Striding across the battlefield, Damian's suit whirred and whined as it took tentative steps on the sand, scanning the ruined sands. Whatever OPFOR wanted to throw at them, it seemingly ran out of bots to send. While this was supposed to be a time for respite, Damian knew that it was only a matter of time before the enemy sent another horde to throw at them. His suit didn't really take much of a beating from the bots compared to fighting Legion combat forms. They were slower, dumber, and not quite as tanky compared to the shit he was used to fighting but still, he wasn't going to take his chances.
Behind him, that YoRHa android unit who called herself 2B was following behind him. It appeared that the other YoRHa bots had seemingly followed behind the other suits, like ducklings who had imprinted themselves on the first thing they say after hatching.
While Damian thought their uniform was both tacky in its ornateness and fetishistic in how revealing it was, he could respect their combat abilities. If only they had YoRHa androids during the Legion's hayday, it could have given humanity a better fighting chance.
"Machine forces in this area have been eliminated, Sergeant," 2B reported, struggling to walk on the soft sand. Sometimes, she wished that YoRHa issued them boots when travelling the desert region for better stability. While her heels could often double as daggers in stepping on machines, it didn't really support her well in traversing the easily malleable sand.
"Thanks to you and the other androids," Damian praised. Despite herself, 2B felt her heart swell at the praise. It felt...good. Still, she wouldn't let that show on her face. Emotions were prohibited after all.
"It's our duty, Sergeant. No praise is required," 2B responded humbly. That earned a chuckle from Damian.
"Hey now, chica. You did good. More than good," Damian said, his laugh sending a chill up 2B's spine. She both loved and loathed it. Loved it, as it was praise from a human. A real living human. And the hatred for...well, she didn't like how it made her feel.
Only 9S had the right to make her feel special.
Not that she was going to tell the infuriatingly adorable scanner that.
Damian's suit whirred slightly as he turned to examine the field. "So, these machines are creations of the alien bastards?" It still felt wild to Damian that actual aliens had invaded the planet while they were sleeping. Even now, it was still a bit hard to grasp but he was finding it easy to accept considering the fact that the world was nearly ended by the Legion. It wasn't far fetched that aliens would exist too.
It was then Pod 042 chimed in. "Correct. In the year 5012, extra-terrestrial invaders arrived from outer space and began launching attacks on android settlements. In the following year, the Army of Humanity was established to defend the planet."
Damian regarded the floating box with amusement. "Thanks, Wikipedia. So, aliens. Never seen one. Ya'll got pictures of what they look like?"
042 beeped. "Correction: This Pod's designation is 042. If it pleases the Sergeant, this pod's new designation shall be Wikipedia." Damian nearly barked in laughter. 042 continued. "There have been no sightings of the alien invaders but there are images available should you desire it."
Damian nodded. "Damn. This I will have to see, eh?" The sergeant stopped speaking when his suit's systems registered 2B struggling to walk next to him. His suit whirred as he turned to her. "Hey little lady. You struggling there? You moved pretty fast when we were fighting."
2B used all her willpower for her cheeks to not redden in embarrassment. "Battle necessitated my full focus, Sergeant. Now that we are not engaged, it's..."
Damian shook his head. "Nah, don't worry about it. I get it. Tell you what, my suit can carry quite a lot of weight. Come on and hop on my shoulder." And just like that, he knelt slightly to allow 2B to climb on him. As for 2B, her eyes widened behind her blindfold. "N-no, that won't be necessary, Sergeant! I can walk!" Despite her control of herself, she felt true mortification when the human offered to carry her. She was supposed to be the android that served, not get served!
Her mortification turned to confusion when Damian laughed again. "Ey, come on now. You're struggling. We still have quite a lot of ground to cover so we need to get to our objectives as fast as possible, right? Our mission is going to get hampered with you getting caught up by the sand." the Sergeant explained. It quickly occurred to Damian that 2B was the type to let sense drive her so, he framed it as them completing their mission as fast as possible. 2B listened closely and found the logic agreeable. They still had to go cover a lot of ground to secure the perimeter after all...
Taking a breath, she sighed. "Understood, Sergeant." And with that, she went and climbed up on Damian's shoulder. She positioned herself to be as light as possible but the suit simply whirred slightly as Damian stood up.
"Eyyyy, alright!" Damian grinned. "Hold on tight, eh?"
Despite herself, 2B smiled as she held on to what she could as the suit's thrusters opened and they went up. As that happened, the other YoRHa units turned to their own humans.
A conspiratorial glint appeared behind their blindfolds.
Back at the Resistance lines, cheers echoed high in the air as Colonel Smith strode out onto the desert, gone now was the clothes the Twins had given him. Every step he took was with a tremble as he was now clad head to toe in power armor. Following behind him was Command White and the Twins who glanced in awe at the power armoured humans either flying around in the air or darting around the sands to finish off some stragglers.
Smith strode over to Anemone who quickly stood at attention and offered Smith a salute. There was a hiss as Smith took off his helmet and held it to his side. He took a breath, enjoying air that wasn't filtered by a machine for once, and sighed. "Finally. Air."
