A/N: Oh my goodness...somehow I'm actually updating this in less than a year. XD Lol. Okay, I'm sorry. I'll quit drawing attention to my whack update schedule. This chapter is fairly short, but I hope you guys will enjoy it regardless. Many thanks to everyone who has shown support in this work. All of you are amazing! Best wishes and God bless you guys during the holiday season!
Disclaimer: I don't want to write a disclaimer today. You guys know this is a Fanfiction and that NieR: Automata belongs to the guy wearing the Emil mask everywhere.
Warnings: Can't think of anything major you guys would need a warning for. Enjoy the chapter!
The next three weeks are spent in relative quiet after A2 reunites with Pascal in the dismantled machine village, only venturing out into the woods near the Forest Kingdom to gather what supplies she can in her weakened state. When she isn't resting or scavenging for random things, she hammers nails into whatever surface Pascal requests without a word, although she notices with some annoyance that the tasks he gives all require her to be seated.
Given prior circumstances the machine isn't privy to, his consideration of her corroding joints pours several gallons of salt on what's left of her pride, which isn't much at this point, but the pity is still aggravating to deal with. At least she isn't a snail though. She'd really be writhing in agony then.
On days when there's absolutely nothing to do, A2 uses 042 to scour old databases to research random topics. One of particular interest was an odd human conundrum about an immortal snail and its quest to kill humans for some inexplicable reason the Attacker model didn't understand. Trapping it in a bottle of salt seemed like a good enough idea to keep it busy and tortured forever…
But that's beside the point.
As a combat-based android, A2 knows long periods of inactivity can create higher levels of anxiety within her brain circuitry. She's accustomed to living life on the edge thanks to all the years she spent running from YoRHa, but that type of stress is different from what she feels now.
Back then, desires for revenge drove her forward on a seemingly endless path.
When that longing grew cold, she was given a task from 2B.
She doesn't remember resting much beyond what was necessary to keep her body functional for the next battle.
Fighting is all she knows.
To A2, peace is a strange luxury she can't stand to indulge in for much longer.
She's absolutely itching to move on from this place.
Unfortunately, in three weeks' time, the former fugitive hasn't gathered what's needed for Pascal to fix her joints. Staunching gel has helped with the pain, but the effectiveness of the medicine is hindered by how out of date her body is. Whatever it fixes unravels after a few hours.
The previous week, 042 assisted her in a self-hack that enabled her to make some attempt at internal maintenance, but within seconds she realized she couldn't decipher what systems controlled what, and she wasn't about to experiment when one mistake could dismantle everything.
That type of tinkering is something best left to a Scanner…a fact that grates on A2's nerves with each day that passes while her condition worsens.
Meanwhile, at the Resistance Camp, the Scanner known as 9S is similarly displeased as Anemone all but drags him toward a new shipment of supplies from the Desert Camp with orders for him to take inventory of everything inside the shipment before delivering it to the storage area.
She hadn't been kidding about putting him to work.
Now equipped with both his arms and his combat functionality, 9S finds himself running errands constantly, and he's certain Anemone is only giving him so much work as a way to teach him a lesson of some kind. Either that, or she's deliberately keeping him busy so he won't have time or energy to concoct any schemes of vengeance against A2.
Unfortunately, overthinking happens to be a specialty for Scanners. 9S could run hundreds of conjectures and schematics in seconds, even while under intense physical and mental stress. Sneakily upgrading his weapons in his inventory and fusing together combat chips between errands was child's play for him. Perhaps the other Resistance members noticed and reported his activities to Anemone, but whether they did or didn't wasn't something he cared about.
If anyone deemed it necessary to stand between him and his nemesis again, he'd cut them down like the corrupted YoRHa models he faced in the Tower.
A2 will meet her end by his hand. 9S isn't willing to negotiate on this personal mission, so he spends each day quietly preparing himself for an all-out war against Anemone and the Resistance Camp should it become necessary, though he imagines it won't. With Popola and Devola gone, the more dangerous missions will naturally fall to him soon. Though still recovering, he's aware of his state of the art status compared to the other androids stationed here.
It's only a matter of time before Anemone sends him out on his own to handle something the others can't.
He's been biding his time for three weeks now, and he is absolutely itching to get away from this place, especially now after having experienced real freedom and agency to follow his own will rather than a chain of command. Besides, the androids around him are already wondering why the humans haven't returned to Earth yet. There's been no correspondence from the false "Council of Humanity" since the Bunker was destroyed, and though 9S has isolated himself, he still hears the questioning whispers about when the victory message will arrive. Some are even speculating that the end of the war on Earth led to logistical chaos on the moon.
His fists clench involuntarily any time he catches pieces of those conversations. None of the Resistance androids know the truth. Not a single one of them.
