The Black Panther Left Uncared For

Welcome aboard the Black Spica ark, the SS Deneb.

I am Licinia, Vice Commander of the Black Spica. I will see to your every need, honored guests.

Licinia greets us with a graceful and poised bow. She then does a half turn in place and presents the lavish lobby of the SS Deneb behind her.

I know we recovered those valuables from Chaos for them, but I can't believe the commander of the Black Spica would invite us aboard their ark personally...

It's also strange how they had information about Anis from the start. Let's proceed with caution, Captain.

Whoa... It's super creepy and quite extravagant at the same time.

All this marble, these jewels, and stained glass... A chandelier, even!

I despise these greatly overpriced trinkets that would shatter from a single bomb blast. Ugh!

Power comes from things that are delicate and precious, you know.

Our pockets hold nothing of value. That's why we are powerless.

What do you mean we're powerless?! When it comes to firepower, we're on top!

Hehe, you're still young, Eunie.

True power comes from things you can't see. The Terrascion have their culture, while the Peltion have their technology.

As for the Empire...

As we follow Licinia, I notice Hilde staring at me, so I turn to meet her gaze.

Delicate and precious... yet a being that possesses greater power than anything else.

That describes the Protos perfectly, don't you think?!

...

That just proves my point.

Don't worry. I'll stay right by your side during this mission.

Hehe. Quick to fold... I like that.

We can't have our fragile captain getting hurt, so I suppose I'll have to help take command.

On the other hand...

It seems the power the Stella Familia hold is, shall we say... unique?

Their innate abilities, appearance, personality, and instincts... those things define their species. There's even a legend about how they've been blessed by the stars or something...

But seeing as how the Black Spica will do just about anything if the payoff's good enough, using the term "blessed" feels out of place.

And here we are, right in the middle of their base, getting the rare VIP treatment.

...

I, for one, truly hope you get treated like honored guests.

The Commander's actions are difficult for someone ordinary like me to understand... so I cannot promise that your stay will live up to your expectations.

Should you happen to experience anything... strange or unsettling, please do not be alarmed. I am sure the Commander means well.

...

...Just what kind of things has this commander been doing to make her say something like that?

I'm not sure, but compared to her, it seems like sitting through Hilde's hundred-hour nonstop lecture on firearms would be much better.

Nope, not with you on that... I never want to go through that again.

Hey, that hurts, guys...

Licinia exchanges a few words with a crew member standing guard at reception. The guard scribbles something into a ledger before returning to their paperwork. We proceed down a wider corridor.

Holographic candles, stained-glass windows, and chandeliers cast their light through the mist blanketing the lobby, creating a haunting yet fascinating atmosphere.

The long, curved staircase and the dizzying height of the domed ceiling are as intricate and meticulous as the web of a giant spider. At the same time, it feels like a beautiful...

It feels like we're voluntarily jumping straight into a spider's web.

This might sound presumptuous, but... I think I understand how you see things, Captain.

So, if anything goes sideways...

I'll rely on you as much as possible instead of taking the reins myself. It's tiring having to micromanage every little detail, you know.

I look around and spot Black Spica members bustling about the lobby. Some are transporting the newly retrieved jewels to a secure location, while others lean comfortably against the stair railings, chatting with one another.

Are you trying to change the subject, Captain?

Absolutely not!

I refuse to have such dirty water within my line of sight, Yuri! I'm going to purify it immediately!

Why the heck do you want to purify water that was used to clean the ship?!

Everything has its use, so hand it over, Marin!

You're just trying to use it for one of your bizarre drone modifications, aren't you?

If it is going to be used for something like that, I'd rather turn it into clean water and sprinkle it across Planet Pagna.

What did you say?! I'm always cutting you slack, and this is how you speak to me?!

Are you looking for a fight? Because that's fine by me!

Yuri and Marin's bickering grows so heated that the railing they're leaning against begins to shake. Looking closer, there are signs of damage that have been patched up multiple times.

*sigh*...

Yuri, Marin. Please stop, you two. We have an important guest with us.

Everyone's an important guest to you, Licinia!

That's not it... We have a really important guest today—

...If the two of you don't make up this instant, I'll assign you to the same squad next time. Understood?

Urgh...!

...

Yuri?

...

S-sor—

Wait, you freaking started this, you lunatic!

What?! That's it—I'm done holding back now!

In an instant, Yuri and Marin become a tangled, rolling ball of limbs. The stained glass and chandeliers cast a vibrant glow over the cloud of dust they kick up.

...

Let us keep moving. The commander's room is just down this way...

Licinia turns away from Yuri and Marin and walks ahead. It seems there's a weight on her shoulders that wasn't there before. A profound silence hangs over our group as we make our way to the commander's room.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by preventing some of your agents from boarding the SS Deneb.

The conversation with the honored guests should not take long, so we ask that you remain here.

Are you kidding me with this?! Let us on, too!

Unfortunately, our protocols restrict that.

I can assure you that the captain and the vice-captain's safety will be guaranteed. Also...

This is a small token of our hospitality that we've prepared for our honored guests. Please do not hesitate to accept it.

We got the boot from them...

Why are you all just standing there? What if those guys do something to the captain?

They're definitely up to something.

There definitely are plenty of questionable things when it comes to the Black Spica, but they don't go around harming people for no reason.

Let's just wait and see how things unfold.

Should we just snack on these and take a break?

Careful. They could've poisoned it with something strange.

They just look like perfectly fine, store-bought snacks to me.

Oh, I've tried this one before. It's pretty popular these days... A perfect mix of sweet and salty.

There are even some Coco cookies.

Coco?!

H-hmph! I-I'm not falling for a cheap trick like that!

I'll give them a try then.

Let's try them together.

There are no signs of the packaging being tampered with, and there doesn't seem to be any poison.

I'm sure they're all fine. It's not like I could've gotten lucky and only picked the ones with no poison.

I-if that's the case, I'll just have the tiniest of tastes.

And it's absolutely NOT because I really want this limited Coco-shaped cookie, so don't get the wrong idea!

I hope the captain is all right.

Renoa's there, too, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

These guys may be the Black Spica, but I doubt even they could hurt the captain easily with the vice-captain around.

Thinking about it like that does put my mind at ease a bit.

It's too early to relax, though. The Black Spica is notorious for doing just about anything to get what it wants.

Did you see the person they called their commander? She totally reeked of a villain who constantly goes around plotting nefarious traps!

You shouldn't judge someone by the way they look.

She did have an intimidating vibe, but it didn't seem like she would harm us for no reason.

