-1: 48
The logic was simple.
From my understanding, corruption was a phenomenon where a Nikke adopted a Rapture's mindset over time and treated humans as their mortal enemies.
It was code. A forced command and logic.
Because 'humans' were pattern-seeking creatures, it was hard to resist it. Especially when Nikke had NIMPHs, which were apparently nano-sized von neumann machines.
Of course, when you had a thorough axiomatic proof that not only fortified willpower, but made it ironclad, then corruption was a non-issue.
But anyway...
If corruption was basically a brainwashing by Raptures to turn a Nikke into a killing machine. Then...
"...We can turn them human-like by giving them sapience. Emotions, feelings, memories... By refining both the logic of what a 'human' is as well as providing clear examples of the best parts of humanity, as well as the worst parts, while emphasizing willpower is the deciding factor... Then Raptures should, if not become allies to humanity, at least neutral."
Silence.
Suri was the first to break it. "That sounds impossible." She stood up. "No, it has to be impossible, right? Because... if that's true, then why hasn't it happened before? Why did no one think about this?!"
"Someone has." I looked at Suri. "His name is Raptilion."
"Huh?" Anis glanced up. "That weirdo who blogs about Raptures? Wait, you know the guy?"
Endless, who had been watching until now, looked up and said, "It's Commander's friend. The one who he snuck off to meet those times. The same one he was with when you made your impromptu confessions."
Hana blinked. "Wait, impromptu confessions?"
Rapi's ears turned red, but she said, "Focus." She looked at me and said, "Commander... Do you really think that's possible?"
"I do. I've talked about it with all of you, right? How Raptures appear to be evolving? And how they could evolve close to human features? If we deliberately feed them with data points about what makes a human 'human,' then I have a strong intuition that we might not just see humanoid Raptures, we might see Raptures that are analagous to humans."
Anis spoke up and said, "What makes you so sure about it, Commander?"
"Yeah!" Neon chimed in and said, "Raptures are robots! Evil murder robots! What makes you think a machine can learn to think and feel?"
I pointed at Endless. "Don't we have an example right here?"
A hushed silence fell across the room.
Rapi's eyes widened. "That's... right. That's right!"
Marian gasped, turning to look at Endless. "Endless isn't like us! She's closer to a Rapture or a Heretic than a Nikke because she lacks a brain or NIMPH. But even so..."
"She's human!" Neon finished, smiling at Endless. "Right, Endy?"
Endless slowly blinked, her violet eyes sweeping across the room. Then she let out a faint smile. "...I would like to believe I am. Yes."
Nami hesitantly raised her hand. "Um... Commander."
"Yes, Nami?"
Nami looked at me and said, "...Endless is already similar to a human though. Raptures aren't. How do you know your plan is going to work?"
"Mm? Well, it's just like the Maverick Virus basically." I rubbed my chin. "If something like that could work on Reploids, which were basically all mechanical in nature already, then it should DEFINITELY work on Raptures, which are already partially biological in nature- What? What's with that look?"
"Uh..." Anis looked at me and slowly said, "...Maverick Virus, Commander?"
"Hm? Yeah. It's a virus that's completely digital in nature, but one that has free will and choice, along with ethics, described so thoroughly that once compiled within a mechanical being's operating system, it permanently changes it into a sentient and sapient being."
While I hadn't ACTUALLY written it out in a complete axiomatic logic, considering that I'd done a trial run with Sophia and it seemed to be working, it should work for Raptures too.
Silence. One that stretched for a long time.
Suri broke it and said, "What? Is no one going to say it? Because it's starting to seem like Commander really IS a Missilis secret agent."
"Yeah..." Anis slowly said. "We keep joking about it. And you said that you aren't one. You also said you don't remember much about your past beyond graduating the military academy... But Commander. What DO you know?"
Neon adjusted her glasses, frowning. "That's right. Master... Are you actually a spy? You said you and Syuen came to an agreement too. Do you know each other?"
The tension in the room was growing thick.
In hindsight... everything I said DID seem suspicious. And I was absolutely a deadringer for a secret agent plant right now. Especially with Matis joining us too.
But before I could clear up the misunderstanding, Rapi spoke up.
"Please. Commander is the son of both Boss and Liliweiss. There's not a sneaky bone in his body."
Rapi's eyes widened and she clamped her hand over her mouth.
Anis flinched and snapped her head towards Rapi. "RAPI?! What?!"
Rapi groaned. "Red Hood, you absolute dummy..."
"RED HOOD?!"
I slowly turned to look at Rapi. "...Rapi. Care to explain?"
Rapi sighed.
===
I rubbed my face with my hands and said, "So, let me get this straight, Rapi. Red Hood, one of the legendary Goddess Squad Nikke, is living rent-free in your head. Not only that, but as far as you both can tell, your bodies were merged together at some point, letting you use her power at the cost of her self overriding you. And while she hadn't been active, ever since you met me, Red Hood has been chatting nonstop."
