The small commotion at the Outpost Base quickly reached the Central Government.
A few hours later, several deputy commanders of the Ark entered the meeting room one after another. In addition to the deputy commanders, the CEOs of Elysion, Missilis Industry, Tetra Line, and other corporations also arrived.
As top figures in the Ark, everyone present could be considered an elite of the highest rank.
Even the Ark's AI, Enikk, sometimes had to heed their advice when making decisions.
"Since everyone is here."
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Anderson cleared his throat and said, "Then, let me explain the reason for convening this meeting.
"Just a few hours ago, the Outpost Base on the lower ground floor suffered a terrorist attack. The person responsible for this attack is named Jeff, who holds a logistics position in the Central Government. Besides that, he was promoted from the Outer Rim by Deputy Commander Doban. Deputy Commander Doban, do you have anything to explain?"
Anderson's sharp gaze fixed on Doban.
In response to the accusation, the burly man wearing a military cap merely snorted disdainfully. "Don't look at me. I'm a victim too. Jeff previously told me that he was going to the Outer Rim to deal with a group of terrorists. But as you can see, this brainless guy just led his men to attack the Outpost Base. I have no idea why he did it."
Anderson asked, "Is this your explanation?"
Doban raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Any problems with that?"
"Indeed, no problem." Ingrid closed her eyes and, with a voice full of authority, continued, "But no matter what, as a deputy commander, you failed to manage your subordinate. Don't you also bear some responsibility?"
"President Ingrid, you make it sounds like I am some kind of villain here." Doban sneered coldly and retorted, "My subordinates are humans, not Nikkes whose memories can be easily modified. How could I know what was going through Jeff's head? Besides, I think this incident may not necessarily be defined as a terrorist attack, right?"
As soon as he said this.
The atmosphere in the meeting room grew a little tense. Nothing new happens within the Ark.
Most of the top brass of the Ark already knew about the return of the Raptures but were temporarily unable to act due to military resistance.
After a moment of silence in the meeting room, Mustang, the CEO of Tetra Line, was the first to speak, "Then tell us, why this can't be defined as a terrorist attack?"
"Isn't the reason obvious?" Doban slammed his hands on the table and said loudly, "The Counters Squad unit's Nikke named Marian. We mobilized the Ark's top forces to defeat her. Yet now, Elysion reassigned her to that Outpost Base commander with just a word. Honestly, aren't you all worried that this might be a conspiracy by the Raptures?"
Doban knew how to handle himself around the elites. After all, he was also used to be a cockroach in the Outer Rim before he climbed on his way to the Ark. He knew how to sway opinions.
"What if one day that Nikke suddenly defects again? Have you considered how much damage that would cause to the Ark? That's why I think Jeff wasn't organizing a terrorist attack but was protecting the Ark."
"Protecting the Ark?"
A cold and arrogant voice rang up.
"Tsk tsk tsk, you really love twisting the truth, huh." Missilis CEO Syuen sneered, mercilessly criticizing, "Bringing a bunch of Outer Rim thugs to someone's doorstep and then fabricating evidence to detain them? If that counts as protecting the Ark, then is your brain malfunctioning?"
Doban glared at her. "What did you say?"
Syuen pinched her nose, showing a disdainful smile, and mocked, "I said your brain is malfunctioning. What? Do you have a problem with that? You, a big brute who climbed to the position of deputy commander by selling out Outer Rim intelligence. Every time you open your mouth, I smell the stench of gutter."
"You...!"
"Everyone, please stop engaging in meaningless quarrels."
Another deputy commander, Burningum, who spoke with a slight stammer, coughed to halt their argument. "Re-regarding Jeff's terrorist attack, Enikk has already made a judgment. There's no need for everyone to argue further."
Burningum, who was a military rank elite and also a politician at heart, knew how he could use Marian for the Ark.
"B-but Doban isn't entirely wrong either. Th-that Nikke named Marian, you all know how important she is, right? Her body definitely contains the most advanced Rapture technology. If we can obtain it, the Ark's Nikke technology might advance by a hundred years. So, Ingrid..."
Burningum turned a pleading gaze toward Ingrid. "Y-you, as Elysion's CEO, should understand this better than anyone. If possible, I hope you can hand over Marian so the Ark's most advanced research team can dissect and study her body."
Ingrid was silent for a moment before saying, "Marian is the exclusive Nikke of Outpost Base Commander Green. Aside from Enikk and the commander himself, no one else has the authority to act."
"I-is that so?"
Burningum took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Although he looked like a weak and timid man, his line of questioning was relentless. "B-but Commander Green has a close relationship with Elysion, right? If the president could persuade him..."
"Enough, Burningum."
Anderson's stern shout interrupted Burningum's speech.
Burningum turned to look at his old friend and couldn't help but ask, "A-Anderson, what is it?"
Anderson said calmly, "I'm just reminding you that Commander Green, as a hero of the Ark, is an irreplaceable presence in the military. If you plan to exploit him and discard him, you'd better weigh whether you have the strength to do so."
"An-Anderson, what do you mean by that? How am I exploiting him and discarding him?" Burningum asked, feigning innocence.
"Burningum, you know better than I do what kind of place the Ark is. This matter will be left to Enikk for judgment. There's no need to discuss it further. Today's meeting is adjourned. Dismissed."
After Anderson firmly shut down the topic of Marian, the group—each harboring their own motives—finally dispersed.
On the way back, Burningum walked with the aid of a cane, his exclusive Nikke, Papillon, following closely behind. After walking for some time, Burningum stopped. The stammer he had been using disappeared completely, replaced by a sharp and calculating expression. After pausing, he turned to Papillon and instructed, "Papillon, I need you to handle something for me."
"Of course, please go ahead," replied the seductive, fox-like Nikke, bowing slightly.
