The Resistance Camp was bustling with life like never before, now that Rose and her group, and also A2's friends had been restored to full functionality. As if they had never died before.
And of course there was much happiness spread around, and new bonds forming between the old and new androids, while old bonds were recovered and strengthened.
Dahlia and Anemone already began to bicker like they used to, sometimes with Number 16 joining it, while Margaret tried her best to calm everyone down, and Daisy laughed together with Number 4.
Lily clinged most of the time to Number 21, or her friends, though she had made a few attempts to bond with the new people, 6O in particular had a way to cheer up people that never failed, with nice words and bright smiles, in that, she and Number 4 were very similar.
Gerbera, Jackass and 9S often spent hours talking about machinery and making up things they wanted to create, and, thanks to the projects that White still could remember, they had actually managed to rebuild what once was Number 16's rifle, much to her evident happiness.
A Gunner couldn't be one without her weapon after all.
The two Number 21 often disappeared off on their own doing who knew what, and the older Scanner model was always first on the line when it came to helping Devola and Popola, and 6O, who was still learning, fix something.
9S himself spent plenty of time with the woman, sharing information on anything she may have missed that could be of use during these three years.
The two Scanners, together with Gerbera and Jackass were often seen leaving towards the city in company of who by now was pretty much leading the groups, so Robin, that somehow ended up being like a sort of captain, Rose, who had taken her position of Resistance Leader back, and somehow with little problems, and White herself, who still did count because of her experience of Commander. Even the Pods followed them.
To do what? None of them ever answered the question.
Which put the respective partners, but particularly A2 and 2B on edge, they didn't think that Robin and 9S were avoiding them intentionally, but the thought was always there.
Number 4 and 6O were always there to ease their worries and that helped. With the Attacker keeping her word not to interfere in the relationship between Number 2 and the human, but still, she did care about her, and did her best to trust that her new partner wasn't up to causing any problems.
Robin didn't seem the type to do that, but Number 2 often admitted that she could still be pretty secretive about her things.
Today was another of those days where the group just left to do their own things, and had just come back once again. However, this time, instead of the usual pensive looks they had on their faces, they seemed pretty calm, and actually confident.
This was further proven when Rose called everyone at the camp to gather around them.
"People of the Resistance, and of YoRHa, today is a great day." with open arms, Rose began to explain.
"Today, after checking with our weapon and maintenance experts, together with YoRHa's best Scanner types, we can finally speak about something we mean to achieve, though we waited to speak until we had concrete results, that this project can be realized."
At that point White stepped in.
"As you all know by now, we androids were created to serve a purpose from human masters that have never been real, and us YoRHa only existed to continue to lie to you. But now that this war with no meaning is finally over we can be free to make up our own future. However I ask you, what is our future without a purpose?"
A chorus of doubts and questions elevated, including from their friends too, it was then that Robin began to explain.
"I have reason to believe that, despite this war being for nothing, it has given us a meaning, or has allowed us to find one for ourselves, to fight for something we believed to be worth, and precious to us." her eyes met A2's ones for a moment.
"However, now that it is all over, I have heard words of people being restless, of people feeling useless, now that there's no conflict, many of us are clueless about the future. Surely, we could invest ourselves in exploring this planet, but then? What does it remain? What will it be of us? Of you?"
Her mismatched eyes looked over at the crowd, before asking the next question.
"What is the point of remaining in a place that has caused us so much pain?" for no reason she should add. "Your creators have made you, used you like marionettes for their own entertainment, abandoning you here. They never held any respect towards you, so why should you still listen and stay?"
"You don't need some kind of superior god to tell you what to do." a god that never existed in the first place, that died even before the androids of the Resistance were built.
"You androids, and machines too, have proven many times to be able to surpass their basic programming, being able to change their lives by themselves, for the sake of creating something better, for yourselves, and the people you cared for."
Once again, the reason they were here now was because they were able to achieve something different, beyond what they were created to do. They had dreams and feelings, and for no reason those should ever be sacrificed.
"You are all very dear to me, you've treated me better than any human has ever done, before and after you've found out the truth about my identity, so for this reason, I would like to offer you a proposal, for hopefully a better reason to live."
Of course, Robin didn't expect all the androids to agree, given how many may still be attached to Earth, despite everything, but she still wanted to try.
She didn't want to leave this planet alone, leaving behind the people that had been so important to her, not anymore, never again. Didn't want to leave them here to die off either, they didn't deserve this treatment, never did never will.
