Nier Automata cross pt.2
- Pronouns
- That/Thing
AN- this chapter is just the last half of the previous nier chapter. after this I will write one or two chapters leading up to the nier cross and then I will continue chapters from this point onwards.
18Bs's repairs were progressing fine, and as long as I ignored the noises she occasionally made I could almost pretend I was just fixing a normal machine, if one that kept squirming. It seemed 16S had the next question "what exactly do each of the minds do?" I thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to say everything they did that wouldn't take longer than the trip, it'd be easier to ask what the minds didn't do, which was very little.
"Well Bulwark was originally designed to manage and coordinate my turrets in drones, so that they could be more effective at defending me. That role eventually grew into managing all the defenses and the planning of new defense's, Labyrinthine was made to control the construction drones, similarly to increase their efficiency, their task has largely stayed the same, but the tasks construction drones are needed for have grown more numerous and complicated. The relatively simple nature of their task is why I asked them to decorate, so that they'd have something a little more stimulating to do. Byzantine was made to manage the logistic needs of the factory, making the whole system as efficient as possible, at least once it started growing into a task taking up more time than I had to spare, they make sure every machine has what it needs and that the other minds have what materials they need for their tasks. Balistraia on the other hand is responsible for everything outside the factory, mainly scouting and purging bug hives up till now, but her duties also involve diplomacy, though that one was more theoretical until you arrived."
I had been going on a bit of a tangent, but the minds were easily my greatest inventions, I feel my enthusiasm could be excused, and with a gesture towards the screen I changed the camera feed from outside the tank to the map with the new expansion planning, showing a top down view of our tank escort and a few see through depictions of walls turrets and rails, what good is a lecture without pictures afterall? "As an example this is what the minds are currently planning, you might have been wondering why we weren't just flying to the portal, that's because I intend to establish an outpost around my side of the portal, and this is the plan for the railway that will supply it." a gesture at a patch of orange, "that's a patch of copper ore right next to the railway, so the minds will", at my mentioning the a branch of rail shoots of from the projected path and heads straight for the ore patch, which has already been covered in see through walls, drills, and turrets. "Make a plan to extract those resources for the greater factory"
I saw a look of what could be surprise from 32D before she asked her second question, "what do you have that could build so much so quickly?"
More examples could answer that question and I had a few following just behind us, I pull the map back further, showing 4 trains coming from the outpost I first met the minds at, each train moving at a decent clip in our direction and building a line of walls and rails, it not being worth it to waste turrets defending the rails when you can just repair the few bugs break before a battle train or two chases them off. "Here you can see some construction trains following in our path, building the rail as they go. A few hours after we get to the portal they will have secured a safe route from there to anywhere in my territory"
Every single one of the androids were staring at the screens, either at the construction trains building towards us at a fair clip or at the tanks fighting on the outskirts of our formation. I guess they wouldn't have noticed we were actually in combat given the absurdly soundproofed command tank, the only time noises of battle would actually reach us would be if the tanks main gun fired, which wouldn't make noise so much as shake the entire tank.
It was 13B's turn to speak up, and just as I had predicted the question was about the battle outside, "are you certain you do not need us to aid your machines in killing the creatures? We are quite proficient and would be glad to help" if I wasn't misreading her facial expression she looked excited at the prospect of a fight, whether that was because she wanted to show off to the human/ protect the human, or if it was just general battle lust wasn't clear, but I had to think about that for a second, while the tanks didn't need help getting us to the portal, the bugs could gather a force large enough to stop us on such short notice, getting more combat data on the androids could only help, but I didn't really want them fighting on my behalf, tanks couldn't feel pain, and they were at the end of the day expendable. The androids, much like the minds, were not. And if I didn't need to put them in danger I wouldn't.
I'm betting the androids have an actual addiction to combat because of programming that rewards violent behavior.
probably a similar thing encouraging them to obey orders and to listen to humans, it might even make them happier just to have a human in the same room or to do a task "for a human"
Okay it feels like every conclusion we come to about the androids just makes me more upset, first letting them have emotions, then making them feel pain, then making them addicted to combat? I am steadily growing more livid.
So if humanity is actually on the moon we are definitely making it so that they aren't? Because that seems like the moral course of action.
