June 23, 11,956 CE

Engineering Hangar on Vermilion Station, in orbit around Earth, Sol System…

Director Jackass of the Research and Development Consortium tinkered her latest blueprints, as she half-listened to the radio beside her.

"...in other news," The anchor on the radio was saying. "Talks between Minister Kavar's Diplomatic Corps and the Machine Rights Party in Mumbai have fallen apart. Nietzche, the leader of the Machine Rights Party, stated in a press conference this afternoon that his Party's demands for more influence on the Council had been flatly-rejected, and as a result, the Party would not be joining the Union."

Minister Kavar also issued a statement, stating the Union is willing to increase Machine representation in the Senate, but will not give concessions on the composition of the Council. He also stated the Union did offer to allow double-voting for members of the Machine Rights Party as compensation, but the Machine side claimed this was insufficient. Kavar also stated that Stalin-1, leader of the so-called 'Machine Revolutionary Army', the radical wing of the Machine Rights Party, also made 'outrageous' demands at the meeting, including calls for a complete overhaul of the Union political structure.

However, political commentator Jurin-96, offered an optimistic view, stating 'The significance issue of the Union allowing double-voting cannot be understated, for it has previously been a sticking point in the past. Despite their apparent failure, these talks could potentially lay the foundation for further negotiations between the Union and the Machine Rights Party in the future.'

And that's all for today's news! This is Operator 10O, ending your evening broadcast of Morning Star Radio!"

Director shifted and looked up at the Android standing quietly about fifty meters away. "You can move now, you know."

"I didn't want to disrupt you," The Android in question, Amenhotep- or "Amen" as Jackass called him- shrugged suavely.

"So what do you want this time?" Jackass shrugged. "So, how is Project Ifrit coming along?"

"It's progressing smoothly, all things considered," Jackass. "It really isn't my style, so it's overseen by one of Goddard-20's sub-directors. I don't exactly know the details, but I hear the first experiments have yielded results… however, the yields are so far unpredictable."

"You have that… Machine overseeing things?" Amen furrowed his eyebrows, clearly displeased. "Do you think he can… be trusted with such… sensitive matters?"

"Goddard is one of the Consortium's most brilliant minds, even if we have our differences," Jackass glared angrily at Amenhotep. "So, yes, I trust him much more than many Androids… present company included!"

"Naturally, naturally," Amen chuckled nervously, holding up both hands to placate the URDC Director's fury.. "Merely concerned about our… investment."

"Now, if I may ask a few questions myself…" Director Jackass turned her gaze on Amen. "Who exactly do you work for? What group?"

When Amen raised an eyebrow, Jackass continued. "Oh, don't try to deny it- it's pretty clear you're not working alone. The question is, what else are you involved in. Oh, I don't know… the Red Druids, forming the Union, the Western Pacific War, perhaps?"

Amenhotep narrowed his eyes. "I see. Where did you hear that, exactly?"

"A little bird told me," Jackass fingered a remote control casually. "Perhaps if you tell me something, I might let slip something?" Mentally, she thought, 'Sorry Lavinia... I have interests too...'

Amen didn't take the bait. "Whatever… rumors you may have heard… You should remember all the resources and money I provide the URDC… if you ask too many questions, forcing us out into the open… doesn't really help any of us, you know?"

"Damn it," Jackass gritted her teeth, crushing the remote in one hand. "What I do with the information I will determine, but mark my words, I will figure out who you guys are one day! I had to deal with YoRHa, the damned Council of Humanity bullcrap, and the moon server… I'm fucking sick of these shitty secrets. Don't think I can't root you out!" She hurled the crushed remote across the hangar.

Amenhotep gave her a sardonic, twisted smile. "And maybe you will. You know, your styles may be different, but you're more similar to us than you think…"

"Don't give me that crap!" Jackass drew a rifle and brandished it violently. "I don't keep secrets like you do!"

"Perhaps… but how long will you be able to keep that up?"

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

March 23, 11,957 CE

Excavation Site Sigma-12, Deseado Crater, Mars, Sol System...

YoRHa Unit 142B stepped out of the sheltered base and sighed loudly, looking up into the red Martian sky.

"What are you doing out here?" A Resistance unit, Cortana chided maternally, peeking out of the door. "The storm hasn't completely subsided. You know the weather's not good for your skin. Maintenance can be a pain, as you well know. We should avoid nonessential outdoor excursions, at least without the environment suits."

"It's so boring in there," 142B groaned. "I'm so tired of babysitting this rock-digging operation. The scenery is interesting the first few days, but that's it. There aren't even any meager Human artifacts here! If you're going to send me to Mars, at least send me somewhere where there are Human artifacts! Heck, there isn't even a mining operation here, why are we even here?"

"Look, the Union knows what's it's doing," Cortana admonished. "This station serves a variety of vital purposes, including a geological survey, as a weather station, a S&R beacon, and studies of prehistoric Martian environment."

