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S6     "Looks like the receiving station is still online. Locks disengaged, delivery system online." I17's voice chatters in S6's ear, "I'll get you there right away!" The floor drops away and S6 drops with it. Dark, punctuated by pinpoints of light along cramped tunnel walls. Unsafe forces, unsafe velocities, and no control at all. A claustrophobic experience. But in mere moments, S6's internal sensor tells her that her movement has stopped. Her Pod chimes, and the capsule walls unfurl. A flat outer door pushes out, then hinges open--

OLD INDUS - DESERT

    Against the side of a precariously angled, abandoned structure, a rust-covered device chimes to life. Its exterior pushes outward, then splits itself open and the android S6 emerges. Once the android is clear, the doors swivel closed and lock in place again, re-assuming the facade of a derelict vending machine. The Pod chimes again while S6 lifts her gaze, getting her bearings... and waiting for the disorientation of the Android Rapid Transit System to fade.

    The locale is on the border between the slick dusty dunes of the desert and the ruins of Old Indus. The monolithic walls of the city are visible in the distance, distorted by heat haze coming off the sand. While there are traces of buildings or pipes amid the dunes, the bulk of the ruin is further in.

    What may have at one point been a residential bloc, countless multistory buildings being swallowed by the sand, forming canyons between them as the desert takes over. Their foundations are failing, with several leaning at precarious angles and some having already fully collapsed. The machine S6 emerged from is in what once was a small park served by several of these complexes, and it is here that she waits, beside a half-buried swing set and the remains of a motor vehicle protruding from the sand.
Android 17 Seventeen, with some desert gear (which really was just a brown poncho-like setup, some sunglasses, and a satchel full of water bottles,) arrived on his own because he heard reports of some unique animal-like creatures here.  It wasn't completely known what they do, or how they work, but he was at least interested in trying to find out.

Luckily, he was examining the strange vending machine, which opens to reveal the android.  This, causes Seventeen to cross his hands slightly, frown.  Well, so much for an extra thing of delicious sugary drink in the hot desert.

With a shrug, he turned away to look back over the desert.  Maybe he should change the area of his search, but...

Well, he hadn't ever gone desert exploring before.  It sounded like fun, challenging, and dangerous work.  So with all three of his triggers hit, of course, he was out here enjoying himself, ignorant of the actual mission.
Phobos     THE GREAT AFFRONT... does not soar overhead, because it is a spaceship and not an airship. It is very far overhead, for all intents and purposes pointlessly overhead for all interaction purposes. That's fine, because it's an ugly-ass mess crunched together from all kinds of technology.

    The Inquisition Hates Her, Click Here For Her Secrets.

    What does matter is that the ship launches a weird, angular pod of gold and white, which crashes into the desert sand and then deploys out like some kind of gateway. Phobos emerges from it, accompanied by half a dozen floating human skulls equipped with various gizmos, and two very brute-ish looking cyborgs in half red robes bearing the symbol of the Mechanicus, like her own. Except where Phobos has no sign of flesh, these are... obviously corpses, onto which cybernetics were grafted to create enforcers. They're not quite decaying, but they look off.

    Phobos' green optics adjust to the desert, and she laughs. "How nostalgic. If there was more radiation in the air, I could say I almost feel like I'm home."

    She approaches S6, flanked by her Servitors and floating skulls. "It pays to come prepared, doesn't it? S6, right? You don't look like I pictured. You look more human than the average Imperial, but you're full machine. Your makers truly perfected an art."
Yang Xiao Long     The ruins of Old Indus have probably not heard the sound of a motor vehicle engine for quite some time. The deep thruming of a motorcycle engine, mixed with some kind of high pitched whine like a jet engine spinning up approaches S6 and the others.

    Yang Xiao Long skids to a stop, kicking up a plume of disturbed sand, thankfully away from the gathering, before dismounting and taking off her helmet. She sets this in the seat storage area, then taps a couple of buttons on the inside of her left wrist bracelet. The bike springs back to life, revs, then peels away, heading back toward the relative safety of the nearby Warpgate, waiting the signal to return for its rider.

    Yang's wearing a full body outfit, something with big heavy boots and a kind of 'cowgirl' motif, she flicks her hair out, and grins at 17. "Hey 17, fancy meetin' you out here." she says, before turning to S6, though she gives Phobos a side-long glance. "So, search and rescue? We got any identifying info for the missing Hunters? Just in case we find them unable to identify themselves. Always a bad time when that happens."
Nanoha Takamachi     Nanoha very much dislikes the idea of leaving people behind. Even if they're no longer alive, it's not right to just leave their remains out here in the middle of nowhere.

    Of course, it might actually be different for robots... Actually, Nanoha hasn't really considered whether an android cares about such things. She's too polite to ask though.

    Either way, Nanoha naturally wants to help in any search for the two missing bots. Which is why she currently rockets through the sky, heading for the provided coordinates in the ruined city ahead. As she does so, she briefly moves a hand to touch the medical patch on the side of her head. Ouch. Still sore.