"Sir," Anemone said, acknowledging the Colonel. Smith nodded at her, then to her fellow androids then at the battlefield beyond.
"Maybe that was a bit overkill," Smith said, taking note of the dozens of Machine ruins in the sand, as well as the flaming oil pits from spilt fluid. The Yggdrasil was the name of the armored suits Damian and his fellow troopers were flying around. Made during the height of the Legion Wars, it was intended as a medium support assault platform that was light enough to dart around but strong enough to pack a punch. A squad of Yggdrasil's were more than enough most of the time to deal with what the Legion threw but sometimes, something heavier was needed.
Pity his outpost didn't field Gigantes-class units.
But the Ararat bunker did.
Smith looked deep in thought. From the side, Anemone watched the weathered Colonel closely. The way his jaw looked so strong, how his eyes were so focused and concentrated...
"What's the casualty report?" He asked, immediately getting into business. Anemone shook her head. Clearing her throat, she answered. "We are still getting reports but it seems we haven't suffered any grievous casualties."
"Good," Smith nodded. "If we can manage that we will have no casualties at all, then we're blessed. Clean up the field, Anemone."
At that, Smith made a move to leave but Anemone took a step forward. "Colonel!"
Smith paused and turned to her. "Yes?"
"Why...why did you wake up those soldiers?" Anemone asked, curious. "You...you didn't have to. My troops..." She turned to Commander White. "YoRHa...we were ready to give everything to protect this place. Why?"
At that, the androids took a step forward, curious as well. Aware that he had a audience now, Smith spoke. "Imagine my surprise when I awoke in my pod to see androids looking over me as if I was a treasure. Imagine then my surprise when I am told that the Earth has been overtaken by aliens and their robots."
He took a step forward, looking down at Anemone. "You, all of android kind, have fought for so long. You all have new traditions, new beliefs, new bonds of fellowship forged after centuries of fighting." He not only made sure to look into her eyes but into the eyes of every single android who were all listening intently. Smith continued, his voice low and soft but continuously rising in volume and power.
"By now, seeing me and my men, your very programming is telling you, ordering you to sit and worship us at where we stand. We, humanity, did not come through time and horror here for that. We are not here to let you all debase yourselves before us after fighting for so long. Instead, we are here to fight with you, to learn with you, to be worthy of your respect and devotion rather than have it handed to us simply because it is your programming."
Smith took a breath, placing a hand on Anemone's shoulder. "If you find us worthy, then we shall help lead you all. If not, we will happily stand aside and free you all of your allegiance to us. You, all of you, are heroes. Fighters, warriors, artists, poets and all. Not slaves to mankind. And you will never will be." Smith paused, taking a step aside. He clicked his heels, standing at attention, and saluted.
"On behalf of all humanity…thank you for your service," Smith said firmly.
A silence descended on the battlefield. None dared interrupt or make noise save the desert wind and the distant thrusting of jet engines.
The silence was then broken as the sound of truck came close. Heads turned as a beat-up flatbed truck pulled up. The truck paused as the driver rolled down the window. A raven-haired android peeked out.
"What did I miss?" Jackass asked, blinking.
Sweat dripped down Devola's brow. Sweat she wiped away with a cloth. A look of intense concentration was in her eyes as...she chopped vegetables with quickly and efficiently with a clean knife.
"Popola, how's the carrots coming along?" Devola asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Carrots are almost ready!"
Pots of thin metal stood over flaming stoves, water boiled inside of them alongside numerous vegetables cut perfectly into eatable slices. Finished with her slicing. Devola lifted the board she was chopping vegetables on and walked over to one of the pots. She leaned forward and dumped the vegetables into the stewing potage.
With the perimeter secure now, the Yggdrasil's had returned and Colonel Smith ordered for a party to be thrown. A party that involved copious amounts of food to be made and cooked considering the fact that most of the Yggdrasil pilots were newly awoken and were running on adrenaline to push them through. Now, they were absolutely famished and starving. The facility itself had supplies to feed itself but the Resistance had kept on mind about the humans that were being kept as a popsicle and also brought food stuffs as well. Devola and Popola would know considering that they were the ones who egged Anemone for such things to be delivered.
Lettuce, cabbages, carrots, radishes, and peas for vitamins and minerals. Potatoes for carbs and for protein, boar, and moose.
Speaking of meat,
"Jackass! How's the meat coming along!?" Devola yelled.
The sound of a cleaver effortlessly chopping meat apart filtered into her systems. Grumbling, Jackass looked up. "Almost ready!" At her side, there was a bowl of finely chopped boar meat that was being stacked.
"We needed that protein ready by yesterday!" Devola said, hands going to her hips.
"I know! I am working as fast as I can!"
"Work faster! There are humans to feed!"
Jackass did not take it kindly that she had missed the battle. She was even more upset when the other androids described to her about the amazing missile works that the humans in their Yggdrasil suits lobbed at the enemy. "I was the one that found the humans in the first place! How come I get the sloppy seconds?" she moaned. She felt that she was owed a reward for finding the outpost and true enough, it did warrant something.
