Chapter 13: Comeback

We are commencing our mission.

First, Absolute and Cafe Sweety will engage the Raptures on the surface until the underground facility is destroyed.

The goal is to leave as few Raptures as possible by the time of the engagement with Modernia.

Raptures have been gathering in that location for some time, so it should be a heated battle.

The Ark is sending their best and brightest for this mission.

I don't believe there is any way we will lose.

I admire your enthusiasm.

Of course. I believe in the strength of the Ark.

And I believe in the strength of our squad.

Yes. I believe in all of you.

Let's get this done. We must.

Leave it to us.

Commander.

Are you ready?

Give us the command to enter.

Yes, Commander.

Shifty, what is the mission status?

Explosives have been set on the walls of the facility.

Absolute and Cafe Sweety are searching for Modernia.

Can't we just blow it up?

When they get a visual on her, we need an approximate location so that we can ascertain where she'll come up to on the surface.

If we set off the explosives before that, she could end up catching you all by surprise.

Hmmm... That's true.

Anyways, it doesn't seem like the number of Raptures is decreasing.

It's about quality, not quantity.

What do you mean?

We are all waiting.

Conserving our firepower.

Conserve firepower?! Blasphemy!

When Modernia rises to the surface, that's when we'll focus our fire.

Exactly. This is all to make a pathway for you guys.

What happens if we fail?

...

Won't everyone retreat?

How is that possible?

No one's gonna give up a golden opportunity to send the Heretic packing.

When the time comes, you best bet I'm going in guns blazing.

Failure is not an option.

Haha.

You're a terrible liar, Shifty.

...

Wait, this isn't Syuen, is it?

No!

You all ready for some good news?

Did we do it?

Yep?

It's Modernia! She's surfacing!

Ah... Our new home is...

Our? Did you say our?

Snap out of it, numbnuts. You don't belong anywhere.

Not with the Nikkes, nor the Raptures.

Nobody wants you.

Such acerbic words.

You... you speak more fluently than I imagined.

Ever considered coming back on our side?

Save the jokes for another time!

I concur with this individual's statement.

I am a being who lives for the Queen. It is why I was created.

You will cease telling these nasty jokes.

... Fine, whatever.

Eunhwa, Emma. I don't mean to be rude, but...

can we just kill her now?

Yes, there's no time for talking.

Shall we then?

Let's kill this thing.

Encounter.

Haha. That's good.

I need an outlet for my frustration at the loss of my home.

Confirmed appearance of Modernia in the Northeast!

Absolute! Engage with Modernia!

Cafe Sweety! Retreat and rejoin from the rear!

All nearby Raptures are heading towards Modernia!

From now, we will head into phase 2!

Emergency broadcast! Emergency broadcast!

Attention all squads from the Central Government!

Deploy all firepower and clear the way for the Commando unit!

Now it's our turn!

Master, let's go!

Commander.

Okay!

Yep?

Yes, Commander.

Rapture up ahead!

Damn, there are too many of them! They said they would clear the way. What's going on?

I'll clear the way! Stand ba...

Incoming!

... Huh?

Is that...

a train!

What's a train doing here all of a sudden?

Who knows?

Infinity Rail!

Yee-ha! Commando squad, do you read?

Infinity Rail will take you where you need to go.

Get on! Quick!

We will depart immediately after boarding.

All passengers, please hurry on board.

Where the hell did you get this thing?

This is the AZX, a maglev train specially made for the surface.

It was completed a while ago but we haven't had a chance to test it.

Considering the circumstances, what with the all-out war and all,

we kept nagging upper management to let us take this baby for a spin.

This thing really zips, doesn't it? I think we should make more of them.

It shakes too much.

About that...

Everyone hold on tight!

Ugh!

Commander, are you all right?

Brid! Eyes on the road!

We just hit a Lord! It's okay, just a little speed bump!

A steel carriage piercing through the enemy lines!

Isn't this awesome?

Super awesome!

Woo, thank you.

If this thing stalls midway, we'll be surrounded.

That will never happen.

AZX is made of Goddesium! A whopping 30%!

Diesel!

What is it?

We've got a weirdo on our tail!

Uh-oh, what could it be?

Another train?

Rapture reaction! Judging by the energy response, most likely Tyrant class!

Wow. Raptures even know how to make a train?

We're under fire! Cylinder 12 on the left is broken!

You bastards! I'll never forgive you for hurting AZX!

Yeah, how can they do that to our beloved AZX?!

Those big meanies!

We'll shoot it down.

Enemy neutralized.

