+++

Anemone strode through the camp, her assault rifle slung over her shoulder. The distinct murmur of camp-life filtered in. Tables were overturned, plasma marks and battle damage decorating the walls and such. In the distance, dust still loomed over the skyline with the shadow of fallen Engel units lying flatly or against skyscrapers. Her boots crunched over the ground, her weight crushing pebbles underfoot into fine dust. Taking a breath, the olive-skinned android allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief as she sat against a fallen pillar. Around them, android members were busy cleaning up or attending to wounded comrades.
Right next to her, Jackass crossed her arms as she glanced down at Anemone.
"Casualty reports?" Anemone asked, looking up at Jackass.

The raven-haired bomb enthusiast had lowered her hood, letting her face free for all to see. "Well, we're still tallying up the damage. Seaside area's been fucked harder than a angry boar going through your ceramics though, for obvious reasons."

Her mind thought of the seaside area. "Our assets there?"

Jackass's face scrunched in displeasure. "Missile batteries got crushed. The Engel's marched from the factory, tore up that place, before heading to city center, here."

Anemone palmed her face. Beside her, Jackass sat down. High above, birdsong filtered in. Jackass closed her one good eye, letting the moments peace settle in. When she opened them again, a hundred years worth of fatigue showed on her face. "Well, at least we are alive," Jackass muttered, thankful about that fact. "And we can always, y'know, build shit back up again."

"Yes..." Anemone nodded slowly. "Alive."

The tide of battle had turned suddenly, with many machines suddenly diverting themselves in the middle of fighting. The relief it provided allowed YoRHa to deal with the rampaging Engels units then with their destruction, provide CAS relief on the other machines. That was perhaps the most harrowing battle Anemone could remember participating in. Definitely something for the history books.

One thing made it clear though. If further battles were going to be like this, they needed better equipment. She glanced down at the rifle in her hand. Anemone was sure that the Colonel would be willing to let the designers of the AoH take a look at the schematics of their weapons and equipment for mass production. The armor that the Colonel briefly wore during the desert skirmish looked like a smaller version of their mainline battle suits, devastating enough as it is.

Speaking of which...

"I need to speak with the Colonel and White," Anemone sighed, standing up. "I gotta check what's our next move at this time."

Jackass nodded. "Right. I'll be checking on the kiddies and see how our kitchen is looking up." With that, Anemone walked off for her command center.

Despite it's name, it was a humble corner of their camp that had a bunch of computers and a projector. A far-cry thing compared to what Commander White had in the Bunker upstairs or Smith's office. A few of her troops and staff were there, cleaning up. They saluted her as she entered. A salute she returned. With that taken care of, she walked towards her projector and pressed on it.

The faces of White and Smith appeared quickly. With the restoration of communications, they could speak freely now.

"Anemone. It's good to see you," Colonel Smith greeted her. He nodded at her appearance. "Jesus, you look like hammered shit."

"It's the battlefield, Colonel. Not exactly a place for dressing up," Anemone replied candidly. a measure of humor on her voice.

"What are the losses down there like? Status of our assets?" White asked, getting immediately to business. Ever the professional, Anemone mused. She crossed her arms, the minutiae of the camp filtering in her ears.

"We're still tallying up our losses and the like but the seaside has suffered loss, material and personnel-wise. It bore the brunt of the Engel's rampage when they suddenly marched our of the abandoned factory," Anemone reported. She sighed.

"If that is such an asset to the enemy, why wasn't it destroyed by an operation?" Smith asked.

"Because it would be pointless, sir." Anemone said, glancing towards Smith.

"Pointless?" Smith asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, YoRHa and the Resistance could mount an offensive to destroy that place and level it to the ground but the Machines would simply have another one up running in a matter of days. Their industrial capacity simple outweighs us by a thousand to one," Anemone reported grimly.

"Jesus Christ," Smith swore, his voice disturbed.

Anemone had no idea who Jesus was but recognized an expression when she saw one. And indeed, it was proper.
"Yeah...Jesus Christ indeed," Anemone nodded.

White took the moment to speak. "We still have our victories. Today is a victory and future battles to come. Those special units that the troops encountered for one. What is our plan for those?"

"Special Units?" Anemone asked, cocking her head.

White continued. "Yes. Machine units that looked just like YoRHa androids. Units 2B and 9S engaged, and one of the Colonel's pilots engaged with them in the Theme Park. Down to the minute detail, the special units had copied everything."

Anemone frowned. "Are we going to worry about infiltrators now, White?"

"I already have androids looking into this. I assure you, operations may continue without disruption," Commander White promised, a glint in her eye. Anemone had a vague feeling on what those androids were. E-Type models weren't a secret. They had their orders to mostly destroy androids too damaged to move in the field as to prevent their data in falling to enemy hands. Anemone was savvy enough to understand that units such as that were capable of doing more that just preventing data from falling to enemy hands.

"I see," Anemone drawled, aware that White's reach went farther than hers. "Well then, at the moment, I have to announce that the Resistance will be unable to undertake major operations as we are still in the middle of recovering from the battle. At most, I can spare a few units not already occupied. Colonel Smith, I would like to request for Devola and Popola to return to help out with our wounded."

The Twins had stayed in the Outpost, their knowledge necessary to keep watch over the other frozen humans. But with the thawing of Doctor Naoka and her team, their skills were no longer necessary in the human bunker.

