Orbital Bunker Observational Diary

Transcriber: Dr_Mint

[TB13:30]

It’s like I’m climbing a mountain of boulders, thought 2B.

Her left leg felt heavier than lead, and stepping forward made her breathe heavily. When she finally put her left foot forward, her right leg joints complained with a loud creak.

She half-rolled out of the flight unit, left the hangar, and stumbled a few meters into the hallway. The time it took to do all that was appalling. The Research and Development department was just past the hallway. Thinking of how long it would take made her dizzy.

The orbital Bunker was a camp for the YoRHa squadron on the front lines. It carried all the equipment and facilities necessary to deploy troops to Earth, and contained living quarters, but it wasn’t grand by any meaning of the word. Yet she felt like her destination was eons away. The hallway had a gentle slope so there were no steps along the way. Someone could walk through with their eyes closed.

Put simply, the damage to her motor capabilities was grave. She desperately needed to have R&D recalibrate her, and attempted to quicken her steps.

The commander approached her from ahead. She tried to use her left arm to salute her, but she wasn’t able to raise the limb all the way. 2B scowled. Apparently it wasn’t just her legs that were damaged.

“Ah, make yourself comfortable.”

The commander had probably deduced 2B’s condition from her awkward salute. She made a motion for 2B to put her arm down.

“Your condition seems pretty bad.”

“Since I wasn’t able to get repairs on Earth, I was forced to come back here. I’m terribly sorry.”

“No, you don’t have to apologize. Were there any other wounded?”

“Due to a battle with Machines that appeared at dawn today, 1D’s upper right arm as well as her right shoulder and 4B’s left thigh sustained light injuries. Both were able to recover, due to 12H’s efforts, to the point where they would not hinder to the mission.”

“I see.”

The commander averted her eyes to the side. This hallway, which connected the hangar to the R&D department and command room, faced “outside”—that is, outer space. They could see a black expanse dotted with stars, as well as Earth, the erstwhile home of the human race.

On that blue, beautiful planet, androids led by the YoRHa squadron were in a constant battle with Machines. No matter how many times they were crushed, the Machines kept spawning like the litter critters they were.

“Compared to enemy forces the YoRHa squadron is lacking in personnel, even though we pass it off nicely as a group of the select few.”

Up until now, they had made up for the obvious disparity in numbers by using strategy and skill. But it wasn’t enough to completely erase their disadvantage, and the battle had become drawn out. That’s why 2B expected the commander to tell her to work harder, but she was wrong.

“So, don’t force yourself, all right?” The commander smiled. At times, the commander would smile so gently it stumped 2B, even though her orders were as strict as any military leader’s and her decision-making was as cool and collected as a freshly sharpened knife.

Behind this occasional smile, there was most likely an immeasurable amount of struggle and conflict.

“Commander …” she started, and stopped. That’s my problem, 2B thought to herself. “No, never mind.”

The commander’s smile disappeared. Her lips strung together a few quiet words.

“No matter how harsh, we need to finish our job. The YoRHa squadron, that is.”

The YoRHa squadron, 2B repeated in her mind. She had struggled in the past. She had felt unbearable pain … that was certain. But she’d never complained about a mission.

“But whatever mission that may be, the responsibility falls to me. Don’t forget that,” Commander said.

It was as if the commander had read her mind. 2B had thought that the baggage she accumulated after each and every mission was something she needed to shoulder herself. No, she still thought that way. But the commander’s words resonated with her.

“Glory to humans.” This time, 2B could properly place her left arm over her chest.

“Glory to humans,” the commander repeated. She would fight under this person. In the future as well. Until they could return Earth to humans.

Listening to the orderly footsteps that receded farther and farther behind her, 2B hurried to the R&D department.

<Let’s f0ll0w!>

[TB13:40]

From the moment she entered the command room, the commander was surrounded. A few operators had run toward her and blocked the path.

“Commander! It’s about the Bunker’s material storage—”

“Please allow me to report about the battle taking place in the City Ruins.”

“Please approve the materials we’re sending to the moon.”

“There seem to be some technical problems with the transmission area in the third ward of the F sector.”

Apparently the operators thought that just being the commander boosted her processing power.

“For the materials, talk to the representative of each and narrow down the storage plans to three options. Give them to me and I’ll discuss it with you.”

“Roger that.”

“I’ll listen to the battle status in 330 seconds.”

