Author's Note: Thank you very much for always reporting typographical errors to us. We do pay attention, but sometimes mistakes happen unexpectedly... and it's truly embarrassing.
-----
His words hit the lobe of Rapi's ear, and his voice, barely audible, was so faint that she couldn't make out his words clearly.
But she was more concerned about his condition. Holding his tall, crumbling body and trying to keep him from falling, she observed his condition closely.
"─Commander, are you okay!?"
"...I'm sorry. I'm... fine."
She didn't want him to apologize. However, Moore couldn't show weakness to his subordinates. Immediately, he stiffened his legs and stood up, distancing himself from Rapi.
Despite losing his limbs, he hadn't become completely incapacitated. He was holding back the pain with a desperate expression, his teeth clenched. The pain must have been excruciating. Wiping the sweat dripping down his jaw with his sleeve, he looked pale but surveyed the area.
"...Let's return to the Ark. We're done here. We'll continue in the same order. Squad, advance."
"...Roger..."
Although she couldn't shake off her worry, Moore wouldn't accept any comforting words. Understanding this implicitly, Rapi nodded in response to his command and took her position at the head of the squad.
"...Commander, is he really okay?"
"...I don't know."
As they were about to proceed cautiously, exiting the factory building, Anis and Neon leaned on each other, casting concerned glances at him. Both could sense his discomfort, and their anxiety was evident.
Strangely, Moore had experienced a dramatic recovery after leaving the factory. What had caused that intense headache and discomfort?
Upon seeing the abandoned firearms on the production line—weapons that had been deployed to the military until the late stages of the first Rapture invasion—intense pain shot through him. Simultaneously, hallucinations and voices he shouldn't have remembered appeared.
There were endless questions, but first, they needed to return to the Ark. Moore checked the elevator's location displayed on his handheld device screen while leading the squad forward.
[Ah... we have a problem...]
Suddenly, a voice came through his headset, and Moore pressed the housing covering his left ear with his left hand.
"...What's wrong?"
"In the Ark's database... there's no record of the Unchained... Did the data get... erased for some reason?"
"...!... Erased... why would they...?"
It wasn't an excruciating pain, but a sharp pang shot through his brain. Frowning deeply, he urged her for details. However, she only spoke words that sounded like murmurs to herself.
[...Perhaps they erased the data because its name was removed... It would be logical to assume that the data was deleted as a follow-up measure. ─Shifty... Can you access... the Central Government's database?]
[The database? No, I don't have that kind of authorization...]
[Hmm...]
She asked Shifty, but if she didn't have the authority, Exia fell into a contemplative silence and eventually spoke.
[I'm going to hack into the Central Government's database.]
"What? Are you serious?! What if you get caught!?"
Such a casually announced act of illegal activity left Neon and Anis dumbfounded, even causing them to forget the dinner menu they had planned for the evening.
[As long as I don't get caught, it's fine.]
"Exia, stop. We can still back out of this."
[...Beginner. I hate it... when curiosity is left unsolved the most in the world.]
"Yeah, I feel the same way. It's frustrating not knowing when we're so close to grasping something. But—"
[Hacking... commencing.]
Exia didn't pay attention to his words. It was evident to everyone that she had started typing on the keyboard, following her own principles.
"Um, are you, uh, really going through with this!?"
[I'm always serious... I need to concentrate, so please be quiet for a moment...]
"Hey, Exia! I told you to stop!! Can't you hear me?! Tsk! Sh*t, She cut off the radio!!"
[Um... What should I do—]
"Too noisy!! Shut up!!"
[Eek!]
He urged Exia to stop the hacking immediately, but she turned a deaf ear. Meanwhile, Shifty tried to say something, but Moore's sharp reprimand echoed, making her inhale sharply.
Anis and Neon sensed that something significant was happening due to the tense atmosphere, but they hesitated to address him due to his intimidating demeanor.
Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, Moore tapped his mobile device, activated the video call function, and called Exia. After several seconds, she finally responded to the video call, her profile displayed on the screen. It seemed she was focusing on the screen while her hands moved busily.
[...What is it?]
"It's an order! Stop the hacking immediately! Erase all traces!"
[...I don't want to. Also, the beginner doesn't have the authority to command me...]
"That's correct! But stop right now! You'll be detected immediately!"
[I'm not worried.]
"Exia!! The Shifty you were communicating with was an imposter!!"
[...What?]
"...Huh?"
"...Sensei?"
Moore barked towards his mobile device as if issuing a warning. Exia, not understanding the meaning of his words, paused her thoughts and, for a moment, ceased tapping on the keyboard.
Perhaps it was fatal, or...
[...I've been found out. Strange... I set it up through the surface, and yet they've traced my location...]
