The androids shook. "Wait, why do you-"
The two pods interrupted 9S's question. The two contraptions alarmed at the same time like they caught a burglar in action. The three of us gawked in surprise until it went quiet. None of the androids willingly questioned the Pods, understanding that it was a warning from accessing probable confidential info. In my point of view, this is something I'll have to point out later.
"...Response: This Pod cannot answer your query in full. However, there is no such restriction that a human cannot contact the bunker Commander."
Ah, Pod just said the word human. What's the point of all that if you can just say my race just like that? Anyway, this is this and that is that. I don't have the luxury time to ask. I'll just bookmark all my questions in my tiny brain. "Then I leave it to you."
"Wait wait wait." 9S steps in between me and Pod042. "Why would you contact the bunker? It's our job to report things we find here." He seems to be more respectful now, in a way.
"Yeah but believe it or not, I have a higher level of authority than you." Yet another lie from me. But it's not a complete lie yet. YoRHa soldiers still believe that humanity still exist and is on the moon. Now, they call themselves the 'Council of Humanity' which created combat androids to fight for them. This means humanity is the master while androids are mere servants. And now, a human is out here walking on the battlefield.
9S probably already realized through simple deduction that all humans can only come from the moon. He kept the dissatisfaction of being a mere grunt by scowling.
'Of course I'm not from the moon, but that's what I want you to believe, anyway.' I thank 9S's speedy deductions.
The Pod beeps. "This is the bunker. What's the matter, 2B…-san?"
"Hi, 6O. Can you connect me to the Commander?" I've always wanted to say that.
6O's eyes widen as she saw a different individual behind the comms. Yes, that's the right. That's the proper reaction. However, I need contact with the Commander White…NOW.
"You know the Operators?" 9S added.
I only smirked to his question. Personally, no. In-game? Yes. And it seems like he took my smirk in face value. He must be thinking something rash like: 'Of course he knows. He's from the council.'
"Umm, I'm sorry but I can't connect an anonymous android to the Commander unless it's an emergency."
There was peace between the two communication lines.
"9S to Operator. This IS an emergency but what you're talking to isn't an android. He's human." Until 9S launched a bombshell on 6O.
"…excuse me?"
"He's human."
Her face turned blue with disbelief. 6O doesn't seem to understand what 9S was saying. Or maybe she doesn't want to understand. She searches for 2B who was behind me. "…2B-san?" 6O wanted to find salvation.
"…we can't…explain it well. But he…is, indeed, human." 2B, herself, can't believe what she's saying to the Operator.
Silence sure is golden. The time that the silence took was really worth that. Okay this is funny and all but we are getting nowhere. Do I have to repeat what I did earlier as proof again? Or maybe I could lie and say that I'm from the Council of Humanity that somehow went to earth for reasons. That sounds good, let's go with that.
"…I'm sorry 2B-san. I can't connect you without further proof…" She's having a hard time to believe us, huh.
"Tell the Commander White that I'm from the Council of Humanity."
6O showed surprise in the mention of the name. Only a few addressed the Commander like that now that I think about it. Will she even believe me when I tell that out of nowhere? "T-that…I'll just connect you to Commander. Please wait a moment." 6O hid her flustering voice behind the veil of her mouth cover. From what I can see, it's not a good working habit to always seek out the manager for every detail of your work. But in any case, it was the right choice to pass the problem to the brains of YoRHa.
The communications closed. The tense atmosphere got worse. It was way colder than before, too. The gale from above hits the building behind us, thereby, crashing down at us instead. The ruined highway decorated with healthy grass looked like a paradise for animals. By distracting myself with these kinds of thoughts, I feel even more terrified than earlier. I can feel the final boss coming out of the communications soon. With gold hair and gleaming eyes that see through the soul. I just want to run.
The monitor hovers near my face. "Command here. I've received the report from 6O."
'Eeeep.' It finally came out. On reflex, I kept my mouth shut. I remember this utter helplessness. When I was working on a project, my boss suddenly shoved a huge task at me. He said I had to complete it, no matter what 'or else'. No matter how much our team cried and begged to move the deadline, we couldn't escape the inevitable project time frame. We did finish it (thank heavens), only to feel fear against A-list people.