Brid, it feels like we're shaking a lot. How're we doing?

The main stabilizer is damaged! No directional control!

What?

If we continue in this direction, we'll only get further off target.

Enn, looks like this is your stop.

Wish we could have taken you all the way there, but it looks like that will be difficult.

What about you guys?

We'll have to fix it while it runs. If left as it is, this will lead to a major accident.

Yeah, it'd be a disaster if we accidentally hit a Nikke.

Now. Hurry.

Haha. Don't mention it. We're just sorry we have to let you off here.

I wish you well.

Your hand, Commander.

We're doing an emergency evacuation. Hold me tight.

Anis. Neon. Let's go.

Yes.

Jump!

Commander, do you feel all right?

What about the rest of you?

All good here.

It doesn't matter.

Shifty, distance to Marian?

2km left.

Not as close as I'd like...

A heck of a lot closer than we'd be without the train.

Yes, Commander.

I'm sensing a reaction!

It's Chatterbox!

!!

Just as we feared. It feels like it's taken a shine to the Commander, don't you think?

Haha, I'm sure!

It's been a while.

Now. Can I do an impression of you guys?

Encounter!

This isn't going to be easy.

Hahaha. You fools.

You're probably thinking everything is going according to your plans.

But you're mistaken. I only made it seem like that.

That way I can wipe all of you out in one fell swoop.

You're the one whose going down.

We'll see about that, Humanoids.

What?

!!

I'd set up a perfectly good ambush, and you go calling my name. Honestly...

A Pilgrim...

What? When did you start following us?

From the very beginning.

Wow. I had no idea.

You should have helped us.

I'm helping you now.

...

Go, Commander. I'll deal with this.

No more games!!

Chatterbox's output is increasing! It's the highest number I've ever detected!

You are all going to die here! All of you! No one is escaping!

... That's not good.

I don't think he's gonna let you go anywhere.

Seems that way.

... An exhaust?

I haven't heard that sound before.

Me neither.

!!

Is that...

a motorcycle!

Not too late, am I?

...

...

Cool bike.

Thanks.

Hey.

Get on the plane.

Black Typhoon can handle it.

The Pilgrims...

No... Snow White.

Are you going to be okay here?

Trust me. I got this.

Don't make me laugh! You are not going any...!

*Cough*

You and me. Let's go.

All right, let's get out of here.

Sugar, please drive safe.

You betcha!

We're out of fuel.

...

...

...

Gotta hoof it from here.

Are you kidding me?

We're almost there.

How close is "almost"?

Very.

Wow, right in front of our noses!

I hate you so much.

300m to destination.

See. I told you we were almost there.

Go.

I'll stay behind and make sure no one follows you.

Will you be okay?

I brought more bullets than I did fuel.

I'm set.

You should have brought more fuel then!

Good luck, Sugar.

Yes.

Are you sure you're gonna be okay?

What?

A lot of Nikkes are being mobilized to clear the way for us.

It's all a gamble. There's a chance we won't be able to do much to Marian.

I never minded gambling with low odds.

That's you, but the others...

Wait, I get it. It was an order. Maybe that's it.

We all agreed to this mission.

Not a single person objected to it.

...

What's wrong?

Everyone is hoping.

She started to think.

Just maybe.

There might be a miracle.

...

This is our world.

This is us.

You guys need to be our hope.

Even if things go south, there is hope that we can come back.

Yes.

Now scram.

Move your asses.

Way to spoil the moment...

...

Meeting up with Modernia and Absolute.

What are you doing here?

Yes.

Absolute will back off now.

We'll take care of the Raptures nearby.

Rapi, you have to win this one.

I have faith in you.

Yes.

Go!

Good luck... You bunch of rust buckets.

Ah, swapping out for new players, are we?

They took more time than I anticipated. I'm feeling a little stressed.

I'll take my stress out on you, then go deal with the others.

...?

Who is that?

I'm Modernia. The Queen's confidante.

I do not have such a strange name.

Of course, I remember you.

You were a thorn in my side before. You and the Pilgrim, right?

??

I don't know what you're saying.

I'd rather not.

It's obvious that you are trying to buy time.

Now, are we going to fight or what?

... Final phase. Move to Plan B.

Commander, use the Vapaus.

Ha! Even after declaring all out war, still you won't make the first move?

Fine, then allow me.

Incoming!

How strong you are!

Haha. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be this strong.

You even banged me up a little bit.

Anyway, I suppose it's time to wrap this up.

I...

What is that?

Ah.

Argh...! My... head..!!

