Chapter 5 - Underestimated

/_\

9S contemplated his current situation.

Assigned to a squad with his fellow YoRHa operatives, given special orders from Commander White herself to eliminate a threat to humanity with extreme prejudice.

There were a number of things with which 9S had a problem. This threat had been deemed too big for singular operatives, or pairs, to handle, which is why they were formed up into a squad. Two, since there was a second squad on the hunt as well.

It was as if their target became priority number one overnight, so to speak.

A number one priority that was, needed, to be eliminated. No questions asked. Sure they were tracking their target, attempting to figure out where they came from, but that wasn't was 9S was concerned with. He wanted to know the hard-hitting Why to all this. Why couldn't they know why their target was such a threat? He didn't buy the idea that they were a huge threat physically, although he did give it to their foes that they were very capable when it came to dealing with flight units, but beyond that, they hadn't proven to be some force that YoRHa prioritized over the Machines.

Yet they sent a Death Squad, or two, after them. There was no chance their target warranted such an extreme response. There had to be more to it than that.

Their target was simply labeled a threat.

A threat that was an android.

And that's what irked him the most.

A Rouge Android.

How and why is a rogue android such a threat to YoRHa? What did they do to humanity? Did they sabotage a rocket with supplies sent to humanity? Unlikely. The scanner model would have surely heard of such a thing happening.

Then why?

9S couldn't help but frown, because he also knew one thing.

He likely wouldn't get the chance to ask.

They were a hit squad, sent to kill not capture. Vanquish, not question. Lose the answers he wanted, just for the sake of orders being orders.

That's the part 9S found most distasteful about their mission.

Why couldn't they get answers from the android? They could find out why he betrayed YoRHa. How he managed to anger them. How they fought so well against their flight units. What did they know that made them such a threat? And perhaps even how to prevent this from happening again.

It just didn't make sense to the scanner.

"We were sent to silence them, nothing more." 9S couldn't help but comment in his own mind.

And it appeared as though he was the only one who had a problem with that.

"I've reserved word that the other squad is closing in on the Carnival region," 2D announced to the group, as he and 2B lead the group toward the forest region. "They'll report back on their findings as they come up."

The remaining members all gave varying degrees of acknowledgment, including 9S.

The scanner knew he had little sway in what should be done about this mission, Commander White had ordered this an elimination so it would be that. 9S had his doubts he could convince the others differently.

He did believe 2B would listen to him but that was only if it was the two of them on the mission, she always did value his advice and skill set when it came to all their other missions.

But this one was different, as 2B was not only leading this mission alongside 2D, but it was in her field of expertise.

Battle.

2B knew what to do when it came to a fight, oftentimes did she give the orders when the two of them were in battle together, so it was left to her to take charge.

"Maybe that's why she's taking this so seriously?" 9S pondered, watching his friend lead the group from the front. "She feels as though this is her responsibility above all others?"

It made sense to the scanner model.

2B was always one to tackle a mission in the most effective and efficient way possible. Although 9S had to admit, she could miss the bigger picture on occasion, it was a rarity on her part.

Oddly enough though, 9S felt as though this was one of those rare times.

"We can't afford to be bogged down by any machines," 2B stated as the group entered the forest region, "Cut through any machines that attempt to stop us and move on. Keep an eye out for any signs of our target as we go."

"Understood." 6H and 4G replied, with varying levels of enthusiasm.

9S didn't respond, but he kinda wished he had when 2B glanced behind herself to him.

"Ouch, she noticed…" The scanner thought, as 2B slowed down a bit. 2D took the lead as he saw his fellow Captain fall back to her partner. 4G and 6H fell in line behind him, giving the two partners some space. 4G, however, had this smug smirk on her face as she turned back to her two comrades.

What she was thinking about was anyones' guess.

"9S," 2B began, somewhat sternly. 9S waited for her to scold him, but he saw her loosen up a bit. She continued, softer this time, "What's wrong 9S? You've been acting differently for nearly the whole duration of the mission. The only time you seemed to bounce back to your usual self was when we were at the resistance camp."

"It's the mission that I have a problem with." 9S freely admitted, before 2B could scold him he continued. "There's something more to all this, 2B! I can feel it!"

"9S…"

"Please, just listen." 9S begged, to which his partner did so, "There is something up with this mission. A rogue android? As hard as it is to believe, I can understand rogue androids being a thing. But the question is, why? Why did they go rogue? Why is it so important that they have to die?"

"We already know, 9S. Commander White was very clear-"

"A threat to humanity, I know!" The scanner interrupted, "But it's still a vague reason, and you know it!"

