12

Play: ShowCase

"I am an iDoll Ocean series unit! It's nice to meet you, Commander!"

A sweet petite beauty with silver hair and a gray uniform walked into my office. Like Suri, she had a visor on, blocking her eyes. "My specialty is combat repairs, but I'm also skilled with a submachine gun!"

I smiled at her. "Well, you're a breath of fresh air."

She reminded me a bit of Marian, except... well, sweeter. In a light-hearted way, not like my very much loveydovey Mari.

iDoll Ocean smiled. "I'm glad to hear it! I may be a mass-production model, but I'll do my best!"

...How did Commanders just throw away people like this?

No, how could they see someone like this as just a tool?

"...Commander?" iDoll Ocean tilted her head, a slight frown on her face. "Are you... well? You seem upset."

I forcibly relaxed and let out a soft smile. "Just thinking about something. iDoll Ocean, yes? That's a bit of a mouthful... do you have a name?"

iDoll Ocean shook her head. "I do not. But if you wish it, Commander, you can designate me whatever name you would like! I'll do my best to memorize it and remember!"

"...Nami, then."

iDoll Ocean paused. Then she let out a warm smile and placed her hand over her heart. "Nami... That's a pretty name. Thank you, Commander."

"No, thank you for being here. I'll do my best to make it worth it."

Nami blinked. Then she let out a soft laugh. "...You're different from other commanders. I'm happy." She sighed. "...I was just made, so I was worried. I've seen and heard what happened to other mass-produced Nikke... but I'm glad I'm here with you, Commander."

I paused. "Just made?"

"Y-Yes?" Nami looked nervous. "I-Is that a problem? Rest assured! My combat capabilities are certified to Tetra Line standards!"

"Ah, at ease."

Nami relaxed.

I shook my head and said, "I didn't mean to alarm you. I was just surprised. Did Mustang send you guys straight here from the factory or wherever?"

Nami nodded. "...Yes. I believe so? I came right from there. I believe iDoll Flower did as well. I'm not sure about iDoll Sun, however..."

Huh.

That was interesting.

"...But I'll do my best! We might not have combat experience, but we'll do whatever you command us, Commander!" Nami let out a bright smile. "Promise!"

I smiled back at her. "I believe you. Now... feel free to look around and make yourself at home in the Outpost. We'll be seeing each other pretty often in the future."

"Yes, Commander!" With a crisp salute, Nami headed off.

Shortly after, another woman walked in.

A full yellow uniform vaguely reminiscent of Anis. One that was even more reminiscent since the woman carried a rocket launcher. But unlike Anis, she had long light brown hair tyed in a ponytail.

"iDoll series model Flower, at your service, Commander. Nice to meet you."

I blinked and did a double take when she walked in. Especially since she sounded a bit like Anis too. "...Huh."

"Is something the matter, Commander?" iDoll Flower tilted her head, smiling.

"...Do you know Anis?"

"Pardon?" iDoll Flower tilted her head. "Miss Anis, you mean? I'm fairly sure everyone in Tetra knows who she is... but why do you ask?"

"You just seem fairly similar."

iDoll Flower's hair was darker, more of a reddish brown than Anis's light brown. But they both seemed pretty bubbly and carefree.

Well, Anis was more sarcastic and jaded... but considering she was apparently a former idol, that made sense.

iDoll Flower shook her head. "I'm sorry, Commander. I know of her, but other than that, I'm not acquainted. Like iDoll Ocean, I was just created, you see."

"Right." I slowly nodded. "That makes sense. But... Huh." I tilted my head, thinking. "...Did Mustang just model this line after Anis then?"

If it was 'mass-produced' then there had to be a 'model' to mass-produce from.

And considering Anis' performance, I wouldn't put it past Mustang to model a line after her.

iDoll Flower tilted her head. "...Perhaps? I wouldn't be able to tell you, Commander. Apologies..."

"No, no. It's fine. Just curious." I waved my hand. "Anyway... do you mind if I call you Hana?"

iDoll Flower blinked. "Pardon?"

"Was that too much of a tangent? I'm just trying to get names for everyone that would work in battle. I'm found of two syllable distinct names."

"O-Oh!" iDoll Flower blinked and let out a soft smile. "I like it. Hana... though it's a bit on the nose, isn't it?"

I laughed. "Well, a flower by any other name is still a flower."

Hana smiled. "Thank you, Commander. Then... shall I get to patrolling?"

"Ah, for now you can roam around and get to know the place. I'll call everyone later for dinner and we can all get to know each other."

