Anemone: Understanding is a novel in NieR:Automata.
Description[]
The shared past of A2 and the Resistance is revealed by Anemone. The Resistance and YoRHa are slowly reaching a mutual understanding. However, one of the Resistance members has contracted a virus....
Characters[]
Transcript[]
According to the YoRHa team, there's an enemy server beneath Mt. Ka'ala.
If we can take it out, we might finally gain some ground in this endless war.
But in order for that to happen, we need to work together.
After a bit of thought, Rose decides to throw in with the new models.
It's a relationship that changes as time goes on.
"Er, what are you doing, Dahlia?"
"Just... showing this idiot... how weak she is!" replies a winded Dahlia.
"Ha!" wheezes her opponent, Number 16. "You're obviously... outmatched!"
The two of them are taking turns hitting each other.
It seems friendly enough... as those things go.
Plus, they'd been doing it for so long now that both of them are out of
energy. They likely couldn't punch through a piece of paper at this point.
The rest of the group stares at the combatants and tries not to grin.
Dahlia and Number 16 seem to butt heads over the smallest little things.
Maybe it's because they're so much alike.
It's almost annoying how quickly muscleheads learn to like one another.
The rest of us converse as Dahlia and 16 continue to spar.
"We call each other by names that I gave us," explains Rose.
"I see," responds Number 4. "I thought it strange that you didn't use code numbers."
She nods while she speaks, as though this all makes perfect sense.
Suddenly Captain Rose breaks out into a wide grin. "You know what?" she says.
"I think we should give all of you names as well!"
"No," says Number 2. "It would be a waste."
Rose eyes her warily. "Er, a waste?"
"You can name me when the mission is over," she replies as a blush rises in her
cheeks. I could tell her words also served as a wish for success.
"All right," responds Rose. "I'll think of a name for you by then."
She knows this is a fleeting promise, as most such things are. But it doesn't
matter—already I can see us growing closer to the YoRHa team.
Well, my friends are growing closer to them, at least.
"You're all being careless," I state, much louder than I intend.
Luckily, the others either don't hear or decide to ignore it.
Don't get me wrong—I'm not about to go against the captain's judgment.
But that doesn't mean I'm ready to just lie down and trust our new "friends."
Ours is a solitary existence that has long since been abandoned by the moon.
No matter how they cried, mourned, or struggled, the voices of our departed comrades
went unanswered.
So how can you trust an entire squad of new models that you just met?
"What's wrong, Anemone?"
I hear Lilly calling to me. She's likely concerned about me being apart from
the rest of the group.
"Nothing," I begin. "I'm fi—"
Before I can complete my thought, Lilly suddenly opens her mouth and emits
a terrible scream.
"AaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Lilly's scream echoes throughout the entire camp.
It's heartbreaking. It's agony. It's... horrible.
"She's infected!" screams Rose. "Lilly's infected!"
We all draw weapons out of instinct as much as anything else, pointing them
at our comrade as she continues to scream and scream and scream.
We all know what's happening. We've seen it before. It's a logic virus—
a machine weapon that hijacks android systems and overwrites their data.
And since there's no known cure... it's also a death sentence.
I need to show her mercy. I need to set her free.
My finger rests on the trigger, yet I hesitate. And before I can make that
final, fateful decision, I hear a voice rise up from somewhere behind me:
"Stop! You can't do this! You can't just let your friend DIE!"
It's Number 21. The girl I'd thought to be cool and composed beyond all measure
was now pleading with me to spare Lilly's life.
What do I do? What the hell do I DO!?
"Lilly said you were like a family to her! You can't abandon family,
not before you exhaust every possibility!"
"What can you do, then?"
"I'll use my power to erase the virus!"
"That's impossible!"
Rose spat out what we were all thinking, but before we can act,
Lilly starts to send nearby comrades flying with impossible strength.
I've seen infected androids before—I know how much damage they can do once the
virus turns off their limiters. They'll fight and fight until they're utterly destroyed
Dahlia and Number 16 rush into the fray, trying to suppress their former friend,
but she swats them away like flies.
How many of us have been infected now?
How many friends have I been forced to put down?
The heart I'm not supposed to have aches with the thought. It aches as I
remember all of the identification numbers that have been retired.
When did I start giving them names?
When did I decide I simply couldn't endure it any longer?
"Initiating reprogramming sequence!"
That voice. ...Number 21? She's screaming something about... reprogramming?
I don't know what to do.
I am lost.
As my vision slowly clears, I see Number 21 inputting commands into her terminal
while Number 2 and Number 4 hold her down. They hold her as she writhes and...
Rose stares at me with surprise. ...Oh no. I'm holding Lilly too.
Location[]
- Obtained after reading Anemone: Encounter. Computer access exclusive to A2.
Notes[]
- It is referred to as "Part 2" when accessing it via the computer at the Resistance Camp.
- Player gains access to Anemone: Separation after reading.