Engaged A2, the deserter wanted by YoRHa.
Target has since escaped.
I see. You saw her.
A2 is an extremely dangerous android.
We have sent pursuit units time after time, but every single one has been destroyed.
Don't think of her as fellow YoRHa.
She is our enemy.
So, why did A2 become a deserter in the first place? What happened?
I'm afraid that's classified.
2B and 9S, you have a new mission.
Pursue and investigate A2.
Roger that.
Command is the one that betrayed.
Hey, 2B.
2B. 9S.
That soldier will escort the little sister back to our village.
I'm sure her big sister will be surprised.
Her little sister is suddenly bringing home someone to marry.
Um, is something the matter?
Pascal. About that android earlier, do you know anything about her?
Oh, her...
She is contained within our archives as well.
A dangerous android who goes around and destroys many machine lifeforms.
However, she has never showed up at our village.
That's all the information I have.
A deserter?
Yes. Do you know anything about it?
An android registered as a prototype YoRHa model, called Attacker No. 2.
No. 2.
You know something?
What do you plan on doing after finding her?
The final decision will be handed down by Command.
But currently she is set as a target for destruction.
I see. Unfortunately, I have no clue.
Huh? But...
Let's go, 9S.
Wait, hold on a second, 2B.
We have to interrogate other Resistance members, too.
Oh, wait.
So you were alive.
No. 2.
Who else might know something about her?
Hello. Do you remember us?
Yes, of course. Thank you for helping us back then.
That box...
Did they force another dangerous job on you?
It's fine. Anyway, did you need something?
We're looking for an android.
Sorry, but I've never seen her.
I see.
Oh, but maybe Jackass would know something,
because she does a lot of field work.
Really?
I think she went to investigate the Flooded City today.
Thank you very much.
Now, the sooner you go, the better.
It's better if you don’t get too friendly with us.
FLOODED CITY
The entire city sank under the sea.
Report. The bedrock was bombed out in the previous war.
As a result, the entire city is sinking.
Sea breeze is kinda sticky.
Hey, 2B.
Why did A2 desert us, but still continues to fight against machine lifeforms?
We've had deserters in the past, but most just got sick of fighting.
And what she said—
9S.
There's no need for us to think about it.
Curiosity gone too far will destroy us.
You're right. It's just like you say, 2B.
Let's not think about unnecessary things, and concentrate on our mission.
Jackass isn't showing up on the Pod's radar at all.
She might be wearing stealth gear so that enemies won't find her.
She's usually so gruff, but diligent for things like that.
We can't find her.
2B.
Why don't we take a break?
It's so quiet.
It's like everything other than us is gone.
Hey, 2B.
Is this what a peaceful world is like?
I don't know, because I've never seen one.
9S?
Removing your visor during a mission is prohibited under military orders.
Come on, just a little bit.
Humans called it sea bathing, and voluntarily went into the ocean.
Maybe like this?
Or like this?
How about you try too, 2B?
9S.
There is no need for sea bathing.
Refrain from unnecessary usage of energy for the sake of our mission.
That may be true,
but humans enjoyed those "unnecessities."
We are created in the shape of humans. If so, then...
Shouldn't we also be able to enjoy unnecessities?
Why don't you try, 2B?
No need.
Is that so?
What do you think?
It's hard to move around.
That's so like you, 2B.
Sea breeze isn't that bad after all.
Pod.
Affirmative.
I haven’t said anything yet.
Hypothesis. 2B is thinking she wants to show that flower to Operator 6O.
Seeking a reply for accuracy of said hypothesis.
This flower is a Lunar Tear.
You did this for me?
Th-Thank you very much. I'll save it and keep it as a treasure forever.
Okay.
And, since it's such a beautiful flower...
If it went in your hair, as you are equally beautiful,
I'm sure it would really be an amazing sight.
Just this once. Please.
It’ll fall out too easily if it’s in my hair.
Just as I thought, it looks really good on you, 2B!
Oh. I-I'm sorry.
The thing is, I've always been interested about land down there.
Blue skies, green trees, and animals...
The scenes of land I see in videos are unbelievably beautiful.
I wished that I could descend someday, too.
So how is it? Is it a beautiful place there?
I cannot answer that.
So you’ll have to see for yourself.
You're right. I'll do that.
Will you come with me when the time comes?
If you're okay with it being between my missions.
Thank you very much.
Well then, excuse me.
What?
2B, you seem really surly, but are pretty softhearted.
That's not true.
Oh no, it is. I know these things.
Why do you laugh?
I don't know why. But...
For some reason, it makes me happy.
Emotions are—
Prohibited? I'm aware of that.
Now, we've rested enough. Let's resume the search for Jackass.
But this place is so vast, and we're getting nowhere.
How about we split up and look?
Here it comes!
Target located.
This tug on the line. I feel it's quite a big one.
Damn it, I'm not gonna lose to you!
This sheen and size. I'm sure this is a top-tier specimen.
I know, I'll give you a name in commemoration.
Let's see, what name to give...
Jackass.
Right, Jackass. Your name will be Jackass.
Oh, 2B.
What is that outfit?
Oh, it's called a swimsuit. Humans used to wear them at the beach.