Exia reported in her usual monotone. Upon hearing this, Rapi gasped, while Anis and Neon were shocked. Exia projected surveillance camera footage onto the desktop screen, then let out a small sigh.
[...The Triangle is coming, it's too quick...]
"The Triangle... the Central Government forces?!"
"Wait a minute! What do you mean by Shifty being an imposter... No, more importantly, what's going to happen now!?"
They anxiously peered into Moore's mobile device screen, even though the situation was tense. However, Exia remained indifferent on the screen.
[Don't worry... this isn't a recorded line. Oh, right... I see...]
Suddenly, Exia realized something and abruptly shut down the desktop she had been operating. She then turned her attention to her own mobile device. Moore's screen displayed lavender eyes peeking out from behind long bangs.
[...Everyone, I'm going to burn my brain from now on... secrecy is crucial...]
Exia, calmly explaining her future actions, displayed a faint smile on the screen. Seeing this, Rapi abandoned her usual composure, grasped Moore's left hand holding the mobile device, and asked her.
"Wait...! You're not doing this for my sake, are you?"
Rapi shouted, thinking that Exia was trying to burn her brain to prevent her memory erasure.
"Wait! Exia! What are you doing?"
"Exia!!"
.
.
.
.
[...Byeee...]
.
.
BANG!!!
That was the last word Exia uttered. As she rotated her chair, probably turning her body toward the room's entrance, gunfire echoed from the speaker of Moore's mobile device, and the screen simultaneously turned blood-red.
It took a moment for them to realize that it was Exia's blood remains.
On the red-tinged corner of Moore's device screen, the desktop was reflected. Something resembling a part of the skin and a scalp with long black hair still attached were stuck to the screen.
[Execution complete. Please handle the cleanup team.]
[You were too ambitious. Hacking the Central Government... this is something you can't even complain of if you get killed.]
[Everyone, this...]
Several familiar voices echoed, and simultaneously, the screen's display shook drastically. Recognizing this, Moore instinctively moved his finger and ended the video call. Exia had assured him that this line wouldn't be recorded, so it was crucial to disconnect before any involvement was discovered.
It was necessary not just for his own protection but also to safeguard his subordinates.
"...Exia, why..."
Neon's voice trembled as she covered her mouth. Anis turned her attention from Rapi to Moore, her lips quivering, clearly displaying her unease.
"...S-she's not... dead, right? Right? Rapi, Commander...?"
Moore swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He didn't know for sure—he hadn't seen the scene clearly. Even so, he understood the weight of the words that were closing in on his throat; it was a sentiment he didn't want to hear.
While Rapi avoided eye contact with Anis, Neon forced a bright tone.
"I-it's okay! I'm sure of it!"
"Y-yeah, you're right..."
As they exchanged glances and nodded at each other, Moore and Rapi contemplated the harsh possibilities. Given the condition she was in, it wasn't difficult to imagine that her brain had been pierced. No matter how resilient she was, having her brain destroyed...
[Let's return to the Ark. Take the shortest route...]
.
.
.
"Wait. Who are you?"
Moore's voice came out surprisingly low. There was no mistaking it; it was Shifty's voice from the headset. However, Moore remembered Exia asserting that she was a "fake" before she was shot.
Narrowing his eyes, Moore, with his left hand that had stored away the mobile device, held the microphone close to his mouth as he questioned the identity of the communicator.
[Yes?]
"...Impersonating her must be quite challenging, isn't it?"
[What are you talking about, Captain Moore? I belong to the Central Government's Information Division...]
"No, that's a lie. She—Shifty—called me 'Commander.' I'll ask you again. Who are you?"
Silence enveloped the interior of the headset. The person on the other end seemed taken aback by his questioning. Everyone gathered around, hearing the conversation, was collectively holding their breath.
In the midst of this, a deep sigh echoed from the headset.
.
.
.
.
〈──You have a keen intuition. It's been a while. It's me.〉
Perhaps she had used a voice changer. A completely different voice echoed from the housing, causing him to sigh heavily, and the women widened their eyes in disbelief.
"──Well, well, Chairman Syuen."
〈Heh, what a polite greeting from you. When did you notice?〉
"...I felt suspicious from the beginning, to be honest. There were various other points, but having trouble with the purification sequence inside the factory was decisive."
〈I thought I prepared quite thoroughly... being an operator is quite difficult, it seems.〉
"If you're going to impersonate someone else, you should study their speech and behavior more thoroughly."
〈I'll remember that.〉
Hearing a voice from an unexpected acquaintance—or at least someone familiar, though whether it was appropriate to call them an acquaintance was debatable—the CEO who had almost forcibly mobilized the squad during the previous incident involving Talkative, spoke through the housing. While listening, Moore lit his cigarette with an oil lighter, allowing the purple smoke to curl up.
