+++

Her bed never felt more comfortable.

Commander White glanced at the stark ceiling of her own private quarters, having long since returned to the Bunker. She was bare and naked, very much like how she was first manufactured oh so many years ago. Her clothes were in a pile at the corner of her room, still crumpled and dirty. It was a contrasting image, from the prim and proper view she had cultivated to her actual private habits. Though, her neglect of personal maintenance stemmed from not really having any reason to. It wasn't as if she was going to get any visitors into her room.

But this time though...

She felt the sandy particles on her skin, her systems replaying all the wonderful memories she had made in descending back into the planet again. And this time...she didn't want to clean that part away.

Her cheeks flushed, her sensors replaying all that had happened in perfect recollection. The benefit and curse of every android, the ability to truly record what had happened as if it just occurred not a second again. A pit formed in her stomach, a fierce and intense longing that only those who have felt the touch of affection and love could know. But she couldn't. She still had duties to perform.

She sat up on her bed and prepared to get into new clothes. Here, she was simply White. Outside of her room, she was Commander White.

Time to get back into it.

She stepped in through the room, and beheld a massive chamber. The nerve center was just as she remembered it. Operators typing away or speaking at their terminals, the massive holographic screen at the far wall showing a map of the world, as well as the statuses of all YoRHa agents in the planet. As soon as she set foot inside, all activity stopped as the Operators stood up as one, saluting her with their palms to their chest.

"Welcome back, Commander," the Operators all greeted her as soon as she had stepped foot back inside YoRHa's nerve center, the one room in the Bunker that decided the fate of those under her command.
White returned the salute. "At ease, and return to your duties. Operator 210, 60, report to me."

She took her place at the platform overlooking both the lower and upper levels of the nerve center, casting an oppressive eye at the Operators under her. White quickly noted that some sat a little bit straighter. It seemed in her absence, some of her girls allowed themselves to be lax.

That would not do. Not when Smith could visit them anyday now.

But first...
She could hear 210(Right) and 60(Left) approach her.

Not hard to do really since 60 was chattering excitingly about something to her fellow Operator.
"Sitrep," she said simply, her riding crop slapped gently against her palm for emphasis. That cut off their conversation quickly as 210 stood forward.

"Operations in the Kingdom of Day remain at nominal levels, Commander," 210 reported dutifully and smoothly. The Kingdom of Day of course referring to the one side of the planet that experienced eternal sunlight, eternal day. Really, it should mostly be a blasted desert much like the place she had just left but maso kept things as they were, locked in stasis. She was sure that some artful android or human could find a lesson to be learned here but not her.

She thought of logistics, and tactics, and formations. Not art or philosophy.

"What is the status of our operatives on the planet?" She asked, stepping forward to glance up at the massive holographic screen brightly shining against the far wall.

"U-um, the 17th and 4th Combat Squads have reported success in their missions, m-ma'am!" 60 squeaked. "The 17th have managed to reduce Engels-class units in the Philippine Sea to acceptable rates with minimal casualties!" Her eyes then brightened. "Oh, and the 4th Squad's Captain personally engaged with a local machine controller in the Yellow Sea!"
That was good news. "That'll soften the pressure for the Resistance in the Philippines and those operating in the Yellow Sea. Good. Asides from the 4th Squads Captain, anyone that distinguished themselves?"

210 nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. 5B from the 17th. She led a successful distraction that allowed her squad to engage the Engel's units piece by piece."

"Then give her a reward. A new sword perhaps and a promotion. If she keeps this up, she'll be able to have her own squad someday," White nodded. Good work ought to be rewarded and bad work corrected. Chastisement was only for those who needed it. Failures of the men came from the officers and a bad officer was better of dead than wasting the lives and talents of their subordinates.
All in all, good news. But that wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"And the status of Station 7?" she asked, turning towards the both of them.

At that, the mood of the two Operators turned. Standing a bit straighter now, they met White's gaze. "Station 7 is at 90% conversion, ma'm. It is ready for habitation," 210 reported, her tone stoic but yet, quivering with poorly hidden emotion.

Finally.

"Colonel Smith will be pleased, then." She sighed in relief. The good Colonel cared for his people, and her and the androids despite them not really needing any supervision or care. They were not infants after all. But...it felt nice. To have a human look and care for them. And the way Smith just made her feel....

"What...what were they like?" 60 found herself asking, wonder in her eyes.

For a moment, a crack appeared on White's persona. "Wonderful. Just...everything that we all have dreamed of," White admitted, her voice filled with reverance and awe. She sighed in bliss, glancing at her hand. "Their leader, Colonel Smith. He touched my hand." White whispered, her voice less a commander now and a more akin to a devotee visiting a shrine to their god.

"Woah," 60 gasped in awe, her eyes wide. At her side, 210 cleared her throat. "Commander, if I may...were there any human children?"

White tilted her head. "I do not seem to recall. While there were multiple pods, I didn't see any pods containing human young. Why do you ask?"

"....For data interests," 210 said simply, after a long and pregnant pause.

Right. White shook her head. "There will be plenty of time for either of you...or all of you, to meet them." White said, glancing over her shoulder to see her Operators stealing glances, discreetly or otherwise, at them.

They looked away. White continued. "But first, we must ensure that the humans below get to Station 7 securely and safely. Once that is happen, I will petition high command to allow us visiting rights to the station considering how close we are, as well as be the station's security."

Around Earth's orbit was many great space stations that acted both as factories for the Army of Humanity and as to function a important strategic role. Her bunker was among one of them. Great in its use and function but there were others that were greater. Station 7 occupied an area in orbit just a flight away.

Hearing that, 210 and 60, and their fellow Operators took in a deep and excited breath. "Understood, ma'am. You will not find us, or our charges, lacking," 210 vowed.

"I will work hard t-too, Commander!" 60 promised, clearly eager for the chance to see humans for the first time.

"See that you do. For Mankind," White nodded.

Then suddenly, there came a shout. "C-Commander! We have a urgent transmission from the surface! It is from Captain 1D!"

From 1D? Did something happen to the Outpost?

"Patch her in!" White ordered, stepping forward. At that, an image of 1D appeared on the great screen of the nerve center. Her mouth moved, the words registered into White's receptors.

Her eyes widened as shock and fear gripped her. But it all simply fizzled away as something else took her. Rage. Fury.

Bloodlust.

Kill.

KILL

KILL

+++

Perched atop a walkway, a lone white-haired android watched a fascinating scene below him.

"Brother...Brother," the little stubbie cried, its arms vainly shaking the fallen biped below it. No matter how much the it did it, the biped would not budge. From his perch, 9S watched the sight, curiosity and amusement in his eyes as the little biped stopped, talking to itself.