    The streak of pink that is Nanoha curves over as she heads down towards the park, the magic aura around her fading as she slows. Finally she touches down gently on the ground. Nanoha walks up to the gathering folks, staff in hand. She nods to S6, "Hello, S6. I hope we can find your missing comrades quickly." Yang's here too, so Nanoha smiles at her in greeting.

    Nanoha looks to the other two that are here as well, unfamiliar with either of them. Giving both of them a friendly smile, Nanoha says, "Hello, I don't believe we've met before! I'm Nanoha Takamachi. It's nice to meet you."

    Introductions complete, Nanoha returns to looking at S6, "Do we have a search plan yet?"
Kotone Yamakawa Today the name of the game was search and rescue. She got that much so she was heading down to S6's world this time without her ARMED suit, it was undergoing maintenance at the moment. Then Phobos spoke up on the com that she was coming too. That left Kotone feeling /very/ uneasy about it, so very uneasy about it. A Desert, which means sand. If anything sand was one thing that got worse for Kotone after becoming a cyborg. It went from an annoyance to potential health danger. Either way, bundled up in her stealth gear she had kept the seals tight and hopefully, she'd not be here so long that it would become an issue.

Phobos is here which puts her on edge even more so than it goes.

<<So you're here to Phobos?>>

She is already moving forward.

"She has a few fewer tels than even I do about my nature I have to give it to your designers, S6."

She notes she will then let up a few camera drones to scout ahead to try and help hunt down the missing androids or any sign of them.

She looks to Nanoha for a moment

"Well I'm sending out scout drones right now, that should help give us a head start."
S6     The presence of an apparent explorer outside the ARTS terminal is something of a surprise, though it's tough to register that on S6's face. She simply regards Seventeen from behind the opaque black tactical visor covering her eyes. Her Pod floats up to its regular position above and behind her shoulder.

    More familiar arrivals warrant her attention, "Captain Takamachi. Officer Yamakawa." Nanoha and Kotone both receive that formal-sounding greeting. A familiar voice comes from a form she has yet to see-- and Phobos gets a long, quiet glance as well. After a moment, the Techpriest is addressed, "I was designed in accordance to the design philosophy of my creators."

    The implication is clear: S6's builders appear to have valued form over function. Though her functionality is yet to be seen, and she doesn't seem bitter about it either way.

    Yang and Nanoha ask useful questions, and S6's gaze shifts sidelong. Her Pod floats forward, displaying a screen of two individuals. White-haired, one male and one female, labeled P33 and S27 respectively. They have the same aesthetic 'quality' as S6, though not identical-- The same attention to detail and appearance, but with unique facial features.

    "The androids in question were deployed forty days ago to locate and assassinate a high ranking Nullborn officer in this area. While the Officer's activities have since ceased, the androids have not reported to FANTOM either."

    She turns at the waist, looking over her shoulder at the buildings behind her, "As for a plan... My Pod can detect magical signatures, though the range is rather short. Other methods of narrowing down the search would be useful."
Android 17 "Well, I wasn't before, but I guess I am now," Seventeen says towards Yang, giving the Blonde fighter a wave.  As more people show up, each one gets a nod in turn, except Phobos, who gets a critical eye.  There is something about her uh...attitude that puts him off.  Like that Docter Gero way.  

When ideas on how to try and find something nearby come up...Seventeen gets a bit quiet and closes his eyes.  He tries to extend his hearing range out to see if he can hear anything out of the ordinary nearby that might give them a direction to go.

It's a long shot, but hey.  "Android Seventeen, by the way."
Nanoha Takamachi     That's an interesting name. And another android, it seems. They seem common in the Multiverse!

    As images of the missing androids are provided, Nanoha raises her hand up. A holoscreen appears and she presses a few controls. The images from the pod's screen are captured on her own so she can reference them later. Nanoha then offers up to the others, "Well, we've already got some drones out, which should help. I suggest we split up. I can search from the air. That combined with Yang's bike on the ground should allow us to cover the exteriors. Everyone else can start clearing the building interiors?"
Phobos     "Can it?" Phobos questions S6, looking at her POD.

    "Don't mind me. I'm going to need a minute."

    Her mechanical limbs - the visible ones anyway - unfold off her back in an eerily spider-like fashion. There's only four, at least. One clicks, its head opening up like a weird, absurdly alien multitool made of sharp and questionable bits.

    Another makes a weird hissing noise as the tip suddenly turns into a mess of writhing wires, like a dozen snakes locked together.

    A third arm starts smoking.
    It smells kind of nice.
    And religious. Because it's incense.

    "Come here, little one. Your services are required, and I would ensure you're satiated and happy. You are valued beyond words!"

    She is talking to the POD.
    She reaches into her robes, and produces a bottle of ceremonial oil. She splashes it on the POD.

    "I've petitioned its Machine Spirit for assistance. Please hold."
Kotone Yamakawa Kotone Yamakawa catches the implications from S6's reply and is going to be ready to move out once everyone else is. Now with her Camera drones up in the air the small machines will fan out as she directs them out to aid in the search and she nods to 17.

