Nier Revengeance - ch 1.2

Abandoned Factory (2)

With the battle model androids moving ahead, the group easily takes down the machine lifeforms coming after them. Following the new Combat Protocols, or Combat Codex as 1D started to call it, the group manages to advance quickly through the factory and with it their advanced base allows them to project force with greater effectiveness.

“Let’s rest here, the expected signal jamming should be lesser in this area, and we can report our progress to command.”

2B acknowledges the command and proceeds to patrol the area to check if there are still any remaining machine lifeforms nearby, meanwhile her pod reviews the mission objectives their group was assigned.

“Primary objective development according to schedule,” 2B assigned Pod speaks, “proceeding to list available secondary objectives: first, take over the factory manufacturing capabilities; second, rescue the any YoRHa unit found.”

The combat model android pauses, turning to her Pod. “I don’t remember any rescue mission being assigned for this operation, Pod. When did that change?”

“Checking logs… new entry found. At five minutes and twenty-three seconds after landfall, the Pods received an updated list of objectives and side objectives to accomplish, while we guided you through the list as per instructions from the new Combat Codex.”

The beautiful android first instinct was to distrust the source of the firmware update, yet they proved to be helpful to their mission and prevented the loss of their comrade’s data. “Who sent the firmware update? Was it the Army of Humanity?”

The Army of Humanity is the collective forces of the androids, including both older model androids and the newer YoRHa. Officially, the Council of Humanity sends commands to the Army of Humanity for them to relay the orders to each branch through their respective leaders. In practice, the Army of Humanity decides on the practical aspects of the war effort.

“The source of the update is classified.” The Pod answers, the Pod’s programming self-censoring the name of the responsible. Before 2B could ask any more questions, the Pod’s light blinks. “New primary objective assigned to YoRHa No. 2 Type B: protect and rescue a group of unresponsive YoRHa units. Painting map on HUD. Danger level, low. Urgency level, high.”

“Let’s get to it, then.” Without wasting any more time, the android rushes towards the assigned area to fulfill her mission.

“2B? What’s wrong, where are you going?” The group captain calls 2B their communication channel. “You’re supposed to have returned to- wait. What’s this?”

While the combat model jumps over a fallen platform, the group captain receives the new intelligence. “I don’t remember receiving this update.” 1D mutters under her breath, feeling dejected at how little information she has.

“Sorry 1D, I didn’t want to attract the attention of more Machines and rushed ahead when I received new orders. I’m sorry for making you feel left over.”

“N-no, it’s fine, I-I’m already used to it.” The young android replies before receiving a new ping from her Pod. “We should have an improved medical station ready for when you return. Stay safe, 2B. Glory to Mankind.”

“Glory to Mankind.” After cutting the connection the android and Pod pair arrived at the area. Somehow, the unresponsive androids are placed in a bed-like contraption and a warning signal appears on 2B HUD.

“We can bring them back to our camp by calling our Flight Unit, but that will alert the nearby Machines.” The Pod informs 2B, and she nods. “Do it.”

The small Pod calls the Flight Unit, with estimated arrival time being one minute, thirty seconds. Just as predicted, a group of Machines arrive to intercept the Flight Unit, but 2B quickly dispatches her enemies, shooting down the flying models while using her melee weapon, Virtuous Contract. With a few swipes of her sword 2B silences all hostiles present just in time for the Flight Unit to arrive.

The equipment grabbed the bed-like structure and flew ahead of 2B while she followed the unit. The android eventually returns to an advance base full of activity and to her shock the unresponsive androids are awake.

“Thank you for rescuing us, Ma’am,” one of the androids greets 2B with a bow, “if it weren’t for your partner timely rescue we wouldn’t be here today.”

“… please elaborate on that.” The beautiful android asks, suspicion and surprise warring in her mind.

“Well,” the rescued girl answers with awe in her voice, “he’s a male android, wearing experimental armor, fights with a short red blade and carries a large pistol. His face is obscured by a face mask, but his voice,” the rescued android shudders, an unnatural movement for an android, save for a certain Resistance member, “he’s so~ dreamy!”

“Focus soldier!” 1D calls out with a blush over the android erratic behavior, “what happened next?”

“Oh, he put us into emergency mode before calling for reinforcement, which was you, ma’am.”

“I see,” 2B lies, not wanting to shatter the hope of the young android in front of her. “Are you combat capable?”

“Don’t worry ma’am, our Codex has an evacuation protocol for fallen androids.” 12H helpfully informs the veteran android, “apparently, there are other forces outside the factory that will be waiting for them. A single Flight Unit can help send them there and then return to us.”

‘Unscheduled reinforcements, unplanned rescue missions that goes well, what’s going on?’ 2B asks herself, dread mixing with hope at witnessing an operation going this well. Even accounting for future disasters, it is the first time she ever had a mission with negative casualties.

“Take care of yourselves out there.,” 2B decides to shelve her doubts for the moment, “Glory to Mankind.”

