Nikke: Nullable Type

"My, my." Viper rested her hand against the side of her face and said, "So you've finally come to decide our fates, have you, Honey?"

I sat across the window from her and gave her a once over.

Viper, a member of the Exotic squad. From her dossier, she was said to be a dangerous individual who used honeyed words and cunning to get what she wanted. Seduction was definitely on the table in her toolkit too.

And that had only been amplified after she was turned into a heretic. Black leather armor that hugged her form and left nothing to the imagination. A restraint collar over her neck that could be both a sign of submission or a sign of dominance for whoever commanded her. And then there was that black visor with crimson circuitry. The proof of being turned into a Heretic.

...Well, the crimson eyes under it would be more proof. But since she had been turned into a 'mass-produced Heretic' the visors were there to stay.

I looked at Viper and said, "That's right. I'm sure you realize it by now, but Exotic has reached a dead end. Crow has already been... processed."

Crow's exact fate was unclear. But considering that Burningum had directly taken charge to ensure that no shady business could occur and bring a direct risk to the Ark, I was sure that she was out of the picture.

...And considering how Burningum was absolutely amoral when it came to advancing the Ark's technology and safety, Crow was probably undergoing a terrible fate.

But it wasn't my problem anymore.

...She DID try to kill me after all. And literally cause a schism in the Ark by rousing anti-Nikke sentiments.

Honestly, Burningum was probably doing her a favor.

If I had my hands on Crow, considering the risks she embodied and the fact that we were diametrically opposed... plus the fact that she would absolutely try to kill or use my currently unborn children...

Well. The best fate would be me turning her into a renewable resource.

I blinked and realized that I had been staring at Viper without saying a word for a while.

And it seemed like she had taken that as a sign of what her fate could be, since Viper had turned pale. Paler than she already was as a converted Heretic.

"I... see." Viper was quiet. "'Processed.' Not killed, but processed..." She let out a bitter and tired laugh. "So that's it then." She looked at me and said, "We're just... parts for you now. Pieces to put together in new shapes for 'the betterment of mankind' are we?"

"No." I calmly said. "Crow is. But you and Jackal aren't."

Viper stilled. "...What do you mean?" Her lips trembled a bit. Hope, but also desperation.

I noticed and calmly said, "You should have realized it, right? You aren't in a holding cell. You are in the Rehabilitation Center."

Viper was quiet. Then she slowly said, "...You want to rehabilitate me. Us. Me and Jackal." Viper laughed and then leaned forward, resting her head on her hand. "...Are you insane, Commander? You know who we are. WHAT we are now. And you still... want us?"

"Well, you're still human."

Viper visibly flinched.

I waited.

Viper stared at me for a long while and said, "...You mean that, don't you? I thought it was just pretty words back then. But..." She leaned forward and placed her hand on the transparent metal window separating us. "...You're sincere. You don't see a difference between us. Even when I'm like this."

I nodded. "Your body may have changed. But you're still human at your core. You think. You choose. You feel."

Viper giggled and shook her head. "You're ridiculous." She sat back down and crossed her arms around her torso, a self-comforting gesture. "...A Commander who sees Nikkes as people. One who takes in even Heretics under his wings... You're dangerous, Honey." She smiled and said, "Very dangerous."

"Wasn't that obvious from the start?" I crossed my arms too, letting out a teasing smile. "I almost took out your leader in that first clash, right?"

Viper giggled again and said, "That's true." She reached out and then idly traced circles along the glass. "You've been dangerous from the start... But you also were never really hostile to me and Jackal, were you? Just Crow. And just because she tried to kill you first. Even when we fired at you, it was just self-defense from your part."

"Pretty much." I nodded. "...So. Did you want to come with me then?"

Viper was quiet. Then she placed her hand on the transparent metal and said, "I'm a dangerous woman, Honey. There's a reason I'm called Viper. If you're not careful, I might just bite you and leave you for dead. Even if you've been good to me."

I placed my hand over hers and smiled. "Well then. It's a good thing that I like danger."

Viper giggled. "You're crazy. You're ACTUALLY crazy. But fine." She smiled. "If you're that determined to keep me, I'll let you." She leaned back as said, "I've already heard from the others anyway. You even went out to keep Guilty and Sin, right? Since you have a habit of collecting dangerous women for your harem, Honey, I don't mind joining."

I laughed. "It's not a harem. That implies a hierarchy. It's more of a web than anything."

Viper's eyes weren't visible, but I had a sense that she gave me a fierce eye roll as she said, "Puh-lease. I know what type of women Guilty and Sin are. They're the sort who like to be owned, not treated as equals. They wouldn't know what to do with themselves." She smiled. "And we're similar, you know? Me and Jackal." She leaned forward and said, "Are you sure you can handle us, Honey?"

I leaned forward too and said, "Well. If you're offering yourself to me, I won't say no."

Viper burst out laughing and said, "Fine. You win." She let out a genuine smile. "...You seem fun. And you're serious about keeping me. So... I'll play along."

I smiled back at her and said, "Good. Then I'll have the staff here process your paperwork and bring you to the holding area. I still need to talk to Jackal too."