"...it is." The battle android conceded to her partner.

"How does one rogue android pose a threat to Mankind?" 9S asked, knowing he wouldn't get an answer. The scanner had been racking his mind for the answer to that but he'd yet to figure out the how part.

The partners fell into silence for a moment before 2B spoke, this time her tone taking a more commanding tone, "9S, we can't afford to question Commander White, or our mission. Our targets' must be eliminated." She noticed her partner deflate slightly, but she continued, "But, you're right." He perked up, which eased the battle android somewhat, "We can investigate further what is going on behind the scenes after they're dealt with. If they somehow threatened humanity, then it is our job to figure out how to seal that threat away so nobody else can repeat them."

The battle android finished her compromise, if you could call it that, and watched her partner subtly. The scanner didn't exactly seem excited by her words, nor did it seem to improve his mood.

"I suppose I won't get any better than that, won't I?" 9S questioned, already knowing the answer before his partner even responded.

"It is."

The scanner android sighed to himself, "Fine, so be it."

With that out of the way, 2B accepted her partners' answer and moved to catch up with the rest of the group as she headed back to the front alongside 2D.

9S watched his partner go.

To be frank, that had done little for the scanner android.

He was still against the idea of this mission, an elimination, an assassination, a hit, all of those, and more.

9S just had this feeling they were silencing a witness.

He re-joined the group after that last moment of doubt. 4G greeted him with a smug smile, and 6H a polite one. Both androids' seemingly unaware of what 9S and 2B had been discussing.

However, 2D noted the scanner androids expression, posture, and general attitude. He'd noted 9S seemed different from how he'd heard the android usually was. Whilst the defender android wouldn't cast judgment on his comrade yet, he was still concerned for him as a fellow member of YoRHa.

Both for the scanners own safety, and the missions.

"Keep it together, my friend." 2D thought as he finished glancing back to the scanner to look straight ahead. "Let's just get through this as best we can."

"He'll be fine." A voice whispered to the defender. 2D inclined his head slightly toward 2B after hearing what she said. She continued with, "He's never let me down before."

Her words, despite being delivered stoically, brought a small smile to the defender androids' face. He replied with a simple Understood.

2B deemed that enough as well as she didn't elaborate any further than she had to. Focusing back to the task on hand.

The group was now deep in the forest now, although they patrolled the area, searching the perimeter as they went, the androids didn't want to dally either.

When the squad emerged onto a small opening, they all spread out to search the area as they remained on the forward push.

"There seem to be fewer machines around here, doncha think?" 4G noted, her weapons drawn preemptively.

"4G is right," 2D acknowledged, "There is usually a higher concentration of machines in the area, especially as one closes in on the castle. They defend this territory with fierce determination and loyalty."

"Doesn't stop shit though." 4G scoffed to herself.

"Scans indicate that machines have recently perished in the area." 9S stated, "There are signs of fading energy signatures nearby. Something must have destroyed them."

"Our target." 2B answered. By how the battle android had said those words, there left little doubt that she fully believed that to be true.

"Possibly," 2D agreed less suradely than his comrade as he turned to the scanner model, "9S, take us to the area of interest."

The scanner did as he was asked and led the group to a small clearing, with the remains of machine parts scattered across the ground haphazardly.

"Jeez, whoever was here made a mess of the place!" 4G shouted at seeing the machines dead all around them, "Seems like this might actually be from our targets." 4G as the other androids spread out to examine the scene.

"What makes you say that, 4G?" 6H asked as she stood watch of the others going about the area.

The gunner android lifted a piece of slightly warped metal for 6H to see, she twisted it to show a hole show right through it. "This kind of hole could only be formed by a high caliber weapon, some kind of rifle. I doubt those useless resistance androids are patrolling the forest so this could only come from our target."

"That's no guarantee," 9S countered for a brief moment, almost earning a glare from the gunner android before he continued, "We do know our target has ballistic weapons, however, these confirm our targets were here." The scanner gestured to his feet, pointing to a much larger shell casing on the ground.

2D and 4G moved closer to the scanner model as they observed the casing, whilst 6H remained where she was but seemed to lean in their direction as if wanting to be involved in the conversation from a distance.

Only 2B didn't join them as she continued to investigate the area with a sudden increase in furver. As if hearing the mere mention of their targets was enough to push her onward.

9S continued his explanation, "A munitions casing of this size would have to come from a large weapon of sorts. This shell casing was likely fired from a cannon found on the larger machine that engaged our flight units." 9S walked over to some shrubbery that was seemingly torn apart. 9S followed the scene, scanning it, before he spoke once again, "It seems our larger machine target emerged from the undergrowth and engaged in combat with some of the local machine life."