Only when a nearby Yggdrasil remarked that he was hungry did she realize her chance at praise.
The door swung open and in rushed 1D, a white apron over her uniform and a hairnet keeping in place her hair. All of them were wearing aprons and hairnets actually. Apparently, regulations called for that.
"I have brought the rice!" 1D said declared. And sure enough, she was pushing in a trolley with multiple sacks of rice on it.
"Good!" Devola praised her, earning a slight smile and a earnest frown from Jackass. "Move it into the corner and open it!"
1D nodded and pushed the cart there as ordered. Devola turned to Popola. "Sis. Help 1D in making the rice. Remember to wash it, alright?"
"Yes, chef!" Popola added cheekily, earning a laugh from Devola. This was how they had managed to keep themselves sane throughout the years, sharing humor to keep themselves stable. But now, we humanity back, they could allow themselves to lighten up a bit.
Devola blinked when there was a flash of light as 1D brought out her sword, the latest standard YoRHa issued blade, and held it up to cut open a sack. Her eyes widened in alarm. "1D! What do you think you are doing?" yelled Devola.
Like a deer caught in headlights, 1D froze. She turned to Devola, her blade still held up. "Um, cutting open the sack?"
If Devola had veins, it would be popping out out of her forehead. Jackass grinned under her breath at the YoRHa models' naivety as Popola chuckled under her breath. Devola marched forward, a knife in her hand. "With a knife, you over-engineered dummy! See, like this!" Devola muttered under her breath as she effortlessly cut open a sack, revealing a rich grains of white rice.
"But, my sword will still have done as well like that knife?" 1D said, her head tilting in confusion.
"You are trying to open a sack of rice, not destroy a machine unit!" Devola pointed out. She knew that the YoRHa models were...special but she had no idea they were this special. She supposed there was logic in using a sword since it was used for cutting and dicing those unfortunate enough to be caught in its path. But still!
"I...I see," 1D said slowly, her sword vanishing out of her hands. "I recognize my failings and I will do my best to correct them."
1D had vowed that she would learn how to cook. So far so good, she was learning.
"Good," Devola nodded in approval. "If you have any questions, be sure to ask my or Popola, okay?" Devola added, her voice softer this time. Jackass's slight giggling raised her ire again as she turned to face the short-haired android.
"Jackass! The meat!"
"Oh shit! Uh, right!"
Outside the galley, the Yggdrasil pilots had now returned to the outpost and were in the process of stepping out their suits. It was a fairly straightforward process as the suits themselves would open up fairly quickly. It explained how they were able to get from defrosting and into battle quickly.
The problem however was that they got from defrosting and into battle quickly.
Just as Smith was when he was thawed, they were all practically naked when they stepped out of their suits.
Damian prepared himself as his suit hissed and opened up, revealing him onto the Outpost's hangar deck. It was noticeably more noisy when he had left it as androids, both resistance and YoRHa, had now flooded in to assist the Yggdrasil pilots. At the other spot next to him, a pilot was immediately swarmed by a bunch of androids all eager to assist him in anyway.
"Woah, woah there tigers!" another pilot remarked, Alexandra Spitz, blonde haired and with a heart-shaped face. Her voice was peppy as she was surrounded by androids that made themselves too obvious in their eagerness to help. "One at a time!" she laughed, as she was offered nearly everything from clothes to even a stick of what looked like dehydrated meat.
What Damian needed right now was water though. His throat felt drier than the desert above.
"Um...Sergeant Damian?" a soft voice alerted him. Damian turned to see 12H standing before him, her head craned up too look at him. In her hand was a small cup filled with water. "H-hi," the android greeted him meekly. "My name is 12H. Um, when Colonel Smith woke, he remarked that he was thirsty so I thought you were too and, um," |
She held up the cup to him, her face turning away to the floor next to him.
Damian smiled as he accepted the cup from the blonde android. Taking it, he brought it to his lips and parched his dry throat. With a sigh, he offered the empty cup back to her. "Gracias, little lady. I needed that."
Excitement coursed through 12H as she accepted the cup back. She swore she wasn't going to ever wash that hand ever again. "N-no problem, s-sergeant! I-um,"
Damian's head tilted. "So, 12H huh...what does the H stand for? Heavenly?" He added with a smirk.
A pod floated by, seemingly taking a record of what was happening. It paused when it came near 12H. It swivelled to her.
"Alert: Unit 12H's internal heating system is going into overdrive. Recommendation: Activate your coolant systems,"
"A-Ahhhhhh," 12H's voice was a high pitched whine, her pale skin not exactly hiding the reddening on her face and cheeks, earning even more chuckles from Damian. As everything unfolded, Smith watched this all on a metal chair from a catwalk overlooking the hangar bay. The hangar bay was positively massive, with crates, pods for suits to be stored and other items that offered pilot and mechanic the items that they needed to succeed in their mission. At the ceiling was a massive United Nations flag, held proudly by strong wire.