I already have space capable missiles, cracking a moon open isn't that hard. But just in case, let's build a few more, yeah?
Hopefully it's something that can be treated by time like human addiction, though I suppose that depends on how good an android's memory is, I think, I don't even know how you'd go about fixing that.
18B hadn't even reacted as I finished repairs on her chest and moved to her thigh, but it was understandable, watching the construction tanks was hypnotic and it only made sense to keep an eye on a battle happening so close to yourself. I did need to answer 13B's question eventually though. "I think Balistraia has it handled, if we face too much resistance you can but" a small smile from me "I'd rather not need to repair you again so soon" there, a bit of levity.
Which 13B immediately shot dead, at least for me, "we exist to serve humanity, we were created to fight for humanity, and we would be glad too" all the other androids nodded in agreement to that, which yeah, fanatic was definitely a good word for it. 32D spoke up next "the risk of a little damage in nothing, we fight worse odds all the time" she spoke that like it was meant to reassure me, like it was supposed to comfort me that they were routinely in more danger. Needless to say, it did not.
Things that can't be replaced should not be put into situations in which they can be lost!
There wasn't anything I could do about that though, and as long as I wasn't in danger and didn't give them permission I doubted they'd leave the tank, so the problem wasn't yet an actual problem, just a future issue.
My repairs on 18B had finished, which meant it was time to work on 44B, she was only lightly damaged in a few spots, a gash on her arm and torso, and a hole in her calf, the most significant damage was her right foot though, it looked like she had stepped into a puddle of acid, which given they were fighting bugs was likely what happened. "Well if something comes up I'd be glad to have your help" there a neutral answer.
As that had to be the thing hurting the most I started on her foot, and immediately remembered that the androids were both ticklish and extremely strong as the foot jerked out of my grasp, based on 44B's mortified face she hadn't meant to do that. Which added involuntary reflexes to the list of stupid things added to the androids.
Why, just why
"Sorry about that, guess you're a little sensitive, want to try again?" a nod from her and I took my second hand to get a firmer grip of her foot before I started repairing, she still jerked but this time it was lighter and I could keep my grip. It was then I noticed 44B was staring at my hand, and If I had to make a guess it was the 2 metal fingers holding her attention. "What happened to your hand" and I was right. Did my natural understanding of machines extend to knowing how they felt? I had always assumed I knew what the minds felt because they were literally linked to my mind, but maybe there was more to it.
"Shockingly it wasn't the bugs, I just stood a little too close to the train tracks and a train came through at extremely high speeds, suddenly I was down a few fingers. Can't say I care overmuch though, the metal one's work fine."
a glance around the cabin showed what each of the androids were doing, 44B was staring at me while I worked on her foot, 32D was just staring at me in general, 18B was watching the small drone as it flew laps around the cockpit, following its default programing to patrol around its user, 13B's eyes were on the screen showing the battle and 16S's attention was on the screen showing the plotted route to the portal, which was even now developing more outpost blueprints along the rails route.
16S had been looking at the screen for a few minutes before he actually spoke up, "why are you going around the water? I see a few spots where you could make the route miles shorter just by building a small bridge?" a good question, and one that showed they hadn't actually done anything with the water yet. "That's because we do not mess with the water, I don't care how deep it is. If you watch the map of bug movement you can see that they agree. We both avoid the water, and there is a good reason for that, it's because everything in the water wants you dead and they are all very good at accomplishing that." a pause as I take a closer look at the specific watery death trap he was talking about "though we might actually just be able to drain that creek, the fish don't do so well on dry land"
And just like that the blueprint changed to accommodate for that, even if the route we were taking wouldn't change. Finally finishing 44B's foot, which had only taken as long as it had because she kept moving, and making a note that for extensive maintenance androids either needed to be sedated or restrained, I moved up to the hole through her calf. Couldn't figure out what had caused that one but with how many bug variants there were now I wouldn't be surprised if one shot solid projectiles.