“Glory to Mankind!” The rescued androids salute before leaving with the Flight Unit.

“We should proceed with our primary mission,” 7E finally speaks, approaching the captain, “there is a Goliath-class machine ahead. It didn’t noticed our presence for now, but we must be careful when confronting it.”

“Understood.” 1D replies before addressing the rest of her team. “Attack Team let’s proceed towards our next objective. 7E, lead us to this Goliath-class. Glory to Mankind!”

“Glory to Mankind!” All androids salute to their captain before moving towards their next target. The Machine wasn’t far, and the smaller enemies are quickly dispatched by the three combat models. When they arrive at the next area, the outside wall is completely blasted by the Machine.

Differently from the previous enemies, this Machine came in the form of a massive buzzsaw arm that didn’t waste time and swings its massive bulk towards the android team. 2B easily avoids the attack, while 4B and 11B are caught in the shockwave made by the impact on the ground. 1D puts a barrier on the ground for the two combat units to retreat, while 12H calls the healing programs.

“Watch out for his secondary attack!” 7E calls out and cuts down the energy spheres thrown by the various teeth of the saw. She doesn’t waste time and starts targeting the saw teeth, breaking a few of them.

All androids receive a warning as a path draws on their HUD, and they all avoid the line as best as they could. As they moved, the massive saw moves to cut their previous position with surprising quickness. Several warnings appear on the air, and once again the androids move out of the way as more energy spheres shot towards them.

“4B, 11B, cover me and 7E. 7E, attack after me!” 2B commands and the other girls move in unison, with 4B and 11B cutting down the bullets while 2B and 7E nail the Machine saw teeth. 2B switches to Virtuous Treaty, making wide, powerful swings towards the Machine teeth and blowing them away, followed by 7E doing the same and putting constant pressure on the Goliath-class.

“We need to cut down its axis! There,” 1D marks on the HUD of everyone the area to target, “that’s the Machine weakest area! Everyone, order your Pods to target that point!”

Starting from 1D, 12H, 4B, 11B, 7E and 2B Pods shot at the marked area and they see the affected region quickly heat up from the various impacts. Eventually, a warning appears on 2B visor, and she rushes forward, cutting down the axis with ease and silencing the Machine.

“We did it!” 12H celebrates the successful combat, when a second, similar Machine appears from the ground with its giant arm swinging towards the group. Instead of hitting anyone, however, the characteristic heavy ordinance from the Flight Unit hits the newly arrived Goliath Class, destroying its more vulnerable part from behind.

“Hey,” the newly arrived Android asks the group, “are you alright?”

“Yeah, we are.” 2B answers first, “thank you for the assistance. Who are you?”

“My name is 9S,” the Sensor type introduces himself, “nice to meet you all. Command lost contact with your group for a while, and they send me to investigate but looks like you ladies have everything in control.”

“We had,” 2B agrees, “but thank you regardless.”

“Is 2B flirting with the Sensor type?” 11B asks 4B, “if so, good for her. Maybe she will take out that stick-” 4B silences her fellow combat model by elbowing her on the ribcage. “Hey.”

“She can hear you.” 4B points out, “we can gossip later, when the mission is over.”

2B pretends she didn’t heard the pair whispering behind her back. “What’s your current mission, 9S?”

“I came to determine if you girls were alright, then provide you with support. Otherwise, I was tasked to finish the mission.”

“I see.” 2B hesitates for a moment, but she braves through with her question. “Did you rescue a group of androids previously?”

“Androids? No, I didn’t. However, now that you mention it, I saw a Flight Unit evacuating from the factory a while ago. Was that you? That’s incredible! I didn’t think there were survivors on the factory! Command will be happy to hear it.”

The beautiful slowly nods, “then, did you see another android? Male unit, wearing full body armor with a concealed face?”

“Hmm,” 9S thinks for a moment, “oh yeah! I think, I saw someone like that. At first I confused him with a combat model, but then realized it would be impossible due to how he looks.” 9S blushes as he avoids mentioning the female frame of all YoRHa androids. “But he fights like a combat model. He’s fast, strong, and is skilled with his blade. I couldn’t see him for long since he went back to the factory, but I thought he was with you girls.”

“It’s the first we hear about this.” 7E interjects while turning to her fellow teammates. They all shake their head.

“If he’s here, them his mission is similar to ours and we will eventually meet up.” 1D points out, “we should focus on our mission, then. 9S, can you do something about the jamming?”

“Sure, I will stay outside while I work, but I can provide support to you all.”

“9S!” 2B calls out the sensor type, surprising her teammates. “Take care of yourself.”

The sensor type smiles radiantly at 2B. “Thanks, you too, ma’am!”

“Just call me 2B.” The android responds automatically, and the rest of the team giggles at the two flirting.

While the group interact, a distant figure watches from afar the sight, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia at the image. On one hand, they are all lethal soldiers, on the other, they look no different than teenagers and young adults enjoying a night out.

Taking a deep breath, the figure jumps away, since there is still more work to do.