081. Obedience (2)
081. Obedience (2)
Five years ago. We would reenact the incident Alicia caused back then.
At this point, external factors such as gravity and climate could be ignored.
This was because Alicia's shooting itself was conducted in a straight line by 'Absolute Ballistics,' which ignored external factors.
What we had to reenact was solely Alicia's condition at the time of the incident.
For that reenactment, two sets of data were naturally required.
One was the detailed spec data of Alicia at the time of the incident.
The other was the detailed spec data of the current Alicia.
By comparing the two, they would restore the latter to the former.
In that sense, we already had her stat data from the time of the incident.
The precision analysis result that Rinne had stolen last time. It seemed that was the measurement result from the time it was submitted to the investigation committee.
On the other hand, what they still didn't have, ironically, was Alicia's current spec data.
Because Alicia, for quite a long time now, had been refusing precision analysis.
I found it slightly puzzling.
Alicia had consistently refused combat missions from before, but she generally went along with other missions.
Was the reason she refused precision analysis despite that simply because she didn't want to be found out as an S-rank Sniper?
It didn't seem to be that.
Because even now, when not only her status as an S-rank Sniper but also the past incident had been completely exposed, Alicia looked reluctant to head to the precision analysis room.
Even so, after much reluctance, she finally agreed and sat down on the analyzer chamber.
After that, all that remained was to connect the catheter for data extraction to the area where her receptor was located.
"Let's see. The connection area for your model, Margitte, is—"
I paused my reading of the body manual.
Because of what was written on the very first page.
[Receptor Installation Sites: Both Armpits]
[Note: As the receptors are deeply embedded, when connecting external devices, both arms must be raised to keep the armpits as exposed as possible. It is recommended that a partner assist with the connection.]
"......Hmm."
So that was why.
"Should I ask Sumire to do it?"
"...It is fine. Things like this will probably happen often from now on, so I would rather get used to them early."
Was it really something to call a humiliation?
Well, I suppose there's no greater humiliation than exposing both armpits to a man you don't even like.
Either way, it was a good attitude to have. As she said, if we kept working on the reenactment together, we'd end up tangled up in all sorts of situations. She couldn't afford to get embarrassed every single time.
Adding one more thing to that, it was also good attire.
Alicia hadn't changed her clothes yet.
Meaning, the sports tank top she wore while running yesterday.
In short, it was truly ideal attire for exposing the armpits.
"Now, raise your arms. Don't forget you can't lower them midway."
"......You just do your part well."
Alicia grumbled, but slowly raised her arms.
Before long, Alicia's armpits were revealed.
Despite the harsh connotation the word 'armpit' carried, they were a lovely sight.
Furthermore, the taut, prominent chest line pulled by her pectoral muscles was a bonus—
"Done sightseeing?"
Ah, my apologies.
I pulled myself together and connected the catheter.
But, how should I put it.
"It won't engage properly."
Originally, it should just snap right into place when you bring it close.
Seemingly just as the description said, the receptor was embedded a bit too deep.
In the end, I had to rub the connector over Alicia's armpit several times before it found the receptor.
During that time, Alicia, of course, had to endure untimely tickle torture.
"Hnng..."
Then, just as Alicia was about to surrender with, "Just... call Sumire..."
—Click.
As if by magic, both receptors engaged simultaneously.
Alicia lowered her arms as if she had been waiting.
"......Just run the analysis quickly."
I did so.
A moment later, Alicia's current spec data came out.
Based on that data, I compared the two indices.
As a result of that comparison, the differences that needed to be 'restored' were clearly organized.
[Replaced Major Component: 1 Type]
- Sensor Unit: Tsukiyo (Temperance Type) → Bamgicha (Temperance Type)
[Replaced Minor Components: 36 Types]
- Phase Circuit No. 11: Black No.1-A → Black No.1-C
- Connection Terminal No. 3: 36.B → 36.C
......(omitted)......
- Artificial Muscle (Abdominal): SAL-ABS → Geochem-3
- Artificial Muscle (Quadriceps): SAL-QUDC → Geochem-11
[Changed Major Stat Values: 5 Types]
- Strength: A+/A+ → C/A+
- Agility: S/S → B/S
- Endurance: A/A → C+/A
- Phase Sensitivity: S/S → B/A
- Sniping: S/S → A/S
[Changed Minor Stat Values: 21 Types]
- Patience: S → C
- Concentration: S → B
......(omitted)......
- Spatial Awareness: A → B-
- Information Processing: C → B+
Looking at the chart, I quietly organized my thoughts.
First, the replaced components were substituted with what could be called 'knock-offs.'
And aside from the sensor unit, they were all easy-to-obtain items. They could be produced at the manufactory in a short period.
As for her stats, perhaps it was thanks to Alicia consistently keeping up with her running.
They had not fallen enough to be concerning.
With Alicia's learning ability, high enough to have been deployed in the 7033 Special Task Force, she could reach her former specs before long.
Of course, reaching the specs wasn't the end of it.
"We'll have to follow the equipment settings from that time exactly. Down to the minor options."
"I remember those precisely."
That was a relief. I had been worrying whether we might even need to infiltrate the 7033 Special Task Force.
"It's not a relief. Since the unit was what it was, I used considerably high-grade equipment."
......I had to consider that an investment.
That aside.
"Huh?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No......."
Now that I looked at Alicia's current stat data.
The Phase Resonance Rate was not displayed.
[Phase Resonance Rate with Commander: ■■■]
Like this, it was blurred out.