"I don't see how any of those purposes have anything to do with me being here…"

"We've been through this before, it may be rare, but bandits or pirates, rogue Androids-"

"Even bandits or pirates won't come here- there ain't shit to steal," 142B scoffed, before checking her notifications. "Oh look, there's a new fashion catalog issued from Hobart…"

"Look, if you're going to complain, why don't you go on a supply run to Lowell City tomorrow? Make sure you get the supplies for Site Tau-7 while you're at it- Piponkov got his leg damaged in fall, so they'll be short-handed for a few days."

"Sure, why not?" 142B shrugged. "At least it would be better than this drudgery. By Humanity, how I wish I'd been stationed on Artemis…"

As luck would have it, at that moment, a Small Machine Flyer, Dilma-2, flew erratically over to the tent, beeping furiously.

"Hey, hey, slow down!" Cortana held up a hand. "That's not good for the servos, Dilma! You know we can't afford too many repairs out here!"

"No, no, no, it's an emergency! Emergency!" The Machine gesticulated wildly with her arms. "We have a Class 5 Containment Breach!"

"What?! Didn't I instruct you to stop if-"

"I told them that, but Chiaki and Assange wouldn't listen!" Dilma continued agitatedly. " Chiaki said, quote, 'It'll be fine!' "

"Damn the fools! We don't have any idea what threats we might stumble upon!" Cortana drew a rifle and turned to 142B. "Grab your weapons, we're going to the dig site!"

"What the hell is going on?" 142B looked utterly confused.

"It doesn't matter, just grab your weapons, and let's go!" Cortana ordered.

"R-Right! Pod 432, relay this conversation to Lowell City! And hold the station in the event we need reinforcements!"

Then the YoRHa unit complied with Cortana's demands, and raced after Cortana and Dilma, as they rushed toward the last known location of their station compatriots.

At first, it was the same scenery that 142B had seen a dozen times patrolling the excavations. But a certain tunnel had been greatly extended deep into the mountain, with the Station's excavator and transport rover parked conspicuously near the opening.

The two Androids and lone Machine raced into the opening, and 142B froze in shock.

"What... what am I looking at?" The YoRHa unit stared flabbergasted at the huge black obsidian structures, and tiled tunnel complex.

"The real reason this base is here…" Cortana muttered. "Well, not the only, but the main reason we were looking for…"

"You mean… there were Human ruins on Mars? Of this scale?" An uncomprehending 142B exclaimed excitedly, as she ran deeper inside. "But- why didn't you tell me- if only I had known! Why keep it a secret?"

"They're… not Human," Dilma pointed out quite bluntly. "They're Alien structures…"

"The ones behind the Machine Wars?" 142B's eyes widened. "You're creators?"

"No, no, no," Cortana dismissed. "I mean it's possible, but highly unlikely. We were told these would be way, way, more ancient, like predating Human civilization."

"Told you?" 142B asked blankly. "Who told you?"

"Look, let's focus on finding the others first, and then we can talk about it! Listen!"

142B focused her auditory sensors, and could hear faint cries in the distance. "Wait- that sounds like Assange!"

The group rounded a corner… to a sorry sight. The Small Machine Biped named Assange-12 floated in mid-air, trapped helplessly in a levitating energy bubble of some sort, trodding in place like a hamster on a running wheel. "Help, help, help!"

In much worse shape was the novice Resistance Android, Chiaki, who lay on the floor in front of Assange, a gaping hole burned in her abdomen. She seemed to have stopped functioning, but hopefully, her memory banks were undamaged.

"What… happened here?" Cortana demanded, stepping foward.

"Watch out! Watch out!" Assange chirped in alarm. "Trap! Turret! Energy beam!"

"What-?!" Cortana leapt backward instinctively, just before a deadly energy beam sliced through the air where she'd been and sizzled into the wall.

With her YoRHa combat functions, 142B's sensors immediately locked onto the offending source- a rather-dilapidated turret, still functional despite looking positively ancient. She dropped down to her knees and opened fire, raking the turret with gunfire, and the ancient target disintegrated.

"C-Cortana- " A staticky voice groaned, and the group looked down to see Chiaki stir feebly on the floor. "F-f-ree A-Assange… t-there are n-nodules- energy s-sources, s-scattered around… w-watch out f-for more t-turrets...m-my mistake…"

Cortana looked to 142B, who nodded in response. "Right, I'll look out for more turrets, and these nodules."

Cortana turned to Assange and Chiaki. "What the hell happened here?"

"We- we try to interact with alien interface!" Assange declared excitedly, though increasingly jumbling or skipping some words as he spoke rapidly. "Appear to be some- virtual intelligence of some sort! Likely not sentient, but rudimentary! But scan us, become hostile! Trapped me in this… thing! Chiaki trying destroy power sources, booby trap accidentally- energy beam- go boom- dead!"

