My voice may not reach you. Despite this, let's see how this really ends.

Story Disclaimer: Nier: Automata is the property of Platinum Games, Square Enix, and Yoko Taro.

Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never-ending spiral of life and death. Is this a curse? Or some kind of punishment? I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle, and wonder if we'll ever get the chance to kill him.

2B didn't exactly know why these words floated through her synthetic brain whenever she set out on a big mission, but they always did, and they always provided a semblance of comfort to her for some reason. She soared over the ocean near the center of her other fellow YoRHa members, the water reflecting grey under the overcast sky. She couldn't see any of their reflections; they must have been moving too fast.

There was a sudden call appearing on the side of her flight unit, and a familiar face appeared on the screen.

"This is Command," said the voice of Operator 6O, her usually cheerful voice discarded in favor of a more serious tone. "YoRHa squadron, come in."

"2B here," 2B replied. "All units have penetrated the stratosphere. Autopilot systems green across the board." Unwittingly, she glanced over at 7E's flight unit, on the far left of their current formation. While she would never outright question the Commander's orders, 2B could not understand why she decided to send another type E unit along on this mission. Then again, her name had been changed for a reason, she supposed.

"This is Operator 6O," said 6O on the other end. "All units confirmed."

"We've passed the 50-kilometer threshold and are proceeding toward the target," 2B reported.

"Understood," 6O replied. "Once you reach their anti-air defenses, proceed to manual-attack formation, then destroy the Goliath-class unit by any means necessary and gather what data you can."

"Understood," said 2B, staring straight ahead of her, suddenly regretting that everyone on her squad was forced to keep flying under autopilot; a small flying machine some distance ahead shot out a large energy beam at them. It hit 12H's flight unit and sent her spiraling into the water. 2B repressed a wince at her dying scream.

12H had been flying right next to her. If that beam had gone just a little more to the right...

"12H down," said 1D from her position directly behind 2B. "All units activate manual mode and rely on visuals to evade."

"Already engaged," said Pod 042. "Free movement unlocked." 2B found herself able to breathe freely again as she experimented a little with her new ability to move. Not too much, though; she had to stay in formation.

"Origin point of long-range lasers confirmed," said 1D, right before 11B was blasted out of the sky as well. 2B stared as her flight unit crashed into the surface of the water, her screams still echoing in 2B's head. 11B had been able to move freely too, hadn't she? Why didn't she dodge...?

"11B down," 1D reported. "Our Ho229 cancelers are ineffective." 2B saw her veer off to the left with 7E, 4B drifting even farther to the right. 2B continued to fly straight ahead. The other blasts were aimed more toward the center of the formation so it made sense for the others to avoid the targeted area. She had no problem drawing the machines' fire if necessary.

"Alert," came Pod 042's voice once again. "Enemy units sighted ahead."

The other three were suddenly back in position around 2B, for which she was grateful. She still saw fit to contact Command once again.

"Requesting permission to engage," she stated.

"Permission granted!" said Operator 6O on the other end. Without further ado, 2B began firing at the small flying machines that suddenly appeared within range. She saw her other three fellow YoRHa units pull back in around her, and she fired with renewed vigor.

The four of them firing together wasn't enough; 7E was next to be sent spiraling to her death. 2B couldn't help but feel some small amount of satisfaction; this way, there was no more redundancy.

"7E down," 1D stated as 2B continued to fire, flying over to the right in order to get a better shot. Within seconds she regretted it as 1D got hit by yet another blast, the remains of her flight unit spiraling into the water with most of the rest of their squad.

"1D down." 2B hoped that 4B wouldn't mind when she continued, "Assuming captain's duties." She saw her flight unit shift from black to white in her periphery, not quite sure why that was a feature that was built in but was nonetheless grateful for it. She continued to fire at the machines alongside 4B, but when she saw the number of enemy machines heading toward them she felt compelled to call Command once again. "Multiple surrounding enemy air units confirmed. Requesting permission to assume mobile configuration."

"Permission granted," said 6O.

2B's flight unit abruptly switched from something of a small airplane to something of a fight suit. She secretly loved this form; it made it far easier to spin around and aim wherever she wished instead of only being forced to shoot straight ahead. Beside her, 4B followed suit. 2B was too busy noticing this to be completely aware of her surroundings and ending up taking some damage. She cursed to herself, frustrated. She should be better than this.

"Captain, I think—" were 4B's final words before she, too, was shot down.

"...4B down," 2B reported in a monotone, swiftly calling Command. "2B to Operator 6O. All allied units down. The operation is compromised. Awaiting further orders."

"O-Operator to 2B," said 6O, sounding as taken aback as 2B felt. "We need you to rendezvous with unit 9S and begin gathering data on the local terrain."

"Understood," said 2B automatically as the reality of what 6O had just told her slowly dawned on her.

9S...

2B found herself feeling frustrated that there were no more machines coming at her, though she couldn't put her finger on exactly why. Maybe she wanted that freedom of movement that the mobile configuration gave her. Maybe she wanted more of a challenge. Maybe she wanted to get this mission over with so she could see 9S again.

Or maybe she wanted these machines to finish her off more quickly.

She shook her head within the confines of her flight unit. Where had that thought come from?

Who was she kidding. She'd been thinking that ever since 6O had mentioned 9S's name again.

They would rendezvous very soon now. He wouldn't recognize her. She would attempt to maintain her distance. His persistence and charm would eventually tear down her walls. She would begin to let him in. He would stumble upon information he shouldn't, as he always did. And then she'd be forced to kill him all over again. And then she'd be forced to meet him all over again. And then she'd be forced to kill him all over again.

Over and over and over.

And over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over—

2B couldn't bear to think of it any longer. So she didn't.

It no longer mattered that she would be breaking her promise. There was only one way to escape this never-ending spiral of life and death.

She sped in the direction of what looked like an abandoned factory, diving through an opening and slamming into every wall she could find. She was surprised at how fast her health depleted with each hit, but was grateful that it would at least be quick.

Just one more hit...

2B wore a smile on her face as her flight unit crashed into the wall of the factory.

The YoRHA force was annihilated...

And Earth went on to become a paradise for the machines.