𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕

𝐓𝐞𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 & 𝐀 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝

I silently lay there on my bed, facing the ceiling of 32S and I's shared room. My mind was dancing happily with the memories of yesterday... or to be exact, the memories of seven hours ago. Quite honestly, I wish I was still in that moment with him; in his arms, watching the fireworks, and just being near him.

However, not all perfect moments last. Half an hour or so after we confessed, he was summoned by the Commander for a mission with 2B. Yes, I wasn't thrilled that our time alone together was cut short, but he's an android with a duty and he needed to fulfil that first before he could have any more free time.

The Commander's been giving him a lot to do lately... I've heard from 32S that she's been giving him assignments left and right whether it's by himself, with 2B, or with another android in general.

Soon, I broke eye contact with the ceiling, glancing over at the black-haired scanner who's been in a resting state for a little while by now. 32S would frequently go into that state when I was going to sleep so it would make it seem like he was another human being in the room. It was adorable quite frankly.

I wonder if he has any clue as to why the Commander is keeping 9S from really getting to see me. Wait─is she keeping him away from me because she doesn't want him to get emotionally attached to me?

I knew that had to be the reason the more I thought about it. YoRHa units, as I've come to understand, are prohibited to feel or show emotion. And, as I said during my little 'as human as I am' speech, that's just a type of suppression towards them. I bit my lip in thought, sitting up and reaching over to my bedside stand to grab a pencil and paper.

"Maybe... just maybe, I could speak to the Commander about this." I quietly thought out loud as I wrote down some type of note to remind me about it later. But, midway in writing it, I paused. How in the world am I suppose to meet with her? The Bunker is in outer space and there's no way I could travel there myself. Not to mention, the Commander won't leave the Bunker since she oversees its operations. "Shit."

"Mm?" And, of course, my cursing was loud... loud enough to gain the awareness of the resting scanner on the other side of the room that is.

"Sorry, 32. Didn't mean to bother you," I apologized as my (e/c) orbs fell onto his form.

"I-it's fine," he rejoined, sitting up and shifting to fully look at me. "What are you writing?"

"A... well, it was a reminder. But then I remembered it was an impossible reminder." I answered, setting down the writing material before standing up and walking over to him. "Do you think there's any way I could meet the Commander herself?"

"H-huh? You w-want to meet her?" the little scanner was unsurprisingly confused, "Err, w-why do you ask?"

"I want to speak to her about how she suppressed the androids' emotions. She sounds more like a dictator than a Commander from what I hear. Plus, it's just a general curiosity of mine to meet her."

32S just gawked at me, blinking for a few moments before he cleared his throat. "Do y-you really think you can c-change how she commands?"

Do I 'think' I can?

"Well, I can try," I uttered, "And if I don't try, I'll never know if I could get her to change how she commands. Besides, aren't all androids programmed to practically worship humans and follow the orders they're given?"

32S stayed quiet for a few moments, I could practically see the gears turning in his head. I didn't like saying that out loud, quite honestly. But, it had to be said. It was common knowledge in this world, wasn't it?

"R-right," he eventually spoke, "I c-could see if 7O is a-available."

"7O? Who's that?" I inquired, confused. I've never heard of them before, is this android someone important to the Commander?

"H-he's the head operator and the C-Commander's right-"

Before he could finish speaking, Anemone loudly opened the metal door. "Sorry to interrupt, but 2B here's for you."

"For me?" I replied, almost bewildered as she just simply agreed before beckoning for me to follow.

2B? But why? She never comes to see me... did something happen?

As we walked, the figure of the white-haired female came into view as we approached her. She looked the same as the day I met her, but that's every android for you. Though the closer we got the more and more I saw how torn her clothes were. That's when it hit me.

"Is 9S okay?" I blurted out. I had almost forgotten what he had to do with 2B when he was called away. Something about a cargo ship that the Resistance needed help with.

"Unfortunately... he's currently missing. I've come here to collect something to aid me in finding him. And, to inform you," she articulated calmly. However, if one listened closely to her tone, she sounded a little concerned, panicked even.

"What? I want to help-!"

"You can't. It's too dangerous for a human." 2B cut me off. She was right, of course. I was a mere human, weaker than the androids. And, I was in no shape to fight a machine. But, this is 9S we're talking about.

"I know it's dangerous. But this about Nines! I want to help! And, even if you don't take me with you, I'll go by myself." I argued.

At this point, 1X and another black-haired android─who I've never met before─showed up. The unknown android sighed heavily, "2B, leave her to us. You have something to do."

"Right."

And, with that, 2B left us. 1X rolled his eyes, but not out of annoyance before he casually stated; "Classic 2B. Anyways, We've been assigned to escort you."

"Escort me where? I want to-"

"Find Nines. We know, 1X and I will accompany you." the black-haired male cut me off, "Oh, and before I forget, I'm unit 7O. The head operator for YoRHa. A pleasure to meet you, even if it's not a... most delightful time to meet new androids."