"...Where's Shifty?"
Annis asked with a trembling voice. It was not the most polite way to address the CEO of Misilis, but he didn't stop her.
〈Regular off-site training. She's been undergoing education for the past month.〉
"Ah... so you've been impersonating Shifty from the beginning?"
〈You catch on slowly.〉
"Did you... betray Exia to the Central Government?"
Anis asked, skipping the formalities. She seemed utterly puzzled by her anger.
〈"Betrayed" sounds so unsavory. Just so you know, hacking into the Central Government is a serious crime. I was merely fulfilling my duty as a citizen of Ark. Well, I happened to clean up the mess since it seemed like you were about to catch on.〉
"...'Happened to clean up'? You—!"
Moore, approaching the enraged Annis, tried to calm her down. He gently patted her back a few times, urging her to calm down. He pinched the microphone extending to his mouth, allowing the purple smoke to curl lightly.
—Calm down.
She felt like she was being told that, but unfortunately, Anis wasn't the type to switch gears immediately. Still, being gently patted on the back felt strangely comforting. Under different circumstances, she might have felt more at ease.
"...One of my subordinates was rude. However, pretending to be the Central Government's employee is also a crime... but I wonder if there's even a law that allows us to touch you..."
〈That's the thing.〉
"By the way, what do you want? As you know, we're quite busy at the moment, so be brief."
〈It's not as urgent as that... You're the Special Operations Unit, right? Appointed for it?〉
"Yes."
That information is publicly available. There's no need to hide it. He responded affirmatively.
〈The reason for your appointment was... that you had frequent contact with the surface world or something? I heard such rumors. Well, I thought that if I tracked your movements on the surface, I might find some useful information. I never expected... Unchained, huh...〉
"—...!"
Once again, a slight pain shot through his skull. It wasn't excruciating, but it was bothersome enough to make him click his tongue.
〈It exceeded my imagination. You'll need to stay on the surface a bit longer to gather more information, I suppose.〉
Syuen said brightly, and at the same time, a discordant noise pierced their ears. The sound, akin to the dying screams, was occasionally heard when a Rapture was being defeated. Moore and the others realized this, and their expressions tensed.
〈A calling signal. Soon, Raptures will swarm in here. —But well... you should be fine, right? It might buy some time, at least.〉
"...This seems a bit excessive for a prank... You seem to enjoy seeing us get caught with our pants down."
〈—Hey!! Don't say such things to a lady!!〉
Narrowing his eyes, Moore muttered, his words picked up clearly by the microphone. Syuen immediately responded with a reproach, but he signaled instructions to Rapi, Anis, and Neon with hand gestures. He threw the cigarette, barely half-smoked, into a portable ashtray.
Shortly after everyone took their positions, Raptures, moving in a four-legged gait, started appearing one after another, sliding down from the top of the scrap mountain.
"Encounter!!"
Rapi declared the engagement, and at the same time, the sounds of gunfire echoed.
Moore also aimed his assault rifle and fired, piercing the shining red core visible even in the Rapture's bright monocular eye. However, the numbers weren't diminishing significantly.
[Hey! If you're going to shoot, at least give us a heads up first!!]
"Stop yelping!!"
Disturbances in his ears disrupted his concentration. Although he didn't mind the gunshots that the microphone picked up destroying Syuen's eardrums, the moment he yelled at her, she fell silent. It seemed his method was quite effective.
"We're moving! We can't hold them off here! Fall back!!"
He had the surrounding map imprinted in his mind. He issued orders to the girls, and Anis and Neon retreated first. Rapi readied her assault rifle, firing at the approaching Raptures while backing away. Moore provided covering fire, and when Rapi retreated to his side, she gestured to him.
She signaled him to go ahead and, understanding her intention, he tapped her shoulder lightly and stepped back.
[...Ah...]
Just as they started running, in the depths of the housing, words they didn't want to hear from the surface struck their ears. An indescribable sense of foreboding raced through Moore's mind.
[...Looks like we've caught a Lord-class.]
.
Fuck, you shitty bastard.
.
He felt the urge to curse. However, the opponent was the CEO. Moore seemed to retain enough composure to realize that strangling himself was tantamount to suicide.
"Prepare yourselves! A Lord-class is coming! Rapi, come here!"
Annis and Neon had retreated about 20 meters. Moore stopped and, turning around, rested the butt of his assault rifle on his right shoulder, peering through the ACOG scope. He locked onto the enemy in his crosshair's reticle, firing three short bursts, providing cover for Rapi as she retreated.
"Fall back!!"