"Brother...wait a minute," It said, trying to soothe the deactivated biped before it. It reared back, hopping off into the back. It emerged a second later, a bucket above its head filled with black ooze. Petrol, 9S quickly identified. The stubby then dumped its contents on the biped, staining it with oil. This function the stubby repeated, over and over again chittering and chattering how its brother would be okay.

9S shook his head, leaning back on the walkway he sat. "It doesn't matter how much oil you give it, little guy. You can't make a machine your brother," said 9S. His voice reflected his appearance, boyish and youthful. He was average in height, with a thick tunic and shorts, and boots and gloves. All black, as all YoRHa uniforms were. And just like all YoRHa units, the blindfold covered his eyes.

It was then his Pod began to rang. Blinking, 9S stood up from where he stood. An incoming call meant that he had to be presentable and his Operator was always the type to be sticky about it. Dusting himself off, he nodded at Pod 153 for the call to be accepted. There was a glow as 153 projected a screen before him. 210 appeared, her voice mature and professional as ever. "Operator 210 to 9S, do you read?"

He thought about flashing his best smile but decided against it. 210 sounded serious. Even more serious than usual. Had something happened? "9S here, go ahead," said 9S.

"Your reconnaissance in force mission is over. Prepare to receive new orders," 210 told him, her voice flat. 9S raised an eyebrow at that.

"Understood," 9S drawled.

"I can hear your tone, 9S. What is it?" 210 asked, her gaze levelling at him. Honestly, it was rather intimidating.

"Well...I have been monitoring this factory for weeks now by myself....you know?" 9S pointed out, a tad frustrated that after being sent here to stare at the factory, he was just being taken somewhere else. He was a soldier who took pride in his work and to just be moved like that felt rather demeaning.

"Your services have been taken note and will be used in a later date, 9S," 210 replied. "However, something far more important has coughed up. Get to your flyer and head for the Desert Region. You will be briefed on the way."

Okay...? That was weird but orders were orders. And as a grunt, he didn't really have much room to argue. "Yes, yes." 9S said, his legs moving as he settled on a jog towards his flight unit perched nearby. He climbed into it with a hiss as the flight unit positioned deep into it. His systems connected with it and with a singular thought, he became the flight unit. It took little more than a second as the thrusters roared to life. The flight unit shifted and soon, he was blasting off into the direction of the desert.

"Alright. I'm in. Ready for briefing," 9S reported.

"Boost your electronic defenses and isolate the connection," 210 replied coolly.

His curiosity increased ten-fold. His core fluttered with excitement. Was he going to get some sort of super ultra special secret mission? He did as 210 ordered him to do. "Flight unit is isolated. Ready to receive," 9S tried and failed to keep the excitement in his voice down. He blinked as he received a set of coordinates in his system.

"You are to head over these coordinates and assist in the reactivation of YoRHa units 2B and A2. Report to a Colonel Smith, the commander of that facility," 210 said, ever professional.

9S blinked, a series of questions running through his mind. He was elated to see 2B again. He had worked numerous missions with her and...he valued their work relationship. Though why would 2B need reactivation there? And who was A2? Was it some new type of android YoRHa was going to be fielding? And Colonel Smith? He had no idea that the resistance operated a base in the desert considering how that region had little strategic value save for some oasis's and oil wells.

"Understood. I will report as soon as I arrive there," 9S declared, his voice giddy.

"Good. Do not delay any further. 210 out," his Operator reminded him before the call was cut. 9S rolled his eyes at her tone. Scanner models like him were naturally curious and what if he deviated from missions sometimes to check out something interesting? He was gathering data! That was quite literally his job!

Yes...he might have a extensive list of flora and fauna in his databanks but it was well worth the gb he spent saving it, he swore it on his production line.

And so, his flight unit blasted off into the desert. 9S already felt the transition from city ruins to desert region. The temperature on his sensors was going haywire. He thanked the fact that he was in a flight unit. If he were to be on the ground running around, he would be absolutely miserable. It was the desert after all. It was coarse, rough, and would get everywhere.

He blinked when his sensors registered dots on his radar. So so so many dots. Then, beeping. He was being tracked. A bead of sweat ran through his forehead as images of anti-aircraft batteries or even surface to air missiles being pointed at him played in his mind. Wasn't he expected?

Thankfully, Pod 153 began ringing. He quickly picked up the call and to his relief, a YoRHa unit met him. "This is 1D to YoRHa unit 9s. Do you copy?"

"Y-yes, it's me. Man, you guys scared me!" 9S sighed with relief. "So, where are going?"

"With me," 1D asserted, her voice brooking no argument. There was a boom as a pair of YoRHa fliers zoomed past him.

9S felt bummed. Okay..? All he did was just ask a question...

Shaking his head, his thrusters roared to life as he joined in the impromptu squadron. They flew long and fast, the angels of God would be outclassed. Eventually, 9S noted that they were slowing down. "Pod, call 210." 9S said as their squadron began descending.

Not a minute later, 210 appeared in his sight. 9s cleared his throat. "210 to 9S. Have you arrived at the coordinates?"

He nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I've linked up with YoRHa unit 1D at the site!" 9S reported cheerfully.

210 made an affirmative hum. "Good. Be on your best behaviour, do you understand?"

9S groaned. "I'm not a kid! I know how to be polite!" Shaking his head. "I promise I will be on my best behaviour. Happy?"

"Good," 210 said with finality, and a twinkle of approval in her eyes. "Report to me once you are finished, 210 out."

And with that, the call was over. 9s groaned openly. Despite the amount of times they worked together, 210 kept on treating him not as a soldier but like a little boy. Granted, his appearance was that of a kid but her was far from it! Grumbling, he positioned his flight unit after 1D's and the other android as they entered through an opening in the sand. Long rows of metal and granite met him as he descended into a great chasm kept alit by strong lights. He marvelled at the construction.

"You see this, Pod? I never knew that we had a base here in the desert," 9S said with glee. What could he find out here?

"Speculation: The Army of Humanity maintains numerous facilities both in orbit and in terestrial territory. Some are hidden purposefully, others YoRHa units haven't been to." Pod 153 explained, her voice electronic yet pleasant to the ears.

"Well, looks like we are about to find out!" 9S said cheerily. The flight units then went from the chasm and onto a great hangar of sorts. He blinked as he saw how populated it was. Androids in resistance clothes were all around at their posts being led by men in uniforms he had never seen before. The mood was hectic, as many were running around pushing boxes or checking over great suits, arms sporting from their arms or shoulders. He noted the great banner that was held above by strong wire, that of a globe with a olive wreath in a sky-blue field.