"I'll speak to them about it," Colonel Smith said simply. Anemone saw some hesitation in Smith's eyes. After all, Devola was pregnant with his child. Such a thing was revolutionary, Anemone admitted. The fact that androids like her had the capacity to bear children, human children, sent a chill up her spine that no other stimuli could.

"I concur with Anemone on dialling back on major operations. I had pulled a majority of my forces and other fronts on the Indo-Pacific Region need their skills." White attested. She had no doubt there was going to be an outcry in the Army of Humanity about her frank pulling of her troops for what was essentially a one-sided beatup of machines dressed as clowns. However, she knew how to handle herself when it came to that.

A human was hurt. Blood was spilt.

That simply could not do.

"You got my vote. My pilots need rest too." Colonel Smith spoke up. "My men did some theatrics today that need answering."

"They did very well, sir. They...helped us out when they didn't need to," Anemone said, another shiver going though her body as Damian's battle cry echoed again in her head.

"Yes...that's the problem. They did very well but also risked their necks out too much. Naoka is rather upset at that. Well, that'll be our problem to settle. If there's anything you need, Anemone, give me a holler," Smith said before closing off the channel.

Anemone nodded before closing the connection they had as well. Sighing, she turned back around. In the distance, Jackass was yelling at a few androids who were sheepishly trying to move a box. They looked new, Anemone mused.

+++

The thruster died slowly, the life it had ebbing away from a furious roar to a slow and calm whine.

A hiss escaped his cockpit as the mecha suit opened up. He glanced up and saw a hand reaching down to him. He gripped it and was pulled out of the suit. The other man wore a uniform denoting him to be a mechanic and his expression was one of barely hidden fury. "I've heard about what you boys did out there," the man drawled, his accent a thick New York drawl that made Damian think of a mobster with an education.

"That we kicked ass and took names? Hell yeah," Damian said in celebration. Around, the other pilots had returned as well, being rushed to by the ground crews.

The mechanic wasn't amused. "Funny, ya ball buster. Have you seen what your own suit looks like, pal? It looks like it got chewed out by a grinder and spat out by mechanical Satan's asshole." The mechanic turned to look at Damian's suit. Calling it battered was a understatement. Deep stabs and cuts were on it, as well as blast marks from machine lasers and projectiles.

The mechanic turned back to Damian. "The fact that you and your squad came back alive is a frank miracle. You're lucky, pal. Now, my moms always said that our luck will always run out. You better make sure that your luck is spent wisely, capisce?"

"We make our own luck," Damian shook his head. "Anyway, what's the point of having a big ass mecha suit and not get to use it? And from the way you say it, you make it sound like the Jolly Roger is going to be inoperable. Is it?" He asked, slight worry in his tone.

The mechanic even looked more offended. "And you's make it sound like my guys and I can't fix it up. We can." He calmed himself down, glancing at the damaged suit. "The problem here is spare parts, Tom Cruise. We're burning up our stock keeping our shit maintained. Frankly, I'm surprised that our shit is still operable, We've gone to ground like what, a couple thousand years?"

"Mysteries of life," Damian shrugged, his arms on his hips. "Something for our nerds to figure out, si?"

"Definitely. You've seen the rack on that Japanese chick? Fantastic. Ever slept with one before? They make you go through eighteen rounds of cleaning yourself up before they let you's touch em. They're clean like that." The mechanic rambled, turning on his heels to walk over to a table with a few papers on it.

Damian laughed. "Well, have you looked at yourself? You smell like oil and copper wire most of the time. It is not surprise that women won't let you touch them."

"Eh, fuck you," the mechanic said, rolling his eyes. He took a clipboard and slid it towards Damian. "File that in, loverboy. After this, get your ass up to see the Colonel. I reckon he's going to either tear you a new asshole or reward you."

"You're charming, Chief," Damian said, picking up the clipboard.

"Pffft. Save the sweet talk for those androids, Tom Cruise. They're the ones with the fat assess and the juicy paloombas, not me." The mechanic replied, shaking his head. Damian snorted, filing down the paperwork on the clipboard before handing it to the mechanic.

"Alright, looks to be in order. Now you go move on and get your ass beat by the Colonel. I'll handle fixing your lady," the mechanic said, putting the clipboard aside before whistling for his workers to join him. Damian watched in fascination as the man walked off, yelling at his crew to move along to work. He shrugged his shoulders before going on to walk. As he did, the sound of boots walking up to him registered in his ears.

His team greeted him. Big Bertha's fist balled as she smacked Damian lightly on his shoulder. "Well, well. Look here. Where you off to next, Sergeant?" she asked, her voice a sweet Australian accent that was just pleasant to the ears. Her hair was a light shade of red, a muscled body underneath her uniform. A slight smirk was on her face, her head looking up slightly towards Damian.

"Off to the chopping block, I assume," Falafel Man mused, his arms crossed. The Egyptian smiled slightly, his copper skin and jet black hair giving him a exotic flair. His sharp features and height added to that mystique.

"Don't be too harsh on him. We're all in this together, aren't we?" Hummus Maker said, slapping a palm on Falafel's shoulder, earning an eye-roll from the other man. The Israeli was older though slightly shorter than Falafel. His hair was a curly mop compared to Falafel's cleanly combed one. He turned from annoying the Egyptian to Damian. "Seriously though, you're going to have to max up your charisma before you face the Colonel, Sergeant."

"Yes. A proper explanation on why he risked our necks out," glumly joined in Spirit Indomitable. He was as tall as Damian though blonde-haired and blue-eyed Swiss man to Damian's Hispanic heritage.