"Good to see you Android Seventeen."

She seems to hold no grudge about past encounters form her tone of voice, and if 17 is paying attention Kotone does seem unsettled by Phobos as well.

The drones will fan out and start feeding information back to her, and she'll direct them as she needs to, when they spot something worth taking a closer look at? She'll make them do so.

The images of the missing androids also helps with her hunting for them. Then Phobos is on S6's POD and just stares for a moment. It was going to be one of those missions...
Yang Xiao Long     "I can't really help with that... my Aura lets me pick up stuff trying to attack me, but that's about it." says Yang. She looks to Nanoha. "I don't use my bike for this kinda thing. The engine's too loud to hear someone calling for help and stuff." she corrects. "I'm pretty quick on foot either way, and this terrain is more suited to a methodical search than 'tear around at the speed of sound'." she quips, grinning a bit. "I'm trained to track stuff down anyway, so I'll have to fall back on that and good old fashioned Mark One eyeballs."

    After that, she goes about doing exactly that thing she just said. Taking in the general area, and seeing if she can spot anything that might lead her towards something.
S6     "Mm," S6 nods once to Yang, "More of a combat response system than an area sensor. I understand. My VRCS fulfills a similar purpose." Phobos splashes something on her Pod, which beeps in response to the offer and the displayed tools.

    -ALERT.-
    -TAMPERING WITH FANTOM EQUIPMENT IS NOT RECOMMENDED.-
    -WARRANTY VOID IF CASING OPENED.-

    S6 glances towards the Pod, then to Phobos, "I do not understand what you're trying to do, but I'd rather my Pod not be dismantled."

    Seventeen introduces himself, and S6 glances his way again. Any curiosity on her face is hidden by the visor. Her response is simple, "A17, I am unfamiliar with that type. If you have sensor functionality, that will be useful."

    She turns from the party, at that point, "Takamachi has presented a way to begin. I will check this district. I will stay in communications range if there are any findings to report."
Yang Xiao Long     Yang heads inside of one of the main buildings, following her instincts, and thankfully, finding some windblown footprints. With how scoured the area is with the wind, these must be pretty fresh, though she can't tell what made the tracks. She radios her findings, and continues onwards, following the trail to its supposed creator.
Phobos     "I don't need to open it. Don't worry. It's done," Phobos states. It likely makes no bloody sense, but she's not lying. The POD's scanners are on overdrive. Also it smells really nice! And oily. But really nice!

    Phobos' head clicks, snap-turning to look towards the ruins. "Now then. Idle hands accomplish nothing. Let's get closer."

    'Android' 17, though? A17? Another perfectly-human-looking machine? How many of those ARE there? And why hasn't she found one to dissect yet? Frustrating.

    Phobos begins moving towards the ruins, her optics rapidly shifting between different modes - electrical signals, heat sources, radiation, she's looking for anything out of place.

    Her Servitors lumber after her like brutes, and the skulls continue being cool floating human skulls jammed full of electronics.
Kotone Yamakawa As Kotone and many others of the party find traces of life? She'll send her drones into heck out what appear to be tents in the ruins her machine will do a flyby. Android 17 confirmes that there are people here. Her drone would get visual proof to add to what the others have found. It looks like they could be human. She'll pass the visual feeds on to the rest of the party as she goes. Kotone will break into a run picking up speed that would be impossible for a normal human on her world. Heck, she's double jumping and air dashing on occasion as she moves heading for the camp. "S6 it looks like Android 17's found a camp with quite a few people from the looks of it. None of them look like any of the Androids I have seen from this world."
Android 17 Seventeen immediately just forgets what he was suspicious of the woman for because that certainly is NOT anything the good old doctor would do.  It's...kinda weird, because how often do you see someone mixing religion and materialism?  Weird!

His ears pick up on something, motioning towards Takamachi, "Well, whatever you are doing go that way.  It's where I can hear folks.  More than two, by the way.  Lots of them," he says, matter of factly.  

Turning towards S6, he shrugs.  "Not actually an Android, Cyborg is the appropriate term, but it's what my creator called me because he had a one-track mind.  If you don't mind, just call me Seventeen.  That aside, good to meet you S6.  I am assuming you ARE an android, or is that just a code name?"
Nanoha Takamachi     Nanoha watches with interest as Phobos performs some kind of ritual on S6's pod. A religion based around machinery? That's new.

    Nanoha turns to look at her staff, "How about it, Raising Heart? Would you like to be worshipped?"

    The Device chimes, <It is no matter.>

    Nanoha chuckles, teasing some more, "Come on. I'm sure you'd be a kind, merciful god!"

    <...>

    Nanoha is distracted from playing with her partner at Yang's response, "Ah, very well then." As her plan meets at least some agreement, Nanoha slowly floats into the air. She nods to Seventeen as he reports a possible location to investigate. As she heads upwards she waves to the others, "I'll let you know if I spot anything of interest!" She zooms off.

    Nanoha begins flying between the buildings. She's not going too fast, wanting to keep her speed at a point where she can do a decently thorough job of looking around. Initially nothing pops out, but she soon reaches the area where some people were supposedly detected, by both Seventeen and Kotone. If there actually are people, maybe they've seen the missing androids!