"Woah..." 9S whispered, unable to keep the awe out of his voice.

His blinked as he glanced down and saw an android waving at him with two glowing sticks, indicating him where to go. He followed it, landing on a platform. His body shook slightly as his flight unit landed with a thud. The cockpit hisses as 9S stepped out, taking in the air of the outpost.

He blinked as he was quickly met by 1D and a fellow YoRHa model. "Scanner, with me." 1D's voice brooked no argument.

"Y-yes!" 9S affirmed, rushing to go after 1D. They walked through the hanger and of course, he made sure to take in every single thing that was there. From the hanger, they climbed great metal steps that led them into a deeper chamber. It reminded 9S of the Bunker considering how grey and spartan it was, lights on both the ceiling and floor offering light.

"Um," 9S began, trying to start a conversation. "I had no idea we had a base here!"

"Trust me, we didn't know before either," 1D spoke up. "This place was found on accident by the Resistance weeks ago."

Weeks ago?

"Huh. So, what did we find in here? Artifacts?" 9S asked, his curiosity leaking.

"Humans," 1D's quiet companion spoke up, her voice reverent.

9S continued in the walk, his mind empty.

Humans?

Here?

A surge of excitement coursed through him. Humans!? Humans were here? Boy, that sure explained how 210 was so tight-lipped about everything. Suddenly, 9S realized how important this became. He felt foolish that he was so worked up about his resentment at being redeployed. Let some other scanner stare at metal and industrial refuse. There were humans here! Humans!

His mouth became an excited chipper of endless talking. "Humans are here? Where are they? What are they like?Oh my god, oh my god! Have you seen them? Do they like us? Do they talk like us? Do the-"
Suddenly, they stopped. 9S blinked, finding himself before a great metal door and twin YoRHa units and numerous other resistance androids gathered outside. Then, there were two others clad in some sort of power armor, faces hidden by helmets. Those could surely be humans! But then he saw the symbols and letters next to it. "Infirmary," he read aloud. His excitement dwindled slightly, 210's words about 2B needing reactivation coming to his mind. The androids parted as the great doors opened and 9S was beheld to a room of white and beds, medical equipment strewn here and there. At the far end, a group stood before two beds that held two lying down androids.

"2B!" 9S cried out, alarm in his tone. He ran towards her, fear in his core. The group parted to let him pass. He didn't even register the others. His mind was focused solely on 2B.

"What happened?" He asked, his gaze never leaving her prone body.

"EMP attack," one of the group said, her hair a fierce red. "We couldn't wake her up, no matter what we did. We needed a scanner for this."

"R-right!" 9S said, taking a breath. He glanced down at 2B then stretched out his arms. "Hacking!"

+++

As that YoRHa unit, a boy to Smith's surprise, went to work on 2B and that other YoRHa android, the Colonel gave a sigh of relief. He placed a hand on Damian's shoulder, now clad in more casual clothes and seated in between the two sleeping YoRHa androids.

"They'll be alright, Sergeant. You did good work." Damian had flown back to the outpost, both androids in his arms like a metaphorical knight in shining armor carrying away the damsel in distress. The imagery was unimportant however compared to the massive wound that Damian sported in his lower abdomen. Staunching gel in the suit's systems had stopped him from bleeding out but it still hurt like hell for the Sergeant. The infirmary was quickly occupied, with Devola and Popola, as well as Naoko and her team fussing over him and the asleep androids with one hand, then a notebook taking in every single detail.

The application of magic was not a lost concept for the humans. Hell, their very technology was thanks to magic. But seeing it work, not as a piece of tech but in actual practical applications was something to behold. Damian at that point had been stripped of his Yggdrasil and examined. The Twins leaned in, glancing at his wound before stretching their hands out as if casting a spell and from their palms, golden light poured forth.

With wide eyes, the humans watched as Damian's wound literally stitched itself back together, muscles repairing in a nano-second, arteries and other parts Smith had no idea about coming back together.

All in all, a process undergone in five minutes what six weeks would require.

He shook his head. "How is she doing, son?" Smith asked 9S, a look of intense concentration on his face as he worked on restoring 2B's systems.

"Uh...she's doing..." 9S glanced at 2B. "The EMP attack fried her internal systems and forced her to reset, sir. That's why, um," he glanced at the Twins.

"Devola and Popola," Devola spoke for both her and her sister.

"Yeah, um, that is why Devola and Popola couldn't just work on her easily. For her own defense, she's shut off herself until another YoRHa unit checks on her. Luckily, I am here now," he turned to 2B, smiling slightly. "It's okay, 2B. I'm here. 9S. Remember me?"

Smith turned away from the two and towards the other guest. She was incredibly battered up, with parts of her skin quite literally falling off. He strode over to her, noting the look of peace on her face. It didn't really take much to tell Smith that this one had seen so much, been through much, and suffered much.

"Colonel...I know I have reminded you but this unit is a deserter and a traitor to humanity," 1D spoke up again, her heels clacking as she strode forward next to him. " YoRHa Unit A2 is dangerous and has killed androids sent to apprehend her. Who knows what she will do if she regained consciousness?"

Upon seeing A2, the YoRHa androids nearly went berserk and wanted to eliminate A2. A fierce look from Damian and his own order calling them to stop was what halted them. Damian turned to 1D, crossing his arms.

"She could have killed me yet she didn't. She aided that resistance truck when she didn't have to. Something about her status is fishy to me," he glanced up at Smith. "Colonel, I promise you. This girl, something's happened to her that's made her this way. I could see it in her eyes, sir. The pain, the loss. She's not that bad, I swear it."

Smith glanced at 1D, then back to Damian. "We'll keep her here then. Damian, 2B and this A2 will be your responsibility. Watch over them until they get better. I will be speaking with White about our situation. You understand?"

"Aye, sir," Damian nodded, earning a sigh from 1D. He turned to Devola and Popola. "You two can manage looking over these two? A2 more, I think. She's all battered."

The Twins nodded. "We don't really care much for who YoRHa considers as criminals. We'll help," Devola declared.

It was at this moment, Naoka crossed her arms and spoke up. "And are you sure you want to go and work, when you have a child growing inside of you?"

The room blinked as one. Devola's cheeks reddened. "D-doctor, with respect, I've barely begun getting into the first trimester. I will be fine."

"She's pregnant? Who's the dad? How?" Damian blinked, disbelief in his eyes. 9S even spared a moment's glance to look at Devola.