"Why? The androids needed our help, Spirit. If we hadn't lent a hand, the pressure on them would have sent them on the brink," Bertha said, exasperated. "Would you have let them all die simply because we had no orders? Or that it was too dangerous?"

Hummus shook his head. "Spirit, why don't you just tell us why you're really upset instead of being so glum about it, hm?"

The Swiss man turned to the Israeli. "We had no orders. We could get censured or worse."

"I don't think the Colonel is going to punish us for doing the right thing," Falafel theorized. "Let's think of it this way. We managed to secure an important victory, the androids will look on the UN favourably for it's actions and local feelings to us would be through the roof. That's nothing to scoff at."

"I am not begrudging our achievement," Spirit sighed, crossing his arms. "I am talking about the respect for command, professionalism. We cannot always decide to jump off at the first sign of trouble. The chain of command exists for a reason."

Damian decided to butt in. "That's true. However, remember that communications were jammed. Initiative was given to us hence I had us attack."

"We should have pulled back and gotten communications up," Spirit pressed, arms still crossed. As Damian was about to make his reply, Bertha stepped in between them.

"Alright, alright, you slags. You can continue this dick-waving later. The Colonel's waiting for us. The only way to find out what the Colonel thinks is to see him, alright? Come on, you wankas." Bertha said, rolling her eyes as she began dragging the two along, to the chuckling of Falafel and Hummus.

Inside the Colonel's office, the squad stood in a neat row, ramrod straight as Colonel Smith glanced up at down from his chair. He tapped a single finger against his fist, crossed as they wore on the table. "Now, repeat yourself, Sergeant," Smith said, his eye set solely on Damian.

He took a step forward. "Aye sir. Things went according to plan. We attacked the Amusement Park in tandem with the YoRHa androids and faced no resistance. We only encountered it from that one songstress machine that YoRHa units 2B and 9S fought with."

Smith nodded, bidding him to continue. "Continuing on, I joined the two alongside YoRHa Unit 12H and other resistance androids in heading into the inner sanctum of where that Hegel unit was nesting. There, we encountered..." Damian paused slightly, still processing what he had seen. He decided, in his best interest, to not mention the crosses and skinned androids. "...machine units that took on a android form, complete with skin, hair, and all other parts. They looked like YoRHa androids sir."

Tits and ass included, he quietly noted.

"Or so I've been told. Commander White spoken to me about it and has assured me that she has means in finding out these new machines. I'll trust her on that." Smith said with a single nod. "Now, the Amusement Park seems to be a smooth mission."

His features sharpened. "Now, about the Engels units. Tell me why you decided to risk your team and take on the machine swarm, Sergeant?"

Damian took in a breath. "For three reasons, Colonel."

Smith bid him to speak. "One, communications were jammed. Initiative was forced on my and so, I decided to engage the enemy as to restore communications."

"You could have retreated," Smith pointed out. Damian nodded.

"I could but there's my second reason," Damian continued. Smith raised an eyebrow. Damian took this as a sign to continue.

"If we had retreated, it would surely impact android morale seeing us move away. Colonel Anemone had asked for help. While surely they would understand, it won't help the fact that the androids would feel abandoned if we would leave. That would have ramifications for the battle, sir."

Smith listened quietly. "I see. And the last reason?"

Damian perked up, his tone unflinching. "It was the right thing to do."

"The right thing to do?" Colonel Smith repeated.

"Yes. Since we first woke up, sir. I figured that was the way you wanted us to conduct ourselves. When the desert skirmish happened, you had no reason to intervene since the androids themselves wanted you to not take part yet, you did. You sent us out to fight." Damian explained to Smith, face inscrutable. "If you wanted us to be careful, you would have conserved our strength and only thawed us out if you really needed us. I felt your intentions were to be good to the androids so, I acted in that understanding."

"Sir." Damian added at the end.

The tapping on Smith's fist ended as he leaned back on his chair. "So, you fought on the androids behalf because you had no way of getting orders from me, wanted to help them out to prevent them from shattering and because...it's the right thing to do?"

Damian nodded. "Aye sir. They're our brothers and sisters in arms now. And we watch out for each other."

Smith hummed, glancing at the other pilots. "And you all share this sentiment?"

Bertha grinned and nodded. Falafel craned his head up and down.
"Oh, yes. Absolutely." Hummus said with finality.

Spirit remained quiet. This Smith picked up on. "You don't, Hauser?"

Spirit Indomitable aka Conrad Hauser sighed. "We...didn't have orders to do it, sir. The chain of command has to be respected."

"But the androids needed help, Conrad. Would you, if you were in Damian's place, not help them?" Smith asked, curious.

After a moment's hesitation, Conrad sighed. "I...I would have helped them."

Smith hummed again, face inscrutable. He turned back to Damian. "Well, I can't say I'm upset nor am I happy. I will congratulate you on your victory though. This will surely mean a lot for our relationship with the androids. For now, you and other squads will be grounded for the meantime. Our mechanics have reported that your suits got chewed up bad. Spare parts are in short supply at the moment and I'd rather we not cannibalize our other suits. I'll be speaking with White and Anemone to supply us too. There's also the fact that the Army of Humanity has finished refurbishing one of their stations in space. We wake up the civvies we have, transport them off-world, then we go in to wake up the rest of humanity."

His seat creaked as he stood up. "We've already done more than enough at this time. Until there are moments where we have to intervene or if White and Anemone asks for it, we will be keeping our suits and guys on the downlow for now. You lot are dismissed." He ended with a salute.

