Chapter 12

Volume 1, Chapter 3

"──How did it go?"

"──Neither bad nor good, I'd say."

In a room within the headquarters building, a man and a woman are facing each other.

The man is Vice Commander Anderson, a major general. The woman is Ingrid, the CEO of Elysion Corporation, recognized by the white coat hanging on her shoulders.

Though they have a long history together, he was taken aback by her unexpected reaction and let out a sigh of admiration upon hearing her assessment of the test.

"Well... quite a surprising result. You giving a favorable evaluation. Do they suit your taste?"

Considering the performance of his squad, known as 'Counters', Anderson wonders if they performed the kind of 'tactical' simulated combat that she favors.

"That commander... Lieutenant Moore, was it? His leadership isn't bad. He has a keen sense for assessing situations. And he's quick to make decisions. However..."

"What is it?"

"He tends to expose himself too much. Of course, it's rare to find someone who can wield the specialized weaponry for Nikkes and fight on the front lines... but..."

"Are you uncertain about the evaluation?"

To Anderson's question, Ingrid gives a slight nod. Of course it is, and Anderson inwardly agrees. Honestly, he himself is struggling to assess the abilities of the young man who was recently promoted.

"Anderson, speak honestly. According to the report, he withstood a strike from Blacksmith while being an unarmored human. At first, I thought it was a joke... is it true?"

The question Ingrid directs at Anderson is about an event during their recent mission. It's not that surprising, as in this world of Ark, you never know whose ears and eyes are around.

For her, this question is likely just a form of confirmation. That's why Anderson nods and confirms it for her.

"... It's already shocking enough that he can handle Nikke's firearms... but if that's true, is he truly human?"

Her confusion, even as she admits it, is palpable. From a logical standpoint, it's implausible. Actually, it shouldn't be.

"─Take a look at this."

As Anderson takes out a terminal and taps on the screen, Ingrid accepts the device with a perplexed expression. Her character is evident in the fiercely spirited eyes she directs at him.

"... What's this?"

"... The results of Lieutenant Moore's comprehensive examination. Are you interested?"

"I'm past the age of being flustered by a young man's physique. ...He's 188cm tall... and weighs 130 kg?"

Perhaps there was a measurement error. She finds the displayed height and weight of the young man before her to be odd. He's definitely tall; she confirmed that when they met today.

But this weight is strange.

"...It's not obesity."

If anything, he's thin, perhaps not to the point of being called slender, but he should be similar to Anderson standing before her.

"A few categories show unusual values. For reference... these are the average measurements of soldiers of the same age group."

As Ingrid looks down at the screen, Anderson reaches over and taps one entry. A set of values for comparison appears, and as she compares the numbers, creases form on her brow.

"... When comparing, it's certainly abnormal."

The digits are wrong. Realizing this, Ingrid looks perplexed as she raises her gaze from the terminal to Anderson.

"Tell me, Anderson. What do you know? Is he truly human?"

"He is human. I can assure you of that."

In other words, he won't disclose any further information. Unspoken, Ingrid's challenge-filled eyes lock onto Anderson as she hands the terminal back.

"Ingrid, can I ask one favor?"

"Depends on what it is, but go ahead and ask."

"I need you to prepare something."

Taking back the returned terminal, Anderson operates it, sending data to Ingrid's device. She taps on her screen, and with each confirmation of the listed items, creases once again form on her brow.

----

Two days later, a senior officer walks towards one of the lodgings prepared for each squad within which Nike and the others are organized.

At the entrance, a plate with the stenciled imprint of [04-F] catches the eye. A brand-new Lieutenant's rank insignia, freshly shining on the shoulders of his uniform, approaches the call button.

〈─ Who's there? 〉

"It's Moore. I've been ordered by the headquarters to receive instructions for the next mission."

From the speaker adjacent to the intercom button, a voice elongates and rather sloppily──rather, lazily──it's a voice he recognizes. It seems she's been enjoying her 'recovery period' under the guise of a rest. Sensing that, Moore, the officer with insignia shimmering on his uniform, slightly shrugs his shoulders and voices his purpose.

"──An investigation of the power plant?"

The room he's been led into seems to be a briefing room, but the mess of firearms gives it a rough feel. The influence of the young woman with chestnut hair, who's leaning back and listening to the explanation in casual attire, contributes to this impression. She's currently looking through the data of the mission details sent to her terminal.

"Yes. It's a power plant in the coastal city."

"With this number of people?"

If only she could learn from the example of the woman before her, who's wearing a beret and has neatly tied her red tie at her collar. He tucks that thought away and responds with a nod as soon as she voices her disbelief.

"That's right. Just as it appears."

"But isn't that too harsh? After all that trouble, and there was also the BIG possibility of dying in battle against a Tyrant. And yet, we don't even get much praise for it!"

As she sits down, Anis throws her terminal onto the table in frustration and crosses her arms beneath her conspicuous chest, expressing her exasperation.

"Still a mission is a mission."

It's not as if he feels nothing either. However, in an organization where protests against orders without legitimate reasons are difficult, he has to convey that to Anis as soon as he does. She raises her hips and presses her hand against her chest with a theatrical gesture, like a stage actor, while narrowing her irises that match her hair color.

