Chapter 8: Conflict

Hello! Did you enjoy your vacation?

Shifty?

Haha, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it?

I applied to be the exclusive operator for Counters.

There weren't many applicants, so here I am.

So will you be working with us from now on?

Roger.

Nice!

Although, isn't it a bit overkill having two spies in one squad?

Huh? What do you mean two?

You and Shifty.

...

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that.

I was a spy for Ingrid.

Erm... Anis, I'm not sure if joking about being a spy is really appropriate.

What makes you think I'm joking?

Hehe...

...

Lighten up, will ya?! Of course, I'm only joking.

You're starting to make me wonder if you really are a spy.

Wha... I was just taken aback, that's all! Hehe...

So, where are you guys headed?

Since you all become a Special Commando unit, there's been no official information coming in.

I know it's a bit cumbersome, but I'll need to ask for each mission.

Of course, it would be more convenient if you tell me first.

We're just going out for a nice stroll.

It's been a month since we were up on the surface. We were starting to get withdrawals.

... Ah ha... Okay.

We're on our way back now.

Get a whiff of that fresh air! You won't find that underground.

Being a Special Commando rules! We can go right up to the surface without asking for permission.

...

I see. Is it all right with you then if I end my shift and take off?

To be honest, I really want to catch a special episode of Ark Rangers that's airing tonight.

Oh, really? Can you please record it for me?

I love that show.

Sure thing.

Well, I'll be off then. I'll be in touch next time you all venture outside.

Sounds good.

Hey...

These walls are made of materials that block out all communications. It's a good thing that munitions factory is nearby.

I didn't know such a thing existed. But what of it?

I'm saying it might be the best place to talk.

Okay, but why go all the way out here to talk?

Because Shifty is keeping an eye on us.

Commander, is there anyone that knows that we are up here other than Exia?

At such a crucial moment, Shifty suddenly shows up and offers to keep an eye on us.

Tell me, why do you think she would do that?

Anis.

What's wrong?

Aren't you being a little paranoid?

Maybe she really is just looking out for us.

It's certainly possible.

But on the other hand, that might not be the case.

Right now, we're the talk of the town in the Ark.

The Ark is like a den of thieves, where slander runs rampant.

You can't trust nobody.

... Even me?

...

After all, I'm a spy.

You...!

What? What did I say?

Yes, Commander.

There doesn't seem to be anything special about this plane.

Isn't Exia going to contact us?

Just in case, let's secure the perimeter.

Okay. I'll be on the east side. Neon, you take the west.

Why me?

... Huh?

What if I just pretend to be guarding the west side and I shoot you in the back? I'm a spy, remember?

What did you say?

Isn't it a bit foolish to entrust a spy with such an important task?

What's the big idea?

You lookin' for a fight?

You want a piece of me?

I don't want a piece. I want the whole thing!

You little...!

Why does she want us to open the box?

There must be some reason.

Hmm? Wait a minute...

I'm opening the box...

What in the world is going on here?

Hello.

Why do you keep doing this?

If you want to communicate, then just send a message or a video clip.

Hey, don't take it out on me! It's your own fault for being so paranoid. No wonder your teammates are giving you a hard time.

True. Very true.

...

Cat got your tongue? Or am I getting warmer?

... What do you want?

Rapi.

??

Had any good memory wipes lately?

!!

!!

!!

You all should know better than to fib.

Even a Rapture could see through your flimsy lies.

Well, to be more precise, it seems the memory wipe didn't have any effect on you.

There is a record that indicates memories have been erased.

...

The box you handled before... It can explode when opened.

It's due to a structural flaw. It was covered up via mass lobbying before being sold on the market.

Therefore, there is no mention of any of this in the database.

If you open it while it's tilted 20 degrees to the left, it won't explode.

Rapi opened that box 3 years ago and was injured.

She remembered this, and thus was able to open the box without any issues.

This indicates that her memory remains intact.

Uh... she probably got that information after her memory wipe. Yeah, that's it!

Wrong.

I told you, none of this information is mentioned in the database.

So we're talking about gut instinct here.

...

Or perhaps street smarts? Something like that anyway.

What's the point of all this?

Ah, yes.

Just curious, that's all.

... What?

When most people enter the Data Center, they'll take a good look around.

This wasn't the case with Rapi, so I started wondering...

and it turns out I was right.

And this is all just 'cause you're curious? You don't expect us to believe that, do you?

This video call will not be saved in the records.