"Understood! Anis, cover us! Lob grenades at the enemies up front!!"
While holding back the approaching Raptures alongside Rapi, Moore ordered Annis behind him. As soon as he received the acknowledgment, a muted firing sound resonated from behind.
A grenade landed on the ground near the Raptures, exploding upon impact, momentarily halting their advance. Recognizing the opportunity, Moore tapped Rapi's right shoulder, signaling her to move. Together, they ran towards cover where Annis and Neon had taken refuge.
Despite the momentum causing him to somersault, Moore swiftly got back on his feet, using the cover as a shield. When he noticed the dwindling ammo in his magazine, he quickly replaced it with a fresh one.
[Hey, can I ask you something?]
"...Make it brief. We don't have much time. They're here! Fire!!"
"We're concentrating firepower on the Lord-class! Neon!!"
"Understood!! Firepoowweerrr!!!"
Large pellets were expelled from the shotgun used against the Raptures, dropping shot shell casings on the ground. The tremendous gunfire might have been picked up by the microphone, but they had no time to be concerned. In fact, there was no need to worry.
[You know, I usually don't say these things... but... do you have any intention of serving under me? I can elevate you to an executive-level position.]
"...Quite generous for a small-time military man. Aren't you stretching it a bit? Spreading your influence too thin?"
Moore, barely suppressing a snort, leaned his assault rifle against the cover, aiming his shots at the targeted Lord-class Rapture through his reticle.
The gunfire was painful to the ears, but Syuen's unexpected reaction to his response seemed surprising.
[Huh? We-well I didn't expect a positive response?... Treatment, right... Privilige... um... Well, in simple terms, it's money and power. The kind of money you've never seen before and the power to command people with a snap of your fingers.]
"...Oh?..."
It wasn't clear whether he was simply agreeing or encouraging her to continue, but it sounded like Syuen was prompting for more, explaining the perks.
[Of course, the higher your rank, the greater power you can wield! If you were to serve under me, I'll make a special... yes! I'll create a Grade 0 especially for you! Exceptional treatment, just for you!]
"...Mere words aren't enough to earn my trust... Grenade, Flag out!"
Pulling the pin, he threw the hand grenade in a gentle arc. A few seconds later, it exploded at the feet of the Lord-class Rapture, momentarily immobilizing it. This was their chance.
[You don't trust the words of a CEO like me? Didn't I say it? I usually don't say these things... If you're not interested in money or power... how about women? You're a man, after all. You must be interested in women, right? I can provide any type you desire.]
"─ My ideal type is a woman who can express her opinions clearly. Appearance-wise... well, I'd appreciate it if she looked good, but it's not that important."
[Oh, how surprising.]
"That aside, I'm suited for this job. If you're headhunting, you should look for someone else."
"Lord-class defeated! Moving on to clear out the remaining enemies!!"
"─ Understood! Open fire!!"
---Well, I don't regret saying it, at least. ....No, I still have my reservations.
For Syuen, it wasn't amusing at all. Despite the CEO herself listing the benefits, maybe it didn't match his conditions, or perhaps she just considered it a casual topic. Either way, she seemed to lose interest as she focused her attention on the enemies before her.
"...Hmmmm? Well, I was just trying it out, to be honest."
He could sense a tinge of frustration in her voice.
Eventually, the gunfire ceased as the sweep seemed to be over. As Moore scanned the area to ensure there were no remaining enemies, Syuen's voice echoed from the housing.
[Alright, do your best to return. The elevator I sent earlier is genuine, so don't worry. I have Unchained investigations matter to attend to.]
The communication ended with a sharp click, and Moore let out a heavy sigh.
"...What is she thinking?"
"...Or rather, why would she get involved with the Unchained?"
The pain didn't surge. Moore felt a sense of relief. He lit a new cigarette, and as he did, a turbo lighter was offered from the side.
"...Thanks. ...Whether it's related to the Talkative investigation or some other reason, she wouldn't bother us if she weren't idle."
"Yes, I think so too. Let's head back to the Ark."
Rapi shielded the turbo lighter from the wind with her left hand and lit the cigarette. The moment after the battle was truly special.
While exhaling purple smoke, Moore lifted himself from the cover where he had been hiding. Just as he was about to order the advance, Anis looked up at him, her eyes filled with trepidation.
"...Commander... about the conversation with Syuen earlier..."
"...You mean the talk about serving under her?"
"...Yeah..."
He gave Anis a wry smile and extended his left hand. She took it, and Moore helped her up.
"─ I'm just a man who risks his life and body who has nothing more to offer. This job is all I can do."
(Tl Note: GIGACHAD.)
-----
Captain Moore's true calling? Well, besides being a soldier... there might be quite a few things.
