Chapter 5

Author notes: The management of the app, or rather the script, lacks human emotions, huh?! (Complimentary remark)

Volume 0, Episode 5

Name: Shaw Moore

Birthplace: Ark

Date of Birth: 20XX. 9 .14

Batch: BCC 40th Batch

Identification Number: O1258031

The list of information displayed on the terminal remains unchanged no matter how many times it's reviewed.

The information source, recently updated yesterday, is a personnel appointment issued by an organization under the direct jurisdiction of the central government. Its accuracy goes without saying.

"Did you really get commissioned just yesterday?"

Even Lapi seems perplexed enough to ask involuntarily. Perhaps she's inquiring due to this short break they've taken during their journey.

The young man in question—Moore—seems to be using this break for both maintenance of his assault rifle and a smoke break. He burns the leaves of his cigarette, which he seems to be smoking more comfortably now, inhaling nicotine, tar, and other toxic fumes mixed in, exhaling purple smoke. Alongside his smoking, he's disassembling a Tetra Line-made assault rifle, wiping the dirty piston with a cloth, and applying a light layer of oil.

"Yes. ...Anything wrong?"

He seems to have stopped coughing and is taking deep drags from his cigarette, changing the leaves to ash. He nods and then proceeds to ask a question in return.

"... A rookie commander who has taken over for a deceased commander during battle... What could the central government possibly be thinking?"

"... Yeah, you're absolutely right."

After all, he's just a person who recently completed the Basic Commander's Course (BCC), with no experience in squad operations or participating in missions. It's only natural to feel uneasy entrusting one's life to someone with little to none practical experience.

Moreover, the BCC curriculum is designed with mass production of commanders in mind. Compared to the initial establishment of the course, the required days for knowledge, skills, and lectures have been shortened to about half. That's manageable, as long as one overlooks individual differences. The real issue is that too much emphasis has been placed on mental education, with most of the limited one-year course focusing on that.

This is how they're mass-producing commanders and sending them to the "holy" war to reclaim the surface. As he envisions the future of Ark, a wry smile forms on his face. Although he should be directly involved, the young man, who has recently completed the course and officer school, seems to be thinking about it as if it's someone else's concern.

Despite this situation, the mission that needs to be accomplished hasn't changed. Rapi slightly shakes her head and once again directs her gaze towards him as he has become the new commander.

"... Anyway, Second Lieutenant Moore. You will now be in command of the squad. We need to hand over the current mission in progress. Are you ready for it?"

"I don't mind. Go ahead and continue."

During this time, Rapi seems confused by Moore's sudden appointment as a commander, especially during this short break they've taken.

According to her explanation, communication from a squad conducting a search in this area ceased 46 hours ago. Given that there were no communication logs left, the insertion of 04-F was decided, and the search began. However, during this operation, the previous commander died in an accident.

"The problem is... Only that commander knew the coordinates of the operation area."

"... What?"

Anis takes over the explanation, and Moore's eyes widen in response. Had he started the mission without informing his team? Hadn't he considered the possibility of his own death or other emergencies? Such thoughts of frustration sprout within him, even though it wouldn't resolve anything to express them at this point. He dispels his frustration by exhaling the purple smoke.

"Commander, didn't you ask about the coordinates?"

"... I didn't."

"I thought so... Yeah, I knew it."

Sighing deeply, Anis shrugs her shoulders and lets her resignation show. It seems she doesn't have any particular emotions about the answer, probably because she knew it from the start—but...

"I knew it," 'Marian' says abruptly.

"Yeah, yeah. That's right... whuh?"

Out of the blue, Marian raises her voice, and Anis stares at her with wide eyes.

"Huh? Seriously?"

"The information was input before the operation."

Moore, despite being the supposed commander, doesn't know how he should react. Instead of understanding his reaction, he's more focused on why he wasn't informed in the first place, raising questions.

"I'll take the lead, so please follow me."

As Marian speaks up to lead, she, along with the others including Moore, nods in agreement. Just as Moore finishes assembling his disassembled assault rifle, he checks the mechanisms by pulling the lever and the trigger, ensuring there are no issues.

"But before that... Rapi, right?"

Suddenly, Marian turns to Rapi. Perhaps there's something she wants to communicate. As she waits for Marian to continue, Marian's eyes narrow as she glares at Rapi.

"...Even though you couldn't even protect your own commander... don't nitpick about Commander Moore being a rookie or---"

"Marian!!"

Moore senses what she's about to say and raises his voice. In an instant, not only Marian but also Lapi and Anis slightly jolt.

"Don't say anything more. Saying more would be an insult to them. I won't allow it."

"But, Commander...!"

"I said I WON'T allow it. Didn't I?"

With a furrowed brow, Moore slams a magazine into the insertion port, producing a sharp metallic sound as he pulls the lever. His gaze turns towards Marian while the rich brown of his eyes narrows. His gaze, now focused and glaring, causes her to flinch for a moment.

"But...! The commander is risking their life just like us, even holding a gun! Yet, she's been..."

"...I don't mind. In fact, I think it's a fair assessment. It's only natural to doubt a commander with little to no combat experience."

He tosses the cigarette butt onto the ground, steps on it with the sole of his shoe, and picks up the butt, tucking it into the pocket of his slacks. While doing so, he shrugs his shoulders.

"....Yeah, that's right. It was my fault for speaking out of turn. I apologize."

"...If you're going to apologize, please apologize to the commander, not to me."

"I'm sorry, Second Lieutenant Moore."

"Don't worry about it. Like I said earlier, I'm not bothered."

"Haha. This new commander is a bit different, huh?"

In response to Anis's playful comment, the young man shrugs his shoulders and puts on the backpack he had placed on the ground. It seems she's the squad's mood-maker. These types of individuals are indeed valuable assets.

Once everyone is ready, he instructs Marian to lead the way and then orders the squad to advance.

Remaining vigilant of their surroundings and keeping distance between each other, they start moving. Not long after, Moore approaches Marian, who's leading the squad while maintaining a low posture, and speaks.

"...I'm sorry for yelling earlier. I appreciate you standing up for me. Thank you. I just wanted to convey that. I'm counting on you to lead."

After succinctly finishing the necessary statement, he lightly pats her back with his palm, then returns to his original position.

His consideration and follow-up might be clumsy, but they are sincere.

While it might be nice to convey apologies and gratitude more elaborately, these alone have once again brought warmth to her heart.

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But despite wanting to feel that warmth even more... why has her physical condition been so "unstable" since earlier?