"I am. How is not important. Get back to work," Smith said bluntly. Damian looked at him in awe before realization set on his face. The two men glanced at each other.

"Oh shit," Damian whispered.

"We'll be having a talk with all the guys in fraternizing with the locals, Sergeant," Smith said, clapping him on the shoulder. "1D with me."

And so, they walked out with Smith's office as the destination. They weren't alone however as Naoka followed behind, one hand pocketed inside her labcoat. Smith turned to her. "Doctor?"

"There's something that I need to discuss with you," said Naoka. "In your office. Not in front of everyone." They all still within earshot of the crowd of resistance androids in the halls. Smith nodded and bid her to follow, 1D still trailing behind as ordered. Inside Smith's office, he sighed as he took a seat behind his desk. 1D faithfully stood behind him, ready to do whatever the Colonel asked. Naoka simply sat across him, legs and arms crossed.

"What is it?" Smith asked.

"I have had a chance to catch up on what has happened." Naoka said, leaning back. "You've made some stirring speeches, Colonel. But with how injured Damian was, you understand what sort of price will be paid in that? We do not have the numbers to send our people out into the field willy-nilly. Imagine what could have happened if Damian had no staunching gel. We would have lost a man and the androids would be devastated," Naoka was blunt and straight to the point, her voice not exactly hiding her scepticism.

"I understand your concerns, Naoka. But this is our planet too. We have to fight for it as well," Smith sighed. "When we all went to ice, we knew that the world we were going to wake up to was going to be different. We weren't going to be relaxing and slipping margaritas. My men and I, we are doing our jobs in soldiering and fighting."

His tone brook no argument.

"It does not stop the fact that it's still foolish and wasteful. The androids are fighting for us in this war. Let them do their jobs. Do not send actual humans to fight when they are needed in restoring the population," Naoka said a little too hotly. 1D on the other hand felt strange. The heated argument in the room, between two humans no less, made her feel awkward. A pit gnawed at her stomach. Fear too, as she saw the looks Naoka and Smith were exchanging.

"...Please stop fighting," she implored them quietly. Smith and Naoka glanced at 1D. Smith swivelled on his chair to face her.

"No no, we aren't fighting. Doctor Naoka and I, we just are having a difference in opinion," Smith said as gently as he can.

"And his opinion is wrong," Naoka asserted. "But for the sake of civility, I'll not press on this further. I will however be there to tell the Colonel I told you so if someone gets hurt badly."

"That's enough, Doctor," Smith said, his eyes narrowing at her. "My men and I know the risks. This isn't an easy job."

"A job that you-" Naoka paused, taking a breath to calm herself. "Just...just answer me this. Why? Why are you so stubborn with this?"

"Because you and I know exactly how us people are like, Doctor," Smith said bluntly. Naoka paused, a certain look of understanding quickly coming to her eyes but still, something was not quite fully explained or understood.

"Can you elaborate?" Naoka asked again, her voice softer. 1D quietly increased the input volume for her audio receptors.

"We have to make a precedent for later generations to follow, Doctor. Imagine how future generations will perceive it if we did nothing and let the androids do everything? Some irredeemable asshole would take it that using the androids would be acceptable. By doing this, it will go a long way in making sure that the androids would be well-taken care of," Smith explained, succintly and as well as he could. 1D stood, stunned.

There were...humans like that?
"You...you aren't wrong," Naoka found herself admitting. She glanced up at 1D. "Can you refuse me, girl?"

"I..." 1D glanced between her and Smith. Naoka stood up, her arms still crossed. Smith presented a theoretical. Now, she was going to find out if it was practical.

"I order to you to get on your knees, raise your hands like a pu-no no no don't actually do it," Naoka sighed, gripping the bridge of her nose. 1D was in the middle of actually doing it, getting on her knees with the fiercest blush on her face.

"Okay. Now I see it when you mean setting a precedent, goodness," Naoka said as she sat back down. "Back to your position, girl."

"Y-Yes! G-Glory to Mankind!" 1D declared proudly. Her enthusiasm faltered as she saw the grave looks on their faces. "Was I n-not pleasing enough?"

"No, you did great 1D. Good job." Smith said, sadly. 1D beamed, making Smith's heart and distaste rise even more.

"I'll be thinking more on this," Naoka declared, disturbing images coming to her mind. "I-"

It was then that his desk phone rang. He turned to it and held out a hand to pick it up. "Smith. What is it?"

"Uh...sir...it's Damian."

"Ah, sergeant. What's happening? Are 2B and that A2 girl awake?" Smith asked, his voice pleasant.

"Oh. Oh yes, Coronel. It's just that, A2 is awake and has a sword pressed against my throat. If you would please make your way here and talk to her?"

Ah.

+++

"Where am I?" A2 demanded, the grip on her sword telling of her intention should Damian give her an answer that reeked of lies. He held his hand out placatingly, both to show A2 that he meant no harm and as a non-verbal signal to the others not to escalate any further and wait until Colonel Smith would arrive.

As strong as A2 was, she was surrounded by other androids such as Devola and Popola whose hands itched to bring out their weapons, 9S who was still in the middle of trying to wake up 2B but could still quite use his abilities to shut off A2 if Damian commanded it. Tension gripped the air, A2 glaring at Damian while the other androids glanced to him for leadership.

Damian weighed his options. A2 was more than a capable fighter as he had seen. There was a guarded look about her. Truth, Damian decided, was the best course of action. He spoke up, gently and softly as if he was trying to calm a spooked horse. A long haired and murderous horse. "You are in the infirmary in the United Nations Outpost 13. Those redheads are Devola and Popola; android specialists, that one is 9S from the YoRHa people and finally, doctors and assorted medical personnel." He pointed and glanced to every single one of them, the Twins staring at her with barely disguised wariness and 9S awkwardly trying to defuse the situation with a wave, yet he stood protectively over the fallen 2B.

"Fascinating..." one of the doctors said, earning a glare from A2.

"Not the time, Doctor," Damian said, nervously smiling. He turned to A2. "I promised you that you could speak with my Commanding Officer. He is on his way. I assure you, no harm will come to you. Please, put your sword away. We all here are unarmed."

A2 stared at Damian, her natural paranoia and distrust of others flowing through her. Yet, Damian has shown he was true to his word and in her vulnerable state, he could have had her killed or worse. But nothing happened. Against her better judgement, she lowered her sword slightly.

"Your sword is still in your hand," Damian pointed out.

"That's as far as it will go. If you do something to me, I swe-"

The door to the infirmary opened. "Nothing will happen to you, I promise you, soldier," Colonel Smith declared, walking in with Naoka and 1D trailing behind him. The YoRHa captain glared at A2 and tried to move to her but Smith held out his hand, shaking his head. Hesitantly, she pulled back.