“Roger that.”

“I approve the materials.”

“Thank you.”

“Have all members in the F sector visit the access point, and investigate what’s wrong.”

“Roger.”

Phew, that’s all of them … Or so she thought, but the operators didn’t budge. It seemed like they still had something on their minds.

“And?”

“Yes,” the operators replied in unison.

“Commander! Please accept this!”

She was suddenly surrounded by outstretched packages, some of them gold and some of them silver.

“What? What’s this?”

“Today is February 14. It’s called Valentine’s Day, and you’re supposed to give brown things to people you respect.”

“Valentine’s? Is it an ancient tradition?”

“Yes! Apparently both the giver and receiver were able to experience happiness. The brown things were often wrapped in gold or silver paper.”

Figures, she thought. While the shape and size varied, all the packages were sparkling. So humans handed each other such things in ancient times.

She opened one of the packages. It was a brown ribbon. What am I supposed to do with this? was her first thought, but she said thank you anyway.

There were many mysterious ancient traditions. Since humans created the androids, it was disrespectful to even try to understand their traditions, and mimicking an action without understanding wasn’t very commendable. Mimicking this “Valentine’s” tradition was something she shouldn’t allow as a superior, but …

But I probably shouldn’t be so strict, she thought to herself. Operators faced a different kind of struggle than the members that fought on the front lines.

“Commander, um … is now a good time?”

It was Operator 6O, who managed communications with 2B.

“What is it?”

“I’d like your approval to test the new flight unit equipment in the field.”

She had been getting updates about the new equipment from the R&D department. If they were going to test it in the field, there would need to be communication between the operators and squadron members. Operator 6O had been in charge of those matters.

“Ah yes, that. For the recon mission. The person that was assigned to that was—”

“9S. If there’s no problem with the recon mission, it’ll be the last test involving the descent squadron.”

Hearing that, the commander suddenly thought of 2B’s expression from earlier.

“I see, 9S … that’s right.”

All the responsibility falls to me. She told herself the line she had said over and over in the past.

“Roger.”

“Thank you very much.”

Operator 6O bowed and left the command room. “Okay,” the commander said as she turned around. That was exactly 330 seconds.

“Let me hear the battle status.”

<Let’s g0 see.>

[TB14:00]

Operator 6O rushed to the hangar. She didn’t want to miss her. Though, even if she missed her, all she had to do was send a transmission.

She squeezed her body through the partially opened door. The door opened at a dreadfully slow speed. Swift action required responsive equipment, and she made a mental note to request faster doors later.

“21O, are you here?”

Operator 21O popped her head out from beneath a flight unit that was locked into the catapult. She was in the middle of a checkup. It was good timing. Operator 6O went straight to the point.

“In-field testing of the new equipment got approved!”

But 21O looked confused. Did she forget about the experiment?

“The new equipment? For the flight unit!”

Operator 21O, whose eyebrows were furrowed in confusion, suddenly looked irritated.

“Is that all?”

“What do you mean, is that all … ?”

This time it was 6O that looked puzzled. What was 21O so irritated about?

“Something like that, you could have just used a transmission. There was no reason for you to come here.”

“That’s true, but …” 6O searched for an excuse to satisfy the disgruntled 21O. “But, but! I’m always using transmissions, so I needed some exercise!”

One of 21O’s eyebrows moved. So what, her expression said.

“And don’t you think it’s important to do final equipment checks visually? Um, you know. We are? Prepared? What was the line?”

“Being prepared for anything is our job as operators.”

“Yeah!”

21O finally shook her head after hearing 6O’s enthusiastic outburst.

“You’re probably right. We don’t know what he’ll do with new equipment. 9S is a ball of curiosity after all.”

Contrary to how 21O said this with her shoulders shrugged, her tone was caring. She was always like this when she talked about 9S, the unit she supported.

“You’re right,” 6O said as she bent over. Although their support units were different, she could agree as a fellow operator.

“Ms. 2B is also a troublemaker sometimes.”

Just like how Type S’s were governed by their curiosity, Type B’s were troublesome because they never hesitated to sacrifice themselves. That’s probably why they were able to fight on the front lines, in the midst of whizzing bullets.

“I get nervous just watching.”

“Even though I know it’s because of our personality traits.”

“I wouldn’t mind if she was just a bit more prudent.”

“But even if we tell her, would it make a difference?”

“There’s nothing we can do!”

