Nier: Revengeance - ch 2.6

Big Human on Earth (6)

As soon as the new Engineering Corps mastered their spells, they started to expand the Resistance base. Looking at their work, Anemone approaches Jack.

Somehow, Jackass became the new leader of the new Engineer Corps, a development that worries the general NCO. Anemone doesn't have anything against Jackass, however, the eccentric android might be too unpredictable for a leadership position, "Is it wise to allow her to lead them?"

Jack doesn't show concern as he overlooks their work, "We're falling behind the Machine's military strength and a conservative approach won't help us. We are slightly ahead in the quality of ground troops, but their superior numbers are overwhelming. We need bold leaders who can execute a more aggressive strategy.”

Anemone is doubtful of the strategy, but since she's not a military expert she will trust Jack's instructions. After careful consideration, the android realizes that none of the older model androids were military experts. The only ones that could claim experience with military matters were...

Anemone shakes her head at the slight glitch in her memory. 'What was I thinking again? Oh, it's probably not important.' Instead of dwelling on the issue, the NCO asks the general, "I see. Do you have any more orders for us, sir?"

Jack shows the androids another one of his easy smiles. "I'm glad you asked."

A new data packet arrives for Anemone, and she quickly reads the summary, pausing when she reads a fragment.

"I don't understand, sir. What do you mean by 'mandatory sleep?' As androids, we don't require sleep."

The general disagrees. "That's technically not true. I read the manual for the basic template used to create all Android models, and it states that all Androids require at least 8 hours of inactivity for their self-repair systems to perform daily maintenance, and for their software to clean junk memory and perform system checks."

Anemone knows that's true yet she still tries to excuse herself. "In this war, sleeping is a luxury only afforded to high command since they need their cognitive capabilities for strategic planning."

At the General sigh, Anemone thought she made a mistake, and hurried to apologize for contradicting Jack. "I'm sorry sir, I was out of line."

He shakes his head. "No, you just described the situation, which is your job as my NCO. My job is to find a way to change the situation in our favor to win the war."

Anemone looks at where the general points with the new watchtowers rising. "This is why I tasked the Engineer Corps to build a new perimeter, to help our forces in the long run. Since this construction method doesn't require advanced machinery, it should slow the detection from the Machines. With better defenses and patrol schedules, we can give everyone in the base enough time to rest."

Hearing the concern in Jack's voice mellows out Anemone's building anxiety. "Understood, sir. I will schedule the androids on the new patrol duty since I know them. I there anything else you need?"

He nods. "Contact the rest of the Army of Humanity for me. Coordinate with Commander White for this. I want each unit to send at least one representative to retrieve my orders."

“At once sir!” After a quick salute, she leaves. "Glory to Mankind!"

As Anemone leaves, Jack prepares to meet with another pair of androids. He has an important assignment for them in mind.

…

Sensing someone approaching, 2B turns to greet the individual, and she almost jumps out of her synth skin when she sees the general, "2B, 9S."

To keep with her image, 2B replies stoically, "Sir."

Her partner doesn't have the same reservation, and she rolls her eyes behind her visor at his exuberance, “General Jack, you came to greet us. Sir!’

The Human smile sends strange signals to 2B's system, forcing strong emotions despite her best efforts.

“I did say I would either come to fetch you two or send a message, didn't I? Let's walk to my office. We can talk on the way.”

2B's partner didn't miss the chance, almost bouncing in place at the opportunity to satiate his curiosity, “Really? Oh, I have so many questions to ask you, sir, about how humans lived, what they did with their lives, how they passed the time, everything!”

To the female android's relief, the Human took 9S's questions in stride. “Sure, I will do my best to answer your questions, 9S. What about you 2B, do you have any questions too?”

She has many. “Not at the moment, sir.”

Jack eye's lingers on 2B, almost causing the YorHa unit to fidget in place. "Alright. You can ask me later when you feel comfortable. Now, 9S, what do you want to know right now?”

The scanner model pauses to consider his question, then jumps excitedly when he remembers something, “Ah, yes! I was talking with Jackass earlier, and she wanted to know if it is true that humans ate fish? They all feel slimy and slippery, I can't see how that looks appetizing.”

The general laughs at the question, “It's true, we did eat a lot of fish, especially in coastal cities. Our ancient civilizations that relied on maritime trade consumed a lot of seafood, such as fish, crabs, oysters, lobsters, octopuses, and other animals. The late country of Japan in particular had worldwide famous seafood dishes, like sushi and sashimi.”

The answer satisfied the scanner model. “That’s fascinating. Jackass was fascinated with the concept of fishing, and wanted to know if androids could enjoy fishing and fish like humans did.”

Jack warns 9S about the dangers of seafood for androids, though 2B catches a hint of amusement in the Human's tone. “Androids should avoid fatty fish since it is rich in Omega-3 fat acids. They are good for human health, but for androids, the oils will interfere with their internal components and cause issues."