Flanking him stood Anemone and White. The former watching her androids sternly to make sure they were behaving properly and the latter holding a datapad that was being fed with information and data. Anemone was speaking, her voice factual. "We are counting over five thousand confirmed machine casualties, mostly stubbies and bipeds, with multiple flier units and a few goliaths."
Smith nodded. "I understand that we annihilated at least 8 battalions worth of troops," he replied, his mind taking note of the numbers. "But do explain to me the difference between the units?"
Anemone hefted the datapad to her side. "The Machine Network is a titan of an enemy, Colonel. From what we know, stubbies are the most common machine unit. They are small, 3 foot in height. Easy enough to deal with but a nightmare if you are alone."
"And the bipeds and goliaths? I understand what a flier is enough. I've seen the footage," Smith said, having reviewed combat footage earlier.
"The bipeds are those six foot looking machines. They're much more capable than the stubbies but aren't as common as the little ones," Anemone replied. Their threat was apparent considering they were agile and packed a punch that could immobilize any android if they weren't careful.
In his mind, Smith could equate the stubbies to be the Machine Network's equivalent of conscripts, with the bipeds the actual grunts to make a difference. "And the goliaths?"
"The goliath class machine unit is a colony of smaller bipods working together to form a much larger machine," reported Pod 313, all this time being silent. "Much like most of its fellow units, it can come in different varieties, with not a single one being standard."
"So you mean to tell me, theirs different types of these bastards?" Smith asked, turning to face the pod.
"Correct," Pod 313 replied. At this point, White and Anemone turned to Smith, concern in their eyes as they saw the troubled look on his face. Internally, Smith was thinking about the way this new war was going to be fought. He was going to need data, lots of it, if he was ever going to formulate means for his men and him to make a difference. With this, he made his thoughts known.
"Anemone, White, I am going to need the two of you to sit down with me on a later date. I need to more info on how my men and I are going to fight the machines. I am going to refer to the two of you since you two have fought these bastards way longer than me," Smith declared. He blinked when he saw the alarm in their eyes. "What?"
"Sir, you mean to say that you are going to send yourself and your men to fight the machines?" Anemone said, her tone derisive.
"With all due respect, Colonel, the Army of Humanity's sole purpose is to fight the invaders. This is our work," White asserted.
Smith sighed. He stood up from his chair and turned to them. "Ladies. I meant every single word I said, back on the surface. This is humanity's homeworld, our cradle, and I will be damned if I do not fight for it with you all."
At that, both women felt tense. They both remembered the speech, they were going to remember it for as long as they would live. Shit, White and Anemone knew that was going to live rent-free in their databanks.
Still...
"You are going to be putting yourself and your men in danger, Colonel," White pointed out. "What would happen if one of your pilots or even you get injured or worse, get killed? It would damage android morale severely," Just saying that made her inner systems boil in rage and quiver in horror.
"I concur with White here, sir. Are you sure you really want to fight?" Anemone said, walking up to him. White mimicked the actions of Anemone, stepping close with a clack of her heels. Smith placed both his hands on their shoulders. Just as quickly as their tenseness came, it left as soon as Smith held them.
"My men and I are soldiers, ladies. Our whole job is to fight. Our oath to our species demands it."
"Oath?" White asked, craning her head. Smith smiled, turning back to look down at the scene below. Pilots were laughing and greeting the androids as if they were real people and not robots. In the corner, he could even see one of his pilots clearly flirting with one of those YoRHa androids. Regulations dictated that there ought to be no fraternizing between service members but he supposed he could let that regulations relax for now. Looking back into his memories, Smith recited.
"I solemnly swear, to devote my life and abilities," Memories came, of battlefields in ages past. Of his bloodstained hands from human conflicts. How those looked so petty compared to what they were going to fight from one faithful day in Tokyo. How his skills were used to invade nations contrary to the interests of the United States.
"In defense of the United Nations of Earth," The Battle for Tokyo, the Scouring of Asia, the Fall of Shanghai, The Skirmish in Iran. He remembered how difficult it was to get everyone working together. Chinese troops, Japanese remnants, Indian sharpshooters, Filipino scouts. Questions of sovereignty were raised about the deployment of troops in foreign countries to counter the Legion. Questions that were becoming more and more irrelevant in the face of danger for humanity.
"To defend the Constitution of Man, and to scour the Earth clean of the Legion." He was there, when the United Nations ended the question of sovereignty and the countries on Earth vowed to fight as one, until the Legion was gone. With a joint declaration, humanity became one.
"From the depths of the oceans, to the furthest edge of the heavens," The Naval War, the Air war, each desperate attempt to hold back the Legion as scientists worked day and night to devise means for humanities' survival.
"For as long as I shall live," Smith ended reciting. glancing at the two androids before him.
Anemone and White looked up at him. Anemone's face was inscrutable but White was much more expressive. White as an android had her quirks. She loved efficiency, order. Oaths meant a lot to her, hence her effectivity as YoRHa's commander. She ran a tight ship while believing in its mission.
4 saved successfully.
"There really is no stopping you, huh?" Anemone remarked.