9S moved to the remains of the larger machines, "Our larger machine seemed to prioritize bigger targets as the size of the shell casing indicates they had the mass to devastate these targets." The others in the squad, apart from 2B, followed along 9Ss' scene deduction, "With that in mind, it makes sense for our…" he paused for a single moment, "Rogue Android to have engaged as well, and judging by the bullets holes found in the remains of the smaller machine it seems like they fight in unison."

"So they were here." 4G confirmed, nodding over the scrapheap that remained, to which 9S responded with a soft Likely, yes.

"Okay, so we know they're in this region," 2D conceded, the squad, apart from 2B, all formed a circle, "One question we have to ask ourselves is, what are their objectives here?"

9S paused at that. It was a good question to ask. As far as they knew their targets had few to no allies in the area, weren't friendly with the local machine lifeforms as evident by the recent battle that took place here, and seemed new to the area as a whole.

"Why come here…?" The scanner asked himself.

The androids watched his comrades, 2D, 4G, and 6H, and saw that they likely didn't have any answers either.

"I believe they're attempting to find out how to use the information they've extracted." 2B announced from the other end of the opening, drawing the attention of the others in her squad, "Commander White was clear that these targets of ours could pose a threat to mankind with the information they recovered alone, now I believe they need time to formulate or enact a plan on how to use it to their advantage which is why they've chosen the forest as their place to hide. This area isn't frequented by YoRHa as we have already discussed."

The other members of the squad seemed to mull over the idea, some agreeing with 2Bs theory more than others. Honestly, all but one seemed to agree with the battle android.

And no prizes for guessing who.

"You believe they have some devious motive for the information they got, and are formulating a plan on how to use it?" 9S asked, somewhat disappointedly.

And 2B actually felt a slight pang at seeing 9S like this but she kept her composure, "I do, but I don't believe they'll be aiming to do anything with the information they've gathered alone so quickly after retrieving it. It will likely be some time before they can use that information, which is our saving grace. It gives us time to deal with them before they have the chance to threaten humanity."

The defender android stepped forward, already guessing what 2B was gonna say next. "Your theory is that they're searching for allies? Allies that might be able to help use the information they have? Use it faster? They're possibly building a team?" The androids had already come to the conclusion that their targets weren't from this region, so they likely had no allies as of yet, but the battle androids theory had them searching for allies instead which was entirely reasonable. Making an enemy of YoRHa wasn't a wise move to make if they were acting alone.

When 2B nodded with a correct, 2D continued, "It does make sense. Perhaps our targets are solo operatives that decided to infiltrate our systems and gather the intel they needed before handing the information over to someone who might be better equipped to use it on their behalf."

"That's risky, isn't it?" 6H questioned cautiously, "To infiltrate YoRHa for intel then risk it all on the idea that they might find someone to help them use it is a risky strategy, they had no guarantees of finding allies here."

"It is," 2B agreed, "But our targets have proven very capable and cunning, as they've managed to best YoRHa flight units and infiltrate our systems. That proves how skilled our rogue target is." This got a few nods from the other androids. It was hard to argue the abilities of their foes.

"So, you're saying they're looking for a potential partner? A buyer of sorts?" 4G questioned.

"I doubt our targets are looking to sell the information," 6H politely interjected, "It's unlikely they'd find any buyers either."

"Then why would they even need to exchange it then? Surely they'd have their own plans for what to do with it, what would be the point of stealing it if they themselves had no way of using it? I find it hard to believe anyone would even want that kind of information anyway, they'd get too much heat from YoRHa for it." 4G countered again, using the same logic 6H used.

It was true though. It was skeptical that anyone would want the kind of information they had, as it would paint a target on their back. And once you have a target on your back from YoRHa, things usually get harder for you.

"They'd have to be searching for someone who would know how to use the information they'd stolen if they are indeed searching for allies." 6H continued.

2D hesitated for a moment, a thought coming to mind, "Is it possible our targets are searching for a rogue YoRHa agent? A unit like that might be able to both help them evade us, as they'd know our tactics, and they might be able to use the classified intel they gathered on their behalf."

The entire team fell silent at that.

That would make this situation far worse than originally thought. Dealing with more than one rogue android was problematic even though they were a strong team of five. Everyone knew their target was a capable android allied with a machine, but if they added a rogue YoRHa agent on top of that?

That was dangerous.

Worse still if this rogue YoRHa unit wasn't known. They were a possible insider. Someone who might have even helped them infiltrate their systems from the start. Entirely possible.

They'd add it to their report.