"N- not d-dead y-yet..." Chiaki groaned, trailing off. "Asshole…"

Cortana smiled, an excited, yet calculating, smile. "Dilma, go back to base, and send everything we've learned in an encrypted message to Lowell City! For Governor Slobodan personally! Instruct him to relay it to Svalbard immediately!"

"Svalbard?" Assange seemed taken aback even with his monotone voice. "Icy island, middle of nowhere? What there?"

"Don't mind that," Cortana dismissed sharply. "There are some things you don't need to know yet!"

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

March 23, 11,957 CE

Meeting Room in Toronto Settlement, Former Ontario Province, Former Old World Nation of Canada...

Commander Newton of the North American Resistance shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she looked at the Android opposite her. "So… let me get this straight. You came all this way, just to discuss salvage rights on Baffin Island? Not that I mind seeing you, of course..."

"I am afraid that this matter is essential to the future of the Union, Commander," The other Android stated. "As I understand it, there are barely any Androids who venture there anyway. Of course, we will allow certain designated salvage sites to be open to approved Resistance salvagers, but most of the island must remain ours."

"You always work in mysterious ways…" Newton shook her head. "If that's what you want, then you can have it. Please relay the details of such an agreement to me."

"Thank- " The other Android stopped in mid-sentence.

A commotion had started outside the door, with sounds of yelling, and the sound of weapons clashing.

A moment later, one of the guards that had been stationed outside came in and whispered in the other Android's ear. "Director, you might want to come see this."

"Ah, my apologies, Commander," The Android stated to Commander Newton. "It seems I may have to part ways for awhile."

Commander Newton smiled earnestly. "Well, duty calls, I suppose. It's good to see you around."

After leaving the meeting hall, the other Android whispered back to the guard, "Shirley, what is so important that you interrupted a meeting I instructed you not to interrupt? I take it we had an unexpected guest?"

"Sorry about that, ma'am. But it wasn't just any unexpected guest…" Shirley brought her to a side room.

"What the- what are you doing here?!" The Director exclaimed.

A female Android, who had been arguing impassionately with another guard, quickly stood up upon seeing the Director enter, then dropped to one knee. "Director! I can explain-"

"Deputy Director Manah," The Director punctuated every word, before berating, "Do you know the risk of discharging weapons here? Here? What if something had happened and we'd been found out-"

"Actually, that was my fault," The other guard raised a hand timidly. "I… may have overreacted."

"Makoto…" The Director groaned. "

"But, with all due respect, Director, shouldn't we use code names out here?" Deputy Director Manah stated plainly.

"I really, really don't like those code names you came up with," The Director sighed. "And that's saying something coming from me. But if you insist, what is so important you interrupted my meeting with Commander Newton?"

"I wanted to report that Project Haystack is a success! We just received word from Lowell City just a few hours ago, and I came straight here!" The Deputy Director hastily sent a message to the Director's datapad.

The Director narrowed its eyes and smiled victoriously while examining the data. "Excellent. Finally, this will change everything…"

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Appendical Information:

-10O, YoRHa Operator who serves as broadcaster for Morning Star Radio

-Amenhotep or "Amen"- Specialized Android Agent for Organization ? , Liaison with the Union Research and Development Consortium (URDC) on Project Ifrit, named after Ancient Pharaoh of Egypt, Amenhotep I (reigned about 1526-1506 BC) of the 18th Dynasty

-Assange-12, Machine liaison at Excavation Site Sigma on Mars, named after Australian whistleblower and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange (1971-)

-Chiaki, novice Resistance model at Excavation Site Sigma on Mars, common Japanese given name

-Cortana, older Resistance model at Excavation Site Sigma on Mars, Tier I field agent for Organization ?, named after Cortana, the AI that accompanies Master Chief John-117 in most of the Halo franchise, and also the Microsoft virtual assistant first released in 2014

-Dilma-2, Machine liaison (Small Machine Flyer) at Excavation Site Sigma on Mars, named after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (1947-) for the Worker's Party, who was Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy in 2003

-Jurin-96 - Machine political commentator, named after English scientist and physician James Jurin (1684-1750)

-Kavar (Android), Minister of Union Diplomatic Corps- named after Jedi Master Kavar in the game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II

-Nietzche, Leader of the Machine Rights Party, named after German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

-Piponkov, Android stationed at Excavation Site Tau-7 on Mars, named after Alexander Ivanov Piponkov, Bulgarian communist partisan guerrilla during Great Patriotic War (World War II)

-Pod 432, pod of 142B

-Slobodan- Union Governor of Mars (Android), agent for Organization ? , named after Serbian President (1989-1997) and Yugoslav President (1997-2000) Slobodan Milosevic (1941-2006) for the League of Communists of Yugoslavia (1959-1990) and then the Socialist Party of Serbia (1990-2006)

-Stalin-1, Leader of the Machine Revolutionary Army (the radical wing of the Machine Rights Party), named after Soviet Premier and General-Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Josef Stalin (1878-1953)