Nier: Revengeance (N:R) - ch 2.7

Big Human on Earth (7)

The Resistance camp activity increased right after 2B and 9S left for their mission. Representatives of other war theaters begin to arrive at the Resistance base, inspecting the headquarters under renovation and assessing if the rumors and messages were truthful.

As the General's XO, Anemone is busier than ever as she organizes the arrival of foreign androids while the General is busy inside his office. Devola and Popola push back the new arrivals sing they demand to see The Human with their eyes.

The older sister Devola steps up against a pushy male android, “As I told you before, General Jack is coordinating with the YorHa leadership. He plans to..."

The visiting Android interrupts Devola and almost comes to blows with her, “Shut up, you failure! You have no right to talk with us like that, not after what you did! Even if The Human is in the base, you do not have the right to speak with him, let alone pretend to speak for him!”

Another android loses his patience, raising his hand to strike against Devola. However, Popola catches the incoming attack with ease.

The younger sister meets the offending Android's anger without fear, “You should remember that our line are the former Administrative models and the most advanced androids until the advent of YorHa, and only because our new programming sapped at our willpower constantly.”

The nearby androids take a step back, realizing the implications of the twins' sudden defiance, “You overwrote your programming? Impossible! We locked away that functionality with the original access codes, unless…”

The older twin smiles widely once the other Androids realize their mistake, “Unless a human were to give us a new directive, that would allow us to evolve past that initial programming.” The red-haired Android decides to remain quiet about their Father somehow still being alive.

Seeing the altercation resolve itself, Anemone interjects, “I am still unsure why the General decided to help the twins, but I don’t have any personal motives to dislike them beyond an instinctual antipathy. If the General says that he wants to be in the presence of the twins, then I will support His decision 100%.”

The visiting androids look at each other, their expressions morphing from outrage to doubt. Despite The Human not taking any visitors, they refuse to leave the office's entrance.

'They likely fear Jack leaving before they can glimpse his face,' thought an annoyed Popola.

The group doesn't wait long as Jack exits his office a few minutes later, finding the new arrivals having a staring match against the twins.

Popola and her sister turn to greet Jack, and the younger twin shyly basks in Jack's presence, meanwhile, Devola returns a radiant smile to their Human.

Jack glances around at the gathered group and nods at everyone, “Looks like the rumors already started circulating in the Army. Good, it will help give credence to my announcement.”

One of the male androids who tried to fight against Devola and Popla takes a shaky step forward, “M-master, is, is that you?”

Jack looks between the Android and the twins, before patting him on the shoulder. 

…

Away from the base, 2B and 9S follow the clues for the latest sightings of the rogue unit A2. According to intel, A2's last confirmed position was near the Forest Kingdom.

The battle model walks in silence, focusing on the mission instead of dwelling on her previous encounter with The Human Jack. 

As usual, 9S breaks his partner's thoughts with a question, “2B, do you think we can find this rogue android soon?”

She confidently answers, unwilling to consider failing The Human after enjoying his touch and approval once, “We will. Failing the mission assigned by General Jack isn’t an option.”

The scanner model nods, “I guess, but she managed to evade so many other patrols sent to her, with many units failing and reviving at the bunker. Some of her pursuers didn't come back, too.”

2B steps halt as she turns to her partner, “I promise to protect you, 9S.”

He blushes at her promise, taking a few seconds to recompose himself, “Ah, that’s reassuring to hear, 2B. But I was more concerned about being able to bring her back. If we have to subdue her, that will be far more problematic than just scrapping her.”

The stoic android nods at her partner, expecting the meeting to turn violent, “We will see when we find her.”

The pair resume walking in silence, focusing on traveling towards their destination until they reach the territory of the Forest Kingdom.

9S brings a virtual Map, showing the last sightings of A2, “The last place she was spotted was near the Forest Castle here, on the Forest Kingdom territory, maybe we can find her still roaming around the area?”

2B hopes it will be as easy as that, “Let’s pray to find her quickly.”

…

After a few hours of combat against small Forest Kingdom patrols, while avoiding larger groups, the pair infiltrates deeper inside the Machine territory as 9S scans for more clues.

“I think I found her tracks," the male Android exclaims as he points to a spot on the map, "She must be using this entrance to sneak into the Forest Kingdom undetected to strike at them. If we wait there, I can scan her before she can see us.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The pair turn toward the source of the voice, looking up at the top of the tree. There, 2B sees a female YorHa model with an uncanny resemblance to 2B, except the older model has long hair, wears a tattered combat suit, and her body shows several signs of neglect and lack of maintenance. The new arrival holds a large sword threateningly against the newer YorHa models.

2B steps up, shielding 9S as he appears confused, "How? I finished scanning that area, I should have picked you earlier!”

A2 snorts, “It doesn’t matter how I evaded you. Looks like White started sending more cheap copies to finish the job.”

2B tenses up, ready to protect 9S, but otherwise, she allows the scanner model to talk. 

He takes a deep breath and carefully approaches the rogue YorHa model, "Calm down, we’re not here to fight! We have good news! Great news!”

The exuberance in 9S's tone startles A2, and the attempt to mask her surprise with anger is transparent to 2B, “What kind of stupid, half-backed excuse you came up this time?”

2B hides a grimace as 9S enthusiasm goes off the rail, “A human!" He jumps in place, "There’s a human on Earth! His name is Jack S. Wily and he’s back in the Resistance camp!”

