Chapter 113: Something Inevitable to Feel

"...Commander Nadir? What are you doing?" Cecilia shows up at a terrible moment, which makes me turn off one of the computer screens and hide a piece of paper over the others while the remaining screens switch to Aurora’s data instead of the content I was originally viewing.

’I was kind of busy... it’s a bad time for her to show up... but I’m doing off-the-record investigation, and Cecilia would be obligated to report it... I can’t just send her away.’

"Cecilia, what are you doing here?! Weren’t you supposed to finish dealing with the supply problems that were delayed?" I thought it would take her longer. I know Cecilia is a decent person, but I also know she would report anything suspicious because of everything that happened recently. The rules have gotten a lot stricter, and she can’t afford to take risks as a soldier, regardless of her personal feelings.

After all, she has no way of guaranteeing I’m not an infiltrator. And since Nemesis had infiltrated—even though the government won’t officially say it was Nemesis who infiltrated, or where she infiltrated—the rules got so harsh that everyone knows someone dangerous got into an important location.

"I already finished dealing with that problem. It wasn’t as big as it seemed—just a small error that happened when the floater clipped the edge of an antenna in the ruins... what are you doing?" She glances at the disabled camera.

"Just handling boring paperwork, and some personal study. But it’s a little weird being recorded while I study." I’m organizing everything Zenith and I got from the hooded woman so we can create a plan of our own in case something happens.

"So... should I leave? I don’t want to get in the way of your studying. Besides, Zenith is currently way overstepping her limits, don’t you think? The higher-ups sent you some warnings through the Nexus. Zenith is basically a civilian right now, and her access to military knowledge was already hard to ignore when she was doing remote access using your data clearance."

"But now, on top of her using your data access, she’s also here, getting involved in matters a civilian shouldn’t be involved in. The only reason she hasn’t been kicked out yet is because of who she used to be." Cecilia gives me a warning in a serious tone.

"...Don’t worry so much about that, Cecilia. Zenith is leaving tomorrow..." Zenith herself doesn’t want to stay here much longer. Besides, most of the things of scientific value have already been completely looted by Aurora Island at this point, so we’ll also be leaving here in seven days at most.

After all, they’re already reactivating the island, and it’s started moving again, even though it’s still very slow and has to build up momentum to maintain its normal movement pace.

"...You... really don’t see a problem with this?" She seems worried about me, but honestly, I don’t mind having problems if it helps Zenith. All I feel about it is a certain concern that she’ll do something reckless even outside the military, which seems to be exactly what’s happening.

"No, but thanks for the concern, Cecilia. I’ll look at the complaints I received later. Anyway, they’re just complaints—they can’t do much. They can only write their dissatisfaction on paper or a screen, which I’ll ignore after a few minutes."

"Especially in the current bad situation, they can’t restrict my access because they need me to maintain my current performance. They can’t suspend me because they need everyone working. And they can’t add any other limits right now because we’re dealing with a difficult situation." I say to her while looking at some papers on the desk.

’Damn...’ I quickly cover the paper that ended up exposing a corner, but I don’t think Cecilia saw it.

"Commander Nadir, it’s true they can’t limit you, but they can try to bring Commander Zenith back if you keep breaking rules. After all, her being up on the island working as a teacher depends on your current performance as a solo commander, and complaints are factored into performance evaluations." When she says that, I get a little nervous for a moment.

’She’s right... that could be a problem... but... right now, it shouldn’t be an issue.’ Cecilia doesn’t know Zenith like I do. I can’t just restrict her access, because if I do, she’ll find illegal means to get what she wants.

I hate that fact, but I know Zenith is the type of person who considers most restrictive laws to be optional. She’s very fair and follows rules strictly, but only the ones she considers truly useful.

Laws and rules that restrict something she knows isn’t a problem are the kind she ignores. And honestly, I don’t want to wake up one day to the news that she got arrested for messing with things she shouldn’t have.

"For now, Cecilia, I’m going to bet on the future. I’ll leave things as they are. If the higher-ups ever actually mention Zenith, then I’ll revoke her access and stop letting her use my name."

"But as long as no complaint specifically mentions her, I’ll leave it as is. It’s better for everyone that way." Cecilia seems genuinely a little offended that I’m just letting everything stay as it is.

"Haaa... Commander, you’re way too permissive with her. I don’t want to complain about Zenith because I know she’s a good person, but that doesn’t change the fact that she does a lot of things wrong. I know you’re aware that just the fact she came here would land her in jail if she weren’t who she is and you weren’t the commander." Cecilia is right.

A lot of the things Zenith does seem "okay," but they violate several rules—rules she only breaks because she knows nothing will happen to her even if something should.

’Ever since Zenith became a commander and got a certain immunity to problems, she’s been overstepping certain problematic limits... and even now, she still does it even though I removed her from her post.’

"Nadir, Zenith is someone who takes too much advantage of privileges in an abusive way. She literally abuses the authority and power she has, and worse, she also does it with the authority you have, and you’re the one left dealing with the consequences of that abuse of power."

"..." I stay silent, because Cecilia is right. But I think in the end, I’ll always cover for Zenith because I love her, and because in the past, she was always the one protecting me and taking care of me.

’Even if I get one problem or another, it would be extremely selfish of me to ignore the many problems I caused Zenith throughout our entire lives. Helping her with this is the least I can do.’

Honestly, without Zenith, I would have died on the streets in the first few days. That kind of thing brings back a lot of memories from when we first became self-aware. Of course, because of Nemesis, I now know that the moment we first "woke up" was the moment that so-called Space Worm split in two.

But none of that changes the fact that Zenith always did everything to keep us alive. She adapted quickly to the streets while it took me almost two years to adjust to street life. She got clothes for us, got food for us, and fought street kids to secure our space and protect me.

In the beginning, she always came back hurt, but she never minded breaking rules and even getting beaten by adults for stealing food if it meant helping me. So I think it became something passively acceptable between us.

’Yeah... it’s kind of funny, but I can’t see Zenith as anything other than a rebellious, rule-breaking girl...’ I end up smiling as I think about our childhood.

I always saw Zenith break rules and laws to help us, so now I can’t bring myself to question it when she does exactly what she learned to do as a kid. Of course, I don’t think it’s right—it’s just something unchangeable in my eyes. But that’s not the kind of thing Cecilia would understand.

"Cecilia, I appreciate the concern, but I know Zenith would never do anything that could harm me. She knows when she’s going too far. She’s smart—kind of irresponsible about certain things, but she knows when it’s time to stop."

"...Haaa... fine, if that’s what you think, Commander Nadir. But please talk to her so she’ll be more careful." She just sighs in disappointment while pulling some papers from her clothing.

"These are the reports on Zenith’s new prosthetics that you asked for, since you wanted to know everything..." She hands me something I’ve been waiting for for a long time. The fact that Zenith’s prosthetics are now that "Cube" and that it can come out of her has left me really anxious that something bad might happen.

"Thank you, Cecilia, you’re the best!" I praise her, which makes her give an ironic smile and a slightly annoyed eye roll.

"Yes, yes, I’m the best, but you should ease up a little on your requests! You only acknowledge that I’m the best when you’re satisfied. You should compliment me a little more. How mean you are, Commander." She starts to leave while speaking in that joking tone.

"Sorry for being mean to you! I’ll make it up to you another day."

"Then take me out to dinner!... D-Dinner between colleagues, of course, and it’s on you to make up for all the extra work." She stumbles a little over her request when she tries to be bold.

"Hahaha, sure, I’ll take you out for a colleagues’ dinner to thank you for your hard work. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for everything."