"Now, I am here. How can I help you...A2, was it?" Smith asked, shaking his head.

A2 glanced a2 the Colonel and scanned him. An air of quiet confidence surrounded him, his eyes sharp yet not unkind. She hated how her programming pumped her with orders to give him her trust.

"Why did YoRHa betray my squad? Why were we sent there to die?" A2 began strongly, getting into the heart of the issue. There was little point in prolonging it. She wanted, needed to know.

A grave look came on Smith's face. A2 inwardly revelled in her victory. That's right, you bastard. Get torn apart by your guilt!

"I do not know what you are talking about," Smith replied, his tone honest and sincere.

This answer, A2 did not like. She held up her blade, turning to Smith. But as she did so, her entire system and being rebelled against her. Hate, betrayal, and anger kept her hand from shaking and her crying for her grievous sin. She was more than likely going to get destroyed for this but, it wasn't as if she had any undue cause. YoRHa and the Council of Mankind was the one that betrayed her and her squad first after all. "You fucking liar. You're an officer, aren't you? Call the Council!"

"I cannot call what does not exist," Smith said bluntly, again. Those that knew such as the Twins sighed. Those that didn't however...

"What do you mean the Council does not exist?" 9S found himself asking. Confusion and doubt gripped him. What on Earth was going on? Smith turned to 9S who quivered under his gaze. A human was looking at him after all.

"Your Council of Humanity is not real, son. I'll be having a talk with White about getting the truth out soon. And when I do actually get to meet the leaders of the Army of Humanity," Smith said, clearing his throat. He turned back to A2 who was now quivering openly.

"So my team...we were sacrificed...we died for nothing? Betrayed for nothing? Humanity is dead?" A2 whispered, disbelief and shock in her voice. Smith took a step forward.

"Whatever happened to your team, I am sorry that it had happened and I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. You will get justice, A2. You have my word on it," Smith said, his voice soothing and calming. Gentle as the morning breeze. A2 glanced up, unsure of what to do or say. "And no, humanity isn't dead. I am here, Damian is here, and so many others still yet to be unfrozen. This here facility has grown men and women, yeah. But we also have children too. A few of them. So much has happened but humanity is not dead, not one bit."

"I..." A2 found herself unable to speak. This was simply...too much. Of all the things she expected, this was not it. She needed to run. She needed to go away, as fast and as far away as she could. She tried to take a step forward but her leg collapsed under her. Her sword clattered noisily at the floor as she fell, her hands shaking and despair gripping her face. Tears threatened to break free from her eyes as the full weight of what she had learned dawned on her.

"Kill me," A2 whispered.

What else was there to live for?

A shadow loomed over her. She prepared for death. Yet as she yearned for it, No.4's final orders filtered in her mind.

Live.

Instead of a blade or even a bullet, A2 felt warm as Smith took off his jacket and draped it over the fallen android. His face was grave as he knelt, lowering himself down to her level and brought her into an embrace. Some long forgotten memory played in A2's head, of a happy girl living in a farm with her grandmother. But this time, it was a new memory, with this human Colonel. She felt warm, and safe, and protected, as Smith brought her into his arms and held her protectively. "It's okay, A2. You are not in danger here. I promise you. Whatever happened to you and your team, we'll do something about it but I need you to tell me all about it at a different time, alright? You're safe here. Live, A2. Don't wish for death."

Live.

And so, the taciturn and aggressive A2, alone for so long and hunted and hated and feared, broke upon hearing those words from a human. Touch long since denied and kept from her reach was given. Trust and care after a lifetime of betrayal. She reached out, curling into a ball as she cried. She wept, openly and massively, as a torrent of emotions she had hidden broke free. She cried and cried and cried and cried.

"No.21..! No.4..! No.16!" A2 wailed, tears steaming down her face. Smith sighed, tapping the back of her shoulder, his voice calm and gentle. He glanced up at 1D and the other YoRHa to vacate the room and they did so hesitantly. As they took a step, he glanced down at A2. "It's going to be okay, A2. It is going to be fine. Stay here for awhile and we'll take care of you, alright?"

"I..." A2 wanted nothing more but to rebel. To lash out against this human. But his voice, his gentleness and warmth. She couldn't. And what was the point? Rush out to the desert and live a lonely life? She was in pain, her inner core felt grief grip her. Humanity was here. In a real and tangible sense.

She..she just couldn't.

A2 did not say anything. Instead, she simply melted into Smith's embrace. He glanced up towards Damian. "Son, find this girl a room. Remember, she and 2B are your responsibility, alright?"

"Aye, aye." Damian nodded, his heart feeling for A2. That girl really went through some shit. Damian didn't really consider himself an optimist or a soft-man by any means but...emotions. Real and genuine emotions could not be hidden. A2...she was hurting, that was clear. He did find it fascinating and ironic that this girl who by all means was synthetic and not real in a organic sense acted more human, more alive than some people he knew.

"I'll also help monitor her though I will need assistants," Naoka volunteered. She...she admitted that she found it difficult to feel anything nowadays, with her own reasons. But this girl, the sorrow and grief in her voice and tears, that was something that she....understood. She wanted to be there for A2, to let her know that she wasn't the only one who was also hurting. Sides, she wanted to understand how these androids work anyway.

"We can help, Doctor," Devola offered.

"We've worked on countless androids before. You can count on us," Popola nodded, standing by her sister.

"Very well then," Naoka nodded. She turned to Damian. "Shall we?"

"Alright," Damian said, slapping his knee once before standing up. From where he knelt, Smith placed a gentle palm against A2's cheek. "Listen. They're going to take care of you, alright? Nothing bad is going to happen to you, I promise you."

A2 hesitantly nodded. She parted from Smith's embrace. Glancing up, Damian had leaned slightly as he held out a hand for A2 to reach up to. She held up her own hand, letting both her fingers intertwine with Damian. She marvelled at the life, how warm he was. With a huff, Damian pulled her up, a smile on his face as he regarded A2.

The attacker model saw how bright his smile was, how happy he seemed to look at someone like her and...glanced away.

"Let's get you somewhere nice, yeah?"

"M-mhm," A2 nodded, her gaze still away.

And so, they hobbled off, Naoka and her new assistants walking away. Smith sighed as he turned to 9S who was silent, tending over to 2B. His back was turned so Smith couldn't see what the boy was feeling.

"Kid?"

"H-huh?" 9S suddenly said, spooked at Smith's tone. He sheepishly smiled at Smith before turning back to 2B, still asleep.

