The building of the launching station proceeded much faster once Robin and her group rejoined the Resistance, particularly with the aid of the two resident Scanner types, the Pods, and a little help from the magic users.

The dark hands were perfect to lift heavy things up high with little effort if not some energy.

And, Robin learned the limits that her sword had in the amount of spells she could use.

The answer was not too many.

At least, not in a quick sequence without letting the weapon recharge.

The bright red runes on the blade went entirely black when the sword had exhausted all of its power, it was almost creepy to see.

Well more creepy than usual.

While one group built the launching station from what remained of the Tower, a smaller number of people worked on putting back 2B's damaged flight unit so it could be used again together with Robin and 9S' ones.

So they could be used for the few people that would scout ahead, meaning Robin, White, A2, and the trio chosen that the units could carry on their backs with a protective support.

Just like when they were used to carry supplies.

Only that this time they weren't supplies but people.

Whoever Robin had chosen to bring alongside her, which she had yet to say, and that she wouldn't until the flight units wouldn't be ready.

In the meantime, whenever they had some free time to spend, some spent it chatting, other spent it training, and sometimes both.

Number 16 spent time with 6O and regretfully, though she wouldn't admit that she didn't mind the company, with Dahlia too, as they both helped the young Operator become a better shot.

The Attackers and 2B instead opted to aid 21O in practicing dual wielding like they said they would, and the blonde could confidently say that she may have finally found a way of fighting that she liked. Despite how odd it sounded since she struggled with a single sword more than two.

But the other combat models were right, something requiring more technique and more refined suited her best.

Number 21s were complicated after all.

Speaking of her predecessor, she and 9S worked hard to help the Resistance build the station with their ability to make quick calculations, though the redhead could say she felt like she often fell behind compared to the boy.

Perhaps she was just too much of an old unit.

But thanks to her sister and the twins now the situation may change for the better.

There was no going back after all…

They made the decision on their own accord, now it was what it was.

Well, even with that she doubted that she'd be chosen in this first little group, she was just unable to defend herself and she'd be a dead weight regardless until she learned how to.

Looking at the flight unit and checking its status, she didn't need to ask Jackass to know the repairs were finally complete.

And that meant it was time for the choosing.

There was tension in the air as the group crowded in the crater where they were working, at least they could sit and rest a little for the time being.

Once they were all comfortably settled down, Robin began to speak.

"Before I start making names, I want to make two things clear. First know that if you won't be chosen, it doesn't mean I consider you any less able than those who will, I'd take everyone along but unfortunately for now the numbers are limited. Second, if you do get chosen, you will have the possibility to back out any time if you feel like this task is too big for you. I know it can and will be stressful, so I want you to be sure if you want to follow me."

She felt like these two premises were necessary to not have fights in the group, and to be sure that who she chose felt ready to face another world's reality.

"As you know, I am a wanted person on my planet, there is a bounty of 79 millions of berries on my head, it is how the money in my world is called, though we do use gold as well, but this is not the main issue." though they would need to take some gold along.

"The problem we may face is, should I be recognized, we could be finding ourselves being chased from the marine, that's why I hope to keep our presence as low as possible. There's the possibility that, with me being absent for three years, if they got the confirmation of my death, that the marine may have retired my bounty, as there may not be, so I want us to be as safe as possible."

For them, mostly.

She was pretty much used to being chased and she was sure she could deal with it even if it hadn't happened in a while.

She was even stronger now.

But she still meant to protect them, she didn't want this new life to become a nightmare.

"This also means acting and interacting as and with humans, but it shouldn't be too hard." if someone hadn't told her, she'd still believe androids were humans for how similar they were in everything. "You were made in their image after all."

But they were better people, and Robin wouldn't trade them for anything in either world.

This last thing was the one she was the least worried about.

Androids were more human than humans themselves a lot of the time.

"With these premises done, I received words that some people do not wish to tag along, such as Number 16 and 6O, and for a similar reason I had the feeling that 21O doesn't want to do that either, correct?"

The blonde nodded. "For the same reason 6O wishes to practice handling her new weapon, I have the same goal of improving in dual wielding."

Besides, with A2's presence, and Robin herself there were enough people expert in battling to make up for the whole little group. White too didn't seem too awful at it, as far as they could see in the server against Adam and Eve.

If she would fight that was another matter.