Ahahahahah!!

...

...

... Commander?

...

Commander. Commander..!

Did... you come to save me?

Don't play games.

Commander, stay back.

Rapi? Why, why are you doing this?

I-it's me. Don't you remember me?

I-is it because we've only met once? That... mission where we were looking for the missing squad...

I know.

Then why are you pointing your gun at me...

C-Commander, please stop her.

I don't know why she's doing this. We can talk this out.

Right? Commander?

C-Commander... do you not remember me either?

This. Can you see this?

This is the bandage you wrapped when I was hurt.

Do you really not remember?

You know. I've never taken this bandage off.

It was the first time in my life anyone had ever been kind to me.

The first time I felt warm inside.

Even when the bandage was coming off, I never swapped it for a new one.

I thought it would be nice if you wrapped it.

C-Commander. Can you wrap my bandage again?

Don't come any closer. Heretic.

Why? Why are you acting like this?

Did I do something wrong?

...

Tell me your name.

I'm the Commander's Nikke. Names do not mean anything.

Commander, can you give me a name?

Say your name.

!! This Tentacle... Material H...!!

Rapi!

Rapi!

That's what she gets for interfering with our little moment.

If you like the Commander so much, then be with me. We can be loved together.

You and I will become one.

...!!

... Huh?

Why can't I absorb you?

Commander! Now!

Let go of me!

... Are you going to shoot me?

Haha. I know you, Commander. You can't shoot me.

You couldn't shoot me then, and you can't shoot me now.

You're a warm person. A kind person.

Now. Put down your gun and come here and wrap my bandage.

Are you now?

Do you know what will happen to me if you shoot me with that bullet?

I could die.

Are you prepared to kill me?

Commander. Wait...!

!!

!!

*Spit*

...

You shot!

You really shot!

How... how could you do that to me?

Commander!!

Commander!!

Ahhh! Youuuuuu!!

No way!!

...

You're all trying to kill me.

The Commander, and all of you.

Forget it.

I don't need any of you.

Damn it! Why don't you just die?!

Bye.

Code released. Temporary operation of sub generator.

Secret Body, activate.

Recognition complete.

Codename Red Hood

Active.

!?

Rapi!

What is this strength...?

Wha... Where is the sound?

Beyond the speed of sound...!?

Urgh..!!

Ugh...! Ahhhh...!!

The head is exposed!

Rapi! Now!

Focus your fire! Aim for the head!

Eat this!!!!

Yee-haw!

Urgh...! Arghhhhh!!

... You want to be a Commander?

Why would you wanna be something like that?

I heard they don't make much money, and it's really dangerous.

Also, isn't their average lifespan only like thirty years? It's really short, anyway.

And yet, you still want to be a Commander?

Why?

Haha! Oh really?

That's quite the dream. Are you sure it's not a little too big?

...

Well, I'll root for you anyway. And your dream.

If...

And this is a big if...

If I ever become a Nikke...

I hope you'll be my Commander.

Is she collapsing?

Now is our chance! Let's finish it!

Anis! Wait!

...

...

...

Comman... der...?

What?!

C-Commander! S-stomach..! Blood...!

Are you okay? S-stay calm!

Yes, yes! It's me!

It's Marian! Can you hear my voice?

!!

Are you... back?

*Sniff*

Don't talk! You're bleeding badly!

Rapi! Anis! The Commander needs first aid. Help me!

... Yeah.

Grab on that side! Stop the bleeding!

Hemostatic injection! Clear!

Pain killers injected. Clear.

Checking pulse!

...

They are stable, but they have lost a lot of blood. We need to get them back to the Ark!

Coming!

Arrrggghhhhh!!

Above you!

Shoot it down!

Okay!

... Huh?

Not even one!

I will not relent!

Ahhhh!!

My head...!

Argh... Ugh...

C-Commander...

Shifty! Check the reaction!

O-okay!

...

Commander...

Corro... sion detected...

Commander. Commander. Commander. Commander.

Uh...!

This can't... be...

Ha... Haha... Hahahah...

Mwahahahaha!!

You son of a bitch!!

ARRRGGHHH!

Anis! Stop!

UURRGGHHHH!

Stop it! He's dead!

*Sob... sob...!*

Damn you, damn you!

She was back... She was back, damn it...

You saw... She came back.

She was back...!

...

Commander. Commander. Commander. Commander.

...

Rapi?!

A suppression bullet. Let's get her back to the Ark.

There must be a way.

Shifty.

End of engagement. All Raptures nearby are retreating.

The mission... The mission...

