Restoring Mankind (NieR Automata) Chapter 16 preview 2/4 (Patreon)

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The spacecraft lurched gently as it came into view of the station. As it drew closer, Damian saw androids by the brightly windows, or others in space suits undergoing a walk outside the station, all paused to look at their silver bird. He could only imagine what they might all be feeling, after so long of not seeing even a single human. 

"We are now docking. Stand-by," the pilot announced. 

Well. That was that then. 

They were in the hangar bay, his eyes took in the sight of numerous spacecraft that varied in design. From sleek to rough and boxy. A mixmash of different styles that gave the hangar bay the appearance of it being populated. He shook again as the spacecraft turned, giving him an even greater view of the hangar and beyond. For a few gentle minutes, they floated before finally, the craft landed with another shake. 

They had no arrived. 

God. If only his family could see him now. 

"Welcome to the Station. If you enjoyed your trip, it would be our greatest pleasure if you flew with us again," the intercom added cheekily. 

That would be fine. it wasn't as if he and the others knew of other shuttle services that existed. On the other side of him, his android counterpart checked his equipment and adjusted his helm. Satisfied, Raptor turned to Damian and offered him his hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, sir. But duty calls." 

Damian quickly took the android's hand. "Of  course. I will see you on the field again, maybe. I've always wanted to go to Europe!" 

Raptor chuckled. "I know what your squad have done, sir. But please, we'd appreciate it if you would cover our rear instead." 

"I can't promise you that, eh. I have a bad habit of disobeying orders," grinned Damian. He had long since put on his helmet and his face couldn't be seen by the other androids but Raptor could feel the cheekiness coming from him. The android shook his head and withdrew his hand, ordering his men to come after him. Damian watched them go, no doubt to go report to their boss. Bertha approached and stood next to him, her hands on her hips. 

"Charming, ain't he?" Bertha remarked. 

"Got a crush?" Damian teased. 

"....Maybe. You reckon they modeled him after Orlando Bloom?" Bertha asked, her tone curious. 

"Nerd," Damian shook his head. He then turned to his own men. "Alright. You know the drill. Stand fast, look pretty. If things go haywire out of a sudden, something which I doubt, then we fight our way back to this shuttle." 

"Er, do you even know how to fly this?" Hummus asked, raising his hand. 

"We'll improvise," Damian said. "Alright. Time to start this dog and pony show. With the Colonel now." 

In his corner, Smith stood up and offered his hand to Camille. "Thank you for escorting us, Camille. You have my compliments." 

Smooth hands clasped with his own. Despite the fact that he already held her hand numerous times already, she still visibly shuddered. It took awhile for them to process it, he supposed. "Of course, sir. Approach me anytime if you need anything." she beamed proudly, looking less like a military leader as her garb suggested and more of a daughter seeking approval from her father. 

Smith nodded. "Of course," he said. In the back of his mind, he already was keeping her offer in account. He had no idea what sort of politics the Army of Humanity had but he was pretty sure that Camille's offers were not made simply out of a desire to serve. In his position, he had dealt with politicians and no single man or woman could thrive in those positions without some sort of plan in mind. Though in his heart, Smith hoped that the androids of this council were above the failings of their human progenitors.

She gestured to her left, and into the hallway that lead to the ramp below. He moved forward first, finding Camille's regulars and his own standing at attention at either side. The ramp had already since been lowered and his path was straight. Smith took a breath then strode forward, his armored boots echoing on the metal. And there, he saw it. 

Arrayed neatly like the old legions of Rome, the androids of the Army of Humanity were arrayed. Each one, a colorful riot to the last. 

The first android was clad in a colorful uniform reminiscent of a Russian general from World War One. A tan coat and fine black boots. Multiple medals were pinned to his chest, no doubt accolades he had won. On his head was a ushanka cap with the AoH insignia pinned to it. Behind him were similarly clad troopers albeit less ornate than his. His features were purely mean, weathered skin and a long moustache. His right eye was scarred, purposefully left injured. The other though was narrow, his eyes haunted by years of fighting. 

The second one was clad in gear similar to what Anemone wore sans the shawl that covered her face. This android had a baseball cap, fingerless military gloves, and a olive chestplate. Far more tactical looking than the Russian styled android. Smith noted her youthful face, heart-shaped and with brown hair probably tied up in a bun under her cap. Sharp glasses hid her eyes though he felt the sharp gaze behind her glasses. 

The third android sported, to his amusement, looked like if they had taken YoRHa-styled gear and placed it on a Spanish conquistador. Under a Morion helmet stood a android that had benched pressed as a life-style, a massive axe hung behind his back, some manner of engraving etched onto it. A wicked look was on his face, hidden behind a dark beard. It seemed at any second, he could break out into a jolly laugh or descend into berserker combat. 

The fourth android seemed to be taken straight from Zulu fantasy with a YoRHa flair. Her skin was dark, fine lips and a fierce look on her face. A colorful head-dress stood atop a body used to running. An oval shield adorned her back, as well as a short spear. 

The fifth android took one thought of India and personified it. His features were firm and exercised. He sported resistance style gear, olive-fatigues and a turban. A sword hung around his hip. An actual curved sabre. If anything, Smith figured that its plain appearance hid its actual use and it could very well be as effective as the ones YoRHa sported. 

The Conquistador marched forward. As he spoke, there was a smooth accent to it. "Welcome to Station 13, sir. We have been anxious for your arrival. Allow me to introduce myself." He then took off his helmet, setting it aside and letting his long dark hair flow. "I am Tizona, Administrator for the South American continent. On behalf of the Army of Humanity, I welcome you." 