The warning took some of the excitement out of 9S. "That's unfortunate. I heard that 'sharing a meal' was an important aspect of human culture. However, I find it ironic that healthy food for humans is bad for androids. Don't you think so, 2B?"

Despite not being interested in the topic, the disguised Battle model did see the irony. “It does have a poetic flair to it. It shows the differences between androids and humans."

The general nods. "The differences are not inherently good or bad, instead they show how we are unique beings that can learn from each other.”

2B can't agree more with the sentiment. “That’s an interesting look on life, sir.”

Eventually, the group arrives at the general's office. “We’re here, please enter.”

The previous light air evaporates as Jack takes a somber expression. He stares at the pair of androids standing in front of his desk. “I have an important assignment for you two. Your orders are to find, and if possible bring back the rogue YorHa unit known as A2. Were you debriefed on her before?”

As the A2 successor unit, YorHa already debriefed 2B on the details behind A2's nature, “I was.”

Jack nods, “Good. Here are your objectives: your main objective is to find and confirm her current whereabouts. Your secondary objective is to either bring her back to base or deliver my message to her and return to base. Do not engage her. If she attacks first, prioritize escape at all costs and come back to report to me. Any questions?"

As 2B expected, 9S raises his hand. "What if we can't find her, sir? And what happens if we fail at our secondary objectives?"

A new prompt appears on 2B's goggles, showing a timer ticking seventy-two hours. "You have three days to complete this mission, and you can requisition any equipment available including the surviving Flight unit if you wish. However, based on her past appearances she should be acting alone. A dedicated Scanner model like you should easily find her.”

2B partner blushes at the praise, but he's not content with asking only one question. “And if we are unable to bring A2 back to base?”

The female YorHa thinks this question has nothing to do with their mission, but Jack patiently explains to 9S anyway. "If you successfully deliver my message, we will likely enter into contact in the future, otherwise I have other methods to approach her. Is that all?”

9S almost asks another question, but 2B would have none of it since she knows the scanner model wanted to use the opportunity to satisfy his curiosity. “No sir, that's all.”

The general straightens, sending the androids off. “Ask for more intel on the area from the Resistance before departing. Your mission starts now. Glory to Mankind!”

With a final salute, the pair leaves. “Glory to Mankind!”

Once the pair is gone, the Doctor manifests physically once more.

“Some people might consider what your 'side projects' abuse of authority.”

Jack isn't moved. “‘Some people’ should go fuck themselves, if they weren't dead. I bleed and sacrificed much to come this far, and I will bleed and sacrifice more by the end of the war. If this mythological 'better candidate' has any problems, they shouldn't have died during selection allowing the bottom of the barrel to arise."

The ghost Dr. sighs, well aware of the situation. "I worry about what the future generation will think, that's all."

Jack shrugs. "One, the future generation will have the luxury to have an opinion because they will exist thanks to me. Two, I doubt the future generations will care, or remember what their distant ancestor did."

The Dr. doesn't look convinced but doesn't argue the point further. "That's oddly optimistic, but I acknowledge your point. I will go back to the home base and start working on the Androids' template upgrade and give you some privacy. Call me if you need me."

When the Dr. leaves, Jack is alone in his thoughts for the first time in millennia. "As if I need a constant reminder I wasn't your first option to save humanity, old man."

...

After collecting as much intel as possible in the base, the pair of androids travels towards the last known location where the rogue YorHa unit was spotted.

As 2B expected, 9S didn't remain silent for long and started to pester her with questions, "Do you think we will find her, 2B?"

The female android isn't worried about finding the rogue unit. What comes after makes 2B nervous, “Yes. According to reports, A2 is a very tenacious android and will keep challenging an objective until she succeeds. She's currently waging war against the Forest Kingdom and should remain in the area for a while.”

The trip continued silently for almost an hour before 9S finally spoke again, subverting 2B's expectations, "I wonder, what led her to desert from YorHa? She still fights for humanity, right? Shouldn’t we all fight together instead of fighting with each other?”

The disguised Battle model doesn't answer, glad to be walking ahead so that 9S doesn't see her ashamed expression. 

Unaware of the female YorHa's internal struggles, 9S continued to fill the silence with his voice, “Well, I hope will be happy when he hears about the amnesty. She can now return to the camp and explain herself to the General. I wonder how many androids are benefiting from his compassion.”

2B knew of at least one. “More than you think.”

Post Chapter Notes

Here, I did it. It's done! I also have more blocks ready for editing, but the thing takes way too long to become readable. I will set up a poll to know the reader's opinion on the quality of those chapters. Sorry for taking too long, but I learned the hard way that experimenting with new techniques slows down productivity to a crawl.

Next week I will focus only on An Engineer In Night City to make up for the the previous two weeks lackluster update rate.

I also have an extra R18+ chapter for this story, if there is any interest for the patrons to read it. It's an extra chapter that's unobtrusive in the main story if you're not interested in reading it.

See you next week!