Why does that deserter have to walk all the way through this desert? Well, she must've done so to reduce the amount of trails to track her but still! The sand gets in your shoes, the wind blows sand on the face and the sand storm just clouds over the only source of light!

The grievances bottled in me as I go forward against the sand storm. 7B was with me, silently marching to our destination. However, I'm positive that she's smiling.

"Hey, 9S. Do you think we'll meet 2B soon?"

The muscles below my eye twitched involuntarily. This question was repeated several times ever since we landed on earth. At first I was laughing it off, saying that we'll probably meet her soon. Then she asks again. And again. And again. It felt like she was doing it on purpose. And right now I'm 100% sure that she's not really listening to my answers.

Sand was diminishing in quantity as we continued forward. The sandstorm was also reducing and I can finally see a different colour other than light brown sand.

"Actually, have you met 2B before?"

I stopped my tracks on the division of sand and grass. She knows that I just finished installing my default memory, right? "…no, I don't think I have."

"Oh bummer. That's just sad! 2B is so cool you know! She's one of those elite soldiers that get the job done whenever! And she does it pronto!"

I can hear pulses on my temples. A flash of annoyance wants me to push her over a sand hill. Does she understand that this elite android is a deserter? I try to mask the itchy feeling on my knuckles with a smile.

"Yeah. I'm sure she is."

"No no! You don't get it!" 7B turns around to my surprise. She's happily twirling towards me. "2B's not just your average elite soldier! 2B's more like a warrior slash knight slash soldier—"

I'm keeping my breath together as she continues to sing praises for the deserter. Annoyance boiled deep in my system. It churned within, itching for a slap on 7B's perfect cheeks. 2B this 2B that. Every mention of her name on that mouth makes the fire within me burn wider. What the hell does she know about 2B?! At that moment, water as cold as ice washed over me. I can no longer hear 7B's outbursts. The bass sound of pulses rang within the depths of my consciousness. Just where is this anger coming from?

"—slash assassin kinda feel."

"…what?"

7B resumed walking towards our destination. She didn't hear me as I also failed to hear her last statement.

"Report: Units 7B and 9S are near the destination. Proposal: Equip weapons to prepare for possible combat."

Pod153 was the only Pod around us. Its mild warning hurried me to snatch the black hilted sword on my waist. This 'elite android' that 7B's been praising non-stop was last seen in this forest. It fought with a YoRHa android and, as what anyone would expect from an 'elite soldier', the deserter obliterated its enemy along with its Pod.

"No need for that. I'm sure 2B understands that going back to the crime scene isn't a good idea." The happy curves on her lips suddenly became flat serious.

Why's she talking like she knows the deserter from inside-out? It's like 7B has already met her a lot of times. I kept that thought as we got closer to our destination.

A dismembered tree greeted us. The leaves that were still attached to the tree were green, hinting that it's a recent cut. Well, that's the first thing to see in this messy set up. It doesn't take a genius to comprehend that one big fight happened here. One thing that makes me say so was the two-handed katana impaling a tree. The second thing was the pool of liquid that dyed the grass crimson red. I couldn't do anything but open my mouth in awe.

"Now, Scanner-kun. It's your time to shine." She crosses her arms. "15 hours before your activation, 2B was last seen here fighting with a YoRHa unit and as you can see…things didn't turn out well."

I blinked twice to make sure that I didn't just see things. 7B was frowning. Her hands balled to fists behind her crossed arms. She must be thinking of the android that was destroyed. Thinking words of sympathy.

"I just need to find her, right? I mean, Scanner models aren't meant for combat."

"Like the Commander said, we'll have to fight if 2B decides to."

"Yeah yeah~ I got it."

So when the Commander says jump, we say how high. Maybe the deserter betrayed YoRHa because of this? I shrug with an audible sigh. The chain of command is like that and we're soldiers deployed by Command. Still, even though we don't have much freedom, it's not a reasonable ground to point your gun against comrades. YoRHa Number 2 Type B…there must be a bigger reason for her betrayal.

I started to survey the surroundings. The ground crunched against my boots as I got closer to the white blade on the tree.

"Pod153, I'll be hacking this blade."

"Understood."

