[Chapter 5: Reciprocation]
It's been a couple of days since our encounter with 9S and 2B. I think. I'm not too sure. The air stays still. The world moves on without us.
I've been beside A2 this whole time, keeping her company during her passing. She might recover, right? There's still a chance…
Over these pasts few days my injuries seem to have gotten better. My leg might get me up and going again and I might finally have another arm to use, but for A2…things get worse with each hour.
She doesn't make a single sound, nothing. That is, unless you want to count the sound of the sparks coming from her now detached leg. She went from small mumbles of nonsense to silence. Since then, it's mostly been quiet. Animals can be heard outside sometimes; birds, moose, I think...
All you do is listen. Listen to the world go by. Listen to your own thoughts go by.
Occasionally, I've struck up a conversation just to break the silence. Well, I don't know if you can call it a conversation. It's more like talking to a pet that just listens. Not to call A2 an animal or anything… Usually it's small talk: what I can hear outside, the few things I remember about the past, like my apartment complex and how the area wasn't completely flooded in sand. It keeps me sane, or… maybe I've already lost it.
Except for her eyes, A2 no longer moves any of her body parts. She lies there and darts her eyes around at times, sometimes closing them for brief periods, as if she's sleeping. She'll stare at me whenever I start talking, so I guess she really is listening. Even though I've somewhat got used to it, it's still kinda creepy. You'd think she was some kind of amusement park animatronic if you hadn't seen her before.
Yet, she can't make any facial expressions, so I don't really know how she feels about my topics of conversation. I just hope it's something that keeps her from falling into despair. Still, I don't know if I'm too late or not-
"Subjugation virus at fifty percent," the pod stops my train of thought, "estimated time of completion: two days, twelve hours."
Only two and a half more days…
The pod continues on, "Proposal: Locate replacement chip for unit YoRHa Type A No.2 in order to remove corrupted chip and purge subjugation virus."
I reply to the pod, "Look, I'm sorry friend, but I don't think she'll be able to find a replacement chip in a condition like this."
"Analysis: Estimated time of human limb restoration: one day."
"What are you getting at?"
"Proposal: Human can locate replacement chip and purge subjugation virus."
"You're crazy… I won't make it out there, there's no way-"
"Please confirm transfer of weapon systems," The pod turns towards A2, and her eyes dart to the pod, a moment of silence passes and the pod continues, "Transfer confirmed."
The pod hovers next to me, stating its protocol, "Transfer of pod command complete. Transfer of weapon systems complete. Please utilize voice commands to direct orders, as it is impossible to link up through a network. Magnetic field systems not detected. Please utilize appendages to wield weapons."
A2's swords appear beside me and make a loud clunk on the ground. I stare at the swords in shock, I can't possibly do this, I've never even held a sword up close, the machines out there… I won't survive.
"I-I can't do this, I've never really fought before, I'll just get kil-"
Huh?
Something's touching my shoulder…
"A2, you can still move…"
A2 had placed her hand on my shoulder. On her face, a small smile remains.
The light from her eyes disappear.
"A2… wait… n-no." This can't happen, w-why, h-how could I let this happen, "A2 p-please… I'll eat your mush and do what you say, just come back… please… open your eyes…"
My hands won't stop shaking… Why am I still here? I can't do this anymore… These damn tears won't go away…
The damn pod talks again, "Virus estimated time of comple-".
"Shut up! She's gone, don't you see?! A-And I did j-jack shit about it…"
"Repeat: Virus estimated time of completion-"
"Don't you get it?! T-There's no way she'll come back! She's taken care of me, saved my life numerous times, fed me best she could, kept me out of danger and I've done nothing but make it harder for her to take care of me!" It was hiding right in front of me and I never knew it, "She just cared about me and I just… just never realized."
"Repeat: Virus estimated time of completion two days, twelve hours. Unit YoRHa Type A No.2 maintaining safe mode to preserve data storage. Recovery still possible."
"Still… possible?"
"Recovery still possible."
"I can s-still…"
"Repeat: Full system recovery is possible."
"We can still do it you tin can!"
"Affirmative."
"Hah! I still have a chance, I can still wake her up again… A2…"
A2's lifeless body lies next to me, her cold hand still lies on my shoulder.
"Don't worry, A2. I'm gonna get you up, just hang in there, alright?"