“That’s why,” Operator 6O and 21O said together, “it’s vital to be prepared!”

And it was also vital for the operators to exchange information. Even a casual conversation was a form of information exchange. The trivial amounts of data could one day accumulate into something that dictated a big decision, or an indication of coming danger. In other words, every aspect of an operator’s life was relevant to their job. They lived for their job.

6O and 21O checked the new and important features of the equipment, and talked for a little while. Of course, 21O never stopped working.

“Okay, sorry for the wait.”

21O finished her inspection, and returned the flight unit to its designated space, making way for 6O. Since the catapult could hold only one flight unit at a time, they also had to carry out their inspections one at a time.

“Well, I’ll contact 9S then.”

“All right. Thanks!”

6O positioned the flight unit in the open space, and began her inspection.

<1s that the new equ1pment?>

[TB14:30]

It was easy for Operator 21O to determine 9S’s location.

On Earth, there were times that his location could not be determined due to the orbital video resolution or bad transmission conditions. But on the Bunker, she always knew where he would be. 9S must be here, she thought as she arrived at the door.

The server maintenance room. It was the room with the Bunker’s main terminal. 9S was always here, analyzing enemy defenses and studying new hacking patterns. 9S loved that kind of meticulous work.

Unless he was deployed, he was always, always, always in here doing work. His focus was so intense that he often could not hear the door open behind him.

See, just what I expected, 21O affirmed in her head. 9S was intently staring at the terminal, and hadn’t noticed 21O enter the room. They were hidden behind the goggles, but his eyes were probably twinkling with fascination while he was immersed in his work.

Apparently during childhood, humans would “play with toys” and be completely immersed in the activity. She imagined it looked something like what 9S was doing now.

Technically, she had come here before she went to the hangar. She hadn’t talked to him because he looked so busy, but it had been three hours since then.

She needed to tell him to take a break. But all of a sudden 9S’s shoulder tensed up, as if he were surprised from behind.

“Ah, it’s just you, Operator.”

9S relaxed his shoulder and looked over toward 21O.

“What do you mean, ‘Ah’—I’ve told you that working so long without breaks is bad for you …”

“Yes. Yes!”

“Just one yes is fine.”

“Yeah,” he replied gloomily.

“Please disconnect from the terminal. I’m going to explain your next mission.”

“What? I can’t listen to you like this?”

“No. You need some exercise.”

To think she would use the same line that 6O had used a few moments ago. But 9S needed more exercise than 6O.

“Let’s walk a little.”

9S somberly stepped away from the terminal.

“Where’s the next mission gonna be?”

“The Abandoned Factory. Research of the facility and surrounding areas.”

“Which means I’m alone again. That’s so sad.”

9S drooped his shoulders. But quickly raised his head and looked at 21O.

“Will you come with me, Operator?”

21O knew he wasn’t being serious. He was definitely sad, but an operator accompanying him on a mission was out of the question.

“No. It’s my job. Stop whining, and do the mission by yourself.”

“I know!”

9S pouted. But he sounded a little dejected. I guess I can be a little nice to him, she thought.

“I hear the next mission includes field testing of new equipment.”

“Really?” 9S asked eagerly. Just as expected, the word “new” got his attention.

“I’ll give you the details in the hangar. I’ll go over them as I get you acquainted with the new features.”

“Yes!”

Suddenly, 9S flashed a look of concern.

“Is something wrong?”

Now that she thought about it, his behavior earlier had been a bit odd. She thought he was surprised by her entering the room, but 9S had looked in a different direction. 9S had reacted to something else.

“Something’s … on my mind.”

“What?”

9S surveyed the room, feeling like he was being watched. But 9S quickly shook his head.

“There’s no way. It’s probably just my imagination. Maybe I’m tired?”

“That’s why I keep telling you to take frequent breaks …”

“Yes! Yesss!”

“One yes!”

She needed to force him to take a rest after she explained the details of the mission. Otherwise, his ability to perform tasks would suffer from the accumulated fatigue.

21O, thinking about such things, stepped out of the server maintenance room and urged 9S to do the same. He looked back into at the room one more time before he left, but again saw nobody there.

<Yeah. Myster10us and … fasc1nat1ng.>

<Let’s play, a b1t m0re.>

<Yeah. Let’s play … a b1t m0re.>

In the empty server room, the terminal displayed two words.

TRANSMISSION ENDED.