I felt something land on my shoulder, and because I already knew it was the drone landing as its battery was mostly drained I absorbed it back into storage, 18B watched it disappear with a small frown, so I let one of my personal destroyer drones out. The thing quickly spun as its sensors scanned for any threat, and upon not finding one it slowed its rotations and started patrolling the cockpit just like the defender drone had. 18B's eyes weren't following the drone though, she was instead staring at me again. "Where do those machines keep coming from? It looks like they just come from your skin? It doesn't look like digitization"
"I have a pocket dimension of sorts that I use to store tools and supplies, I keep a few dozen drones in there just in case though" figuring it was time for me to ask my own question I asked 18B "why do you use a sword to fight? I understand having one as a holdout weapon, but as your main offensive tool? I know you have guns" a gesture towards 32D, "that one actually uses them, so it leaves me wondering why you don't"
It was 13B that answered though "melee weapons are more effective against machines, and our combat systems allow us to move our weapons in a small radius around us, giving them better range"
What? How? What? How? What! How!
I think that statement broke him.
I think that statement is breaking me, I mean how?! I understand the normal bullets won't be effective against an armored enemy, but armor piercing and explosive shells will turn most robots' insides into scrap, and HESH shells will kill anything metal! I doubt human sized robots have spaced armor either!
That, that didn't make any sense. Unless there was something special about the weapons they used. "Really? Can I take a look at your sword then? At least once I'm done with 44B?" 13B's face looked hesitant for a moment before she nodded. But really, in what situation were explosives not effective? I genuinely couldn't think of one, which probably said a lot about me.
The calf wound didn't take long to fix, and neither did the wounds on 44b's arm or torso. And it wasn't long before I walked over to 13B, and it was as I was looking at the proffered sword that I realized a minor miscalculation, it was very large and presumably equally heavy. Still my desire to examine a sword supposedly better than a gun outweighed my already atrophied common sense and I took the sword by the handle. And then nearly fell over as I had to change my stance to bring my center of balance back in line.
Looking up showed that 13B has reached out to steady me, even though it was unnecessary. And yeah the sword's weight coupled with the androids strength would make it an effective weapon, and it would allow them to utilize their enhanced strength in a way a gun wouldn't. Though that was human sized guns, I was betting an android could use the same guns my combat armor was.
It did make the androids choice to use swords make a bit more sense, even if I would still prefer to fight at range. I mean a bow would also allow them to use their enhanced strength, but guns would also outpace even super strength bows at higher tech levels.
The sword was sharp enough to cleave through metal easily, which it had to be in order to get through the bug shell as easily as it had. And they were capable of wielding the sword with considerable skill. So I suppose I couldn't hate on the swords too much. "Its a fine blade, I can see why you prefer it" 13B took the sword back and I went to my seat, with all the androids repaired I didn't really have anything else to do while we waited. But we were 3 quarters of the way there already. "I suppose I should ask about your leader if I'm going to be meeting her fairly soon. Anything of note you want to say?"
It looked like 16S was going to say something before a glare from 13B shut him up "she is a calm and collected leader, I could not think of someone better suited to lead YoRHa" with her continued glaring at 16S she didn't notice 32D starting to speak, "she's a bit of a hardass, follows protocol to a T and is never willing to bend any rules." halfway through 32D's speech 13B's head whipped around towards the defender, and she just stared slack jawed at her. Then 32D shrugged "what, he asked what she was like and I answered? Nothing wrong with what you said either, I just added a few more details."
----------------------------
The rest of the ride had passed fairly quickly. I asked a bit more about daily android life and how YoRHa and the resistance operated, they didn't have much information on the resistance's specific operations but I did learn that it was more widespread than YoRHa and less equipped, meaning they tended to focus on holding ground rather than taking it. I also learned about the logic virus, at least as little as the androids actually knew about it. I mean they are machines yet getting wounded gives them the chance to catch a digital virus like its a real one? Would my machines be vulnerable?
It causes insanity and an extremely aggressive state in anything infected, so I'd assume you'd need to have enough emotional emulation to be aggressive in order to be vulnerable. Which meant only the minds, spidertrons and destroyer drones were at known risk.
So no program coming through the portal is coming back without a memory wipe or through scans, just in case. I already had plans to do that but now I need precautions against anything making the attempt instead of just leaving it up to my creations obeying orders.
Probably a good idea anyway, just in case something gets infiltrated.