"You know that beyond the moon there is another planet, where I am from, unlike here, it's a planet full of people, and full of life, because nothing can thrive on a dead planet, not even artificial lives like ours, there aren't enough supplies, but there could be somewhere else."
And in a planet as devastated as this one, resources were bound to finish soon, even for those who didn't need much like androids.
They used many of them for bringing back Rose's group too, and without someone fabricating them, even metal plates and wires would soon be hard to find.
Soon enough this planet would kill them too, not like they were ever needed here…
"For further technical details I'll leave the matter to 9S and Number 21."
As she stepped back, the two Scanners stepped forward, with the younger boy speaking first.
"Thanks to what A2 discovered in the past, and shared with me, we found that the Machine Tower that was once looming over the city, was nothing more than a giant cannon aimed towards the moon that would have brought the machines to it. We wish to use said technology to our advantage."
Pulling a screen in front of her, Number 21 continued.
"Us YoRHa already had a means to transport merch to the moon and to the Bunker, and by using the remains of the Tower's technology, we would like to create an even more powerful system that will allow us to reach Nico Robin's home planet, and possibly, even create a bridge of transportation and communication between the two."
She and 9S continued to share blueprints and projects that they had already begun to put down ideas for, after confirming that this was very much possible.
"The use of android and machine technology together is possible, the two can co-exist at the same time, us YoRHa are living proof of it. Furthermore, Commander White, who has already been on the neighboring planet, knows its rotation, which allows us Scanners to make accurate calculations as to how distant the planet will be when something will be launched from the platform."
9S showed them the prints for the transport capsules, and simultaneously, the blueprints of flight units as well.
"These transport capsules will be designed to be completely safe for travel, built with powerful shields in case of collision, and also will have a set of thrusters to cushion the landing phase, similar instruments already installed into our flight units."
The shield had been an idea of his Scanner predecessor, as she remembered how said type of shield had saved her and whatever had remained of A2's squad from a machine attack, and even though their units were destroyed, they were still alive after, and had landed more or less safety on Earth after the impact.
"Obviously, this won't be possible if we won't find a place to build a twin structure on the other planet." White stepped up again. "While this is being developed from the squad on Earth, some people will accompany me and Nico Robin to the other planet, in search of an island to call our own."
"Unfortunately we are limited on flight units, we have only two remaining, plus a third one we could attempt to repair, and also attempt to have each unit carry a transport capsule with an extra person. In total we can only be six people at most."
More than enough for the task, and also not too many to catch the eye.
The one most in danger would be Robin herself, because she had a bounty, but she believed that if the Government considered her dead, given the fact she'd been here for three years already, vanishing with no trace, then it should still be safer.
Besides, they all looked human enough to not be suspicious, and could act like humans too. They were made in their image after all.
Overall Robin didn't expect much trouble coming their way except for herself.
But she so much wanted to go back home, stare at the Marines in the eyes and say she was back, stronger and more determined than ever.
If there was something she learned from these androids, it was to chase your dreams, no matter what.
"Us androids, and machines too, have been created to be nothing more than weapons for the sake of someone that never cared about us. If we have to be weapons, at least now we can choose if and for who is worth fighting for, for who deserves our help, for who needs our strength."
Rose said the same words that Robin did when they began thinking about this whole thing.
If they had to be at service of someone, at least they could be at service of the weak and defenseless, it was always a better meaning to fight for than a stupid war for masters that never were there in the first place.
But she could also understand who no longer wished to pledge their life for someone else. That was okay too.
For that reason…
"I don't expect all of you to follow me on this." Robin spoke up, she never did expect them to.
"Who knows me well, knows that there is still a dream that I want to chase, now more than ever. However I would love to share this adventure with the people I trust, and that I love."
Her eyes met once again A2's ones, and the people around her that were listening to them talk with much curiosity, and some with knowing smiles even. As if somehow someone expected her to do this, sooner or later.
"And for whoever wants to follow, there's the opportunity to live on a planet where there is life. I know you wanted humans to return, and that this is not the same thing, but, if you are willing to give them a chance…"
"I will!" A2's voice elevated from the crowd, and Robin smiled.
"It doesn't matter where we are, as long as we can stay with our loved ones." 2B motioned to 9S with her head, and Robin knew she wasn't speaking just for herself.
"And if it's a better place that awaits us, then even better." 21O added, she should have followed her pupil anywhere, now that she could protect her. Now that she finally understood.