The others saluted as well and turned to leave. As Damian was about to go, he paused to look back at the Colonel. "May I ask a question, sir?"

Smith nodded.

"Did we do the right thing?"

The Colonel answered after a moment's thought. "You did."

+++

"Can you drink?"

A2 looked up and saw Dr Naoka looming over her, a mug with something steaming in her hand. Her nose took a sniff of the air and she smelt the strong beverage that was in the mug. It smelt bitter, with a whiff of something light and sweet in it.

"I...no thank you," A2 admitted. Naoka shrugged her shoulders and took a sip from the mug before sighing.

"I hope that in time, we'll get to planting coffee beans again. This stuff is atrocious." Naoka said, her head shaking as she placed her mug by her side as she sat on a chair before a table. A laptop was opened up on it, multiple lines of something displayed on the screen. A2 leaned forward.

"How...can you tell?" A2 asked.

"Oh, this is the swill that the Americans love to drink," Naoka explained, typing down onto her laptop. "I spent years working as a volunteer in the Middle East, caring for refugees from the wars there. The local Arabs brewed their coffee in a way that has left me addicted."

"I see," nodded A2, not knowing how to react to that or what to say. Silence descended in the room, the clacking of keys the only sound that was heard, other than Naoka's soft breathing.

Since her internment here, A2 was keenly aware that her conversational skills weren't exactly the best. Being on the run mostly alone made sure that her socialization skills was severely underutilized and forgotten. That and her frustration at her fugitive status made her all the more unhinged in terms of conversation. She really had nothing else to talk about than how to kill machines or find the best spots to get spare parts for herself. Actually, how the hell does one even talk to a human?

Naoka and the others had been surprisingly accommodating to her. Some were even going out of their way to get to know her. A fact that made A2 feel awkward as she had no idea how to respond to that. Out of the others though, she preferred Naoka the most. The Japanese doctor provided conversation that was new to A2 and she also respected her space.

Now, she was being assigned to her as a bodyguard of sorts but from how Naoka conducted herself, it became clear to A2 that the doctor really didn't like someone looking over her shoulder.

A fact A2 could relate to.

"You're just going to stand there?" Naoka asked. A2 blinked. She was just standing in the corner, looking like a still statue.

"Uh...could I sit?" A2 asked. A small smile crept on Naoka's face.

"There's a couch. Lie down on it." Naoka said, leaning in and pointing at the furniture in question.

"Are you sure that can support me? I'm heavy, you know," A2 said, looking at the thing held up by thin metal legs.

"Hm. Give it a go anyway. One way to test a hypothesis is to experiment," Naoka remarked, going back to working on her laptop. A2 took a note of the doctor's advice and tentatively lowered herself on the couch. The furniture creaked slightly but held her up nevertheless. A2 blinked.

"Wow," Naoka remarked. "How much do you weigh again?"

"A hundred and thirty nine kilograms," A2 answered, her hands resting on her knees.

"A hundred and thirty nine and you still have a figure like that. Women would die to have a body like yours," Naoka whistled, leaning forward and resting her head on clasped fingers.

Bemusement crept on A2's face. "Bullshit. I am an android. No human would want to die for me. I was built to die for humanity." Confusion replaced her bemusement as Naoka laughed, shaking her head.

"I assume you hadn't heard what has happened in the ruined city?" Naoka questioned, tilting her head to the side.

She immediately shot up to her feet. "What has happened? An attack? Tell me!" A2 barraged, her fingers twitching incessantly.

"Calm down, A2-san. And yes, an attack did happend. Those big Engels type machines rampaging through old Tokyo," Naoka said, leaning back to type down on her laptop. "The Resistance was nearly destroyed there but the Sergeant and YoRHa turned the tide."

Hearing this, A2 fell back on the couch, a bitter taste in her mouth. Hearing this, a barrage of emotions coiled through A2. Missing a battle as dire as Naoka described made her feel shame. Her very programming demanded her to fight but that would have meant going to battle alongside YoRHa. She...didn't want to fight with them. Too much bad blood had happened, some things were simply unforgivable.

Naoka watched her quietly.

"How do you feel to all this?" she quizzed A2. The long-haired android glanced up at the Doctor.

"Why the hell would you want to know?" the android bit back blithely. Her programming screamed at her for her disrespect to a human and her cheeks reddened in punishment. Naoka however merely ignored her jab.

"You look constipated just hearing about what I told you. Something is bothering you, clearly. Why not tell me about it?" Naoka explained, her head still tilted.

"Why should I tell you? You're not my friend," A2 said, crossing her arms.

"Well, correct. I am not your friend. However, I am the doctor in charge of this facility which means I'm your doctor now. And what the doctor says, goes." Naoka said, putting her foot down. While she was willing to let A2 have her space, she wasn't going to let her wallow in whatever problem was facing her. She did not keep the android around her for aesthetics. She was here to keep watch over the clearly traumatized android.
The fact that she and the other androids she had spoken to still functioned as people was frankly, surprising.

"Why are you so invested in taking care of me?" A2 asked quietly, looking up at Naoka.

She answered quickly. "Because I am the doctor and taking care of people is my job. My duty. And you clearly haven't had someone else take care of you in awhile." Naoka observed. Despite being clad in new clothes, utilitarian fatigues that was a bit too large for her, it was clear that underneath those clothes A2 still had her battle damage. The Twins had attempted to fix her up but there was only so much they could do. They were gone now, returned to the city to help in the reconstruction efforts.

