On the Eve of Return
The expedition to Zhenlong City was only half a success.
In truth, we hadn't even made it to Zhenlong City.
There were far more zombies than we'd anticipated. Getting anywhere near the city was out of the question.
But fortunately, we'd scored some solid loot from an abandoned military base on the city's outskirts.
A few broken-down military vehicles and crates of ammo that were still sealed tight.
"These are still hanging around, huh?"
"Zombies can't use them, after all."
"We should take all the vehicles too, right?"
Arva nodded at my question.
"Yes. If we bring them back to the Ark and hand them over to Karen, she can fix them up or repurpose the parts."
"Hmm... The problem is how to haul them back..."
It didn't take long to figure out.
"I'll drag them, Commander."
Helena had found a massive iron chain in the military depot's warehouse and linked the vehicles together with practiced ease.
"Alright, let's get going."
She slung the chain over her shoulders and crouched down like she was adjusting her pack.
With a short grunt of effort, she took a step forward, and the heavy vehicles scraped across the ground with a deafening metallic screech as they were dragged along.
"......"
Watching Helena effortlessly tow what had to be several tons of scrapped hulks made it hit home once again that an ECHO wasn't your average human—she was an android.
Anyway, we got lucky.
If we'd run into any machine monsters, we would've become scrap metal ages ago.
But there were no machine civilizations or powerful anomalies in the area, so we couldn't have asked for better luck.
There was that Carapace Lord up north, but compared to other named bosses, it was nothing special.
Come to think of it, Ark 69's location... isn't it pretty damn good?
The nearest named boss, the Crawler Queen, had made its nest in an Ark several thousand kilometers away.
In terms of distance, it was roughly 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers.
In other words, if we dealt with the Carapace Lord, we could expand our range all the way to Zhenlong City and the other ruined metropolises, accelerating the Ark's development.
"In the end, the Carapace Lord is the real issue."
It wouldn't be easy, but once we took care of that damn zombie horde, we'd finally be able to stretch out and sleep soundly.
On the way back to the Ark, I pulled up the Money Compass and stared at Pomen's signature weapon, which I'd favorited in the shop list.
Queen's Calamity.
Just looking at that ominous name and sky-high price tag brought a smile to my face.
For the record, I'd favorited all the signature weapons for the Ark's other ECHOs too—just in case I forgot.
Once we got back, with Karen's completed AP-5 armor-piercing incendiary rounds, we'd have all the key firepower lined up to take on the Carapace Lord.
This marked the start of the real war.
"We'll camp here tonight and head out at first light tomorrow. Everyone, stay sharp—no slacking on watch."
"Understood, Commander."
As dusk fell, we found a relatively safe ruined building and set up a temporary shelter.
"...Urp."
To satisfy my hunger, I forced down the godawful nutrient paste.
We'd polished off the emergency rations we brought from the Ark ages ago.
Going from sweet potatoes, potato chips, and Madeline's fresh-baked bread back to this sludge was pure torture.
"Man... Who the hell thought this crap up? I'd love to see the developer's face."
Knowing its history, I had to wonder if it was even made for humans or just as ECHO rations.
I shoved the nutrient paste down and headed for my sleeping bag.
I left the night watch to Arva and Helena.
Part of me wanted to join them, but once the thought of actual rest hit me, I didn't feel like moving.
Besides, I couldn't ignore the fatigue from days of nonstop fighting.
A commander who stays out of sight is best for morale, right?
With that lame excuse for self-justification, I slowly closed my eyes.
"Nngh..."
As the tension melted from my stiff muscles, I plunged into deep sleep in an instant.
How long had I been out?
I snapped my eyes open at the chill night air and a faint presence nearby.
Someone was lying right next to me, staring straight at my face.
"Silva?"
It was Silva, the Cerberus Squad sniper.
Instead of answering my call, she gave a short nod.
Then she sidled closer, slipping silently into my sleeping bag like a haughty cat.
"Ugh—"
Her cold skin against my bare flesh chased away any lingering drowsiness.
"Ah!"
Startled by my reaction, she started to scoot back.
I reflexively grabbed her slender wrist.
"Come here."
At my low command, she crept back into my arms like a tamed puppy.
"What brings you to me in the middle of the night?"
As I pillowed her head on my arm, I naturally slipped my hand into her chest.
I flicked her perky nipple with my finger and asked.
She buried her face in my chest and whispered in the tiniest voice.
"...I missed you, Commander."
"You missed me?"
"......"
She nodded instead of answering and burrowed deeper into my embrace.
Her expression was blank, but I could feel the affection in it.
That adorable reaction drew a fatherly smile from me unbidden.
Any Silva fans would hurl stones, swords, and spears at me in envy at this scene.
As I kneaded her breast, I suddenly took her hand and guided it slowly down to my crotch.
Her shoulders trembled faintly as her palm met my hardened length.
"......"
"Touch it."
She nodded and began tentatively fondling me.
Her movements were careful, like handling a priceless treasure—or something fragile that might shatter.
Maybe that's why.
The teasing itch of it made me furrow my brow, and she stopped, tilting her head quizzically at me.
"...It's hard. I feel like I might hurt it."
"Pfft."
Her genuine concern made me burst out laughing despite myself.
She was ice-cold and precise on the battlefield, but hopeless at anything sexual.
"Then use your mouth?"
"...Yes, sir."
She nodded eagerly, as if she'd been waiting for it.
She slid down into the sleeping bag, kneeling in the darkness and taking me into her mouth.
Unlike her hands, her mouth was surprisingly eager.
