Back in the Commander's office.
"Commander, you're not seriously planning to kill Syuen, are you?"
Following closely behind Mo Chen, Anis hesitated before asking.
"Why? Don't you dislike her?"
Mo Chen turned his head, looking at her curiously.
Someone like Syuen, who was universally despised, had little to redeem her reputation.
"It's not that…" Anis said, worry evident in her tone. "But she's the CEO of one of the Big Three corporations. If something happens to her, the Ark will definitely investigate. Besides, she's just a kid…"
A kid? More like a brat!
Mo Chen was speechless.
If Anis knew how much trouble Syuen caused in the original story, she'd probably be angrier than Mo Chen.
Syuen wasn't just unkind—she was downright malicious.
"How about putting an electronic shackle on her? The kind that delivers an electric shock," Anis suggested.
Mo Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"An electronic shackle?"
Anis nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! That way, she can't escape. As long as she can't escape, she's a hostage."
Mo Chen thought for a moment. She had a point.
They couldn't let Syuen run off.
"But wouldn't an electronic shackle be too conspicuous?"
"No problem! They don't have to go on the ankles. They're small enough to hide in inconspicuous places."
Anis helpfully explained, grinning mischievously. "Plenty of spots on the body to attach one. I wonder, would a corporate CEO squirm like a prisoner when it zaps her…?"
Mo Chen: "…"
You're a devil, aren't you?
At that moment, Neon chimed in excitedly.
"I suggest we put a collar on her."
"A collar?"
"Yeah, you know, the kind that blows your head off if you don't behave."
"…"
Mo Chen and Anis exchanged glances.
Neon takes the cake for the most ruthless.
Anis suddenly leaned closer, lowering her voice and giggling.
"Commander, it's strange. How come you seem to know Syuen so well?"
"No comment."
"Why so secretive?"
"No comment."
"Could it be… you like little girls?"
"No figure, no chest—what's there to like?"
"Okay, different question. Those Raptures, why did it seem like they were being controlled? Any thoughts, Commander?"
"I like little girls."
"…"
Anis's eyes widened as if she'd stumbled upon a scandal.
"Wow, Commander, keeping a dirty little secret, huh?"
Feigning understanding, she nodded sagely.
"Well, I guess even the great Commander needs a skeleton or two in the closet. That's what makes you truly Ark material!"
Mo Chen: "…"
Beside them, Rapi's face turned serious, and she scolded, "Anis."
"Yes, yes," Anis quickly replied, grinning as she added, "I was just kidding. The Commander would never betray us. Right, Commander?"
Of course, Mo Chen wouldn't actually kill Syuen.
Where's the fun in that?
Making her squirm slowly is much more satisfying.
Besides, he had other matters to attend to.
In the Detention Center.
The outpost's prison had long been abandoned.
It was once used to hold rogue Nikkes, but due to years of neglect and a lack of resources, it fell into disrepair. With increasingly harsh punishments for mistakes—ranging from disciplinary measures to memory wipes and even disposal—the prison became obsolete.
The various instruments of punishment, however, had remained.
When Mo Chen entered the room holding Mihara and Yuni, they were restrained together, their hands bound above their heads, wrists shackled. Restraint devices were fitted on their bodies.
Any resistance, and the collars around their necks would activate, blowing their heads off.
The two looked dejected, sitting on the floor. When they sensed someone approaching, they weakly lifted their heads.
Mo Chen stepped closer, his voice cold as it echoed in the empty prison.
"Do you know the penalty for attempting to harm a Commander?"
Upon seeing Mo Chen, Yuni tilted her head in confusion and asked, "Mihara, what is he talking about?"
Mihara, with a serene smile, replied softly, "Perhaps he's here to deliver judgment?"
"Judgment? Does that mean… we're going to be punished?" Yuni asked innocently, her wide eyes glancing between Mihara and Mo Chen.
Mihara's gaze was tender as she glanced at the naive girl. She attempted to reach out and pat Yuni's head like she usually did, only to find her wrists shackled.
"Weapons, even if they haven't caused harm, are always confiscated," Mihara said calmly.
"Weapons…" Yuni murmured the word under her breath, her expression a mix of confusion and understanding. She then looked back at Mihara with hope.
"Will we… still be together?"
"Who knows?" Mihara responded with a faint, almost resigned smile.
Her composure remained unshaken—no panic, no anger—just acceptance, as if she had long accepted the inevitable.
Mo Chen observed the two Nikkes conversing as if he weren't there, an unusual feeling stirring in him.
The way Mihara and Yuni interacted—it resembled a bond between mother and child, lovers deeply in sync, or perhaps… two twisted gears turning in unison.
Mihara turned her head to meet Mo Chen's gaze, smiling faintly.
"Commander, you're here to determine our fate, aren't you? What's the punishment? Erasure of memories? Or immediate disposal?"
Her calm acceptance seemed to indicate that she had already come to terms with her fate.
"Erasure? Disposal?"
Yuni froze, her expression tinged with disbelief as she turned toward Mihara.
"Is… is that true?"
Mo Chen's eyes fell on Mihara, noting her poised yet resigned demeanor. He nodded slightly.
She was clever: she understood her situation all too well.
Attempted murder of the Commander—even as an accomplice—was a grave offense.
"That depends on the Ark's sentencing," Mo Chen replied flatly.
Mihara's gaze dimmed. Though she had anticipated this outcome, the final confirmation still struck her with a pang of despair.
"Commander, Yuni didn't harm you. She was coerced. If it's possible, could you punish only me and spare her?"
He could see the desperation in Mihara's request, but he shook his head.
"That's not for me to decide."
"I see…" Mihara sighed, her last shred of hope slipping away.
"Mihara, no! Mihara!"
Yuni suddenly cried out, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I don't want to be disposed of! And I don't want you to be disposed of either! I don't want to lose Mihara!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as the realization struck her. Her small frame shook violently, her voice breaking with anguish.