“I’m exiling you.”
“…Exiled, sir?”
Andersen’s resolute voice filled the room. Taken aback by his unwavering words, Ethan repeated them in disbelief.
“The order I gave you was to investigate the power plant, not to demolish it. The internal explosions caused by the engagement left it in ruins—every piece of stored material and equipment ground to dust.”
“But…”
Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but Andersen wouldn’t let him.
“Two months—two months’ worth of resources that kept The Ark running went up in smoke because of you and those Nikkes under your command. Any excuses?”
“…Frankly, there are plenty.”
Ethan’s response was unexpectedly calm—and heartfelt.
It was true that the Astral Energy discharge brought down the plant, but that wasn’t the only problem. Worse was sending him into such a critical mission with only three Nikkes and zero preparation.
Perhaps the failure had been expected from the start.
‘At least the Great Federation provided minimal support…’
As that complaint simmered in his mind, Andersen’s voice snapped him back.
“No, you don’t. Even if you had ten tongues, it’d still be too few. As of today, you and your squad are exiled from The Ark and reassigned to the Forward Base. It’s a harsh place—no people, no facilities. But don’t worry too much: you’ll get minimal resources and an escort. Not exactly a rehabilitation center, but consider it a stroke of luck.”
“…What about Rapi?”
Maintaining his silence, Ethan asked the question that mattered most.
“She’s under repair. Once it’s done, I’ll send her up right away. Now, pack your things and move out.”
“……”
Moments after that one-sided order, Ethan left the deputy commander’s office. Shortly after, Ingrid, CEO of Elysion, entered.
“What about the engagement data from the power plant?”
“Analysis is complete.”
“Let me see it.”
At Andersen’s prompt, Ingrid turned to the engagement log.
“This type is built for combat—but it’s so alien in performance, it’s overwhelming. The Raptures inside the plant are on a completely different level.”
“And you managed to evade and escape them? Facing those things?”
Andersen crossed his arms, his expression hardening as he listened.
“There’s definitely something here. We have no clue what it is yet, but it’s more than worth investigating.”
“Well, that’s why we sent them to the Forward Base. There’s no better place to hide from the all-seeing eye of the Central Government.”
Andersen stared at the Counters’ engagement log. Whatever his purpose in sending Ethan and the Counters to the Forward Base, it was clearly more than simple punishment.
“One more thing.”
“You mean the Rapture that used human machinery?”
“It seems fair to say it’s evolving.”
“…What do you think its objective is?”
“I’m not sure. One of two things: either it’s here to exterminate humanity—or replace it.”
If the Raptures truly aimed to wipe out or supplant humanity, it would be a crisis none could ignore. It would threaten the very existence of humankind.
“Indeed, it’s too suspicious to ignore.”
“But that’s not all.”
From the log on the desk, Ingrid pulled out a photograph.
The image was saturated in a blue glow.
“That ‘light’ during the engagement is bothering me.”
“Have you investigated it?”
“I’m working on it, but there’s nothing concrete yet. It’s so alien, it’s hard to pin down.”
“Hmm. ‘Alien,’ you say?”
Andersen murmured, clearly intrigued, his gaze sweeping over the photo filled with blue light.
If it had been a simple energy discharge, the data would explain it. But this was different—like an influence from another dimension.
‘This isn’t coincidence.’
The tide of battle shifted dramatically around that light. It wasn’t a mere explosion; it changed the entire situation.
Andersen tapped the desk lightly and fell into thought.
‘If this light is a phenomenon with intent, things are about to get interesting.’
His sharp eyes fixed on the photograph.
“What is this place?”
“They call it the Forward Base.”
At long last, we arrived at our new home—the Forward Base.
But calling it home felt absurd in the face of its desolation.
“I know, but why were we assigned to a place like this?”
“Because you’re the ones who broke the power plant—and as the Commander’s escort, no less?”
“Hey, come on.”
It wasn’t a lie, but having it said so bluntly grated on me. Bitter though it was, I couldn’t deny I’d played the biggest role in destroying the plant.
“Still, how are we supposed to live in a wasteland like this…?”
Bang!
“!!”
“Argh!”
The sudden gunshot made Anis and me jump. Reflexively, we ducked and looked for the source—to find Neon.
“Anis, did you see? You can fire anywhere here and nobody cares!”
Neon looked at us with a thrilled grin. I’d suspected it—Neon was missing a screw or two.
“Wow. Incredible.”
“Haah…”
Anis and I exhaled deeply at the same time.
It was already clear there’d be no quiet days with these two. I missed my old squad more than ever.
“Well… I guess we have no choice. Though it was a mistake, I can’t deny I’m partly to blame.”
“Right? And doesn’t it feel like camping out? Isn’t your heart racing?”
“Feels like my heart’s gonna explode.”
“All right, enough.”
No point complaining. We had to adapt fast to life at the Forward Base. The harsh Central Government wouldn’t grant a request to move.
“By the way, Commander, where do we sleep?”
“I heard there’s quarters.”
“Quarters? Where are they?”
“Follow me.”
I led them to the quarters. Thankfully, at least there was a place indoors to sleep. Almost felt like a miracle.
Five minutes later, we reached our room and stepped inside.
“Oh, here it is?”
“So it’s not a storage shed.”
“…What about the mess hall?”
“Here—canned food and rations. The expiration dates are cutting it close.”
“Wow. I see.”
I held up a can and thought for a moment. It’d get us by for now, but it wouldn’t last. Soon, we’d face a food shortage.
“Um… is there a shower room?”
