—---
The next day.
Neon: master did you see the press conference missilis held yesterday?
Varakiel: I didn't. I was busy sorting out the treasure.
Anis: Then read this article.
The headline reads
"Missilis Unique Technology: what exactly is vapaus?
Varakiel: So she finally succeeded?
Varakiel then reads the article.
Varakiel: "nikkes can return to normal after corrupted yeah yeah, missilis's shares skyrocket…now ranked number 1 amongst the big three". "There is no problem in this world that cannot be solved with technology." *pfff* that's too cheesy even for her, hahah i wonder how much effort it took her to say that.
Anis: So are you going to do something about it?
Varakiel: nope, after all i just gave her the materials and the theory, making it work was her own efforts.
Anis: argh, but are you really letting her take all the credit?
Varakiel: mhm i don't mind, and besides Elysion probably is going to finish their own batch of vapaus too, so this fame wouldn't last long.
Rapi: I agree unlike missilis, Elysion will be able to produce vapaus in a more clean and efficient way, after all that's their forte.
Neon: But what if we let her ego go and she ends up doing something completely reckless.
Varakiel: don't worry she still needs my blood to produce new batches and she isn't willing to tell Andersen due to repercussions of her knowing such secrets.
Neon: I see, so her only option is to comply with your demand is it?
Varakiel: pretty much.
Rapi: but still, with all this out in the light like this, nikkes now can sleep assured that we don't have to fear being corrupted anymore, and the commander secret is still safe, i'd say that like this everyone is winning.
Anis: *sigh* I suppose you're right with that, like this the commander will not be hunted down for his blood.
Neon: if they can even find master in the first place, that's it, master is like a super spy, hidden in plain sight.
Varakiel: Hehe, I agree with rapi, slowly but surely hope is coming back to humankind.
15.2%
Then varakiel take his phone.
—--
Varakiel
Congratulations it seems you finally succeeded.
Syuen
.....shut up.
Varakiel
Jeez i was just being sincere for once Syuen…..good job.
Syuen
Thanks….
—--
Varakiel smiles to himself.
Varakiel: *sigh* This brat has a long road to go.
—-
Varakiel
Just do me a favor, don't make the corruption treatment too expensive.
Syuen
Shut up, I am the CEO. I decide what to do with it.
Varakiel
Yeahhhh sureee…
Syuen
You really like to always give a hard time isn't!?
Varakiel
Mhm~!
Syuen
Arghhhh!!!
You piece of….
Fine, just because you are the main supplier I will comply with your request.
Varakiel
Hehe, thank you, see you later Syuen.
Syuen
[Inappropriate language detected unable to send SMS]
—-
Anis: hahaha
Anis, who was spying on varakiel messages, laughs with a smile.
Anis: whew, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I would love to see her face right now!
Neon: I wish I could take a picture so I could frame it!
Rapi:....
Varakiel: What is it rapi?
Rapi: I am wondering what we should do now, we still have a whole month of vacations…
*beep*
—-
Syuen
Hey you
I need your squad…help.
Varakiel
Say the magic word.
Syuen
[Inappropriate language detected unable to send SMS]
[Inappropriate language detected unable to send SMS]
…..please.
Varakiel
It wasn't that hard right? Let's meet later.
—-
Varakiel
I got us some work, let's prepare for now.
....
Neon: work together with Syuen? Did I hear you right?
Varakiel: mhm it seems she needs our help, she even said please.
Anis: she must be serious about this then, haha.
Varakiel: I do have an idea about what she wants though.
Rapi: What is it then?
Varakiel: If I were to guess right, she wants us to find more vapaus, not the one that I can make, but the one that the people in the past made, probably her method of creation is too dull and she needs a better way to make it.
Rapi: That sounds….reasonable.
Anis: That's true, so shall we go?
Varakiel: mhm, sadly my messages won't go through to snow white so we'll have to find her the hard way, rapi did you receive unlimited intel?
Rapi: yes commander.
...…..
Rapi: we've just received updated map information from unlimited. This version shows the coordinates for the latest pilgrim sightings over the past few months. According to this, we can expect to encounter the pilgrims here. Commonly known as the mage's zone. Despite it being located in the north, where alva particles are low, the concentration in this area averages 100%.
Anis: wow. No wonder communication wasn't possible with snow white.
Neon: even short-range communications are probably jammed.
