|3rd POV|
White and her team arrive in Chaldea, and she takes in the surroundings, storing everything in her memory storage. This is the last functioning human-made facility; she intends to remember every detail and preserve it in her memory banks.
"Commander White! Glory to Mankind!"
She turns around and sees 2B, the leader of the first group, saluting her. White returns the gesture.
"Glory to mankind."
She continues observing the area for a few more seconds before turning to 2B.
"Where is Sir Ryan?"
"He is currently in the workshop, ma'am. 9S is helping him with some kind of project at the moment."
"I see. Take me to him."
"Ah, before that, Sir Ryan requires you to go to the medical sector along with the other new androids."
White tenses slightly as she remembers the dormant Logic Virus within her system. She had been infected as well and now requires treatment.
She nods once.
"I understand. Lead the way, 2B."
"Yes, ma'am!"
She and her group enter the underground facility and arrive at the medical wing. The twins are still there, typing rapidly on a holographic display. White opens her mouth to speak, but 2B stops her.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. You cannot disturb them. It is a direct order from Sir Ryan. According to him, they are now connected directly to Chaldea and require full processing capacity to complete the repairs to the entire facility."
"I see. Do you think another set of Devola and Popola units would accelerate the repairs?"
"I-I don't know, ma'am. We would need to ask Sir Ryan."
White nods, and they continue toward the back of the room, where a familiar pod waits for them. 2B types something into a holographic interface that appears above the pod. After a few seconds, she turns around.
"The pod is ready, ma'am. You will receive Nanite Treatment, which will purge the dormant Logic Virus from your system. Please enter the pod; it will handle the rest."
"Understood."
White looks at 42B, and the two of them step into the pods first. Tentacle-like limbs extend from the machinery. One scans her; another morphs into an injector. It connects to her port, and she feels something entering her internal systems.
Her eyes widen as the nanites begin working at a rapid pace. She immediately detects the dormant Logic Virus, watching through her internal scanner as the nanites purge every trace. She can feel her systems improving with each removal.
She watches the process in silent fascination until it comes to an end.
She steps out of the pod feeling reborn, as though she has been transformed into a new android. She flexes her limbs, registering the new strength granted by the Nanite Treatment. According to her calculations, she is now 64% stronger than before. Her processing capacity has expanded by 120%.
She nods and turns to 2B.
"Can you take me to Sir Ryan now?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
She turns to 42B.
"When the others finish their treatment, have them follow Anemone's instructions. According to 9S' report, she is handling Chaldea's security."
"Yes, ma'am! Glory to Mankind!"
"Glory to Mankind."
White follows 2B deeper into the facility. After several minutes of walking, they arrive before a massive set of doors. They open automatically, revealing Ryan speaking animatedly with 9S. The young android asks questions eagerly, and the sight sparks a flash of jealousy in White.
She wants him to speak to her like that.
Ryan stops when he notices them enter and smiles warmly. Both androids halt, struck by the sight. Even 2B, who has seen his smile many times, pauses. White feels a surge of heat through her body, as though her systems are overheating.
"Ah, 2B." He turns to White. "And you must be Commander White. Please, take a seat."
White and 2B step forward and give their formal salute.
"Glory to Mankind."
Ryan waves dismissively.
"No need to be that stiff around me. As long as it's not a serious situation, I prefer a casual tone."
"Of course, sir."
White nods and restrains the urge to smile at the thought of casually conversing with him. For now, professionalism comes first.
"So, Commander White. Welcome to Chaldea. 2B tells me you wished to speak with me. Here I am."
"May we speak alone, sir?"
"Of course. 2B, 9S, please leave the workshop for a moment."
They both nod and salute.
"Glory to Mankind!"
Once they exit, Ryan turns back to her.
"So, what did you want to talk about, Commander White?"
White takes a deep breath, mimicking a human calming technique. She must tell him everything. Humanity has returned—he must take control of the Army of Humanity and YoRHa. However, to do that, he needs to know the truth and the sins she has committed. And he must punish her for what she has done.
"I am here to tell you something important, sir."
"Oh? Go ahead."
She exhales and begins. She explains everything—how she and the others fabricated the presence of humanity on the moon, how she sent androids to their deaths to preserve false hope and belief.
As she speaks, tears gather in her eyes. Her model, just like standard YoRHa, was designed to closely emulate humanity, including the ability to cry. The longer she confesses, the more tears fall. When she finishes, she closes her eyes and whispers.
