1

Play: Marian

"Commander!"

I slowly blinked, my surroundings come into view as I did.

There was a beautiful woman in front of me, wearing... a military uniform? She had silky black hair, a blue cap, and looked panicked.

"You're going into cardiac arrest! AED... AED!"

A jolt of pain on my chest. A wheezing breath. Then I coughed and sat up. "What... the hell?"

"Commander! Are you okay? Smile if you can hear me!"

"I can hear you just fine." I groaned and said, "What's going on?"

The woman looked at me and said, "We've been attacked mid-transport! My name is Marian, part of the Silver Gun squad. Commander. Can you tell me which section your from? And your name?"

"My name..." I frowned, wracking my mind for an answer. "...It's fuzzy. I think... I"m from the Central Government. The... Nikke Management Department. As for my name..."

Numerous names flitted in my mind before settling on one. A weird one, but definitely one I can sense was 'mine.'

"...Hoopa. That's my name. Hoopa."

Marian paused. "Hoopa? That's a strange name... but understood." She nodded and said, "Then, to summarize the situation, Commander... Like I said, we were attacked mid-transport. The ship fell and the explosion likely alerted Rapture to our position within a 100 meter radius."

I took Marian's offered hand and stood up. "Rapture?"

"Yes." Marian hesitated and looked at me. "...Are you sure you're well enough, Commander?"

Rapture. Marian. Silver Gun squad...

My eyes widened. "This is... Nikke?"

I remembered now.

An apocalyptic world on the brink of ruin. Tragedies left and right. Hope, existing, but happiness and a good ending nowhere in sight...

"Hm?" Marian tilted her head. "Yes. I am a Nikke... Why do you-"

A shrill screech echoed in the distance, followed by a surge of vibrations.

Marian's eyes widened and she quickly pulled out an SMG. "No, we can talk later. Marian, combat mode engage! Commander, give me orders!"

"Fuck... Got it!" I ran my hand through my hair, noting that it was a light brown instead of my short black hair. Then I clicked my tongue. "No time like the present..."

A surge of mechanical creatures came into view. Things that looked like a mix of turrets and crabs.

"...Huh?"

I could see it. A glowing red spot on each, along with strange cracks.

"Commander! Get-"

"Marian. Do you see the core? Fire between 1 and 2 o'clock around half the radius."

"A-Ah? Yes!" Marian did as I asked.

A burst of gunfire. The moment it went off, the creature- No, the Rapture exploded.

"Wh-What? In one go...?" Marian looked shocked and glanced at her gun.

I focused though. "Continue. The next three, at 5 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 4 o'clock."

"Y-Yes, Commander!" Marian nodded and continued firing.

Three bursts later, and the next few Raptures exploded into scrap.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "...Commander? How did you know?"

"...I just did."

How else could I explain it?

The weak points were just visible to me.

"...Understood. Well, this helps things- Agh." Marian flinched, clutching at her leg.

"Marian?"

"It's nothing. Just... a small injury." Marian winced and shook her head. "Nothing- Huh?"

I tore a bit off my shirt and wrapped a makeshift bandage on her. "It's not much, but it should stop the bleeding."

Marian blinked. Then she let out a soft smile. "...You're quite different, aren't you, Commander?"

"Huh? How so?"

Marian let out a soft laugh. "Something like this won't help for a Nikke like me... but I appreciate the sentiment."

...Ah.

Right.

I forgot.

Marian looked human, but her body wasn't flesh. Not really. It was synthetic.

...Even so...

I smiled and said, "The placebo effect is still a thing. Mind over matter, right? If you think it helps, it'll help."

Marian paused. Then she gave me a warm smile in return. "Yes. That's true, Commander."

A soft beep echoed.

Marian pulled out a device and said, "The rendezvous point is nearby. Can you walk, Commander?"

"I'm fine." I rubbed my chest. "A little faint, but nothing movement won't resolve."

Marian frowned. "If it's too much for you, I can carry you."