"As for the Rose's group, I had news just before we sat down to talk that Daisy wants to sit back over concerns about carrying her." since she was a much heavier and bigger model she wanted to make sure the capsules could carry her easily with no issues. "And that Lily wishes to remain with her friend."

Also because she too felt a bit weak and inadequate.

But a decision was a decision, and Robin would respect it, otherwise she would not have given them the option to choose.

It was then that Dahlia raised a hand. "I'd like to stay too. After all the trouble I caused, it may be for the best."

That was reasonable too, Robin just nodded, acknowledging the thing.

She didn't want to make Dahlia feel worse about what she had done a while ago with the scorpion guardian, and how she almost got Number 21 killed, even though they were all fine and that was long in the past now.

But she understood the hesitation.

Though Robin had the feeling that she wanted to stay back to pick more fights with a certain Gunner too. Sometimes she wondered why they weren't a couple yet, she struggled to think that there were two people more oblivious to love than her.

"In addition, Captain Rose herself will not be participating."

As Robin said that, the others were collectively surprised, but only A2 had the courage to ask. "Why?"

"Because someone needs to stay behind and look after the people of the camp." of course she could leave that to Anemone, but she had done that for years, and also…

"Even if we have been back for a while, I want these people to get to know me better too."

Because she still felt that they trusted her just because of her relationship with Anemone, and Number 2, and subsequently, the relationship the Attacker had with the newer YoRHas.

But she wanted them to trust her for who she was too.

"Also I'd rather have it be me than anyone else." because she had experience, and also because she most likely would end up leading the Resistance androids when they would finally get to Robin's planet.

She wanted to believe they would.

"This settled, I can finally name who I mean to take along with me. As you know I'll be taking Commander White as she's already been on my planet, and has a little more experience. And also, I'll be taking A2 with me, for a promise that has been long overdue."

And that much was known already.

But there was much tension for the other three names no one knew.

Even if A2 had a feeling about who would be one of them, given how Robin spoke about certain things, and how she asked about a specific person lately.

"The first name is the one of a person that, despite her over-exuberant personality, is someone that is very smart and resourceful at the same time, and I need someone aiding me in finding resources for our island, and for our trip as well."

And only one person fit the criteria.

"Jackass."

At the mention of her name, the woman literally started jumping in place like a child, making Robin chuckle.

"On one condition, that you won't try to experiment on any human or any person we meet, alright?" and she knew she could do that.

"You got it." the woman grinned at her.

Despite everything, even Jackass understood the importance of keeping a low profile when needed. Also Robin wanted her to tag along because of White too, given how she seemed to be able to keep her calmer.

"Besides, one of the things we may need to do will be traveling with a ship, and she's someone that much like me knows how to steer one, so it won't be only me and we can switch."

Also, if they traveled only by flight unit there was a very big chance to be found out easily.

Such vehicles would be very much suspicious in a world where people traveled crossing the sea instead of flying.

"The other two will be a couple."

And here the choices were reduced to just a few ones.

Actually, just two.

And when the answer seemed obvious, it was there that Robin surprised most of the people present.

"And that will be Number 21 and Anemone."

The two women looked at each other in disbelief, and then at 2B and 9S, sure as they were that they would have been chosen instead, for being close to Robin and A2 both, and even so, the two albino appeared very calm and not bothered at all.

Why them?

"Why us?" Anemone voiced the Scanner's question.

"Well, the explanation would be that it'd be the safest decision to have someone that can do maintenance on us, if something should happen, and Scanners are good at it. Plus I wasn't willing to separate you two, and Anemone, you're a good fighter and since you shoot at long range it can balance out the group, since we already have close ranged fighters."

A half lie, mostly she just didn't want Number 21 to be alone.

And she hoped that Anemone's presence would put her at ease.

"But why not take 9S then?" even if she didn't say it, Number 21 hinted at the fact that he was better than her with the question.

Other than the fact that she still wasn't good at protecting herself unlike him.

Somehow 9S didn't mind? She knew well how curious he was, she'd seen it and heard it from the many stories and memories 21O shared to her when they were one.

However he shrugged it off. "Because she chose you."

He knew why, but didn't want to say it unless Robin did. It was up to her.

"Besides as a Battler model I wouldn't be too useful, you already have A2 for that." 2B admitted, trying to help 9S in convincing his fellow Scanner. "Anemone has abilities I lack, I can just follow orders."

