Chapter 79

"─Thank you for your hard work, Mana."

"─Yes."

The 'Missilis Military Research Center,' commonly known as M.M.R., was the central government's research and development division.

The day after Syuen barged into the forward base, Captain Moore, dressed in military uniform, received a call from Ingrid and met her outside the facility as planned.

The interior of the facility could only be described as a laboratory. Various monitors and machines were placed in every room, and researchers, likely scientists, were seen diligently using styluses on their tablets, engrossed in something.

Led into one of the rooms by Ingrid, he came face-to-face with a scientist-looking woman. Her name was Mana, introduced as a researcher working at M.M.R.

Wearing a neatly tied tie, a tight skirt, and a long white coat, and donning glasses, her appearance exuded the aura of a talented woman. He felt tempted to address her as 'Miss.'

Mana then explained the analysis results mainly concerning the collected Heretic fragments. She discussed the substance that would now be referred to as 'Material H.'

This substance was constructed with numerous nanomachines and aimed to increase mass by absorbing Nikke using tentacle-like devices, attempting to revive the original Heretic. This conclusion was reached after electrical stimulation, during which it only attacked and absorbed Nikke without eliciting a response from humans or machinery.

Estimating from the increase in weight immediately after absorption, it was speculated that over 450 Nikkes had been absorbed so far.

Regarding the underground facility discovered during the recent mission, the ones confirmed by three squads were just a small part of it. The exact scale was not completely understood, but it was a large underground structure approaching a radius of 20 km.

The extensive underground facility resembled an anthill of tunnels, and all the paths led to the central area where Material H, the Heretic fragment, was stored. Considering the substance's properties, there was no doubt that the ultimate goal was to absorb Nikkes and resurrect the Heretic.

Approximately 200 Nikkes were kept in the underground facility. This number matched the Nikkes reported as Missing In Action (MIA) during operations near the location of the underground facility.

Ingrid expressed it as a 'nurturing facility,' but Moore recalled the words spoken by Queen Ludmila, the Snow Queen with beautiful blonde hair, in the icy lands of the north.

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'─Recently, the number of Nikke getting lost or seeking rescue has significantly decreased.'

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She had murmured that the numbers had obviously dropped over the past few years, probably due to this reason.

Come to think of it, how were they doing, both the Nikkes and the wolves? He resolved to contact them sometime soon, while he walked down the corridor with Ingrid after bidding farewell to Mana.

"─Captain Moore, are you alright?"

"…I'm better off than the president thinks."

Ingrid looked up at him, questioning, even though they didn't have to walk side by side, and Moore responded with a slight nod.

The Rapture forces weren't particularly large considering the scale of the underground facility, so they assumed they could easily suppress it. However, Mana suddenly reported that Heretic Modernia had appeared.

"...If she's appeared... then that facility must be important."

"...Probably. Still, the structure and scale of the underground facility were so similar to Arc, it's uncanny."

In some sense, it might have significance, or it could just be a mere coincidence.

"...No, it's best not to think too much about it. We have a mission briefing to attend."

Ingrid shook her head and spoke, and Moore nodded silently.

They had received a message from Anderson last night about the mission briefing at the headquarters building. Considering they were ordered to attend, there was no doubt they would be involved in the mission, along with the Special Countermeasures Team.

Following Ingrid, who got into a luxurious car with the Elysion logo engraved on it, he also got in as invited.

The driver seemed to know the destination and drove the luxury car safely.

They arrived at the headquarters building. As they stepped into the conference room located on the upper floor, Moore and Ingrid were greeted by the occupants.

"─Long time no see, Ne! Ingrid, Commander Moore!"

"...President Mustang. It's been a while. We greatly appreciate your past assistance."

"Oh... You don't have to mention that, YO!"

─I still can't keep up with this enthusiasm.

The CEO of Tetra Line, a person with eye-catching designs and attire, and an entertainer-like figure, reprimanded Moore with exaggerated reactions.

Apparently, in summary, it was natural for Commander Moore, under Anis's care, to be accommodated.

And then, another person ─ not someone who came to greet them, but a small-framed CEO who sat on a chair around the holographic projection device in the center ─ glanced at him lightly.