"I meant every single word I said. And besides, I will only really be taking volunteers. The civilian personnel and refugees we do have, I assume you have places for them where they will be safe?" Smith asked.
"Yes sir," White nodded. "High Command is converting one of our space stations to be habitable for the civilians here, as well as from the other bunkers once we unveil them."
Smith whistled. "Damn. Do alert me when that happens. I'd like to visit space too. Been one of a few childhood dreams of mine, actually. To go to space..." He chuckled. "Our scientists, they're going to go wild about the technology that's being fielded here."
"I am sure R&D will have questions in the application of maso in your tech as well, sir." White remarked. Compared to what they were fielding, the technology the United Nations fielded was rather...brusque. It spoke to White about a different time in humanity's history. A time where survival of humanity was paramount and thus, it required such dangerous and raw technology.
The Legion really must have been a nightmare, when humanity's instinct was to create darting mechanized suits with enough firepower to level the battlefield.
It was then, the PA system came to life. "Attention. This is Devola. Food has been served in the Mess Hall. I repeat. Food had been served at the Mess Hall. Come now, and eat!"
Smith smiled. "I will be more than happy to let my eggheads out and have them gawk with your R&D but first...lunch."
The setup of the Mess Hall was that of your typical canteen. The tables and chairs were utilitarian and grey, the logistics of war not allowing for personalized luxuries. On the far end was a food counter with plates and utensils for the hungry pilots to eat at. When Damian heard that food was ready, he wasn't exactly thinking they were going to get a steak dinner. According to the Colonel, they were asleep for a long as while. He was hungry. Absolutely hungry. Shit, he would even find a tasteless ration bar the most gourmet meal he had eaten in his entire life.
He was wrong.
A rich inviting smell filtered into his nostrils. The rich tangy scent of stewed meat, the soft steam of vegetables, the fluffy wet smell of steamed rice.
"Welcome to the Mess Hall! Please, have some food!" greeted Devola, apron on and a spatula in one hand. next to her was Jackass, still aproned up and singular eye brimming with excitement to serve him and the other pilots. Damian automatically got one of the plates from where it was kept and held it out to Devola who gave him more than generous portions of food. Damian glanced down at the rich spread on his plate.
There was fluffy white rice, softly steaming. A stew of meat he didn't really know the source of, only that it looked tender and was swimming in a rich and succulent brown sauce that had a shine under the light and lastly, an assortment of vegetables he swore was some type of curry.
"Eat well, sir," Devola smiled at him.
"Oh, I will," Damian said, thanking Devola as he went off to find a table. He found a good one at the far end corner and deposited his plate. Taking out his utensils, he cut into the meat and brought it close for him to smell. It had a faint porky smell to it so he figured it was pork of some kind. Shrugging his shoulders, he placed it into his mouth.
Oh sweet Jesus, you are merciful.
The meat was truly tender, literally falling apart into his mouth as he chewed into it, each chewing motion filling him with flavour and gravy juices from the meat. It was rich, absolutely rich to the tongue and not entirely overpowering. Mixing it with the rice, it was truly a wonderful meal that sealed the deal.
Seeing his reaction, Devola smiled. 1D and Popola were in the back, cooking up extras should ever they needed more. Another Pilot came up, plate in hand and clearly excited as he saw Damian's look. "I'll have whatever Cruz is having," he said, turning to Devola.
"Of course, sir. Enjoy," Devola replied with a smile, a shudder going through her body as she took the man's plate.
As the pilots went ahead to have their fill of food, their android hanger-ons were watching from outside the Mess Hall. 12H watched Damian with a mixture of worry, elation, and a large amount of jealousy. Oh, she was happy that he was getting food to eat. Unlike her that only really needed water sometimes, humans needed food to feed their bodies of nutrients. She was glad that he was getting a balanced meal of carbohydrates, protein, and greens. Those twins and their newfound staff really knew what they were doing.
But that was the problem.
It was them making the meal that was making Damian happy in his meal, not her.
Cooking...it wasn't exactly something that she knew how to do nor was she programmed for that but she was going to learn and be the best damn cook humanity has ever seen. If anyone was going to make Damian say those wonderful noises, it was going to be her.
Next to her, the other androids, resistance types, weren't exactly making their thoughts hidden.
"Should we join them?"
"I don't know, can we?"
"I mean...we can eat, right?"
As androids, they really didn't need to eat. They ran on a internal power system but as they were all built to be as close to humanity, they could enjoy a meal though never really had the occasion to. There were androids who indulged in cooking and culinary arts but their creations were...mixed. Now though, they could enjoy some fine food made by the Twins and their newfound staff and be close to actual humans?
"Oh, why the hell not? Let's go," an android whispered to his buddies.
"But...can we do? I don't think we have permission," another android reminded him, earning looks of defeat all around.
It was then, Anemone's voice broke through. "What the hell are you all doing crowding around the door for? If you want to eat, go and eat."
Heads turned to see Anemone standing by the side of Colonel Smith who looked at them in amusement, on the other side was Commander White whose stern look sent shivers up the spines of the YoRHa androids there.