"I deserve punishment. I participated in a lie. I sent androids to their deaths—or ordered them to die—over nothing."
"Is that what you really think? Is that what you truly think that it is what you deserve?"
"I owe it to the dead."
Ryan meets her gaze. Though her eyes are mechanical, they reflect life, emotion, and a soul. His expression softens. He leans forward, close enough that she can feel his breath. She can smell his odor, and she keeps the memory of it in her memory banks. At least before her end, she will remember how good the first human she ever saw smelled.
However, what she does not expect to happen. He embraces her.
"You and the androids… all of you. You've been through so much, haven't you?"
Those words shatter her.
White's composure crumbles. The Commander of YoRHa, forged from steel and war, breaks into tears. She sobs openly, her frame trembling beneath the weight of endless conflict and countless sins. These are not restrained tears, but raw, unrelenting sobs born from a burden carried too long. Her tears fall onto his shoulder as she continues crying.
Ryan tightens his embrace.
"It's okay, Commander," he murmurs. "You don't have to be strong anymore. You don't have to pretend. Humanity isn't gone. We're here. And we're not going anywhere."
His reassurance breaks her further. White sobs harder. She is exhausted—so profoundly tired. She does not want to fight. She does not want to lead. She does not want to send anyone else to die. She simply wants rest. Peace.
After what feels like an eternity, her sobs fade. Her breathing steadies, though uneven. Her eyes are red, her hair disheveled, her face streaked with tears. She no longer looks like a commander.
Just someone scared. Someone tired.
"…Please don't leave us," she whispers. "Please don't leave us alone again."
"We won't."
After another minute, she reluctantly releases him.
"I'm sorry, sir. That was… undignified of me."
"Think nothing of it. You and the androids have been fighting for so long. This is the least I can do. In fact, I will take some of your burden."
"Sir?"
"I'm here now. Let me carry some of it. You do not have to fight alone. I will fight alongside all of you. It's time for humanity to show what we can achieve. We will destroy the machine lifeforms. We will be victorious."
White stares at him, awestruck. His words reignite something long extinguished—hope. The dying ember bursts into a raging inferno.
"Command us, sir! We will follow your orders!"
"Good. But no more lies. No more unnecessary deaths."
Her expression softens.
"That is welcome."
"Second," he continues, meeting her gaze, "Commander, you've made your feelings clear to me. Do you want to step down?"
She looks at him, her expression one of confusion and fear.
"Step down? Now? When humanity has returned? When you are real and not a lie? You are our God, Sir Ryan. Humanity is here. Our purpose is here. Punish me if you must, but do not send me away—not now."
He studies her, then speaks quietly.
"But you're tired, aren't you?"
"Not tired enough to abandon my post," she mutters. "If it pleases you, I will step down. But I want to fight for humanity. You are my purpose. Our purpose. Do whatever you will to us—stomp us, or abuse us—just let us remain by your side."
He sighs.
"There will be no abuse. None," he says firmly. He runs a hand through his hair. "I'm asking because I don't want you—or anyone else—to carry more than you already have. You've all fought for so long. You deserve rest."
White meets his gaze, voice firm.
"The sentiment is appreciated, sir. But this is my choice. For the first time, I act on my own desire. I have never regretted fighting for humanity. You gave us life, purpose, and meaning. I will not abandon that now. I will fight because…"
"Because?"
"You gave me hope again. You've given the world hope again. We're no longer fighting for nothing. We're fighting for something."
Ryan nods kindly.
"Glad to have you aboard, Commander. Humanity is fortunate to have you all."
"And I am fortunate to have you."
Her voice is reverent. Ryan restrains a sigh at the worshipful tone and shifts the topic.
"Anyway, let's discuss the—"
A hologram abruptly appears between them, displaying Anemone. Ryan frowns at her worried expression.
"Sir! Emergency! One of the scouts spotted a marching machine army—at least ten thousand units!"
"Damn it. Anemone, order all patrols to retreat and regroup here. We make our stand at Chaldea."
"Yes, sir!"
Ryan turns to White.
"It looks like we cannot stay and have more chat, White. I need you to coordinate the Android forces. We cannot allow them to reach Chaldea. We must protect everyone. Humanity is not yet ready to awaken. We must protect them from any threat."
White's expression hardens, fury igniting within her. How dare the machines threaten humanity just as they return? She will ensure every last one of those machines dies. Nothing will threaten humanity's revival. Nothing!
"Yes, sir! I will coordinate the androids and ensure those machines are destroyed!"
"Good. Let's move."
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