With a slight nod, Syuen snorted and turned away.

Holding his removed military cap under his left arm, he surveyed the room, but he couldn't help feeling out of place.

A mere captain. It felt awkward for a minor military figure like himself to be in the company of such influential individuals.

While the CEOs of the three major corporations took their seats, he remained standing a little away from the round table, waiting.

Eventually, the door of the conference room opened, and a person in military uniform, who had called for the assembly, entered.

Recognizing the figure, Moore stood at attention and saluted, and Vice Commander Anderson nodded gracefully.

"─At ease. Have you all arrived?"

Moore widened his stance, placing his hands behind his back, while the CEOs responded to Anderson's words.

The lighting in the conference room dimmed, and a hologram was projected from the device on the round table. It resembled Arc's structure but seemed to be the underground facility recently discovered, apparently created by Rapture.

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"Prepare for an all-out war. The mission has two objectives: the destruction of the underground facility and... the capture or destruction of Heretic, Modernia."

Destruction ─ his cheeks twitched momentarily in reaction to the fact that it was included as a mission objective.

"If successful, humanity should come significantly closer to reclaiming the surface."

"The plan?"

Ingrid prompted, as if to say that was enough of the preamble.

Phase One:

Explosives will be placed on the walls of the underground facility. They will be detonated simultaneously to destroy the walls and bury the facility. However, there are concerns regarding the narrow passages inside the facility and the presence of numerous Raptures and Heretic Modernia.

Mobile and combat proficient squads from each corporation will be selected. If sheer numbers won't solve the problem, the reverse approach would be to send in a small, elite force to handle it.

In this case, Tetra selected the Café Sweetie squad, and Elysion chose the Absolute squad.

"...I won't be part of this."

"...Understood."

Syuen, the CEO of Misilys, seemed to have reached a conclusion after a brief moment of contemplation. Anderson didn't say anything more.

Phase Two:

If the destruction and burial of the underground facility are successful, there's a high probability that Modernia will emerge above ground. At the same time, a considerable number of Raptures and assorted others will undoubtedly crawl out.

"...Chatterbox will undoubtedly join the battle... Captain Moore, can you please refrain from that smile in the darkness? It's a bit unsettling."

"Oh... he's like a beast, Ne!"

"...My apologies. Please continue."

Uncharacteristically, he raised the corners of his mouth. Even Anderson, who usually had an impenetrable façade, and who, in his mind's eye, even envisioned sharp, pointed fangs, laughed wryly as he warned Moore. Mustang was laughing cheerfully, but he covered his relaxed expression with his hand and urged Andersen to continue.

The horde of emerging Raptures, or rather, sweeping through the large army, clearing the way to Modernia ─ that was the second phase of the operation.

And from the moment the path to Modernia was cleared, it would be the last stage, the Final Phase, of this operation.

In the final phase, securing Modernia was the top priority.

"...Instead of destruction?"

Syuen asked. He had explicitly mentioned capture in the preamble, but at the same time, he had also mentioned destruction. When he posed the question, Anderson nodded in response.

"...What do you intend to do?"

"...I plan to have Counters, the Special Countermeasures Team, make contact with Heretic."

The moment Anderson uttered those words, the CEOs' gazes shifted to Moore, who would be commanding that squad, and simultaneously, the room's lighting returned to its original brightness.

"...What's the purpose of making contact? Are you asking me to put another hole in her forehead?"

As he asked this question, narrowing his eyes, Ingrid, who had stood up, approached Moore.

"...Don't hope for much. But... figure something out."

"...Figure something out..."

The order was quite vague. As he echoed Ingrid's words, Moore furrowed his brows. The formidable woman looked up at the tall figure of Moore.

"If you truly want to save Marian, somehow, whether through persuasion or appealing to her emotions..."

Both methods were not his forte. Moore was well aware of this, and his brows furrowed even deeper. Ingrid softened her voice slightly as she continued.

"...You've been given an opportunity. Thanks to you, we've come this far."

