S-type androids are reconnaissance-type androids, skilled in reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and… hacking.
Unlike Human hackers, android hacking is more like entering the inner world of another machine. They can obtain information by "physically" breaking through its firewall, destroy data, or even make it self-destruct.
Upon receiving Takatsuki's command, A2 opened her internal data to 9S.
This was perhaps the easiest hack 9S had ever performed, as the target had placed no defenses on her data whatsoever.
Then 9S saw…
A2's past: betrayal by the Command Center, the sacrifice of all squad members, her escape, her solitary hunt of Machine Lifeforms, and… the newly acquired truth about Humanity, as well as the reason for the establishment of YoRHa.
"No… how can this be…"
"Are we born to be destroyed? What is the meaning of YoRHa's existence!"
9S said in disbelief, looking at the data before him.
"Lord Takatsuki said that YoRHa androids exploring Earth wear blindfolds to symbolize not seeing what shouldn't be seen, and communicators wear veils to symbolize not speaking what shouldn't be spoken."
A2's voice echoed behind 9S.
"How are you here?"
9S looked at A2 in surprise.
"This is inside me. Why wouldn't I be here?"
A2 looked at 9S in confusion.
But 9S knew that this was memory space. Unless the hacker deliberately intended it, or the hacked individual possessed ample hacking combat ability, only residual memories of the main body would appear here.
And A2, being an older model, clearly wouldn't have such capabilities; A2 didn't even have a long-range attack function.
However, what he didn't know was that after being modified by Jizo Mitama, the power of erosion remained within A2. Although A2 herself couldn't use it, this power gave her a means of counterattack when she was being eroded.
"Never mind that, A2, is all this true!"
"You've seen it, haven't you? These are my memories."
Yes, memories cannot be faked. Even if these were false, at least A2 believed them to be true.
"A2, tell me, what should I do? What is the meaning of our YoRHa's existence? Humanity has already perished, so what are we androids fighting for?"
"That depends on your own choice. The Humans of this world have already gone extinct, but Humans still exist in other worlds."
"Other worlds… what do you mean?"
A2 looked at 9S and said, "Lord Takatsuki is also a Human, but he is not a Human from our world. He comes from another world invaded by invaders called Honkai. I choose to follow Lord Takatsuki's footsteps and go to that world."
"This world no longer has Humans, and it has nothing to do with me, 9S. Having witnessed the truth, what will you choose?"
9S looked at A2 in surprise.
"Other worlds… but Humans from other worlds are not our creators. They are not the Humans we were originally meant to protect."
"Then it depends on your choice. Will you perish with the Humans who have already died in this world, or will you choose to leave this destroyed world?"
"I…"
A2 interrupted 9S, "You don't need to tell me. Lord Takatsuki is still waiting for your answer outside. I hope you can make the right choice, 9S."
With that, A2 disappeared.
9S felt a powerful force suddenly hit him, instantly knocking him out of this memory space.
As soon as he opened his eyes, 9S saw Takatsuki and the Pod and 2B impaled by a katana at his feet.
"2B… Pod…"
2B was completely unresponsive, and so was the Pod. The single strike had completely pierced through the core of all three.
"Now, give me your answer, 9S. Facing this world on the brink of destruction, and you who are no longer needed by this world, what will you do?"
"I…"
9S had never imagined having to make such a momentous decision. He had always followed the Command Center's orders or 2B's commands, but now the Pod was destroyed, he could no longer communicate with the Command Center, and 2B was dead.
"I…"
He felt his lips incredibly dry. He wanted to avenge 2B, but protecting Humanity was his underlying logic.
"9S, you have great potential. I will not kill you, but the fate of this world is already sealed. Destruction or protection… choose, 9S."
Takatsuki looked at 9S, who had been silent for a long time, and clarified two paths for him. It wasn't that there wasn't a third path, but perhaps the current 9S lacked that creativity.
9S understood Takatsuki's meaning. He slowly knelt on the ground.
"I'm sorry, 2B."
He wanted revenge, but his underlying logic and rationality told him that these were all wrong choices.
Because the person in front of him might be YoRHa's only salvation.
"I choose to protect…"
Those five short words seemed to drain 9S's strength, and the blindfold covering the upper half of his face was soaked with tears.
It was the correct choice, but his emotions would not disappear because of the correct thing.
"I'm very happy, 9S, that you made the right choice."
He pulled Jizo Mitama out of 2B.
"2B!"
9S watched Takatsuki leave 2B's side and quickly rushed over, hugging 2B's body and burying his head in her, crying bitterly.
"9S, YoRHa is not allowed to have emotions."
Familiar words echoed in 9S's ears. 9S looked up in surprise and saw 2B, who should have been dead, smiling at him.
"Negative. 2B's mission has been reset. The restriction against emotions is no longer valid."
Pod 042 floated into the air, making a dismantling sound.
"Negative. 9S has not been reset and must still follow YoRHa orders."
9S looked in astonishment at his companion, whom he thought had been destroyed.
"You, how could this be…"
2B smiled and explained to 9S, "My underlying logic and mission have been changed. The previous attack was Lord Takatsuki hacking me to change my underlying logic."
"What…"
9S had never heard of anyone being able to change underlying logic. Even a logic virus could only cause androids' logical judgment to fall into confusion, making them perceive comrades as enemies, but it couldn't change underlying logic.
"9S, I can tell you now about my former mission."
2B said to 9S.
She took off the blindfold she wore. Since her system's missions had been cleared, she no longer needed to follow YoRHa's past orders.
Looking at 2B's blue eyes, 9S realized that 2B and A2 looked exactly alike.
"My true designation is 2E, Executioner, specialized in executing S-type robots who discover the truth."
2B began to tell 9S about her former mission, which was also why Takatsuki had stabbed 2B right away. It was to prevent 2B from suddenly attacking 9S and also to test if 9S had any rebellious tendencies.
Takatsuki still remembered how 9S completely went crazy at the end of the game, even wanting to destroy everyone with him, but that was also because he suffered a huge blow.
"But after a little probing, I can still keep this kid around."