Author's Note: Thank you very much for always reporting typographical errors to us. We do pay attention, but sometimes mistakes happen unexpectedly... and it's truly embarrassing.
-----
His words hit the lobe of Rapi's ear, and his voice, barely audible, was so faint that she couldn't make out his words clearly.
But she was more concerned about his condition. Holding his tall, crumbling body and trying to keep him from falling, she observed his condition closely.
"─Commander, are you okay!?"
"...I'm sorry. I'm... fine."
She didn't want him to apologize. However, Moore couldn't show weakness to his subordinates. Immediately, he stiffened his legs and stood up, distancing himself from Rapi.
Despite losing his limbs, he hadn't become completely incapacitated. He was holding back the pain with a desperate expression, his teeth clenched. The pain must have been excruciating. Wiping the sweat dripping down his jaw with his sleeve, he looked pale but surveyed the area.
"...Let's return to the Ark. We're done here. We'll continue in the same order. Squad, advance."
"...Roger..."
Although she couldn't shake off her worry, Moore wouldn't accept any comforting words. Understanding this implicitly, Rapi nodded in response to his command and took her position at the head of the squad.
"...Commander, is he really okay?"
"...I don't know."
As they were about to proceed cautiously, exiting the factory building, Anis and Neon leaned on each other, casting concerned glances at him. Both could sense his discomfort, and their anxiety was evident.
Strangely, Moore had experienced a dramatic recovery after leaving the factory. What had caused that intense headache and discomfort?
Upon seeing the abandoned firearms on the production line—weapons that had been deployed to the military until the late stages of the first Rapture invasion—intense pain shot through him. Simultaneously, hallucinations and voices he shouldn't have remembered appeared.
There were endless questions, but first, they needed to return to the Ark. Moore checked the elevator's location displayed on his handheld device screen while leading the squad forward.
[Ah... we have a problem...]
Suddenly, a voice came through his headset, and Moore pressed the housing covering his left ear with his left hand.
"...What's wrong?"
"In the Ark's database... there's no record of the Unchained... Did the data get... erased for some reason?"
"...!... Erased... why would they...?"
It wasn't an excruciating pain, but a sharp pang shot through his brain. Frowning deeply, he urged her for details. However, she only spoke words that sounded like murmurs to herself.
[...Perhaps they erased the data because its name was removed... It would be logical to assume that the data was deleted as a follow-up measure. ─Shifty... Can you access... the Central Government's database?]
[The database? No, I don't have that kind of authorization...]
[Hmm...]
She asked Shifty, but if she didn't have the authority, Exia fell into a contemplative silence and eventually spoke.
[I'm going to hack into the Central Government's database.]
"What? Are you serious?! What if you get caught!?"
Such a casually announced act of illegal activity left Neon and Anis dumbfounded, even causing them to forget the dinner menu they had planned for the evening.
[As long as I don't get caught, it's fine.]
"Exia, stop. We can still back out of this."
[...Beginner. I hate it... when curiosity is left unsolved the most in the world.]
"Yeah, I feel the same way. It's frustrating not knowing when we're so close to grasping something. But—"
[Hacking... commencing.]
Exia didn't pay attention to his words. It was evident to everyone that she had started typing on the keyboard, following her own principles.
"Um, are you, uh, really going through with this!?"
[I'm always serious... I need to concentrate, so please be quiet for a moment...]
"Hey, Exia! I told you to stop!! Can't you hear me?! Tsk! Sh*t, She cut off the radio!!"
[Um... What should I do—]
"Too noisy!! Shut up!!"
[Eek!]
He urged Exia to stop the hacking immediately, but she turned a deaf ear. Meanwhile, Shifty tried to say something, but Moore's sharp reprimand echoed, making her inhale sharply.
Anis and Neon sensed that something significant was happening due to the tense atmosphere, but they hesitated to address him due to his intimidating demeanor.
Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, Moore tapped his mobile device, activated the video call function, and called Exia. After several seconds, she finally responded to the video call, her profile displayed on the screen. It seemed she was focusing on the screen while her hands moved busily.
[...What is it?]
"It's an order! Stop the hacking immediately! Erase all traces!"
[...I don't want to. Also, the beginner doesn't have the authority to command me...]
"That's correct! But stop right now! You'll be detected immediately!"
[I'm not worried.]
"Exia!! The Shifty you were communicating with was an imposter!!"
[...What?]
"...Huh?"
"...Sensei?"
Moore barked towards his mobile device as if issuing a warning. Exia, not understanding the meaning of his words, paused her thoughts and, for a moment, ceased tapping on the keyboard.
Perhaps it was fatal, or...
[...I've been found out. Strange... I set it up through the surface, and yet they've traced my location...]