It's easy to move around in, and is quite useful for body temperature control.
Oh, that's right.
I came here to obtain this fish called a "mackerel."
Special enzymes in the oil of this fish’s family is toxic to android transmission nerves.
It's quite intriguing so I'd definitely like you to eat it. Though you might die.
Please, for the sake of furthering advances in science.
Though you might die.
- I need data at all costs! - Jackass.
Though you might die—
There's something I'd like to ask you.
A deserter, huh?
Have you encountered her in the past?
No, I haven't, unfortunately.
I see.
But, I do know who it is.
She’s Lily’s previous comrade.
That look on your face. You knew.
You're still going to kill her like you were ordered to?
Did you know?
That Lunar Tear is said to be a "flower that grants wishes."
Pod, contact 9S. Tell him I found Jackass.
Affirmative.
Report. Failed communication.
9S and Pod 153 are speculated
to be in a situation where some factor is causing communication to be impossible.
30 MINUTES AGO
I'm sorry, 2B.
I just can't get this off my mind.
The surefire way is to dive directly into the Bunker's server.
But the security there is a pain.
I could get past it, but it would take too much time.
There has to be another way.
That's right.
Photographs?
Yes. If there is any information that might be overlooked by the Council of Humanity,
I would like you to take and collect photographs.
A mission. Please leave it to me.
No, this is simply a hobby.
H-Hobby?
Various types of data exist in the world.
My hobby is to analyze said data and discover new information.
Data analysis? That doesn't sound fun at all.
I feel it is more useful than meaningless banter with you.
So cruel!
Put that into the data to upload...
It’d be nice if she saw it right away.
So fast.
Operator 21O to 9S. I have received the data you sent.
H-How was it?
Truly intriguing. Toys, children's shoes, household budget books...
From these records, you can tell the lifestyles most humans subsisted were in small familial units.
Family.
I’m going to become a family with this one!
Operator, do you have interest in information about families?
According to records, it was not just a form of community,
but a special group that cared for one another.
If we androids had a system similar to this family format...
Never mind.
I appreciate you gathering information.
Oh no, it's nothing to be appreciated about.
Now excuse me.
I'm sorry. I went through your terminal to run a monitoring program...
All right.
But that is too...
This audio...
I cannot agree to that.
Shouldn't we at least send them a warning?
That request has already been denied.
Contact Plan B currently underway is more important than anything else.
Then we are just simply expending them.
She puts up a front about justice and all that idealism.
No sacrifice shall be spared. We expect behavior fit for a commander from you.
But the commander has a hard time, too.
Top priority is the execution of our plan.
Do not deter from the determined schedule when it comes to moving things along.
Plan? What's that about?
Unauthorized access has been detected.
Oh, no.
Someone was peeking into this conversation.
Commander. You know what to do?
Understood.
Did they notice me?
I don't think they realized exactly who it was, but...
The Bunker's optic surveillance doesn't reach here.
For when they get suspicious, I'll fake a comm report and activity log.
2B?
No.
A2?
Pod, determine the reason for the communication failure right away.
Currently analyzing.
Analysis complete. The surrounding area is emitting a powerful jamming signal.
Why didn't you notice right away?
Answer. A clever coverup was placed, delaying the discovery.
Presumed that a third party did this intentionally.
Quite the clever one, huh?
Wonderful. I'd love to analyze and trace that thing.
But what would be the objective for doing something so intricate?
9S.
Pod. Emergency contact to 2B. Tell her A2 may be nearby.
Affirmative.
Alert. Communication error. Analyzing the cause.
Hurry and regain communications.
Affirmative.
What is all this?
Why are we...
Pod, any contact with 2B?
Pod?
No way.
198,010... 198,011... 198,012...
198,013...
Elder Brother. Just like we promised, I finished reading it.
Elder Brother?
Connect to network.
I can't feel... Elder Brother.
POD 042 REPORTING TO ALL OF MANKIND.
WE WILL NOW EXECUTE THE TASK OF INTRODUCING THE MULTIPLE ENDINGS FOR THE VIDEO GAME "NIER:AUTOMATA." OVER.
PUPPET PLAY NIER:AUTOMATA "TASTE OF MACKEREL"
I am YoRHa No. 2 Type B, AKA 2B.
9S is taking a break today, so I will be answering the question on this postcard.
To: NieR:Automata Q&A segment From: Yosuke Saito in Yokohama, Kanagawa
* We are no longer accepting questions.
Question. A long time has passed since humans have been gone from Earth.
Q1. A long time has passed since humans have been gone from Earth. So why are the buildings still there?
Also, what does 2B do in her spare time?
Q2: What does 2B do in her spare time?
The answer to the first question is, for the day that humans return to Earth,
androids are repairing buildings and creating new buildings based on past data.
* But they are destroyed in battles against machine lifeforms.
The answer to the second question... Pod.
Commence fishing.
Report.
Fresh.
Having consumed the mackerel, it didn't take long for the android's bodily fluids to congeal. Muscle rigidity and paralysis soon followed. "It was good though," the android thought as their consciousness faded. "Exquisite even. No wonder humans used to eat them."
TO BE CONTINUED