"It's a mess hall, go and eat. You guys can eat food, right?" Colonel Smith asked, his head tilting slightly.
"Uh, y-yes sir. We can," 12H spoke up, her voice a squeak.
"Then go and get in line," Smith said, earning smiles from the androids who rushed in to join the queue. Smith shook his head as he urged his own androids, Anemone and White to follow him.
"Sir?" Commander White raised an eyebrow.
"Join me. Beats eating alone," Smith said, looking forward to eating the fare the Twins prepared. From behind the food counter, Devola caught sight of the Colonel at the back of the line. She momentarily forgot about the crowd before him, smiling widely seeing the experienced Colonel. But then, her lips curled when he saw her speaking with both Anemone and Commander White.
A series of complicated emotions rolled in her core.
"Uh...my food, lady?" The pilot across the food counter blinked. Realizing she was still serving people, Devola quickly got back to work and handed the man his plate.
"S-sorry, sir. Enjoy your meal," Devola smiled awkwardly. The pilot accepted the plate, a single dark eyebrow raised at Devola before walking off. Devola resisted the urge to scream in the inside. Great, now a human probably thought she was weird! Internally despairing, Devola stood ready to serve the next one in line only for her to realize that the next one in line was not a human but an android. A YoRHa Healer model to be exact.
She blinked.
"Uh...one of everything, please," 12H said, looking at the presented food and making her order known just like how the humans had done. She had to admit, doing this felt rather exciting. She was ordering food just like a human! It was a rather remarkable novel experience, something she felt that the humans liked to do.
Queuing and saying the magic words to get sustenance.
Truly, what a magnificent species their creators were.
Devola thought about before shaking her head and taking 12H's plate. In her laser focus in serving the hungry pilots, she hadn't noticed that her fellow androids decided to go get a hot meal too. "Uh, here." Devola said, returning the Healer models plate who took it with a nod before happily skipping over to where Damian was sitting.
As she approached Damian, 12H's inner core beeped with apprehension and excitement. Oh, what was happening with her? She was a YoRHa model, the most advanced android model in the Army of Humanity. She could heal any android of any afflictions as easily as one could breathe. Why on Earth was she getting nervous?
"Take it easy, girl .Take it, easy." 12H told herself. Taking a breath, she walked up to Damian's side. It took iron discipline for her hands to not shake.
"U-um...Sergeant Damian?" Oh for the love of, why did her voice sound like a squeak!
The sergeant turned, blinking on who could be calling him before his eyes landed on the hour-glass figure of 12H. Immediately, he grinned. "Ey there, 12H. You want to join me for lunch?" He asked, glancing at the plate in her hands.
"u-um, y-yes! If it's no bother!" 12H said, excitement and euphoria coursing through her as the human invited her to join him. Damian chuckled as he motioned to the empty chair across him.
"No, you aren't a bother. Come on, sit." Damian said, inviting her.
'Oh my god, he said I wasn't a bother!' 12H all but screamed internally. Happily skipping along, she sat across Damian. The chair did not at all break under her weight. A similar scene was happening all throughout, androids going on to sit down with their favoured humans, all equally bashful and some confident in their approach. Either way, the sight of it all made Smith's old heart smile.
Now, the line had gotten shorter and it was his turn to go get his food. Beside him, Anemone and White felt even more apprehensive as the line got shorter and shorter with Smith coming ever closer to Devola. Upon seeing him, a face-splitting smile appeared on her face. It infuriated White who saw the rather angelic smile on Devola's face. Was that really necessary?
"Colonel Smith," Devola greeted him. "Already back for my cooking?"
Anemone glanced at the food that was being warmed up by the counter. "Not bad, Devola. I had no idea you had it in you," the Resistance Officer remarked, her sight turning to Devola.
How brazen of you to do this, Devola, was what was unsaid.
Devola's smiled remained sweet. "Oh, I'm an android of many capabilities, Anemone. This is simple one of my many skills," she remarked, making sure she locked eyes both with Anemone and White.
I can do more for Smith than what you two could ever do, was Devola's erstwhile reply.
Smith on the other hand was not an idiot. He lived long enough to know and detect hidden meanings. Rolling his eyes, he picked up a plate. "That's enough from the three of you," Smith said, his voice like thunder to the three androids. He offered his plate to Devola. "I'll need the fuel, Devola."
"Of course, sir," Devola said demurely, batting her eyelashes at Smith as she took his order.
Eventually, the Mess Hall settled onto a calm sea of dining and light conversation as pilots and androids interacted with each other. Devola herself felt a wave of pride grip her. The...encounter with Anemone and White aside, she and her sister with the assistance of 1D and Jackass managed to go ahead and feed a team of human pilots as well as numerous other androids.
At this point, 1D and Popola left the kitchens to join Devola and Jackass who...promptly took her own plate and swaggered onto a table where a lone human male was seated at. From the tags on him, Devola could see that the human had the name and judging on the glint on Jackass's eye, she had more things in mind than just idle conversation. 1D too had meandered off, her own plate in hand, and trying to find a human she could sit with.