"We can't say for certain, nor will speculating help us with our current mission." 2B spoke out, breaking the silence, "We should prioritize finding our target first, we can figure out what their plans were after they're eliminated."

A single android flinched at the last word but went unnoticed as the others all cheered in agreement to the battle android.

"I didn't notice any tracks." 4G announced, "Our targets are crafty, they've been using clever little tricks to cover their tracks. That's not something normal androids do."

"Agreed, proves our target isn't a slouch when it comes to field operations. YoRHa units aren't even trained to use anti-tracking techniques but it seems our target has been." 2D confirmed, a hand coming up to rub the end of his chin, "I'm not sure any resistance members are trained like that either."

"More evidence to the theory that our target isn't from around here," 6H spoke. It was pretty much fact now that their targets weren't native to the region. The question of where they came from can be answered some other time.

"We'll get a report from Anemone to confirm that," 2D confirmed for the group, "Once we've gathered more information, we'll make a report to the Commander."

"Let's get back to the mission," 2B declared, "Track them, find them, eliminate them."

"Any idea where they might be?" 6H questioned, "We know our targets were here, but where did they go from here? They didn't leave any indication."

"Scouring the undergrowth of the forest would be a major waste of time. We'd be here all day!" 4G pointed out, her face scrunching up at the idea of aimlessly wandering around the forest.

"That's why we're gonna prioritize areas," 2B responded, stepping forward so the entire squad would listen to her, "The best course of action would be to examine areas of machine lifeforms and investigate the area to see if any have been engaged, or damaged recently. If we find small indicators, such as shell casings or battle debris then we'll know our targets were nearby and can narrow down which way they were heading by comparing the directions of the two engagement zones."

"So then our next area of interest would be the courtyard, right?" 6H asked softly, wishing to confirm their next move.

"Correct, if we find any signs of our targets having passed through the area then we can assume they crossed the crevasse to enter the castle. There would be little point in engaging the machines in that area if they did not intend to cross it." 2B explained. Her logic was sound. Their targets had proved efficient in most regards, avoiding fights when necessary, using appropriate tactics when being hunted, and wasting little effort otherwise. For them to waste their time destroying machines didn't make sense, not when they were being hunted.

From their perspective, combat seemed like a detriment to their targets.

"We're moving out," 2D ordered, signaling in the direction he knew the courtyard would be before leading the team himself, with 2B directly behind him, followed by 4G and 6H, with 9S taking up the rear.

The scanner model gave one last calculating look back at the scene they were leaving, his mind working overtime trying to figure out what their targets' plans were for engaging here in the first place.

And he'd spend the entire run to the courtyard thinking about their targets.

When the group arrived at their destination the team immediately knew that their targets had been through here. More ruined machine parts scattered across the ground, but the remains of two large machines lay collapsed on the ground.

A few small machines had moved into the area, re-populating the space again but only slightly. With the lack of bigger machines, it was noticeable how little there was to the courtyard.

"Move to engage the machines," 2B ordered, drawing forth her own blade, "Eliminate them quickly, don't let them distract us from our objective."

Nobody waited for a reply or confirmation as each member of the team dashed into the courtyard, swords ready for a fight. 2D and 4G worked in unison, with 4G providing suppressing fire whilst 2D entered physical combat. The duo worked well together, covering the others weakness of CQC and range respectively.

9S and 6H were fighting alongside each other, despite being the non-combative androids in the group. They each had a singular sword, but 9S had his hacking abilities to aid him if necessary. 6H really had nothing else besides her pod for assistance, so 9S stuck close to her just to aid the healer if required.

Not that any of them needed any help as they squashed the machines in the area.

2B, on the other hand, was in her element. She was easily the quickest on the battlefield, having dashed toward the largest group of machines before she began slashing them to pieces.

With the grace of a battle android, she swiftly switched between light and heavy-based attacks as she wielded her two blades with excellent efficiency. The small machines stood no chance as they were ripped to pieces with each strike.

The few medium, humanoid machines that charged her were cut down in a matter of seconds thanks to the strength and mass of her heavier blade. Cleaving one in two.

With five capable androids in one fight, it was over in a matter of minutes with 2B securing the final kill.

The battle android flicked the blade in her hand as if to throw any dirt off it. 2B turned to the castle in the distance as the rest of her squad re-grouped around her.

"Our targets had to have passed through here." 4G spoke, turning her head to examine the area. "The amount of damage they did to these machines matches up with the sword we saw the machine carried." The gunner android growled at the end, remembering their brief skirmish in the desert.

"Then we know where they are," 2B responded as she glanced around to the rest of her team. "They're in the castle. Somewhere."