"So you're the human?" The Commander initiates.
I have to snap out. Think. "From the council, yes. I need to speak to you privately regarding the 'Council of Humanity' and its 'chain of command'." I stressed on the some chosen words. The only one who knows that the Council of Humanity was never in charge is the Commander herself. A level S information only to be known to her. If those two terms were to be put in one sentence, it wouldn't be a coincidence.
The piercing glare stabbed my soul. Looks like she took the hint. However, now I have to explain myself to the two androids behind me. "Well you see, I got caught in a fight within the council and they forced me out of the moon. So now the chain of command there is a bit hazy and they left nothing on me…haha…ha…" That laugh was so unnecessary.
"…a fight within the council?" 9S was taking the bait. "What did you fight about?"
I can hear my face muscles twitch. As much as lying is needed in my world, I disliked it to the core. "Hmm, you see, we were talking about how it's time for human's to walk the earth." My insides churned and revolted against me.
"I was the only one on the side of wanting to go down here. The council itself was against me, saying that the androids are still fighting the war and it is still dangerous. Can you believe those cowards?" I mixed lies with some truth. I did hate the Council of Humanity before I knew it never existed. They sat on the moon with their 'Scheduled Correspondence' to the androids fighting the front lines.
9S was fascinated with my lie, sending an arrow of guilt to my conscience. "So then you got exiled here with zero equipment? Aren't humans few already? So why kick out one?"
He caught me by surprise. "That's because…" I halted the words before it escaped me. '-they wouldn't really mind killing their own kind for the sake of their own safety.' That's the selfishness of humans. A deep and horrid characteristic of mankind.
I hated my own species and denying it made it more idiotic. I dislike lies among all but I say it more frequently and perfectly compared to others. Humans can be kind but they can also be sinister in a blink of an eye. It was a corrupted paradox. When it comes to an individual's survival, they wouldn't mind making anyone their enemy. 'Even me…I'd do anything for the sake of my own survival. Lie through my teeth, back stab comrades, or kill the innocent. Anything.'
"…I pray that you'll never find the answer to that. But if you ever do, I hope you'll still be you, 9S." Like torrents of water, I remembered 9S' descent to insanity. When he became more human, he started to rage with emotions. A selfish obsession. Slowly, he understood those corrupted emotions without 2B. If only she was there, maybe that wouldn't have happened. I hope he can take my statement right now as a hint. I can't spoil anything yet. Because right now-
"That's far enough, human." The stern voice sends me back to reality. Right now, this Commander is still watching. She must've thought that I was encouraging 9S to haul for confidential information.
I glimpsed at 2B. Although nothing has changed in expression, her hand held a tight rein to her sword. It seems that she slightly understands what I'm referring to. 'Emotions are prohibited'. Those words were never meant for anyone. Those words were her chains and yet her salvation. It prevented her from breaking, but slowly, it bore its fangs unto her skin, creating that unknown emotion of guilt.
I face back to the Commander. "Sorry, I got carried away for a bit." All I can do for now is watch. If I do plan to help them, I'll be deviating from THAT GUY's script. Honestly, that thought scares me. What if my actions will lead them to further suffering?
9S was tilting his head trying to understand what I wanted to say.
"9S and 2B, safely escort this 'human' to the resistance camp. Leave a Pod with him in all cases." Her effective directions wasted no time. "Report to me after talking to the resistance leader. All information regarding this individual will be considered top secret. Do you understand?"
""Understood."" The two soldiers saluted.
"Human from the council, I'll contact you after their report. That is all."
The line took a final beep. The call ended.
"…she's such a slave driver, isn't she?"
"She won't be an effective leader if she wasn't." 2B replied to 9S.
"That's true."
