The meaning of Victory. (Male reader x NIKKE: Goddess of Victory.)

Chapter 2. Firepower

Y/N'S P.O.V

We finally returned to the Ark. Andersen wished to have an appointment with us and asked my Nikkes to come armed too. The transport left us in the elevators so we used them to go down to the city. It was crowded, very crowded. I can see Rapi's nervousness clear in her eyes. Walking around the streets, Anis had a lot of questions and doubts in her head.

Anis:"Shifty. Marian, what is going on?"

Shifty:"That corruption code implanted into Marian's brain must be acting as a navigator! It guides Nikkes to the Blacksmith's location. That way, they're having their 'food' delivered straight to their doorstep."

Anis:"But she was acting fine before she went completely haywire."

Shifty:"That's probably because of the Commander."

Y/N:"Explain."

Shifty:"A Nikke's highest priority is protecting their Commander and obey any orders given. I'm willing to bet the problem started when she met the Commander."

Y/N:"You mean she was corrupted while inside the Ark?"

Shifty:"Just a theory."

We finally reached Elysion's HQ which made Rapi calmer. The three of us walked inside the elevator and pressed the button that takes us to Andersen's office. Rapi leaned on the wall and looked at the ground.

Rapi:"...when did it start?"

Shifty:"What?"

Rapi:"When was she first corrupted."

Shifty:"Well, if it's not due to Y/N... at some point during the operation I suppose."

Rapi:"You said she was the one that sabotaged the explosives inside the transport ship right? She must've been corrupted at that point."

Y/N:"Shifty also said she left her communication channel open. Raptures need some time to corrupt you that way. Unless you mean..."

Once again I look at Rapi, understanding what's she's trying to get to.

Rapi:"The transport ship came from the Ark."

Shifty:"Were the Aegis Barriers broken?!"

Rapi:"No, the Aegis Barriers are strong. They'd pick up any corruption in an instant."

Y/N:"What if they came from within?"

Anis:"What? What do you mean Commander?"

Y/N:"That perhaps the Raptures didn't had to get through our barriers. Instead, something corrupted Marian while physically present in the Ark."

Anis:"Raptures here, with us? That's impossible... right?"

Y/N:"The Lost Sectors exist. Still, it's just a conjecture. We shouldn't jump into conclusions."

The elevator open and we walked towards Andersen's office. The floor we're in is completely different than the Commander's room. Is much more luxurious and has many more quality of life changes than ours lacks. Just like mines, Andersen's office is right at the end of the hallway. As soon as we entered, Andersen looked at us and smiled. Seeing him smile was... weird.

Andersen:"Ah! So nice to meet you all. Y/N may know who I am already but I'll present to the rest nonetheless. I'm Andersen, Deputy Chief of the Central Government Command. We can dispense with the formalities, address me however you like."

Y/N:"Mr. Andersen we-"

Andersen:"Hmm... like nails on a chalkboard. Andersen will do just fine. I call you in because I want to conduct a little test. Nothing too difficult. You can relax."