"Our rogue android could be, I doubt their larger partner would fit," 2D added, but none-the-less agreed with his fellow captains' statement. "The castle is our best bet. We'll be wandering aimlessly otherwise."

"Let's get going then!" 4G yelled as she fiddled with her gun. Her excitement building up at the idea of getting back at the ones that shot her down.

The team silently agreed and began to make their way to the castle. 2B took the lead, picking up the pace as well. She was close now.

Her target was near, and she wasn't going to let them slip away.

/_\

A2s' eyes bore into Raylans' form, as if trying to comprehend something beyond his simple, yet exotically odd appearance.

Raylan suspected that might be harder for her than it was him.

His attire screamed military, yet A2 didn't recognize it. She could not discern anything from his facial features because, well… his helmet blocked her view of his face.

The pause between was anything but brief, but it was eventually broken.

"Someone else YoRHa deems an enemy," A2 spoke, her voice remaining as unfazed as had been thus far, yet Raylan had seen his words shake that facade, "And here I thought I was the only one they wanted gone."

"I'm flattered, truly. Good to know it's a private list," Raylan joked, despite his tone remaining neutral. Flat.

A2s' eyes remained fixed on him, ignoring his humor, "Not many can earn the ire of YoRHa." She gestured toward him, "What did you do to paint such a target on your back?"

What did he say to that? What was his answer? Did he tell her the reason in full? Would she see him as a threat as well?

He didn't want to make an enemy of this woman, A2, right now. He had enough problems to deal with between his YoRHa pursuers and the mass of machines that seemed to roam the area.

Plus the whole time travel thing. That was a monstrous mess he was no doubt going to have to figure out.

"I know things they don't want me to," Raylan answered vaguely, watching the womans' expression shift again from her usual neutral one to a more faint curious one.

"You know their lies." She tested cautiously, "How they betrayed us."

Betrayed? So A2 was YoRHa at one point.

But that made Raylan curious, how did Androids rebel? Were they so free to make their own choices? That sounds like a poor design choice if trying to make obedient soldiers. But it also gave them a sense of freedom and creativity that machines, like specters, often lacked.

That was an interesting concept. These androids proved more and more human by each passing moment, but that could have been by design.

Who made them? Was it the aliens that invaded? Creating infiltration units like A2? Or were they made by people?

But then why did they attack him if they were made by humans? Surely they'd recognize a pilot and titan? A Militia fighter?

He didn't know.

"I know enough that YoRHa wants me dead," Raylan responded in turn, "Enough to be hunted just as you are."

"A rarity," A2 conceded, eyes turning away from the pilot for a moment, "Not many would wish to hunt their own kind, but do so out of blind obedience." Her eyes narrowed momentarily on Raylan, "You will find few allies in other androids."

"Same kind? Other androids? What does she mean-" His thoughts came to a halt as he had a small realization.

She thought he was an android.

"She mustn't realize I'm human," Raylan thought, "So she can't even tell?" Was that a good thing? How would she react to a bomb-shell like that if he did outright tell her? Would that ignite some long-lost drive to kill him if she found out? Or something else? She claimed to have been betrayed, gone rogue as an android, so that meant she had free will. Freedom to make her own choices.

What would she do with that free will if she found he was human though?

"Pilot," RO chimed in over his helmet radio, "This might be an opportunity to ally ourselves with a local of the area. This A2 has proven not to be openly hostile to you, even having a shared enemy, which might be enough for her to aid us for a time."

The pilot considered his partners' words.

"Does that make us allies?" The pilot questioned, testing the idea with her.

A2 turned away, "It doesn't," She stated flatly. Raylan might have countered her but A2 continued, "But that does not make us enemies." She turned back to him once again. "We share a common foe in YoRHa, that is reason enough to not to fight one another."

"Better than nothing," Raylan thought as he responded, "What happens next then?" He questioned her once again, "We just part ways here?"

A2s' eyes narrowed, "There is little else for us to do."

Raylan had to concede she was right. There was little else they could do together. A2 had stated herself that she did not see him as a friend, merely not a foe, and he could understand that. He hadn't done anything to earn her trust in any way.

But that could change in the future.

With a shared enemy, perhaps he could earn her trust.

"I suppose so." Raylan agreed, "Good lu-"

"Pilot," RO interrupted through the radio, "I'm detecting movement closing in on our position. Signatures similar to this android, A2."

Raylan turned his head slightly, speaking through the radio himself, "How close? Where?"

Raylan noted his HUD map ping in the direction of A2, beyond her, from the direction they'd entered this region.