Humans don't exist anymore. All of you will see that soon enough, and I don't plan on being here for the fallout.
"9S? Did you hear me?"
"Yes ma'am," he blurts out shakily, quickly motioning for Pod 153 to pull up his HUD screen so he can display the digital list of items he needs to check. "I should have this done in no time. Will you need anything else?"
Anemone smirks. "Actually, after you're finished with this task, I need you to deliver this shipment back to the Desert Camp." She pats a small crate with her right hand. "There's some fragile items in here, so be careful not to drop it."
9S suppresses a groan. "O-kay…"
"And one more thing, 9S."
"Yes?"
"Pace yourself out there," the Resistance Leader murmurs, her expression gentler now. "You're well enough to travel but engaging in any combat with hostiles is a risky venture in your condition."
"I feel fine," 9S mutters, his frown deepening.
Anemone sighs. "I know you feel fine, 9S, but your body sustained a lot of internal damage and that's still healing. It's not a long journey between here and the Desert Camp, so you should be good to go, but I want you to take your time. If you experience any fatigue at all, take cover and rest."
He offers a nod in reply, swallowing the argument that she could have easily saddled this task to someone in better condition if she was that concerned about his physical well-being. Giving her any rebuttals is a waste a time, especially when leaving the Resistance Camp is exactly what he wants.
However…
"By the way," she continues, patting the top of his head as she saunters past him, "If you don't come back within twelve hours, I'll send a squad to find you. So don't go wandering off, okay?"
"Yeah. I got it."
Anemone takes her leave, laughing softly at the clear agitation showing in his expression even with the visor covering his eyes.
He used to wear it because it was YoRHa protocol. Now he uses the accessory to keep his emotions concealed…not that it works on those that know him well, like Anemone.
"She might actually be more of a slave driver than Commander White," he whispers under his breath, fixing his shrouded gaze on the digital list as he begins taking stock of the items in the shipment.
"Proposal: Unit 9S should focus on the tasks at hand rather than complain about them. Doing so is a waste a valuable energy."
Clicking his tongue, the Scanner quickly counts the cases of bullets, grenades, rifles, copper ore, iron ore, dented plates, machine oil, and a few damaged plug-in chips. He double checks his count to be certain everything is in order, then, with a low grunt of effort, he grabs the crate and starts walking to the storage area.
"All she needs…is a whip," he growls defiantly, completely ignoring the exasperated hum of 153's ventilators.
A few minutes pass in silence as 9S travels from one end of the camp to the other. He promptly hands off his crate to Caius, the burly android in charge of managing the storage facility, then heads back to the main operations area to grab the fragile shipment meant for the Desert Camp. On the way there he checks through his inventory and some of his internal systems to make sure he's adequately prepared for the journey ahead.
He has no intention of coming back, regardless of Anemone's warning.
I don't need twelve hours to fulfill my promise. By the time you send someone to find me I'll...
With his assigned crate in hand and all his preparations complete, 9S leaves the Resistance Camp without a word to anyone. 153 dutifully follows, but her ventilators buzz with apprehension, which the Scanner notes as strange.
"Pod…" He trails off, glancing at the clearing as they emerge from the camp. "What is it?"
"Query: What are Unit 9S' current intentions?"
"I'm going to deliver this package."
"Correction: What are Unit 9S' current intentions after the delivery?"
9S allows a hollow laugh to escape him.
"The same as before," he whispers, staring out at the clearing. "I'm going to kill A2."
"This course of action is inadvisable," 153 states, hovering in front of his face now. "Unit A2 is an ally of the Resistance Leader, Anemone. The Resistance has provided repairs and security for Unit 9S. Violent action against Unit A2 could lead to the termination of ally support moving forward."
"You think I care about that, Pod?"
There's silence for a while and 9S takes it as a signal for him to move. Though there are machines nearby, none of them seem interested in fighting. The few that actually notice him merely stare.
"Unit 9S?"
"Hm?"
"As your assigned Tactical Support Unit, I…do not approve of this course of action."
He laughs again. "You've gotten more expressive, 153. I'm not sure if I like it."
"Even so," the Pod continues, ignoring 9S' comment entirely. "I will remain by your side…until the end."
The Scanner model nods in appreciation but doesn't offer words. He isn't much of a talker anymore.
While walking he examines the familiar streets and landscapes, remembering the countless battles he and 2B fought in the days when existing meant something to him.
Similar things are on A2's mind.
But both of their thoughts are interrupted by the beep of a nearby terminal.
The Attacker model, who was already sitting next to the terminal in Pascal's village, is the first to receive the incoming message.
Hey Friendo!
I'm having a gigantic final sale on all my inventory at the shop. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, must go! With the Machine War over, there's not really a reason for me to keep running this shop, but if you need something, meet me at the Commercial Facility. All items are discounted by 200%...so they're basically free. Hurry on down here while supplies last!