???: an area completely sealed off from all radio waves…it's perfect. If communications are jammed, then we won't be able to report in. we can go on a rampage and get off scot free! Isn't that right, captain?
???: no, that's in the ark. This is the surface.
???: That's right. Use your head.
???: hmph…still.
???: why don't you ask your new owner?
Varakiel: I already own a dog so I am good thank you.
Gregar: (*growl*)
Varakiel: (I am talking about Poli!)
Lily: ( haha.)
???: *chuckle*
Anis: What the hell was Syuen thinking? From all the squads she had to bring us exotic, did you know that there are rumors that crow was the former head of heavenly ascension. What's Syuen thinking, does she want this operation complete or not? I am more worried about them sticking a knife in my back than any rapture.
Viper: c'mon don't be like that. But just give us a chance to redeem ourselves.
Varakiel: We already are doing that by bringing you with us, your actions will speak for you.
Viper: alright, and besides you see this choker on my neck? It's a remote bomb. All three of us are wearing one. And Syuen has her finger on the button. However, if we bring her this V..vast…whatever it is.
Varakiel: is vapaus.
Viper: yes that, she'll take off these chokers! You know, in exchange for us helping out the ark and what not.
Jackal: yes, absolutely! So we mean business, we'll help ya get rid of all these raptures or whatever you call 'em.
Varakiel: Alright, you have my trust for now.
....
*bang* *boom*
Jackal: hehehehe, how exciting! I'm in heaven! I'm blasting away and there's not an A.C.P.U. in sight!
*Boom*
Viper: Ewwww, disgusting. Why is it squirming?
*Bang bang bang bang!*
* BangBangBangBangBangBangBang!*
Rapi: enough. They're already dead. You're just wasting bullets at this point.
Viper: oh, really? sorry 'bout that. Just one more! This punk ruined my toenails.
*bang*
Neon: this is complete anarchy.
Anis: Do you think we should just head back to the ark? These people are criminals. Or worse, terrorists.
Crow: Hey, that word can mean different things to different people!
Anis: what?
Crow: in the old days, terrorist referred to independent freedom fighters in third-world countries. Now it's used to refer to outlaws who fight for human rights. Those who must resort to violence in order to reclaim what's been taken from them. Calling those people terrorists is something only those in power would do.
Varakiel: So are you telling me it is okay to brainwash kids to carry bombs to attack the ark? Yes I know the past operations of heavenly ascension crow, what people do in the outer rim isn't terrorism is just unfiltered violence without a proper reason. And also terrorists in the past did worse things, the things people do in the outer rim are but the tip of the iceberg of the malice of humankind.
Crow:....
Anis: nothing to say?
Crow: shut up.
Anis: though so you are just trying to rationalize the act of massacring innocent people.
Crow: innocent? Who are you talking about?
Anis: the citizens of the ark who you attacked.
Crow: hmph the people who have converted women and children into soldiers and thrown them onto the battlefield teeming with raptures, all while they sit back living the high life without a care in the world…they're innocent?
Varakiel: Yes, like those children that were left without families due to their attacks that now have to live alone the rest of their life and will not have another choice that to leave to the outer rim or the womens that have turned into nikkes to keep up living.
Crow: !! *tsk*
Anis:....
Rapi: anis. That's enough, don't listen to them, just like the commander pointed out. They're just murderers trying to defend their own heinous crimes.
.....
Anis:...*sigh*
Varakiel: What crow said is bothering you?
Anis:...i can't say it's not. I know I shouldn't care what a terrorist like her has to say, but… I can't stop thinking about it. You know what bothers me the most?
Varakiel: Everything is true isn't it?
Anis: Yes exactly! While we're up here putting our lives on the line, everyone down there is going to school, watching TV, going on dates… they….they're living the life i want to live….I..I was like them at one point.
Varakiel: But you have something they don't have anis.
Varakiel grabs Anis hand and lifts it up.
Varakiel: Look around you, what do you see?
Anis: ice and snow and a bunch of ruins…
Varakiel: and?
Anis: the sky..the clouds…the sun.
Varakiel: mhm, so you know what you have that they don't?
Anis: i…i don't know, a nikke's body?
Varakiel: No silly, you have strength.
Anis: strength? Isn't that obvious? I am a nikke.
Varakiel: I do not mean physical strength anis, you are here right now, with a conviction to keep moving on despite everything that has happened to you, i know that deep inside you really want to reclaim the surface and experience what it is really to live a life.