Come to think of it, isn't this the first time any of you have seen the SS Deneb in person?

Yes, it is for me.

Me, too.

Me, too. But I can say that now, I've confirmed the rumors for myself...

The Black Spica is truly the greatest villain in the galaxy!

Rumors?

Apparently, there are a lot of rumors about the Black Spica, and their reputation isn't exactly great, either.

I heard they have an entire shadow unit specialized in assassinations!

Ah... I believe I've heard about that. That was the Black Spica, huh?

Rumors also say that they'll do just about anything as long as the price is right.

In other words, they're blinded by money. Did you see that commander when we were in the Chaos? The way she would look at those jewels?

The look on her face was practically shouting, "Mine! All mine!"

The amount of jewels piled up there was astronomical, for sure.

How do you think they accumulated all that wealth?

What's there to think about? Illegally, of course.

Doesn't it strike you as odd, though? They seem far more courteous than the rumors paint them out to be.

That's exactly what they mean by a wolf in sheep's clothing! Oh boy... This just makes me even more certain!

It's not good to jump to conclusions, Rei.

They definitely give off a different vibe from the White Altair.

Well, those guys operate with complete transparency, after all.

It's hard to believe the two of them are both branches of the very same Stella Familia.

Even the two commanders are polar opposites when it comes to their reputation, aren't they?

The commander of the White Altair is renowned for her great sense of chivalry.

Right. I heard she has an immense sense of responsibility, too.

Meanwhile, the Black Spica's commander is completely shrouded in mystery.

We can't learn much from a brief glance. It's certainly strange how little is known about her given the scale and fame of their ship, though...

Since the captain is likely talking to their commander by now, I'm sure they'll fill us in when they return.

I wonder when the captain will return...

I hope nothing happens to them... *nom, nom, nom*...

...It's hard to take you seriously when you're stuffing your face with those Coco cookies, Rei.

Arabella, the commander wants to see you. Go see her. Quickly.

Ah, you're here.

You called for me?

You there, get some food for Arabella here.

Yes, Commander!

Commander! You should check it for poison before—

That's enough. There is no poison.

But you never know...

Sit down. This will take a while.

How do you feel?

Thanks to your overly generous care, I feel better.

Good. One must not yield to something as insignificant as pain.

Arabella...

Yes, Commander?

How long have you been here now?

It's been a little over seven years.

I see... It has been that long already, hasn't it?

Tell me, what have you come to experience during your time here?

During my time here...

I have experienced your boundless kindness after taking me in, Commander.

I have also learned that the Black Spica commander will never abandon any of her crew, no matter what.

Yes.

And?

And...

I have seen that there are two kinds of humans in this world.

Oh? And what kinds would those be?

Those who pursue something new as they discard what they have, and those who seek to protect what they have completely and eternally.

What made you come to think that?

I will describe exactly what I witnessed.

Do you remember a client named Midasia, Commander?

Yes. She's one of the Black Spica's best customers.

At first, she asked us to obtain a jewel called the Lion's Eye.

That's right. And we procured it for her.

Shortly after, she commissioned us to acquire another jewel called the Blue Lotus.

We got that for her, too.

But when she brought us payment for the Blue Lotus, she included the Lion's Eye with it.

She didn't have enough to pay in full, so she had to make up for it in kind.

In a short period of time, she traded away something she had desired so desperately without a second thought.

Someday she'll use the Blue Lotus to pay for something else she wants.

And then it'll be something else... To me, it seemed like that thirst would never diminish.

Most of our VIPs are like this.

They are the ones who discard what they have in order to obtain something new.

And what were your thoughts regarding those types of people?

A messy existence filled with lies.

They deceive themselves endlessly and waste their lives on frivolous things.

Then have you also seen someone who wholly protects what they have?

Yes. Just one.

Can you tell me who that is?

You, Commander.

...That is very perceptive of you, Arabella.

Remarkable. A fledgling of only seven years with sharper eyes than a noble daughter of the Empire who has experienced all of life's hardships.

Eat. I made that myself.

You have earned the right to have this meal.

Thank you.

Are you curious why people are so foolish?

Yes. I can't understand why they dive headfirst into fires that will clearly lead to their own destruction.

It is because they don't understand the essence of things.

Pardon...?

Do you know why jewels are so precious?

I believe it is because they are rare and highly sought after.

That explains why they're expensive, but it doesn't answer my question.

Jewels are precious because, second only to starlight, they are the only radiant things that endure without ever changing.

The most precious thing in the universe is immortality. Therefore, anything that comes close to it can also be called precious.

Fools often chase the shadow and miss the essence.

Do not let yourself be deceived by that illusion, Arabella.

Yes, Commander. I will keep that in mind.

Therefore, anything that holds immortality must be respected.

If only that poor Midasia had been aware of this truth, she would not have destroyed herself through vanity.

I see a lot of myself in you. Make sure you continue to hold this position in the years to come.

Yes, Commander.

A day like this calls for a toast with this. But I suppose you're a little too young for it.

This is a Terrascion Tokaji. It was produced around the time of the Empire's independence, making it a rare vintage over 800 years old.

800 years...? Has it not gone bad?

Tokaji is a special wine.

All food rots away with time. Even our glorious salt can only delay the inevitable by a few decades at most.

But Terrascion Tokaji ferments at a pace as slow as the universe itself because of a peculiar yeast called Terra Noble Rot. It does not rot away. It simply continues to age... extraordinarily slowly.

That makes it the most precious of all foods.

So it is a drink that has attained immortality.

Exactly, Arabella.

Everything immortal possesses a driving force that gives it its eternity.

Jewels have their unique crystal structures. Tokaji has noble rot fermentation and residual sugar, allowing it to age forever.

The same principle applies to the human heart.

There is a "noble rot" that leads the human heart to eternity...

We call it desire.

You were right on the mark, Arabella. Most desires of our VIPs are false.

Those things cannot hold up to the weight of time. They will decay and rot away.

True desires never change or vanish from the heart.

Therefore, remember this: If your desire ever changes or disappears, then what you possessed was a false desire.

Yes, Commander.

I see the future of the Black Spica in you, so I will impart one piece of wisdom.

Never allow impurities into your desire. Do not turn away from your purest desires or distort them. Hold onto them exactly as they are.

If you do that, you will never lose what you have.

The Black Spica is proof of that.

Oh no, Marin! The commander just sortied into the Chaos!

Yes, I heard as well.

It doesn't look like she called for any of the other crew members, though. Is that really a problem?

Well... she went with our honored guests instead!