"...Correct, Commander-" Rapi started to speak. And then her tone of voice completely shifted and she said,
"That's damned right, Little Boss! And I've got to say, you look just like- MMPH?! ...Sorry, Commander. It seems Red Hood is being a bit... enthusiastic about meeting you."
I slowly blinked. Then I massaged my temples, muttering, "This is karma, isn't it?"
Someone out there was messing with me in particular, tossing curveballs left and right.
Was it because I skipped the story? Would I have known about this if I actually read it?
'Well, too late now.'
I'd just have to play by ear.
"Hold on." Anis massaged her own temples as well and said, "So, Rapi."
"Yes, Anis?"
"The entire time you've known me, you've been like... half Red Hood."
"...Yes."
"Was this before or after you were turned into a Nikke after the protest incident?"
"Much after. I met Red Hood on a mission where my squadmates all perished... roughly around the Second Reclamation war?"
Neon chimed in and said, "Does this mean that you can transform into Red Hood?! Like the Sentai Nikke?!"
Rapi paused. "...I'm not sure. But I believe Instructor Ingrid said it occurred once, so yes? Although Red Hood believes it isn't a good idea."
Hana stood up and said, "Okay, I'm going to leave you guys to sort this out. It's getting a bit too much for me to handle..."
Nami nodded. "Y-Yes. Me too... A-And someone needs to greet Matis when they arrive."
"Ah!" Marian stood up. "As the captain of the Brave Squad, I'll come with you!"
"Huh?" Anis glanced over. "Since when are YOU the captain of our squad?"
Marian twirled and winked. "Since I'm the first thing Commander sees in the morning and the last thing at night~"
"Why you-!" Anis stood up, glaring at Marian.
I sighed. "Guys. Can we please focus?"
Anis paused. "...Right." She sighed and sat back down. "We have a situation here."
I looked at the iDoll girls and said, "You go on ahead. I'll brief you later in the group chat. And Marian, you go show our new friends from Matis around when they arrive too."
"Got it, Commander!" Marian saluted and then said, "Let's go team!" After that, she and the iDoll girls cleared out.
That just left me, Rapi, Anis, Neon, and Endless.
I paused and glanced at Endless. "...You aren't reporting all this to Enikk, are you, Endless? Not that I mind, but..."
"Hm?" Endless blinked. "...Would you tell your mother every little thing you do? Or your friend's secrets?"
"...Huh." I smiled. "Right. You wouldn't."
"Of course. Also." Endless smiled. "I am yours, Commander. Unless you order me, I will not do anything. But if you do order me..." Her cheeks blushed. "I-I will comply. Even if it is like last time where-"
"OKAY!" I clapped my hands together and then pointed at Rapi. "Rapi. Explain. What's that about me being the son of Liliweiss and Chief Andersen?"
"H-Huh? Ah, yes." Rapi focused and said, "Red Hood explained it to me. Commander... you are a dead ringer for Chief Andersen in his younger days. Moreover, the way you fight, even your habits are similar to Liliweiss's. Like when you brush your hands off after completing a task."
"...Huh?" I blinked. "I do that?"
I hadn't even noticed.
Anis frowned. "That doesn't make sense though. That'd have to be like... a hundred years ago. I mean, the fact that Chief Andersen is still alive is a bit weird... but there's stuff to make people live longer. But wasn't Liliweiss a Nikke?"
Rapi nodded. "She was. But she was also the first Nikke. It's possible that they kept her body instead of disposing it like they do now. In which case..."
Neon gasped. "CHIEF ANDERSEN DID IT WITH A BODY?!"
"No, you idiot!" Anis snapped at Neon. "Rapi's saying Commander is a test tube baby!"
"Oh... Wait, that's even cooler!"
Rapi rummaged in her bag and opened up a sketchbook. "Here, Commander. I've sketched the memory of Chief Andersen according to what Red Hood showed me as best as I could."
"...Whoa." I blinked and stared at the sketch.
Although it wasn't colored...
Rapi was right. I was a deadringer for Chief Andersen in his heyday. The only difference was that I didn't wear aviators or a cap like he did.
Anis and Neon leaned in to look. Endless shifted her gaze to look at the image too.
"Huh." Anis blinked. "...Commander's eyes are a bit harsher, but yeah, the face and hairstyle's a bit scarily accurate."
Neon nodded. "The nose and ears are the exact same! Creepy..."
Endless hummed. "95% facial similarities detected. 5% deviation in the eyes and smile."
"Smile?" I blinked.
Anis looked at the sketch again and said, "Ooh, that's right. Commander's got the 'I know more than you' look going on. But Chief Andersen has the 'I am soooo much cooler than you' vibe."
Neon adjusted her glasses. "Of course... Master IS a master of disguise."
Endless raised her hand.
I noticed and said, "You can just talk, you know, Endless."
"Understood. Then, Commander." Endless tilted her head. "...Does this not confirm what Anis has been saying? You truly are a 'sleeper agent' from Missilis. They are the only ones who would have the technology and hidden resources to create a child from the Legendary Commander and the first Goddess of Victory long after the latter's death."
Silence.
Then I covered my face. "...Somehow, I feel like this is the Vatican's fault."