    Soon enough the camp comes into view, Nanoha slowing down as she descends towards it. She's being cautious, not aware of how the locals might react to strangers. As she touches down, she glances around at the collection of tents and the people, before asking, "Ummm, hello? Is anyone willing to answer some questions? I'm looking for some people who have gone missing in this area."
S6     The POD chimes.

    -PROCESSING . . .-
    -DYNAMIC SCANNER SENSITIVITY INCREASED.-
    -ACCOUNTING FOR INCREASED EFFECTIVE RANGE.-

    "Mm," S6 regards the state of her support unit for a moment, then casts a glance towards Phobos. Perhaps being cagey around this Techpriest isn't the right way to approach it. As nervous as the idea of being disassembled makes her, there are other useful talents. She certainly does at least seem to want to help...

    Mention of footprints and people distracts the android from her thoughts. She soon joins Yang, and the pair follow the traces of passage into the same tent-city that Nanoha has just landed in.

    It looks like a nomad town, with nobody making use of the permanent structures. They seem to prefer the heavy, canvas-like tents nestled amidst the buildings. People in well-kept, desert-appropriate clothing give the Mage a wide berth when she lands. She is soon surrounded by children, enamored by a woman who can fly. One of the adults regards her, stroking his chin, "You dress like Indus elite, but that's a talent their magic can't pull off. Not from around here, are you?"

    "Hmm?" His gaze shifts, "Definitely outsiders. Though you have one of those FANTOM androids with you." He says the organization's name with just a hint of spite. Glancing back to Nanoha, he sweeps a hand down and leans into a bow for the caramel-haired magus, "I am Father Kanson, and this is our village of Manda. We are people who left Indus to live as men should, amidst the natural order and the gods who govern it."

    As he rights himself, Father Kanson folds his hands together, "If you are here to collect more of those things, we found two of them. You're welcome to them, maybe they'll listen to you."
Yang Xiao Long     Yang looks at the tent-shanty, and quirks a brow. "Man, this reminds me of the little settlements outside of the Kingdoms back home." she remarks idly, glancing at S6. "This common? What about those Nullborn, they kinda sound like th Grimm, but worse." Well, Grimm will kill you, these Nullborn sound like they suck the life out of you, so...

    Yang lifts a hand, giving a wave. "Yeah, we're out here lookin' for thse two." she pulls her Scroll out, expands it to Tablet-size, and flicks to a copy of the picture S6 provided, turning it to show the village leader.
Phobos     Phobos just wants to help.
    (Free humanity from the shackles of its flesh.)
    It's a kind of helping.

    To say she looks completely disinterested in the unkept, broken down town and its inhabitants is putting it lightly. And yet she can't help but pick up the hint of spite in the man's voice as he refers to S6. Phobos' crescent-arranged optics light up bright green, as if staring.

    "Excuse you? You're going to pay her the same respect you would pay to one of your children. And if you're so interested in the natural order, might I remind you it's the natural order of things to DIE?"

    Her synth-voice crackles at that last word. Her Servitors stand a bit more upright, putting on full display their rotting, cybernetic bodies. The servoskulls continue doing absolutely nothing useful besides orbiting the Tech-Priest.

    Phobos is not a diplomat.

    "Now please hand the other two over," she drones on, as Yang provides the means to identify them.
Android 17 Seventeen COULD fly there, but where is the fun in that.  He walks with S6 and Yang, mostly just trying to shoot the shit while the trip takes them along the path after Nanoha.  Offering each of them one of his water bottles as they travel.  

He gets there just in time to reverse his opinion on Phobos yet again, frowning as she pretty much directly threatens the man.  A hand reaches out to grab her by the shoulder.  

"Alright, calm down now.  I am sure he didn't mean anything by it," he says, with a shake of his head.  "Oh, you found the two missing people, well.  Mission successful, let's not go and make things a mess, ok?" He says, directly to Phobos.  

"Huh, good to see people living out here in the wilderness.  Really, most people just wanna huddle up in their concrete homes and not even venture outside of them.  Kinda silly, really...missing all sorts of great stuff."
Nanoha Takamachi     Nanoha gives a warm smile to the children as they begin to crowd her. Shifting her staff into one hand she crouches down on one knee, "Hello there. Do you like magic?" Nanoha opens her free hand, a small spell circle forming in her palm. She gathers a little bit of magic then releases it. The small motes of pink explode into sparks, like tiny fireworks.

    After her little display, Nanoha is called out on her magical talent. A little embarrassed, she laughs, "Yes, I'm not from around here." She forgets sometimes that all the things she's familiar with aren't necessarily common in other places.

    Nanoha notices the others arrive, but looks back to Father Kanson as he introduces himself. She returns his bow, "Nanoha Takamachi. I understand and admire your desire to live this way." Nanoha does live in a big city, but understands the appeal of a simpler life. However, Phobos does raise a good point, which Nanoha asks about with some concern, "Aren't you worried about the Nullborn attacking you?"

