Chapter 86: The "Universal Human Rights Draft" is Issued, and the Future of Nikkes

"By the way, Commander, there's another issue," Rapi reported while updating Mo Chen on the status of the outpost. "We're running out of food. The supplies from the last shipment have almost been used up. Even with rations reduced by half, we only have enough to last ten more days."

"Ten days?"

Mo Chen quickly did the math in his head. "Hmm, that should be enough."

Rapi looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Enough for what?"

"Nothing to worry about," Mo Chen said with a slight smile as he placed the document he was working on to the side. "It won't be long before the next shipment of supplies arrives."

"The next shipment?"

Rapi froze for a moment.

She had checked the Ark's supply schedules earlier and confirmed there were no pending shipments planned within the next three months.

However, since it was the Commander saying this, she chose to trust him.

Mo Chen picked up the stack of papers from the desk and handed them to Rapi.

"Take a look at this. Go through it carefully, see if there are any errors or gaps that need fixing."

"What is this…?"

Rapi took the documents, flipping through the pages. With each section she read, her expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief.

By the time she reached the final pages, her ruby-red eyes were wide with shock. She looked up at Mo Chen in astonishment.

"Commander…?"

It was a legal framework—more specifically, a law granting Nikkes equal rights and status as humans.

Mo Chen stretched his stiff shoulders and let out a relaxed sigh.

"Tell me what you think. Point out any mistakes or areas that need adjustment. If there's nothing major, we'll circulate it as a temporary draft."

Rapi hesitated for a moment.

"Are you really going to issue this?"

She understood clearly that once this law was published, it would almost certainly provoke resistance and pressure from the Ark.

"Of course," Mo Chen added, "it also needs to be enforced."

Without enforcement, it would be meaningless.

Seeing that Mo Chen was serious, Rapi nodded, feeling the weight of the document in her hands.

She knew this wasn't just a draft. It represented the future of all Nikkes. Perhaps, from this moment on, their fate would be rewritten.

A few days later—

The "Universal Human Rights Draft" was officially announced and it immediately caused an uproar within the outpost.

Every Nikke received an electronic version of the draft.

The impact was explosive.

The Nikkes were stunned by the contents of the draft.

Especially the clause stating that Nikkes and humans were to be treated as equals, with the same rights and status as autonomous individuals.

It was a complete reversal of rules that had been upheld in the Ark for nearly a century.

When the draft was first issued, the Nikkes were confused. Then they were shocked, and finally, skeptical.

But once it was confirmed to be real, the outpost erupted in celebration.

Some Nikkes burst into tears. Others cheered and spread the news. Groups gathered in excitement, treating it like a festival.

For the first time, they were no longer just tools—they were finally considered people.

It felt like slaves gaining their freedom, finally becoming masters of their own fate.

But while many were elated, others remained doubtful. Some Nikkes weren't optimistic about the draft.

Not because they didn't believe in it—

But because the Ark still loomed over them, controlling their lives through the NIMPH system.

The NIMPH acted like a bomb hanging over their heads: as long as it remained active, true freedom was impossible.

Mo Chen understood this issue.

He had already planned that once the outpost stabilized, he would head to Eden to search for the antidote.

The antidote could neutralize the NIMPH system, freeing the Nikkes from their mental shackles.

Mo Chen had previously considered using the Punishing Virus or Blacklight Virus to either devour or neutralize it.

But he later discovered that although the viruses could disable NIMPH, they also caused irreversible changes to a Nikke's thoughts and personality, essentially turning them into different people.

That was something Mo Chen didn't want.

He wasn't looking to erase their identities—his goal was liberation, not enslavement under a different form.

Meanwhile, in the Ark's command center—

"This is outrageous! Completely out of control!"

Deputy chief Burningum slammed the table in anger.

His massive body seemed to fill the chair completely.

"How dare he implement such a law? He's blatantly disregarding the Ark!"

Burningum's face turned red as he shouted, struggling with his stammer.

"Andersen is—he's too lenient with him!"

Nikkes were the foundation of the Ark's survival.

Granting them autonomy would shatter the existing hierarchy and create widespread panic among humans in the Ark.

To humans, Nikkes were nothing more than tools.

And if tools suddenly started demanding equal rights, wouldn't that be the start of a robot uprising?

Sitting nearby, Papillon crossed her long legs as she painted her nails.

She didn't even look up, speaking in a mocking tone.

"Tsk, tsk. You've been ranting about him for days. That Commander seems quite capable. Word from the frontlines is that he's extremely popular among the Nikkes."

"Hmph!"

Burningum snorted, his round face flushing with rage.

"Defying the Ark's command structure… implementing such absurd policies… giving Nikkes equal status with humans? Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!"

Perhaps due to his frustration, his stutter grew worse.

"N-Nikkes are just tools—meant to reclaim the surface for humans! And yet, they actually dare to dream of equality? Preposterous!"

Although the Nikkes fought against the Raptures to reclaim the surface, he knew that it was not out of their own free will.

In reality, a portion of them were inspired by propaganda and voluntarily became Nikkes.

However, a large number of them were not willing participants. Many were deceived, coerced, or forcibly transformed into Nikkes without their consent.

While the NIMPH system suppressed their memories and brainwashed them into believing they were willing warriors fighting for humanity, residual memories or external triggers occasionally caused some Nikkes to regain fragments of their past.

This often led to their awakening—and eventually, rebellion against the Ark.

Now, this law was like a massive catalyst that could drastically increase the chances of more Nikkes awakening.

Papillon, who had been carefully painting her nails, paused and looked up at Burningum with a soft smile.

"Lord Burningum, don't forget—there's a Nikke right in front of you."

Burningum suddenly realized his slip of the tongue and quickly tried to explain himself.

"N-no, I wasn't talking about you. I-I only meant those mass-produced models. Y-you're different from them."

Papillon was one of the Nikkes under his command, but unlike others who treated Nikkes as tools, Burningum's attitude toward her was noticeably different.