------------------------------------------
32D watched as the forest around the portal was rapidly cleared away, the earth dug through and excavated until it hit bedrock and then filled in with concrete that rapidly hardened, she watched as walls sprung up where there had once been trees, and as that wall grew layer after layer until it stood 70 feet tall, and then she watched as turrets were constructed everywhere on its surface until you could barely see the stone.
All in all the process took 40 minutes, and after those 40 minutes were up the engineer stood from his seat and stretched, "well now that the defenses are done it's safe to exit the tank, the turrets on that outpost should be able to hold off most attacks from bugs, and keep any more of them from getting through." 32D didn't want to think of how many insects it would take to overwhelm the fortress, she had fought them and they were not as strong as machine lifeforms could be, so if they overwhelmed the fort it would be through sheer numbers.
She had to suppress a shiver when thinking of that veritable tide of insects. Machine lifeforms were bad, yes, but at least they didn't have so many legs. Still there hadn't been anything comparable to the feeling she had gotten, even retroactively, when she had learned she had killed a bunch of creatures attacking an actual human, and she'd gladly fight the bugs again.
It was as they got into the airlock, 13B taking point with the engineer in the center of their formation with 16S, both of which were in range to be covered with her shields, that she saw the engineer's armor, it just flowed from his skin. Her first thought was that it was reminiscent of a flight suit, just without the wings, sleek and built for speed while looking deadly.
"Sweet suit, What do I have to do to get a suit like that?" the armor turned toward her before answering "well for a suit similar to this I can probably make 10 a day, at least without including all the special features. But limited flight, high durability and built in weapons are a lot better than un armored fleshy bits. But I can have a default suit shipped out here the moment a train can make the trip, so give it 3 hours"
It took YoRHa days to build a flight suit, even if this was an inferior version getting ten a day? Well quantity had a quality all its own. "I'll hold you too that"
AN-
two AN's I had originally planned on leaving this chapter until I had finished the other chapters but instead I will just cut this one in half, originally it would have been the bunker convo and a few scenes with various androids, but now that it will be mainline I can take some more time writing this all out.
posting it because ending that last chapter in the middle of a convo felt rude.
Edit- just realized there are parallels between the engineer and N2, this will be fun.
18Bs's repairs were progressing fine, and as long as I ignored the noises she occasionally made I could almost pretend I was just fixing a normal machine, if one that kept squirming. It seemed 16S had the next question "what exactly do each of the minds do?" I thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to say everything they did that wouldn't take longer than the trip, it'd be easier to ask what the minds didn't do, which was very little.
"Well Bulwark was originally designed to manage and coordinate my turrets in drones, so that they could be more effective at defending me. That role eventually grew into managing all the defenses and the planning of new defense's, Labyrinthine was made to control the construction drones, similarly to increase their efficiency, their task has largely stayed the same, but the tasks construction drones are needed for have grown more numerous and complicated. The relatively simple nature of their task is why I asked them to decorate, so that they'd have something a little more stimulating to do. Byzantine was made to manage the logistic needs of the factory, making the whole system as efficient as possible, at least once it started growing into a task taking up more time than I had to spare, they make sure every machine has what it needs and that the other minds have what materials they need for their tasks. Balistraia on the other hand is responsible for everything outside the factory, mainly scouting and purging bug hives up till now, but her duties also involve diplomacy, though that one was more theoretical until you arrived."
I had been going on a bit of a tangent, but the minds were easily my greatest inventions, I feel my enthusiasm could be excused, and with a gesture towards the screen I changed the camera feed from outside the tank to the map with the new expansion planning, showing a top down view of our tank escort and a few see through depictions of walls turrets and rails, what good is a lecture without pictures afterall? "As an example this is what the minds are currently planning, you might have been wondering why we weren't just flying to the portal, that's because I intend to establish an outpost around my side of the portal, and this is the plan for the railway that will supply it." a gesture at a patch of orange, "that's a patch of copper ore right next to the railway, so the minds will", at my mentioning the a branch of rail shoots of from the projected path and heads straight for the ore patch, which has already been covered in see through walls, drills, and turrets. "Make a plan to extract those resources for the greater factory"
I saw a look of what could be surprise from 32D before she asked her second question, "what do you have that could build so much so quickly?"