" 'Sir' Moore, it seems the way you're addressed is quite different. Indeed, you truly are a respected hound of the Central Government. Working diligently to please your superiors, even in the short time we've been apart..."

"──Anis."

It's too disrespectful. Even just by calling her name, Lapi conveys the message indirectly. Anis sits back down, folding her arms with her lips forming a 'へ' shape.

"...I'm sorry, I went too far."

"I'm not bothered. ...I'll let you know, though, I'm not very adept at trying to gauge my superior's mood."

Turning his back somewhat petulantly, Moore's response to Anis' apology is astonishingly nonchalant as he takes out a cigarette from his breast pocket. Placing it between his lips, he uses a still-pristine oil lighter to light it.

As the metallic sound of the oil lighter's lid closing reverberates softly, Rapi, trying to change the topic──or perhaps to inquire about the matter that concerns her most──opens her mouth.

"Who's going to be assigned as the commander?"

"...Hmm? Me, actually."

As purple smoke wafts up, Moore answers. Even Anis, who had been looking away, turns her face towards him, showing her surprise.

"...That's strange."

Acknowledging Anis' mumbled words with a perplexed expression, Rapi takes over to explain.

"It's uncommon for the same commander to be assigned to consecutive operations or missions involving Nikkes. At least, as far as I know."

"...Is that normal?"

"Yes. In most cases, it's avoided due to the likelihood of trouble arising during the operation. Being deployed while that situation persists could affect coordination negatively."

"There have been many instances where the commander disposed of Nikkes on-site. Conversely, there have been a few instances the other way around too."

──Is this organization going to be okay? While tapping out the accumulated ashes from his pocket ashtray, he felt a sense of impatience, even anxiety, that the organization he belonged to might be heading straight line towards decline.

Statistically, how common is it, he wonders. According to Rapi's continued explanation, what he spoke about were "extreme cases." He does feel relieved to some extent, but Anis mentioning "there have been many instances" indicates that trouble does occur with a certain frequency.

"That's why when the same commander and Nikke are deployed together for a mission, it's generally recommended to have at least a three-mission gap in between. So, considering that... this time is exceptionally unusual."

"Disposal...huh..."

"...Hah?"

"The Central Government is planning to discreetly send us down to the surface for disposal, aren't they?"

"...No, that's not the case."

Hearing Anis' prediction, he emits a wry smile while exhaling purple smoke and puts the cigarette to the corner of his lips. It's a third-rate cigarette, nowhere near the quality of a premium one, yet it has a taste that oddly suits his palate.

"Why are you so sure? While it might not matter for Commander, for us Nikkes..."

"...Calm down, Anis. Want a smoke?"

"No thanks! Besides, this is a non-smoking area!"

"...Huh? Really? Well then, why didn't you say it before..."

"Before even I say something, "Commander" started smoking first, right? Put it out!"

Rapi doesn't show it on her face, but she's surprised inside. Once you develop a certain level of relationship, you don't step further into each other's boundaries. Anis has returned to calling him as she used to─'Commander' instead of 'Lieutenant.' Whether she's aware of this or not is another question.

Leaving that aside, after being informed belatedly that this place is non-smoking, he reluctantly throws the cigarette, which he hasn't finished smoking yet, into the portable ashtray and closes the lid before sighing.

It's also the first time Rapi learned that this place is non-smoking.

"...Returning to the topic... governments and military organizations are operated with rational philosophies, for better or worse. They won't bother going through the unnecessary costs of sending individuals down to the surface and leaving the disposal to Rapture. It's too troublesome and not certain enough to warrant such effort. If disposal is needed, it can be done here in the Arc."

"...So, that means...?"

"...Given the number of squad members, we can't definitively call this a routine operation, but... well, at least it's not about disposal."

"...Fuhhhmuu... if you put it that way..."

Anis' doubt hasn't entirely cleared, it seems, but for now, she seems to accept Moore's point of view.

"...It's an exceptional mission... but if it's an order, we have no choice but to obey. "Commander", is that acceptable?"

Ah, as expected, this sounds more fitting. Commander. Rapi feels that this word suits him better than his rank.

"...I don't mind, but... are you two okay with it?"

Turning the tables, he asks the two women. In response, Rapi and Anis exchange glances.

"Well... I've been hearing all this while, and it seemed like you weren't exactly welcoming the idea of me taking command of the squad."

Upon hearing his explanation, the two recall their exchange just a while ago. It's unusual, not the norm, and they hadn't exactly shown any enthusiasm towards Moore once again being appointed as the commander of the 04-F squad.

"...Sorry if my words fell short. Please entrust us with your command. Commander."

"...I was just suprised by the suddenness."

"...That's good then. Well then, once again... Lieutenant Shaw Moore will take command of Squad Counters for the time being. Deployment is tomorrow at 0600. As per the data given earlier, assemble at the designated location with the mission objectives. Squad members, make your preparations individually. That is all."

As he issues the order, Lapi and Anis stand up. Simultaneously facing forward and saluting by raising their right hands to their foreheads, Moore also stands and responds to their respectful salute with a precise one of his own.