I-I don't know. Success or failure...

H-how should I report this?

...

You all okay?

You...!

You said leave it to you! We trusted you!

Anis! It's not her fault!

How could you let him beat you?! You should have held him back!

You should have risked your life to stop him!!

Anis! Stop!

... I'm sorry.

I truly am.

Blood pressure is dropping!

Pepper! Prepare for a blood transfusion!

Affirmative. I'll check the blood type.

...

... Huh?

Pepper! What are you doing? Hurry!

There's no record of the Commander's blood type!

... Unreal.

We asked them to pay attention to the Commander's health info!

!!

The blood pressure...!

Get the blood test kit ready, stat!

OK!

Wait.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief?

What are you doing here?

I'm here to help.

Looks like you're finally coming to.

Well, to put it simply...

Yes. You and I have the same blood type.

It's a very rare blood type, only a handful throughout all of human history.

Who knows?

But you really think it's just a coincidence?

Please, nothing that melodramatic. First of all, I'm a single man.

Guess I don't have to worry about you if you're feeling fit enough to crack jokes.

The blood that you and I have is highly sought after.

So to avoid being targeted by those who want our blood, our information is not registered in any database.

...

I'm sure you're wondering what became of the mission.

Excluding the mass-produced Nikkes, there were no major casualties.

Everyone returned safely. All in all, a resounding success.

You must meet with Marian.

Right this instant.

You've been given some narcotics. You will be able to move.

Normally I wouldn't ask this of someone in your situation, but this is urgent. Time is of the essence.

Let's go.

Hello.

Mana, it's been a while.

It's okay.

Commander, how are you holding up?

I see... well, glad to hear it.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to endure it a little longer.

The mission was successful, and for that I congratulate you. However, I called you because there is something more urgent.

... It's something only you can do.

Mana.

Roger.

Commander. Commander. Commander. Commander.

As you can see, she's been corrupted.

She also has no NIMPH in her brain. For reasons unknown, the Vapaus has worked.

Corruption occurs when Rapture code is embedded into the NIMPH.

Yet Marian, despite having no NIMPH, is still corrupted.

How is this even possible?

Chatterbox planted the code physically into Marian's brain.

She cannot be controlled and does not respond to any commands.

She is, for lack of a better term, a vegetable.

Chatterbox simply did it out of spite...

Is there any way to treat her?

Our only real option is to do a complete neural wipe.

...

She will become a complete blank slate.

As there is no NIMPH, you won't be able to implant any additional information into the brain.

She would be no different from a newborn child.

She'll forget everything she knew.

Besides her memories, she would also not remember how to walk or speak.

So we have two options.

We can send her off peacefully or have her go back to the beginning.

You want us to choose? Now?

If more time passes, her brain will be severely damaged and even a neural wipe will no longer be an option.

We have to make a decision now.

...

Commander,

you're her current Commander.

You have to be the one to decide.

Stop this.

No, a decision has to be made.

As Deputy Commander-in-Chief, I am giving you an order...

Andersen.

The Commander needs to decide.

...

This isn't like you. Being so emotional.

Is this bringing up something from the past?

You...

The neural wipe then?

You must grant final approval. Sign here.

What are you doing?

Is all of this really necessary?

As soon as this is signed, we can start.

Marian belongs to Commander. She will be under your squad.

Marian is now somewhere between a Rapture and a Nikke.

Many will be eager to experiment with her.

Having her officially under your command will prevent all of that.

How did you manage to pull that off?

Just had to pull a few strings.

Sign here, Commander.

This is the only way to save Marian.

Final approval has been granted.

When this is all done, I'll have her sent to the Outpost.

I know this was a difficult decision. You did well.

...

You did what you had to. Go back and focus on getting better.

Dead. We've collected the fragments and will be keeping them in the Atlas Cage.

They're standing by at the Outpost. Do you want me to call them?

...

Listen.

We've accomplished a lot with this mission.

We've destroyed the Rapture's underground facility, defeated Chatterbox and also collected the fragments.

And... one Heretic was neutralized.

Comparatively speaking, our losses were minimal.

I'm not sure if this helps, but all of this is thanks to you.

You may not feel like resting now, but

that's exactly what you're going to do. That's an order.

Ugh... Argh..!

Neon! Coolant!

W-we used it all up! All five boxes!

Damn! Why isn't her temperature going down?

It's no use, we have to call the Repair Center!

It's... okay...

It's... stabilizing...

Do you know how many times you've said that?

Stop being so stubborn and let's go. You'll die if you keep this up!