"As far as I have seen, you all have done impressive work. I have yet to see most of this station though," Smith replied, nodding at Tizona. 

He smiled. "And that is why we have come to greet you. At your discretion, we can begin the tour," offered Tizona. 

"Let's do that," Smith nodded. And so, they started their tour. It quickly dawned on Smith that the androids pushed the envelope when it came to preparing the station. His eyes settled onto a field of green. Trees of different type dominated a field of grass, flowers and such bloomed brightly under artificial light. On the distance, he saw a river snake onto a lake, multiple barges floating above. Seeing this, his helmet hissed as he took off his helm. It was unneeded here. The androids watched him with great interest, some had even audibly gasped. Smith realized that this was the first time had seen a human face, not so unlike their own. He afforded those androids a smile and they quickly glanced away. 

"The records...didn't really say exact specifics on which trees humans would find agreeable," Tizona spoke up, doing his best not to gawk at Smith. "So, we mostly got all of them. We based this park out of records of the forests of Germany. If needed, we can switch the environment to fit different climates." 

"You can do that?" Smith asked aloud, impressed. 

"We can. The flora and fauna here can take it. The miracles of maso are endless," Tizona said proudly. Smith took a step forward, his eyes taking in the sight before him. "Environmental controls, I presume?" asked Smith. 

"Yes, sir," again nodded Tizona. "We have this recreational space, with allowances for new additions though that would have to be requested. You see that door in the distance? That leads into the living quarters." 

And so they marched under the light of artificial sun, solar-foils in the sky above them. In their comms, Damian remarked. 

"This feels like we're being  shown around by a realtor," he joked. 

"I hope the property prices aren't too much. That would kill my wallet," Bertha replied snidely. 

"So, Spirt, what do you think? Just like home, eh?" Falafel asked their resident Swiss man. 

A annoyed tick was his reply. "For the last time, I am Swiss, you ass. I wouldn't know what Germany is like either. I have never been there." 

"You serious? I thought you'd travel and all," Falafel remarked in surprise. 

"Oh, I did. Only to fun places though, like France. What is there to see in Germany?" Spirit snorted. The passed through an elaborate arch, then into a long winding hallway painted white. "Do we have to keep wearing our helmets?" He continued, tugging at his neck. 

"Dog and pony show, remember?" Damian said. "I'd love to get some actual air though. My supply feels funny."

As they chatted, the android regulars watched the silent human soldiers march on, unaware of the conversation happening in their helmets. They watched in quiet awe as their progenitors walked in silence, outdated combat suits yes but still, menacing in how it looked. What sort of war...thing...did humanity fight to manufacture such equipment? 

"And so, we have here a sample of what their quarters will be like," Tizona announced proudly ahead. They had now marched onto a winding and spacious hall, another river snaked in the middle, a holographic image of the earth projected by hidden projectors. Earth, as what it was before the machines, before the Legion. Smith took his eyes away from that and glanced into the room Tizona opened. He peered inside and found a fairly modest studio-type room, with a bed at the far corner and a few household amenities here and there. Beyond that, it was bare with the only item of interest being a glass window that showed space outside. 

"Very spartan," remarked Smith, pulling back. Tizona's hands fell on his hips. "Well, personal items are yet to be added, sir. We thought that the people living here would appreciate decorating it themselves. Were we mistaken?" 

There was a certain fear in his voice that he and the council would be met with disapproval. A dew of the androids, veterans of war, looked like sheepish children being met by a stern father. Smith dispelled that notion quickly. "No, you are correct," he said firmly. "Although I haven't seen a place where people could purchase goods. I assume that is where we are going next?" 

Tizona quickly brightened and the Councillor androids breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, we have a space for commercial activities. It's still in the middle of construction however and not much shops have been opened. We intend that it be a further space for recreation and restaurants and the like." 

As the officers chatted, Damian remarked to his squad. "Scratch that. Man, this is like going on a cruise." 

Hummus snorted. "A cruise in space. Something I never thought I would hear." 

"I thought you'd be pleased that there's a commercial space, Hummus. Capitalism and all," Falafel suggested snidely. Hummus rolled his eyes. 

"Please, that is a stereotype. And for one, I don't know how to start a business when I don't know what legal tender we are even using." 

"Eh, something for the officers to figure out. I just want to shoot my guns," Falafel remarked, cracking his neck. 

"Typical," Hummus remarked. 

"Shermuta," replied the Egyptian. 

Their tour marched on. Damian's remark of the station being akin to a cruise ship being more apparent. Commercial spaces, theaters, a single functioning restaurant that served coffee for the meantime. He didn't know much regarding cruise ships but he could see that the androids did not spare a single expense in constructing the station and modifying it. He had to admit that his body felt lighter the more and more he walked. For the first time in what he could remember, he could relax. 

The Old World, now a distant memory, came back to him. A world without the threat of extinction, a world where humanity warred with itself but at least, it tried its best to be at peace. He had fought with the UN for so long that he had been thinking of himself less as an American, the national identity blurred by the Legion. Funny how it took a extinction level threat to get humanity to unite, figuratively and literally. With all the talk of living quarters, cruise ships, and parks, monuments of peace, Damian felt gripped by a longing for peace, to enjoy what the station had to offer. 

He could only hope that the machines could never reach or find the station. 

Hopefully. 

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A/N: It took me awhile but finally, updoot. 

Behold and rejoice, for I have returned.