===

Play: Girl's Talk

At the outskirts of the Outpost.

"Phew!" Anis wiped her brow and set down her rocket launcher. "That's the last of them!"

Rapi smiled and set down her assault rifle. "It seems like it."

Marian leaned against a wall, letting out a sigh. "It's quite a bit harder without our Commander's directions, isn't it...?"

Neon placed her shotgun on her back and smiled. "It is! But that just means we get to let loose with more firepower!"

Anis pumped a fist in the air. "Heck yeah, Neon! It's amazing, isn't it?"

Rapi sighed. "...We should still do our best to conserve ammunition."

Anis rolled her eyes. "Please, Rapi. There's a direct elevator to the Ark for resupplies. I mean, sure, it's a fair distance away. But it's not like it's impossible. Plus, with how ridiculous Commander is, I bet he could rig up some more things for us anyway, right?"

"...That is a fair point..." Rapi hesitated. Then she looked at her gun. "...Maybe it wouldn't be bad to let loose every now and then."

Anis grinned and clapped Rapi on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, Captain!"

Marian tilted her head. "Captain?" She narrowed her eyes. "...What makes Rapi the captain of this squad? Shouldn't it be me?"

Anis teased. "Oho? Is someone getting jealous?"

"Yes." Marian nodded. "Very. Commander is mine."

Anis paused. "Uh..."

Marian giggled. "...Kidding."

"That sure didn't sound like kidding to me!"

Neon stretched. "Speaking of the commander... we're getting new teammates, right? Any idea how that's going to go?"

Anis put her rocket launcher away and said, "Well, they're all from Tetra. But they're going to be mass-produced Nikke, so I dunno." She glanced at Rapi and said, "Think they'll be anything like you, Rapi?"

Rapi tilted her head thoughtfully. "I doubt it. I am a bit of a... special case." She paused and then let out a soft sigh. "...But Commander IS Commander. It wouldn't surprise me if he found a way to make mass-produced Nikke reach a new level of strength- Hm?" Rapi turned her head. "...Speaking of which. It appears our new comrades have arrived."

In the distance, three Nikke approached. An iDoll series model Ocean, a model Flower, and a model Sun.

Rapi mounted her assault rifle on her back and said, "Shall we greet them?"

Anis puffed out her chest. "Duh! They're our juniors! Specifically MY juniors! I get to boss them around!"

Marian gave Anis a side eye. "Anis. You can't just boss around our squadmates."

Anis rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, Mari. I'm only going to boss them around a little. Think of it like hazing!"

Neon adjusted her glasses. "Ooh... can I get them to fetch me new ammo?"

"That's the spirit, Neon!"

Marian sighed.

Rapi sighed as well.

===

By the time I finished up the transfer paperwork, begrudgingly sent my stash of gems to pay for the transfers, and then checked in with the real Shifty to set up two-factor authentication so we didn't get another Syuen incident, I got a message from Rapi saying that they'd all returned to the dormitories to relax and that they had met the new squadmates.

So, since everything was cleared up on my end, I headed towards the dormitories to meet up with everyone.

When I arrived...

Play: Trauma

"Anis. Please calm down." Rapi held Anis's right arm, restraining her.

"Yes, Anis! What will Commander think?!" Marian held Anis's left arm.

"Anis! No! Beating up the juniors is no good!" Neon had wrapped her arms around Anis's waist, trying to hold her back.

"Let me go! I need to check! You! The Sun model! Take off that visor! Now!" Anis glared at Suri. "Show me your face, you coward!"

Name and Hana were both standing nearby, hesitant.

Suri, meanwhile, stood in the center of the room, her face carefully neutral. Though I could tell that she was tense.

I walked inside and knocked on the open door. "...Am I interrupting something?"

All at once, everyone turned to look at me.

Everyone except Anis.

The moment the others were distracted, she burst free and grabbed the visor from Suri, ripping it off and revealing her full face.

A haughty and aristocratic beauty. Sky blue eyes.

In my view, Suri looked like a typical villainess type of character.

...And judging from the fact that Anis's face contorted with grief and utter rage, it seemed I probably wasn't off the mark.

For a split second, I considered jumping in with her. If someone pissed off ANIS this much, that person DEFINITELY had it coming.

The rational side in me as a commander won out though. So, before Anis could move, I spoke up. "Anis. This is an order as your commander. Stop. Allow me to hear the context first."

Anis rounded on me, her golden eyes sharp. "Commander. Don't you dare-"

"Anis." I said, firm. "We haven't known each other long. I don't know the details. But regardless, I trust you. So at least let me hear things out before you do anything."

