As Flukey stood there, Rapi had her rifle aimed at Marian with unwavering sternness, ready to fire without a moment of hesitation. 

Rapi: What are you trying to achieve? 

Marian: We're here. 

Rapi: Start talking, or else I'll put a bullet right between your eyes. 

Flukey: You should probably listen to her Marian. Rapi doesn't look like she's in the mood for games. 

Marian: We're here. We're here. *Eyes turn red* We're here. Over here. Over here. Over here. Over here. Over here. 

Flukey: Aw shit!

Shifty: *Gasps* She's been corrupted? When did this happen? 

Rapi: Tsk, just my luck!

Flukey: Damn it! How did I not see this coming!?

Shifty: Her central nerves have been taken by the Raptures!

Marian: Over......heeerrreeee.....

Shifty: She's sending out a distress signal! Stop her!

Rapi: I've got her in my sights! Please give the order!

As much as Flukey didn't want to, he knew in his heart he had to. But before he could give the order, the ground started to shake. 

Flukey: W-What's that?

Shifty: I'm detecting a high class energy in front of you! Those vibrations.....they're....a Blacksmith!

Marian: Over.....heeeerrrreeeee....

Flukey knew what a Blacksmith was through his time at the academy. 

Flukey: Just great! First Marian's corruption and now a damn Tyrant! 

Marian: Over....heeee--

Suddenly, Marian is wrapped up in tentacles and absorbed into the Blacksmith as it reveals itself. 

Flukey: Marian!

Anis: It absorbed her into its body!

Rapi: I'm willing to bet the same thing happened to those missing vanguard troops. 

Flukey: If they're absorbed then maybe there's still a way to save them. 

Rapi: There is Commander. We may be able to save not just Marian, but the vanguard as well. 

Anis: What are you talking about? 

Rapi: After the Blacksmith captures Nikkes, it keeps them for a while before doing anything. Judging by when they'd disappeared, there may still be some time left. *Looks at Flukey* What do you want us to do?

Anis: Do you have to ask? Let's just get out of here!

Rapi: Your orders, please. 

Flukey: We have to save Marian and the vanguard. 

Rapi: Yes, Commander.

Anis: Are you out of your mind? We're gonna die!

Rapi: Anis. The least we can do is try. For them. 

Anis....Have you found it?

Rapi: I don't know yet. 

Anis: Okay, let's give it a shot then. 

Rapi: Shift, please assist.

Shifty: Oh....okay. Well, first off, the simulation results are--

Flukey: It's fine Shifty. We got this. 

Shifty: Yes, Commander! Engaging with Tyrant 003: Blacksmith now. Engaging! 

After a long and grueling fight against the Blacksmith....

Flukey, Rapi, and Anis emerged victorious against the Blacksmith as it fell dead. 

Shifty: Considered there was only 12.4% of success. I'd say that was a job well done!

Rapi: I'll check for survivors. 

Not long after checking, Rapi spoke. 

Rapi: No survivors from the vanguard. All the parts have been ransacked. 

Anis: What about Marian?

Rapi: Still....alive. 

She, Anis, and Flukey looked at Marian's corrupted state with a hint of sadness. 

(This still hurts and the music only makes it more painful!)

Flukey: Marian! *Rushes to her and kneels down* Oh.....Marian....*Feels worse*

Marian: Over.....here....

Anis: This is bad. Her brain has already been corrupted. 

Shifty: We all know the rules. Any Nikke who has sustained brain damage is to be disposed of. According to the law, the execution must be carried out by the Commander.

Upon hearing that, Flukey's eyes widened. 

Like Shifty said, he knew the rule, but wished he didn't have to follow it. Try to find a way to save Marian, but once a Nikke's brain is corrupted, there's next to no way of saving them. 

Rapi walked next to Flukey and handed him her pistol.

Rapi: This pistol is for when we must self-terminate, but humans can use it as well. Just....aim. 

Anis walked up to the two. 

Anis: Perhaps I should do it? 

Rapi: No. We Nikkes cannot execute our own kind. 

Flukey: I-It's fine Anis. I got this.

He stood up and slowly aimed the pistol at Marian's head and tried to steady it but failed, even resorting to using two hands but that proved fruitless as well. 

Flukey: (Come on Flukey. You can do this. You can do this. They taught you this kind of thing back at the academy. Just gotta....pull the trigger....and it'll all be....over) 

No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't bring himself to pull the trigger. 

Rapi: No time to hesitate Commander. If we don't get this done, she will probably become an Irregular soon. 

Flukey's hands then slowly went down.

Flukey: I....I can't do it....

Rapi: Commander--!

But then, a hand made it's way to the pistol and everyone looked to see that it was Marian. 

Marian: Over.....here.....

Both Flukey and Rapi had surprised looks on their faces at the fact that Marian wanted him to end her life and free her from her corruption. 

Marian: Comman....der. 

Then her hand touched Flukey's in a comforting manner, assuring him that it was alright. 

Marian: Thank you...for your....bandage. 

With what resolve grew within him, Flukey aimed it more precisely as Marian slowly closed her eyes. And all he could say to her was: 

"I'm sorry....."

And then fired. 

With the deed done, Rapi reported in. 

Rapi: No signs of life.

Shifty: Official confirmation of death. Our investigation mission is complete. Head back to the Ark. 

In one last gesture, Flukey decided to give Marian a burial and once he was done, he left with Rapi and Anis. 

They say that the first day is always the hardest. But for Flukey, he doesn't think he'll ever get used to this kind of life.