“I think it’s in that corner over there.”
“Right? We have to have that.”
Eager Neon dashed off to the shower.
Creak, creak.
“…No water’s coming out!”
Poor Neon’s face fell as she stared at the dry showerhead.
“Haah… This place is brutal, brutal.”
“…It’s worse than I thought.”
With scarce food and no water, problems piled up before our real life here even began.
“And there’s something else I’m worried about.”
“What is it?”
“Is the Commander going to stay here with us? Because if so, that’s a huge problem.”
“??”
What was Neon on about now? I listened as she continued.
“It’s a privacy issue, you know.”
Her words left me stunned—I never planned to live with them, anyway.
“…Don’t worry. I heard the Commander has a separate office.”
“Oh, really? That’s a relief… Wait, let me check.”
Anis strode into my room as if on a mission.
Ziiing!
Anis opened the door and gasped.
“This isn’t fair! What is this? You get this huge room just for yourself? And it’s so comfy! There’s even a sofa!”
“I wanted to check something.”
Then Neon entered the Commander’s office shower room and turned on the tap.
Creak, creak.
Whoosh—!
A torrent of water blasted down.
“…This isn’t a shower, it’s a waterfall!”
“I’m disappointed in you, Commander.”
“Hey, I didn’t know about this.”
The sound of the falling water echoed through the office as Anis and Neon stared in horror. I had no idea only my room had water.
“I guess it makes sense since you’re the Commander, but still—this gap is ridiculous.”
As Anis complained about the obvious favoritism, she suddenly had an idea.
“Hey! I’ve got it. How about we swap rooms?”
“I don’t know how that’ll help.”
“Think about it: wouldn’t it be better for one person to lose out than all of us?”
“…Commander?”
Before I could answer, the office door opened again.
“Indulging you too much could backfire, Commander.”
Rapi entered, looking perfectly normal.
“Oh, you’re back.”
“You’re here?”
“Sorry. You two have worked hard.”
“…Rapi.”
Facing Rapi, I didn’t know what to say—everything at the plant was my fault.
“My body’s been reconfigured and I’ve returned. So this is the Forward Base… where we’ll be staying.”
“Right. It’s a bit shabby, isn’t it?”
I shrugged it off, but Rapi saw through me and spoke up.
“…You look like you have something to say. I’ll take this chance to say it… hmm.”
“What is it?”
“…You two stink.”
“Huh?”
“!!”
“Uh.”
Then Neon and Anis both blinked in surprise at Rapi’s blunt assessment.
“That… really? I had my olfactory sensors off, so I didn’t know.”
“Wait a minute! You two are clean and we’re covered in who-knows-what?”
“Stop whining and take the shower.”
“Neon, you go first.”
“Then I won’t refuse!”
Neon dashed into the shower and shut the door behind her.
“Commander, please wait outside.”
“Shall I?”
Leaving Anis and Neon behind to bathe, I quietly stepped out with Rapi at my side.
“This place feels overwhelming. I’m worried about what’s to come.”
“Yeah. How did we end up here?”
Rapi’s words hit home: there was so much to fix—this base, the food, the water. One crisis after another.
“Commander, may I pick up where I left off? What I want to say is… we Nikkes aren’t human. We’re weapons infused with great power and immortality to fight the Raptures.”
“…”
To me, her matter-of-fact words sounded tragic. They think and feel like humans but are treated like tools.
“Seeing a heavily damaged Nikke return unharmed is common. So please don’t make that complicated expression.”
“You want me to think of you as weapons?”
“…”
Rapi’s silence spoke louder than any words.
“…Sorry, but I can’t do that.”
“…Commander. What do we look like to you?”
I couldn’t tell why she asked—if I could read minds, none of this would have happened.
One thing was clear: I hadn’t changed my feelings about the Nikkes.
“I see you as human.”
“I appreciate that… but in time, you’ll see how we’re different and get hurt. Please remember my words.”
Rapi showed no further reaction. She stared at me for a moment then averted her gaze.
“Let’s sleep now.”
“…Yeah. Let’s go in.”
Night deepened around me in the Commander’s office.
I sank onto the bed and took a steadying breath. The day’s events churned in my mind, but I needed to focus on one thing only.
“Hoo…”
I cleared my head to sense the energy within my body. My new form resonated with Astral Energy; now I had to concentrate on cultivating power.
Woooooom
As I calmed my mind, the dormant energy stirred faintly. A sense of pure, lucid power welled up inside me. I gathered it, circulating it precisely as in my breathing techniques.
The flow was slow but definite. Like stars glimmering in the night sky, brilliant energy began to envelop me.
A subtle tremor and a warm sensation at my fingertips. It was still weak, but if I continued, I could one day wield the strength of my prime.
But...
“Tch, still not enough.”
I grimaced and muttered. The rate of power gain was frustratingly slow. I wanted strength now—how long would it take at this pace?
This way, I couldn’t even revenge my death, let alone fully restore my prime might.
“Ugh.”
A sigh slipped out as my thoughts multiplied. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed.
Staring at the ceiling, a familiar face came to mind, and I found myself murmuring.
“Instructor... life’s tough.”
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in my mind.
‘What the hell. You haven't lived long enough to complain.’
A bitter smile curved my lips. That voice still haunted me—it belonged to the one I trusted most back then.
I’d thought I’d seen it all in the Great Federation, but to him, I was still green.
“Tch. I might as well sleep.”
I closed my eyes and let go of my thoughts for a while.
As my consciousness sank into darkness, the day came to a quiet end.
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