Anis trembled, glaring at Suri with sharp eyes. But then she slowly exhaled. "Fine. I need to have a chat with Boss anyway." She shifted her gaze to me. "I'll be back. You do whatever you want. We'll talk after." With those words, Anis stormed out, leaving me with the others.

I shifted my gaze to Suri who had fallen to the ground and was frantically covering her face with her hands.

"Don't look at me...! I said, don't look at me...!"

I sighed and glanced at Rapi and Marian.

They nodded back at me and helped clear the room, leaving me with just Suri.

When it was, I gently placed the visor back on Suri's face. "Here, Suri."

Suri froze. Then when she felt the weight of it on her face, she let out a soft sigh. Still on the ground, she looked up at me and said, "...Sorry, Commander."

"So." I knelt down to look at her in eye level. "...I hate to say it. But I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you some questions, Suri."

Suri was quiet. Then she sighed.

===

Play: YOYO

Mustang glanced at Anis's furious face over the data pad. Confused, he tilted his head and said, "Mon cheri... what's the-"

"I thought you said you took care of Yoyo. Why is that bitch still around?"

Mustang paused, confused. "I... don't understand?"

Anis jabbed a finger from across the screen and said, "Don't play dumb, Boss! You said she had her memories erased! That she was dead!"

Mustang frowned. "...Mon cheri. Yoyo is dead. I saw to it myself."

"Then who the hell did you send to join our squad?!"

Mustang paused. Then it clicked. "Ah... You mean iDoll Sun? Mon cheri... I can assure you. Though she looks similar, she is very much not Yoyo. Non, non. The frame is similar because Yoyo possessed excellent parameters. But the mind... it is not her, non."

Anis froze. Confusion flitted across her face. "What? But... how did she..."

"Moreover..." Mustang continued. "The Commandant. He requested fresh Nikke, non? Tetra sent Sun, Ocean, and Flower, straight from the facility. There is no chance that there is any mistake. None. I saw to it myself."

Anis pursed her lips. "Then..." She hesitated. "...Boss. She recognized me. Even if it's a coincidence that she looks the same... she KNEW me. I can't forget that expression on her face."

Mustang froze. "...What?"

===

I sat across from Suri in my office.

Since this was serious business, I was using my proper desk, leaving her across the table on the other side.

I slid a cup of coffee over to her and said, "Here, Suri."

"...Thank you, Commander." Suri nodded and then sipped on the coffee.

I looked at her and said, "So. You know Anis."

It wasn't a question. And Suri realized I wasn't saying it as one.

Suri sighed. "...Kind of."

"Kind of?"

"It's... complicated." Suri murmured. "...Commander. How much do you know about mass-produced Nikke?"

I hummed. "Not much. I know that it takes a strong will to become a unique Nikke. And stronger still to be able to support a powerful frame."

"That is correct." Suri nodded. "For mass-produced Nikke... they consist of women who lack that will. Their brain cannot support more than the bare minimum. And so they are placed in identical frames to meet a set standard."

"Makes sense... but it doesn't explain Anis' reaction to you."

Suri was quiet. Then she subconsciously rubbed her face and said, "...It's because I'm someone she hates. I don't remember much. Only bits and pieces. But I know this." She looked up at me and said, "Anis once had someone who lit up her world. That person died. And I took the credit for it."

I paused. "Ah, that's a valid crashout- Wait. Took the credit? Not actually did it?"

Suri shook her head. "...No. I remember that much. I was the one who found that person dead, but... I didn't do it." She deliberately set her coffee cup down and said, "I wanted her mad. She... Anis was going to have everything I ever dreamed of. And I... didn't want her to. So I wanted to just... ruin her mood. Bring down the big moment. But..."

"You overestimated the impact."

Suri let out a wry smile. "In more ways than one, Commander."

"Hm." I looked at Suri.

Suri stared back at me.

I tilted my head, watching her. Then I slowly said, "You... are not a mass-produced Nikke. Are you? While you have the frame of one, your brain... it definitely isn't."

Suri was quiet. Then she slowly nodded. "That's right." She slowly took off her visor and set it down, staring at me with startling blue eyes. "...I'm not a good person, Commander. I'm vile, envious, despicable, and monstrous. I like seeing good people struggle and collapse. I love the good life and luxury. I'm the sort who will laugh at people in misery. But... right now, I'm expendable. No one would bat an eye if I died. If I disappeared. And there are at least four people in the Ark who would do anything to make that happen. So... What do you plan on doing?"

"Hm. Well..."