The moment I grasped its white hilt, I entered its hacking space. It was a pure white hacking region, at least 3 kilometres in diameter. It's what I'd expect from a weapon with limited storage space.

"There's nothing in here."

I looked left to right. It's as clean as it looks. Nothing's here. Only an empty space with floating white blocks and white ground. The longer I looked into this space searching for clues, the stronger my disappointment was. I expected there to be at least some bits of personal data and juicy information. Most Battle units usually store some on their weapons as a form of last will.

"Pod, confirm the owner of this blade."

"…."

"…Pod153?"

"…."

I massage my temples in contempt. Not this again. "If I find out you're doing this on purpose, I'll really report you to –"

"You m-st b—2B."

The voice echoed on the noiseless room. I immediately grab my holographic sword and turned about face. There was nothing.

"My n-me –s 9S— I'm h—re to prov— sup—t"

The voice was full of static noise that I could barely hear it right. I had to make out the words it spewed across this silent space. This audio file may provide valuable information against our target.

"You must be 2B. My name is….9…S….I'm here….to provide support…." I spoke the words I've heard. Like a baby repeating its mother's words, I didn't understand any of it. No. It's more like I denied every word at the back of my head. "What…is this…?" My name...I just said my name, didn't I? And I was addressing the deserter.

"2B! –atch out!"

"That—could— been fatal— if—lifeforms wer— to attack."

Someone lowered the non-existing thermostat in this hacking space. I remained flabbergasted as if someone punched my artificial lungs in full force. The words drifting through my ears became clearer and I didn't have to doubt who was saying which anymore. It sounded like they were taken on random times.

"Say 2B, why don't we try it someday. Window shopping."

This is my voice. A piece of audio data must be on autoplay somewhere out here. I should start searching for that…and yet...my holographic self failed to move. My limbs were there, frozen by questions and answers running out of control in my head. The one speaking is me, 9S. The one I'm speaking to is…the deserter? But when and why—

"…when that day comes…I'm all for it…"

Lightning stroked my spine in a painful jolt. The one that spoke. It was a female voice. She talked slowly as if shy. Slowly as if sad. It felt so near and… so familiar. Like a song from a music box.

"Were…the choices I made…wrong?"

If it's so familiar, then I did get partnered with her before. These audio playbacks are mere proof of that along with this sense of nostalgia stabbing at me. Wrong? What are you talking about? What choices were you given? Why does your voice sound so miserable?

"NINES!"

That desperate shout was all over the place, howling. My grip was going numb and I can feel my pulse rising. I can't feel the sword anymore. Nines…that's what she said. Warmth filled my chest as I replayed the word within me. 'She finally called me Nines.' …Finally? What? What did I mean? Nines? That's my nickname right? I rest my cold free hand on my forehead hoping it'd cool me down. Why does she know that?

"…just who the hell are you, 2B?"

My logic circuits were bombarded with queries I failed to answer. The more questions piled up, the more frustration I felt. The answer is there but I can't grasp it. It's near and yet far away. It's at this time where you wish you'd just have an answer sheet for every question.

"Official designation…YoRHa unit Number 2 Type B…2B."

The voice this time was closer. Behind me, I glanced. I re-adjust my grip on my blade.

Blocks of data formed a humanoid shape in front of me. It had long monstrous arms and a body buffed with white blocks. It was about my height.

"This is…" I felt no hostility towards it. I don't have to. The blocks composing its body were floating and disappearing. Dissolving into the air of the hacking space. This is the clue I've been searching for.

"That's what I always say on my introductions with him. But now that I've deserted, it doesn't really matter anymore."

She sounds happy now that she has betrayed us. I can hear the laughs behind her speech. Then again, she sounds like she's mocking herself with how she speaks. Like she wants someone to belittle her.

"It is said that I was modelled from a YoRHa test model who was the sole survivor in her group. Due to my combat capabilities and fast adaptability, I was given the designation of Number 2 Type E."

"…Type…E?" I've never heard of that type before. Is it a new combat model? But what about her being a Battle Type? Was it a false identity? The more I raised my questions, the tighter my chest was squeezed by a strange warmth.