Exia reported in her usual monotone. Upon hearing this, Rapi gasped, while Anis and Neon were shocked. Exia projected surveillance camera footage onto the desktop screen, then let out a small sigh.
[...The Triangle is coming, it's too quick...]
"The Triangle... the Central Government forces?!"
"Wait a minute! What do you mean by Shifty being an imposter... No, more importantly, what's going to happen now!?"
They anxiously peered into Moore's mobile device screen, even though the situation was tense. However, Exia remained indifferent on the screen.
[Don't worry... this isn't a recorded line. Oh, right... I see...]
Suddenly, Exia realized something and abruptly shut down the desktop she had been operating. She then turned her attention to her own mobile device. Moore's screen displayed lavender eyes peeking out from behind long bangs.
[...Everyone, I'm going to burn my brain from now on... secrecy is crucial...]
Exia, calmly explaining her future actions, displayed a faint smile on the screen. Seeing this, Rapi abandoned her usual composure, grasped Moore's left hand holding the mobile device, and asked her.
"Wait...! You're not doing this for my sake, are you?"
Rapi shouted, thinking that Exia was trying to burn her brain to prevent her memory erasure.
"Wait! Exia! What are you doing?"
"Exia!!"
.
.
.
.
[...Byeee...]
.
.
BANG!!!
That was the last word Exia uttered. As she rotated her chair, probably turning her body toward the room's entrance, gunfire echoed from the speaker of Moore's mobile device, and the screen simultaneously turned blood-red.
It took a moment for them to realize that it was Exia's blood remains.
On the red-tinged corner of Moore's device screen, the desktop was reflected. Something resembling a part of the skin and a scalp with long black hair still attached were stuck to the screen.
[Execution complete. Please handle the cleanup team.]
[You were too ambitious. Hacking the Central Government... this is something you can't even complain of if you get killed.]
[Everyone, this...]
Several familiar voices echoed, and simultaneously, the screen's display shook drastically. Recognizing this, Moore instinctively moved his finger and ended the video call. Exia had assured him that this line wouldn't be recorded, so it was crucial to disconnect before any involvement was discovered.
It was necessary not just for his own protection but also to safeguard his subordinates.
"...Exia, why..."
Neon's voice trembled as she covered her mouth. Anis turned her attention from Rapi to Moore, her lips quivering, clearly displaying her unease.
"...S-she's not... dead, right? Right? Rapi, Commander...?"
Moore swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He didn't know for sure—he hadn't seen the scene clearly. Even so, he understood the weight of the words that were closing in on his throat; it was a sentiment he didn't want to hear.
While Rapi avoided eye contact with Anis, Neon forced a bright tone.
"I-it's okay! I'm sure of it!"
"Y-yeah, you're right..."
As they exchanged glances and nodded at each other, Moore and Rapi contemplated the harsh possibilities. Given the condition she was in, it wasn't difficult to imagine that her brain had been pierced. No matter how resilient she was, having her brain destroyed...
[Let's return to the Ark. Take the shortest route...]
.
.
.
"Wait. Who are you?"
Moore's voice came out surprisingly low. There was no mistaking it; it was Shifty's voice from the headset. However, Moore remembered Exia asserting that she was a "fake" before she was shot.
Narrowing his eyes, Moore, with his left hand that had stored away the mobile device, held the microphone close to his mouth as he questioned the identity of the communicator.
[Yes?]
"...Impersonating her must be quite challenging, isn't it?"
[What are you talking about, Captain Moore? I belong to the Central Government's Information Division...]
"No, that's a lie. She—Shifty—called me 'Commander.' I'll ask you again. Who are you?"
Silence enveloped the interior of the headset. The person on the other end seemed taken aback by his questioning. Everyone gathered around, hearing the conversation, was collectively holding their breath.
In the midst of this, a deep sigh echoed from the headset.
.
.
.
.
〈──You have a keen intuition. It's been a while. It's me.〉
Perhaps she had used a voice changer. A completely different voice echoed from the housing, causing him to sigh heavily, and the women widened their eyes in disbelief.
"──Well, well, Chairman Syuen."
〈Heh, what a polite greeting from you. When did you notice?〉
"...I felt suspicious from the beginning, to be honest. There were various other points, but having trouble with the purification sequence inside the factory was decisive."
〈I thought I prepared quite thoroughly... being an operator is quite difficult, it seems.〉
"If you're going to impersonate someone else, you should study their speech and behavior more thoroughly."
〈I'll remember that.〉
Hearing a voice from an unexpected acquaintance—or at least someone familiar, though whether it was appropriate to call them an acquaintance was debatable—the CEO who had almost forcibly mobilized the squad during the previous incident involving Talkative, spoke through the housing. While listening, Moore lit his cigarette with an oil lighter, allowing the purple smoke to curl up.