Smith did not take Devola's departure lying down and he was off somewhere in the facility busying himself with work.

Understandable considering she was pregnant with his child but right now, it still baffled Naoka that they were in eleven thousand years into the future and the men were impregnating androids that would have given models a run for their money.

A2 had no idea of what Naoka was thinking. All she could think about was this human offering her help. No one had given her a helping hand before let alone a human. This was a tremendous honor her old squad would have given everything to get. A2 sighed. Naoka was earnest enough, she supposed.

"I...just feel," A2 sighed, struggling to put her feelings to words. "I feel shame that I wasn't able to fight. I'm built for battle and war. And now you tell me that a major operation has happened that drove back the machines. I...I just feel shame that I wasn't doing what I'm intended to do."

"And didn't the Twins say you needed urgent repairs? It's not as if you could go and make a difference when you need to be repaired by YoRHa," Naoka pointed out. A2's fists tightened some more.

"I...I will not be going back to YoRHa. Never again. Not while she is there." A2 whispered.

Naoka raised a single brow. "She?"

"Commander White," A2 said her name with revulsion and disgust. Once, she respected her.

Once.

"Commander White. Your old CO, as the Americans refer to it," Naoka said. She had been privy to the details behind the Pearl Harbor mission and goodness, what a sinister series of events. The handling of this event ought to have earned its planners a crucifixion, Naoka reckoned.

"Y-yeah. That one," shuddered A2.

"You have a dilemma, though. If you don't return to the bunker where YoRHa can actually truly repair you then you will be unable to fight." Naoka pointed out.

A2 bit her lip. That was the problem that fucked with her head. If she wouldn't return to the Bunker, the one place on the planet that could fix her up or hell, improve her, then she was basically out of commission. But there was also something else. This Naoka sensed.

"I am sensing a but here," Naoka said, eyeing A2.

Their eyes met.

A2 for the first time found a place where she wouldn't have to worry about getting stabbed or shot or blown up to bits. There were humans here. Actual living breathing humans she could go talk to or simply be around with. Her programming went haywire in sending her brain the feeling of satisfaction. After so so long, she was finally around her creators, her gods.

And she didn't want to part from that.

"I...I am safe here," A2 quietly whispered, vulnerability on her face. "I don't have to run. Not anymore."

But it still shamed her that she wasn't fighting.

God damn it. Why were emotions so fucking complicated?

Naoka took in all in, processing A2's mutterings and confessions. She hummed, wondering how to respond. The more she did, the more she realized she wasn't cut for this sort of thing. Comforting people and inspiring them was Smith's handiwork, not her. She took on this role to keep her interactions with people as minimal as possible.

Well.

A2 wasn't people in the traditional organic sense, she figured she could work with that.

"I am not here to judge, only to listen and accept," Naoka said carefully, choosing her words. "Yes, your programming is telling you to fight but you are not your programming. You are more than that, beyond that. You are desiring something else, wishing for it. If staying here is what you want, you are more than welcome to. But if you wish to go and fight, I am sure the Colonel would be more than happy to support and protect you. He's simply that sort of man."

Naoka was no soldier by any means but she had seen war. Lived through it. "When I chose my career, I did so because all I wanted was to live a peaceful life. Yet, the Legion came and threw the entire world into chaos. I was forced to fight. The one thing I learned from that is if you want a peaceful life, you need to go and fight those that do not respect your wishes. We live in a wide world after all, not a island. Sometimes, extraordinary events happen beyond our control and we have to deal with it."

Naoka had no idea if she was making sense but it felt right of her to say it. She turned to A2. "So, what will you chose, A2-san?"

A2 glanced at the ground.

She didn't know how to respond.

+++

Commander White's expression was iron as Anemone and Smith tuned off to settle matters that concerned them. As much as she was delighted at this stunning victory at the ruined city, a victory that would be propagated and propped up as a shining example of cooperation between the androids and their returned gods, she was also aware that its benefits could only be counted with one hand. The appearance of those special machine units was something to be concerned about. What were their capabilities? Were they simply a red herring or did they represent a change in the plans of the Machine Network?

Intelligence was the surest way to let one gain victory. As her mentor once taught her during her earlier years, know thyself and thy enemy. That was the best way to gain victory. White knew show she was and what she could do. She however did not know what these new machine units could do however. YoRHa had to know. Needed to know.

She glanced up at the screen above her, at the numerous operatives being displayed at the screen. Two names popped up to her attention immediately.

Her need for information needed operatives who were certainly skilled but also flexible enough to react to circumstance. Capable to operate independently and competent.

"Operator. Patch me through to YoRHa Unit 2B," White ordered.

Not a second later, a cherry-shaped face appeared on screen, a single beauty mark below her lip.

"2B, I have a mission for you," Commander White began immediately, not wasting time. "The special machine units you've encountered at the Amusement Park, they must be investigated immediately. They represent a unknown in our war against the Machine Network. We cannot afford to let these unknowns walk around and threaten our war effort. Utilize every means available to you to complete this task."

Dutifully, 2B nodded. "Understood, ma'am."

White continued. "For this mission, I am assigning you and 9S to work in tandem. As well as 12H. The data that has been filtered back to the Bunker show how well you three work together. This is a special unit assignment to ensure further operational success for you."

If 2B was surprised by the assignment, she did not show it. "And with Captain 1D and the rest?"

