25
"What do I even do today...?" I hummed and walked around the Outpost, musing at the various buildings under construction.
Apparently, since I was doing so well, a lot of the Nikke on the surface were determined to make the Outpost a home away from home.
While I hadn't met any myself, various squads had requested to set up personalized facilities up here, even going so far as to pay for their construction.
I didn't deal with any of that though. Nami had taken charge of that and seemed both competent and enthusiastic about it. Because of that, I decided to let her handle it.
Which meant that, because of my expert delegation, I was left extraordinarily free.
"...I'm feeling a bit guilty." I looked around at the clear blue sky, at the lack of Raptures approaching, and the overall peaceful vibe.
...I was itching to do something. But I also knew that I really should be unwinding.
Considering how hectic things could turn, taking advantage of every moment available to me was essential.
"Hm..."
Just as I was pondering on what to do, I felt a phone vibration.
I paused and opened it up, wondering what the girls had to say this time.
But it wasn't them. Instead, it was a message from someone named [Raptilion].
"Huh?" I blinked. "...Is my phone public?"
It shouldn't be, right?
I was confused, but I checked on the message anyway.
---
[Raptilion]
Hey there, friend! Nice to meet you!
Name's Raptilion.
I'm a massive animal lover, and you'll always find me working on the surface!
---
It looked like spam. But I had a military contact, so it couldn't be spam.
And the guy didn't seem like a bad person. Hm...
---
[Chat with Raptilion]
HOOPA: Hello there. How did you get this number?
Raptilion: Ah! Wonderful! I didn't get your specific number, Friend! I routinely broadcast radio transmissions to the Ark when I have the chance. This is the first that a message has gotten through!
---
I blinked, reading it again. "...Huh. That sounds... incredibly insecure. But I guess that makes sense."
I HAD been wondering how Shifty was reaching us while we were so far from the Ark. Having it be broadcast frequencies makes more sense.
There must be a protocol to separate from secure lines and general broadcast lines. Then when you respond to one, it switches over... or something.
Note to self: See the transmission standards of messaging when you get the chance. But anyway.
---
Raptilion: Now, Friend. Since you answered me, you must have been intrigued by my introduction! Tell me, are you also a fan of animals?
HOOPA: More of the mythical kinds like dragons, but generally yes. I haven't seen any though.
Raptilion: Ah! A fan of cryptids then, I presume? Wonderful! Sadly, even animals of the normal kind have long since been replaced by a new species.
HOOPA: Is that so? Which?
Raptilion: Hm... Friend. What is your opinion on Raptures?
---
I stared at the message. Then I tilted my head, mulling it over. "Opinion on Raptures? No, the way he framed it..."
---
HOOPA: Are you implying that Raptures replaced animals here on Earth?
Raptilion: Ah! An openminded individual! Yes! I'm not just implying, I'm stating! You see, I have been here on the surface for three to four years studying Raptures, and I've come to the conclusion that they are very much a new breed of animals! Communication is possible!
---
"Huh." I read the last message. And then I thought about my own hypothesis about Rapture development as well as my experiences fighting them.
Plus the fact that Raptures were giving a wide berth to the Outpost right now after the sheer number we'd killed...
---
HOOPA: Are you saying you've succeeded in communicating with them?
Raptilion: Yes! It's fascinating, really! Although they speak a different language... less words, more body structure, signals, and the like... They truly do communicate!
HOOPA: Interesting... You don't fear them at all, do you?
Raptilion: Fear is born from misunderstanding, my friend! And when you try to understand each other, fear dissipates! Although I've had quite a few close calls, I've managed to communicate with a great deal of varied Raptures and even moved among them!
HOOPA: ...You sound like a modern day Steve Irwin.
Raptilion: !!! My god! You know about the mythical Steve Irwin? Yes! He's my idol! A man who dared to understand the natural world, respected it, communicated with its creatures... Although he died doing what he loved, he never once blamed or decried animals. It's my dream to be like him, so hearing you acknowledge me as such, Friend... I appreciate it.
HOOPA: You're welcome. Hm... You say you're on the surface?
Raptilion: Yes! Would you like to visit? I'm currently in a makeshift facility, but I would love to chat in person! Attached are my coordinates!
---
"...Yeah. This guy is a veritable saint." I chuckled, seeing the clear coordinates pop up on message box.
Admitting all of this on an unsecured broadcast line- Ah, no. I guess since I sent him a message it was secured.
Even so...
"Hm. It's pretty close by..."
Judging from the coordinates, it was only about a half hour walk from the Outpost.
I headed back to the recycling center to kit myself up, dropped a message in the group chat that I was taking a walk, and then I headed out.