"Radar indicates that they're in the courtyard beyond the crevasse we crossed to get here, approaching the bridge." RO explained, his titan spoke again, "They're on foot according to their movements and elevation. Likely to be YoRHa infantry."

Similar signatures to A2? So YoRHa used androids as foot soldiers then? And here he thought A2 was unique to YoRHa in some way. Did that mean they also looked as human as her? Could they be reasoned with?

He couldn't say, nor could he risk it either. Raylan had seen A2 attack the infant machine, and if that was an indication as to what she could do in a fight then he couldn't afford to underestimate his enemies. These androids were a serious threat on their own.

Although Raylan hadn't seen A2s' combat ability to its fullest extent, he'd noted that she had initiated her attack with a sword as opposed to a ranged weapon. Risky move, in his opinion, but that could also mean she lacked ranged options.

If YoRHa preferred CQC over ranged then Raylan had the advantage in one area considering his own marksmanship skills. But he wasn't stupid enough to believe they didn't have a ranged option. In all likelihood, they did. Perhaps it was more for supporting fire to their more direct form of combat?

More questions for later.

Raylan needed a plan, fast.

"Something the matter?" A2 asked, momentarily drawing Raylans' attention, as he looked to her face. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and concern, the concern being an emotion he hadn't yet seen from the android. Was she concerned for him or herself?

"She must have noted my sudden silence." Raylan thought, before choosing to speak. "I've been informed that YoRHa is on their way here." He'd decided, since they shared an enemy, just to tell her. Better to aid a potential ally, than leave them to their fate. YoRHa was a threat to her just as much as it was to him.

Which they saw as more of a threat, he couldn't say. Had he done something so terribly to earn himself a position as their number one target? Maybe.

Being a priority target was nothing new for Raylan anyway.

Just another day for him.

"We have potential hostiles nearby," Raylan stated simply, shifting to a more ready stance. The android woman merely tilted her head ever so slightly as he explained the situation to her. "My partner," That got a small but subtle reaction out of her, "has detected possible YoRHa units on their way here right now. We're likely to see them down in the courtyard below us within the next thirty seconds."

"Are you certain of this?" A2 asked with a surprising lack of concern from her voice. If Raylan were being honest, she didn't seem to care in his opinion.

"I am." Raylan replied neutrally, "It seems like we're gonna have a fight on our hands."

Before the pilot even moved, A2 responded, "We don't have a fight. We're not fighting them together, I work alone." Her tone seemed harsher than expected. Raylan might have thought she was being aggressive with him but he could feel the hidden undertone to her words. She was being defensive, protective of herself.

It wasn't that she disliked him.

That's a start.

"Our odds would be better together," Raylan argued, but it seemed it fell on deaf ears.

"I'll handle this myself," A2 jumped to the ledge of the throne room that led to the opening courtyard by the castle entrance.

"They have numbers-" He didn't get the chance to finish speaking before the android lept from the edge, falling out of sight. She didn't even wait for him to give her information on their enemies, numbers, etc.

Raylan wasted no time as he ran up to the ledge before leaned against the wall, using it as cover. Hidden behind a portion of the wall, he peered over the edge to see A2 had landed safely below him.

That was cause for relief. As little as he might know about this A2 android, she was possibly one of his only allies here. It wouldn't do to let her die now.

"Raylan," his titan communicated through their radio link, "Radar indicates they've crossed the bridge now."

Raylan sighted his L-Star, using its optics to focus in on the position on the castle ramparts where the bridge led to the courtyard. In that moment, he saw what the YoRHa units looked like.

And he was slightly surprised by them.

They looked like damn near-perfect replicas of human beings. As odd as they might seem.

The group consisted of three women and two men, by the looks of it. All of them dressed in black although slightly altered clothes between each individual, white hair in various styles, carried at least one sword each, and were each accompanied by one floating bot machine.

The women honestly looked less like combatants and more like models modeling different outfits. They had needless sex appeal to their uniforms, Raylan had to wonder if that was intentional or not. They all shared similar pieces of gear though, such as the blindfolds being one of them.

The more Raylan examined them, the stranger they got.

But they all suddenly shifted, weapons drawn as they jumped down into the courtyard. He heard the voice of one of them yell There as they pointed toward the entrance to the castle. Raylan flicked his eyes momentarily to where A2 had been and found that she hadn't fled the scene.

It seemed as though they'd notice A2 but not him.

"She planned to fight all of them at once?" Raylan wondered. She hadn't known of their numbers but she seemed confident regardless. A2 had yet to draw her weapons yet, but with how aggressive their foes were being, spreading out before her with all their weapons at the ready, it seemed likely that A2 was in for a fight.