"Sis," Popola greeted her Twin, her steps demure and feminine. Between them too, Popola was always the refined one while she was the more outgoing and wilder one.
Devola smiled at her before turning back to the dining crowd. "If you told me way back that we would be feeding not just one but a whole crowd of humans in the desert, I think you would have lost your mind."
Yes, Smith did forgive them both on behalf of humanity for their sins, perceived or otherwise, but it still felt surreal that in one burst of light, all their sins were washed and the object of their devotions, hers and all of the androids of the Army of Humanity, were now here and with them. Not only fighting with them, but now laughing, talking, and dining with them.
"It still feels surreal," Devola confessed, slowly untying the hairnet on her head and the apron around her.
"I know how you feel. I...I feel it too," Popola answered. Her eyes glanced down at the floor, a moment's silence gripping her as she processed everything that has happened so far. "But...I'm not scared. I...I'm starting to hope again, Devola."
Devola smiled truly. "Me too, sis." She glanced back to the dining crowd. "Me too."
Her smile then died when saw that Smith was seated with Anemone, White, and 1D. And he was laughing.
Anemone and White, she could understand. But 1D? She took that scamp under her wing and this was how she was going to repay her and her sister?
Betrayal.
Popola watched the dark look on Devola's eyes with amusement. "Jealous?" she said teasingly.
"I am not jealous," Devola insisted. The grin on Popola's face made Devola roll her eyes.
"Okay...maybe a little bit," Devola admitted, crossing her arms. "Aren't you?"
"Oh sis," Popola laughed softly, as if nothing was bothering her. A soft smile appeared on her face. "I may not look like it but inside? I am absolutely furious."
Devola turned from glaring at Anemone and White who seemed to detect her stare but ignored her, their focus only on Smith who was conversing something with them and back to Popola. "We need to do something," Devola asserted.
"What should we do? We've already done enough," Popola pointed out.
Devola thought carefully. "You still have your lute?"
"I do, why?" Popola asked before her eyes slowly widened in intrigue. She then blinked.
"Devola, you never sing unless you're dru-"
"Get your lute!" Devola urged her sister.
Back with Damian and 12H, the two were locked in conversation. Damian found 12H to be, while shy, was confident in the field of healing. On 12H's part, she saw in Damian a teasing soul who had seen quite a lot of the world before...before the Legion nearly plunged humanity into darkness.
"So, what does 12H stand for again?" Damian asked, pausing in picking at his food to give 12H his full attention.
"Oh, well!" 12H started. "I...I am a Healer model. My duties include monitoring the status and health of my fellow androids and when needed, offer medical assistance by healing them with my abilities. I am not just capable of attending to androids however. I am fully qualified too look after humans too!" And that was true enough. Healer models both YoRHa and Resistance had access to a database of diseases and other medical knowledge to look after a human if needed. Granted, it never really came to use due to a severe lack of humans but with the discovery of the bunker, it would seem she would be able to get it done.
"Healing...with what?" Damian asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Magic," 12H said without missing a beat.
Damian blinked. If someone had told him that way back then, he would laugh and call them a geek. But with the Legion, WCS...and now with this, he was going to believe that.
"Magic...it's still a hard thing to accept sometimes, considering the world didn't have much magic back then." Damian confessed. This interested 12H who leaned in. "What was the Old World like, Sergeant?"
At that, Damian leaned back on his chair, his mind trying to come up with an answer. After a moment's thought, he answered. "Alive. The Earth before the arrival of the Giant and the Dragon was just...alive. Vibrant. Simple. You could go out of your house, get groceries, take your kids to school, and come back home to watch the game. I was in the military though. My life was different. I fought in wars in hindsight are small compared to what we had to face."
12H wasn't stupid. She knew that involved killing other humans, as the job demanded of Damian. She frankly hated and abhorred that idea. Humans killing humans? The very idea was just...
Damian noticed the troubled look on 12H's face and sighed. "Yeah, I know. It sucks. But that was Earth back then, when differences in ideology, interests and shit divided the Old World. Then...the Giant came. WCS...and the Legion."
12H saw the battle-footage. Such violent and raw weapons systems. It only spoke of a terrible enemy that required such heavy weaponry to bear. "What was it like? Fighting the Legion?" 12H found herself asking.
"Back during the heigh of the Legion, it was a...difficult time," Damian said, recalling those dark days. "I was in the Middle East when the Dragon and the Giant appeared in Tokyo. It was surreal, watching it all happen. And the chaos and the confusion...it wasn't a great time to live."
12H nodded, listening to Damian recalling the lore days gone past. Her heart sank into the deepest pit as she listened to the trials humanity had to go through.
"And then the nuke happened and WCS was spread all over. It was...terrifying. In basic, they prepare you for what war and the battlefield was going to throw at you. But WCS? The Legion that came from it? No amount of training will ever prepare you seeing your friends and family turn to salt in front of you or turn into...monster." Damian chuckled, a dark one. Humor to soften the pain of everything.
"Where...where was your family in all this?" 12H found herself asking. "I-I'm sorry if this is a bit too personal to ask..."
