This is my first story, in this account that is (lol). This gacha game is fun and has a plot, added in the "plot" too. I will be mixing the Commander of the canon story and a random Time Patroller so there'll be changes. Do leave reviews, I'm always open to constructive criticisms.

Prelude:

"Still Here, Keep Going"

"From today onwards, you are Commanders. You have gone through the processes and undergo many practices, study sessions and simulations. You will lead squads of Nikkes and humanity to fight against Raptures, reclaiming our home once more-"

I listened while sitting on my seat, looking at the principal giving a speech as we all ended our first and final year in the academy. Honestly, most of the things were just blur. I only remember battle tactics and strategies which are basic for my taste. Being a former captain myself, the options given when dealing with Raptures are mostly basic. Since Nikkes used firearms of various kind, I can order them and position them in a variety of ways to deal with the Raptures. After all, I'm not dealing with incredibly fast and destructive warriors.

I'm still baffled as to why the military academy teach the Commander Candidates for only a year. Aren't they rushing it? And what I hear from some gossips from the instructors of the academy is as baffling as well.

I heave a sigh, "The probability rate of Commanders dying in their first assignment is more than 70%." I thought for a bit. "It seems more like they're just using people to me..." I scoffed before my mind wandered off to what I was aiming to do. "Can't even live a normal life after retirement...I guess the same goes for them too." Image of my old squad appeared, I smiled unconsciously as I shook my head. "They were right after all..."

I look at other Commanders, I can tell they're nervous since after this speech, we're going to be Commanders for real and will face against Rapture real-time and not in simulations. I understand where they are coming from, that will be the first time they face life or death situations. Back in Conton City, I faced many situations that would've result in my death so I wasn't nervous at all. Still, I am curious as to what Nikkes are assigned to us.

"Commanders, your names will be called and you are required to the stage to receive your certificates. Please listen attentively for your names." The vice principal stated as she took out a list of the Commanders. "Commander Karasuma Yoko."

And just like that, one by one, we were called onto the stage to get our certificates and our photos taken to commemorate. After that, we were free to meet our parents or families. As for me, I just took my certificate and just waited for the parent-meeting to end.

As the first generation Time Patrollers, we don't have parents as we came into existence from wishes made by Trunks. It's why we were the elites, we're wished to be specifically warriors that protects time and history itself. The Toki-Toki City Hero was the first of the Time Patrollers and others followed suit. After having enough members of 120, it's inevitable that some would come to be intimate with others and soon have children.

That was so long time ago...being ageless made me lost my sense of time.

"I congratulate to you all for graduating from the military academy. Now, you will all be assigned a squad of Nikke each for your first assignment however, you are given a week to rest before then." The principal said, I just sighed mentally. "And with that, the graduation ceremony comes to an end."

I leaned my arms on the rails, overseeing the Ark. I spent about more years in this world than I can count, getting to know and try to avoid any kind of detection. Now, I don't know if all the work I put in is worth it especially after knowing how the Central Government spout sweet lies its citizens. Commanders being Heroes to look up to and aspire to be and yet, I found out from sources that the life of a Commander isn't how they made it to be. Of course, such thing isn't made public as they want to maintain the ideal image of the Commanders but man, it sure as hell made me appreciate how the Time Nest treats the Time Patrollers. Not that they treat us bad at all.

"Becoming Commander...and then what?" I flared through my nose as my shoulders slump. "...what am I doing with my life?" My thoughts drifted into the time when I was still working in the Time Nest. "What should I do...captain?" I muttered.

Just as I finished that sentence, someone slap me on the back. "Hey, fellow Commander!"

I turned my head towards the woman who's just too energetic for her own good, who also happens to be the top Commander Candidate. "Karasuma." I shook my head before going back to admiring the Ark.

"Hehe, stiff as always huh?" She leaned her elbows on the rails, smiling. "Why don't you hang out with us? We got good food and drinks, you know? At this point, you'll only have me as a friend."

"..." At that, I just kept quiet.

"You should see how Wilt stuffed his face with the meat lover pizza, cheetos and chicken burger...or sandwich. I swear, that guy just likes his junk food, hahahaha!" She continues on and I just listen, it...soothes me. "Maou as always, likes to complain about the tests we've gotten and how hard it is. Even complains how his mother always pester him about it, her being a Commander of high ranking and all."

I didn't say anything, I just continue listening. This just brings me melancholy and nostalgia...a feeling I thought would never come to me after I retired.

"Skel's done it again too, being the jokester he is and Romano joined. God knows how hectic it is when they team up together to bother everyone." She giggles as she turns around and leaned onto the rails, the same position as I was. "Xplorer had to intervene and stop them. He's quite scary when he's serious, y'know? He's usually very funny but when he goes blue, that made me nervous, hehehehe."

A smile crept up to my face, I sometimes forgot how chaotic the people she hung out with especially Skel and Romano. Those two are very chaotic.

"There you go! That's the face I want to see!" She gave me a bright smile, happy with my reaction. "You look far better when you smile!" I just shook my head, I can't believe she still wants to talk to me with how silent I am most of the time.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." I rolled my eyes, smiling as I did so. "Thanks."

She nodded as a soft smile dawned on her face. "You're welcome."

After that, we shared a comfortable silent as we both stared at the Ark. Karasuma reminded me of someone in my old squad, they were too similar and sometimes...it's very unnerving to see it. But times like these is, I can't help but appreciate it, this is fine. I hoped times like these lasts forever but I knew it won't be, I learn that the hard way. So all I can do is enjoy it as much as I can.

"..." I can see in the corner of my eyes that she had a worried face on. "Hey...after this, we can barely meet up like this you know? Being a Commander is busy...and we all are assigned to different places, some outposts. This...might be the last time we met."