"Pilot," RO spoke once again, "I'm in position to assist if necessary." A small HUD map ping gave Raylan a direction, and when he looked that way he saw his titan hidden on top of the ramparts above the courtyard across from him. Out of view of both A2 and their YoRHa foes, but still able to enter the battle at any moment to provide support. "I'll engage only on your mark, Raylan."

"Understood," The titans pilot replied as he zeroed in on the scene before him once again.

Simultaneously, the floating bot machines projected some sort of hologram. He used his helmet to zoom in on the holographic display to see that a woman similar in appearance to the other females in the unit of YoRHa soldiers had appeared on screen.

With how she seemed to garner a reaction from the other units, the woman was likely a commander of sorts. At least he had a face to the organization that wanted him dead, and if it came to it, he had a target he could eliminate.

Whatever the commander said seemed to set something off in the YoRHa soldiers as they seemed to ready for a fight with A2, which was cause for concern.

He could tell a fight was about to break-out any second now.

Could he avoid the fight? Yes. Would he? No. He wouldn't. As much as his own survival was important, he wouldn't allow them to kill A2 either. Although not technically allies, they weren't enemies. Raylan could work with that, improve their relationship in time. At the moment, A2 was his only potential ally besides his own partner and he wasn't about to let that go.

A quick swap to his G2 rifle, he put one of the YoRHa units in his crosshair. Sighted the weapon, and zeroed in on the head of the android, finger on the trigger.

If A2 was going to fight, she wasn't going to fight alone.

/_\

A little machine continued its waddle across the hard metal floor, their feet clicking with every step they took, echoing throughout the facility.

The machine muttering and whispering to itself as it dutifully went about its mission. One word coming from its voice system over and over again, like some kind of chant.

Titan

A little machine obsessed with the word, the idea, the concept, the fact it had seen a titan in the first place. It was as if some ancient protocol activated upon a realization.

A realization that a titan was active.

Although its mind didn't connect certain dots either, as it left out a crucial piece of information in regards to titans.

They had pilots.

It hadn't clicked yet that the pilot could be human.

But that wasn't the part the little waddling machine had prioritized. It was the fact a titan was roaming the city, slaying machines with ease left and right.

Titans.

Long thought destroyed by the Machines, along with their pilots.

But here was one, with a pilot no less.

The logical argument across the Machine network was that the pilot was an Android mimicking a Human, and it was agreed upon that the androids were attempting to bring back old forms of warfare in an attempt to counter them.

But that still made them a threat, one that must be eliminated just like its predecessors had been. An ancient code long since forgotten in most, needing to be re-awakened in the face of an old foe.

No Pilots. No Titans.

Both. Must. Die.

And so, the little machine was on a mission. The Machine Network communicated with each unit, guiding the machine, preparing for its arrival.

Deep within the bollows of the factory, the Machine found what it was looking for as it entered a control room.

It crawled up onto the console, one that was positioned above an assembly line. An assembly line littered with various machines, some standing idly, others doing as the Network commanded, dragging metal scrapes, pieces of broken machines, and other such parts into multiple containers.

It was a collective of moving parts.

"Titan."

The little machine hissed out slowly to itself, continuing its little repeat of the word every so often. When it seemed as though it would do nothing more, it slammed several buttons on the control panel.

The factory roared to life. The assembly line began moving, various arms began grabbing, moving and pulling pieces together. As if building something.

The machines within the assembly room all went stiff for a moment before their eyes flashed red, then, against all logic, they all threw themselves onto the assembly line, allowing the automated arms to rip, tear, and dismantle their parts.

It did destroy them.

The parts were put onto the assembly line, among the many others that seemed to pour in through various vents and ducts.

The parts on each line were being melted, welded, and fused together to create new, bigger, stronger parts. It was as if they were building something greater than their combined smaller forms.

The multiple lines nearly all converged into a central area, where the finished parts were slowly being brought together. The assembly arms working overdrive in their efforts to finish the creation.

And the little machine at the control panel continued to stare as the project came together, coming to life right before its very eyes.

"Titan."

It continued to mutter as the main body was welded together, forming an almost muscular organic frame.

"Titan."

Next came its six limbs, joining the main body.

"Titan."

And its head came finally, a set of viscous bestial jaws fit into its head. Its four eyes slowly flickered to life, staring into the expansive assembly line with an aggressive red glare.

And as the new machine lifeform was nearing its completion, the little machine could only mutter one last thing.

"Titan Hunter."

C5: End

Sorry about the 9S focused sections, by the way. People may want more 2B and the other Androids, and you will get them in time, but 9S has an important role to play and I just wish to emphasize this with these little sections.

