Restoring Mankind

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Striding across the battlefield, Damian's suit whirred and whined as it took tentative steps on the sand, scanning the ruined sands. Whatever OPFOR wanted to throw at them, it seemingly ran out of bots to send. While this was supposed to be a time for respite, Damian knew that it was only a matter of time before the enemy sent another horde to throw at them. His suit didn't really take much of a beating from the bots compared to fighting Legion combat forms. They were slower, dumber, and not quite as tanky compared to the shit he was used to fighting but still, he wasn't going to take his chances.

Behind him, that YoRHa android unit who called herself 2B was following behind him. It appeared that the other YoRHa bots had seemingly followed behind the other suits, like ducklings who had imprinted themselves on the first thing they say after hatching.

While Damian thought their uniform was both tacky in its ornateness and fetishistic in how revealing it was, he could respect their combat abilities. If only they had YoRHa androids during the Legion's hayday, it could have given humanity a better fighting chance.

"Machine forces in this area have been eliminated, Sergeant," 2B reported, struggling to walk on the soft sand. Sometimes, she wished that YoRHa issued them boots when travelling the desert region for better stability. While her heels could often double as daggers in stepping on machines, it didn't really support her well in traversing the easily malleable sand.

"Thanks to you and the other androids," Damian praised. Despite herself, 2B felt her heart swell at the praise. It felt...good. Still, she wouldn't let that show on her face. Emotions were prohibited after all.

"It's our duty, Sergeant. No praise is required," 2B responded humbly. That earned a chuckle from Damian.

"Hey now, chica. You did good. More than good," Damian said, his laugh sending a chill up 2B's spine. She both loved and loathed it. Loved it, as it was praise from a human. A real living human. And the hatred for...well, she didn't like how it made her feel.

Only 9S had the right to make her feel special.

Not that she was going to tell the infuriatingly adorable scanner that.

Damian's suit whirred slightly as he turned to examine the field. "So, these machines are creations of the alien bastards?" It still felt wild to Damian that actual aliens had invaded the planet while they were sleeping. Even now, it was still a bit hard to grasp but he was finding it easy to accept considering the fact that the world was nearly ended by the Legion. It wasn't far fetched that aliens would exist too.

It was then Pod 042 chimed in. "Correct. In the year 5012, extra-terrestrial invaders arrived from outer space and began launching attacks on android settlements. In the following year, the Army of Humanity was established to defend the planet."

Damian regarded the floating box with amusement. "Thanks, Wikipedia. So, aliens. Never seen one. Ya'll got pictures of what they look like?"

042 beeped. "Correction: This Pod's designation is 042. If it pleases the Sergeant, this pod's new designation shall be Wikipedia." Damian nearly barked in laughter. 042 continued. "There have been no sightings of the alien invaders but there are images available should you desire it."

Damian nodded. "Damn. This I will have to see, eh?" The sergeant stopped speaking when his suit's systems registered 2B struggling to walk next to him. His suit whirred as he turned to her. "Hey little lady. You struggling there? You moved pretty fast when we were fighting."

2B used all her willpower for her cheeks to not redden in embarrassment. "Battle necessitated my full focus, Sergeant. Now that we are not engaged, it's..."