Damian shook his head. "Oh, it's no problem. My dad had died way before all that, liver failure. He was a massive drunkard you see. I was the only child and only him and mom's was my only actual family. My mother, she was a doctor, you know?" Damian said, regaling to 12H a bit of his background. "I suppose you could figure out what happened to her,"
12H thought about it carefully before her eyes widened. "No..."
The smile on Damian's face was pained. "She died in her hospital, trying to treat people who were first afflicted by the WCS. Stabbed in the back by a Legion monster."
The YoRHa model glanced at Damian and felt like weeping. She knew she was violating protocol with the amount of emotion she was feeling. But frankly, that rule could take a Goliath's fisting. At this time, she felt nothing more but the intense desire to hug Damian, bring him into her arms and tell him everything was okay. That she was going to protect him. Damian later continued, his tone slightly happier.
"It was in the hospital she met my dad. He got super drunk and had to be taken to the hospital. The first thing he said upon seeing my mother was a question,"
12H leaned in closely. "A question?"
Damian chuckled. "Are all doctors this beautiful or is it just you?" He shook his head. "I dunno what was going on in my dad's head at that time but he swore he was just drunk. My mom though...she thought it was hilarious."
12H's heart fluttered. While it was rather inappropriate for Healers to fraternize with their patients, she had to admit she found the story...heartwarming.
She looked at Damian briefly, her core in turmoil before she found courage in herself to speak. "Um...Sergeant?"
"12H, please. Call me Damian," replied the Sergeant.
Stop smiling at me like that. No wait. Don't stop. I love your smile.
"O-okay," 12H said before taking in a breath. "Are..."
"Are?" Damian asked, tilting his head to the side.
"A-are all s-sergeants handsome or is it just you?" she asked meekly, her cheeks a furious blush. Damian sat, shocked at her audacity. 12H cringed internally, watching the look on the sergeant's face. Had she overreached? Was she not allowed to do that? Oh, she needed to be deactivated. She had brough dishonor on herself and her entire model line.
Then, Damian laughed and all her worries died off. With slightly red cheeks, Damian finished chuckling. "You're good, I'll give you that."
"I learn from the best, Damian," 12H asserted with a puff.
"The best being me?" he asked teasingly.
"Y-yes..." 12H whispered.
At that point, the two glanced at each other. While 12H was still definitely shy, the look on Damian's eyes filled her with confidence. And she leaned in, to take all of him in. Damian for his part, after relieving dreams of nightmares in his mind, found 12H to be a fresh and welcome reprieve. He leaned in too, loving the heart-shaped face she had and how bright her lips seemed to be...
Then, a lute started to be strung. Blinking rapidly, the two realized what was happening and turned away. Damian found the ceiling to be rather interesting and 12H found that her braids were rather fun to play with. At the very front, Devola and Popola was stringing a lute and Devola...sang.
"Kuwata (soba) tsuno wovalai,
Tsurizhi (swakhna) pura alekai
Kondəvain (kondəvain) umbu fərtun blonnuwail
Shurtətei (skora) chegi hiato,"
Popola sat cross-legged on a chair, soft fingers skillfully stirring the lute's strings to life as Devola sang with a voice as soft as clouds, yet with the stirring emotion of the waves crashing to rest against the sand. They played and sang with apparent joy and peace, the presence of humanity a balm to the pained past that all of them shared. Humanity with the Legion, the Twins with the failure of Project Gestalt. Anemone, White and the other androids with the Machine Wars.
"Chinnata (bamba) iferih pulei
Lechona (nawa) sowethi anei
Shijako (shijako) alekhni fatalinya
Nih pisha (fali) unhore sile,"
The pilots smiled, finding comfort in the song. They thought about the old world of horror they had left behind, and the new world that they were going to build. They glanced to their androids who looked back, knowing the challenges ahead yet...neither of them felt fear.
They felt hope.
"Utrashain aforen zhəkuraswa
Towa ihatosei, ihatosei tsufralai
Utrashain aforen zhəkuraswa
Towa ihatosei, ihatosei tsufralai,"
As they sat, Damian and 12H listened to the performance quietly. Erstwhile...their hands travelled towards each other. Slowly, gently. Their fingers touched on the cold metal of the dining table, now warmed with Damian's touch. They slid into each other, interlocking in a soft union of android and human. No...
"Keisha!"
As man and woman.
"Ulilya kozhizhi chachu kaija
Nyame fetsu mekri, fetsu mekri ling ganal
Ueri manja khutei araku
Ali laraga chei, laragath yei shindulo,
Kuwata (soba) tsuno wovalai,
Tsurizhi (swakhna) pura alekai
Kondəvain (kondəvain) umbu fərtun blonnuwail
Shurtətei (skora) chegi hiato,"
At that, the music slowly died off. Devola and Popola paused, looking towards where Smith was sitting, hoping, that he was smiling.
To their delight...he was.
A/N: Crossposted from QQ. In this chapter, there was a massive lemons scene available only on QQ or . I hope you all enjoy!