Arknights: Mobile City

There were no lights in the City at night, so Pioneer walked its land beneath the glow of the moon.

That's fine. One day, the City's lights would burn eternal.

Pioneer swept his gaze over the terrain, a faintly mocking smile curling across his face, as if the whole City existed under his dominion—there was a genuine air of sovereign authority in that moment.

It was all intentional—Obsidian's performance.

After all, this was his alter ego. There had to be a clear distinction between Pioneer and his true self… otherwise, if Texas picked up on something, it would be disastrous.

This had to remain Obsidian's secret. No one—absolutely no one—could know that every Head of A Company was actually just him, playing all the roles.

Otherwise, everything he was working toward would fall apart.

He'd built Pioneer's identity to be arrogant, confident, aloof, and driven by an insatiable curiosity.

…Which, admittedly, might be a bit overkill considering he was only presenting it to Texas for now. While he was sure it would pay off in the future, Obsidian couldn't help but hesitate for a moment.

Once the Food Chain problem was dealt with, it would be time to start developing a larger resident population in the City…

Doubts alone wouldn't cut it. There was too much they simply weren't equipped to handle.

While Pioneer walked the City's dirt paths, Obsidian himself lay in the wooden cabin—Texas sitting nearby, gnawing on a roasted Sweeper flank.

Even though she had her own shelter now, she still often ended up at Obsidian's place. It wasn't just because the Well was here, or because she hoped he'd give her something useful. No—it was something more, something even she couldn't clearly explain.

If she had to describe it, maybe it was the natural reliance born from being utterly alone in the world… and Obsidian was the one person left to lean on.

Her clan's annihilation hadn't been that long ago. She was still living in a kind of fugue, an emotional retreat—and in that haze, Obsidian felt like a lighthouse in a new world. Naturally, irresistibly, he pulled her in.

When someone's drowning in deep water, desperate to escape the life they've fled from, someone like Obsidian—and the sanctuary he'd built here—wasn't just a comfort.

It was home.

Texas was that person.

Which was why, no matter how bleak or rundown the City seemed, she never once considered leaving.

At first, her plan had been to stock up on supplies and move on. But now? She wasn't in any hurry at all. She'd grown attached to this isolated way of life… It felt like a hidden utopia.

Even if this utopia came with a touch of hellfire.

But whatever it was, to Texas, this was a paradise for the weary and the lost.

And so, she found herself deeply drawn to Obsidian—and to the City itself.

That thought flitted across her mind, and she understood it clearly, without denial.

It was right then that Obsidian suddenly sat up beside her, startling her enough that she nearly dropped the meat in her hands.

"What is it? Obsidian?"

"Pioneer's back. Let's hope he's brought good news."

Obsidian smiled faintly as he informed her. Texas blinked, then remembered the "old friend" he'd told her about.

"You want to come meet him?"

Obsidian turned toward her, asking with a smile.

"Of course! Why not?"

Texas smiled back and quickly rose to her feet, keeping close behind as they headed out.

...

Obsidian lit a torch with practiced ease, and the two of them walked into the night.

"Just a heads-up," he said evenly. "My old friend isn't exactly… the friendliest sort. If he says anything rude, just let it slide."

Texas gave a silent nod.

Obsidian had already filled her in on Pioneer—a cyborg, with a rather peculiar temperament. But that only made her more curious to meet him.

Ever since she'd started distancing herself from the outside world, all her attention had been focused on exploring this new one—the City.

As they walked, a soft orange-red glow suddenly caught Texas's eye, illuminating the road ahead. A wide-brimmed cowboy hat emerged into view.

"Well now, the Overseer's brought a new friend along?"

Pioneer's voice was calm and mechanical as he stepped forward to greet Obsidian. His glowing eyes flicked toward Texas as he spoke, betraying no emotion behind the synthesized timbre.

So Obsidian's codename is "the Overseer"…

Texas turned the new detail over in her mind. Meanwhile, Obsidian offered a friendly smile in return.

"Yeah, she arrived while you were away. A new friend to the City. …By the way, did you switch bodies?"

"My other units are still out expanding. This one's a spare—I figured I'd use it for day-to-day things. Doesn't matter much."

Pioneer's explanation was simple, almost offhand. Texas blinked in surprise.

So… this was just one of his bodies?

What kind of group is this "Head" organization, exactly?

Her thoughts began to spiral.

She'd already seen enough to know Obsidian wasn't ordinary. He never fought directly, but his command over the City, his strange and powerful abilities—they all made that obvious.

And now this Pioneer guy, despite only just appearing, was clearly no simple character either.

"Well then," Pioneer continued, glancing at Texas, "I'll leave the girl to you. You know how I am—I can't be bothered with that sort of thing."

"Fine by me. Let's focus—what's the status on the resources?"

"One hundred twenty tons of steel. That's what I was able to secure on this trip. The Emperor should have it delivered by tomorrow."

Pioneer removed his hat and dusted it off as he spoke.

"And how long are you staying?"

"Got a few things to handle here in the City. I'll head back into the Outskirts in about five days."

He replaced his hat with a casual motion. Texas caught that little detail—and it sparked something inside her.

Five days… he's staying in the City for five days.

"Oh—one last question, Overseer."

Just as Texas was turning this over in her mind, Pioneer looked to Obsidian again.

"What's the status on the Food Chain?"

Food Chain?

The unfamiliar name immediately caught Texas's attention. And with it, a thought flickered through her mind.

Could this "Food Chain" be what Obsidian's been so troubled about these past few days?

In that instant, Texas felt her curiosity surge.