"Submarine, you say?" Greynar paused momentarily, clearly curious by her dream. "Go on, what did you see next?"

  Volga closed her eyes, focusing on recalling the dream's details. "There were several girls with me inside the submarine. Then, all of a sudden... we were on an isnd."

  "Then?" Greynar urged her, sensing that she was struggling to remember.

  "We met with... huh?" Volga touched her head with a confused look crossed her face. "Who did we meet again?" It was as if some part of her memory was blocked.

  "...You don't remember the details after that?" Greynar asked with concern.

  Volga shook her head, still visibly confused. "No, I don't... but then, suddenly, we were surrounded by a bck tornado."

  Greynar's expression turned grim. "And that's when you woke up, isn't it?"

  Volga nodded, confirming his suspicion. "Yes, and before I fully woke up, I heard... someone's ughter."

  "For something that's supposed to be a dream, it doesn't sound like an ordinary one," the Commander murmured silently.

  "I'm sorry for worrying you," Volga said softly. "I don't know much about the dream, but at the same time, it all felt strangely familiar."

  He stepped closer and gently embraced her, offering comfort to the girl. "If you ever need someone to talk to, you can always come to me," he said softly, reassuring her. "I may not be the best at talking, but I'll always be a good listener for you."

  "Mm~ I know, thank you, Commander," she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning in for a tender kiss.

  After some time, they parted, and Volga shyly looked away, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red. Greynar smiled warmly, gently holding her arm and intertwining their fingers.

  "There’s something I want to tell you," he began, taking a deep breath. "It might seem selfish, but you understand the nature of my job, right?"

  Volga nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Yes, I understand~"

  "So, in that case, you wouldn't mind if any of the other girls also became… my lovers?" he asked nervously.

  Hearing this, the shipgirl in front of him blinked and chuckled. "Silly Commander, you already have me and Aurora. When you decided to take us under you, we had already come to the conclusion that it was inevitable for others to join you as well..."

  His ears perked up in surprise. "...Huh? Really? When did you all…"

  Volga ughed softly. "Do you remember when Memphis came to your room?"

  "How did you-" He started, but Volga pced a finger over his lips.

  She winked. "It was a bet between us… I asked her about how she felt about you, and I made a bet with her~"

  Greynar gulped and rexed his shoulders, letting out a wry ugh. "So, it was already pnned, huh?"

  "Yes~" Volga hummed happily. "In exchange, you’ll have to give me the same affection you give them."

  "Alright, alright," he said, raising both hands in surrender. "You're the big sister, after all."

  "T-that..." Volga's face turned red. "It's a bit embarrassing when you're the one who calls me that," she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.

  He couldn’t help but let out a soft, amused chuckle. "That's cute..."

  After they finished their pyful time together, they soon arrived at Volga's room. As she stepped inside first, she switched on the mp, revealing her beautiful and well-kept room. It was simple yet very tidy. Greynar gnced toward her bed, noticing a faint scent that filled the air—like roses, but gentle and not overwhelming.

  "Thanks for coming, Commander," Volga said, turning to him with a warm smile.

  "It's a nice room," he replied, his eyes wandering around. "It reminds me of the ones back at the port."

  Volga chuckled softly. "I know, right? I never thought the Northern Parliament would decorate their rooms so simirly to ours."

  He smiled back, appreciating how comfortable and familiar her space felt despite being in a different pce. Volga then offered him a tea as he took a seat on the chair beside the bed. Her room had a window that faced the snowy ndscape outside, providing a breathtaking view. Positioned on the outermost part of the building, her room was chosen specifically to let natural sunlight stream in, just as she preferred.

  "I guess you've got a thing or two for ndscapes," he remarked, gncing at the window behind him.

  "I suppose with every mission I've been on, I've grown to appreciate the scenery, especially when I'm with you~," she replied with a smile.

  He felt a deep sense of gratitude for the girl he loved, the one who had stood by him through the hardest times. The one who had given him unwavering support, along with the blonde-haired girl who was currently stationed at Dragon Empery. She was his first, and would always be his top priority, above all else. After all, what is a commander without trust and love for his own ship?

  The Commander then pulled her close to the bed, his intentions is clear. With the door locked and no one to interrupt, he leaned in closer, wanting to fully immerse himself in the moment with the girl in front of him. All he could think is how to satisfy this one girl, and nothing cross his mind right now.

  "You know, I might have held back before with you and Aurora, but right now, I can't resist any longer," he whispered softly.

  "Mm~ I don't mind. It's you, after all. Come here, Commander," she responded, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss.

  After that, inside the locked room, the two interwined their bodies together.

  ※ ※ ※

  "Haa...!!" The Commander suddenly jolted awake from his sleep. Instead of the familiar room he was just in, he found himself surrounded by an empty, white space once again.