This was a type I was seeing for the first time.
My bafflement was brief. Alicia, who had examined the point on the PDA screen where I was looking, explained indirectly.
"If you're referring to the Phase Resonance Rate, I have set it to be undisclosed."
"Why did you do that?"
"Because it doesn't matter either way. Whatever the Phase Resonance Rate is."
"No, isn't it something that does matter?"
The Phase Resonance Rate was also undeniably a spec.
For an accurate reenactment experiment, it needed to be restored to its former level.
I thought that way, but Alicia shook her head.
"You do not need to account for that. I have the Independent Action skill."
"Ah, now that you mention it......."
[Independent Action].
A skill that reduced the stat penalty when the Commander was too far away to maintain phase resonance.
......Stated like that, it seemed like an incredibly overpowered skill, but in reality, its utilization rate was absurdly low.
First, its activation duration compared to phase power consumption was pitifully short.
Moreover, it was difficult to level up the skill, and until the level reached a certain point, the mitigation rate for stat penalties wasn't very high either.
Above all, the modern operational environment was standardized around simultaneous deployment of commander and biodroid.
In that situation, spending a skill slot on Independent Action was, how should I put it... a mixed blessing.
Nevertheless, if there was an exception where Independent Action could be useful, it was precisely a sniper like Alicia.
A sniper could compensate for the short duration by activating Independent Action only in brief bursts at the instant of firing.
Also, given the nature of the role, snipers were often separated from the main force that included the commander, so it was worth equipping Independent Action in particular.
No, more than that, honestly, you couldn't use a sniper without Independent Action. It was semi-mandatory.
In fact, Alicia currently had Independent Action Level 10 equipped.
Anyway, I'd gotten a little sidetracked.
"Back when the accident happened, you had Independent Action activated?"
"Yes. Because at the time, the commander was on standby at the base."
In other words, instead of receiving stat compensation through phase resonance, Alicia was making up the difference herself.
So her Phase Resonance Rate with her Commander shouldn't have affected the shot.
Therefore, this part did not need to be implemented separately.
"......Even so, I'm curious."
"Why do you obsess over such a useless part?"
A useless part, she said.
Put simply, the Phase Resonance Rate was a favorability score.
There was no one in the world who wasn't curious about another's affinity toward them.
Alicia gritted her teeth and shot back at my insistence.
"Equating Phase Resonance Rate with favorability is a rudimentary error. Phase Resonance Rate merely indicates how strongly one perceives the other person as similar to oneself."
"So what is it? Your Phase Resonance Rate with me. Are you hiding it because it is ridiculously high? Confess now and I promise I will not laugh."
"......When exactly will the restoration work begin?"
Alicia repeatedly attempted to change the subject.
If she hated revealing it that much, there truly was no way to force its disclosure.
Besides, I honestly wasn't that curious. Someone as prickly as Alicia probably had a Phase Resonance Rate of only around ten percent anyway.
Maybe leaving it as a question mark was better. At least then I could imagine the answer optimistically.
Therefore, without further delay, I took Alicia to the next location.
The simulation training ground.
"......Shouldn't the parts replacement happen first?"
"Ah, that can be done slowly."
As I said earlier, Alicia's parts were all substituted with knock-offs.
Aside from the sensor unit, the others mattered less; phase sensitivity was the only stat whose upper limit had changed.
Therefore, it wasn't too late to restore the stat values first in her current state, and then reconfigure the parts afterwards.
...Or so I had confidently declared.
I'll admit it:
The reason I dragged Alicia straight to the training ground went beyond efficiency; it was also because I wanted to train her right away.
I wanted to train her and see it with my own two eyes.
I wanted to see Alicia—the S-rank sniper who had stubbornly insisted she would never fight again—actually fighting.
I wanted to see that same Alicia rolling left and right at my command.
And what's most important of all.
'...I could see Alicia's sniper form.'
That's right.
The sniper form.
In doctrine, it was the position known as 'prone firing'—the ready-to-fire posture characteristic of a sniper.
That posture voted number one as 'the most attractive sight of a biodroid' by male cadets at the Academy.
I wanted to see Alicia assume that pose.
......Let me be clear at this point, there was no particularly impure intention.
No, I know exactly what you're trying to say.
There were plenty of filthy pervert Commanders in this world who liked the sniper form for impure reasons—because they'd fallen for its uniquely sensual appeal.
But I was different.
I didn't care about Alicia's plump but firm hips, the breasts so large they got in the way of shouldering a rifle, or the long lines of her legs.
I only wanted to burn one image into my own eyes: Alicia's whole body held on standby as a weapon, ready to neutralize whatever target I designated—in short, the embodiment of her obedience.
......If that sounded even more perverted, you were mistaken.
Deciding it must be a mistake, I moved on.
"I'm counting on you, Alicia."
Show me what you've got.
I barely suppressed my brimming anticipation and activated the training program.
Exactly 30 minutes after that.
My expectations were cruelly shattered.
It wasn't because Alicia lacked skill. In terms of skill, she had more than enough.
The problem, however, was.
"Alicia, process the targets counterclockwise......."
"No. At times like this, it's better to process them clockwise."
This girl.
"Good. Clear only the enemies in Wave 2, then move to the high ground and..."
"I refuse. Holding this position is more efficient."
She just.
"Alicia, it's time to switch ammunition types."
"There's no need to switch."
Damn.
"Alicia, from now on......."
"I will configure the training program myself. Commander, please rest."
Wouldn't listen.