"It's because of that role, itself, which I've decided to betray YoRHa. I just…can't bear to do it again. Meeting him only to know that I'd eventually part with him. Every time I fulfill the mission, a piece of me…dies out without warning. Every time I'm piercing my blade against—"

The record crumbles before it could be finished. The longer she talked, the more she was about to cry. Even for someone like me who's just listening, I can't bear to hear more of her sobbing. It created a screeching pain somewhere in my head. The audio playbacks that I don't remember are here. Could it be that the 'him' she's saying here is...

"I am recording this now so that anyone who stumbles upon this blade will witness…how unfit I am for my role. I'm sorry…Ni—"

"9S!"

A roaring shout disrupted the audio file and I returned to my android body. My goggles masked the surprise and irritation I had for being sent back to my body without my consent.

"…did you order my Pod to cancel the hacking?"

"I did! You were taking too long so I got worried!"

I bite my lower lip in a mix of frustration. I can't help but want to throw a handful of rock against this idiotic android. She stopped me from searching clues because she was 'worried'?! You've got to be kidding me. If I knew it was dangerous, I'd immediately fall back! I'm not stupid!

"Since you took so long, you must've found something."

Parts of me were in unison. We didn't want to answer. Every time she opens her mouth makes me angrier. I couldn't get a move on from what 7B did a while ago. Who was 2B apologizing to? What did she do for such an apology? Who is this 'him'? The longer I questioned myself, the scarier the silence 7B had. For a girl with a supposedly flippant attitude, I can tell from the straight-laced lips that she's staring daggers at me.

"...type E."

7B seemingly quivered by the mention of the words. I took note of the subtle reaction.

"There was a corrupted audio file where in she stated her designation." She also said it was her reason for leaving. That's not it. It's because of 'him' that she deserted. Whoever that 'him' is, I feel nothing but disgust and envy for it. "I've never heard of a type E. Have you-"

My mouth clammed up before I could even finish the question. The pressure I'm perceiving was a thousand times stronger than before. I can hear the black box in me shaking. After being re-installed, this is the first time I'm feeling fear. And it's because 7B removed her blindfolds and stared at me like an abyss.

"Where is that audio file you're talking about."

"I-it was corrupted and it eroded on its own." I stuttered.

"No traces were left? No intel about where and when it was recorded?"

"...None. Everything was crumbling so I doubt there's anything left." I lied. Only that Type E file was crumbling to dust. The other audio files are within me. I couldn't see myself telling this to 7B. There is still a part of me that couldn't forgive her for dragging me out of that hacking space. Also, there is a part of me that has lost its trust on her. This kind of reaction from a mere mention of Type E. She knows something.

7B sighs loudly in disappointment. She slides her goggles up to her eyes. "And I thought we'd finally have some clues."

"I still haven't seen the surrounding area. Let's not give up yet," I say with a bright smile. If it's a battle of acting, I doubt I'll lose.

I began to search for physical clues. I ignored the pool of blood, knowing that it's from the YoRHa unit that got annihilated. I knelt down near it, focusing on the smaller drips of blood near the pool.

"Pod, I hope you're responsive now."

"Response: This Pod was never offline, therefore it was always responsive."

"Whatever you say. For know, analyze this blood over here. See if there's a difference between this and that pool of blood."

"You don't have to." The female android said as she fitted her arm-guard. "Those small droplets are 2B's."

I knitted my brows in suspicion. "How do you know that?"

"I just know." She walks away and follows the trail of blood that ran out of the investigation area.

Don't give me that. We can't afford to just jump to conclusions. And let's say that this IS 2B's blood. Isn't this looking like an obvious trap? I can't imagine that an elite android would be having difficulties with a single enemy. Unless the enemy was equally powerful.

"Report: Droplets of blood traced from the YoRHa model No.2 Type B. It is hypothesized that she was injured from the battle that occurred."

"Told you so. You know, for a Scanner model, you lack perception."

The twitch on my falsely grinning face says it all. I do hate this female android. I drag myself to follow her as she follows the trail of blood. I didn't forget to keep tabs on 7B's peculiar mood swings and her probable knowledge on the Type Es. In the end nothing was answered for me. Not what the E-types are. Not Pod's dodgy responses. Nor the reason why my audio files were in the white blade.