Chapter 11: Belonging
Thirty-Three's first time in a flight unit was certainly anxiety inducing. She had been dreading this day a for a while now.
She, 22B, and one other unit she hadn't been introduced to yet, were assigned on a reconnaissance mission. Seeing as they were the "fresh meat" they were given something simple: Search the edges of the flooded city and take out any machines they find. There was, perhaps, an unreasonable expectation that it would be uneventful.
"We are approaching the flooded city." 22B said through the voice channel. She had clearly grown into her role as a battle unit, becoming someone of protocol and class.
"I'm going to need you to stay close, Thirty-Three, especially since this is your first time on the field." she said.
"What about me?" the other unit called out.
22B almost chuckled through the voice channel, "You know what to do. You've had one or two rounds out here before, right?"
"I suppose."
"Perfect, then go crazy."
33B frowned at the new voice. She had yet to be properly introduced due to the last minute nature of their mission, "Who's the other one?"
22Bs snorted through comms as the "other one" sighed deeply.
"That's 13B." 22B recomposed herself, "We've been assigned the same missions regularly. I think you'll both get along." 22B stated.
"Pleasure to meet ya~" 13B said, "Hopefully we do get along great."
It wasn't much longer until the trio touched down onto the flooded city. It was quiet. Off in the distance, closer the factory, another fight could be heard.
"Command doesn't expect much activity over here. Maybe a few stragglers at most." 22B looked back at her companions, "So we are the contingency."
13B frowned, "Of course we are."
"Isn't that good?" 33B piped up, "Less work and less activity isn't really that bad, is it?"
13B shared a curious look with 22B, "She's got a point." she shrugged, "By the way, 33B, can I borrow your water flask? I forgot mine."
22B raised an eyebrow, "You really shouldn't be so forgetful, you know…"
33B simply blinked as she tossed her flask over.
The first hour would be spent surveying the relatively small area. When the city was described as "flooded" it was for good reason. All but at most a dozen buildings were completely submerged in the area. Past the hill where the abandoned city stood.
They decided on staking claim to the only choke point possible from the factory. A clear cut opening through one of the higher ground buildings that led straight to the closest thing to a beach in the area. Through it, one could easily reach the factory.
A little further ahead was the docks, where the resistance would often use to manage supply runs to and from other islands. It's been suspected another route to the factory existed there. Ideally, they could easily reach it from their position, should they be needed.
"So…" 13B sat on the ground, taking quick stock of supplies, "What's the plan, boss?" she starred intently at 22B, who had a troubled look on her face.
"Well…" 22B trailed off. Still considering something. "First we need to gauge how much activity will be around here. We'll adjust as needed." she nodded at 13B, who returned the guesture.
33B felt out of the loop. With little else to do, she resorted to pacing back and forth as the two conversed with one another with vauge language. As she paced, she would shove her Pod aside, as it wanted to instinctively follow her.
She was never a fan of the pods. Too invasive, she thought to herself. Command already keeps close enough tabs on us…
Because of her distrust, her Pod had picked up the habit of staying quiet as it observed, only piping up when absolutely necessary.
In fact, her general kit was uncomfortable. She managed to haggle with command to allow for a dress shirt with a vest as well as less strict heels, but the battle skirt was still required.
As time dragged along, more sounds of another fight echoed across the water in front of them…
22B and 13B continued chatting quietly, with 33B having dozed off against a nearby building. Her Pod didn't wake her, lest being swatted into the river.
Before long, 22B approached, "Hey, Thirty-Three?"
33B jolted to attention. "S-sorry. I'm up!" she stumbled to her feet.
22B stood in front of her, a warm smile beaming towards her, "We, um… We are going to look around. We'll be back soon. OK?"
33B cocked her head, "But- aren't we supposed to stay together?"
13B grabbed 22Bs shoulder as she approached from behind, "It'll be just a few minutes! We're going to check for any activity in the other entrances. We need you to make sure nothing happens here, OK?"
33B nodded slowly, "O… K… But-?"
Slowly the pair walked to the other entrance. But something else caught 33Bs eye, off closer to the docks, a pair of pods laid in shambles rendered completely destroyed.
As 33Bs eyes widened, her Pod immediately shoved itself into view, "Alert, data download requested."
