𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕

𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐍𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

Once that transmission ended, 7O got to work giving out orders. I was fasciation by how graceful he appeared doing so as I've never seen what an operator actually did. Usually, I only saw a few little orders, mostly just quick relays of what the Commander desired, and him mainly just being like a battle unit. Sure, he did take the authoritative role amongst the group when it was obliged, but nothing like what he was doing now.

"1X, 2X, head to the City Ruins and hunt down Eve. If you get a distress signal, attend to that first. Especially if it's from the Resistance." he commanded, the two said units gave an attentive nod before heading out. "6S, since you're here under my watch, I'll be assuming the role as your operator. You're to head over to the Abandoned Factory, your main objective is to make sure no machines get into the City Ruins. Command wants to limit the number of machines so Eve can't control as much if that is what he can do."

"Yes, sir!" 6S delivered a little salute before heading out.

"Hey, what about me, boss?" 10B huffed, crossing his arms.

"Your orders are to stay put and make sure (Y/n) remains protected."

"But...!"

"No, buts Ten. Orders are orders. Not to mention, the Commander would rather you not be out when there's a lot of units, in case you use your limit breakers." Seven talked before 10B could finish his objection.

"Oh fine," he grumbled, shooting me a glare which I returned with a grin.

✁⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯ ༝

It's been a little bit since the three units left us. Seven's been filling us in on the little major details that were happening. Like, how it's been reported that machines in the areas surrounding the City Ruins have been observed having behavioural or physical changes, meaning that some of the once peaceful machines have been driven to hostility.

"Seven, any news on 2B or 9S?" I articulated, out of curiosity and anxiety.

"Not... oh! 2B has just exited the factor─"

Before 7O could even finish his answer, we heard the shrubby move which made us all go hushed and still. The branches of the bushes proceed to move, and it kept moving and moving. 10B was the first one to draw his weapon, cautiously advancing towards the noise.

Maybe it's just an animal? Hopefully, it's just an animal!

Once Ten was in reaching range of the greenery did the movement pause. He stretched out his hand and pushed the branches aside. At first, nothing happened. It was still, too still.

"Heh, it's just─" he began before he surprisingly bounced back in a panic when a squirrel leapt out at him in its little fury.

I couldn't help but start quietly laughing at the situation... yet that laugh was short-lived. The next thing we knew was a group of machines that came storming in and before I could move, 7O seized me, yanking me out of the way as both Luciel and 10B sprang to the defensive.

"Hey, idiot, can't you control the machines?" 10B promptly shouted the question at the white-haired machine as they began to fight the onslaught of machines. 7O, guarding me within his arms, also having to fend a few off from behind us.

"Unfortunately not! Even if I could, Eve has most likely lost all control of himself at this point, meaning the machines themselves are also inconsolable," Ciel yelled back as he plugged his lance into a machine.

I was fairly surprised that he was fighting his own kind, but perhaps that's because the machines no longer saw him as a machine himself. Thus, he had no choice. Though, only he actually knew that answer.

I was frightened out of my stare when a tin can nearly was in touching range of my face which made me wordlessly squeal. My dread was soon pacified when Seven mash the machine's head in. "Sorry about that," he vocalised softly before he directed his attention to his pod, "Pod, start a transmission to Command and the nearby androids! Operator 7O here, we're currently and heavily surrounded, calling for backup immediately."

"We're heading your way!" the voice of a certain blue-haired scanner sounded back.

"I could've handled it myself," 10B whined as he proceeded to beat down just about every machine that came close to him.

"I'm aware, but you and I both know that its' too dangerous for you. Not to mention, we have no idea how it could affect (Y/n). Just because you have no real big effect on other androids, doesn't mean you will on her." Seven responded, "So, enough complaining, and more fighting."