  As he stood up and took in his surroundings, he began to wander through the vast, empty white space. The eerie silence echoed with each step he took, and there was an unsettling sense of familiarity. The rainbow cube, which had once been a significant presence in this space, was now nowhere to be seen. He recalled the st time he encountered it was during the intense battle with the White Tower, but now, it had seemingly vanished without a trace.

  Then there was the moment when a pure white door stood amidst the endless white space, appearing just after his intimate moments. The Commander closed his eyes, trying to recall the image of that door once again. But no matter how hard he focused, nothing materialized. It had been a while since he'd experienced any dreams or moments from the depths of his unconscious mind, leaving him with an confusion as to how he did it.

  ting!

  The gentle sound of a wind chime echoed throughout the white expanse, but as the Commander gnced around, he saw nothing to expin its source. He took a few more steps, and suddenly, a blinding light engulfed his vision. When the light faded, a door stood before him—different from what he’d seen before. This door was white, but its surface flickered with a strange, a strange aura, shifting and glowing as if it were alive.

  Greynar took another cautious gnce around his surroundings, making sure no one else was suddenly there. With a gulp, he decided to open the door. As it swung open, instead of a room or hallway, he was met with something unexpected; a swirling, vortex-like portal within the door's frame. It seemed to pulse and shift as if beckoning him to step closer. One might think, not to trust the unknown, but it's like he got no other way to get out from the vast white space.

  He gulped his saliva and murmured. "Here goes nothing..."

  He leaped into the portal without hesitation, shutting his eyes as he felt himself plummeting. His consciousness faded into darkness as he left the white space behind. The door closed behind him with a final, echoing click.

  As he seemingly closed his eyes, a voice began to echo faintly from somewhere ahead. Slowly, his vision shifted, and the world around him melted into an ethereal, dream-like realm. It felt strangely familiar, like the time he’d experienced Shinano’s astral projection. The sensation was surreal, as if he were drifting between reality and a dream, his consciousness floating in this mysterious, otherworldly space.

  Suddenly, he felt a faint touch. As his eyes fluttered open, he realized he was in a confined space, but not just any room—it was a small chamber. No, upon closer inspection, it was a medical pod, the kind designed to immerse someone completely, like a tub filled with some sort of liquid.

  The Commander struggled to move, but his body felt sluggish, almost numb, as if restrained by the liquid surrounding him. His head swiveled slightly, just enough to take in his surroundings. The dim light filtered through the thick gss of the medical tub, and he could make out various monitors and medical equipment surrounding him. It dawned on him—he wasn't just in a room; he was inside a chamber meant for some kind of experiment, as though he was the subject of a test.

  'Ah... I can't talk,' he thought silently, his gaze wandering around to confirm if this wasn't some eborate dream.

  Suddenly, the sound of faint footsteps caught his attention. The door creaked open, and several figures entered. Judging by the varied rhythms of their steps, there were likely four individuals. Deciding it was safer to keep up the charade, he kept his eyes shut, pretending to remain unconscious.

  The footsteps drew nearer, and he could hear the beeping of a monitor. A man’s voice, not too far from him, spoke up. "Subject-0999's condition is stable. Are the Energy Cube reserves sufficient for the procedure?"

  "It's still too early," replied a female voice from his right. "Without the right substances, this kid won’t be ready."

  A rougher male voice, seemingly coming from the corner, chimed in, "Dr. Anzeel has cautioned against any drastic measures. We should consult the Assistant first to get the final answer." The sound of tinkering suggested he was inspecting something electrical.

  "I agree," spoke another voice—deep, tired, and aged with experience. "This is our st chance to fight back. Our families, our children, have suffered enough from their attacks. We need more time. Even Dr. Aoste said that the most fruitful vessel emerges only in the darkest of times."

  Greynar, still feigning sleep, felt the old man’s gaze on him as he examined the tube. Every word, every detail, felt increasingly ominous, yet he knew he had to remain patient to uncover the truth behind this strange experiment.

  "Or..." The old man’s voice rasped through the silence, breaking it once more. "They’ll initiate Project Dawn the moment they’re finished with this world."

  The woman let out a heavy sigh, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "Damn this wretched world," she muttered, her tone bitter. "It's all Dr. Aoste's fault. If it weren’t for his cursed research, we wouldn’t be in this mess."

  The man's rough voice cut through the tension once more. "Don’t be too hard on him," he muttered, a hint of disdain in his tone. "They brought this on themselves when they tried to take the device."

  "The RF and OF are just a bunch of meatheads, all obsessed with getting their hands on that device," the old man grumbled, his voice thick with exasperation. "They're the real instigators behind this whole damn catastrophe."

  "Take it easy, old man. We’re still safe down here in the depths," the rougher voice replied with a chuckle. "Besides, you're still worth keeping around with all that expertise you've got. So try not to keel over from all that rage and boiling blood of yours."

  The old man let out a weary sigh. "I suppose I should rest for today. But make sure Subject-0999 is tended to... he’s my most precious one."