Honored guests?

The SS Nightmare agents.

Ah... You mean the ship the Empire sent.

I would've thought she'd ask the White Altair for assistance... Why did it have to be the Empire's people...?

Marin, you know our commander isn't particularly fond of the commander of the White Altair.

It seems like they weren't even a consideration.

I heard this from Selena the other day, but Khalipe feels exactly the same way.

Apparently, she flat-out said she'd neeeever help us...

It'd be nice if they made up and got along... but I suppose that's wishful thinking, huh?

It's not like the two of them have only been at each other's throats for a short time. I expect things will stay the same for now.

I'm sure Vice Commander Licinia would have gone with her... No one else from our side?

No, just her!

I see. Still, if we're talking about the SS Nightmare, I doubt anything will happen.

But still! What if something terrible happens to the commander?!

And this Chaos is said to be exceptionally dangerous...

She'll be fine. She's the commander.

Still...

Why didn't you go along, then, Veronica?

Of course I asked! I told her I would go and help!

But the commander bluntly shot me down...

I just wanted to be of help... *squeak*

She probably did that because she cares about you, Veronica.

If you're that worried, why not investigate what kind of Chaos the commander sortied into this time?

It may not be as bad as you think.

Yuri, please come over here for a moment.

I'm busy.

This is more urgent. Please hurry on over.

Later.

Please get over here!

Urgh... I can't. My drones are in the middle of collecting some incredible data.

Hey, will you stop bothering me?!

The commander has sortied into the Chaos.

Commander Arabella?

Eh, I'm sure she'll be okay. What's there to worry about?

There is plenty to worry about! She headed straight into a bizarre Chaos! Apparently, it's full of danger!

Where exactly did she go?

Somewhere called the Kaleidoscope Hatchery. Have you heard of it?

Oh, that place! Some of the recon drones I've released have gone somewhere near that Chaos.

One second.

There are quite a lot of sparkly things!

They're jewels, aren't they?

If so, could the commander have gone there to mine them?

I'm not sure, but it does seem like the kind of place she'd take interest in.

Alright, let's move in a little further.

Ooh... How pretty.

They look like those bioluminescent creatures that glow in the deep sea.

The commander must have gone into one of these caves, too. It seems most of the Kaleidoscope Hatchery is structured like this.

Huh? Wha...?

No! My honeybee drone!

I worked so hard on that new model!

Maybe a monster got to it?

We couldn't even learn what monsters were there...

Let's head to the library and see if we can find any information.

Good idea. Let's go!

Ugh... There are way too many difficult books here.

Let's start by looking for recent Chaos-related articles.

Huh? Marin?!

I knew that was you, Marin! And you're here, too, Veronica?

It's been a while, Magna. What brings you aboard the SS Deneb?

We're just making a quick stop to stock up on supplies.

We're gearing up for a really long and thrilling adventure!

There's quite a bit to prepare, so I believe we'll be here until tomorrow.

I see. Did Selena come along as well?

Of course.

Really? Where is she? The lobby? The restaurant? Or maybe—

I've been right here...

Eek, I had no idea!

Selena, you're always popping in out of nowhere.

Right? We frequently get surprised as well...

But I've been here since earlier...

Hehe. Whatever the case, it's nice to see you again after all this time.

I brought some cookies. Would you like some?

Yes, thank you.

Me too! Over here! One—wait, maybe two more would be great!

Are you here with the other White Altair members as well?

Yeah. Everyone's split up for now to either get supplies or do some maintenance.

We also came to do some research before our mission.

Come to think of it, I believe the SS Nightmare crew stopped by as well...?

They did! They just departed for a Chaos with our commander.

I see. It's good to know they are the ones accompanying her.

There are many upstanding, good people on that ship.

...Huh? Hold on, Arabella went into a Chaos herself?

If she's accompanying the people from the Empire, it must be for something pretty important.

It is. They headed for a Chaos called the Kaleidoscope Hatchery.

There are some incredible jewels buried there! It's so shiny, and the caves are packed with them!

What? Jewels? She went there to mine jewels? What kind do they have there?!

We got a brief look at it earlier through one of Yuri's drones. The entire Chaos was filled with jewels.

However, we're not exactly sure if she went there to mine jewels or for some other mission.

Selena, should we talk to the commander and see if we can head to the Kaleidoscope Hatchery, too?

Won't the SS Nightmare annihilate the Chaos before that?

Oh! You're probably right. I guess we'll just have to wait and hope she brings back a massive haul of jewels, then.

Hey, making sure she gets back safe comes first!

With the SS Nightmare by her side, she'll be absolutely fine.

No need to worry, Veronica.

Hehe, it does put my mind at ease to hear you say that, Selena.

Excuse us, Commander. May we enter?

Licinia knocks on the door and waits for a response.

A faint voice answers from the other side. It's barely audible, but Licinia seems to understand perfectly and carefully opens the door.

Commander, I've brought our honored guests.

Well done, Licinia. Something to drink for our guests, please.

Arabella sits in her chair, chin resting on her hand and legs crossed. Her head is tilted slightly, and the smile that calmly pulls at her lips exudes confidence and dignity.

Understood.

Please let me know if there is anything you would like to drink. We have distilled spirits made from Invader essence, black tea brewed from Planet Laino tea leaves, and fruit beverages made with Peltion's special automatic juicer, among other selections.

Oh, really? You should at least try our honey cocktail. It's not something we serve to people who simply visit us as clients.

It is made by mixing Black Spica's very own signature spices into some Invader honey. You can only try it when Licinia's around.

Ah, I remember hearing about that aboard the Trion. It is quite famous for being laced with poison that leaves anyone who drinks it unconscious.

The poison can be controlled. I produce it from my own body, after all.

For a tasting cocktail intended to welcome honored guests, I only infuse a microscopic amount of bodily fluid.

...

Whatever Renoa imagined just now makes her shoot Licinia a look of contempt.

Ahem.

Arabella shifts her crossed legs in a slow and smooth manner. She tilts her head to the opposite side and leans forward, her hand naturally coming to rest over her chest.

Anis is the culprit behind the serial murders of Protos members. We must track her down quickly.

We can exchange pleasantries later. Right now, we need your full cooperation in apprehending this criminal.

"Apprehend," "cooperate," "appreciate"...

How distasteful.

Excuse me?

Hiding behind bureaucratic jargon does nothing to hide what you actually want.

Why not just speak frankly, like you did when we first met? I've never cared much for people hiding behind empty facades.

...

*sigh*... Well, if you put it that way...

