No. 2 remembered that day like it was yesterday.
The day when she lost her remaining comrades. When she lost her family. They must have known from the beginning, since the moment they realised Command had abandoned them, that things were going to end like this. What could a squad of four androids do against so many machines? Even if the group grew larger when Rose and the rest of the Resistance joined them.
They had headed towards their own demise. But No. 2 couldn’t help but wonder if things could have ended differently had she been an experienced leader. Because she had been doubting and hesitating since the very first moment and until the end. What could have happened if she was a proper leader?
And yet… why was she the only survivor? Why was it only her that survived?
Time passed, and she visited the place where everything happened. Even if she remembered everything clearly, No. 2 went there to reminiscence, even the happier moments they spent with everyone from the Resistance.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger, and you ended up like this because of me. But I promise I will end each and every machine. There will be no one left.”
Wind blew and a black ribbon fell to her hand. A part of her was convinced – no, she was sure – of who this belonged. No. 4… Clutching it in her hand and bringing it to her chest, A2 closed her eyes. And then, she exited the place in ruins.
Lifting her arms, she used the ribbon to tie her long hair in a way very similar to No. 4’s hairstyle. I’m doing this for her and everything else. Your deaths won’t be in vain.
Ever since that day, the only thing No. 2 had been doing was fighting machines. She couldn’t let any of them alive. Even after receiving 2B’s memories, she decided to keep her hair long to wear that black ribbon belonging to her fallen comrade. But things changed the day she met Pascal and the Village of Machines. She had sworn to kill every machine, but they were different. And time and time again they had been nice to her, they had taken care of her.
Damn it, she even had to babysit the little ones.
After they went to sleep – do machines even sleep? – No. 2 sat down and stared into the distance. She removed the black ribbon and held it in her hand, staring at it.
“It seems like something important to you.” Pascal suddenly spoke up.
Since when did he appear? No. 2 thought to herself. Then, she replied. “Yeah, it’s from a fallen comrade. Someone very important to me. She… sacrificed herself for everyone. It’s the reason why I’m here right now.”
“And you wonder why it was you and not someone else, right?”
“How did you⸺?”
“I’ve lived similar experiences, A2. If she went as far as to do that, I’m sure you were also very precious to her.”
Precious… Was she even? Although it was undeniable that time and time again No. 4 made her core skip a beat – what a very human-like expression, hah. But No. 4 was no more, and she had to continue on her own.
“It was part of the mission.” Was her reply as she stood up and walked away. She doubted to be as precious to No. 4. Even if she was always cheering her up and encouraging her.
…Whenever she thought in No. 4 she was left with a tight feeling in her chest, yet she didn’t think it was something malfunctioning. There was also this warm sensation she couldn’t quite describe into words. Had she been listening to too many human stories lately? Pull yourself together, No. 2. If she was here, No. 4 would totally tease her about this. About how her expression and voice got softer in comparison to her usual tone.
But alas, No. 4 couldn’t be here anymore.