Chapter 8: Traitor's Hubris
33E levied her spear towards the units surrounding her, Slaw and Meds. They were taken aback, but remained composed. They summoned weapons to their side.
"I'm going to ask once. Drop your weapons and you'll return to the bunker unharmed." 33E said.
Slaw gripped her spear tighter, "Fargo-" she winced, "19D is dead, isn't she?"
33E narrowed her eyes, "Yes."
Slaw glanced at Meds and muttered, "Sorry-" before bouncing off the ground, leaping towards 33E.
33E spun The Usurper in her hands before parrying Slaws spear, knocking her off balance mid-air.
In a flash, 33E twirled and jutted the spear into the table and lifted herself up. Using both feet, she socked Slaw square in the jaw, sending her careening backwards. 33E used the rest of the motion to throw herself off the table, landing in front of Meds.
Meds threw a punch 33Es way. She ducked, dodging it effortlessly. Following up by ramming the butt of the spear into Meds' chest, forcing her back.
Large head-shaped gauntlets materialized on both of Meds' hands. She threw a punch that rapidly gained in speed, striking 33E in the gut before she could respond. Anticipating the other hand, however, 33E summoned Iron Will to act as a makeshift shield as she regained her bearings for a split second.
The blow rang out with the shrill shriek of metal on metal.
Meds quickly circled around the blade and threw a curved punch her way.
Gripping the hilt of the blade, 33E pulled herself on top of the blade as Meds' punch collided with the opposite flat of the blade.
As the punch landed, 33E threw down her spear and inpailed Meds' forearm. She staggered back, bellowing in pain.
33E grabbed the hilt once more, fell forwards to the ground, heafting the blade back upright, and spun it around, cleaving Meds in half at the torso.
33E locked eyes with Meds for only a moment before she exploded in a brilliant burst of energy. 33E was thrown back and landed next to Slaw who was still recovering.
Objective failed. Black box destroyed.
Not like it would have been that useful. 33E retorted.
Almost as a response, a sharp pain focused in her head. New objective, obtain unit 18Bs black box.
" Fine. " 33E vocally seethed.
"Meds!" Desil screamed from the ridge.
Slaw looked up to the source of the explosion to find small fragments of her friend strewn about the camp.
"M-Meds!?" she quivered. Her already dilated eyes widened and pulsated with an fury 33E hadn't witnessed before.
"You-" she steadied to her feet. "YoRHa scum-!" she said before gasping for a breath.
"You mother fucker!" Slaw shrieked as she welded her spear with both hands and furiously began swinging around 33E as she ducked and weaved.
Slaw, catching an opening, kicked 33E off balance, and threw her spear down on her. 33E contorted such that it only managed to thrust through the area connecting her torso to her right shoulder, not unlike how she'd been caught off guard at the mansion.
33E grimaced through the eerily familiar pain and with a deep breath, kicked Slaw back, taking the spear with.
"Dammit-!" 33E shouted as her right arm fell limp. She leaned on her own spear for support as she quietly reeled from pain.
"Right-" she managed. "I think you've sealed this camp's fate."
Slaw looked like she was about to burst a blood vessel. "You think I give a solitary shit about what you think!?" she shouted, hoisting her spear into a battle stance.
"I'm going to have your goddamn head!"
The battle jaded android charged once more.
33E threw her spear aside and summoned Iron Will awkwardly holding it at an angle, blocking the oncoming attack. She couldn't be too precise with only one hand. She had to improvise.
With some overly-elaborate foot play, as well as nearly snapping her only good arm in half due to the weight of the blade, she was able to keep her ground against Slaw's increasingly aggressive attacks.
Slaw pressed two-pronged butt of the spear against the flat of 33Es blade as she extended her other arm, straining to focus.
33E noticed the gun parts scattered across the ground began to fade with a shine and slowly, the rifle began to re-materialize in Slaw's hand.
33E cursed as she shoved the blade into Slaw before ultimately pulling back, trying to throw off her balance while ultimately leaving the blade at a perpendicular angle to Slaw.
Seizing the unique opportunity, Slaw stepped onto the flat of the blade and springboard back into the air. She backflipped and took aim, unloading an entire clip into Iron Will and around 33Es feet. She started to reload as she descended.
33E, seeing only one opportunity as Slaw was falling with an empty gun, used her whole weight to spin around as fast as she could muster. She was able to take careful aim and approximate Slaw's position, and let the blade loose.
As the blade rapidly approached Slaw, she managed to fire off one last shot. Sparks flickered from Iron Will as the bullet grazed the flat of the blade, whizzing past and striking 33E across the side of the face. Cutting off her blindfold and leaving a streak through the left side of her face and notable gash in her ear.
For the first time, 33E looked Slaw dead in the eyes as the blade impacted and pulled her down to earth. It hit the ground with a crash.
33E slowly staggered to Slaw, surprised not to see her in pieces. Iron Will was embedded into her side, however, and her breathing had become slow and strained.
The same burning instinct inside 33E flared. It was physically painful to not immediately tear the traitor apart.
With a deep breath she summoned her spear one last time and held it up.
"Drop the goddamn spear!" Desil screamed.
33E stopped and looked up to the ridge. Desil, panicked and with tears running down her face, held 6H in a headlock, a dagger up to her throat.
"Drop the spear or she dies!" The traitorous YoRHa unit demanded.
33Es face was deadpan. She lowered the spear, slowly turning her body towards them.
"You're serious?" 33E said, holding back a straight scoff. "You realize she'll just get rebuilt in the bunker. Right?"