She shook her head, "H- hold on- Twenty-Two-!"
22B had already reached the entrance to factory, "Download that and read its contents. You can follow once you do. If not, just stay here." 22B looked at 13B, who simply nodded affirmatively.
"Goodbye, Thirty-Three." with that, the two YoRHa units left through the hole in the building towards the abandoned city.
After a moment of shocked reflection and with a terrible feeling, 33B broke into a sprint, quickly making chase.
It wasn't long before 33B caught up to the duo. As they passed the gate to the factory heading deeper into the city, she called out, "Twenty-Two-!" she struggled out, loosing her breath, "Stop-!"
33B stopped in her tracks. She reached around her belt for her flask of water… Which she had handed to 13B, "Shit-" she breathlessly cursed to herself.
She glanced up to see 22B look back and hesitate slightly, before being pulled along by 13B, pointing in her direction and saying something.
Almost immediately after, another YoRHa unit stepped into view.
33Bs heart nearly stopped. She was towering over her, a look of pity pointed down at her.
"Here." she handed 33B a water flask, "You shouldn't be so careless."
"S-sure" she took a quick chug.
"What happened? Why are you out here?" the tall presumably defense unit inquired.
"We were going to look for straggling machines by the flooded city, but the rest of my group went-" a lump formed in the back of her throat, as if realizing properly what was happening, "I- I don't know what to do…"
The unit winced before ultimately nodding along, "I see. I'll help you, then."
She pointed towards the abandoned city, "That way, yes?"
33B nodded, "Yes…."
"I'm 19D, by the way. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time I've had to handle situations like this, but we can make it right…" she turned and started running down the path.
33B stood silently for a brief moment, "I'm sorry…" before making chase.
…
As 33B and her superior 19D entered the abandoned city, the pair they were chasing took notice. Quickening their pace and chatting to one another, panicked.
33B called out, "Twenty-two, please just stop!"
22B slowed to a stop, fists held tight, "Did you get my message?"
"What?" 33B shook her head, "Just stop and come back to our posts."
13B stepped to 22Bs side, "I don't think we need to."
19D tensed slightly, "She's right. Just stand down and we can deescilate this situation easily."
22B winced, "You want me to drop everything and go back to that prison!?" as she recoiled, two short blades summoned in either hand, "Like hell I will!"
She lunged, clashing blades against 19Ds large, newly summoned weapon.
"33B! You are authorized to use force on 13B and 22B!" she called out.
Shakily 33B summoned her own standard YoRHa short sword. 13B wavered with a pained expression, "We don't have to do this-"
33B already took a swing towards her. She summoned her large fists and blocked the attack, "We can take down 19D together, you just need to drop your weapon-"
A look of fury encompassed 33Bs face as she flailed her blade wildly. 13B stepped back cautiously, unsure if she was aiming for something or just emotionally charged.
13B steadied her stance and swept 33Bs legs out from under her, knocking her to the ground.
"Don't say I didn't try-" 13B reeled and threw a punch down towards the prone 33B.
However, a large blade swing wide and removed the gauntlet, hand and all, from the unit.
13B recoiled, bellowing in pain as she clutched her injured arm, "Shit- shit- fuck-!"
19D let the blade hit the ground, kicking up dirt, as she extended a hand to 33B, "You need to get up!"
33B was still in shock, the knock to the ground was just the tipping point.
Thousands of intense and irratic thoughts filtered through her mind in an instant.
Why would she do this?
Why would she turn so willingly?
Was it my fault?
With that moment of distraction, 19D was met with a blade in her side. She staggered away, leaving her own blade impaled into the ground.
22B look down at 33B, pained. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It shouldn't have ended this way…"
"Why-" 33B managed, "Why run at all, then?"
22B shook her head, "You should have read my message."
22B approached 19D, resummoning her blade.
She proceeded to drive the defense unit to the ground with her blade. "Now, YoRHa lapdog-" 22B raised her blade, "You die-!"
As she reeled, to strike, Iron Will swung through the air, cleaving the head, and reeled arm off of 22B.
The now dismembered body attempted to fulfill it's final motion, before collapsing to the ground.
A teary eyed 33B stood, shaking. She clutched the hilt of the once again grounded blade, before falling to her knees.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why?"