Fine. Suits me perfectly. I feel the same way.

Renoa sits in one of the guest chairs, crossing her arms. She crosses her legs too, but unlike Arabella, Renoa bristles like a thorny vine.

I'll get straight to the point.

The Empire is throwing everything it has into catching the culprit behind the Protos serial murders.

We've requested the SS Ironrain reinforcements to sweep the vicinity of the annihilated small Chaos, and joint investigation requests have been sent to the Imperial Investigations Bureau and Executive Department. Backup is on its way.

Everyone is doing their best to capture Anis.

So if you really would like to repay us, drop the formalities and give us any information you have regarding Anis.

Wow... Renoa is incredibly charismatic...!

She is the vice-captain of the SS Nightmare, after all. Her negotiating skills are second to none.

The problem is that she's up against the Black Spica's Commander...

Heh...

If you insist that strongly, I'll be happy to help.

Licinia?

Arabella merely calls for her, and Licinia pulls a book off a shelf and hands it to Renoa as if she'd been waiting for the cue all along.

And this is?

It contains all of Anis's database access entries up until she boarded the SS Blue Falcon. It includes every Xera Empire and Ironrain file she's viewed.

What...?

Hold on... That's even possible?!

Hilde suddenly exclaims and snatches the book away. As she turns through it, holographic displays of different information appear from each page.

Specifications of the SS Blue Falcon, Protos status by unit, mobilization procedures for Protos-related incidents...

I can't believe this. This is actual Ironrain data! There are even old documents dating back to immediately after Ironrain was established...!

Even the Intelligence Unit couldn't compile every file a specific Protos has ever accessed. How in the world...?

...

Renoa uncrosses her arms and looks at Hilde. Her surprise is plain to see, while Arabella calmly examines her fingernails.

If the data handled by the Empire is fully preserved here as well, we're looking at a breach of military secrets of both factions.

How could you possibly do something like this without a second thought?

I thought you told me to drop the formalities and give you the intel? If you prefer to follow procedure, I can certainly file a release request first.

I'll send Yuri and Marin—you passed them on your way in. I'd estimate that it would take at least a month... But who knows? If they hear it's a Black Spica request, it might even get rejected.

Take it or leave it. I'll let you decide. Simple as that.

We don't need it.

Oh?

We can figure out where Anis is going with the information we have.

She's most likely headed to the Chaos on Planet Pagna, the Kaleidoscope Hatchery.

We obtained the analysis on that Chaos from the emergency escape capsule of the SS Blue Falcon. On top of that, we have an Ironrain agent who has carried out multiple missions on Planet Pagna with us.

If you have no other information for us, we will end our pleasantries here and take our leave.

Hehe, why so hasty?

Arabella leans forward, causing shadows to form along her forehead, the bridge of her nose, and within the contours beneath her collarbone.

Wouldn't you like to know what Anis is actually after?

What... she's actually after...?

Arabella slides open a side drawer in her desk and pulls out a jewelry box. As she slides the finely decorated box toward us, her smile never wavers.

She then opens the box, and a brilliant radiance fills the commander's room.

It is a light that no one, save for the Terrascion Special Investigations Department and a select handful of others, has seen. At least, that's how it should have been...

What is this?!

Exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

This is a replica of the jewel Anis had. I had never seen anything like it, so I had a copy made of it right away.

I wanted to analyze its composition as well, but it seemed our equipment had its limits.

However...

Understanding the true nature of an object requires more than analytical equipment.

Eyes that can see the whole of the universe. Insight that peers straight through the human heart. A mind that knows how to measure value. With those alone, you can win any game.

I'll hand over the collected data from earlier, and I'll also tell you what Anis intends to do with the original jewel this replica was modeled after.

But I have one condition.

Hehe... Yes, a very simple, clear-cut one.

I would like to speak with you. Alone.

I will escort the rest of you to the library. Please, this way.

Licinia gives a light yet courteous bow before leading the way. Following behind, Renoa makes no effort to hide her unease.

...Are you sure about this, Captain?

It's not that I don't trust you, but this is the Black Spica Commander we're talking about.

She gives us everything we need and then asks to get you alone. She's definitely up to something!

By that same logic, this Arabella, or whoever she is, is dealing with the captain of the SS Nightmare!

If I were in her shoes, I don't think I would make any outrageous demands.

True, but still...

Captain...

She said she'd let the captain go once their chat is over, so for now, let's comb through the intel she gave us.

Aren't you curious to know what data they have in the SS Deneb's library? They might have firearms manuals Ironrain's never seen, or historical records about the Stella Familia civil war...

...Sounds more like you're trying to feed your own curiosity.

Hehe, I care just as much about the captain's well-being...

But if we can't trust them, we'd have a problem, wouldn't we?

Hilde walks over and grabs my shoulder. She gives it an enthusiastic, slightly awkward series of pats while laughing.

Don't worry... Nothing's gonna happen... Hahaha...

We'll head on ahead... Hang in there, Captain... Hahaha...

...

If anything happens, call for me right away, Captain. I'll be over in a flash.

I'll be waiting in the library as well. Then, if you'll excuse me...

Silence fills the hallway that had just been bustling with agents. It's never easy to get used to being left alone in the heart of enemy territory. It's hard to shake the nerves.

Finished saying your goodbyes?

Arabella leans comfortably against her desk as she greets me. I settle into one of the guest chairs, its plush cushion wrapping around my lower back.

What are your subordinates worried about? Your life? Whether the mission succeeds or fails? Or perhaps a threat that even they cannot foresee?

I couldn't care less about that. Truth and lies are merely tools.

I am simply interested in you, and I sent them away because I felt their overprotectiveness was unnecessary.

Arabella perches on the edge of the desk and crosses her legs. Since my chair is slightly lower than her vantage point, she ends up looking down at me.

Yes. I am.

There's an infinitely dynamic life force radiating from you. It is a power that is steadfast, resilient, and proud... yet somehow capable of blooming even in the filthiest depths.

What is it that drives you to burn with such fierce passion for the sake of another's life? Why expend yourself just to protect others?

I just want to keep you close and observe your every action. That's all.

Arabella stretches out one of her legs and wiggles the tip of her foot. We haven't moved from our respective places, yet somehow it feels as though she's steadily drawing closer. Therefore, I find myself studying her every movement.

It's important to me.

Arabella's foot comes to rest against the edge of her desk.

She slowly traces a fingernail from her toes up to her knee, then brushes it past the corners of her lips. Helplessly, my eyes follow her movements upward and further upward.