  "You have my word," the young man replied with a steady confidence. "The KANSEN are still fighting, and the ANTI-X continue to hold the perimeter. We're safe here with them around, that is if the defense of the contained area hasn't been breached."

  "Mhm, then I'll take my leave." The old man stepped outside, the door opened as the sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

  Left behind in the dimly lit room, the three occupants were suddenly thrown into chaos. Greynar winced, clutching his head as a sharp pain stabbed through his skull. His monitor bred with a series of frantic beeps, and the others immediately turned to the screen. A sudden, erratic change in the heartbeat readings flickered across the dispy as Greynar struggled to endure the throbbing pain.

  "Subject-0999 is activating! I repeat, Subject-0999 is activating!" the woman shouted, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she rapidly typed in commands. "The subject appears to be experiencing some kind of mental attack caused by the liquid! Initiating sleep inducement now!"

  "Fuck! What's he doing inside the tube?!" the rough-voiced man snapped. "Do it quickly! Or else he will die!"

  'Damn it… what is this headache?' Greynar cursed silently, gritting his teeth as he fought against the agonizing pain.

  As the liquid shifted from a pale green to a vibrant, bubbling blue, Greynar felt the pounding in his head begin to subside. A collective sigh of relief escaped the three of them; they had been under immense pressure to keep a person alive in the tube. Greynar thought, it was as if this isn't the first time they did this.

  "Shit, this is exhausting, I’m telling you," the young man muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as the tension finally began to ease.

  "I agree," the woman replied, her eyes focused on the monitor as she typed furiously. "Subject-0999 appears to have drifted off, deep in a dream. Looks like he’s having a good time in there."

  "Alright, let’s take a break. I’m starving," the rough man suggested, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Dr. Anzeel will probably be furious if we don’t rest."

  "Sounds good," the young man agreed, then called out, "Zero, keep anyone away from this room and let us know if anything happens to the subject."

  ~Command received,~ an AI-like voice resonated through the room. ~You may proceed.~

  With their pn set, the three of them turned away, their footsteps echoing in the corridor as the door slid shut behind them. Greynar was left alone in the chamber, slowly opening his eyes. In the middle of the room stood a figure. No, it was a holographic projection, staring directly at him. A little girl with short white hair and striking blue eyes gazed back at him, clutching a delicate white doll in her hands.

  He struggled to form a word, but nothing came out.

  ~Greetings, Subject-0999. For now, I will refer to you as Grey,~ the AI announced. ~You might be wondering where you are. Allow me to introduce myself.~ She stepped forward, passing effortlessly through the gss of the tube. ~I am Zero. Doctor Aoste is my creator, and my sole mission is to complete the tasks assigned to me by him.~

  Without waiting for a response, the girl continued, ~Right now you are here after you have been「??ˇ¨?a??-」1 Use the encoder iso-8859-2 and decode it with gb2312by the foreign substance from outside. The corroded area of your body will be「??ˇ¨?a??-」by the recent experiment. Then without further ado, let's begin the daily procedure test.~

  The girl called Zero begin closing in as Greynar's eyes widened, confusion washing over him as he struggled to comprehend her st words. Something was definitely amiss; this was supposed to be a dreamlike situation, yet everything he experienced felt armingly real. He attempted to move his body again, but before he could act, his vision blurred, and his consciousness began to fade.

  Some time ter, the Commander opened his eyes to find himself staring at a ceiling he recognized. Beside him y Volga, still fast asleep.

  'Shit, what was that?' the Commander began pondering.

  It felt too real to be just a dream; the experience was entirely different from anything he’d had before. He wondered if it might be connected to memories, a suspicion taken pce that had lingered ever since he first considered it might be more than just a figment of his imagination. What struck him as strange was the boratory itself—the people there spoke as if they were in the midst of developing or creating something with him as the central piece.

  And then there was the voice of the old man, speaking about the test subject as if it were his own family.

  Rubbing his head to steady himself, the Commander leaned down to give the girl beside him a soft morning kiss before quietly slipping out of bed. Still feeling the weight of the intense battle they had shared just a few hours earlier, he made his way back to his room. Once there, he sat down to write a note, carefully documenting everything he had experienced.

  The words spoken by the others and the personal remarks left by the old man lingered in his mind. What struck him the most was the word 'precious' It was as if the old man was describing his own family or someone the test subject shared a deep, personal bond with.

  'Fuck it, let’s not think too deep about it,' he muttered, trying to brush it off. But deep down, he knew he was craving answers. As he write his own note, he began recalling something. 'These experiences… they felt more like memories, or something I have been through. So, what really happened?'

  Then, a realization struck him as he dug deeper into his thoughts, a chilling hint coming into focus. 'Was the family I once knew… all. A lie?'

  The world around him seemed to blur into nothingness, the weight of this possibility sinking in, knowing this might be something he would never fully recover from.

  "Mom... Dad... were you really my parents, or just... fake memories?" the lonely Commander muttered quietly to himself in the empty room.