"They will have new units assigned with them. They've already been restored here in the bunker." White said, the logs showing 1D and the other crushed androids returned with new memories and bodies.

"I see," 2B replied laconically. "I...have a question, Commander."

White bid her to talk. "Yes, 2B?"

"With the return of humanity, what is our orders regarding...maintenance?" 2B asked carefully. White knew immediately what she was talking about. The lie that YoRHa and the rest of the Army of Humanity maintained. She already had an answer for that thanks to the short conversation she had with Smith. She had to admit that sort of conversation was short and anti-climactic. But they were in the middle of conducting an operation. It wasn't as if they had the time to sit down and discuss about things.

White sighed.

After the bombastic display at the Ruined City, she knew it was only a matter of time until androids would start asking questions. Then...the rug would be pulled.

"All operations regarding maintenance are halted for the moment until a consensus is reached." White said simply. "I am confident however that it will no longer be needed as our priorities will be changed. Do you have any questions?"

2B shook her head.

"Good. Contact me again once you've completed your mission. Glory to Mankind." White ended with a salute. With that, the call ended and she was back again to the motions of running the station. Her ears perked as a pair of heels stepped up close next to her. 21O leaned in close to whisper something to her.

"The Council wants to what?" White blinked.

+++

A ray of sunlight dawned on 2B's face.

She stood in a corner of the camp, far from the bustle of a settlement energized by victory and the arrival of humanity. She needed the quiet, both to take herself out of the noise as well as to speak with the Commander regarding a question that had been plaguing her mind.

Her reason for creation was no longer needed, not when humanity was well and truly here.

042 hovered next to her. "Alert: Scans show YoRHa Unit 2B black box activity is fluctuating. Recommendation: See YoRHa Unit 9S or 12H for maintenance."

"No, that will not be necessary, Pod." 2B said softly. She was keenly aware of what she was feeling. She knew herself enough to know that what she felt inside her 'heart' was hope.

"Query: What is YoRHa Unit 2B experiencing? This Tactical Support Unit cannot offer assistance without tangible data." Pod 042 questioned, tilting slightly to show its confusion.

2B crossed her arms and sighed once more. "I...I'm experiencing many things, Pod. I'm...Humanity is here." She spoke softly, reverence in her tone. She felt a lingering dissatisfaction with her creators for giving her a painful existence but the humanity that awoke in the deep desert...they weren't the people that made her, were they? And to walk alongside them...that was the dream of every single android. But as excited as she was about that, the possibilities presented by their return was just...too much to think of.
"And...it's making me think that I can hope again. That I can be true again. To myself and to..." She continued but then hesitated. Even now, she halted in letting her own feelings out.

"Emotions are prohibited," Pod 042 reminded her dryly. Despite its tone, 2B knew that there wasn't really any heat to it. "YoRHa prohibits the forming of attachments between its members. The ri-"

"I know the risks, Pod," 2B interrupted 042. The Pod wasn't offended by any means and allowed 2B to continue. "It's just..."

The words of the Sergeant played again in her head.

Damian sighed. "The point is, there is only so much time in the world we have. Regret is shit, 2B. Don't wait for this 9S to approach you first. Sometimes, you have to take the first step. You never know when it's going to be the last time you see them, you know?"

As 2B spoke, 042 noted that her hands were slowly reaching up to her blindfold...

"2B?"

2B turned to see 9S standing by the corner of the alleyway, concern clear underneath his blindfolded eyes. "Are you okay? What happened? Did the call with the Commander go well?"

2B quickly lowered her hands, the stoic expression on her face coming to full force. "Yes," she answered as she turned to him. "It seems we will be working together some more."

"Oh yeah!" 9S nodded enthusiastically as he went up to her, excitement on his face. "I've also had a call with my Operator too and she's said that I'm going to be permanently attached to you now! I honestly thought that this was just going to be a temporary assignment but looks like it isn't!"

"You're happy with that arrangement?" 2B asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course! I'm always happy to be with you!" 9S smiled innocently, his teeth flashing brightly in the darkness of the alleyway.

"I...I see," 2B said, turning away slightly. Her cheeks were warm for some reason.

"Alert: YoRHa Unit 2B's internal temperature is warming. Proposal: Inject coolant into inner core," Pod 042 said calmly while betraying and stabbing 2B in the back.

"W-what?" 9S perked up in concern. "Are you okay?"

2B swore she was going to go and dip her pod in a puddle. Refusing to look at the traitor, she offered the little scanner a smile. "Y-yes, I am. It's just humid in this alley. Come now, 9S. Anemone still has errands for us to run." 2B announced, her heels walking forward.

"R-right," 9S said, following after her.

As the two androids rounded the corner, they were beheld to the sight of reconstruction. The Resistance androids had lowered the helmets for construction ones, their rifles for spades and picks, their heavy equipment for cement mixers and more.

"The Resistance is in full swing of reconstruction," 9S remarked, awe in his voice as they walked past a team of androids working on a pile of rubble, their foreman yelling at his teams as they strained to move a sizeable piece of rock.

They took a step aside as a bulldozer trudged on, pushing soil, and rock, and sand forward. "The Engels attack destroyed much of the city as well as Resistance assets. It's no surprise that Colonel Anemone feels that they can go and renew what was destroyed."

"2B! 9S!" a voice waved at them. The two perked up to see 12H waving at them. The two gave each other a glance before walking off to join her. The tall Healer smiled seeing them.

"So, looks like we're going to be working together some more. Don't worry you two, I'll make sure that both of you will be taken care of!" 12H declared, her hands on her hips.