===
"Friend!" A man with a wild mane of hair, tattered combat fatigues, and a bright smile walked over to shake my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person!" He gave me a once over and said, "But did I interrupt your duty?"
"Not at all." I shook his hand and then said, "I had a bit of a trek to get here, so I came fully equipped."
"I see!" Raptilion nodded and then ushered me inside a makeshift shelter nearby. "Well, please, come in! There isn't much, but it should be comfortable enough!"
I followed him. But as I did, I noticed what looked like a Rapture off to the side. Only dead. But on closer look, I realized that it wasn't a Rapture at all, but something that looked like it. "Huh. What's that? A sculpture?"
"Ah! That is my Raptocamo!" He smiled and handed me a small thermos of tea. "I use it when I'm studying the Raptures. Would you like a demonstration?"
"That's fine. But..." I stared at it and realized that, while it was far from accurate material wise, it mimicked the essential parts.
To my eye, it was clearly fake. Just like a plastic animal would look.
But considering it had working parts... I could see how it would work if you treated the Raptures like animals.
"...You really studied the Raptures in depth, huh?"
Raptilion sat down on a rickety chair and nodded. "Quite!" He let out a warm smile and said, "I had always wondered from a young age... Raptures seem quite intent on erasing us. But they are clearly thinking creatures. Perhaps not sentient, but they do communicate. Therefore..." He grabbed a thermos for himself and said, "...What makes them differ from animals? And moreover, what makes them differ from us?"
I watched him and saw that he was sincere in his words. Then I smiled and said, "You're a good man. I'm hoping you don't die too soon."
Raptilion laughed. "Don't we all hope that? But even so." He sipped his drink and said, "If I can show that communication is possible to even a few Raptures... and to humans as well. Then there may come a time when we live in harmony together. Like we once did with animals."
I sipped my drink and said, "Mm... maybe so. It might be hard though. And it might take a while too. The number of people who want them dead is higher than the people who think they can be reasoned with. In fact, I can count the number of people who think they can be reasoned with on three fingers. You, me, and someone I can't divulge."
Considering that Enikk made a deal with Chatterbox to stop them from attacking the Ark, communication was definitely possible. So I didn't doubt Raptilion.
It was just that communicating with Raptures... if they were Raptures similar to animals, it was tough.
Animals were flighty creatures. And if you had even a shred of fear, malice, or killing intent, they could sense it.
Raptilion smiled. "The fact that I'm not alone in this is more than enough for me. Although..." He tilted his head. "You seem quite knowledgable about Raptures. From your uniform and Blabla, I take it you're a Commander?"
"That's right. You're actually near the Outpost right now."
"Am I now?" Raptilion's eyes widened. "That would explain it. I had noticed a strange response in the Raptures. There was a certain area that they went out of their way to avoid. I was curious, so I came to investigate. To think it was the Outpost... I presume quite a few Nikke are stationed there? And that you've dispatched quite a few Raptures?"
I coughed. "...Well. Raptures are a convenient resource..."
Raptilion nodded. "No worries, Friend. I understand. It's the way of the jungle. The strong prey on the weak. Still, it would be nice to communicate. Understanding is important in coexistence."
"I agree." I nodded. "Just, uh. Hard to do in my line of work. I'm kind of a 'hunter' so my presence is fundamentally opposed to Raptures. Plus, I've killed so many at this point they probably sense it on me."
"Nonsense-" Raptilion paused and then thought about it. "...Is what I would like to say. But." He eyed my armor a bit longer and said, "Considering you are wearing that around, I suppose it's understandable."
"Yeah." I tapped my gloved hand against the plate mail. "Rapture plating is sturdy and 'free', so... I use it a lot. It must be pretty terrifying for them to see. I imagine it'd be like seeing an animal wearing human skin."
"Quite so." Raptilion hummed. "Hm... regardless, it simply raises the difficulty of communication." He smiled at me. "From our conversation, I can tell. You may hunt them, but you do so with a clear heart, yes? I don't sense any hatred, fear, or disdain in your heart towards Raptures."
"I guess that's true." I hummed. "Raptures are kind of like... an invasive species? It's our land, and we're pretty cornered, so I'm clearing them out. But it's not like I hate them. It's just that they're in the way. If there was an alternative, I wouldn't mind choosing it."
Violence bred violence. I knew that first hand.
While it could solve the immediate situation, in the long run, peace, understanding, and harmony was required.
I was just looking for a 'certain' solution right now. And I was 'certain' that I could kill the Raptures and slowly reclaim the surface, given time.
But it WOULD lead to a situation where they continuously attack.
The ideal would be turning the world similar to a JRPG where the Raptures still existed, you could get into random encounters with them, but they wouldn't actively invade human territories. We just lived where we lived, coexisting in our own domains.