"You've been awfully quiet," Smith noted as he went and dragged a chair, sitting down at the foot of 2B's bed.

The scanner model did not know how to reply. Was it the fact that he learned YoRHa had sent androids to its death? Or the fact that humanity was dead and all throughout this team, they were all fighting for nothing? "It's...complicated," he admitted, turning back to 2B. As long as she was safe, he was willing to keep his emotions in check.

"Try my," Smith said, crossing his arms. 9S blinked. "Try you, sir? Um, androids such as me don't need food to eat and what you are asking for is..."

The scanner blinked then flushed in embarrassment as Smith laughed. "I don't mean it like that, kid. I meant it as a expression, It's slang for: Why don't you tell me and I will hear it out no matter how unbelievable it is?"

"O-oh," 9S said, looking away. "That just..um..sounds needlessly complicated, sir. Why don't humans just say it immediately? N-no offense!"

Smith shook his head. "None taken. As for why I didn't say it immediately, well, humans are complicated. We can be both simple and complicated at times. Fact is, I am here to listen to what you want to say. I can see that you are conflicted, son."

It was clear to 9S that there was simply no lying to Smith. "It's...I just feel, off, sir."

"Off?"

With arms still outstretched, 9S explained. "I...since you have told me that the Council of Humanity is a fiction, then that only means that humanity was really dead before you all were found. Androids, both YoRHa ones and the resistance, were fighting over nothing. It just..I am just wondering how I would feel if we hadn't discovered this bunker. What...what was worth living for? What could we do when our creators, our purpose, was gone?"

9S paused to glance at Smith and found him looking grave. He felt terrible. "Um, sorry for asking. I know it's a stupid question and-"

Smith cut him off. "There are no stupid questions, kid. That question is valid."

9S felt giddy at that. A human thought that his question was alright. If only 2B and 210 thought his questions were fun...

"Well, I don't really know how to answer that, kid." Smith answered after a moment's thought. "What should we do, what can I do, questions like that has been thought of by philosophers for as long as humanity could think and write, you know?"

9S nodded. "And...has humanity found the answer to that?"

Smith chuckled. "If we did, I would have told you that I knew, which I don't. Humanity thought of religion, politics, and all that fancy shit to give meaning to our existence. If...we weren't here and you all were left without us...you'd have the same realization some people have gotten."

"And what's that?" 9S asked, curious.

"That there's really no set purpose for us, we don't have an objective and goal," Smith said bluntly, earning a sad look from 9S but the boy perked up as Smith continued. "But...that is not a bad thing. It means that we ourselves can make a purpose for us. We can do something about it. We have brains, we have a body to use. We can set our own goals and give meaning to our existence. Some find it though religion, others through their friends and family."

Smith nodded, satisfied at his answer. "That's how I've lived my life, to be frank. And I am glad that you, all of you androids, are capable of that. You are not our slaves but living and thinking beings. We might never know what our purposes is but shit, I am still willing to find out. You reckon you wanna go find out with us, 9S?"

"I...I would love that, sir," 9S answered with a smile. The relief he felt was palpable.

"N,,,ines?" came a whispered and unexpected voice. Smith and 9S blinked when they saw that 2B had awoken!

Her blindfold was set aside and her eyes were out in full view. Blue as the sky is wide and expansive, and full of life.

"2B!" 9S cried out in joy as he rushed forward to her side. "You're awake! You're awake! I was so so so so worried! Wait...did you call me Nines?"

"You must have misheard me," 2B replied colly.

"No, no! I swore I heard you say Nines!" 9S said, exasperated as he glanced to Smith who was watching them with amusement. "She said Nines right, sir?"

As Smith was about to reply, he turned to 2B and found her silently pleading. He turned back to 9S and found him pleading too.

Well, that was just not fair now.

"I will let you two talk and decide," Smith declared as he stood up. "I have to go and do something anyway. You two kids have fun now..." Before either could say anything, Smith had long since walked off, leaving the two of them alone in the infirmary, and only each other as company. Slowly....their cheeks began to flush.

Smith chuckled as he left the infirmary. The hallway was much clearer now, the other androids being shooed off by 1D earlier. That only left the two YoRHa guards at the doorway as well as Anemone who crossed her arms as soon as she saw him. "I just came back from patrol only to find out what had happened. Goodness, is everything alright?"

"It's been handled," Smith nodded as he walked past her.

"Where are you going?" Anemone called out. "And do you need help?"

Smith shook his head. "No need. I just need 343 with me in my office."

He needed to have a conversation with White.

+++

Anxiety wasn't something new to White.

Her mentor had once told her that being nervous before a mission showed a degree of care towards the outcome. It meant that she still gave a fig about the lives of her androids, the resources that they spent on that mission, and the difficulties they would face. It meant she still cared and hadn't fallen into the coldness of unfeeling and calculating logic that some had resorted to. A safety net for their mental wellbeing.

But that was then when she only dealt with androids.

Now, she was dealing with actual live humans, her gods.

And one of them got injured.

The ice in hell froze, its fields of fire burnt so hot that it surpassed the sun in its warmth. White's core programming wnet haywire. Blood. Human blood, spilt. Dread threatened to grip her with the consuming maw of fear that would have stilled hearts. But, she was not the grunt in the frontlines who would have frozen in fear. She was the Commander of YoRHa and she wasn't going to freeze in her place.

"Recall all units from their missions now!" Hers was not the voice of a frightened android, unsure of what to do or say. She was the Commander and she was going to show the machines exactly why she was that. Her Operators felt the shift in her aura and immediately followed suit. Commander White smacked her palm with her whip, the crack of it sending them into workmode.

"Captain, this is 23O. You are to cease operations in your area and hand over control to local Resistance fighters. This is not a drill."

"7D, this is 32O. Your team has been recall-Yes, I know that your force has been trying to pacify your region but this is far more import-No, this is orders coming from the Commander herself. If you want to complain, complain to her!"

"52B, P-please halt y-your efforts. Um, the Commander has r-recalled everyone and, um, it's important!"

Vengeance alit in White's eyes as she surveyed the room, her heels clacking as she walked amidst the sounds of finger typing and voices arguing with her deployed YoRHa troops. Her face was stern and cold, quiet fury burning behind her gaze. A human was hurt and injured. Blood taken, spilt, from their holy forms by some base disgusting machine lifeform.
The very thought of human blood being spilt was maddening to think of. But for it to actually happen.....

Oh how she and YoRHa was going to be the instruments of mankind's fury. By her authority, she was going to make the machines pay.

