A/N: It's short but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.
Put obligatory legal stuff and other totally non-suspicious content here
I just know that something has happened to Devola and Popola. While I'm not privy to the rank and file mannerisms of any sort of military conduct. Nor how the Resistance operated at all. But I do know that I have this sinking feeling gnawing at the pit of my stomach. It's the kind of feeling one might have when something is definitely wrong. A sense of foreboding that one is about to receive bad news. "I should get back to work. But we can talk later once I've wrapped up some errands I need to take care of. Does that sound good?" I nod silently at Anemone's words. But I don't meet her gaze. I... I want to believe that Devola and Popola can take care of themselves. Why else would they agree to do this mission of theirs? They've probably done hundreds of missions or tasks for the Resistance before. This one shouldn't be any different, I guessed. But I still can't shake this feeling. Is it because I heard that YoRHa is conducting their own operation further in the ruins outside? Perhaps because my Pod is nowhere to be found? I desperately hoped that I'm just imagining all this. Foolishly allowing myself to jump to conclusions despite the assurances I've been given.
The sound of a faint explosion caught my ears. As if something beyond my comprehension deigned it appropriate to validate my fears. When I looked up to search for the source, I see that several other members of the Resistance had heard it as well. They, like me, were looking towards the direction of the sound. I can see that some of them were running to the entrance of the Camp - a secluded, unassuming corner, that revealed a hallway which turned right. Blocking any chance of seeing outside. When I glance towards 2B, I notice that just behind her is 9S. He's running towards the two of us. I'd take a moment to contemplate why he's in a rush. But something else happened which demanded my attention.
It's the sudden drop in temperature. It wasn't anything drastic. Just enough for me to take notice and look around briefly. Then up at the sky. Wonder if, perhaps, it would rain soon. But that is the moment when my idle confusion grew. My eyes widen as that growing confusion turned instantly to sheer terror. The thing the blocked the sun wasn't a cloud. No, it's... it's a Machine.
It's flying in the air through the use of some sort of thrusters mounted on it's sides. I can only see the underside. But that alone is enough to tell what purpose it served. There... there must be hundreds of, what I surmise, cannons, mounted underneath it. Each one aimed towards the left and right in equal measure. Much like the rest of the underside, they're all covered in dark brown rust. A testament to it's long years of weathering the elements. I can't bring myself to look away. Fear rooted me in place. As well as becoming permanently fixed across my face. With something of that size, the Machines can easily dominate the sky. Plus the very ground it flew over. Just how many Machines are -
"Look out!" I barely have enough time to register 2B's warning before I find yourself lifted from my chair. The surroundings around me blurred and a deafening explosion dominated my senses. There's nothing I can compare the sound to. Nor the acrid stench of smoke that permeated the air. Only that I'm left with a faint ringing in my ears as the sound died out and a burning sensation that bloomed in my chest when I inhaled smoke. "We need to get her to safety." I heard 2B say after a few minutes. Whatever it was that made her stand still is beyond me. Something that registered fairly low in my list of priorities. When I managed to bring myself fully back to reality, I realize I'm being practically crushed against 2B's chest. Her grip, likely literally, solid iron as she held onto me. It took a surprising amount of effort to crane my neck to look back.
The Medical Tent where I and 2B sat earlier is nothing but rubble. The building behind it bore a massive hole. Whether it was from the explosion or had it always been there is anybody's guess. Regardless, the Medical Tent is beyond salvaging. I look to the rest of the Camp and am greeted with the sight of... well, could I call it 'ordered chaos'? There's Resistance members running everywhere. Some pushing past others and shouting as they carried out whatever task they believed needed to be done. But there are others who are running to the entrance of the Camp. A gun in hand or, I guess, to be a makeshift blunt weapon.
"How did that thing even get so close without anyone noticing?" I hear 9S yell over the commotion. The question did no help for me. Knowing that no one managed to see the thing approaching served only to worry me even more. It could have fired its weapons at any time. If 9S hadn't -
You shake your head. No, no, don't think about that. Push it far away. Thinking about it will only make things worse. "Can you run?" 2B's voice nearly startled me. Making me look up at her with mild confusion. Then her question clicked. She had asked if I can run.
"I don't-" I paused mid-sentence. Glancing down at my lower body. There's no way I could possibly run. Not with how my therapy with the Twins has been going. The thought almost made me angry. Want to curse my body for being like this. But I pushed those thoughts away and shook my head. "I don't think I can. But you should put me down. Go help the Resistance kill that thing." I'm surprised when I sense something akin to conflict from 2B when I spoke. Out of the corner of my eye, I see 9S frown at my words. Are they... are they serious? Are they really just sitting there while that thing is hovering above everyone? My fear of the aforementioned Machine is slowly beginning to be outweighed by the frustration I feel at their lack of action. "I mean it, put me down!" I re-iterate and tried to push myself off 2B. However, the act is futile; 2B's grip only tightened.
"We can't just leave you in the middle of Camp. Are you-"
"Yes, you can!" I interrupted 9S mid-sentence. All but glaring at the young looking YoRHa soldier as I did. The action seemingly took him by surprise. The frown on his face gone as his mouth hung slightly agape at my outburst. However, despite that, I looked at 2B. The latter remaining utterly impassive as she looked down at my. "If you have to, go find 9D. Then go help destroy that Machine up there." I tried to keep my voice firm while I spoke. But the shouts of the Resistance, as well as the faint sound of gunfire, made it difficult. Nevertheless, I did my best to keep it level while meeting the obscured gaze of the two YoRHa Androids.
It... looked like my words were not getting through to them. A part of me wanted to ask them why they would not listen. While the other half wanted to keep yelling at them to go destroy the monstrosity in the sky above us. Why won't they - "2B! 9S!" The familiar voice of Anemone cut cleanly through the air. The world around me briefly shifted as 2B turned to face Anemone. When I looked in her direction, I spied Anemone running to the three of us with, what you guessed to be, some kind of rifle in her hands. "The Machines are massing outside the Camp. We need you to help hold them off. 9D is already engaging them." She paused and I notice her meet my gaze. Surprisingly, she smiled. But it faded quickly when a faint explosion rang in the air. "I need you to go and help defend the entrance. I'll have Jackass escort her-" Anemone nodded slightly, as if to discreetly indicate me in particular, "-to the underground Bunker. It's not finished but the entrance is. She'll be safe there. At least until we repel the Machines." Anemone gestured towards the entrance of the Camp, "Go, I'll stay with her until Jackass shows up."
That seemed to be the only confirmation they needed. It was almost like they had completely forgotten their prior hesitancy to leave me by myself. To be honest, I found it to be a little annoying as 2B set me down with surprising gentleness. Only stepping back when I leaned back against a small piece of debris. I watch 2B and 9S all but sprint off towards the entrance. Quickly disappearing as they rounded the corner. If I blinked, I swear that they'd disappear - vanished - in thin air. Leaving me alone with Anemone.
A/N: Fufufufu... It's starting to pick up now! Thanks for reading! O/