Anis: commander…
Varakiel: don't worry it's not far when things will go back to the way they were before.
Anis: huh? What do you mean? You got a time machine or something?
Varakiel: *chuckle* I might have one but no, I don't mean it like that, i'll do everything so all nikkes are treated like they should be treated, like human beings.
Anis:....hold up, commander. Let's not go overboard. You know what the central government thinks of nikke rights activists, don't you?
Varakiel: And you know that I don't give a damn about them, don't you? Don't tell me you already forgot who i am, maybe we should check that brain of yours, hahaha!
Anis: *chuckle*
Varakiel: ho! You finally are smiling again.
Anis:.....thank you commander, i really needed that.
Varakiel: haha, of course.
Anis then grabs varakiel arm and whispers.
Anis: I don't need the approval of anyone, as long as you remain with us, that's enough for me….so please, don't leave us.
Varakiel: Alright, pinky promise?
Anis: What are you, five?...
Anis then extends her pinky finger to varakiel.
Varakiel: It's a promise then.
Varakiel then tangles his pinky finger with anis.
Anis: if you dare to break this promise i'll make you shallow 1000 neon super shells.
Varakiel: *chuckle* alright. Then we should keep moving on. We are being left behind.
Anis: right!
Anis then rushed forward to neon side with a smile.
Rapi then slows down and talks with varakiel.
Rapi: Thank you commander.
Varakiel: mhm, that goes for you as well rapi, you are strong.
Rapi: yes commander.
...
Anis: We've got a problem. There are frozen sheets of ice between the streets.
Jackal: So what? Can't we just walk across?
*Stomp-* *Stooomp-*
Jackal: uh-oh.
*Splash!!*
Jackal falls to the freezing water.
Jackal: ugh! Argh!
Anis: You tell me.
...
Anis: listen carefully. Nikke's bodies are incredibly heavy, so when you step on ice, you're in for an ice bath.
Jackal: w-w-why. Why are you telling me that n-n-n-now?
Neon: wow. I've never seen a nikke chattering their teeth like that.
Varakiel: Ah yes, ice zones are the worst in both reality and fiction…here let me cover you.
Varakiel puts a fur coat on jackal.
Jackal: A-a-are you giving me this because i'm c-c-c-cold?
Varakiel: No silly , I am doing it because I got too hot, of course it is because of you.
Jackal: he….Commander, you are r-r-r-really funny and u-u-unique. Nobody has e-e-ever done this for me…
Crow:....don't let it get to your head, jackal. They are just softening you up. When the time comes, they won't hesitate to use you as cannon fodder. Then after the fact, they will shower you with compliments and pretend they care. Haven't you ever interacted with a human before?
Neon: you've been burnt before, and now you're taking it out on the commander.
Anis: she complains when we're mean, then complains when we're nice. If that's the case, we might as well be mean all the time. After all, we can't win either way.
Varakiel: But if you do then you'll accept that they are partially right, just do what you would do, don't let other people's words change your own decisions.
Anis: That's true.
Crow: how can all of you go through life being so gullible? This rookie commander shows everyone the slightest bit of affection, and you seem to think you're colleagues.
Varakiel: We are not just colleagues, we are family.
Crow: *pff* pathetic, you say that now, but said that when you're on the battlefield and in the thick of it all. But what do you think will happen when we go back to the ark? Some of us will be discarded and become lumps of scrap metal. Others will be lionized as they stand on the shoulders of those who have been sent to the scrap yard. If that's what you call a family, then the commander-in-chief of the ark and I are brother and sister.
Varakiel: That's not possible.
Crow: Are you taking your words back? Though so, you are jus-
Varakiel: Andersen is an only child, he already told me.
Anis:...*chuckle*
Neon:.....*pff* hehe.
Jackal: h-h-h-haha.
Rapi: *chuckle*
Crow: you….
Varakiel: Anyways is the coat warm enough jackal?
Jackal: y-y-y-yes commander i am already feeling better.
Varakiel: good.
...
Varakiel: (i suppose they are behaving well due to that deal with Syuen, no one likes to have their lives on a leash or a bomb to be more precise.)
Crow: ice right in front of you.
Neon: Gah!
Neon leaps up in the air.
Neon:....there's nothing there.
Crow: gotcha.
Neon:....you're gonna get yours, just wait.
Crow: I look forward to it.
Some minutes later….