...

It's okay. I feel... much better, really.

...

... Her temperature is back to normal.

Oops...

Thanks you two. Sorry to worry you.

Does this have something to do with your hair turning red?

... Mm.

If you'd stayed like that for a millisecond longer, your brain would have been fried.

You saved our skins back there, but it was a dangerous move.

...

Are you going to explain what that was?

Think of it as a last resort. When you use it, it ravages your body. Pretty simple stuff.

I wouldn't call hurling an object at the speed of sound simple.

...

Fine, I won't press you.

... Thanks.

The Commander?

They got stabbed in the stomach, so they're being treated.

Hey, come to think of it,

Master is returning today.

What?

How can they have recovered so soon? Are they even human?

Master is heads and shoulders above regular humans!

What are you so proud for? You didn't do anything.

... And Marian?

...

The corruption seems to have had a direct effect on her brain.

After the neural wipe, she'll be assigned to our squad.

This was the decision of the Commander.

... Yes.

Do you think Master is okay?

I... I'm not sure.

Yikes, speak of the devil!

...

What's with this bed?

What's all that equipment beside it?

We're going to have the Commander's Room double as a hospital room.

What's wrong?

That's what the Commander requested.

Is that okay? Doing all of this, I mean.

Of course, it's not okay.

The risk of infection is higher and it's not as well-equipped as a proper hospital room.

Commander, go back.

Go back and return when you've fully recuperated.

What are you talking about? Hurry and go back to the hospital.

This place runs just fine without you, so go back to the hospital!

...

... Commander.

Master...

Everyone help me move all of this to the Commander's Room.

... And that's about everything. Did you get all of that?

Yes. No problem.

If you just follow everything I've told you, they'll recover soon enough. They heal up quickly.

If anything happens, just give me a call.

I'll be available 24/7.

Thanks.

Don't mention it.

I'll watch over them. You two get some rest.

Will you be okay?

Yes.

All right, we'll be back in four hours.

...

I heard about Marian.

I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you.

...

I wanted to tell you...

you saved Marian.

No matter what happens, nothing changes that.

So please, just rest for now.

I will be by your side.

Mmmm... Master... Fire dragons are dangerous. You need to increase your firepower a bit more...

Uhuh... My butt... it's clean... It doesn't smell...

... Zzz...

... Zzz...

About time you woke up!

I'll go get some bandages and the antibiotics.

Anis, Neon.

!!

Huh...

I! Wasn't sleeping! Just dreaming, that's all!

Ahhhh! Wh-what!

The Commander is awake. Let's get started.

Okay, all done.

Are you feeling okay, Master?

Lie down and keep resting. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?

All right, we should keep doing what we always do...

What's the matter?

... I guess she's here.

... Let's go.

Okay.

As of today, Marian will be a member of the Counters.

Any questions?

Right.

Come in.

...

...

...

...

It's nice to meet you. I'm Anis. Glad to be working with you.

Hello. I'm Neon. Sorry to say this during our first meeting, but I'm a spy. Try and keep it on the down low.

I'm Rapi.

Ah... Ahooah.

...

...

...

She can't speak yet.

You'll have to take it one step at a time.

This can't be happening...

Ahoo. Aheuah.

Comman... der.

Wait... how can she...

The neural wipe went just as planned.

Yet somehow she remembers her name and the word Commander.

This reason is unknown.

...

If there is something like a soul, it is probably not in the brain.

This is all far from scientific.

Yeah, but it's more poetic.

She's a quick learner. I'm sure she'll be able to speak soon.

And...

... Hmm.

No. It's nothing.

I'll be heading out.

I'll escort you.

Thanks.

...

Now then, Marian.

Ahwoo?

From now on, call me the Almighty Anis.

...

Repeat after me.

Al.mi.gh.ty.A.n.is.

??

Al! Might! Ty! An! Is!

Al.Al... Al... Al... Ty!

Hear, hear.

Migh... ty... An...

...

TyAn!

No!

You unleashed the Red Hood.

Yes.

Status?

It was only for a few seconds, so it did not consume me entirely.

It must have been painful.

It's fine.

I know you had no other choice, but you have to be careful next time.

There were witnesses.

Absolute?

No. Two mass-produced Nikkes that were engaged in battle nearby.

... What happened to them?

Memory wipe.

...

I know how you're feeling.

But the fact that you are getting younger will

turn the Ark upside down.

I understand.

Then I'm glad.

Well then,

what did the Red Hood say?

Nothing.

Just the same thing it always says.

Destroy the Ark.