Like all other Androids that heard this information for the first time, A2 systems freeze for a second. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish while her operational system reboots.

For a fleeting beat, 2B sees hope in the rogue YorHa unit, but it is quickly replaced by a growl, “If you think this lie will make me back down, you’re mad!" The battle model can hear the anger and pain in her predecessor's voice, "Even if a Human is on Earth, they declared me a deserter anyway! And He was probably responsible for ordering the death of my previous unit!”

It is harder for 2B to suppress her grimace, remembering the contradiction of YorHa's purpose, and General Jack's mysterious corroboration of The Lie.

'Unfortunately, 9S is unaware of the truth,' 2B thought, 'how peculiar to consider that, compared with the usual.'

Despite the rogue unit's open hostility, 9S tries to be diplomatic, “No, you don’t understand, there was a...”

Before he could finish, A2 yells at the pair, “I don’t give a shit! If you think I will crawl back to the Council of Humanity after what they did, you have another thing coming!”

Finally, 2B has enough, “Wait. Our mission was to find you and then either bring you back," A2 tenses for combat but tilts her head when 2B produces a memory chip, "Or give you a message.”  

2B leaves the memory chip on the ground, for A2, “Please, watch the message from General Jack, A2, you won't regret it. Let’s go 9S.”

The pair slowly backs away until they're away from A2's sensor range, and 2B smiles when she sees A2 picking up the message thanks to her goggles.

…

The pair of YorHa androids return to a different base, as tall walls and several blocky expansions finished building while they were gone. The base has been abuzz with activity since several older model androids from the Army of Humanity settled into the Resistance base. The few androids on the newly formed Engineer corpos had to work overtime to meet the demand from the influx of manpower.

At the entrance, the 2B and 9S salute the guards, “2B and 9S reporting back to General Jack on the status of our mission.”

The guard waves them in, “Get in, the general will make a new announcement to the entire Army of Humanity after connecting with the Bunker. If you hurry, you can find a good seat to watch him talk.”

The pair enters the base and finds the improvised sitting arrangements made with a series of foldable chairs recently procured for the resistance.

Before 9S could ponder out loud if the chairs could hold their weight despite looking frail, another android waves them forward, “The general asked you to come closer and stand at his side during his speech.”

"Thank you," 2B gratefully replies before finding the General. When the General smiled at 2B, she felt a rush of positive emotions and warmth.

Eventually, all preparations were completed for the announcement. Jack clears his throat and starts the transmission that will reach every android and every base, regardless of location.

Jack's intense eyes stare ahead, and 2B focuses all her attention on his voice, “Good day, soldiers of humanity. My name is Jack S. Wily, and I am a human.”

Several cameras zoom in on Jack from all angles, to show his Human nature to everyone watching the broadcast.

“I was sent here by the last true human polity on Earth, to help the androids in the war against the Machines, and end to the alien menace once and for all.”

All the androids look at Jack with absolute focus, taking every aspect of his appearance.

“For too long have the androids been fighting alone, without direction from their creators, like children forced to fight a war," Jack raises his fist and then sweeps it away to emphasize his point, "That changes today! As the only human currently on Earth, I am taking control of all military assets on Earth and in Space. As you can see, thanks to the aid of the YorHa's Bunker I can speak with all of you.”

2B, along with every other YorHa unit, feels intense pride at their organization's role in this historical moment, with 2B willing to overlook the contradictions inherent in his discourse.

“I am sending the preliminary orders to all androids on Earth alongside this broadcast, calling them to come to the Resistance base for further debriefing in person. Those who are unable to come will have messengers sent to your position. The summary of your orders includes the reorganization of the armed forces alongside preliminary mobilization orders.”

2B watches as some androids cheer while others sigh in relief, both kinds of androids from the Army of Humanity. 2B can only guess what those sighing in relief must be thinking, now.

“There is another message that I need all Androids to understand," Jack looks around, confirming they're all paying attention, "I am declaring universal amnesty to all Androids for their past crimes until today. I understand it is a radical decision, but now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves." 2B can hear some murmurs of confusion over the order, however, the female YorHa knows how precious this decree is to people like her, "For the deserters that wish to keep fighting behind them, there will be new tasks and jobs necessary to aid in the war machine, and those declared traitors or criminals will have a chance to redeem themselves." 

Jack takes a deep breath, and all androids watch his chest rise and fall as he breathes, "I repeat, this amnesty is valid for all androids, regardless of their age and their date of construction. If you find a previously declared deserter or criminal, please escort them to the Resistance base for debriefing. If that proves to be impossible, please retreat without engaging, and prioritize safety above all else.”

Jack pauses once more, his sight passing through all Androids in attendance, until he nods to himself, “With the return of Humans to the center stage on Earth, we will soon reclaim our planet, putting a final nail to the long period of conflict, and finally rebuild our civilization! Thanks to the dedication, sacrifices, and faith of the Androids, we managed to reach this far, and for that, you have my sincere gratitude!”

Slapping his chest in salute, Jack finishes his discourse with an enthusiastic, “Glory to Mankind!”

The other androids echo the proclamation with enthusiasm, their voices resonating on the base, and in space, and whenever there are androids to listen to this, including a certain deserter.

Post Chapter Notes

I don't have any excuses for the late feeling tired. I still have the second chapter ready for editing, so I can update it today. Hopefully. As for An Engineer In Night City, I will make up for the lack of updates by working onthe weekend.