The most primal mechanism that keeps any living thing alive is desire...

And I've lived having lost far too much.

Arabella folds her arms and draws in a deep breath. Her chest rises high and higher still... almost as if it floats.

I've accumulated knowledge, yet the more things came into focus, the larger the void of what I couldn't understand became.

What I lack... A desire for life...

Arabella gently bites her nails before rising from her desk and approaching me.

She sits on top of me in the guest chair, and the fluffy cushions wrap around me even more.

We could always be closer.

Becoming one is nothing more than an illusion, but that's what makes it romantic.

Why, aren't we impatient? I already told you.

I wish to desire... through you.

Arabella reaches out and wraps an arm around the back of my neck. Her long, slender fingers come to rest on my shoulders.

She places her index finger on my shoulder where Hilde had patted me earlier and presses.

*snap* I hear the sound of a small device breaking.

Yeow! What the hell?!

...? What's wrong?

O-oh, it's nothing. Nothing at all...

Did she find out about the bug? But I didn't even tell Renoa about it...

Please tell me something isn't actually happening to the captain over there...

You look like you're more on edge than before...

If you need a break, take one. I'll take over analyzing the data.

...I'm fine. I'll do it.

Right... We're talking about the captain of the SS Nightmare. What could go wrong?

If it's something the captain can handle, then that'll be the end of it. And if it isn't, there's nothing my eavesdropping could have done to help anyway.

Right now I need to focus on what I can do. I should focus on tracking down Anis.

Ironrain still uses such outdated listening devices. She must have been quite worried about you to resort to such a desperate measure.

Arabella rises from her seat and walks around to the other side of her desk. The Black Spica insignia tattooed on her back peeks through the strands of her hair.

Now that we got rid of the eavesdropper, let's get to the point you were so eager to hear.

From here on, I'll be holding your leash. Struggle all you like within my grasp if you wish to survive.

After all, the desire to live shines brightest in a world where only the strong survive.

Arabella slides open a drawer, pulls out a photo, and flicks it at me.

The photo flies across the desk, fluttering through the air like a butterfly with a broken wing before falling to the floor. My eyes naturally follow it downward, pulling my head down to stare at it.

It's a photo of the agents the SS Nightmare dispatched, taken from a distance. There are a couple of rather interesting faces.

The sisters Tiphera and Tiana. Two Imperial officers—a marshal and an administrative negotiator—who went missing.

Now, why would the SS Nightmare be harboring them?

*cough, cough*... Com...mander...

Your sacrifice has saved me...

Are you in much pain?

Ha...ha... *cough, cough*... Not enough... to kill me...

I will protect you... no matter what it takes, Commander...

We Stella Familia act according to our nature. In a world ruled by the law of the jungle, the strong survive, and the weak are devoured.

Remember that one truth, and you'll survive until the very end.

And I will make sure you stay alive, no matter what.

*cough, cough*...

Thank you... Commander Gorgophone...

Gorgophone... and then Arabella...

So that covers all of the Black Spica's commanders throughout history?

That's right. Gorgophone in particular was notorious for atrocities far more horrific and underhanded than anything her predecessors committed.

...But why are you digging into that while we're looking into Anis?

You never know... Anis and Black—

Whoops... Could they be listening in on us?

Yuri, Marin. Please remain on the SS Deneb until the commander gives the order.

Veronica, please review the letter from Peregrin. If there's nothing of note, reporting directly to me will be sufficient.

What? We've got a client? Just a moment, let me contact the front desk...

...Looks like they're busy over there, too. I guess that's a good thing...

Anis and Black Spica are bound to be connected in some way.

Doesn't it bother you as well? How Arabella showed up the moment the Chaos was annihilated? And she somehow had intel about Anis.

I mean...

That distinctive white handwriting against the black background...

The note Anis left behind in the emergency escape capsule and the Black Spica's certificates of authenticity for its jewels... They were a perfect match.

At this point, it's not just a connection. It wouldn't be surprising at all if Arabella were directly involved.

*sigh*... I wonder what's going on in there... Maybe I should secretly contact the captain's terminal...

Don't. She'd probably smash that too, just like the bug.

...Like the bug?

Er... Hehe... Oh, never mind. It's nothing.

Ugh, I really want to dig up something on Anis... Where could it be?

The Protos victims of the serial murders were all killed right after being deployed on Chaos missions. The Chaos Cores were annihilated around the same time, too.

The reason Anis has the Primonium is easy enough to explain.

She must have artificially created it by fusing the Protos with Chaos Cores.

Which leaves only one question... Why did she do such a thing?

Why would a Protos, someone who knew the Empire better than almost anyone, choose to make an enemy of the entire Empire?

I wondered why anyone would make an enemy of the entire Empire.

A petty sense of justice? Hatred toward the Empire?

I can't look away from the photo of Tiphera and Tiana on the floor.

I always knew this moment would come, but seeing the cliff ahead doesn't mean you'll sprout wings the moment you are pushed.

In times like these, one must press forward with resolve. I haven't fallen yet, so I must dig my claws in and hold on.

From now on, you will give me data on Arkhianon whenever I demand it of you.

If I demand the intel your twin sisters see and hear, the Empire's backroom dealings will fill our library shelves.

Do you still care to know how I got the intel?

Oh?

Drop the clumsy little act.

I only deal directly with people I like. And most of them know how to read the board.

No competent player places their King in the Queen's path.

*click, clack* The sound of her heels draws near as Arabella's voice creeps closer.

Although... There is another move.

You could flip the board entirely.

The tip of Arabella's shoe steps over the photograph, obscuring it. She gently forces my chin up with her hand and slides her fingers inside my coat.

She then pulls out my pistol, presses it into my hand, and aims the barrel straight at her own chest.

Pull the trigger, and the King can take the Queen right here.

You have things you want to protect.

Miss this moment, and a chance like this will never come again. So, what's your move?

Arabella pulls the pistol closer to herself, and the barrel digs deeper into her chest.

Hmm?

Hehe... You know your game. Exactly right. You have to offer up the pieces closest to you as a sacrifice.

But if it's for survival, there's absolutely no reason to hesitate.

When standing at the edge of a cliff, wouldn't you cling to life by any means necessary?

Arabella's hand wraps around the finger poised over the trigger. If she squeezes now, the bullet will fly straight through her heart.

But...

...

Yes, killing Arabella would solve the immediate threat.

However, it would also ignite an all-out battle between the SS Nightmare and SS Deneb agents. Even worse... it could spark conflict between the Empire and the Stella Familia.