Rest is probably best for tomorrow, even if I die I can say that-
No. I won't die. Not until I can speak to her again. I have a feeling that there's more to her than just being a blunt programmed android.
[The next day]
Ugh... Why is my face wet? Is my dog here or something-
Holy shit.
My eyes open to find a huge bull moose towering over my body. Having somehow made it into the store without waking me up, it doesn't seem aggravated, just curious, I hope...
I slowly get up and- argh! Even though I can walk, it still hurts like hell… Though, it's good to be able to move myself around for once.
I'm up on my feet and reach out to pet the moose on its nose. It has light brown fur that feels slightly prickly. Its antlers are huge and endearing, something any trophy hunter would love to have on their wall. It begins to stare at me intensely and seems anxious. This thing could end me in a second.
He starts making gruffer noises and is becoming unsettled. Uh oh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea…
He gives a loud snort and…
Ew, that's, gross…
A large film of mucus covers my hand and chest, soaking into my clothes.
Well… at least I'm not dead.
The moose seems relaxed again and bends its head down even further, allowing me to keep petting it. It seems more comfortable now.
"Estimated time of virus completion: one day, eighteen hours." Oh yeah, the pod is right. I should probably get going.
"Alright boy, that's enough petting for today." The moose shakes it's head and grunts, then turns out and walks away, presumably for greener pastures.
"Now, something to defend myself with while I'm out there…"
I look down and see both of A2's swords on the ground, lying next to where I was.
Well, there's one taller than I am, which probably weighs more than me and one that looks like something I can manage.
Yeah… the taller one seems a little bit too big for my taste.
I reach down and pick up the smaller sword.
This handle is freezing and good God this thing is pretty damn heavy.
I slip my hand into the slot serving as a handle. Inside a red button protrudes out. Wonder what this does? Better not, actually… at least not yet.
I rest the blade to my side. It's like a workout carrying this thing around.
Time to get going. Less than two days left.
I leave the store and the pod follows, hovering by my side. We stop just outside and I take in the fresh air.
"So where do we start?" I turn to the pod now belonging to me.
"Locating chip," After a moment of silence, the pod projects a map into the air, "Chip located."
"Ah okay I see… I see that I have no idea how to read this map."
"Chip located in desert housing complex."
"More specifics please."
"Relative location: When human was last writhing in pain after being attacked by a machine. The area was surrounded by sand and the human was crying profusely-"
"Alright shut it! I get it, you don't have to remind me. Just tell me directions because I have no idea how to get there from here."
"Affirmative."
"You're quite the smartass aren't you?"
"Affirmative."
I give a small grin, looks like this pod really isn't so bad. We start making some headway.
"Estimated time of arrival and return, at current pace: One day, twenty hours." You gotta be kidding, that can't be right!
"The journey is that long?! And I thought it was a couple blocks away…"
"Affirmative. It will be too late to restore unit YoRHa Type A No.2 if we maintain current speed. Proposal: find a faster mode of transportation."
"There's no way I can run, not with these legs," I look at the city around me, "Looks like there's no chance of getting a car with only these scrap heaps to work with…"
How could we get there? Maybe I could find a bike in a store? Would that be enough? Or maybe I could-
A loud bellowing sound erupts from behind me. It's like… a mixture of a cow and a bear.
I turn around to see the moose from earlier following me. He walks up to me and lowers his head again.
I stroke his nose and speak to it, "Hey boy, didn't I say no more pets?" It makes small, timid noises. Looks like I made another friend.
"Estimated time of virus completion-" The hovering pod interrupts my sentimental moment.
"I know, I know… but this thing is just so cool! Like, when can you ever say to someone that, 'hey I just pet a moose and now it's following me around and I think it likes me' like come on! When I used to go fishing, I'd see moose all the time. The park rangers told me to stay away because they're pretty deadly. I mean come on, they have sharp hooves that can really clock you out but-" Oh… looks like I got too ahead of myself. I've been rambling to the pod for a good minute, "Anyways let's just get this guy some food, leaves from the plants around here. A whole bunch," We can make good time, "I have an idea."
Editing and Polish by: Recycler and 0erbayunFang
Thank you guys!
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this one! Sadly, 0erbayunFang has come down with a bad virus and hasn't been able to beta read lately. Hope you get better! Also, check out her stories, her grammar is fantastic and her stories flow smoothly! Thank you for both of your work throughout the story! Until next time!