An opportunity—whether it would yield results commensurate with the opportunity given was uncertain. However, the pain that surged back with the memory of losing his left arm in the snowy battlefield, he remembered that moment distinctly.

—In that moment, she certainly had returned.

"Impress upon you, if you judge that the persuasion has failed, shoot the Unchained at the Heretic as your top priority."

"...The Unchained?... M.M.R. explained that Material H's composition is made up of nanomachines..."

When Anderson issued the command, he voiced his concerns. The Unchained were what killed NIMPH. However, whether it could effectively strike the nanomachine substance constructing the Heretic was unknown.

Anderson nodded as if to say he understood.

"...I don't know what will happen. she might die, or nothing might happen... Or maybe a miracle will occur."

Although planning a strategy relying on such uncertain elements was unwise, Anderson let out a deep sigh and turned his gaze back to Moore, who was now standing a few steps away, adopting a resting position.

"If I were to express a personal wish... I prefer a happy ending."

"..."

Moore didn't respond. He knew as well as anyone that the world was not as sweet as a happy ending.

However, if he had to admit his true feelings, if he had to pick one thing, he had hoped for that ambiguous and uncertain ending.

"The operation will commence on D-day tomorrow, at 0500 in the early morning. The deployed NIKKES and MLRS units have already started their positions and fortifications... What about you?"

"If possible, the Special Countermeasures Team plans to advance to the designated area and prepare for tomorrow's battle."

"Understood. Then make the necessary arrangements... Oh, I almost forgot. I have something to give you."

As if he remembered, Anderson rummaged through the pocket of his military uniform.

He pulled out a small box and opened the lid—inside were a pair of insignia shoulder badges.

"Starting from tomorrow, you'll be promoted, but I thought I'd give these to you in advance. Congratulations, Major."

"...Being promoted at this point feels almost like being told to go die..."

If he had to add, he hadn't even received specialized education that distinguished Captains from Majors, a fact that felt uncanny.

Although Anderson didn't say it aloud, he recognized the furrowed brows on Moore's face. With a wry smile, Anderson handed him the small box containing the brand-new insignia badges.

Moore sighed softly as he accepted them.

"The Personnel Committee and the Personnel Department judged that you deserve these insignia badges. It's better to accept it graciously."

"...You might have mixed feelings about it. Still, congratulations, Major Moore."

"Major, sir! Congratulations, SU!"

"...Congratulations."

All four of them offered their congratulatory words, but Moore seemed entirely unenthusiastic.

"Well, I can't blame you for that sentiment," Anderson shrugged, and from the other pocket, he took out a flat metal box and handed it to Moore.

"...What's this?"

"...I don't know if it will become your trump card or not... I made this for you."

Moore, wearing a puzzled expression, opened the lid of the metal box. —About the size of one hand, the box contained around 20 long metal tubes, tightly packed inside.

"...In the event of a major injury rendering you immobile or incapable of fighting, or if you encounter a powerful enemy and it turns into combat... Inject this into your body. It temporarily numbs the pain and dramatically enhances your mobility."

"...Is this a kind of doping?"

He picked up one of the thin metal tubes that filled the box and examined it. It had a hollow tip and what seemed like a button-like protrusion at the end. It was probably a needleless syringe.

"...It's a bit insensitive to make that comparison, but... well, something like that. However... it's potent. Avoid using it excessively. Consider it a borrowed time for your life. ...I had a hard time deciding whether to give this to you."

"...No, thank you. I feel much happier about this than the insignia badges."

He casually tucked the box containing the syringe into his military uniform pocket, showing no signs of hesitation.

The person who handed it to him, Anderson, hoped—more than anything—that it would never be used.

It would be disrespectful to his subordinates, who was about to head to the battlefield, to be overly grim. The deputy commander cleared his throat lightly and asked him.

"...It's not quite a celebration for your promotion, but if you have any wishes, let me know. Of course, within my capabilities..."

"...Then just one."

It was an unusual request, and the person asking, Anderson himself, felt surprised. Moore revealed an even more unexpected request.

"I want to get a tattoo... Could you please tell me if you know a good shop?"

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Moore: "Shaw, level up!" (In the style of Anis)