"Direct this message to all YoRHa units," she commanded. 21O heard her and nodded. Not a second later, she was connected to every single YoRHa unit via the Bunker link. Still stern in her looks, she looked up, dominance oozing from her form and voice.

"You are all being directed to the Desert Region," she spoke clearly and succinctly, not mincing her words. Many times she had said lies, this time, she was telling them the truth.

And never before had it felt so good and righteous.

"For weeks, we have been defending an asset that transcends even our current military objectives," she continued, noting that every single android was paying her their full attention.

"A bunker of humans, frozen in cryostasis," Gasps broke around as she delivered the news.

"Some have awoken and even went into battle with your fellow YoRHa units," Excited chattering broke around. Humans were fighting with them? That was marvelous news!

"However, in one of these skirmishes, a human was injured," It took all her willpower to say it clearly without hissing in rage. Her soldiers however had no such patience. Even with their blindfolds, rage and horror emanated from their faces.

"You only have one goal. When you arrive at the desert. Kill every single goddamn machine that you find. It does not matter if they are the smallest biped or the largest goliath. Kill them all!" Her order came out as a bloodthirsty snarl, an act that earned approval from her troops. Commander White took a step forward and held out her riding crop.

"Go! Go into the sand, and the dust, and the sky! For every drop of human blood lost, we, YoRHa, shall make a new desert and call it peace! GLORY TO MANKIND!"

Her battle-cry was met with equal fervor.

"GLORY TO MANKIND!"

+++

The skies roared with the screaming of jet engines.

Clouds loomed over the desert, casting shades that any hardy creature could rest in. But new shapes loomed over the shifting desert sands. Shapes that were bird-like in the distance, but with the deep and searing roar of a dragon. Like silver and black knives, squadrons of the YoRHa Ho.229 streaked across the sky in a fury that the angels of God and the Legions of Hell could scarcely comprehend or even grasp. They were relentless, breaking the sound barrier and the laws of everything that had governed the natural world.

A human had been hurt. A human had been injured by the machines.

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.

"Multiple signatures detected," 7D alerted her fellow units. She dialled up the Bunker and received a call back.

"This is 320. You are all cleared to use whatever is in your arsenal. Go wild, 7D. 32O out."

7D grinned.

"You heard our lady operator, ladies. Let's get them all!" she cheered, with an equally enthusiastic cry coming back to her. In the distance, a machine airship with its escorts flew in a straight pattern. The fact that they were turning towards 7D and her flight group could only mean that they had detected them coming. Their cancellers had all been turned off in this operation, considering that they were all going loud. And go loud they did.

Twin autocannons sprang to life, staccato booms of maso bullets pouring forth like rain in a storm. The sky glowed as searing white bullets arced forward and tore through machine flight units with the hotness of a knife through butter.

"Let's see how they like missiles!" 7D roared to the delight of her team. Their Ho229's opened up their missile ports and joined streaked forth against the machines. Hundreds of missiles poured like water breaking through a dam. Harkening back to the Katyusha's of WW2 and the Hwatchas of Korea, they saturated the sky in glorious explosions, smashing into hostile flight units. Stars formed, blinking in and out of existence as each missile found its mark.

"C-Captain, the airship is still standing!" One of her androids reported.

"Not for long!" 7D cackled as her Ho229 shifted mid-flight. A glowing yellow blade spouted from the flight unit as 7D turned off her thrusters, only using her momentum to barell towards the airship. As she neared, 7D let out a great cry as she smashed into the airship, the Ho229's blade cutting through the engines of the airship. The blade did its dirty work, tearing through the airship with its searing hotness, a hot white trail left behind and the only sign of its mark. As 7D passed through, she shifted her flight unit and returned back to her normal form. Her engines roared to life as she adjusted her flight path.

Behind her, the airship sputtered helplessly before sparks of electricity broke out of its frame. Then, a flash of orange-yellow light as it exploded.

"Airship eliminated!" 7D said proudly, to the cheers of her team. "Alright, there's gotta be more around here. Come on, ladies! Don't you want to live forever!?"

"YEAAAHHHHHH!"

+++

White watched with a critical eye from her perch in the bunker. Around her, the Operators clicked and typed into their terminals, speaking into their mouthpieces. The giant screen in the nerve center displayed data that streamed back from the ground in quick succession. Numbers galore poured forth. machines casualties rising with every second. Her androids were methodical and bloodthirsty in equal measure. They hit hard and left nothing behind.

It was only natural after all. Proper payment for the Machine Networks sin and offenses against mankind and its children, the androids.

Oh, White never felt more alive in ages. Before, her commanding of YoRHa felt routine-like. But now, the fires of ambition and vengeance burned brightly inside of her. She felt revitalized, like the dawn of spring flowers. Her Operators too were equally revitalized, as if the blood of mankind was the push they needed to feel alive again.

"Squadron under 7D reports success in Sector AF in the Desert region. Machine squadron plus airship destroyed."

"Z-zeta squad with 52B reports engaging goliath units. 2 c-casualties on our side so f-far. They've returned to the Bunker in short order and w-will be re-deployed, m-ma'am!"

"Captain 4E has succesfully purged areas of the abandoned Residential Ward of machine units. Will be moving on to a different sector."

Wonderful news. Excellent news.

A dark sense of satisfaction came through White. She hoped the Machine Network felt this. She hoped that the alien bastards controlling their faceless legions felt the pain and fury she and so many of YoRHa felt. As she relished in the highs of bloodlust, the voice of 21O entered her consciousness.

"Ma'am, we are recieving a direct call from the Outpost in the Desert. It's the Colonel," 23O reported. Her heart soared at that. How she couldn't wait to relay the good news to him.

"Understood. Patch him through," White said, composing herself. She had already...showed a side of herself to Smith that only a relative few ever saw. She didn't want him to see what she looked like getting so excited by the high of killing. Not a second later, Smith's face appeared on screen.

"Colonel, good morning," Commander White greeted him. "I am sure you will be pleased with what I will have to tell you."

She blinked when she saw that he had a detached look on his face but that was hidden quickly by a smile when he heard her speak. "Really? What do you have to report?"

A part of White felt nervous at his earlier look. Had she done something to displease him? Momentarily setting her fears aside, she went on to relay what she had learned. "My superiors have come back to me and reported that the station they are converting has been fully converted. Some areas need some refurbishing but it is habitable now for your people."

Smith nodded. "That's good news, Commander. The less time those people spend here, the safer they will be."

"Indeed. In space, they will be out of the Network's reach," White said in agreement. "The station that your people will be settled in is also close to the YoRHa bunker so my soldiers will also be there to protect your people."