If Arabella is working with Anis, or with some other outside faction, the leverage she's holding—the whereabouts of Tiphera and Tiana—could pass directly into their hands.

If we lose everything in a war of attrition while handing the initiative to our enemies, then pulling the trigger now would be a self-defeating move.

...

If that's the case, I'd rather take this head-on, just as I always have.

Advance without retreating while holding onto the justice I strive for.

Hehe...

A capable leader must be as cunning as a fox and as bold as a lion.

I like you more and more.

Arabella releases her grip and goes back to examining her own nails.

I didn't fall off this cliff, but I've got a precarious walk along a tightrope going forward.

Like I said, I would like to observe you. I plan to get a front-row seat and relish every single move you make.

Grant me one request, and I will make sure that no one finds out that your ship is harboring people from the Empire.

Hehe, it's a very simple condition.

Besides... you'll end up following it anyway.

Arabella rose to her current position because the previous commander met an early demise. It hasn't even been ten years since then.

It seems that's a pretty common story with these commanders. Some were ousted through internal conflict. Others were assassinated by enemies seeking revenge...

...Why are you looking at Black Spica's timeline again?

Because I had a sudden flash of intuition!

If we're going to figure this out, we have to understand what kind of person Arabella really is.

Battlefield tactics only get you so far, but once you know who's giving the orders, that's when you might have to pivot your strategy.

Hmm... I need some sugar to get my brain working again...

Hey, Vice Commander. Got anything sweet around here?

Something sweet?

The commander does tend to carry some candy on her. The library isn't really meant for eating, so we don't normally keep snacks here...

Would you like to try a honey cocktail instead?

...The one made with poison?

W-w-well...

It would never kill any of you. It's fine. We would never harm our honored guests. We won't kill you! It's completely fine...

Why are you panicking like that?

Now that you mention it, I'm curious how it's made...

Listen... I won't have any, but could you show me how you make one?

Th-that won't do. It's dangerous.

I can't let our honored guests get hurt. I wouldn't be able to face the commander if that were to happen...

I'll be fine as long as I don't drink it!

Where do you produce the poison? Here? Or maybe here?

Eek! Careful where you put your hands...!

There she goes again... Getting distracted by some random nonsense.

Vice Commander Licinia. I'll get straight to the point.

Did you kill the former commander?

Excuse meeee?! N-no, no, no way! It wasn't me! I didn't kill her!

We already knew that the former Black Spica commander died by poisoning.

Word across the galaxy was that a member specializing in poison was the most likely to become the new commander. Arabella was the one who eventually got the position, though.

The Empire's intelligence network has been keeping a close eye on the Black Spica for quite some time, and we pretty much know everything there is to know. So why don't you just tell us what kind of person Arabella really is?

Sorry? I don't know...

If you don't start talking, I will drink that honey cocktail...

With ten times the amount of bodily fluid you normally use for honored guests.

Eeeeeeek! Th-That would kill you! I-I-I'll talk! Please just don't die!! If you die, I-I would truly...!

...Was that supposed to be a threat?

Hey, a negotiating technique like this works sometimes.

Urgh...

There... truly isn't much I can tell you.

If you already heard about the former commander, then you probably know most of the story anyway. Other than that, it's just a matter of whether you witnessed it up close or from afar.

As for me... I was standing closest to Arabella in that moment.

Our enemies' assassination attempts are becoming increasingly clever. I'll soon need another body double.

Arabella, I'll give you that opportunity.

...! Thank you, Commander.

The Stella Familia is a race that inherited the blessing of the stars. You possess such a blessing yourself.

From now on, you will serve as my food taster. You will take my place wherever food is abundant... every luncheon, tea party, and banquet.

Black Spica has made many enemies, so it would be no surprise at all if my food were poisoned.

Still, who wouldn't dream of indulging in such delicacies? Quite a thrilling responsibility, isn't it?

I didn't join just to keep my stomach full.

The White Altair, the Azure Merchant Guild... I never felt like I belonged in either of those places.

So, that's your nature, then. I like that.

Just as birds build nests and rabbits dig burrows, the Black Spica naturally became the home that felt right for me.

Get what I mean?

Arabella turns the brilliant gemstone fragment over in her hand, scattering light across the room. Wherever the light falls, it reflects the desires buried deep within the heart like a kaleidoscope.

It's a gemstone sample collected from the Kaleidoscope Hatchery. It reflects something different for every person who looks at it.

My guess is that it reflects human nature... Desire, to be exact.

Because every time I look into it, it shows me the most intense raw instinct I've felt from my past, as if it's happening right now.

As Arabella turns the gemstone, the image of Gorgophone, the former commander of the Black Spica, manifests once again.

The Black Spica and the White Altair cannot be mixed. It's no different from chess. White pieces and black pieces each have their assigned place.

This was the greatest desire of my life. It is also the favor I'm asking of you.

How is it that one's purpose in life is so hard to form, yet so easy to lose?

She turns the gemstone slightly, and a different perspective of that desire is reflected. Arabella gives the soup a taste before Gorgophone starts eating.

Mmm...

...No issues, Commander. It is safe to eat.

Thank you, Arabella. With you around, I can always dine without worry.

Did you enjoy the last banquet?

Yes, it gave me a clear picture of where the Black Spica stands in the galaxy.

And who did you meet there?

After I collapsed from ingesting poison, a few assassins came and asked where you were, Commander.

I told them I was the Black Spica's commander and to state their business. That's when they drew their blades on me.

So, nothing out of the ordinary.

I made clean work of almost all of them, but the banquet turned into a mess when one of them managed to escape.

They may return for vengeance one day. I'm sorry I failed to deal with them completely—

You did more than enough. If they were that bad at being stealthy, I'm sure they would have fled far away from fright.

Commander Gorgophone...

The Black Spica does not hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve its goals.

Because of that, many of our members lose their sense of purpose. That's not exactly wrong, but you can't get very far in a world ruled by the law of the jungle.

An apex predator must stand above the rest and look down upon all their prey.

Tell me, Arabella. What do you see?

...

...

I see animals displaying their weaknesses and rolling over during negotiations... and I see the planetary insects being devoured by those very animals.

And we are the predators who stand above them, selecting our prey, right?

Yes...

But... what if the insects gather and form an army? Can we overcome them?

That is exactly why we banded together under the name Black Spica and forged the Xera Empire.

Do you know how the Empire maintains its power?

Deception, hypocrisy, and trickery. Those in power hide their ambitions behind the facade of peace, blinding their prey to the truth.