    Some of the others have already addressed the issue of the missing androids, so Nanoha leaves that to them.
Kotone Yamakawa As the search goes on more signs are found there are recent footprints and she'll soon be arriving at the town. She takes note that no one is using buildings. So it's likely they are nomads. She will stop with the fancy stuff as she gets closer and she'll look the man over for a moment after Nanoha does. She'll look to Father Kanson for a moment as he introduces himself.

"Thank you for the welcome Father, we're looking for two missing androids. Your help is welcome."

"Well if you can survive out here you have my respect. More like thriving from the looks of it."

She sees others are going for the Androids recovery

"Oh forgive me I'm Kotone Yamakawa!"

She'll look to 17 for a moment she really can't live long term on her own anymore like she could before her transformation into a cyborg. Still it's good to see people who want to and seem happy.

"Got to admit ssome people are losing a bit of touch wher I'm from with nature."
S6     The children are delighted when Nanoha shows them a magic trick. However when Father Kanson lifts a hand in gesture, the kids all scatter away from the adults. Two of the boys linger around Phobos at a safe distance, apparently in awe of the machinery that makes up her body and her servants.

    S6 pauses, just inside the sand-floored plaza park that has been claimed as the village of Manda. Partly out of surprise at seeing humans out here in the desert, and partly due to the tone towards which she is referred. Her gaze shifts to Phobos when the techpriest leaps to her defense, and she raises a hand, "That's not necessary."

    -ANDROID SIGNATURE DETECTED.-
    -ENERGY LEVELS CRITICAL.-
    -PROPOSAL: RETRIEVE THE DAMAGED UNITS IMMEDIATELY.-

    Father Kanson raises his hands at the Priest, "The robot is right-- No need for violence." He doesn't seem bothered by the far more clearly mechanical nature of Phobos or her servitors and servoskulls, "It's not machines I disagree with. It's FANTOM." He turns, gesturing, and some of the other adults band together and rush off towards tents in the back of the encampment, "I'll spare you further preaching, it's hardly appropriate for a first meeting with outsiders. It's more of an internal disagreement, anyway."

    "As for what you call Nullborn..." Father Kanson turns back around to face Nanoha, "We are safe from them. Don't worry about that."

    Well the village does appear to be nomadic, They probably pick up and leave when Nullborn get too close. He doesn't say as much, though.
Yang Xiao Long     Yang puts her Scroll away. "Definitely sounds like some of the settlements back home... Lot of those don't last more than a few months before they get overrun by Grimm." she muses, frowning to herself. "Even the ones that don't put down solid roots and keep moving. One bad argument can have an entire swarm fall on the place in hours."

    Yang's probably seen this first hand, by the way her right hand twitches at the mention of it. "Monsters like that don't care if you're young or old. Rich or poor. Living in harmony with nature or huddled in a concrete box. If they can get to you, they'll kill you without remorse."

    The blonde brawler shakes her head, trying to dispell the sullen mood that seemed to have struck her, putting on a grin again, and resuming her sunny outlook.

    "You guys seem to have stuff figured out though... got a radio setup somewhere? Or would ya be willing to accept one, just in case an offworlder could lend a hand with stuff, of course." She pulls out a small device. Similar to an old-style flipphone, and offers it to Father Kanson. "It's tuned to my personal frequency, but you can keep a list of 'em and swap between as needed. Even has the local sector broadband."
Phobos     Phobos is held back by 17. She doesn't want to disrespect the absolutely perfect piece of machinery he seems to be, having not yet understood that Android is just a name and not a fact.

    "Fine. Have it your way," she mutters off, though she then rambles on regardless: "But one day, when your flesh grows old and your memories start fading, when you can barely lift yourself and others have to waste their time taking care of you, I'll come again, and we'll see how that NATURAL ORDER thing of yours is going."

    She is clearly, absolutely, tilted.

    But the objective is ahead. That's enough time wasted. She glances at the children, bending down to peer them in the eyes, eye-to-eye. Err. Optic-to-eye.

    "And you, I hope, will not lose your curiosity and give in to these toxic ways. Here."

    She picks up one of her servoskulls and hands it to one of the children. "You can tell it to play music for you. Or record conversations. Or play conversations. It's perfectly safe."

    It's still a human skull with electronics in it, though.

    Phobos gets back up straight. "Now, let's follow the lead so graciously provided by the POD. Bless its Machine Spirit, watching over us so diligently."

    Onward!
Android 17 Seventeen just gives Phobos a shake of his head.  "That's their choice.  It's important to respect these things.  Besides, even machines can rust and get worn down.  Entropy eats everything eventually."

"Besides, it's up to them how they want to live their lives.  If they want to live outside the laws and rules of a government they don't agree with..." Seventeen shrugs.  "Then that's on them.  They know the risks."  He says, motioning towards the POD.

"See, made the most sense in this entire exchange.  If we're here to save some Androids, let's do that and save the political debate for a time where two androids aren't possibly dying."