Desil's glare intensified, "Don't tell me you don't care. I know you do. I've lived this scenario far too many times."
33E looked over 6H briefly. She was barely standing as it was. Her legs were locked at the knees in an attempt to stand upright as the rest of her body seemed to be in a constant state of slack.
"You both don't have access to the bunker from here. If she dies, she forgets everything." Desil said, choking back more tears. "Do you want that?"
33E took a second to genuinely think over the prospect.
Ensure mission protocol. Her instinct burned.
Destroy YoRHa traitors. Collect black boxes.
33E winced. Everything about this situation was worst case scenario. Had she been able to stay composed when Slaw first approached them in the woods, they could have likely avoided this mess of a conflict.
Iron Will fell to the side as Slaw desperately struggled to stand. She was leaning in a disturbing manner, as a part of her torso had been carved out, sparks eminating occasionally from the android's wound as she struggled to walk forward.
Desil relaxed slightly on seeing her comrade still alive.
Slaw pressed the barrel of her gun against the back of 33Es head. "I w-won't miss this t-time." she said with a pained stutter.
As 33E took a deep breath, trying to figure out how she could possibly gain the upper hand, a sound radiated through the clearing. Catching everyone off guard.
"HAHAHAHA-" the sound echoed.
Everyone began looking around.
"What the fu-" Slaw said, but was promptly cut off by more of the same souund.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAH!" is echoed even louder.
Slaw slightly lowered her gun as she looked around in confusion.
From behind the ridge, a large figure leapt into the air, reflecting off the sun. It produced a pair of large axed and spun down to earth, landing on top of Desil. With 6H collapsing to the ground.
"FOOLISH ANDROIDS!" called out the familiar figure.
"YOU CANNOT LAY A HAND ON THE QUEER COMPATRIOTS OF THE STRONGEST LIFEFORM IN THE WORLD!" it pulled an axe from the downed unit's back.
"FACE THE WRATH OF PHIIIIIIIIIIIILL!" Phil thrusted out into a pose as everyone paused to watch the insanity.
While she was distracted, 33E used The Usurper to parry the rifle out of the way and impail Slaw through the chest.
Phil, still on the ridge threw an axe at the recovering Desil, striking her the head. She fell instantly.
"YORHA UNIT. YOUR UNION HAS FALLEN." Phil called out, referring to 6H.
"Thanks I've gather-" 33E paused, hacking up some blood. She shook her head.
All things considered, 33E was in surprisingly good condition. Aside from her exhaustion and the torn shoulder, she had a decent amount of fight in her still.
"You want to fight too?" 33E asked Phil in an tired tone.
"WHAT?" Phil responded bluntly. "WHAT REASON WOULD I FIGHT?"
33E shrugged, "I dunno. It seems to be on everyone's agenda today."
Phil hung his weapons on his back and picked up 6H, looking around at the carnage left in their wake.
"IT SEEMS LIKE YOU BEGAN THIS CONFLICT." Phil said.
33E scoffed as she fell to the ground, finally catching a breath.
Phil approached, a still bound 6H in his arms.
"Cut her loose, would you?" 33E asked. She inspected her shoulder. There was a clear hole through. She poked the opening, a spark crackled and shocked her.
"Ah- dammit-" she cursed under her breath.
6Hs Pod approached the trio and immediately began analyzing 6H.
"Pod-" 33E started, "Began self-repair for 6H."
"Self repair protocol already attempted. Critical system error." the Pod said.
33E froze, " What? "
"Unit 6H has depleted her energy source." the Pod started, "Analysis: unit 6H requires energy in the form of water, and a system jumpstart."
"Jumpstart?" 33E muttered.
Phil laid 6H on the ground, cut her loose and began observing. He poked 6H in the chest.
"THIS IS WHERE YOU MUST JUMPSTART." He stated with confidence.
"How do you know?" 33E produced the dented canteen from 6H and began trying to force feed her the liquid.
Phil interjected, leaning 6Hs head back further. "ANDROID REQUIRES PROPER POSTURE FOR HYDRATION FLOW."
33E raised an eyebrow, but obliged. All the while Phil was rummaging through 6Hs fanny pack for anything useful for jumpstarting.
Phil blinked. Then forced himself between the two, grabbing the inside of 33Es shoulder wound while pressing his other palm on 6Hs chest.
33E reeled in pain, but understood the intent. She tried to move her right arm in any sort of fashion as sparks began to shock and sting the both of them.
With a loud pop, Phil backed away from the androids, looking himself over and then turning his attention to 6H as she sharply inhaled before falling unconscious again, her breathing gradually normalizing.
33E relieved all tension she had built up. 6H was safe. They were both alive. Despite everything indicating they should not have survived.
33E sprawled out, laying flat on the ground, finally able to soak in a successful, if not painful mission.
Phil peered into her periferal, "YOU DO NOT WANT TO STAY HERE." he insisted.
"Why is that?" 33E muttered.
"THESE MACHINES ARE PRIME TARGETS FOR THE OTHER ANDROIDS." Phil gestured to one of the downed units. "THEY WILL LIKELY TEAR YOU APART AS WELL IF THEY FIND YOU."
33E sighed, struggling to stand. "I suppose you know a place to hide while we recover?"
Phile nodded, "INDEED. I WILL CARRY THIS ONE. YOU WILL FOLLOW." he carried 6H and began to March back into the woods.
33E sighed again. Looking back at the androids…
That violent instinct, for now, was done burning.