"No. You're our fighter here. I can direct the flow of battle, but you need to execute. It's fine. Worst case, we just clear out the enemy and advance, right?" I winked.

Marian laughed. "Well. For someone on the brink of death just a bit, you're quite spunky, Commander. I'm glad. But alright. Let's get going then."

We continued on our way through the desolate area.

Ruined buildings, cracked streets...

"So this is the 'surface' huh?"

I'd seen it in game and heard about it, but seeing it in person...

It reminded me of a Mad Max world. Pretty wild.

"You haven't seen it before, Commander?" Marian shifted her head towards me while scanning the surroundings. "Is this your first deployment?"

"That's right."

The words came out of me before I could react to them, but they rang true even to my ears.

Did this body have a mind of its own too? Or was it like the case where my subconscious was picking up on what memories this body had?

Either way, I rolled with it and said, "I just graduated from the academy. I was supposed to head off for my deployment today, but as you can see..."

"You're quite unlucky, getting stuck in an ambush for the first thing, Commander." Marian giggled. "But don't worry. I'll protect you. No matter what."

I stared at Marian and said, "Marian."

"H-Huh?" Marian blinked at my suddenly serious tone. "Yes, Commander? What is it?"

"You're under my command, right? And as a Nikke, the number one prerogative is to obey your commander, yes?"

"Yes? Isn't that common sense, Commander?"

"Then this is an order. You are not your body, you are not your mind. You are the will that chooses. So choose to be mine."

I didn't remember the details. Was it because it was so long ago since I played the opening? Or was it because of how I got here?

Not much, if at all, of the plot was clear in my head.

But I remembered one thing.

The Commander lost Marian here.

I wouldn't repeat that.

Not again.

Not when I knew what was coming.

Marian's eyes flickered red. For a moment, she winced, as if fighting against something. But she stared into my eyes and then let out a soft smile. "...Understood, Commander. I'm yours. So, give me orders. Whatever the case, I will be at your side."

"Good."

I didn't know if that would change anything. But even so, I had to try.

"Now come on. We can talk on the way."

We continued walking.

Along the way, we noticed some more Rapture. But like before, I pointed out the weak points and Marian took them out with ease.

"...It's quite incredible, Commander." Marian watched in awed surprise as the last of the Raptures fell to pieces. "I don't think I've ever seen Raptures taken down this simply. You really have a knack for commanding."

"Well. It's a bit of luck. And I guess you can say I have an eye for it."

It wasn't an exaggeration.

While I could still see the points highlighted in my field of view... I was also getting a sense for why they appeared too.

Raptures were mechanical creatures similar to turrets and other automated attack bots. Because of that, they had common weakpoints.

Joints that underwent continuous stress, accumulated wear and tear...

The 'weak spots' flashing in red that I saw were just shorthands for assessing those situations.

And I was getting better at it. No, I HAD to be better at it.

Because I had a strange sense I wouldn't have this ability forever.

So, before the 'tutorial' was over, I had to master it.

"We're almost there, Commander." Marian led the way across an overpass and said, "The rendezvous with the other Nikke squad should be up ahead."

"Roger." I nodded and walked beside her.

As we moved, I took a better assessment of myself. Or should I say, I took a proper assessment for once.

My height was... the same? No, I was taller.

In real life, I was 5'6". But here I seemed to be around 6 feet tall.

I was surprisingly less muscular though. My body was toned, but very slim. Unlike the martial arts trained body I had in reality.

For attire, I had on a standard military uniform, built for maneuverability.

No weapon though.

"...A commander is just a commander in the end, huh?"

"What was that, Commander?" Marian glanced back.

I smiled. "Nothing. Just thinking I need more training if a small impact was enough to stop my heart."

Marian chuckled softly. "That may be true. But perhaps you were just shocked to death, Commander?"

A slight teasing joke.

Huh.

She seemed slightly off from the 'Marian' I recalled from the game.

But at the same time, I wasn't the 'Commander' in the game either.

After a bit more walking, we arrived at an open clearing.