"Seeing how your units fight, we will be in safe hands then," Smith said, his compliment making her and her Operators stand and sit a bit straighter.

"It's only our duty, sir," White said humbly. She then perked up. "What's the status now of Sergeant Damian? I understand that he was pierced in the lower abdomen?"

Disgruntled muttering came around from her Operators. No one really liked their gods getting hurt.

"Damian's fine. The Twins were able to heal him with their magic. Using magic isn't exactly an unknown art for us but we've dedicated maso to practical uses such as the maso generators our currenty technology runs on. Seeing it used as a craft like wizards was something new. Our science team led by Dr Naoka is very very interested in that," Smith said, chuckling at something. Seeing him laugh also made White feel a little bit lighter.

"That is good to hear, Colonel. If you would like, our R&D would be more than happy to assist Dr Naoka with her project. YoRHa utilizes maso both in technology as well as practice." White said. She already imagined how giddy her researchers would be.

"That would be fine and dandy. However," Smith trailed off, his voice a little off. "When Damian returned, he did not come back with just 2B but also with another one of yours, a YoRHa unit A2. That ring a bell?"

All activity in the nerve center halted, the Operators ceased their typing, their chattering, as Smith asked that question. Memories surged through Commander White. Guilt. Shame. There was no point in lying here. Smith already met A2. Such was her bloodthirst she had nearly forgotten about the report 1D sent her about a YoRHa deserter being found. That time, she assumed it was one of the few foolish units that decided to forget about their duty and allegiance.

Not A2.

White sighed. She looked up at Smith, not willing to be like a child that was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "The Pearl Harbor descent mission was meant to attack a server of the machines there. By attacking it and destroying it, we would ensure that the central hub that controlled the machines around the pacific region would be disrupted."

"So...like the wifi router that the computers aka the machines relied on?" Smith surmised.

White nodded. "Yes, sir. A2...No 2's team successfully infiltrated the machine lines and destroyed the server with assistance from Resistance forces."

"But what is missing here is, why did A2 say she was betrayed? She and her team?" Smith asked, his question filling her with dread.

White replied, not missing a beat. "At that time...YoRHa units were experimental. We...we needed the data from the prototype units we had deployed. A2 and her team...from their bodies, we would harvest the data and figure out how best to make the next line of androids to more effectively fight the Machines."

Smith stood in silence, listening to her explanation. White continued, feeling the noose around her neck tighten some more. "At that time, we had thought it to be the best course of action. YoRHa unit A2 and her team weren't meant for long-term survival. A2 herself surviving for this long...it comes as a surprise."

"So they were built only to die," Smith again surmised, his voice cold. "And this, it was done under your command?"

White nodded. She wasn't going to look away. She knew her sins. She was going to own up to it. "Yes. I carried out the order."

Smith's eyes shifted. White felt like she was about to be cast into hell.

"And...did this idea come from you? You endorsed this?" Smith's voice was dreadfully calm. White shook her head. "No, sir. It came from my superiors, directly from the Army of Humanity itself."

Smith took in a breath. White could swear she saw steam come from his nostrils. Her legs threatened to shake underneath her. Smith was furious, she could see it. There was a whimper coming from one of the Operators. 60, White saw, began crying at his gaze. Other Operators stood from their posts to offer the grieving android their support.

"I...am not angry...not at you, White. These girls who were built to die...they were not your responsibility. You carried out your orders, as instructed. You did your job as a soldier in a apocalyptic war. I know how it feels. Believe me," Smith said, his words calculated and measured. He was trying to restrain himself. "However....I still cannot help but feel so fucking angry at that. First, Devola and Popola's entire production line getting culled and the current twins being ostracized by everyone. Secondly, the lie about the Council of Humanity being on the Moon. And now...this."

Smith glanced up at her. "Starting this forth, YoRHa unit A2's crimes are to be forgiven. Her past sins, gone. If needs be, she is to be fitted with a new body. All YoRHa deserters, all are henceforth forgiven and offered a chance to come back to YoRHa's service. Furthermore, the lie about the Council of Humanity, it will be addressed as soon as our current crises is resolved."

White felt eyes on her back, her Operators waiting for her orders. White nodded, relief that his anger wasn't at her. "Understood, sir."

At that, they began to type. Orders were cancelled, E-models informed about the change. As much as it clashed against the directives of the Army of Humanity and its ruling class of androids, they were below in authority compared to an actual human.

"Now, that machine that injured Damian. It is more likely aware about our existence. It must be destroyed before it can alert the Network," Smith said.

"I concur, sir." White nodded, further relief flooding her. She could bear Smith's displeasure and anger. But...his hatred, she wouldn't know what to do with herself. "When the reports came about it, our satellites tracked the machine unit that fled from the encounter with Sergeant Damian. It's fled to a nearby..." White paused, not believing she was about to say such cursed words. "...theme park."

Smith blinked. "Say again?"

"A theme park. An amusement park, sir." White reported. "We had heard reports of such a place but we've never really given it much thought. But yes, our satellites marked its flight path and a scan had found it nestled inside the park. The scans also showed that the park is inhabited by machine units who have...adopted the lifestyle so to speak."

"And what do you mean by that?" Smith asked.

"They've been launching fireworks, dressed up as jesters, and restored the rides at the park, sir." White reported again.

"Jesus Christ...an amusement park. We're going to send troops to fight clowns and fucking mimes." Smith shook his head. A blonde brow rose on White's head.

"We?"

Smith nodded. "I am also sending some troops there too. This is our fight too, Commander."

White took a step forward. "Colonel, with all due respect, I have near emptied YoRHa to purge the desert region of machines. This all quite literally started because Sergeant Damian was injured. Sir, I cannot risk your men going into battle and suffering the same fate, or even getting killed!" White declared loudly and passionately. No way in all human hell was she going to let a human actually die on her.

That weight on her conscience, on her soldier's conscience, would break them.

However...

"Commander, let me remind you too that my men aren't exactly thrilled at the idea of sitting out this fight for our planet. We've gone into ice fighting monsters that trespassed on our home. Even if I will order them, they will still want to fight anyway. They know the risks. But they will do it anyway." Smith counter-argued.

This miserable stubborn bastard...!

She crossed her arms. "...Are you really sure about this, sir?"

"I am. And they are too." Smith declared with finality.

Fine.

"Very well then, sir," White grit her teeth. "However, they must be aware of the risks. If there so happens to be more machines than usual, they must pull out."

Smith nodded. "Worry not, Commander. We know when to pull out. You'd know." He added with a wink.

A silence descended as the Operators all slowly turned to White. Despite her discipline, 21O chortled.

This...This....THIS SON OF A B-

+++