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The recycling facility at the Outpost... which really was just Commander Hoopa's private research lab at this point.
There, Marian had gone to get a private check-up by Sophia to figure out what was wrong with her since she kept getting abdominal pains and stomach cramps.
The nearby terminal flickered as Sophia's avatar appeared. Violet eyes, long white hair that looked like a washed out blonde. A black body suit with golden highlights...
Was it to match being a human a bit?
Sophia's avatar walked around in a simulated office within the terminal, flipping through a clipboard. "...Mari."
"Yes, Sophia?" Marian adjusted her cap over her silver hair, looking concerned. "...Is there a problem?"
"Yes and no. First of all... Did you know that you aren't really a Nikke?"
Marian blinked. "What? B-But... I-I am a Nikke. Right?" She paused to think about it. And the fact that she didn't have any clear memories before meeting her commander...
Sophia materialized a chair in her simulated space and sat down. "Well, you have the functionalities of a Nikke... but you also have more."
Marian blinked. "...More?"
Sophia nodded. "I don't know how or why, but your body is a bit malleable. There's something in your DNA that was originally designed to completely overhaul your body. And since you technically got corrupted, but Creator overwrote your corruption with his own sort of pseudocorruption... it resulted in this strange situation."
Marian frowned, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. "...Strange how? Am I... going to turn into a Heretic?"
Sophia flipped through her pages some more and said, "That is what should have happened. The moment your Nikke core ceased operation, your DNA would have rewritten your body into a Heretic, healing it while binding you to the Rapture Queen. But you met Creator."
Marian paused. Then she let out a soft smile, placing her hands over her heart. "...So Commander saved me."
Sophia nodded. "Indeed. But it appears that the Heretic conversion was already in progress by the time you met Creator, if my timeline calculations are correct."
Marian froze. "...You mean I was modified before being sent on the mission with Commander? ...And sent to die?"
"Probably. The Silver Gun squad was wiped out or reprocessed after that mission. You are the only member left from it. But strangely, while it is listed as an Elysion Squad, there are no records of it in Elysion databases. But there ARE records of it in M.M.R. databases."
The implications were clear.
Marian frowned and said, "...So everything about me is a lie. I'm not from Elysion. I'm not even a real Nikke... Is Marian even my name?"
Sophia let out a reassuring smile and said, "Does it matter? Creator says it often, doesn't he? You are the will that chooses. And you have chosen to be his Marian, have you not?"
Marian paused. Then she slowly relaxed. "...That's true." She smiled. "It doesn't change anything."
"Yes."
Marian giggled. But then she stopped and looked at Sophia. "...Then what's wrong with me? Is this just an adaptation? You said the conversion to a Heretic was in progress... is this pain just my body going back to normal?"
"That's the interesting thing." Sophia hummed. "...Marian. When you think about belonging to the Commander, what do you envision?"
Marian blushed and lowered her gaze. "Th-That... Well." She absently brushed her belly and said, "...I know it's impossible. But I think about it. A small family with Commander. A little boy or girl running around with everyone else in the Brave Squad with all their aunties..." She let out a sad smile. "But that's just a fantasy-"
She stopped.
All of a sudden, the symptoms of everything that she'd been feeling recently came to mind.
Nausea.
Abdominal pains.
How sour and acidic foods tasted amazing recently, along with sweets.
And the timing...
If she counted from the 'first time...'
"...Three months. A bit more. And even if it wasn't from our first night... B-B-But...!" Marian quickly hugged her belly, feeling excitement, anxiety, and happiness all at once. "How?! No, a-are you sure?"
Sophia nodded. "You aren't showing much yet. But I am absolutely certain. As to how... Well. Nikke body frames possess genetic material. And while the reproductive systems are not meant to be functional and are only modeled to prevent mental dissonance... due to your wishes as well as your body's malleability..." She looked amused and said, "Congratulations. Like the Virgin Mary, it appears that you are going to be birthing an impossible child."
Marian giggled. Then she giggled again. And those giggles turned into a full laugh as she hugged her belly. "A baby. A real baby. My baby. No, OUR baby. Mine and Commander's...!"
"Indeed." Sophia paused. Then she let out a mischievous smile. "How do you want to break the news to him?"
Marian let out a bright smile. "I think I'll wait until everyone's back. I want to see Anis's reaction~"
"...You are evil. But I agree." Sophia chuckled. "It should be fun."