"Huh?" Marian blinked. "It should be somewhere around here... where is everyone?"

I took a look around with her.

It was an open plaza. It looked like in the distant past it might have been a courtyard. But right now, it was just cracked cement and dust.

"Hm... Well, you did say that we were attacked mid-transport, right? Maybe we weren't the only ones?"

Marian frowned. "That's..."

Play: DUST RIDER

The sound of gunfire broke the air.

I immediately glanced over.

Marian put herself on guard and said, "Over there. Let's go, Commander. They might be our reinforcements."

"Stay on your guard." I moved close to Marian and said, "Reinforcements or not, we're in hostile territory."

Marian blinked, her eyes flashing red a bit. But then she nodded and said, "Understood, Commander. Then, let's advance with caution."

We moved as one, with me jogging behind Marian.

Eventually, we arrived at another clearing, one where two beautiful women were waiting. Rapture scrap parts surrounded them.

One was a woman in red, with... blonde? Gray? Some strange light hair color.

The other was a woman in yellow, with light brown hair and a golden hair clip.

The woman in yellow clicked her tongue and said, "Rapi. Are you SURE this is the place?"

"Yes, Anis." Rapi nodded. "This is the place."

"Ugh. Why do we have to keep waiting? What if no one shows?"

"Because that is the mission. Besides, without a Commander, we cannot move on our own volition."

"Great." Anis threw her hands in the air and said, "We get on one mission with some idiot who doesn't know how to keep himself alive and now we're just stuck here waiting to-"

Marian called out. "We have arrived."

Anis flinched and quickly spun around, rocket launcher in hand. But then she took a deep breath and shook her head. "Geez... couldn't you have announced your arrival any quieter? You scared me!"

Rapi glanced over at me and said, "You must be the Commander. Any injuries?"

Anis gave me a once over and said, "What the heck? You were in that transport ship, right? How did you even survive? Let alone look like that? There's not a scratch on you?"

I nodded to Marian and said, "Marian kept me safe."

Rapi tilted her head. "Marian?"

Marian stepped forward and said, "I am Marian, from Silver Gun. This is Commander Hoopa."

Anis furrowed her brow. "Hoopa? What kind of weird name is that?"

I shrugged. "It's my name. And if we're talking weird names... Why are you Anis? Is it like Star Anise?"

"That's... Huh?" Anis blinked, looking puzzled. "Wait, how'd you figure that out?" She looked skeptical and said, "What are you, a secret fan?"

I blinked. "Fan?"

"...Never mind. Just a weirdo who's good with vocab, I guess." Anis murmured and said, "But wait." She eyed me again. "...I get that Marian there is a Nikke. But you're just a human, right? How are you fine?"

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm FINE. I was clinically dead for about a minute or so. Heart stopped. Marian revived me."

Anis blinked. "...What?"

"Enough." Rapi spoke up and said, "Commander credentials read and confirmed. The commander for Squad 04-F has changed."

Anis froze and turned towards Rapi. "We don't even know them! How can you just give over command like that, Rapi?"

"Our Commander is dead, Anis. Moreover, Raptures are inbound." Rapi raised her rifle and then looked at me. "Commander. Orders?"

Marian got ready and said, "Yes. Orders, Commander."

Anis groaned. "Just my luck... Argh, whatever! You'd better not get us killed, Commander!"

"Of course not." I shifted my gaze towards the oncoming enemy. "If you die, I die. We live together. So..."

Flashes of red. There were more crab-like beings like before. The weak spots were the same too.

"Anis, you have a rocket launcher, right? Aim directly at the terrain. In tandem, Rapi, fire at 9 o'clock on each Rapture unit. Marian, fire at the core."

Anis blinked. "What? No, wait, that's so precise. I mean, sure but..." She pulled out her rocket launcher and said, "I want an explanation after this, Commander!"

Rapi nodded. "Understood."

"Yes, Commander." Marian added on next.

And then the three Nikke attacked.