As for us, we merely cast aside some of those lies and follow our raw instincts instead.

Aspire to become a ruler, Arabella. You have the makings of one.

...Thank you, Commander Gorgophone.

Gorgophone was the one who taught me what it meant to be a ruler.

Arabella turns the gemstone a little further. The reflected light filling the commander's room turns crimson, much like the final rays of a setting sun... or the blood pouring from prey in its final moments.

And those lessons were only completed through usurpation.

It was the only death I had ever truly desired. Heh...

Mmm...

...

...No issues, Commander. It is safe to eat.

Thank you, as always, Arabella.

You may all begin your meal. While you dine, remember that you are predators. You must not bare your fangs at anyone except the food laid before you.

Gorgophone maintained absolute control over every aspect of our lives—what we ate, what we wore, where we lived.

We were not allowed to talk during meals. We were a naturally vicious group of people, you see, so a fight would erupt the moment anyone opened their mouth.

She also decided who shared rooms with whom. At the same time, she established one unwritten rule: whatever happened during the night, she would never intervene.

I suppose that was just another one of her sick, twisted amusements.

Are you curious to know who I shared a room with?

It's someone you know very well.

I have no reason to keep it a secret.

Licinia. The child who is now my Vice Commander. Back then, she served as our guide.

She used to proclaim loudly that if anything were to happen to me while tasting the food for poison, she'd take full responsibility.

Ripples form in the banquet hall reflected in the gemstone, like liquid. The image blurs as though the kaleidoscope itself were shedding tears, then displays the present-day Licinia.

But... what power did I have?

We were all Commander Gorgophone's toys. She took pleasure in watching us play our parts, desperately struggling just to survive...

All I did was follow Commander Gorgophone's orders and share some of my bodily fluid... She said she could never have too many means of self-defense as commander when she took it...

Black Spica's greatest weapon lies beneath the darkness.

Do you understand what that means?

It means we must observe the whole picture from the darkness while keeping our true identities hidden, ensuring no one discovers what we do.

Exactly. Deception is, in truth, a quality shared by many rulers.

Freedom is not license, and the price of freedom is being on your guard all the time. If you wish to learn how to look down from the heights of darkness, read these books.

Thank you, Commander Gorgophone.

Arabella?

Tell me. Do you not fear death?

...Pardon?

The role of the commander's body double is to die in their stead. There is no living creature that doesn't fear death.

And yet... you seem to approach it as if you have no life to lose.

Even if it costs me my life, I wish to remain by your side, Commander.

I suppose that is simply my nature.

Hah! I like that.

It is nearly time to feast. Let us put that nature of yours to the test once more today.

Yes, Commander Gorgophone...

Mmm...

...

...No issues, Commander. It is safe to e—

*gags*

*gags* Urgh... *hack, cough, cough*...!

Poison... It's been poisoned...! If... you eat this—

*hack, cough*...!

Hmm... Your convulsions are worse than usual today. Still, I doubt you'll die.

Throw everything out and prepare a new meal. As for everyone who worked in the kitchen today, lock them in separate solitary cells for three days.

Com...mander...

Back then, I wished harder for my own death than anyone else.

I believed that it fit my nature... and it was the role I was most suited for.

Perhaps I wanted to repay Gorgophone for the trust she'd placed in me. Yes... That was probably the biggest reason.

I wanted to make every one of her teachings my own. I wanted to become a Black Spica member greater than anyone else.

The most valuable lesson Gorgophone taught me was how to look down from the highest darkness.

Thanks to that, I learned the truth about Gorgophone.

Commander Gorgophone would request poison regularly.

And every time she did, Arabella would collapse without fail.

On a hunch, I once put lemon syrup into the vial instead of poison... and Arabella said that her steak sauce tasted like lemon.

Whenever I think back to that moment... I can't stop crying from the guilt. How could I have ever known that this was happening?

I couldn't believe the poison I'd been preparing for Commander Gorgophone was being used to torture Arabella over and over again!

Licinia clung to me, crying uncontrollably.

She said she was sorry, that she had no idea she was the one hurting me, that she had only wanted to protect someone, and that she hated herself...

I reached for Licinia's face.

And as I stroked that pitiful head of hers, I said...

Prepare the strongest poison you can. Tonight, the Black Spica will have a new master.

I was so terrified. It felt like everything was going wrong because of me.

Even so... I couldn't resist. I did as Arabella told me...

I filled the vial with a poison dozens of times more potent than usual and handed it to Commander Gorgophone. I wanted to say something...

But Commander Gorgophone simply snatched the vial and walked away without looking back even once.

That was the end of my usefulness to her.

I had trusted her with all my heart, yet to her I was nothing more than a toy.

A thirst for vengeance surged within me. It consumed me more than any other desire I had felt before.

What do you think I did?

At the banquet that night, Arabella never poured the poisoned sauce onto her plate. Instead, she coated her dining knife with it and lunged straight for Commander Gorgophone!

The knife was small, but it was of no consequence. I stabbed her with unerring precision.

Commander Gorgophone couldn't even scream. Her entire body convulsed violently as she clutched her chest and fell to the ground!

The perfect banquet was spread right over a floor soaked in red wine sauce.

Arabella approached Commander Gorgophone, knife in hand.

I carved the steak into bite-sized pieces... Then something long and rigid, like a centipede, caught on the tip of my blade.

She raised her knife as though hoisting a flag, the blade looking exactly like the snake sword she carries now.

It was the finest banquet! At first, everyone remained silent. Then they raised their glasses!

That night, no one ate a single thing. Everyone set down their forks and knives.

Some cheered, others screamed and fled. Arabella alone remained composed. It was as though she was looking at an entirely different reality from ours...

A mere pawn had risen to the highest seat and been reborn as the new commander of the Black Spica!

I won the game and had my revenge! Now, there is nothing to fear!

Indulge to your heart's content in the final feast of this blood-soaked banquet hall!

...But at the end of that intense joy and desire, only emptiness remained. Right before she died, Gorgophone left these words...

Foolish child...

You have... robbed yourself... of your purpose in life...

I used to believe that my usefulness lay with the Black Spica. I swore I would devote everything I had to something worth staking my life on.

But ever since I purged my life's purpose through my desire for revenge against Gorgophone, and took my place as Black Spica's commander...

I can see everything, yet I feel nothing.

I dyed my hair red to break free from my shackles, yet I'm still bound.

Now, I simply move chess pieces across a board without meaning, playing a game that has no purpose.

That's when I met you.

Of all the Protos the Empire has produced... you're the most fascinating piece I've ever observed.