Marian kept smiling. But then she stopped, looking concerned. "Wh-What should I do though? Oh gosh, is there anything I have to be careful about? Things I should do? Things I shouldn't do?"
Sophia nodded. "Of course. Let's discuss prenatal care. Although the circumstances are a bit unique, they should roughly align to normal pregnancies. So, we will start from the top."
===
Rapi leaned against the wall next to the entrance of the recycling facility, waiting for Marian to finish her check up. As she did, she pulled out her phone, checking her messages.
===
[Anis]
> Rapiiiii!
> I miss Commander, so I'm coming up!
> You haven't kept anything from me, have you?
> Commander doesn't have any more women in his life, does he?
===
Rapi stopped to consider that statement.
Then she thought about how their commander had definitely converted more than a handful of Heretics into Nikkes, like Liberalio, Nihilister, and recently, Invidilia (who was on time out in a five year old child body frame).
Then she thought about how various Nikke squads had become to use the Outpost and its facilities as a vacation from the Ark... which meant they came into contact with the commander.
Then there were Ark Rangers Black, Blue, and Red, all of whom clearly adored Commander due to his antics as 'Ark Ranger White.'
Then she thought about the recent influx of human civilians, mostly young, but a few around the commander's age. Including E.H., who didn't *quite* have a crush on Commander, but definitely had enough gratitude to turn into affection.
And finally, there was the fact that Shifty still wasn't sure if she was madly in love with Commander or viscerally terrified of him...
Rapi hummed and then decided to mess with Anis a bit.
===
[To: Anis]
> It would be best if you come up soon.
===
The moment Rapi texted that...
===
[Anis]
> RAPI!
> Rapi.
> What do you mean come up soon!?
> What happened?
> DON'T TELL ME THERE ARE ACTUALLY MORE WOMEN?!
> Oh my GOD.
> Answer me!
> HEY!
===
Rapi chuckled and set her phone to silent. "I'll let her stew for a bit."
It was payback for all the times Anis had teased Rapi in the past.
...And for stealing Rapi's limited edition white chocolate peppermint bark last Christmas.
After Rapi put her phone away, Marian walked out of the recycling center.
"Oh, Rapi." Marian let out a smug smile. "Thanks for waiting for me."
Rapi paused. "...What's with that look?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing~" Marian giggled. "It just turned out that I'm veeery healthy, you see."
"...You have the look of someone who won the lottery." Rapi paused. Then her eyes widened. "...No."
Marian giggled.
Rapi glanced at Marian's abdomen... and the veeery slight curve there. One that could have been attributed to gaining weight. But, if not that...
Marian winked and placed a finger over her mouth. "Shh... If anyone asks, that beer was veeery bad for me. Even though I didn't drink any."
"...Oh, this will be fun." Rapi chuckled. "You do realize this means war- Wait." Rapi paused. "...Mari."
"Hm?" Marian tilted her head. "...I don't like that tone of voice. It seems ominous."
"...This might be a bit much to ask. But... when you're with Commander at night. Does he... you know? With Endless as well?"
"Hm? Well, not usually. But a few times, we've-" Marian stopped, her eyes widening. "...Where is Endless?"
"...That's why I'm asking. She's been avoiding us for a while and just flying around for patrols."
Marian quickly pulled out her phone and called Endless.
One ring.
Two.
On the third, Endless picked up. "Yes, Mari? Is-"
"ARE YOU PREGNANT TOO?!"
Rapi facepalmed.
Marian realized what she said and turned a bright red, looking at the various mass-produced Nikkes nearby who had DEFINITELY heard her.
But then Endless responded. "No. While I have stored some fertilized samples away, I determined that it would be inconvenient for Commander if I were to be with child while we are in such a chaotic time period. Not to mention that it would interfere with my combat capabilities."
"Oh- Wait!" Marian's eyes widened. "Fertilized samples?!"
Rapi slowly blinked. Then she sighed. "...Of course. Endless *did* mention she was designed to be 'fully functional...'"
Endless's calm voice echoed over the phone line. "Indeed. Currently, there are three. Surprisingly, conception is quite difficult with Commander, despite the frequent injection of-"
Marian blushed and immediately ended the call.
Rapi gave Marian a blank stare.
"Wh-What?"
Rapi slowly blinked and said, "...Anis is going to strangle you, cry, and then beg to be pampered by Commander for months after all this, you know?"
Marian sighed.