Wasn't what she had done for her entire life? Even if it had been wrong it truly was all that she was able to do.

Unlike Anemone that stepped up after Rose and everyone else died, to lead an entire group of androids doing her best to let them survive. This was much more useful than another mere weapon like her.

"Besides, do we really need another person that is extremely curious and lacks any kind of composure when they see something interesting?" A2 grinned, it was directed at both 9S and Jackass too. "We don't need one more person to risk exposing Robin with their behavior."

"Hey…" the boy pouted. "You know I'm right."

Number 21 watched them tease each other with a small smile, well… since Number 2 would be there too then maybe…

Maybe it would be okay…

And she didn't want nor felt like arguing, like 9S said, Robin must have her reasons to prefer her to a closer friend.

"Alright then, I'll come with you."

She'd be lying if she said that she wasn't curious to see how this other planet was too.

As for Anemone, she would never say no if she decided to tag along.

"Then you have us both."

Still, something wasn't convincing to the Scanner, but she couldn't point her finger as to what it was exactly.

Perhaps one day she'll find out.

Robin nodded at them. "Great. Then we will spend the next few days planning the trip, as I assume we're pretty rusty when it comes to driving a flight unit, we'll also need to plan what supplies to take with us, and most likely A2, Number 21, White and I will have to ditch our uniforms too, so we can hide better."

Just when everything seemed settled and they could finally look forward, White raised her hand to speak.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to give foul news."

A2 struggled hard to hold back a comment about her being foul news.

Why did White have to say the annoying things? Well, after her little experience as captain, the ones in charge were the ones with that responsibility, so she supposed she shouldn't judge.

But her hate for her would probably never die regardless.

Not entirely at least.

"I assume Jackass forgot to tell you, so I will have to. The flight unit we recovered was repaired, however there is a problem." she paused for a moment. "We didn't manage to repair a single part, and there are no spares for, and that is, the magnetic hold for the capsule supposed to carry one of you."

That meant clearly that they would have to cut one person off from their already small group.

No way to work around it.

"Well… that is quite the issue…" more like Robin didn't want to say leave behind any of them.

And it was hard enough to be limited to having to choose so few people, she didn't want to choose the one that had to stay either.

She didn't want the responsibility.

She only knew, as much as she seemed to know too, that Number 21 was the one that couldn't be left behind, her designation as Scanner and duty to keep them alive was too important.

White had to come too, given her experience.

Jackass for her expertise and resourcefulness.

Which only remained A2 and Anemone…

One couple had to be separated regardless, and that made her heart ache.

Anemone gave a heavy sigh, seemingly she had decided.

"Well then I guess I…"

"I will stay." A2 cut her off, surprising them all, including Robin.

"Number 2…" even Number 21 gave her a sympathetic look. They all knew well of the promise she and Robin had.

So why stay?

"Are you sure?" it was all the human could ask, and she rarely was at a loss of words.

Unless it was A2's doing.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"I know we had a promise, but I have faith you can keep it once we will all be able to come to your home planet." she then turned towards Anemone and Number 21. "I don't want to separate you two, even if it means leaving Robin alone, but… I have been with her for long enough, I can stay without her for a bit as long as I know that she's alive, but you two have been waiting to reunite for 3 years not knowing the other was alive, and being afraid to never meet again…"

"I don't want to be the one denying you happiness just…" as tears started welling up in her eyes she could feel the old Number 2 coming back to the surface.

"Just come back alive okay?"

Robin immediately wrapped her arms around her, wrapping her in a tight hug. It would be hard to be without the other, but she understood and shared A2's will to not let Number 21 and Anemone be alone again.

"We will." as she said so, Robin held her even tighter if possible.

Number 21 came to lay a hand on A2's shoulder, gently squeezing it.

"Thank you, Number 2." it was all she could say, because her former captain knew well how much of a grounding presence Anemone was for her. "I'll make sure to take them all back safe and sound."

Should it even cost her life, but she wouldn't say it.

"We'll find a home for all of us, where we will never have to leave anyone behind ever again."

As Anemone spoke these words, White clenched her fist, deciding here and now that this would be how she would lead YoRHa in the future.

No soldiers sacrificed.

No one left behind.

Never again.

Ever.