Towards Father Kanson, "You can call me Seventeen, by the way.  No, not related to the people here.  I'm from another world.  My name is a long story I'll spare you right now because it's not important."

Yang gets a glance from Seventeen, "Some people can't help but want to be free, even if it's not safe.  It's up to people like us to help them live how they wanna."
Kotone Yamakawa Kotone Yamakawa watches Nanoha's magic trick and the kids seem to like it but when the children scatter and get back from all of them. There's some tension on the radio with Phobos leave her feeling more tense about this whole situation.

Thankfully as the POD speaks up and Father Kanson's reply. Okay, this should hopefully keep it from turning into more trouble. She is also curious to learn more, but that can wait for another time.

"Very well then we should go fetch S6's comrades then given their status."

Thankfully with Android 17 has mange to keep things from getting worse.

She takes note of Phobo's gift to the kids but for now will keep moving they have two androids to pickup.

"That is a good point Seventeen, sometimes freedom requires you take risks as well."
Nanoha Takamachi     Nanoha smiles as she watches the children scatter. She then tilts her head a little bit as Father Kanson says not to worry. Nanoha isn't too familiar with how a nomad lifestyle works, but based on her brief encounter with the officer not too long ago, Nanoha has her doubts. Still, like Yang said, they seem to be doing alright so far. Though as the blonde bruiser suggests use of a radio in case things go bad, Nanoha nods quickly in agreement, "I'm sure there are many people who would be happy to help if you get into a dangerous situation! Don't hesitate to ask."

    Nanoha then notices Phobos's gift to some of the children. She has a bit of a doubtful smile as she softly scratches her cheek, not entirely sure if a human skull fitted with electronics is a great gift, "Ehehe..." But she's trying to not be judgemental of strange cultures she's not familiar with, so doesn't actually say anything.

    Anyway, it seems like they've found the droids they were looking for. So Nanoha moves to follow the others to collect them. To S6 she asks, "Do you have a means of transport to return them? They might need medical attention quickly." Or whatever the android equivalent is.
S6 "Hm? Ah, yes," Father Kanson reaches out to accept Yang's gift, giving it a cursory once-over. He seems familiar enough with technology to get its functionality without issues, "I can't guarantee we'll be calling to be rescued, as you might expect. But if something comes up that's outside the village's ability, I'll be sure to reach out." He certainly seems confident in the safety of the village, at least. But he's also willing to accept that outside gesture.

    The two village boys are given a servoskull. Phobos explains its uselessness to them, which seems like the coolest thing they'd ever seen. One of them belts out, "We'll take good care of it!" before the pair run off, Servoskull in tow. Kanson doesn't seem all that bothered by it, either.

    "All things die," he assures Phobos, "Our only goal is to go when we're ready to, and not on the swords of our enemy. I can see you've made some difficult choices yourself, after all. You clearly understand that one must stick to their convictions."

    The adults stagger out of that distant tent, supporting androids between them. It's literally four people to an android, and they're still straining with the task. Both androids seem to be unconscious-- the female S27's torso has been torn open by either claws or a very large mouth. Amidst the dangling components is a faintly blue-glowing energy cell that looks like it's too big for the chassis and jury-rigged in. No doubt that's keeping her alive, and explains why P33 is also unconscious.

    "Nnh..." S6's silence could be interpreted as shock. Her gaze shifts to her POD.

    -SEVERE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE DETECTED.-
    -UNIT S27 POWER SUPPLY COMPROMISED. MCS DESTROYED.-
    -UNIT P33 MCS DESTROYED.
    -THEORY: UNIT P33 ATTEMPTED FIELD REPAIRS. BOTH UNITS UNABLE TO COLLECT MANA AT POSITIVE RATES WHILE MAINTAINING ACTIVITY LEVELS.-
    -BOTH UNITS CURRENTLY IN STASIS.-

    "Both units weigh a friggen' ton," one of the villagers complains. He drops the male android's legs, prompting the rest to follow suit and deposit the heavy Protector in the sand. The Striker is likewise set down, though somewhat more gently. "Two dead-weight androids," another villager quips, "We kept 'em out of the weather but they're so complex that's about all we could do."

    "I was expecting them to be functional," S6 admits to Nanoha, "I will, however, carry P33. S27 is more heavily damaged and will require more careful handling."
Android 17 "You did?  That's surprisingly optimistic for you," Seventeen says to S6 about expecting them to be functional.  Thinking about it after a moment, "Well, the thing they were sent to destroy was put down too, right?  So it is likely they managed to barely kill it, only for their wounds to claim them."

"Can you call transport out here for the other one?  Or is this a field repair sort of thing?  I'm not really cut out to do that, but I could probably carry one of them.  Flying is a smooth transport, assuming I don't run into trouble."

Seventeen offers help because he's just like that.  
Phobos     "No one should be ready to die. Suit yourself," Phobos spits out. Soon enough there are more important things in play.

    Like broken androids.

    Phobos' pace accelerates, and she stops in front of the androids. The idea of carrying them off like this comes up again. She almost seems angry.