Not on the level of Pomen or the Hachishakusama—Podic, of course. But her earnest effort to please me was endearing.
Meanwhile, I reached out to grope her breasts.
"Hngh...!"
Her soft nipples hardened under my touch, so I pinched and twisted a bit harder, drawing heavier breaths from her nose.
"Silva, turn your hips this way. And take it deeper."
She angled her ass toward me and repeatedly swallowed me down to the hilt.
Her tongue work was clumsy, but the way my glans bumped her throat was intensely stimulating.
While savoring her earnest deepthroating, I caressed her ass with my free hand.
Squeezing her cheeks hard, then spreading them wide.
Rubbing my palm over the spot that was starting to get wet.
Teasing the slightly protruding nub with my thumb.
"Nngh, ah... ngh!"
A faint moan escaped her mouth each time.
After toying with her like that for a good while, until she was plenty ready, I laid her down and thrust inside.
"Haaah...!"
As I kissed her, she desperately offered her tongue for me to use as I pleased.
I tangled our tongues sloppily for a long time while rocking my hips, then looked down at her as she clung to my neck.
"This is what you wanted, right?"
"......"
"If you don't answer, I'm pulling out right now."
"Yes... I wanted your cock inside me, Commander."
With those words, she hugged me tight.
The memory of being held by a human—for the first time, and that too by her dearest Commander—had been too much to resist.
She'd risked it all, knowing she might be scrapped for threatening his safety.
But thankfully, instead of anger, he'd embraced her.
"Ah..."
"Feels good?"
"...Yes."
It felt too good.
Forget the pleasure flooding her mind—this simple communion with a human was pure bliss.
And besides...
"Huff... ha...!"
Seeing her Commander sweating as he ravished her made her heart—her core—fill with a warm glow.
"Ah... aaah...! Yes, ah!"
Even using her body to make him happy sent electric thrills through her head.
Like that, Silva let out soft, whimpering moans as she welcomed her Commander's shaft.
Deeper, harder. She wanted him to be happy using her.
As she savored the sensation for a long stretch, she felt his movements grow more intense.
She wrapped her legs around his ass and squeezed, locking him in place.
Then came the rush of thick white fluid filling her womb up to the brim.
"A... Aaaah...!"
The intensity drew a deep moan from her unbidden.
She tenderly sucked on his lips and probing tongue.
After that fierce sex, Silva caught her breath and gathered her combat suit, slipping it back on.
"Leaving already?"
"I have watch duty, sir."
"...Ah."
Sex then straight to work...
Even ECHOs had it rough.
And thirty minutes after Silva left, another ECHO came to find me. This time, it was Helena.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As the Ark gate opened, Karen, Madeline, and the other ECHOs who'd stayed behind welcomed us back.
"Commander! You're safe!"
"Welcome back, Commander!"
Like a victory parade, I waved lightly in response to their cheers.
Then I headed straight for the briefing room.
No time for rest, unfortunately.
We had to prepare for the decisive battle with the Carapace Lord.
"First, give me the status on the AP-5 ammunition production."
"More than expected, Commander. We have enough from the secured gunpowder for the initial operation."
"Good work, Karen."
I gave her a thumbs-up.
She was praise-hungry like a desert wanderer was thirsty for water, so I had to keep managing her affection this way.
"What about the vehicles we brought back? Any use?"
She'd already inspected the military trucks Helena had hauled in and shook her head.
"Repair's possible... but no fuel."
"Can't we swap in electric engines?"
"We could, but no engines available, Commander. Building from scratch would take... a lot of time."
"How long?"
"...At least a month?"
"That's a problem."
We couldn't give the Carapace Lord that much time.
Vehicles were off the table for this operation.
Plus, factoring in the ECHOs' heavy gear meant we'd need major load-capacity mods anyway.
"Alright. The main operation launches in three days. Stick to the original plan but adapt on-site. And Madeline?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Stockpile as much combat rations as you can. This operation might drag on for a long time."
"Got it. Should I prep to join in too?"
"Hmm..."
I pondered briefly, then nodded.
Even as a support-type ECHO, her core role meant she could shine in combat.
At any other time, I might have declined, but this time, every single hand was precious.
Leaving just Karen and the mass-produced ECHOs at the Ark should suffice.
Worst case, I would just have to station the Moi and Rai sisters too.
"Karen, handle the AP-5 ammo prep."
"Yes, sir!"
After the briefing, I kept Pomen back in the commander's quarters.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Purchase Queen's Calamity? 100,000C will be consumed.
I opened the Money Compass, selected Queen's Calamity, and hit purchase without hesitation.
⚙ PURCHASE CONFIRMED ⚙
Moments later, a massive case materialized in the commander's office and thudded heavily to the floor.
"...What's this, Commander?"
"A gift from me. For all your hard work on the Ark."
"......Huh?"
"Open it."
Pomen tilted her head and cracked open the case.
Her eyes went wide at the fearsome yet beautiful minigun inside.
"Y-You're really giving this to me?"
"Of course."
"Kyaaah—! Commander!!!"
She squealed like a kid, caressing the minigun—then flashed a mischievous grin and sauntered over.
"Commander! Thank you so much. It's perfect. So... I'll give you a gift too. Come to my room tonight. Got it?"
She whispered hotly in my ear, then cradled her Queen's Calamity and left the quarters.
"A gift, huh..."
I knew exactly what she meant.
Herself—or more likely, a threesome with Noah thrown in. There was over a 90% chance of this event occurring.
Just thinking about their hot service made my cock twitch.