"You're not upset by this assignment, 12H?" 9S asked, curious on the Healer's feelings on the matter. She cocked her head, looking down at the Scanner.

"Well...I'd love to go and work with 1D again but it'll be...hard to go and work with someone you were close with only for them to be a different person," 12H admitted, looking down slightly. She shook her head to smile. "There's bright sides to this at least. I will be on the ground and in turn, I will be closer to Damian!"

"Ah..." 9S remarked. Bemusement filled him as he saw the excitement on 12H's face. She looked well and truly happy. Happier even than the other androids around.

2B saw it too.

A uncomfortable feeling welled in her stomach. Pod would later tell her that this emotion was called envy.

"Well...um...have you guys spoken back yet?" 9S asked, steering the conversation back.

"Hm?" 12H turned to him. "Oh not yet. We've all been busy these past few days so we haven't gotten the chance but, he did email me!" Her expression turned into a pout. "He says that the Colonel has grounded him and his squad until further notice so I might have to go and visit him instead."

9S nearly chuckled as 12H's eyes turned sly. "Say...what are the chances that our target is in the desert? It would be worth checking on that."

"We are not going to the desert at this time," 2B spoke up, her arms crossed. "Anemone has asked for our assistance here in the meantime. It will be good for us to make ourselves available to her for the moment then, we can start our search."

"Booo, you're no fun," 12H said, sticking her tongue out at 2B. "Well, that's fine. I need to go and have a gift ready before I see Damian again anyway."

"Gift?" 9S asked, interest in his voice. 12H nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh yeah! A gift! My research says that giving gifts is a big deal in human culture. It's a sign of great respect or love." 12H explained dreamily. "And yes, I do love him. He's just so...so..."

"Emotions are prohibited," Pod 042 spoke up, reminding 12H of their place. "Furthermore, relations between YoRHa members are-"

"Well, Damian isn't exactly an android nor is he a member of YoRHa," 12H challenged back, her hands to her hips and her expression smug. "Whatcha gonna do about it, Pod?"

"You're going to violate the rules of YoRHa, just like that?" 9S asked, horrified.

"To love is to be alive. And Damian has made me feel so alive since we met," 12H said, defiance in her eyes. She took a breath, calming down. "And it's not as if I am fully violating the rules of YoRHa. I am with Damian. What are they going to do, tell him to stop?"

2B listened quietly.

She listened very very closely.

"Heyyyyy, YoRHa!" a loud voice called out to them. The three YoRHa units turned to see Jackass waving at them. Jackass grinned, three construction helmets held in her hand. She held it up, causing them to clink.

"Why don't you show us a thing or two how you guys do field work!"

+++

9S sighed as his rear landed on the soft mattress. His body felt like it had been fighting fifty Engels units and back. While androids didn't register exhaustion, 9S was pretty sure that he was making advances in that department. His nose still had the lingering scent of concrete, sand, and soil. His boots were dirty, specked with earth and rock. He shook his head, leaning down to untie his laces and take his boot off. Taking it off, he twisted it around in his hand and let a few pebbles fall down from it.

Was this really how the Resistance fought? Entrenchments and spades? If it was, he wasn't really fit for this type of thing.

He blinked as there was a click. He looked up to see the door swing open. The clacking of heels followed and in came 2B, hips swaying with every step. 9S blinked, taking a moment to look away from that. 2B stopped walking, her eyes turned towards 9S. "9S? Is something wrong?" 2B asked, noting that the Scanner was looking away.

"Um, no. It was just...nothing," 9S stammered, turning back to look at 2B. "So! How was your day, 2B?" He cleared his throat, willing to talk about anything other than his eyes wandering over 2B's form.

"9S, we spent the entire day together. There isn't more that I can say when you already know," 2B replied, straightforward as ever, arms crossed as she walked up to him. She cocked her head to the side. "Though I admit, it was tedious. This sort of work, the digging, isn't for us YoRHa androids."

"Where's 12H? I thought she'd be here by now," 9S asked, looking over 2B's shoulder, his eyes at the door. He blinked as he bounced a little, 2B having sat herself next to him. His face flushed slightly, noting the way 2B had crossed her legs together, her arms still crossed as well.

"She's decided to pull double shifts," 2B said with finality.

"Double shifts? What does that mean?" 9S asked, craning his head to 2B.

"I don't know. It is a human phrase." 2B explained quickly. Her tone shifted as she turned slightly towards 9S. "9S?"

Spoiler: Recommended OST: Weight of the World

"Y-yeah?" 9S squeaked up, his fingers gripped the ends of his shorts. Nervousness coursed through his body. 2B had never been this close to him before. It was new. But it wasn't unwelcome.

"I..." 2B attempted. Her tone shifted again, the confidence that was in her actions slowly wafting away. Her eyes drank 9S's form. How he sat, how he looked at her, how he just...was himself. It all seemed so easy in her head.

"Y-yes?" 9S said, his foot tapping the floorboard of their shared room.

In 2B's mind, the voice of 042 played in her head. Emotions were prohibited. Attachments were illegal. It was a distraction. But then, Damian's voice also played too. If Emotions were prohibited then what was the point of having them and not getting to practice them? 2B saw how happy 12H was, how content and satisfied she seemed to be. Yes, what she was doing was a blatant violation against YoRHa's rules but...she was happy.

Since her inception, it had been nothing but unhappy circumstance to another unhappy circumstance.

She was going to make a choice now.