    "Absurd! Would you take the risk of moving a critical patient before you stabilize them?" She settles by S27, who seems the worst off.

    "What did they DO to you? This is a SACRILEGE. Such perfect constructions torn to shreds and left to rust!" Her mechanical limbs click and clack impatiently. Additional ones, more like tendrils and tentacles of silver and iron, slide out of her sleeves and her back. Who knows what else is under those robes.

    "This is fine. I'm going to repair this one. Luckily, I happen to have a spare power source on me. We'll figure something out."

    Her larger, bulky hand reaches into her robes and pulls out a large, bright green crystal, taller than it's wide.

    She doesn't ask for permission.

    Like a demented surgeon she just gets right to work, eight limbs going all-in. How does this tick? What connects everything together? What can she safely do? Tech is tech. And this is a chance to learn.
Yang Xiao Long     "I can probably carry one if need be... but my bike isn't exactly a medical transport, so it'd knock something loose more likely than not." comments Yang, giving Kandon a little wave as she joins the others around the broken androids. "I can call my bike and take the big guy with me. Bumblebee's rated for like, five tons, pulling. I can probably jury rig a sled to go on the back."

    And then Phobos starts doing her thing. "Okay... I'll just be over here, then." she mentions, tapping on her bracelet, causing a distant revving to echo across the barren landscape, and the sound of the motorbike's engine to slowly draw closer.
Nanoha Takamachi     Nanoha watches with a sad expression as the inactive androids are brought out to them. She too was hoping that they were in better condition. Though she's not surprised that they aren't. She's not really sure what to do at this point. She doesn't have a fast means of helping to return them, saying out loud, "I don't think I can carry one of them by myself." But Seventeen does offer to fly one. Nanoha didn't know he could fly! She looks at him, "I can provide an escort! In case there's trouble."

    Nanoha turns to look at S6, "Where do we need to get them to? And is there any information on hostile forces in this area? I mean, apart from the ones that did this to them."

    Nanoha looks back at the broken androids. Just in time to see Phobos start her work. Nanoha watches with curiosity.
S6     Phobos indignation is clear. S6 does not obstruct her, it seems like fixing machines is just an Urge for this one, and getting in the way would only give her TWO things to repair. Instead, she loosely folds her arms, "...Nullborn often prioritize our power source. It's a sound tactical decision, much like going for the heart or brain when fighting an organic opponent." Leaning, she points, "It probably got a hold of her and just tore in. That's likely when P33 was able to destroy it."

    She glances towards Seventeen, then Yang, "...It seems our technical comrade is intent on repairing them now. But surely they will still appreciate the help in returning to FANTOM." Her attention returns to Phobos' work on the damaged machinery, "It is located in Indus, the walled city you no-doubt saw when you arrived." Her arms fold, a thoughtful noise escaping, but her POD answers Nanoha's question first.

    -ENEMY PRESENCE IN THIS AREA IS DIMINISHED AFTER THE ELIMINATION OF A-RANK OFFICER CYCLOS.-
    -NO ENEMIES DETECTED WITHIN SCANNER RANGE AT THIS TIME.-

    S6 simply gestures to her POD, then, "It's the same as with the Drakos. Once an officer is downed, the soldiers retreat."
Kotone Yamakawa Kotone Yamakawa says "Maybe so but I intend to exist for as long as I can."

She does seem to get where Father is coming from at least.

When she sees that the villagers are having issues with moving them she'll move into helping them with the very heavy androids. After al she's got the strength to deal with it an she will be careful far as she's seen with S6? These androids are not the wind-up dolls of her world.

Then again it was several AI's and machine spirits more or less who kept Kotone sane shortly after her conversion.

Then Phobos rushes in and starts working on repairs? Power source? There's an itch in the back of her ghost for lack of a better term at that. Still what alternative do they have for stabilizing the androids before they move them? She then looks at the crystal.

Wait is that one of those bits of Xeno salvage Phobos mentioned when Kotone was studied by her?

"Just what is that crystal?"

She will leave Phobos to her work though grimly watching it, she's an mechanic. If it was a vechile she'd be all over it at best she could jury rig the android and she hates to admit it but Phobos is the best bet getting the androids stable.

"We're lucky none are left and your comrades were not beyond help. That would make seses they took them down but suffered serious damage in the process."
Yang Xiao Long     "That's one major different from Grimm. They rarely retreat. The few times we've managed it, was with great cost in manpower and Dust... Atlas had a big run back in '45, they lost three platoons of their Squire bots, and at least three Cleric battlesuits with their pilots."

    Yang sighs. "At least with these Nullborn, you have a target, plain and clear, to take out which scatters the underlings..."
Phobos     "Sound and tactical or not, it's RUDE," Phobos snarls. "Makes these 'Nullborn' of yours sound smart, though. A nudge above your average monster. Smarter than Orks, certainly."

    Her head snaps half-backwards, to look at Kotone. "I retrieved this from a Necron pyramid a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I've lacked the means to plug it into something designed to draw power from such an esoteric power source before. So, research has been quite explosive."

    Her head snaps back to S27.