Never took her to be someone that can be depressed so easily, I don't get Karasuma sometimes.

"Since when were you this pessimistic, Karasuma?" I unconsciously smiled. "Don't worry, we'll still be talking. You still had my number, yes?"

Her smile returns although it still seem sad as she nods. "Yes, I still have it."

I did intentionally score a bit below average but still manage to pass so I get why she was so worried. It's practically saying that I have a high chance of death once deployed in our first assignment. Being the best Commander Candidate she is, she's more than capable of taking care of herself. That and she herself is quite popular both for her talents and her appearances. She worries for a lot of people including myself. I still find it funny that despite having so many people gathering around her, she still has some sort of obligation to hang out with me despite how my company bores a lot of people.

Yeah...very uncanny.

"Then you can contact me anytime." I look down, "After this first assignment, do you want to hang out?"

She blinks, surprised and in disbelieve before beaming a smile and nodded. "Yes, of course!" She slaps my back, seemingly content with my reply. "That's a promise, alright? Don't die on me, will you?"

I shrugged, "I'll try at least, heh."

"No try! You have to come back and hang out with me!" She walked towards the party back, giving a wave as she did so. "Don't you dare forget that!"

I waved back, "Yeah, yeah."

Once she got back into the party, loud cheers erupted and I found myself widening my smile. 'Friends, huh?' I lifted my head, seeing the simulated skies of night. 'That'd be...very nice.' I found myself chuckling before my thoughts went to the Nikkes which reminded me of someone and an Android. 'Possessing human sentience and appearance, huh...? Very similar to the Androids...' That thought immediately caused me to frown as a bitter taste pervades my tongue. '...I don't like that one bit...'

The day after

I got up early as I usually do and began to meditate. I can't really lose my touch, it's been quite a while since I last fought an opponent that poses a threat to me and there are none in this world. By meditating, I can visualize a scenario of fighting an opponent of equal stats, every movement, every hit, every force exerted would be simulated but my muscles would tense as if I was fighting for real. This is how I kept my shape...it also help me to calm myself down.

After that, I did a few exercises to accommodate. Sweats covered my whole being and finishing all the exercises, I went straight to take a shower. Once I cleaned myself up, I went to the wardrobe where my phone was. Blinking, I noticed that there was a notification. Weird, I don't think Karasuma would text me this early...or maybe she did. Not surprising considering how she is.

While wiping my face with the towel, I unlock the phone and was surprised to see an unknown phone number. Who could've...?

I opened the notification and was yet again surprised.

Unknown number:「Hello and good morning. Is this Commander HACHI?」

That's my codename. Then this must be a Nikke I would be working with for my first assignment. How did they got my number? Or wait, maybe my number is given to them when they were assigned to the same operation. I remember a teacher mentioning that though she made it seem trivial and unimportant for some reason. Whatever then, I don't intend on befriending something that is basically Android 2.0 so I'll just have to act as professional as possible. I do wonder why they wanted to message me though.

Commander HACHI:「Report.」

Unknown number:「Roger, Commander! I am Marian from Squad Silver Gun, reporting for duty, Commander!」

Commander HACHI:「At ease, Marian. Is there anything you need?」

Unknown number:「Commander, apologies if this is offensive to you but may I request that we meet?」

I raised my eyebrows at that, I was surprised yet again. I think this is quite unusual for a Nikke to be like this, is this Nikke one of the specially made ones? The mass-produced Nikkes despite possessing human-level awareness would just listen to my orders and not question anything since it is in their program. I don't think they would want to interact with their commander any further due to how they're treated and yet this Nikke not only took initiative to contact me but also ask me to meet face to face. Hmm...I don't know where to go with this but...I'm also a bit curious.

Commander HACHI:「Meet me by the Ark's Waterfront, 8:00 AM.」

Unknown number:「Roger, Commander.」

What is this Marian's objective? The similarities Nikke has with the androids is putting me off but...is it fair for me to judge them like that? I let out a sigh. Whatever the case, I'll go and see what she wants to say.

I wore the Commander uniform before looking for my Commander hat in the wardrobe only to find it was not there. I swear I put it somewhere around the wardrobe after the graduation party...I look around the wardrobe before moving on the room where it didn't take a minute to find it sitting on a drawer in the corner of the room.

I blinked before going towards it, "There it is. How the hell did it got there?" But just after a few steps, I slowed as I saw the thing next to it. "Oh..."

Next to the hat was an upside down frame, hiding the photo under. Slowly, I walk towards it and with my fingertips, I ran it across the back of the frame. It was very slow and very...fragile, I...really can't describe what I was feeling right now. Even after all these years, I find it hard to move on from it...

I quickly snap off from my trance and took the hat, wearing it over my head and hiding the eyes underneath the visor. "Must've put it there yesterday when the light's out."

Prelude End:

"Still Here, Keep Going"

A bit short but it is the prelude. Hoped you enjoyed it.

Now, I need to warn you guys that I'm still at chapter 9 of the story. I still don't know much about the lore but I will try my best to research it...after I'm done with the story of the game. Needless to say, I quite enjoyed Nikke. Much more than Genshin Impact, because fuck that game. The grinding and farming it needed screws over my brain. Still, the way they handled grinding in Nikke is less tedious and I find myself enjoying it, even more so during this festive event. Rolled once and got Rupee's alt outfit, never felt this much lucky.

And I'm going to get Maxwell's alt outfit, I will. No matter what. Just a five ranks left and I'll get it.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Do leave favs and follows. Also review, I'm curious what you guys think of this.

See ya next time.