Rapi's Rose

Orders are Orders

Rapi followed you as you stepped outside. Anis opted to stay inside your air-conditioned quarters as she waited for Neon to finish her shower. You admit to yourself that you chose to not share the fact that your living space is actually hospitable unlike your squad's, but it looks like you won't get your privacy after all.

"Commander, back to what I was saying earlier."

You turn your attention towards Rapi as she speaks. Her comment about your scent earlier makes you a bit embarrassed, and you hope it's not too bad. You couldn't even think about showering while Rapi's disembodied head was in your hands.

"I'd like to make something clear. We are weapons. Formidable and unkillable weapons meant for dispatching mankind's sworn enemy, the Raptures." Under your gaze she seems to fidget slightly, and she hesitates to speak.

"Speak your mind," you say. She has to follow your orders, so you feel guilty for forcing her to speak. But her having doubts won't do if and when you engage in another battle.

"Yes, Commander. I wanted to ask...what do you see us as?"

You think for a moment. They're, put simply, robots. Manufactured in a laboratory to fight the mechanic monstrosities known as the Raptures. But they're so much more than that. At least, to you, and it's a sentiment that not many of your classmates at the academy shared. Marian's end only solidified these feelings.

"I see you, all Nikke, as humans. You're not like me, I know. You're not as frail as me, not as quick to succumb to desires and panic as me. But you, Neon, Anis...all of you have the heart and soul of a human."

Rapi turns around and crosses her arms as you speak. She thinks for a moment and lets out a sigh of what sounds like relief. But her usual monotone voice and expression breaks through. "The sun's already gone down. I think it's time we all head to bed."

"I don't think so," you say, and she cranes her head towards you and raises an eyebrow.

"Commander?"

"Let Neon and Anis finish their showers. I want you to come with me." You have a special place in mind to show Rapi. A place you almost forgot about long ago.

With obvious trepidation, she walks next to you as you head West, near the tree line leading into a small forest. She looks at you out of the corner of her eye; you know she trusts you, but she always thinks about the orders she follows, and this was no different.

It takes only a few minutes of walking before you finally see it: a small bush, a cluster of white roses sprouting from its many branches. Fuzzy memories flood your mind, and you smile as you gently touch one. You turn to Rapi.

The beams of moonlight reflect off her amber eyes, revealing their secrets to you. She claims that all Nikke are just machines, things to be used in combat. Fixed when damaged and disposed of when broken. But you know better.

"I don't have much memory of my life before the Academy," you say as you wave her over. She approaches and you grab her wrist. She flinches ever so slightly, but relaxes as you guide her hand to the rose. "But I do remember this rosebush. As soon as we got to the Outpost, I smelled it. These gorgeous roses...they're the last things I see before I lose my memory."

Rapi listens intently. It's clear she's never taken the time to actually look at these sorts of things. You pick a rose off the bush and raise it between you to show her the thorn-covered stem.

"You'd agree that these thorns are dangerous, right?" you ask, and Rapi nods. "And the flower they're attached to is so beautiful. But they do so much more than make things bleed and look pretty." You look at Rapi in the eyes and you see a tinge of pink on her cheeks. "They provide, too."