"Why!?" she repeated.
19D slowly stood up, holding her wound closed, and approached. "33B, it's alright."
"How- can you say that!?" 33B snapped at her superior.
19D sighed, "I suppose I can't. But-" she looked at 13B, who was on the ground, not dead yet, but unconscious.
She placed her free hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to fight anymore."
33B felt a sensation she had never had the displeasure of feeling before. Loss.
For existing only a few months, it was the most painful feeling she'd experienced. A feeling of unrivaled sadness that she couldn't compare to any prior combat experience. Something that all of the data in the world couldn't have prepared her for.
With a shaky breath, she stood.
I hate this feeling. She thought. It needs to go away…
She took a deeper breath, I don't want to feel this way.
She exhaled, So I won't.
33E looked at 19D, a strange distance in her eyes, "What do we do now, ma'am?" her tone, while still clearly shaken up, was also oddly distant.
19D frowned, "We will leave the remains here. I'll retrieve the black box. Whether or not we see additional models… I don't know. As for her," she looked over to 13B, "We will return her to the bunker."
33B nodded slowly, "I also apologize for freezing, ma'am." her voice quivered, "I just-"
19D stepped forward, "33B, in the face of a terrible event, you stood your ground. You stayed loyal to YoRHa, and in turn, mankind." she smiled, "Which is why, I feel more than honored to pass this on to you."
19D resummoned Iron Will, planting in the ground upright, "This blade has served me well for many years. But I think I'm losing my edge, so to speak."
She lifted the blade and offer it to 33E, "I want you to have it and use it better than I ever could."
33B shakily reach out and gripped the blade. She hefted it upright. It's weight was intense, but something about the way it felt was right.
"Thank you, ma'am." she said, "I'll take care of it better than any of it's previous wielders."
"I know you will." 19D nodded affirmingly.
The duo returned to the factory. 19D explained that she had a group of her own to attend to and that she would make plans with them to split among both areas while 33B would return to the bunker with 13B.
They walked past the gates into the factory area, "What about you, ma'am?" 33B interjected, "You are hurt and not insignificantly."
19D scoffed, "I'll be fine. We have quite the medic with us."
They stepped out to the quiet remains of a battlefield, rejoining with 19Ds unit. The remaining memories of the day blurring into one another.
…
…
…
Some time passed since that day. 33B hadn't been on any subsequent missions, for questioning and scans.
The implication that 33B was also a deserter made her fume.
They can't rule out the possibility… she mockingly recalled the explanation given to her.
The extra time alone wasn't doing her any favors. She did, however, hear word about events occurring on the surface. From machines mimicking human behavior to those actually showing signs of intelligence. It was hard to believe.
Finally fed up with effectively being under house arrest, 33B exited her room. It was the first time she did so since… The event…
Quietly and slowly, she stepped through the halls of the bunker. Pondering what was next for her.
Would she still be a battle unit? What sort of issues would this cause her long term? Would there be those that distrust her?
Upon hearing a noise ahead of her, she looked up. Finding the commander was approaching, eyes locked on her.
She stiffened to a slute, "M-ma'am! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming!"
The commander waved her hand, "I just wanted to say that I read the report of what happened during your previous mission…"
33B slumped, "Y-yes… I'm sorry, ma'am, nothing like that will happen again on my watch!"
The commander, face unmoving, nodded, "I should hope so. However, I'd like you to follow me. There's something we need to discuss. In private."
Fearing the worst, 33E followed anyway.
More training? She thought, Or worse..? Scenarios ping ponged across her mind as they descended to a traditionally closed off area of the bunker. An entire floor left unavailable to all but select units. Specifically the commander, operators, and hand picked battle units.
The sheer idea that, without prior clearance, she was being brought down there was terrifying in its own right.
She held her breath as the elevator doors opened to a large open room. Not dissimilar to the training rooms she frequented. But the ceiling was much higher, guarding entire sets of seating arrangements.
She realized she stood in the middle of an arena.
"Unit 33B,"the commander turned around, "I wanted to congratulate you on facing down YoRHa traitors. Such actions are not easy to achieve."
Confused and still incredibly tense, 33B slowly bowed, "Th-thank you, ma'am."
The commander nodded, "It's because of this bravery, that I was recommended to give you the choice."