More examples could answer that question and I had a few following just behind us, I pull the map back further, showing 4 trains coming from the outpost I first met the minds at, each train moving at a decent clip in our direction and building a line of walls and rails, it not being worth it to waste turrets defending the rails when you can just repair the few bugs break before a battle train or two chases them off. "Here you can see some construction trains following in our path, building the rail as they go. A few hours after we get to the portal they will have secured a safe route from there to anywhere in my territory"
Every single one of the androids were staring at the screens, either at the construction trains building towards us at a fair clip or at the tanks fighting on the outskirts of our formation. I guess they wouldn't have noticed we were actually in combat given the absurdly soundproofed command tank, the only time noises of battle would actually reach us would be if the tanks main gun fired, which wouldn't make noise so much as shake the entire tank.
It was 13B's turn to speak up, and just as I had predicted the question was about the battle outside, "are you certain you do not need us to aid your machines in killing the creatures? We are quite proficient and would be glad to help" if I wasn't misreading her facial expression she looked excited at the prospect of a fight, whether that was because she wanted to show off to the human/ protect the human, or if it was just general battle lust wasn't clear, but I had to think about that for a second, while the tanks didn't need help getting us to the portal, the bugs could gather a force large enough to stop us on such short notice, getting more combat data on the androids could only help, but I didn't really want them fighting on my behalf, tanks couldn't feel pain, and they were at the end of the day expendable. The androids, much like the minds, were not. And if I didn't need to put them in danger I wouldn't.
I'm betting the androids have an actual addiction to combat because of programming that rewards violent behavior.
probably a similar thing encouraging them to obey orders and to listen to humans, it might even make them happier just to have a human in the same room or to do a task "for a human"
Okay it feels like every conclusion we come to about the androids just makes me more upset, first letting them have emotions, then making them feel pain, then making them addicted to combat? I am steadily growing more livid.
So if humanity is actually on the moon we are definitely making it so that they aren't? Because that seems like the moral course of action.
I already have space capable missiles, cracking a moon open isn't that hard. But just in case, let's build a few more, yeah?
Hopefully it's something that can be treated by time like human addiction, though I suppose that depends on how good an android's memory is, I think, I don't even know how you'd go about fixing that.
18B hadn't even reacted as I finished repairs on her chest and moved to her thigh, but it was understandable, watching the construction tanks was hypnotic and it only made sense to keep an eye on a battle happening so close to yourself. I did need to answer 13B's question eventually though. "I think Balistraia has it handled, if we face too much resistance you can but" a small smile from me "I'd rather not need to repair you again so soon" there, a bit of levity.
Which 13B immediately shot dead, at least for me, "we exist to serve humanity, we were created to fight for humanity, and we would be glad too" all the other androids nodded in agreement to that, which yeah, fanatic was definitely a good word for it. 32D spoke up next "the risk of a little damage in nothing, we fight worse odds all the time" she spoke that like it was meant to reassure me, like it was supposed to comfort me that they were routinely in more danger. Needless to say, it did not.
Things that can't be replaced should not be put into situations in which they can be lost!
There wasn't anything I could do about that though, and as long as I wasn't in danger and didn't give them permission I doubted they'd leave the tank, so the problem wasn't yet an actual problem, just a future issue.
My repairs on 18B had finished, which meant it was time to work on 44B, she was only lightly damaged in a few spots, a gash on her arm and torso, and a hole in her calf, the most significant damage was her right foot though, it looked like she had stepped into a puddle of acid, which given they were fighting bugs was likely what happened. "Well if something comes up I'd be glad to have your help" there a neutral answer.
As that had to be the thing hurting the most I started on her foot, and immediately remembered that the androids were both ticklish and extremely strong as the foot jerked out of my grasp, based on 44B's mortified face she hadn't meant to do that. Which added involuntary reflexes to the list of stupid things added to the androids.
Why, just why
"Sorry about that, guess you're a little sensitive, want to try again?" a nod from her and I took my second hand to get a firmer grip of her foot before I started repairing, she still jerked but this time it was lighter and I could keep my grip. It was then I noticed 44B was staring at my hand, and If I had to make a guess it was the 2 metal fingers holding her attention. "What happened to your hand" and I was right. Did my natural understanding of machines extend to knowing how they felt? I had always assumed I knew what the minds felt because they were literally linked to my mind, but maybe there was more to it.