"...Where's Shifty?"
Annis asked with a trembling voice. It was not the most polite way to address the CEO of Misilis, but he didn't stop her.
〈Regular off-site training. She's been undergoing education for the past month.〉
"Ah... so you've been impersonating Shifty from the beginning?"
〈You catch on slowly.〉
"Did you... betray Exia to the Central Government?"
Anis asked, skipping the formalities. She seemed utterly puzzled by her anger.
〈"Betrayed" sounds so unsavory. Just so you know, hacking into the Central Government is a serious crime. I was merely fulfilling my duty as a citizen of Ark. Well, I happened to clean up the mess since it seemed like you were about to catch on.〉
"...'Happened to clean up'? You—!"
Moore, approaching the enraged Annis, tried to calm her down. He gently patted her back a few times, urging her to calm down. He pinched the microphone extending to his mouth, allowing the purple smoke to curl lightly.
—Calm down.
She felt like she was being told that, but unfortunately, Anis wasn't the type to switch gears immediately. Still, being gently patted on the back felt strangely comforting. Under different circumstances, she might have felt more at ease.
"...One of my subordinates was rude. However, pretending to be the Central Government's employee is also a crime... but I wonder if there's even a law that allows us to touch you..."
〈That's the thing.〉
"By the way, what do you want? As you know, we're quite busy at the moment, so be brief."
〈It's not as urgent as that... You're the Special Operations Unit, right? Appointed for it?〉
"Yes."
That information is publicly available. There's no need to hide it. He responded affirmatively.
〈The reason for your appointment was... that you had frequent contact with the surface world or something? I heard such rumors. Well, I thought that if I tracked your movements on the surface, I might find some useful information. I never expected... Unchained, huh...〉
"—...!"
Once again, a slight pain shot through his skull. It wasn't excruciating, but it was bothersome enough to make him click his tongue.
〈It exceeded my imagination. You'll need to stay on the surface a bit longer to gather more information, I suppose.〉
Syuen said brightly, and at the same time, a discordant noise pierced their ears. The sound, akin to the dying screams, was occasionally heard when a Rapture was being defeated. Moore and the others realized this, and their expressions tensed.
〈A calling signal. Soon, Raptures will swarm in here. —But well... you should be fine, right? It might buy some time, at least.〉
"...This seems a bit excessive for a prank... You seem to enjoy seeing us get caught with our pants down."
〈—Hey!! Don't say such things to a lady!!〉
Narrowing his eyes, Moore muttered, his words picked up clearly by the microphone. Syuen immediately responded with a reproach, but he signaled instructions to Rapi, Anis, and Neon with hand gestures. He threw the cigarette, barely half-smoked, into a portable ashtray.
Shortly after everyone took their positions, Raptures, moving in a four-legged gait, started appearing one after another, sliding down from the top of the scrap mountain.
"Encounter!!"
Rapi declared the engagement, and at the same time, the sounds of gunfire echoed.
Moore also aimed his assault rifle and fired, piercing the shining red core visible even in the Rapture's bright monocular eye. However, the numbers weren't diminishing significantly.
[Hey! If you're going to shoot, at least give us a heads up first!!]
"Stop yelping!!"
Disturbances in his ears disrupted his concentration. Although he didn't mind the gunshots that the microphone picked up destroying Syuen's eardrums, the moment he yelled at her, she fell silent. It seemed his method was quite effective.
"We're moving! We can't hold them off here! Fall back!!"
He had the surrounding map imprinted in his mind. He issued orders to the girls, and Anis and Neon retreated first. Rapi readied her assault rifle, firing at the approaching Raptures while backing away. Moore provided covering fire, and when Rapi retreated to his side, she gestured to him.
She signaled him to go ahead and, understanding her intention, he tapped her shoulder lightly and stepped back.
[...Ah...]
Just as they started running, in the depths of the housing, words they didn't want to hear from the surface struck their ears. An indescribable sense of foreboding raced through Moore's mind.
[...Looks like we've caught a Lord-class.]
.
Fuck, you shitty bastard.
.
He felt the urge to curse. However, the opponent was the CEO. Moore seemed to retain enough composure to realize that strangling himself was tantamount to suicide.
"Prepare yourselves! A Lord-class is coming! Rapi, come here!"
Annis and Neon had retreated about 20 meters. Moore stopped and, turning around, rested the butt of his assault rifle on his right shoulder, peering through the ACOG scope. He locked onto the enemy in his crosshair's reticle, firing three short bursts, providing cover for Rapi as she retreated.
"Fall back!!"
