kind from the café, complete with colorful foil. She held it up like a peace offering.
"Jackal," Lyra said gently. "If you stay still and stop breaking things, I'll give this to you."
Jackal's head snapped around, red eyes locking onto the candy bar with predatory focus. For a moment, everyone held their breath.
Then Jackal grinned. "Or I could just take it."
She moved—fast, crossing the distance in a blur. Lyra barely had time to step back before Jackal snatched the Splendamin from her hand, tore the wrapper with her teeth, and bit into it with obvious satisfaction.
"Mmm," Jackal said around a mouthful of chocolate and banana. "Thanks!"
Lyra looked at her empty hand, then at Arthur, expression helpless. "I... don't have a counterargument for that."
"She's not wrong," Nyx muttered. "Theft is faster than patience."
Scarlet pushed past Lyra, expression hardening into command mode. "Alright, different approach. Jackal—want to play a game?"
Jackal perked up. "A game?"
"Sure." Scarlet crossed her arms. "We compete. You win, you get treats. But you have to stay quiet and follow rules during the game."
"What kind of game?" Jackal asked, still chewing.
"Your choice," Scarlet said. "Cards? Strategy? Target practice?"
Jackal's grin widened. "How about the quiet game? Where we see who can stay silent the longest while I break their fingers one by one. First person to scream loses!"
The room went silent.
"That's... not a game," Lyra said weakly.
"Sure it is!" Jackal bounced on her heels. "Crow and I play it all the time. Well, she plays it with other people. I just watch. It's fun!"
"We're not playing that," Scarlet said firmly.
"Then I'm not interested." Jackal moved toward Arthur's weapon locker, examining the electronic lock. "Hey, can I open this?"
"No," Arthur said.
"Boring." But she tried anyway, fingers probing the lock mechanism with disturbing expertise.
Anis threw up her hands. "That's it. I'm done. Commander, this was a terrible idea, and I'm not sticking around to watch her demolish the entire base. Someone else can handle this disaster."
She stalked toward the door, muttering about proper vetting procedures and questionable leadership decisions. Lyra followed with an apologetic glance. Scarlet hesitated, then shook her head and left as well.
Which left Nyx, Arthur, Jackal—and Rapi, who'd been standing silently in the doorway the entire time, observing with those calm red eyes.
Nyx glanced at Rapi, then at Arthur, then at the wreckage of what used to be quarters. "Good luck, Commander. You're going to need it."
She left. The lock beeped open—Jackal had bypassed it somehow.
"Jackal," Arthur said.
"Hmm?" She pulled the locker door open, revealing his weapon collection. "Ooh, shiny—"
"Jackal." Arthur's tone sharpened. "Close the locker."
"But—"
"Now."
Something in his voice made her pause. Slowly, reluctantly, she pushed the door shut. The lock re-engaged automatically.
Rapi moved forward, footsteps silent on the debris-strewn floor. She positioned herself directly in front of Jackal, meeting the shorter Nikke's energetic gaze with absolute calm.
"Jackal," Rapi said. "You can continue destroying things. Ransacking rooms. Stealing treats whenever you find them. That's your choice."
Jackal tilted her head. "Yeah? So?"
"So you'll spend all your time and energy searching for food," Rapi continued. "Breaking into places. Running from A.C.P.U. officers. Fighting for scraps. Exhausting yourself for diminishing returns."
"I'm good at that stuff," Jackal said defensively.
"You are," Rapi agreed. "But there's a better option. If you behave—if you exercise patience and respect boundaries—Arthur will provide treats voluntarily. Better treats. More treats. You won't have to waste effort stealing them or fighting for them. You just have to wait."
Jackal's expression twisted with frustration. "But waiting is boring!"
"Waiting is efficient," Rapi countered. "You've already ransacked this room. There's no more food here. You'd have to leave, search elsewhere, expend energy for uncertain reward. Or you could sit down, behave for a few minutes, and receive guaranteed treats immediately."
Jackal opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. Her eyes darted around the destroyed quarters—overturned furniture, scattered belongings, empty cabinets she'd already looted.
"But I—everyone keeps telling me to wait!" Jackal's voice rose, frustration bleeding into genuine anger. "Wait, wait, wait! I'm tired of waiting! And you—" She jabbed a finger at Arthur. "You *promised* treats when I came here. Where are they? You lied!"
"I didn't lie," Arthur said calmly. He reached into his tactical coat's inner pocket and produced three Splendamin bars—different flavors, pristine wrapping intact. "I was waiting for the right moment."
Jackal stared at the candy bars like they were holy relics.
"You want these?" Arthur held them up. "Sit down. On what's left of the couch. Don't break anything else. Don't move until I say. Do that, and they're yours. Keep behaving, and I'll get you something even better from the café."
"How much better?" Jackal asked suspiciously.
"Ade's custom chocolate cake," Arthur said. "Three layers. Fresh cream. Real cocoa from pre-war stockpiles."
Jackal's eyes widened. Then, grudgingly, she trudged to the collapsed couch and sat on the least-destroyed section. Springs groaned beneath her.
"I'm sitting," Jackal muttered. "Now give."
Arthur walked over and handed her the Splendamin bars one at a time. She snatched them eagerly, tearing into the first wrapper with her teeth. Then Arthur did something unexpected.
He reached down and gently patted her head.
Jackal froze mid-chew, eyes going wide. "What are you doing?"
"Positive reinforcement," Arthur said, continuing the gentle pats. "You did well."
"I'm not a dog," Jackal protested around her mouthful of candy. But she didn't pull away. In fact, she leaned slightly into the touch, expression confused but not displeased.
Arthur kept patting, and Jackal's shoulders gradually relaxed. She finished the first bar, then started the second, chewing more slowly.
"She really is like a dog," Nyx whispered to no one in particular.
"Dog-like Nikke," Anis's voice agreed from the doorway, where she'd apparently returned to watch. "This is actually working. I can't believe this is working."
Rapi observed silently, then turned to Arthur. "I'll contact Mighty Tools for a repair estimate. This room will need significant reconstruction."
"Good idea," Arthur said, still patting Jackal's head. She'd finished the second bar and was working on the third, looking almost content.
"You're weird," Jackal mumbled. "But the treats are good. And the... head thing. It's okay. I guess."
"High praise," Nyx said dryly.
Rapi pulled out her comm device and stepped into the hallway. Arthur finally stopped patting and stepped back, surveying the damage to his quarters. Thousands of credits in repairs, minimum. But Jackal sat still, eating her candy, not destroying anything.
Small victories.