"I have much to tell about my planet first."
"We have time, we won't be leaving so soon yet." 9S walked over, Number 21 at his side. "Besides, it is always better to be prepared and informed first, in order to face potential threats." and she knew that Scanners were always ready to absorb whatever knowledge was given to them.
And then give it out to the others.
"So this was the big project you guys were so busy with." in an act of friendship, Number 4 held a hand around Robin's shoulders, and she let her. "You got your partners worried."
"I'm sorry…" however the Attacker laughed. "I'm just messing with you, it is a big thing you were all preparing for us."
"We wanted to be sure of it, instead of delivering news that could have revealed themselves to be disappointing." Number 21 clarified.
"I didn't do just that either, I was making your uniforms too, while I was here." one of them hadn't been easy to keep secret though. She felt Number 4 elbowing her slightly, she knew about it.
If she had to admit, Robin had been worried that her prolonged absence for this project would have prompted Number 4 thinking she was ignoring A2, and she did feel bad for it, and afraid this could break things between the three of them, but she was glad they understood.
And that the younger Attacker held no grudges.
As for A2, she never had doubts about her, she knew of her dream very well, and how important it was.
"I assume they're the same uniforms as before?" Number 16 asked, sitting down on a crate. She was still coddling her newly made rifle like it was a lover.
Robin nodded. "Yes they are, in anything and everything." she then turned to 6O, who immediately rushed to a crate nearby where Robin's sewing post was.
"This was 6O's idea, since she loves flowers, she thought that now that Anemone has her own colored cape, then why not give something of color to her friends too? Wouldn't that be nice? And give a bit more personality to what you wear?"
Matter of fact, the Operator returned with a bunch of colored clothing in her arms, perhaps too much for her tiny frame, but Margaret and Daisy were there to catch the things before they fell.
"This wasn't necessary." but Robin shook her head. "I beg to disagree, Rose, you deserve at least this. Besides, it wasn't a big deal." if anything, her eyes were thanking her for not looking at so much black all the time.
The human took the pink cape. "Captain first."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it." she shook her head.
"Rose also means pink in a human language, that's why I wanted that color." 6O admitted, giving out the clothing. "For Margaret there's a white hat and a jacket, Lily has an orange hoodie, I chose red for Gerbera's scarf and jacket, a lilac purple for Dahlia's scarf and hat, and a light blue for Daisy's hat and jacket."
"They all look so nice." Daisy gave a bright smile, also very happy to have stuff that fit her well too. What they had found to give her for the time being was a little too tight still.
"There's one for Jackass too." since now she was pretty much part of the team, and apparently White cared about her. 6O threw her a dark blue cape.
"Cool!" the woman immediately put it on in place of her old tattered one.
While they gave out the clothing, Robin could see the twins looking at them, and then down, she didn't know if they thought they weren't worth it, or just ashamed, or both. A2 however didn't seem bothered, at least until they handed over the dresses to her companions.
"They're exactly the same, as if nothing ever changed." Number 4 held out her own, inspecting the veil on the shoulder, Number 21 did the same, giving particular attention to the hood.
Hers was the only dress that had such accessories, and the tail in the back too. Definitely the more peculiar YoRHa dress, and Robin would be lying if that hadn't been a challenge to make.
Number 16 was the easiest instead for the simpler design, but the Gunner didn't seem to complain about it.
"But this is not all we have, right?" Number 4 grinned at her, heading over to another room, the one that had to be for the red haired Scanner, but she had decided to stay with Anemone instead.
A surprise really, except for two people being 21O and A2, who knew it from Anemone herself.
But the vacant space had been a good hiding spot for what she, the Attacker and the Operator were up to. Once again Robin was reminded how similar Number 4 and 6O were, that she wondered if part of the albino's personality ended in the blonde. They were as cheerful as the other, and loved to make others around them feel better, and were interested in love matters.
Knowing YoRHa it could have happened easier than someone would expect, but it wasn't necessarily bad in this case.
The albino returned with two boxes that Robin had hidden the clothes in.
"These are for you." she took one of them and handed it to the twins. Inside, there were two short capes that mostly covered the shoulders, white with a red ornament, and a red cross.
To signal they were healers.
"Red crosses were used in some cultures to indicate medics, besides, red fits you, no?"
Robin watched as Popola took the item, and held it close to her chest, almost crying, while the sister immediately put it on, but she too had her eyes brimming with tears.