"Understood! Anis, cover us! Lob grenades at the enemies up front!!"
While holding back the approaching Raptures alongside Rapi, Moore ordered Annis behind him. As soon as he received the acknowledgment, a muted firing sound resonated from behind.
A grenade landed on the ground near the Raptures, exploding upon impact, momentarily halting their advance. Recognizing the opportunity, Moore tapped Rapi's right shoulder, signaling her to move. Together, they ran towards cover where Annis and Neon had taken refuge.
Despite the momentum causing him to somersault, Moore swiftly got back on his feet, using the cover as a shield. When he noticed the dwindling ammo in his magazine, he quickly replaced it with a fresh one.
[Hey, can I ask you something?]
"...Make it brief. We don't have much time. They're here! Fire!!"
"We're concentrating firepower on the Lord-class! Neon!!"
"Understood!! Firepoowweerrr!!!"
Large pellets were expelled from the shotgun used against the Raptures, dropping shot shell casings on the ground. The tremendous gunfire might have been picked up by the microphone, but they had no time to be concerned. In fact, there was no need to worry.
[You know, I usually don't say these things... but... do you have any intention of serving under me? I can elevate you to an executive-level position.]
"...Quite generous for a small-time military man. Aren't you stretching it a bit? Spreading your influence too thin?"
Moore, barely suppressing a snort, leaned his assault rifle against the cover, aiming his shots at the targeted Lord-class Rapture through his reticle.
The gunfire was painful to the ears, but Syuen's unexpected reaction to his response seemed surprising.
[Huh? We-well I didn't expect a positive response?... Treatment, right... Privilige... um... Well, in simple terms, it's money and power. The kind of money you've never seen before and the power to command people with a snap of your fingers.]
"...Oh?..."
It wasn't clear whether he was simply agreeing or encouraging her to continue, but it sounded like Syuen was prompting for more, explaining the perks.
[Of course, the higher your rank, the greater power you can wield! If you were to serve under me, I'll make a special... yes! I'll create a Grade 0 especially for you! Exceptional treatment, just for you!]
"...Mere words aren't enough to earn my trust... Grenade, Flag out!"
Pulling the pin, he threw the hand grenade in a gentle arc. A few seconds later, it exploded at the feet of the Lord-class Rapture, momentarily immobilizing it. This was their chance.
[You don't trust the words of a CEO like me? Didn't I say it? I usually don't say these things... If you're not interested in money or power... how about women? You're a man, after all. You must be interested in women, right? I can provide any type you desire.]
"─ My ideal type is a woman who can express her opinions clearly. Appearance-wise... well, I'd appreciate it if she looked good, but it's not that important."
[Oh, how surprising.]
"That aside, I'm suited for this job. If you're headhunting, you should look for someone else."
"Lord-class defeated! Moving on to clear out the remaining enemies!!"
"─ Understood! Open fire!!"
---Well, I don't regret saying it, at least. ....No, I still have my reservations.
For Syuen, it wasn't amusing at all. Despite the CEO herself listing the benefits, maybe it didn't match his conditions, or perhaps she just considered it a casual topic. Either way, she seemed to lose interest as she focused her attention on the enemies before her.
"...Hmmmm? Well, I was just trying it out, to be honest."
He could sense a tinge of frustration in her voice.
Eventually, the gunfire ceased as the sweep seemed to be over. As Moore scanned the area to ensure there were no remaining enemies, Syuen's voice echoed from the housing.
[Alright, do your best to return. The elevator I sent earlier is genuine, so don't worry. I have Unchained investigations matter to attend to.]
The communication ended with a sharp click, and Moore let out a heavy sigh.
"...What is she thinking?"
"...Or rather, why would she get involved with the Unchained?"
The pain didn't surge. Moore felt a sense of relief. He lit a new cigarette, and as he did, a turbo lighter was offered from the side.
"...Thanks. ...Whether it's related to the Talkative investigation or some other reason, she wouldn't bother us if she weren't idle."
"Yes, I think so too. Let's head back to the Ark."
Rapi shielded the turbo lighter from the wind with her left hand and lit the cigarette. The moment after the battle was truly special.
While exhaling purple smoke, Moore lifted himself from the cover where he had been hiding. Just as he was about to order the advance, Anis looked up at him, her eyes filled with trepidation.
"...Commander... about the conversation with Syuen earlier..."
"...You mean the talk about serving under her?"
"...Yeah..."
He gave Anis a wry smile and extended his left hand. She took it, and Moore helped her up.
"─ I'm just a man who risks his life and body who has nothing more to offer. This job is all I can do."
(Tl Note: GIGACHAD.)
-----
Captain Moore's true calling? Well, besides being a soldier... there might be quite a few things.