Although, I'm curious, whose perspective do you enjoy the most? YoRHas' or Raylans'?

Note: Someone mentioned getting a beta reader. I'll take that into consideration but I don't really know anyone who wants to beta read.

And finally: Discord: Arsene#6329 - Feel free to add me/message me and I can invite you to the discord I've set up with a friend. If people have some serious questions they want to ask me, then I'll be there to answer them.

Review Responses:

Mongoose: No… I can't really say I've experienced that. Were the cookies good?

Angry Santo: Yeah, it is rough. And some of it was rushed early, and I never went over it again. I would appreciate a good Beta Reader but I haven't been offered one, nor do I know anyone personally wanting to Beta this story. To be honest, I did forget that tid-bit of info about the Nier world. I'll keep it so Raylan assumes there is a Day/Night cycle but edit it so there is no change if any. Cheers for the review.

Golden Nova: Unfortunately, yes. I'm gonna have to ignore that piece of lore. Sorry if you're disappointed by that but I kinda need the fact that Raylan is human to stay hidden for a period for the story to make sense. Or at least for this story to even exist.

Petrus steamrock: A promise is a promise. If anyone was to learn of Raylans' secret, that he's human, A2 would be the first. Maybe.

CrappyIdiots: That would be an interesting concept, perhaps someone could write the opposite of my story. Where a YoRHa Android is sent to the titanfall world, whether during either of the Titanfall games or Apex Legends one. As for who they'd pick? I have no idea. Would they be able to decide between two human factions? Militia might work because the Militia simply want to survive whereas the IMC are more the oppressive faction. So you might be right. Appreciate you sharing the idea, and I'm glad you enjoy the premise of the story.

Yvori Gevura: I didn't want this story to die, as it's actually my personal favorite along with Sky Pirates. A2 has appeared, and Raylan has caught her interest. She'll be keeping an eye on the strange "android" for the foreseeable future. I… never actually knew that about androids… huh, I guess that's interesting? I might have forgotten about that since it's been like, two years since I played Nier Automata. That's something I might consider for the future.

Prometheus-777: Jeez, you don't hold back with reviews. I approve! Alright, so two for one here. They'll find out that those drones weren't so unmanned soon enough. I will be considering various things like this, camouflage nets and thermal blankets/covers, etc. I will be showcasing some upgrades that RO has had over the years working alongside Raylan. Sleeping inside RO was planned, so you guessed that correctly. Raylan will adapt to the tactics the androids use. I do plan to have Raylan hunt for food, both directly and indirectly with traps and the like. Water is less of an issue, but I will try talk my way through their plans to deal with all that. I've never heard that anime before. Ammo will be a problem, but I already have ideas on how they're gonna solve that, or avoid the problem effectively. Superior model if you're wondering. Welp, you get to see what the machine was up to this chapter, so yeah. I like 2B and 9S, so I'm gonna work on their "relationship" on the side, partners, friends, and more. The forest is a good place to hide, also forage, and fight in. I do plan for Raylan to come into contact with friendly machines which might be a shock to the system. Butterfly effect, kinda? It's more so the Commander saw a threat, someone who might discover the truth, and wanted that eliminated. I do plan to try and bring more than just the Androids and Machines into this story as threats to Raylan. Meeting a Human might cause them to bluescreen. Who knows? Oh yeah, YoRHa would absolutely use that to their advantage if they found him. Adam and Eve will come around eventually, your idea certainly is interesting, I'll give you that. Adam and Eve will show great interest in Raylan specifically, since, ya know, he's human. Sorry about that, just assume that in situations where stealth is important that RO is communicating with Raylan via radio. I'll try make it clearer in the future. Gotta conserve resources, and plan to replenish them at some point, right? I wanted a maid Android, so I fucking made one!

Jeggetts4.0: I'll try to give them more character development as we go. I do plan to have Raylan reflect on things at a later point, once they have a moment's rest. Given they've only been on the planet less than a day, they have other priorities. But I will attempt to heed your advice. I did plan for a few more… comical moments to arise later on to touch on their dynamic and bond.

All other smaller reviews: Appreciate the support this story keeps getting despite the lack of updates to this story. Glad you all enjoyed it!

And that's that. I'm not gonna rapid-fire chapters out for this story as I don't want to burn myself out. I want to try be someone careful with these chapters. Sorry if people are expecting weekly updates, but this story isn't getting them.

Also, I want each chapter to be 6K+ words minimum which takes time to do. Give me a chance.

Alright, that's a wrap!

AlcatrazDGold - Peace!