"Shockingly it wasn't the bugs, I just stood a little too close to the train tracks and a train came through at extremely high speeds, suddenly I was down a few fingers. Can't say I care overmuch though, the metal one's work fine."
a glance around the cabin showed what each of the androids were doing, 44B was staring at me while I worked on her foot, 32D was just staring at me in general, 18B was watching the small drone as it flew laps around the cockpit, following its default programing to patrol around its user, 13B's eyes were on the screen showing the battle and 16S's attention was on the screen showing the plotted route to the portal, which was even now developing more outpost blueprints along the rails route.
16S had been looking at the screen for a few minutes before he actually spoke up, "why are you going around the water? I see a few spots where you could make the route miles shorter just by building a small bridge?" a good question, and one that showed they hadn't actually done anything with the water yet. "That's because we do not mess with the water, I don't care how deep it is. If you watch the map of bug movement you can see that they agree. We both avoid the water, and there is a good reason for that, it's because everything in the water wants you dead and they are all very good at accomplishing that." a pause as I take a closer look at the specific watery death trap he was talking about "though we might actually just be able to drain that creek, the fish don't do so well on dry land"
And just like that the blueprint changed to accommodate for that, even if the route we were taking wouldn't change. Finally finishing 44B's foot, which had only taken as long as it had because she kept moving, and making a note that for extensive maintenance androids either needed to be sedated or restrained, I moved up to the hole through her calf. Couldn't figure out what had caused that one but with how many bug variants there were now I wouldn't be surprised if one shot solid projectiles.
I felt something land on my shoulder, and because I already knew it was the drone landing as its battery was mostly drained I absorbed it back into storage, 18B watched it disappear with a small frown, so I let one of my personal destroyer drones out. The thing quickly spun as its sensors scanned for any threat, and upon not finding one it slowed its rotations and started patrolling the cockpit just like the defender drone had. 18B's eyes weren't following the drone though, she was instead staring at me again. "Where do those machines keep coming from? It looks like they just come from your skin? It doesn't look like digitization"
"I have a pocket dimension of sorts that I use to store tools and supplies, I keep a few dozen drones in there just in case though" figuring it was time for me to ask my own question I asked 18B "why do you use a sword to fight? I understand having one as a holdout weapon, but as your main offensive tool? I know you have guns" a gesture towards 32D, "that one actually uses them, so it leaves me wondering why you don't"
It was 13B that answered though "melee weapons are more effective against machines, and our combat systems allow us to move our weapons in a small radius around us, giving them better range"
What? How? What? How? What! How!
I think that statement broke him.
I think that statement is breaking me, I mean how?! I understand the normal bullets won't be effective against an armored enemy, but armor piercing and explosive shells will turn most robots' insides into scrap, and HESH shells will kill anything metal! I doubt human sized robots have spaced armor either!
That, that didn't make any sense. Unless there was something special about the weapons they used. "Really? Can I take a look at your sword then? At least once I'm done with 44B?" 13B's face looked hesitant for a moment before she nodded. But really, in what situation were explosives not effective? I genuinely couldn't think of one, which probably said a lot about me.
The calf wound didn't take long to fix, and neither did the wounds on 44b's arm or torso. And it wasn't long before I walked over to 13B, and it was as I was looking at the proffered sword that I realized a minor miscalculation, it was very large and presumably equally heavy. Still my desire to examine a sword supposedly better than a gun outweighed my already atrophied common sense and I took the sword by the handle. And then nearly fell over as I had to change my stance to bring my center of balance back in line.
Looking up showed that 13B has reached out to steady me, even though it was unnecessary. And yeah the sword's weight coupled with the androids strength would make it an effective weapon, and it would allow them to utilize their enhanced strength in a way a gun wouldn't. Though that was human sized guns, I was betting an android could use the same guns my combat armor was.
It did make the androids choice to use swords make a bit more sense, even if I would still prefer to fight at range. I mean a bow would also allow them to use their enhanced strength, but guns would also outpace even super strength bows at higher tech levels.