A person like you would break free from the chessboard to gain a new perspective, just as I did. Even so... the path you take to reach it, and the ideals that guide you, will probably be completely different from mine.

Just like the black and white chess pieces that can never truly mix.

Arabella sets the gemstone down on her desk. Its radiance steadily dims until the light converges into a single point.

I want to go to the Kaleidoscope Hatchery with you.

A place where the desire for life swells like an illusion. A chessboard where that monster, Anis, waits hungrily.

I will observe you there.

Arabella moves in and tilts my chin up with the tip of her index finger. As she leans down, the lips that once swallowed poisoned meat draw nearer and nearer.

I want to savor you completely... With no one disrupting us...

She runs her tongue along her small lips, a thin smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. Her deep crimson eyes gleam sharply.

Captain...

Just as Arabella cups my face in both hands and leans in...

The door to the commander's room suddenly flies open.

Commander! A letter has arrived from Peregrin!

I snuck it in without anybody noticing, just like a proper villain!

...

W-wait...

Did I do something wrong...?

How nice. The song of gods and fate is flowing more naturally than usual...

...Veronica? Did you really think about whether this letter was truly that urgent?

*squeak!* W-well...

Peregrin is always accompanied by a sheep named Son, and seeing the two of them always reminds me of Sir Kowalski and myself...

We haven't crossed paths that much, but I guess I feel a sort of kindred spirit...? So whenever I hear news about Peregrin, I just get so swept up about it...

That doesn't seem like it answers my question.

*squeak, squeak!* I-I'm sorry! Please forgive me!

You don't even know what you did wrong, yet you apologize...

You're still a long way from being a villain. Here. Have a piece of candy for being such a good child. Now, get out of here.

Ooo! Thank you! Which flavor is this?

Rat poison flavor. It tastes exactly like the real thing.

Whaaaaaaat?! R-rat poison flavor?!

You're not a rat, so it shouldn't matter.

If you don't want to eat it, you're welcome to pass it off to that hamster you carry around.

C-Commanderrrrrrrrr!

Not "hamster," he's "Sir Kowalski"...

Arabella turns away, as if completely indifferent to what kind of person Veronica is.

It's not like the candy will kill her. If anyone's cold-hearted, it's the one refusing a gift offered by their commander.

Now then, on the way back, I'll explain what you'll have to do step by step. You should be grateful for the personal attention.

Now we know how Arabella became commander...

But how has she run the Black Spica since then?

For the other crew members, not much. There is always dangerous work, and the commander always does exactly as she pleases.

The only thing is... the number of times we directly throw ourselves into dangerous combat has dropped significantly.

Each member gathers information from their area of expertise and feeds it to Arabella, who weaves it together like a spider's web and waits for prey to draw near.

Once something gets caught in her web, she takes her time to savor it while waiting for even bigger prey to get drawn in.

For example...

Captain!

Are you okay? How did the talks go...?

...Wow. Out of all the outcomes I imagined, that's probably the third most unsettling option.

I mean, we have to go either way, so it shouldn't be an issue... but why does she want to go with us?

Arabella approaches with the slow, deliberate click of her heels. Her chilling, hollow gaze seems to draw closer faster than the sound of her heels.

It is because that would be the perfect setting for me to observe the captain.

I may even find a reason for this dreary existence there. Heh...

Urgh... I really don't feel good about this...

But since you and the captain came to this agreement together, I suppose we have no choice...

Captain, can I borrow your ear for a moment?

You may be aware of this already, Captain, but there's a high chance she's in bed with Anis.

Are you sure about this?

Huh?

Captain, what are you trying to—

Just then, a Unigram message arrives from Lethe, whom I had contacted on the way back.

After I complete the exchange and tuck the terminal away, Arabella meets me with a satisfied smile.

It seems all we have to do now is prepare to set off.

In exchange for keeping her mouth shut to the Empire regarding Tiphera and Tiana, Arabella demanded two conditions.

One was to let her tag along with us to the Kaleidoscope Hatchery.

The other was that we reject any outside assistance whatsoever, aside from the honored guests currently aboard the SS Deneb.

Licinia, make sure to prepare plenty of poison. It would be good to have some on hand to protect ourselves.

...Understood, Commander.

...

...

Heh, why so glum, everyone? Are you really that upset about joining hands with me?

This makes no sense.

We're refusing the assistance of the Empire while accompanying Arabella, the commander of the Black Spica...

That's not how negotiations usually go. What the hell did you do to the captain?

I really don't understand why you're so wary about us. The negotiations went perfectly well. All we did was peel back a layer of each other's secrets.

Isn't that right, Captain?

*sigh*...

Even within the Ironrain, most units that cooperated with Black Spica ended up being court-martialed. Of course, the Black Spica walked off scot-free each time.

I've got a bad feeling about this... Be careful, Captain.

Holding onto such prejudices will get you nowhere.

The Empire pushes around Ironrain all the time over the Protos issue. Even this time, you're forced to rely on the Empire because of the Protos.

From the Empire's perspective, they could say they lost one of their precious Protos because of the Ironrain.

By the way, did you two always get along like this?

Are you trying to drive a wedge between us?

As for me, it's been a long time since I lost my Protos friend. The wound is pretty much healed by now.

...

I don't believe the Ironrain is being pushed around by the Empire.

So we won't be pushed around by Black Spica either.

That's reassuring to hear, Anika.

If anything happens, I'll riddle them full of holes!

...

Why are you looking at me like that...?

Well...

...You must exercise caution when firing guns.

If you riddle your actual allies full of holes... it will hurt incredibly.

...Are you seriously scared that you'll get shot?!

I'm not exactly sturdy, and I'm not much of a runner either...

So please put your trust in the commander until the very end. She will never be the first to harm any of you.

Wow... The vice commander is quite the character herself, isn't she?

...Oh well.

Anis is likely headed for the Kaleidoscope Hatchery's Chaos Core.

She's probably planning something that involves fusing the Protos and the Chaos Core somehow. We must head to the Chaos Core as quickly as we can and stop Anis.

Come to think of it...

You said you'd tell us what the jewel Anis is carrying will be used for. Well? When will you let us in on that?

I'll tell you in due time, so don't rush me. You guys will find out eventually anyway.

I am traveling alongside the captain of the SS Nightmare at long last... Allow me to savor my excitement for just a moment. Hehe.

I will do my utmost not to be a burden...

Urgh...

Something still doesn't sit right with me...

What is it...? There's something I'm missing... Something I should know... Why can't I remember...?