Ch 104

15:50.

---I don't want to shoot.

It's probably impossible for the thoughts and sounds to stay confined within Moore's heart.

After leaving the radio tower destroyed by the booby trap explosion at the communication hub, some time passed. They noticed several figures on the desolate streets of the ruined city.

All of them were Nikkes—mass-produced models. There were many Elysion mass-produced Nikkes, but Moore's brow furrowed at the sight of E.G. models.

They weren't Eagles, the personnel for the outpost base he was in charge of. He understood that, but even summoning the courage to exert pressure on the trigger seemed a bit daunting.

Detouring would probably be impossible. The reflection of the sniper scope could be seen from the collapsed houses. It seemed they had brought snipers too.

"Stop!"

"You followed us all the way up? That's some dedication."

About 15 meters away, Privaty shouted loudly, standing with Yurha and Admi on either side of him.

He signaled his subordinates to take cover with a hand sign and, with Marian, entered the shadow of the collapsed building debris, rolling on the street.

"...There are 30 mass-produced models visible alone. Did you bring that many?"

While the outpost base had only human soldiers, somehow, they had assembled a unit composed entirely of Nikkes this time, and they had chased them all the way to the surface. Anise sighed at their determination, and Privity's loud voice echoed again.

"Nikke Marian, in addition to collusion with Rapture, you are now suspected of violence against other Nikke. The central government deems this a serious crime—"

Privaty advised, ordering the urgent detention of Marian, but she, along with Moore and the others, tilted their heads. Collusion with Rapture—Marian had shown pity and sympathy for Rapture. This had been advised even at the outpost base. However, the latter part was unclear.

"Lieutenant! When did Marian commit violence against Nikke!?"

"Just a moment ago! According to the information, she attacked two Nikkes—"

"I nearly killed two Siege Perilous ones. Is there a problem!?"

"Violence--- yes!?"

An abrupt confession—somewhat unbelievable. When Privaty uttered it, her eyes widened. She had been told about it, so there was a discrepancy with the information received. However, if you fit it into common sense, dealing with two Nikkes—especially a special group like Siege Perilous—would be impossible for a single human.

Surely, this was a falsehood aimed at stirring up for confusion.

---Pull yourself together. Be faithful to the mission. The mission hasn't changed. Accomplish the task assigned to you.

With reason guiding him, Privaty issued the advisory.

"Nikke Marian, in the process of securing the target individual, you are authorized to shoot anyone other than the target. This is the final advisory! Please come quietly!"

—How kind.

Observing Privaty, who essentially issued a surrender advisory, Moore snorted softly from the shadows. Rapi stood up in the corner of Moore's vision as he checked the remaining bullets, and she raised her eyebrows, glaring at Privaty standing in the distance.

"Why go this far? This arrest is full of absurdities, and you know that too, right?"

—

Unable to find a response, Privaty fell silent. Recognizing this, Rapi signaled to Moore.

She conveyed with her eyes to take Anis, Neon, and Marian and escape now.

However, Moore shook his head, clearly rejecting the proposal.

—If I leave my subordinates behind, I'd rather be dead.

His rejection sparked defiance in Rapi. —Nevertheless, even at this point, it would be a lie to say that she didn't feel a sense of favor and empathy for his unchanged attitude.

However, they must escape. Facing that many Nikkes, and especially in a confrontation with the three members of Triangle, the odds were not in their favor. To convince Moore, they needed to buy some time.

"If it's an order from the central government, do you have no doubts and just follow it?"

In her gaze, the person she unilaterally identified as a rival pursed his lips. But it was only for a moment.

"Yes. We are proud members of Triangle."

As if reminding herself, she spoke in a deliberately calm tone.

"...If you follow orders without thinking, pride is born. How easy."

Provocation or sincerity, Rapi's words could be interpreted either way and though quiet, they resonated well. Privaty's eyebrows furrowed briefly, but a voice came from beside her.

"Privaty, don't engage. Do what you must do."

Yurha, standing nearby, sent a metallic sound echoing as she loaded the first bullet into her large-caliber and large-swing sniper rifle. Privaty acknowledged that her finger was on the safety.

"Privaty is weak in verbal sparring. Talking only leads to defeat."

A voice came from the opposite direction. Admi, holding a compact sniper rifle matching her petite stature, didn't divert her gaze from the front. She kept her index finger extended without placing it on the trigger.

Admi was undoubtedly not enthusiastic about this mission. But what about Yurha? —She might not be actively engaging in the mission, but she probably wouldn't resist shooting.

"Rapi, I don't want to kill! Surrender, please! Just hand over Marian!"