33B blinked.
"33B, I'm am offering you the chance to perform this duity regularly. We want you to hunt down and bring in traitors to YoRHa, traitors to mankind." the commander said, newfound conviction amplifying her voice.
33B was frozen stiff. Hunt other YoRHa units? She thought. Initially, the idea seemed absolutely gruesome and repulsive.
"We give you this choice for a reason. If you say no, we'll wipe you memory of this encounter, and I'll simply meet you in the hall to congratulate your bravory. No strings attached." the commander said, softening her tone.
"Wipe my memory?" 33B raised an eyebrow.
"For security purposes. This role isn't something that's common knowledge to avoid a panic among our ranks."
I suppose that makes enough sense… She thought, So it's an honest choice…
The more she considered the opportunity, the more she recalled the pain of discovering her best friend was a traitor…
She shook her head before ultimately nodding in agreement, "I'll do it. I'll hunt down any traitors of YoRHa."
The commander nodded as well, satisfied, "There is one more matter, however. Before we can officially bring you on, we'll need to see if your physically willing to put down any more traitors." as she snapped her fingers, the doors behind slid open.
A pair of YoRHa guards were holding a battered and disfigured 13B. She fell to her knees once she was released.
"I need you to take 13Bs black box, then finish her off." the commander said plainly.
33B blinked, unsure of the task presented to her as she looked over the traitor. Gashes of varying sizes peppered her body, with the odd spark showing itself. She was breathing heavily, obviously on her last legs.
33B surveyed the room as she slowly approached the traitor. It was then she noticed 19D sitting in one of the seats, hands folded, looking nervously at the scene she was currently partaking in. Her frown deepened.
33B stood over the disfigured unit, as she struggled to look up at her.
"It is worth noting," the commander spoke up as she was making her leave, "That 13B indoctrinated other YoRHa units. We don't have an exact number, but we know 22B was one of them."
33B looked back, agast.
"Good luck." the doors slid shut behind the commander.
33B returned her now burning gaze towards 13B as she held up her hands, Iron Will materializing in them.
19D shifted uneasily in her seat.
With a loud CRASH the blade embedded itself into the floor slightly, causing the traitor to flinch.
"Where is your black box?" 33B commanded.
"W-wait-!" 13B struggled out, "Th-Thirty-Three-!"
Iron Will scraped the ground as 33B hefted it over her shoulder.
"I'll make it quick and painless, if you just cooperate."
13B tensed, she slumped back, barely holding herself upright. "F-fine…" she pressed her hand on her chest, a pattern lit up under her tattered garbs as a slot opened and her black box emerged. Slowly, she lifted her hand up, "But Thirty-Three- I'm telling you, command isn't to be trusted-"
33B snagged the black box and kicked 13B back, "Do you have any proper last words?"
13B took an uneasy breath, "She wanted you to join us…" she started, "22B, she had a lot of respect for you. You know? I wish we could have all left together… And I'm sorry we didn't…"
33B barred her teeth, lifting Iron Will around to her back, "You don't get to say her name, never again-"
With one swift horizontal motion, 13B's torso fell over, now headless.
33B simply stood, letting the sword's weight finally bring her arms to the ground, her breath now heavy.
"Congratulations-" a voice spoke over the intercom in the room, "33E."
The doors slid open once again, the commander entering with 19D beside her.
"You're now an executioner class unit and you will be training with the other veteran executioner units. Do you have any questions or objections?" the commander said.
"No." 33E held out the black box. 19D took it, looking between it and 33E uneasily.
"Very good." the commander turned to exit once again, "I leave her in your care, 19E."
"Yes, ma'am." 19E saluted.
"And- 33E?"
"Ma'am?" 33E turned to attention.
"Keep that vigor, and you might find yourself a prime candidate." she said.
"For what, ma'am?"
"For a very special reclassification." the doors slid shut.
Very little time was wasted, as 19E immediately took 33E too have most of her combat data replaced with android focused combat data, specifically pertaining to YoRHa.
She would get bounced between multiple different mentors and teachers as she learned how to spot potential suspects as well as detain them.
Unfortunately, she would have to put down a few as well.
Eventually, the memories become hazy. Only flashes of a bright light with steering pain blitzed through her mind. Before she ultimately awoke.