    "This android's systems, though, are powered by 'magic'. It should be able to handle the unusual power draw. Without side effects. Or explosions."

    What she's not saying is that she wants the damaged power core - and in fact, once she has the opportunity to swap them, the android's original core disappears into Phobos' robes.

    "The problem is replacing all these missing wires, and the piece that was destroyed. I'm having to learn how this works as I repair it. Not ideal. But I like a challenge."
Android 17 Seventeen thinks about this for a moment, the underlings scatter when a larger variant of the creatures come about.  That is...interesting to say the least.  He thinks on it a bit more, before turning towards S6.  "Perhaps they're a type of hivemind?  When the local leader dies, they flood to the nearest node so as to not be disconnected?"

"It's a theory, based on just what you've told me.  Do they communicate with each other?  Make sounds?  Odd smells?" He seems to be trying to apply basic logic to something that might as well act on its own magical logic, but hey...it's a start.

Of course, this means he's /fascinated/ with these 'nullborn'.  He shakes his head towards Phobos, "Not necessarily.  It might be instinct, or something about their power sources attract their attention in a fight.  There are a few things missing."
Nanoha Takamachi     "Oh yes, that's thankfully not too far. Though still some distance to go by land. At least it doesn't seem like there will be any trouble though."

    Nanoha continues to watch Phobos work on the android. She doesn't know what a Necron is. Or why it left a power source in a pyramid somewhere. But it's interesting to see the tech wizard making repairs to a machine she's not familiar with.

    Nanoha agrees with Seventeen's ideas though, "A hivemind does make some sense. A sudden retreat consistently after the loss of a command officer seems unlikely in conventional warfare. You'll typically see a shift in leadership to the next officer in line. Though they are rather alien. They may simply use battle tactics that differ to our own, but make sense from their perspective."
S6     "They are alien soliders," S6 states to Seventeen, "A typical soldier will retreat when their command structure collapses. It's the nature of warfare." She glances his way, "Outwardly they make all kinds of sounds that we've observed. But being an alien race, it's suspected they use a different form of communication. We have yet to successfully intercept any transmissions, and the Nullborn have not accepted any attempts at open communication."

    To Nanoha, she nods once, "That's the current theory. Combatting the Nullborn using conventional military tactics failed on every front. This pushed for the development of magical dolls into androids like us." Her gaze shifts, peering down at S27 as Phobos works, "We're more adaptable. Better equipped. And overall more lethal. Though as you can see here, we're not infallible either."

    Fater Kanson observes with his arms folded, a forced neutral look on his face through the entire conversation. After a moment, he glances upward to the sky, "You are welcome to stay here as long as your repairs take, but I ask you to take the robots back as soon as you are able. You are, of course, welcome to stay or to return at any time, assuming we haven't moved our village yet. Otherwise it might take some time to find us again."

    -UNIDENTIFIED POWER SOURCE ACTIVE.-
    -ENERGY LEVELS STABILIZING.-
    -ALERT: MCS DESTROYED. MANA LEVEL WILL NOT RISE UNTIL COLLECTOR IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED.-

    "Mm..." S6 glances past her POD to Phobos, "Good work. We'll have the parts to do a more thorough repair and replacement at FANTOM."
Android 17 "Mmm.  Maybe," Seventeen says, but something doesn't seem right, he'd have to observe these things for himself, it looks like.  He might start with how the Village is protected from them.  Might help him on the field.

"Well, looks like she's stable now, so we can try and get them back to get fully repaired.  Good thing too, it'd be terrible to be stuck out here non-functional forever.  Like spending years in a stasis tube."
Phobos     "Maybe. I'd like to see one, eventually. What a peculiar name. Nullborn. Born of the Void. Something birthed from nothingness? Or is it just a name?"

    The crystal in place, Phobos ensures everything is connected right and nothing's loose. Then she sees about applying a rudimentary sealing to the gaping hole in the android's chest - it's not pretty, but it'll work.

    Then she lights a ceremonial candle and puts it down next to the android. And rumbles off a few things in... is that even a language? It's weird machinespeak. Decipherable if you spend enough mental juice on it, it's basically respectful, religious chanting.

    "This should do."
Kotone Yamakawa It's as she was afraid it would be. It's Necron Tech and was loathed as she is to admit it to herself Phobos had a point.

"Right, anything I'd have had on me wouldn't fly I suspect."

She's going to have to give it to Phobos this time.

"A hive mind? I wonder if that could be it. It could be something to look into. Given your experience and abilities? You'd do pretty well on that. The more we can learn about how these things work? We up the odds of being able to deal with the Nullborn and end this invasion."

As she broods on the Necron power source some more she looks over to Nanoha for a moment.

"Could be that as well, though maybe they are overly centralized."

Kotone shudders a bit at the fate 17 talks about.

"Yes to be trapped in your own body like that.... if they are ready to move we should not waste any time."

She looks to Phobos for a moment

"Then best we get a move on if that's all you can do with what you have on hand."

She'll move to lend a hand with getting the two androids ready for them to take back to the city.

"I am curious about the people here I think I will return later."