3.

2B instructs her pod to scan me, and then scan me again, and then again.

She looks incredulous.

I can relate. If she is thinking there is no way I can be a human, she is right. I am a machine life form—although a very unusual one.

Both their pods, which they seem to trust to the fullest, have mistaken me.

Just how well made am I? I appear authentic to their scanners.

"A human." Her voice drops like a stone. "I never thought I would live to meet one."

"Bit grim, 2B." 9S picks at some dirt on his shoulder—spray from when she landed between us and forced us apart. "Isn't this amazing, though? He's called 'Ribbon' and he's on an espionage mission that grunts like us aren't privy to know the details about." His voice starts chipper but goes a little sour at the end.

2B's hostility ebbs away, just a little. She faces me and salutes me. "I am 2B, a battle class. Glory to mankind."

I try on a smile. "Nice to meet you. I am Ribbon."

Should I excuse myself now? Go back to Pascal and tell him I am in a bit of a situation?

I get the feeling the androids will follow me, though.

And what if they see Pascal and I conversing normally? When I am on a supposed espionage mission, which—well, conversing normally with the target is kind of not espionage in any way or form.

What do I do?

I have tried telling 9S I am a machine life form, and by all means, I should keep trying, right?

After all, they were in the village. They did not hurt any of the machines. As it is now, they are not hostiles.

I can explain. Pascal told me lying is something bad children do, and although I am no longer a child, it still applies, right?

9S and 2B are shooting each other glances now.

They are waiting.

I wish I knew what they wanted. Orders? Suggestions?

I do not know what to do.

"Um." I push the word out. "I, likewise, have never met an android." It is not a lie. "I am also unsure of, er, protocol?"

Do I tell them? 9S did not believe me, but I do not want to lie.

They seem very invested in humans, and to deceive them is bad.

But.

2B is watching me, sharp and alert.

She is a wildcard. If she had not appeared, would I have kept trying to explain to 9S?

I knock my fists together. "I should, um, return to my duties."

9S comes up beside me, walking in an unnecessary arc, hands behind his back—and for the first time, I get the sense there's something about him I have misjudged or misinterpreted. "We can help."

"Ah, no—" As I thought, he will not let me go.

"9S." 2B has actually come between us again, a hand on his chest. "Our orders do not change. I believe we were never meant to meet this human. Command did not inform us about their presence on Earth."

"Then doesn't that mean Command isn't aware?" 9S sounds overly casual.

"Of course Command is aware. The humans broadcast directly to them. But as you said, we are grunts. We are the ones who should not be meddling."

"But, 2B—!"

"Orders are orders. Our mission takes precedence. It is not up to us to question command or be in the know. We were made to kill."

Thank all that is holy for this intense 2B android. If it would not be wildly inappropriate I would hug her.

9S takes in a deep breath. "Like I should not question our orders to kill our comrades?"

2B hesitates. "Yes, 9S."

"And the E class unit? I'm not supposed to question that either? Even after we found out—"

2B grabs 9S' shoulders and he winces. He goes quiet.

I shift, awkward.

2B's hands fall from 9S and she takes a step back. Neither will look at each other.

"Um, I really must go now." I take a wide step backwards.

They snap their attention onto me and I swallow.

"I would appreciate it if you would pretend you never met me." I spin around and speed walk away.

I am half convinced one of them is going to come charging after me, but nothing happens. I only hear them bickering as they become more distant with every step I take.

"Why were you so close to him?"

"I was touching him!"

"I know, but why?"

"He's a human."

"You shouldn't—"

When I am out of earshot and out of sight, I dash home.

"Ew, what is that odd substance all over your body?" Margot, of all machines, is near the edge of the village, picking at plants.

"Sweat." I gasp the word out. "It's sweat."

"It sounds unpleasant. It looks unpleasant." Margot finds a red flower and rubs it on her finger. It smears red. "Oh, this is wonderful."

I try to control my breathing and glance over my shoulder. No sign of the androids. They must have listened. I am so lucky.

Margot turns to me and stares for a moment.

"What are you looking for?" I put my hands behind my back, and then freeze. What am I doing? I am mimicking 9S' posture from before, when he—

When he was trying to be innocent.

Which is exactly what I am doing now.

Am I learning from them?

I am so adaptable it is frightening, even to myself.

Or maybe—maybe our mannerisms are similar for another reason? But what reason could that be?

"Humans in the past used to put on face make up, as you know." Margot fidgets with the flower. "If I smear this on my mouth, it will make me more beautiful."

"Will it?" I tilt my head. She stares at me more and I jump. "I mean, it will. You are very beautiful already, Margot. I am sure Jean-Paul will—"

She waves me away and waddles her way further into the flowers.

I hop onto the upper platform, then pause. "Margot?"

"Oh, what is it, child?"

I am not a child. I want to throw a rock at her. "You have something red on your lips already. What is that from?"

"Blood."

I hesitate. "Whose?"

"Just some rabbit, Ribbon. Must you be so bothersome?"

I cross my eyes. Margot is definitely one of my least favourite machines.

I stand up.

"It was already dead," she adds.

"Sure."

I carry on into the village, but pause at the upper landing and look back into the forest.

Looks like they have decided to leave me alone, after all.

I am so lucky.