"Oh, that won't be a long conversation." Viper giggled. "Jackal's a very simple person. If you're strong and you treat her even a little nice, she'll wag her tail and roll over for you."

I slowly blinked and said, "You're making it sound like she's a literal dog."

"You'll see~"

I frowned and slowly nodded before heading to Jackal's cell.

And the moment I arrived...

"Commander, Commander! Have you come to pick up your doggy?"

...I realized that Viper was 100% correct.

Jackal was pressed up against the transparent metal window, a wide and fanged grin on her face.

Like Viper, she was wearing black leather armor, as well as a visor with crimson circuitry. But it was a little different. Instead of a full black leather suit, she had on a black crop-top and what kind of looked like mechanical pauldrons and gauntlets.

...She was also visibly wagging her hips, as if pretending to shake an invisible tail.

I slowly blinked and said, "...Jackal?"

"Yes!" Jackal grinned. "That's me! So, are you? Are you going to pick me up and keep me? Because since Crow's dead, I don't have an owner, you know? I'm just like a puppy at the pound. I've been waiting! Also, I'm super hungry! Do you have any snacks?"

I laughed, completely caught off-guard by her enthusiasm, but also charmed. "I do, actually." I reached into my pocket and pulled out a few chocolate bars that I'd been forcefully given by Indi after she got disgusted with pigging out on her treats. "Here." I slid them through the small slot between us in the transparent metal window.

"Yay!" Jackal took the chocolate bars and ripped the package off with her teeth before scarfing them down. "Best owner! Amazing!"

I smiled at her and said, "So I take it you want to come out with me?"

"Hm?" Jackal stopped mid-chomp of the chocolate bar and nodded. "Duh! I mean..." She hesitated, her bright enthusiasm fading for a bit. "...If I don't, I'll just be put to sleep, right? For good. I don't want that. Besides!" She smiled at me. "Commander's a nice guy! Even when I shot at you back then, you didn't try to kill me! Well, not seriously anyway!"

"True, true." I chuckled. "Though you also weren't seriously trying to kill me."

"I was surprised!" Jackal smiled, finishing her chocolate bar. "The inhibitors didn't activate! I listened to Crow, but I missed on purpose, you know?"

I smiled. "Well, thank you for that. So." I stood up. "You coming with, Jackal?"

"Obviously! I'll be the best doggy ever!"

I coughed. "Um. You don't have to call yourself that-"

"Why not? Crow said I was like a dog, and being a dog means I get headpats, cuddles, and food, right? And I get to run wild when you tell me to! It's the best!"

I could sense all sorts of troubles on the horizon just from those few sentences...

But I decided it was worth the trouble. So I nodded and said, "Alright then. I'll have the staff get you ready too. Behave, alright, Jackal?"

Jackal nodded. "Promise! I'll be the best doggy ever!"

"...Sure." I gave a hesitant nod and said, "I'll meet you in the holding area then."

After that, I walked out and headed back to the main lobby.

There, Acedia and Avaritia rejoined me... along with Quency?

I blinked and looked at the escape artist Nikke before saying, "Is it fine for you to be out here, Quency?"

Quency shrugged and said, "The staff gave up on restraining me. As long as I promise to head back here by noon, I can do whatever! Unless you plan to bring me out with you too, Instructor?"

I laughed and said, "If I officially bring you out here, you're going to go out of your way to just break back in, so I'll pass on that."

Quency giggled. "You know me too well, Instructor! But anyway!" She pointed at Acedia and Avaritia. "Are these the new Nikkes from Abnormal? They're super cool! Though..." She tilted her head, looking at Avaritia. "...Isn't this Liveryn? Fragile will be sad to see her like this, you know?"

I blinked. "Who's Fragile?"

Avaritia tilted her head. "Fragile... the name sounds familiar. But I'm not sure why?"

Quency nibbled on a chocolate bar that she definitely pickpocketed from me while I wasn't looking.

Damn. Still need to figure out how she does that...

But anyway, Quency nodded and said, "Fragile is part of the Pathfinder squad. It's a bit of a sad story, really. They were couriers originally, but since helper bots became widespread and the Ark stopped expanding, Pathfinder became obsolete. They've been really struggling recently." She looked at Avaritia, a sad smile on her face. "Does Fragile know you're like this now? ...No, I guess she wouldn't, right?"

Avaritia just tilted her head, her usual bright smile on her face.

Quency shook her head and looked at me. "But anyway, Instructor. If you're taking Nikkes out with you, do you think you could take Fragile too? If you're working on the Surface, she could help, you know? Also, it'll be good for her to know what happened to her squadmate."

I rubbed my chin. "Couriers... Well, we definitely have a use for those on the surface."

With the plans for more infrastructure and supply lines, having someone with experience in that would help a lot.

"...Alright. I'll go look around and request her transfer too."

Quency winked. "Sounds like a plan! Now, I'm going to meet up with Phantom for a heist. See you later!" After that, she vanished in a puff of smoke.

"...Still need to figure out how she does that." I sighed and said, "Well. Let's go pick up our new friends then and head off."