"They're very pretty." Popola murmured, almost not believing it.
"You're part of the team as much as anyone else here." Rose nodded to them. "Doesn't matter what people say, you're two essential parts of this group, like all of us."
"Anemone told me your story, what has happened to you is cruel and evil, and we do not want to make the same mistakes. From now on, you're under our protection."
When the two looked on the verge of crying, 6O wrapped them both in a hug. "Also you're good teachers too." since what she knew was because of them.
She didn't have any training as an H type before, she just was because it fit her, and because they couldn't let her be just a weak Operator anymore, and now she too could truly help people feel better, physically and mentally.
"And then there's this." Number 4 gave the box to A2, a bright smile on her face.
"I said I didn't want my uniform." but Robin shook her head. "Just open it."
There was a YoRHa looking uniform inside, but nothing at all like her old one in the slightest.
It was still black but had no sleeves, and it had a short skirt much similar to the one Number 16 wore, the belt was plain gray, but it had an intricate white braid, that ended in a flower on the left side, and also, there was a pair of shoes, much similar to the ones she had now, small and open in the front, but shiny and new instead of broken and ruined.
"We made it up just for you, Number 4 and I. It's meant to be worn together with the cape Anemone gave you."
"You made it, together? For me?" she took the item with shaky hands. "Do I… do I even deserve to be one of you anymore?"
A2's lips trembled. "After all I've done? After being such an awful Captain…"
"A Captain that has given us a reason to keep living." Number 4 put a hand on Number 2's shoulder.
"That has given us strength to fight despite the odds." Number 16 came over, placing her own hand on her arm.
Then came Number 21, with her own hand on the other shoulder. "And that has shown us hope, that guided us and told us that one day we would meet again."
Their guiding light in a world filled with darkness.
With their presence finally near her, A2 let herself go, wrapping her arms around Number 4, as she simultaneously held her and Number 16, as Number 21 still held her hands on her shoulder and the Gunner's.
Taking that as a signal, Daisy rushed over where Anemone was sitting, and wordlessly took her in her arms, as the others piled on top of them, somehow even managing to drag Rose into it, who looked like she just wanted to hang at the side of it all. Though she didn't look all that contrary to the display of affection.
Robin and the others looked over and smiled at the sweet scene.
Whatever the future would bring, seeing all of them happy to be reunited would be something to be proud of, forever. Yes, this was right.
Their tears of joy and laughter were too precious for this to ever feel wrong.
6O too seemed pretty happy, as she held her arms around 21O, and 2B both, while the Battler had 9S in her arms.
And Robin's Operator held a hand towards her, wanting her to take it, and join in.
After all, why shouldn't she?
And she did, holding her own arm around 21O's waist, and placing her head on her shoulder.
"This is such a sweet thing, but now what?"
"You just have to ruin everything, right Dahlia?" Number 16 scoffed. Even if she wasn't a fan of this whole thing, she wasn't about to make Number 2 feel bad about her feelings.
Not when all of them missed her too, even Number 21 had been explicit in saying it. And that was quite the event for her to admit emotions.
"Well we had intention to bring the matter to the rest of our friends, like Pascal and Emil, see if they want to join us. So get dressed and we'll head out?" Robin spoke before a fight could break out.
Besides she didn't feel like leaving them here, friends were friends, no?
"Speaking of Emil we haven't seen him in a while."
9S was right, they hadn't seen him ever since they had returned from the trip at Mt. Ka'ala. He just disappeared in a hurry and hadn't shown himself again.
Which worried them, but they had been too busy to think about it.
"Pod, can you track him down somehow?" she asked 007.
"Affirmative."
The ping showed him immobile in the desert, odd for… something that always traveled on wheels, and that didn't seem to know the concept of going slow very well either.
Maybe he was in trouble and didn't want to make them worry.
"I'd say we'll go see him." but she had a bad feeling about it. "Probably best if all of us do, I feel something bad is about to happen, he did vanish for quite a while, even before we rebuilt Number 21 and Gerbera."
Which passed like a couple of months at the very least. They hadn't kept track of time, no need when they had a lot on their mind.
"Robin's sense of doom is usually very accurate." A2 commented, and she was correct.
"Pray to whatever you want that it's not."
But they didn't know Emil very well, not even what he was exactly, which made this even more scary, because they didn't know what they would be dealing with, if he was safe or not.
They didn't know a damn thing.
Yet somehow this felt important all the same.