Perhaps, for this reason, Privaty once again advised surrender. It was a prayer-like advisory, but it was flatly rejected.

"That's... not for me to decide."

Rapi's crimson eyes turned to the side.

She had no decision-making authority. She was only allowed to report. Only one person had the command authority for the squad. Realizing that her gaze was directed at the sole individual who held that position, Privaty shouted.

"Captain Moore...!"

Due to the unilateral assault by a soldier under his command on mass-produced Nikkes in the outpost base, three died, and five were seriously injured. It might be a disadvantage that he easily gets worked up, but at least Moore is someone with whom you can communicate.

He undoubtedly holds the key to resolving this situation peacefully. Just as Privaty was about to create opportunities for negotiation despite the repeated chances given for surrender after her advisory, Moore's upper body emerged from the cover just when she called out to him.

"Captain, Admi-kun! What about the promise!?"

"We kept it properly."

"We handed everyone over to the Nikke Management Division. They are currently under protection."

"I see, I appreciate it!"

How Polite. Moore, who came to express his gratitude, Yurha shrugged her shoulders.

"That said, what happens if I hand over Marian, my subordinate?"

"Of course, under the protection of the central government—"

"—Her body will be dissected."

To persuade Moore, the squad leader who held the power, to give up, Privaty needed to convince him first. Fortunately, he was someone who could be reasoned with. Thus, just as Privity was about to create opportunities for negotiation after her surrender advisory, Adomi, standing beside her, raised her voice.

"Admi... don't say unnecessary things."

Privaty urged her to remain silent to protect Admi, who had made a statement that was almost tantamount to disobedience during the mission. However, she continued, closing her eyes.

"A case like Marian, who fused with Rapture and returned to Nikke, is a rare case that has never happened in the history of human civilization so far."

"...Human civilization has a history of only a few thousand years... Sorry for interrupting the story. Can you continue?"

Exposed to the open while speaking, Moore took out a soft pack from the pocket of his combat pants. As he checked the remaining contents by shaking it, he lit a fire with an oil lighter, capturing the scene of Adomi expressing the expected flow while continuing.

"In addition, Marian has four black boxes embedded inside her that cannot be penetrated even by the current technology of Ark. To analyze them, it is a natural procedure to open her body and investigate."

"Admi...! You...!"

"I think that's not the end!"

In order to protect her petite colleague and subordinate, she must be silenced. Just as Yurha approached with quick steps, Admi raised her voice.

"They will examine every part... every component substance... they will examine everything. Many people were convinced."

—That Marian's fusion with Rapture would advance the Ark's technological capabilities by a hundred years.

If this exchange were to reach the higher-ups, Admi's actions could be perceived as interference with the mission or an expression of disobedience. Despite appearances, she was intelligent. Naturally, she confessed with the awareness of potential consequences.

"...It's just that... she's that important..."

"That's enough. Don't say any more than that."

She must not speak any further. It might already be too late, but Yurha firmly grabbed Admi's shoulder to prevent any more statements.

"...Looks like I talked too much."

"...Seems like it. Well, only we heard it, but... never heard anything. Is that fine?"

Everyone present in this situation, including the mass-produced Nikkes, pretended not to have heard Admi's statements. Fortunately, with communication interference, it was unlikely that the exchange had been intercepted. While relieved, Yurha glared at Ado=mi, looking down on her.

"...Sorry. But... I didn't want to lie to Captain Moore."

Admi, feeling the reproachful gaze from her taller superior, lowered her eyes and honestly expressed her feelings.

For Yurha, even though she didn't put it into words, it was concurrence.

"...That's... I feel the same way..."

Privaty also furrowed her brows and tightened her grip on the assault rifle she held in front of her body. Moore had experienced harsh treatment, partly due to the nature of the mission, but he was fundamentally an honest military man with a strong personality.

Although they belonged to different factions, he was undeniably a charismatic figure. Being incorporated under the command of a human commander, especially if there was a prospect of hope, would be the first to come to mind.

Now, they had to point their guns at that person. Unconsciously, Privaty closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and repeated the process.

"...What are you going to do?"

Yurha pushed Admi aside and stepped forward, hiding behind the long coat. She couldn't let her kind colleague suffer a trauma greater than what she was already carrying.

Engage in combat, or surrender. She asked on behalf of Privaty, and in the direction of her gaze, Moore was seen removing the safety of the assault rifle.

Ah, Yurha sighed.

"Yurha... You understand, right? I won't hand over my subordinates. That's absolute."

"...Yeah, I thought so. Privaty."

"...Everyone, prepare for combat."

Issuing the command for gunfire, Yurha prompted Privaty. With her large sniper rifle in hand, she aimed it, peeking through the optical sight glasses, capturing Moore in the reticle.