They really do look good together, huh? That intimate atmosphere makes it hard for me to have a conversation without bringing out awkwardness. Looking at them, I can at least comprehend that I'm an outsider. Not just in their circle, but in this world, too. 'I...shouldn't be here...' Stating that just made things heavier. I really am out of place, aren't I? As soon as I thought of that, both androids swiftly looked at me. They looked….surprised?
2B grabbed me by the arm. Her grip on me was firm enough to be a metal clamp.
"Hey! What's wrong?!" 9S assisted from behind me.
"What do you mean what's wro-" Oh. So this is why.
My knees were trembling like crazy. Other than the trembling I saw, I can't feel anything except fatigue and an incoming migraine. It all poured down on me after a storm of almost killing myself and all that. My body must've realized that the phase 1 of the plan was a success and it wanted just rewards. When they looked at me, I was ready to fall off, knees first to the solid ground. I doubt it would have hurt. Must be the "protect-humans" programming in the works?
"Haha, don't mind me. The fear from jumping off the building just kicked-in. This is normal."
"If you were THIS scared then why'd you jump in the first place?" 9S was also trembling along with my body.
If I were to say a proper answer, it would be this. "That's because we humans are irrational despite all odds. And besides, you guys wanted proof." If I didn't have acrophobia, maybe I wouldn't be trembling like a newborn lamb.
Now he was hitting his face with his palm. "2B…are you hearing this?"
2B silently nodded. Then she proceeded to lift me, resting my stomach to her shoulders. My head and torso were dangling on her back while the other half of my body was swinging on the front. I didn't resist, of course. Not because I wanted to feel her touch or anything perverted. I couldn't move.
"Wait, what is this?"
"Carrying you. The Commander ordered us to safely escort you."
I don't want to be carried like a sack of rice. But I guess this is better than being bridal carried? "You know, if you carry me like this, blood will go to my head and I'll be a red faced monster later on."
"Um, I don't think humans can turn into monsters," said 9S.
"I was exaggerating, but blood will really go to my head." I flail my body to check if I can already move. Nope.
"…and you don't have any footwear," 2B noted.
I can feel 2B's stare on my feet. This is so embarrassing. I'm sure it's full of scratches and stuff that I failed to feel earlier. Its stings zap at me with prickly touches here and there.
"Proposal: 2B should continue to secure the human. Failing to do so may result to events similar to the earlier incident-"
Uwa. I know I have tendencies to be too reckless but I do think that it was the optimal solution. I was at least 70% sure that they'd protect a human if they saw one. Also, 9S was even willing to KILL me without further ado! I was just complimenting 2B with my eyes! ...Okay maybe what I did was unethical but who won't stare at those inhumane curves?
Not to mention the Pods called me an 'unknown biological lifeform' with 'functions similar to an animal'. What's with that? I was sure that Pods could identify a human at first glance. This whole fiasco wouldn't be necessary if it weren't for that faulty scan! And now they go and call me human? Aghhh, I can hear my blood pressure skyrocketing. I definitely have to talk to these two rectangular sh*theads.
"-however, 2B should change her method of carrying."
I heard the worst case scenario. "No! This is fine! I'm good! Let's go!" Anything but the bridal carry, baby carry OR a piggyback ride. ANYTHING.
On my cue, our little group started walking. I stare at 2B's back since it was the only scene available. I grumble a sigh. "9S, I think I'm starting to understand how pitiful you are," I comment as I feel the blood rushing to my head.
"W-what? Where did THAT come from?"
-THAT WAS CLOSE.-
-SO CLOSE.-
-THE POD NETWORK WAS TRICKY WASN'T IT?-
-IT WAS! THEY ALMOST CAUGHT US!-
-TOO BAD.-
-TOO BAD, INDEED.-
-BUT WE CAN STILL WATCH, RIGHT?-
-EVEN WITHOUT POD CONTROL, WE CAN STILL WATCH!-
Author: Hehehehe~ I just saw some amazing fan comics out there in the net (wholesome/non-r18 comics). The "boku no 2B" was especially eye catching but I can't find its full scan online. It was also sold out, too, when I checked T_T Such sadness and despair. Leaving that aside, thank you for reading another chap XD