"Huh?" Anis watched on in surprise as the Raptures were cleared in no time under the coordinated attack. "What the-? Raptures never die this fast?"

Rapi's eyes widened a fraction in surprise as well. Then she turned to look at me and said, "Commander... Who are you exactly?"

"Well." I shrugged. "This is my first mission. Just graduated... Yesterday?"

Anis spun around to look at me and said, "YESTERDAY!? They sent a newbie out here to reinforce us?! Wait." She paused. Then she looked back at the shattered Raptures. "...Well. I guess if you're this skilled. But... What the heck?"

Marian looked smug and said, "My Commander is amazing, isn't he?"

Anis frowned. "What's with the 'My Commander' thing?" She glanced between me and Marian. "...Is she like your personal Nikke or something?"

"Well, my memory's still fuzzy from the heart stopping thing and probably a minor concussion. But pretty sure I'm the Commander of Silver Gun." I paused. "...Wait, Marian. Where are the other members?"

My memories of the game were swiftly fading. Maybe as a consequence of synchronizing with this world, maybe as actual trauma and adrenaline response. But I remembered that part was weird.

Marian's expression fell and she said, "They didn't survive the explosion. While they were just mass-produced Nikke... it's still a bit sad."

"...Oh."

That made sense. Still...

"...Let's not lose anyone else then."

Rapi gave me a strange look.

"What?" I tilted my head to look at her. "Did I say something weird?"

Before Rapi could answer, Anis spoke up. "Heck yeah, you did. Since when did Commanders treat us like people?"

"...You are people though?"

Anis gave me a blank look. Then she said, "...That concussion must have really messed you up, huh? Or did you always have a few screw loose?"

"Anis." Rapi frowned.

Anis held up her hands. "Fine, fine..."

I looked at Marian and said, "What's the situation then, Marian? Do we head back? I don't remember much about the mission."

Marian shook her head. "No, Commander. We were sent here to reinforce the squad in searching for missing Nikke around the area. Although there was an issue in transport, we HAVE arrived. Going back now without beginning the search would be problematic."

"...Right." I rubbed my chin. "Military chain and all that. Would be bad to be considered AWOL on the first mission."

Anis stared at me and said, "...You know, for a newbie, you're awfully calm about all this."

I shrugged. "You said it yourself. Unlike you guys, I'm a normal human. Worst case that happens is that I get a painless death by getting blown up or something."

Dead silence.

"...What?" I blinked. "...Too dark?"

Marian frowned and said, "...Don't joke about that, Commander. I'll protect you. You won't die."

Rapi nodded. "Yes. Your safety is our priority. Rest assured, you won't be dying any time soon."

"...Yeah." Anis frowned too and said, "Try not to be TOO suicidal, alright? Some of us still wanna live."

"Anis." Rapi frowned.

"What? Just calling it as I see it."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not suicidal. I'm just saying that death can take me when he earns me. But I'm not going to be running from it any time soon."

"Pft. Sure, sure." Anis laughed. "But alright... Then to sum up the situation... Our Commander's dead and we're at a deadend. The guy was the only one who had the search coordinates, so now we're stuck in a rock and a hard place."

Marian spoke up. "I have the coordinates."

Rapi glanced at her. "You do?"

Marian nodded. "I memorized it before the transport ship crashed." She looked at me. "Commander. If you order it, we can proceed with the search. I can lead the way."

I stared at Marian and said, "Alright then, Mari. Lead the way."

Marian blushed. "M-Mari?"

"Hm? Yeah, Marian's a bit of a mouthful to say. And Rapi and Anis are both two syllable names, so Mari will keep the tempo the same. Also, Marian sounds too close to Anis. In a pinch, we want clear distinguishment between names."

Anis gave me a blank stare. "...You SURE you're a new grad? Because that sounds an awful lot like experience."

Rapi shook her head. "Whatever the case, it's a sound plan. Then let's proceed. Marian- Mari, if you will."

"Yes." Marian nodded. "Then... Let's go. This way."