It was at an extremely close range. With her skill, she could hit without specifically aiming. Perhaps she wanted to imprint his face firmly in her memory for the last time - the man exhaling purple cigarette smoke, with vertical wrinkles on his forehead captured by the reticle.

The low voice that Yurha calmly spoke moments ago was surprisingly pleasant. It was regrettable that she wouldn't hear it again. She understood her role well.

Deciding to adhere to it strongly, she removed the safety with her fingertip, placing her index finger on the trigger.

The alcohol she would drink tonight would probably taste more bitter than ever.

"From this moment, we enter combat. The use of live ammunition is also permitted."

As soon as this order was issued by Privaty, the mass-produced Nikes changed their magazines simultaneously. Dull-colored live rounds were loaded into the inserted magazines, and as the bolt was pulled, the first round was sent into the chamber.

"The top priority is to secure the target, Marian... As for the rest, it's fine to shoot them."

A chilly gust of wind passed through the deteriorating cityscape as the sun began to set.

In a calm and emotionless tone, Privaty readjusted her grip on the assault rifle she carried, resting the butt on her shoulder and pointing the muzzle toward Lapi.

She tightly closed her trembling lips, took a deep breath, and after a moment, opened her lips again to give the command.

"Encoun──"

At that moment, they perceived a buzzing noise.

"Everyone, lower your weapons and stand by."

The voice, vibrating through the eardrums of the Nikkes from Moore's headset housing, was a familiar one.

"...Shifty?"

While pressing her ear with one hand, Rapi muttered with a puzzled expression. Moore also pressed the housing with his left hand.

[I repeat. Everyone, lower your weapons and stand by.]

"...I refuse, Operator. This operation is a direct order from the Vice Commander."

[...Let me explain.]

Interrupting the communication, a low voice, different from Shifty's, reached everyone's ears.

"Vice Commander A-Anderson ...!?"

Privaty, hearing the low voice, was the first to react, expressing her surprise. With an astonished expression, she muttered words akin to questioning the voice that Anderson had confirmed.

[Did you say it's a direct order from the Vice Commander?]

"...Yes, but..."

[If it's an order from Burningham, it has just been rescinded. So, everyone, retreat to the Ark.]

Behind the housing, Moore felt like he heard a muffled groan, the wrinkles on his forehead increased. As the fourth vertical wrinkle appeared, he flicked the shortened cigarette into a portable ashtray.

"...May I ask what the situation is?"

However, Privaty belonged to the Central Government Army and was also a military figure allied with Burningham's faction. It was necessary to inquire about the circumstances of the person who could be considered the leader of that faction.

"...I apologize, Vice Commander Anderson. I've heard that you actively support the Special Operations Unit. It might be a makeshift excuse."

[Are you saying...Am I lying?]

"...In summary... yes."

To the criticism from a corner of the military, easily sensed even from her voice, Privaty countered without hesitation. Anderson sighed heavily.

[Burningham, can you confirm this? Otherwise, I'll be accused of lying.]

[...Yeah, that's right...! That's right!]

"...He really got his ass kicked."

Yurha couldn't help but mutter. The groans, mixed with the voice, made it clear through the radio that Burningham had suffered injuries. It wasn't clear if it was limited to his face, but it was easy to imagine that it didn't end with just one hit.

[Once again, I'll say it. Retreat. Right now.]

"...Understood."

As Privaty uttered those words, the muzzles that the mass-produced Nikkes had aimed were lowered.

Reluctantly, Privaty accepted the order, but to say there was no relief would be a lie.

[Captain Moore, can you hear me?]

It seemed that the communication hadn't been cut yet. Anderson addressed Moore through the radio.

[Did I make you feel uncomfortable? But, I want you to retreat. Moore Captain? Can you hear me──]

A crashing sound echoed through the city.

Reflexively, the mass-produced Nikkes, as well as Triangle and Counters, directed their gazes toward Moore, the source of the sound.

Moore, who had removed the headset he had been wearing, forcibly slammed it onto the ground, destroying it.

Lifting his booted leg and repeatedly smashing the headset meticulously into pieces, his deep brown eyes gleamed brightly.

Eventually satisfied, Moore, upon seeing the scattered parts of the crushed headset on the ground, lit a new cigarette with an oil lighter clenched in his teeth.

"...Let's go back."

With a brief order, he slung the assault rifle over his shoulder and began to walk. The squad, including Marian, followed suit.

As Moore approached, about to pass right by Triangle, Privaty looked up at him.

With intense brown eyes gazing down, she eventually lowered her gaze and gracefully stepped aside, yielding the way.