Neon: Shin attack!
*Smack!!*
Neon: Ouch! You blocked with your gun!? You coward!
Crow: to a villain, cowardice is a virtue.
Neon: just you wait…you're gonna pay big-time. For a hero, never giving up is a virtue.
Anis: Is laplace around here somewhere?
Rapi:...wait. Everyone stay still. Commander, do you feel it?
Varakiel: Yep, I feel a vibration underneath us.
*thud*
Neon: there's something underneath the ice.
Viper: I'm picking up high-class energy reactions. Raptures?
Varakiel: most likely.
Anis: wow, how observant of you.
Viper: uh…thanks?
Rapi: Can it! They're coming! Engaging!
....
Jackal:…*pant* Is it over?
Rapi:....
Neon:...
Varakiel: jackal, try to not say that, it usually brings bad luck.
Jackal: huh? What do you mea-
*Crack-*
Varakiel suddenly evades to the side.
*pew*
Crow: nice dodge.
Rapi: commander, are you okay?
Varakiel: I am fine, don't worry. Is everyone okay?
Crow: We are fine….
Rapi: no damage so far commander.
Varakiel: great…anis 10 o'clock 3 sniper raptures hidden below the snow.
Anis: I see them.
*Bang* *Crack*
Anis shoots at the hidden snipers.
Crow: impressive, but you are still just a government lackey. You just keep an eye on nikkes to make sure they don't do anything that goes against human interests. So if you're a government watchdog. Then start acting like one. Don't try and pretend to care ab-
Varakiel: Sorry, were you saying something? I wasn't hearing you. I am busy finding our enemies right now.
Anis: haha, good job commander.
Rapi: enough, we still need to deal with the remaining raptures, commander did you find them?
Varakiel: yes, jackal, viper, crow. There are 3 at our 6, 5 to our 9 and 2 on our 4, we are surrounded dispose of them before they take their shots.
Jackal: Leave it to me!
Viper: oh, okay.
Crow: *sigh* show off.
Varakiel: good, anis, rapi , neon stay alert for new raptures meanwhile.
Rapi: roger.
.....
After a few minutes,
Rapi:....all clear. Commander, do you notice any new movements in the distance?
Varakiel: no, it is indeed all clear, good job everyone.
Rapi:...commander, just forget about what crow said earlier. Outlaws are always like that. They've been dealt a bad hand from birth. So the want to drag everyone else down with them.
Varakiel:...¿? What do you mean? What did she say?
Rapi:....did you really were not listening to her?
Varakiel: Well I just remember she said the word lackey after that my brain just ignored her. *shrug*
Anis: *pffff* hahaha.
Rapi:.....your capabilities surprise me everyday commander…just, don't take to heart all that she says….people like her take advantage of other people's weaknesses every chance they get. Both physically and verbally.
Varakiel: I know, don't worry, but right now we are a team no matter our differences we must return back home together.
Rapi:...that's right, this is our battlefield, we can't have emotional quarrels now.
Anis: uh but please go to your own battlefield down below commander, don't take all our job.
Varakiel: *chuckle* sure, so let's continue.
Neon: That's right, I'll follow master wherever he goes.
Varakiel: hehe.
....
Neon: hm?...oh! We just got a signal!
Anis: about time.
*beep-*
*beep-*
Text messages begin to pour in varakiel phone.
—--
Syuen
Ah!
Ah!
It's not
Conn
Ecting
Varakiel
What is it?
Syuen
Ah, finally.
What's going on
With the communications?
Varakiel
Alva particles concentration is high
Syuen
I See
Whatever
How's the Search going?
Turned up any Vapaus yet?
Varakiel
Not yet.
Syuen
What?
Varakiel
We've only been up here for a few days.
Syuen
Ah!
Asking ingrid for a favor
Assigning you an extra patrol unit.
Varakiel
Do I have to remind you that I am doing this for you as a favor? And besides, it is not easy to find snow white with all the interference.
Syuen
…Argh! You have to hurry up. The stakeholders are already asking for a batch and I can't produce that much yet.
Varakiel
Just tell them that you sent a squad to look for a more cheap and stable material, c'mon i know you can do better than that.
Syuen
….you…you really believe that?
Varakiel
Of course, you are a damn CEO dumbass.
Syuen
[Inappropriate language detected unable to send SMS]
[Inappropriate language detected unable to send SMS]
Varakiel
Are you done?
…..