And her choice was to be happy.

"9S?" 2B tried again, her courage restored. The Scanner perked up. "H-hm?"

9S's affirmation died in his throat as 2B leaned in, smashing her lips against his. His eyes widened behind his blindfold out of surprise but he let that emotion wash over him, new ones going through. His black box and core sent waves of pleasure and warmth flowing through his body. 2B's hand fell under 9S's jaw, tender caresses against his skin. Their kiss continued, their bodies intertwined in love.

And just as a volcano erupted in a magnificent explosion, so did the hidden depths of 9S and 2B.

Warning Lemon 🍋

(A/N: FINALLY, MA BOY GETS HIS GIRL, LES GO NINES )

2B gasped as 9S pushed her down against the soft mattress, his hands holding firmly her wrists against the bed. He had pulled away from the kiss, his breaths greedy and gasping. Noses hovering against each other, 9S returned 2B's early kiss with his own. Soft flesh fell on each other, quiet moans leaving their union. 2B surrendered herself fully to her released emotions, her hips bucking against 9S and 9S returning it as he grinded against.

2B had never done this before. She had no idea what she was doing if she had to be honest to herself and neither did 9S but instinct guided them. Raw and base instinct that was wrong to do but felt so right. 2B's lips opened, her tongue snaking against 9S to open his. He did so willingly, letting their tongues clash in a moment of ecstasy. A shiver rushed up 2B as he arms wrapped around 9S's back, her hips bucking against 9S's some more.

Her body screamed at her, yelled at her. A hungry and desperate feeling welt in her core, in her soul. She needed it, wanted it, desired it. She pulled away from their lovemaking, her cheeks flushed and her breaths still. "Nines...please....I...I can't wait anymore," she whispered.

"R-right!" 9S stammered, leaning back fumbling with the button and zipper of his shorts. 2B spread her legs wide, her hands reaching down to pull up her skirt and to the underside of her leotard. Despite the gloves she wore, she felt how absolutely soaked she was down there. Her entrance, her womanhood, screamed for 9S.

And 9S replied, his cock springing forth from the confines of his shorts. 2B sucked in a breath as he let it grind between her wet folds. Looming over her, breathing heavy and steamy, 9S glanced down at his lover.

"2B?" 9S asked.

2B reply was to wrap her hands around him, her legs on his waist. 9S nodded slowly, understanding what must be done. And he did so, his cock finding her entrance and, he slowly thrust himself in.

A gasp left 2B, fire burning inside her walls, a comforting weight kissing her insides. Her tongue threatened to loll out of her mouth as 9S's full length nestled itself inside her. 9S groaned as slick and wet walls enclosed upon him. Tight and fiery, 2B refused to let him go.

Then, he began to thrust.

2B gasped and sucked in heavy breaths as 9S's cock left and entered her, each thrust sending her into the brink. He felt like he was made for her, how perfect and good it fit inside her. Every thrust in her, it just hit her in all the right places, her G-spot teased and prodded by his length. Every thrust out, like an emptiness that just left her wanting more. All the while, she whispered his name. "9S! 9S! 9S!"
Their bodies made the sun look cold. Sweat dripped down their skin, fluids pouring from every pore on their body. The bed groaned, protesting the added weight and activity done by the two. But 9S and 2B did not care. They lost themselves in their love, in their connection. Feelings and emotions long hidden from view were now being poured out like a dam being broken and the drizzle turning into a thunderstorm. And they did not let up.

2B's walls wrapped securely and firmly around 9S. If only it could, it wouldn't let him go. 2B yearned for him, wanted him, needed him. And 9S was more than happy to give what 2B wanted. He was feral now, his thrusts wilder, harder, deeper. 2B could only take it, oh she took it. Her whispered gasps turned to load moans, cries of pleasure that echoed against the stone walls. Her tongue fully lolled out her mouth dripping wet with saliva. 9S leaned in, taking 2B's offered tongue with his own. He took her, dominated her to his bare desire. 2B was a desirous calamity and he was going to take that and make it his own.

"Mpgh! Mm! Hrm!" moaned the androids, the slick and wet sounds of sex going faster and harder. 2B's core whirred, her legs wrapping around 9S, muscled thighs refusing to let him go. And 9S wasn't going to. He leaned into their kiss, near tempted to bite 2B. She felt like she was going to explode. And fuck, it was going to feel so so so good!

She was going to climax. She was going to cum. Fuck, fuck! Fuck! Her back arched, her brain firing waves of pure delight as 2B orgasmed, a scream in her mouth stifled by 9S's lips. She held onto him for dear life as she came, warm liquid squirting from her womanhood. Cream poured freely from 2B, wrapping around 9S. The scanner too did not let up. His cock pulsing as his orgasm hit a second after 2B, thick loads of his cum flowing deep inside 2B. A groaning gasp left 2B's lips as the intensity faded, the two collapsing on each other.

Breathing heavily, 9S lifted himself up, looking down at 2B. How beautiful she looked, how inviting and just....perfect.

2B craned her head back up, her body settling in slowly as it returned to normal. Did she feel guilty? Ashamed? She tried to look for those emotions within her. And no matter how hard she tried...there simply wasn't any. 2B reached up, her lips once more finding 9S's.

And 9S did it back. When they pulled away, they looked into each other's eyes, their blindfolds loosened. With the fullest sincerity in his heart, in his soul, 9S confessed.

"I love you,"

Her heart swelled.

"I love you," 2B confessed back.

+++