Emil
"Proposal, Unit A2 should go to the Commercial Facility…"
"GAH! POD! WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT SNEAKING UP ON ME!? LOUSY PIECE OF CRAP! DO THAT AGAIN AND I'LL RIP YOUR FLIMSY LITTLE ARMS OFF!"
042 is silent for a moment.
"That was incredibly hostile, Unit A2."
"Oh, you don't say!"
From below where the machine children used to play, Pascal stops in his work to stare up at A2 and her Pod.
"Is everything okay up there?"
A2 growls while swatting at 042. "Fine. Everything's fine. Just got a message about a final sale at a shop…"
"There's another shop around here!?" Pascal exclaims, his eyes suddenly beaming red rather than the usual green. "WHO WOULD DARE SELL MERCHANDISE TO MY CUSTOMERS!? I was certainly here FIRST!"
"Actually…"
"Pod. SHUT. UP."
"Negative," 042 drones, floating closer to A2's face in clear indignation. "Unit A2 should apologize to this Pod first."
"Oh, for the love of…"
"I'm going to go out of business…" Pascal wails, his eyes flashing blue to simulate tears. "The competition...is simply too great…"
A2 inhales deeply, resisting the temptation to withdraw the Type-40 Sword in her inventory to shut them both up permanently.
On the exhale, she calmly mutters, "He said it's a final sale. The other shop owner is the one going out of business, Pascal. You're not going to have any competition after that sale ends…"
"Well in that case, you should go down there and see if he has any useful supplies," Pascal interjects, his eyes green again without any traces of the mental breakdown he was having mere seconds ago. "You may even find materials that will help with your own repairs."
"This Pod agrees. Investigating this sale could provide the materials necessary for Unit A2's maintenance." 042 adds. "Additionally, the last diagnostic check signaled an increase in the probability of joint malfunction. Without proper maintenance, this corrosion will further impede Unit A2's mobility and combat functionality."
The former fugitive re-reads the message from Emil, more annoyed than anything else at the moment, but the strange "Round-Thing" had proved useful before when she was chasing machines and 9S around.
"He's not far away," she muses aloud, pivoting on her heel with no small amount of pain. "We'll have to cut through the City Ruins though. Too many hostiles in the forest."
"Agreed," 042 chimes easily, seemingly pleased. "Marking target position on the map."
She glances down at Pascal. "You wanna come?"
"AND GIVE MONEY TO MY COMPETITION!"
A2 raises a brow at the machine's crimson eyes.
This version of Pascal is a little unhinged.
"Query: Are you going to visit Emil's shop?"
9S, at the terminal near the factory, shakes his head.
"I need to make this delivery first," he says simply. "And I'm on a time limit when it comes to fighting A2, so it might not be the best idea."
"Affirmative."
The Scanner model stares at the message for a bit longer though, sensing something off about it.
"Mark Emil's position on my map anyway though," he orders after a bit, closing his inbox. "Let me know if he moves elsewhere."
"Affirmative," 153 murmurs again. "Would you like me to secure Unit A2's position as well?"
Groaning with effort, he picks up the crate he'd set on the pavement next to him. "N-not yet. I don't want any Resistance personnel to notice me tracking another unit right now. They might report it to Anemone, and that'll ruin everything."
"Understood."
From two separate locations, two androids are pondering the same things about this sudden sale.
At the Commercial Facility, the entity known as Emil waits, his heart heavy with a sense of dread he can't quite place.
Yes…
Something...is wrong.
Very wrong…
Emil has his own demons to face, but before he goes, he wants to see the friends he's made in the City Ruins one last time.
He sent messages to 2B, 9S, and A2 through what remains of the old YoRHa terminal systems.
He hopes all three will show up to see him.
He doesn't know 2B is dead, slain by A2.
He doesn't know 9S is delaying his arrival until after he's completed Anemone's mission.
He doesn't know A2 is dreadfully close to joint failure.
All Emil knows is that this world is running out of time.
A/N: And that's all I have for you guys right now. Definitely more of a connective tissue sort of chapter than anything else, but a little preamble before the big plot points is what makes a slow burn, honeychildren. Anyway, many thanks to you all for reading this chapter. I have started the next chapter, but the draft isn't quite finished yet, so it may be a bit before the next update, especially with the holidays as a factor. Expect some major twists though when that chapter arrives. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Best wishes and God bless you all!
Also, I may have mentioned this last chapter, but I did sing a cover of Weight of the World recently on my YouTube channel, Lillymu961. I have some other gaming stuff there too if you ever get antsy about updates and want to take a look. Thank you in advance to anyone who checks out the channel. Definitely say hi if you choose to stop by! Thanks again for reading this work everyone! See you later!