That's why I'm using it to communicate with you now, despite how cumbersome it is.

You're the nosy little detective who started doubting your own teammates. You should be able to crack the case.

Or perhaps your teammates are the only people you suspect?

...

I don't like saying things like this because it makes me look unprofessional, sad, and needy, but you must believe me.

If I wanted to harm you in any way, simply reporting you to the Central Government would have been a muuuuuch faster way of doing so.

...

All right, then. I'm going to mark the next point on your map.

...

...

...

Because Anis is playing detective and keeps poking her nose into everything.

Of course, it's going to make us watch what we say.

Then don't say anything!

I can say whatever I want! Why should you care?

Are you intentionally trying to get on my nerves?

I'm sorry, do you guys hear anything? Is someone talking to me?

... Forget I even said anything.

You tell us not to talk, yet you won't stop prattling on. You practicing for a one-woman show or something?

...

...

Too late for that, thanks to a certain someone.

Neon.

...

If it's an apology you want, you're not getting one.

I've done nothing wrong.

... Anis.

You won't hear an apology from me either. There's nothing wrong about being cautious, so why...

... Damn, just forget it.

Commander, the formation...

... Roger.

... Stop.

These marks on the ground... It's as if something was digging in this area.

An ambush?

No, I don't think so. These markings are too small for that.

And there's too many of them.

Commander, it's too dangerous to go through a minefield without any kind of backup.

Of course, if you give the order, I will follow.

Excuse me.

!!

Alva Particle purification sequence activated.

Purifying.

Concentration 64.57%... 31.51%...

Alva Particle concentration 2.83%.

Purification complete.

...

Initiating mine scan.

Scan complete. I'll mark it.

Proceed as planned, and watch out for mines.

That was fast. Always nice to see a proper protocol as well.

More importantly... where the heck did you come from?!

Sorry. I was worried about you guys, so I came back.

Um... look, I get it if you're thinking I'm up to something, but it's not what you think!

We all know how it works. You start getting close to the Nikke, and before you know it, they're gone.

That's why there's a clause in the operator code of conduct that tells us not to get attached to Nikkes.

But...

I can't do that.

I want you all to come out of this alive.

And I want to help.

I just don't want to be separated

from my friends.

...

You have to believe me...

I'm sorry, but I can't trust you entirely. Not yet.

... But I'll try.

... I understand.

Aw, aren't you two adorable?

Oh, by the way, I forgot to record Ark Rangers. Sorry...

Aw man...

Nothing major really happened.

You just learn that the Red Ranger is the daughter of the doctor, that's all.

What?! Don't spoil it, you idiot!

But they started foreshadowing it in episode 5...

Still, you shouldn't just blurt stuff out like that!!

...

Neon, have you got the tool?

Let's pick up the pace.

...

I'm seeing a giant particle gun in the front. The model is...

MSIC-007. It's a high density particle cell model developed by Missilis.

They can shoot in a straight line.

It's like the Satellite Laser.

Factoring in all cover and obstacles on an oblique curve... range is 2000 meters.

Complete disintegration upon contact. One hit from that thing and you're toast.

There appears to be an interior energy reaction of some kind, but I don't think it will fire for the time being.

It is unclear what the trigger will be.

Avoid the line of fire and engage. If it's able to discharge the MSIC-007, it'll be too late.

What about Rapture?

Those are Lords.

Once you defeat them, you can enter the munitions factory.

Got it.

Enemy neutralized.

Can't go wrong with two operators.

...

!!

The particle gun is still operational! It's charging!

No, not now!

Just can't catch a break...

Anis! Neon!

Incoming at 3 o'clock!

!!

!!

Watch out!

Now!

Ermm?

Hmm?

Agh!

Ouch!

The Particle gun is firing!

W-wwwhaaa?

Urgh... ooow...

There wasn't enough energy output to fire. Must have been an outdated version.

Well, that was exciting, wasn't it?

Sure, positively exhilarating.

...

...

All right, get on with it. Go ahead and thank me for coming to your rescue.

Just when I thought you couldn't get any more irritating.

Look who's talking.

...

I... once...

Forget it.

You can tell me all about it later.

... Yeah.

Ugh.

The more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.

Do you honestly not trust me?

Do you know how many times I almost died while travelling with you guys?

I'm a spy! I should be focusing on espionage, not fighting! Yet here I am, putting myself in harm's way with all of you.

I-I'm sorry.

Spare me. You can get up by yourself.

...

You think she's over it?

... Probably.