Burningum then coughed, "First, spread the news about Marian. Make sure every faction within the Ark knows that there's a highly advanced Nikke at the Outpost Base. Not only that, but embellish the rumors as much as possible. Also, contact journalists to put public pressure on Elysion, making it difficult for them to send supplies to the Outpost Base."
"Aren't you worried that the Nikke will be snatched by other factions?" Papillon asked with slight curiosity.
"Don't worry. Sooner or later, that Commander Green will cave in," Burningum said, shaking his head. "He's a smart man. For that reason, his best choice will be to hand over Marian to the Central Government. If none of these plans work, then deploy the Triangle Unit and carry out an arrest under the name of the Ark Government."
For Burningum, he was speaking for the sake of the Ark no matter how someone from third person's perspective look at him.
"Of course, that's the worst-case scenario. Unless absolutely necessary, I'd prefer not to openly confront that commander."
"Heh, as expected of Lord Burningum. You're so sharp and cunning," Papillon chuckled, praising him.
"It's all for the Ark and the future of humanity. I believe, one day, everyone will understand my actions. Let's go, Papillon."
---
A storm was on the horizon.
However, the Outpost Base at the center of the vortex found itself in a brief period of tranquility.
Perhaps the "shoot on sight" signs at the elevator entrance had deterred potential troublemakers, and for now, no factions dared to take the elevator to confront Green.
But that was only a matter of time.
Meanwhile, Green was once again experiencing the traditional "use and discard" treatment of the Ark.
"After all, no matter how high your rank is, a resource is still a resource. Even with all the contributions I've made to the Ark, I'm still bound by various reasons and forced to make sacrifices."
Green closed his eyes and sighed.
"Must those who dedicate themselves to humanity always have guns pointed at their heads?"
[At the Shooting Range]
In the daytime, at the Outpost Base shooting range, Green was practicing shooting with a Nikke assault rifle.
The thermal weapons used by Nikkes were different from those used by humans. They had larger magazines, greater firepower, and shockingly strong recoil.
Green had previously tried using Snow White's anti-ship rifle. After one shot, the recoil had sent him tumbling over several times.
It was hard to imagine that Snow White routinely used such a weapon in combat, and that too in environments with no logistical support.
"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat..."
After emptying the magazine, Green felt a bit better.
As usual, he put away his weapon and went to the counseling room. But as he opened the door, Marian, who had been hiding behind it, leaped out.
"Commander! Whoa!"
Although it wasn't the first time Marian had tackled him with a bear hug, Green still found himself knocked to the ground.
Marian's body weight was similar to Anis's, roughly 200 kilograms. And with that 200-kilogram frame pinning him down, there was little Green could do. After all, it was just a playful child having some fun.
Marian sniffed at Green's shirt while laughing, "Commander, why do you spend all day in this room?"
Green patted her head and replied, "Because I need to provide counseling to the other Nikkes."
Marian tilted her head curiously, "Counseling? What's the point of that?"
"To help them feel happy and enjoy each day, of course."
"Then I want counseling too! Hehe~"
Counseling, as it turned out, meant Marian sitting at a table, propping her head up with both hands, and smiling at Green while staring at him intently. It seemed that as long as Green remained silent, Marian could stare at him indefinitely.
While Green reviewed some documents compiled by Rapi, he suddenly asked, "Aren't you bored?"
Marian gave a goofy smile and replied, "As long as I'm looking at you, I never feel bored."
But her face soon turned a little pouty. "However, if the Commander doesn't talk, it can get a little boring!"
"Then let's play rock-paper-scissors," Green suggested, holding up a fist.
Marian immediately brightened up and nodded eagerly. "Commander, let's start!"
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
"Ta-da!" Marian's hand formed the shape of "paper."
Green, however, had thrown "scissors."
"Wow, I lost! Commander, you're amazing!"
Although she claimed to have lost, Marian looked genuinely delighted. They played a few more rounds after that, and without exception, Green won every time. It was almost as if Marian could foresee his moves and always picked the losing option.
"Marian, how are you able to lose to me every single time?" Green asked after yet another victory.
Marian pursed her lips and then grinned. "Did you figure it out, Commander?"
Marian then chuckled, "My eyes are very sharp. I just watch the movements of your hand and choose the matching rock-paper-scissors move that ensures I lose to you!"
"Why are you so determined to lose to me?" Green asked curiously.
"Because the Commander doesn't seem very happy. Thus, I wanted to cheer you up!"
"..."
Green closed his eyes. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, seeing the girl before him go to such innocent and adorable lengths to make him happy caused his eyes to feel slightly misty.
Noticing something was off, Marian grabbed his hand anxiously. "Commander, why are your eyes sparkling? Are you sick? What's wrong?"
Green shook his head. "It's just sweat dripping from my eyes."
Marian pouted in disbelief. "No way. Rapi told me that only tears come from eyes. And people only cry when they're sad. Did someone bully you? Tell me who it was, and I'll go beat them up for you!"
Although her concern was heartfelt, Green could only keep her kindness in his heart. Given Marian's straightforward understanding of things, she really might pick up a machine gun and mow down every bad person in the Ark she didn't like.
And at that point, he couldn't very well explain it away with, "She's just a kid playing around," could he?
Green patted her head and reassured her, "Don't worry, Marian. No one bullied me."
Marian tilted her head, staring at him quizzically. "Then why were you crying?"
Green explained, "Marian, people don't only cry when they're sad. Sometimes, they cry when they're happy, too."
"Are you happy now, Commander?"
"Yes, being with you makes me very happy."
"Me too, Commander! When I'm with you, I feel close and joyful!" Marian hugged Green before she remembered something, "Oh, by the way, Commander, you still haven't answered my question from before: why do the women in the magazines you like always wear their underwear on the outside?"
===
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