The sword was sharp enough to cleave through metal easily, which it had to be in order to get through the bug shell as easily as it had. And they were capable of wielding the sword with considerable skill. So I suppose I couldn't hate on the swords too much. "Its a fine blade, I can see why you prefer it" 13B took the sword back and I went to my seat, with all the androids repaired I didn't really have anything else to do while we waited. But we were 3 quarters of the way there already. "I suppose I should ask about your leader if I'm going to be meeting her fairly soon. Anything of note you want to say?"
It looked like 16S was going to say something before a glare from 13B shut him up "she is a calm and collected leader, I could not think of someone better suited to lead YoRHa" with her continued glaring at 16S she didn't notice 32D starting to speak, "she's a bit of a hardass, follows protocol to a T and is never willing to bend any rules." halfway through 32D's speech 13B's head whipped around towards the defender, and she just stared slack jawed at her. Then 32D shrugged "what, he asked what she was like and I answered? Nothing wrong with what you said either, I just added a few more details."
----------------------------
The rest of the ride had passed fairly quickly. I asked a bit more about daily android life and how YoRHa and the resistance operated, they didn't have much information on the resistance's specific operations but I did learn that it was more widespread than YoRHa and less equipped, meaning they tended to focus on holding ground rather than taking it. I also learned about the logic virus, at least as little as the androids actually knew about it. I mean they are machines yet getting wounded gives them the chance to catch a digital virus like its a real one? Would my machines be vulnerable?
It causes insanity and an extremely aggressive state in anything infected, so I'd assume you'd need to have enough emotional emulation to be aggressive in order to be vulnerable. Which meant only the minds, spidertrons and destroyer drones were at known risk.
So no program coming through the portal is coming back without a memory wipe or through scans, just in case. I already had plans to do that but now I need precautions against anything making the attempt instead of just leaving it up to my creations obeying orders.
Probably a good idea anyway, just in case something gets infiltrated.
------------------------------------------
32D watched as the forest around the portal was rapidly cleared away, the earth dug through and excavated until it hit bedrock and then filled in with concrete that rapidly hardened, she watched as walls sprung up where there had once been trees, and as that wall grew layer after layer until it stood 70 feet tall, and then she watched as turrets were constructed everywhere on its surface until you could barely see the stone.
All in all the process took 40 minutes, and after those 40 minutes were up the engineer stood from his seat and stretched, "well now that the defenses are done it's safe to exit the tank, the turrets on that outpost should be able to hold off most attacks from bugs, and keep any more of them from getting through." 32D didn't want to think of how many insects it would take to overwhelm the fortress, she had fought them and they were not as strong as machine lifeforms could be, so if they overwhelmed the fort it would be through sheer numbers.
She had to suppress a shiver when thinking of that veritable tide of insects. Machine lifeforms were bad, yes, but at least they didn't have so many legs. Still there hadn't been anything comparable to the feeling she had gotten, even retroactively, when she had learned she had killed a bunch of creatures attacking an actual human, and she'd gladly fight the bugs again.
It was as they got into the airlock, 13B taking point with the engineer in the center of their formation with 16S, both of which were in range to be covered with her shields, that she saw the engineer's armor, it just flowed from his skin. Her first thought was that it was reminiscent of a flight suit, just without the wings, sleek and built for speed while looking deadly.
"Sweet suit, What do I have to do to get a suit like that?" the armor turned toward her before answering "well for a suit similar to this I can probably make 10 a day, at least without including all the special features. But limited flight, high durability and built in weapons are a lot better than un armored fleshy bits. But I can have a default suit shipped out here the moment a train can make the trip, so give it 3 hours"
It took YoRHa days to build a flight suit, even if this was an inferior version getting ten a day? Well quantity had a quality all its own. "I'll hold you too that"
AN-
two AN's I had originally planned on leaving this chapter until I had finished the other chapters but instead I will just cut this one in half, originally it would have been the bunker convo and a few scenes with various androids, but now that it will be mainline I can take some more time writing this all out.
posting it because ending that last chapter in the middle of a convo felt rude.
Edit- just realized there are parallels between the engineer and N2, this will be fun.
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