"Is that so?" Raptilion stared at me, a smile still on his face. "...You're the first I've heard speak that way about Raptures."
"I'm not surprised. Most people hate them to the core. Either because they forced humanity into the ground, because they lost someone to a Rapture attack, or other reasons."
"And yet, you, a Commander, lacks any of those negative emotions towards them." Raptilion looked at me and said, "Why is that?"
"Hm. Well... This is a theory of mine."
"Yes?"
I sipped on my thermos and said, "I'm sure you've noticed it, right? As an avid Rapture scholar, you must know that in the beginning, Raptures were purely mechanical creatures. Beings of sheer destruction."
Raptilion hummed. "I wouldn't put it in those words, but I understand the sentiment. They were not biological at first, yes."
"But after they started killing humans and integrating biological components, they changed." I set my thermos down. "They became 'imperfect' killing machines. Somehow along the way, they understood what it meant to 'die.'"
Raptilion paused. "...Yes. I have noticed that. Raptures do possess an instinctive aversion towards death."
I looked at Raptilion and said, "Do you know the theory of 'convergent evolution?'"
Raptilion froze. Then his eyes widened. "...Yes. Yes! That would explain it!" He got onto his feet and said, "Analogous structures with similar forms due to similar environments..." He started pacing and said, "The reason Raptures have similar features to animals is because they are in the same environment. Adaptations would necessitate adopting a similar form! Although the fact that such evolution is occurring rapidly is a question on its own-" He suddenly cut himself off and looked at me, eyes wide. "...You're not bringing this up because of animals, Friend."
"That's right."
It was something I was thinking of for a while now. And something that came to mind after hearing about Chatterbox from Enikk.
"You're correct in that Raptures can communicate. And moreso that they can be reasoned with. The problem is that they are 'one species' that have 'many forms.' And they have the capacity to rapidly adapt on a biological level. So, taken to the extreme..."
"...You believe there are human Raptures. No, Raptures imitating- converging upon human traits through adaptations."
I nodded. "Yeah."
"...Like the heretics." Raptilion rubbed his chin. "...Yes. That would explain the conflict. If both sides can reason, but one side includes even Husk-class raptures as among their people..."
"It would probably be like if we constantly had humans slaughtered wholesale when they were just living their lives, right? The people with power would see that, be furious, and then try to enact revenge. Thus, a vicious cycle."
Raptilion looked at me and said, "Is that why you came to meet me, Friend? To see if there's an end to this cycle?"
"Hm... A little. I was just curious about you being able to contact me. But this was pretty productive. I haven't been able to talk about this theory with anyone. Mostly because they'd think I was crazy or a traitor. After all." I picked up my thermos again and said, "To them, Raptures are mindless parasites or murderers. They have no value on this world. I think otherwise."
Raptilion stared at me. Then he said, "...Why DO you believe otherwise? As a commander, you should have no reason to think like this."
"Well." I chuckled. "Let me ask you this, Friend. What do you define as human?"
"...Hm?" Raptilion furrowed his brow. "...That's a complicated question, Friend."
"Not really. It's simple, isn't it? A human isn't the body or the mind. If so, then Nikke are not human. But they definitely are. So what is a human then?" I smiled. "I would say it's simple: the capacity to understand choices and the ability to make them."
Raptilion's eyes widened. Then he let out a warm smile. "...You don't see the Raptures as monsters. Or as animals."
"Right. I see them as potential humans. Or at least, adjacent sorts of beings."
That was the divide.
"We might not look the same. We might have different features. But if we can understand choices and make them, then we are the same at the core. That's why, hypothetically, if creatures like elves, beastkin, or dwarves existed, I would consider them 'human' as well if they could understand and make choices."
Raptilion looked at me. Then he chuckled, raising his thermos. "To you, Friend."
I raised my thermos as well. "Not sure why we're toasting, but alright. To you as well, Friend."
We toasted each other and then went back to sipping tea.
I looked at him and said, "...You do realize that what you're doing is anathema by the Central Government, right? If they find you, they'll kill you."
Raptilion nodded. "I'm aware. But it's a risk I'm willing to take." He shifted his gaze off into the distance, where a herd of quadrapedal Raptures were sprinting around. "After all... if they have the potential to be our friends, I would like to have faith in that potential."
I smiled. "You really are like Steve Irwin, huh? Well. If you ever need anything, let me know. While I can't guarantee how Raptures react around me, I don't fear them, so maybe something interesting will come about from it."
Raptilion's eyes lit up. "In that case, how about we go now?"
"...Now?"
Raptilion set his thermos aside and said, "You might not be able to befriend them, but I definitely can. If I communicate to them in the Raptocamo that you're friendly, then we should be able to do something about it."
I hummed. "...Well. I'm free for the next few days. Why not try it out?"