Dawn of the Machin

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision watched helplessly as the Machin marched past. His eyes followed an endless tide of painted steel moving ceaselessly towards the facility’s entrance. The ground echoed and quaked as he attempted to study the army moving before him. While they possessed different colors, antennae, and patterns on their faces, the thing Gang noticed most were their sizes.

There were the large ones that towered over the rest, like the one that had crushed his fist. They were built with harder, more rigid metal that folded over their arms like a muscular titan. Beside them were the more regular-sized Machin. Aside from the metal across their bodies, they looked like regular people, but walked with the same relentless purpose as the rest. The third group were about as tall as the second, but had a more curved, angular appearance. As they walked past, Gang felt anxious as they glanced towards him.

Finally, GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision gazed towards the entrance and watched the flood of steel soldiers storm outside of the building, and towards the grassy hill ahead. TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision stood confident and alone as they strode past. If the Machin were a waterfall, then Takahashi was a rock at its cliff - secure and powerful, overlooking everything. The Machin moved around him as they march ahead. Takahashi moved for no one.

As the Machin kept coming and GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision became overwhelmed by their near infinite numbers, TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision turned his head and faced GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision again. He had an intensity to his stare, and a brutal authority that left no doubt that he was in charge.

“They’re impressive aren’t they?” he strode forward. “I knew he would make them work, but watching them march for me is a glorious feeling. It reminds me of the old days.”

“Who would make them work? CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision?” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision asked.

“Of course.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision answered. CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision hung his head in shame. “You don’t think he just had the ‘on’ switch do you? He created the Machin - not that we gave him much of a choice.”

“That’s impossible.” GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision retorted, hoping to draw out information from TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision.

“Maybe for someone like you.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision stated. “But you were asleep for a long time. CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision and I had years to spend building these machines. The Androids, Primes, and Enforcers. I couldn’t picture a better way to best my enemies a second time.”

Three Machin approached TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision, GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision, and CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision. The leftmost Machin was about Gang’s size and had the build of a normal person. The middle Machin was tall and strong with muscles formed from rippled steel across his chest and arms. The rightmost Machin was also about Gang’s size, but had curved edges and a smoother body. Each of the Machin had a blank screen. With a snap of Takahashi’s fingers, each of the three screens lit up to reveal live feeds from Machin marching across the hill towards Nozomi.

“And we’re going to watch it all happen.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision stated.

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision breathed heavily as he looked for an edge. The idea of being at Takahashi'sTamashi #100View on SuiVision mercy unnerved him. Working under Chaos'sTamashi #42View on SuiVision thumb for years taught Gang how situations like this worked. If there was an unintended hostage, it either made sense to kill them immediately, or make sure they stayed alive. It didn’t matter if they tried to escape. That wouldn’t change the situation.

In short, heTamashi #21View on SuiVision had to try to escape.

The problem was that the only way out was through the entrance. The trail of Machin had ended, but the three Machin playing the videos stood between him and the exit. Running past them was the only option. It wasn’t perfect, since he didn’t know how quickly they could change from ‘video mode’ to chasing him, or how quickly they could run. Then there was the question of which direction to take. Moving between them was out of the question since the large one that had crushed his fist earlier stood in the middle. The smooth Machin to the right made him uneasy, so he decided to run to the left.

HeTamashi #21View on SuiVision smiled to himself briefly. ‘What a strange way to die’ he thought.

After a moment, he shoved the left Machin and sprinted past it at full speed. He panted and heaved and ran with the full force his body allowed him.

Each of the three Machin turned and took a step towards GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision. “Stop!” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision ordered. The Machin froze in their tracks.

TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision walked past the Machin and watched GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision sprint away. He saw him run desperately forwards, falter as he ran out of breath, yet continue on with slightly poorer form.

“I want to watch him run.” TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision smiled.

A short distance from the casino, KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision started walking back towards the hotel. She’d finally talked down Chaos'Tamashi #42View on SuiVision forces, and put SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision in his place, but she couldn’t help but feel empty. Defeating her brother had never been her goal. They were enemies, sure, but she didn’t fight to overcome him. She fought him so he would stop. Deep down she wanted him to be her brother again. Maybe that was impossible. He was too far gone. But she couldn’t pretend that it wasn’t what she wanted.

A short distance away, two men approached her. OneTamashi #11View on SuiVision wore a black tank top with an emerald around his neck and a pair of nunchucks by his side. The otherTamashi #89View on SuiVision wore a white gi with a bandana across his screen that held the resistance’s orange circle at its center.

“LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision! SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision!” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision smiled. They waved their hands up to greet her. “It’s been too long!”

“It’s good to see you again, KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision.” SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision answered. “You know we’d follow you into battle anywhere, but-”

“You didn’t believe in OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision as I did” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision finished.

“It’s not like it was in our Resistance days. We were clearly on the right side of history. But the Order / Chaos fight had no true heroes or villains. We couldn’t fight for a cause we didn’t believe in.”

“And we would have fought for you. Both of us!” LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision insisted.

“I understand.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision nodded. “Still, it would have been nice to have you at my side.”

“And we would have.” LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision stated. “Both of us. I…I’m sorry about the ambush.”

“What do you mean?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision asked.

“You know I trained to fight as hard as anybody else back then,” LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision started, “But when the day came when we were supposed to ambush SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision, I just couldn’t do it.”

“Not everyone is suited for war.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision assured.

“I know, but I should have been!” LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision declared. “If that had succeeded, then you wouldn’t have tried to fight him one on one, and you wouldn’t have gotten captured. Things fell apart after that. The Resistance wasn’t the same without you.”

“Don’t blame yourself for my shortcomings.” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Just know that whenever you need me, I won’t back down. Alright?”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision nodded.

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision stood with his arms crossed in the casino. He stood beside OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision while ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision sat comfortably in a chair. OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision glared at ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision, who stared back with a playful grin.

“I’ll ask you this one more time.” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision stated. “Why did GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision kidnap CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision?” “How should I know?” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision answered.

“Because he worked for you and because he’s Team Chaos.” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision insisted. “He punched me in the throat!”

“Poor baby.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision jeered. OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision kicked him in the shin. Chaos winced.

“This conversation is veering off-track.” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision argued. “Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to apply gradually escalating degrees of pain until you take this seriously. Now, tell us what you know.”

“Fine.” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision chuckled, “I don’t ‘know’ anything, but I’ll tell you that I’m only the second-most conniving person here.”

“What does that mean?” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision asked.

“It means …” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision started, “That Witch has an agenda of her own, and has kidnapped VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision already. I’d look into her if I was you.”

“VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision?” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision asked. “Because she punched her?”

“Like I said before”, ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision stated, “I - don’t - know.”

Suddenly the ground started shaking and the echo of thousands of heavy footsteps could be heard from the west side of the casino. ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision rushed to the entrance and he saw what he believed were hundreds of soldiers approaching from the horizon.

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision cussed to himself and ran back. He’d heard stories of people in the resistance talk about Triangle Company soldiers. He figured this could only be them.

“Triangle Company soldiers!” he yelled at OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision. “Hundreds of them! We have to get everybody out of here!”

The soldiers were marching towards the building from the south, towards the west entrance, so the only possible way to escape was by moving north along the outside of the building.

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision and OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision ran to the backlot where they had gathered everyone inside.

“We need to evacuate now! Follow us to the north side of the building!” OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision shouted. Everyone stood stunned.

ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision arrived a second later. “We need to go that way!” he gestured, “It’s life or death you morons!”

The combined authority of OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision and ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision shocked everyone into following their directions. Everyone started walking briskly along the side of the building. Following the northeast side led them to a narrow pass where their enemies were waiting for them.

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision looked over them in disbelief. At least fifty robots stood before him. They were about as tall as he was with smooth edges and a gaze that could only be described as unsettlingly intelligent.

“What do you want?” ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision asked them.

The closest Machin stepped forward and answered in a robotic tone, “Our prime directive is to bring you back to your beds where you belong. You’ve been allowed to leave your facility. Now you must return. You can come with us in an orderly fashion, or we will force you to. Do not take this warning lightly. Our armor is quite thick, and our training data is quite extensive, Daichi.”

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision was taken aback. No one here had called him Daichi. This machine clearly knew who he was. His mind started racing as he searched through his memories.

GangTamashi #21View on SuiVision had kidnapped CoderTamashi #33View on SuiVision right in front of him in the middle of a conversation. If he had wanted to capture someone, anyone else would have been more convenient. Plus, Coder had been trying to warn ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision about something right beforehand

• something important. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Coder was involved in this somehow, probably against his will.

The robots in front of him were clearly intelligent. They had used a feint to lure them out, and any robot capable of fighting a human would require a massive amount of training data. Yes, ‘training data’ was a word the robot had used. But something about this was off. He couldn’t place it, but something about this didn’t seem “optimal”.

“I don’t know where the rest of you stand,” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision started, speaking to the crowd of people standing before the robots, “But if I stand for anything, if I’ve fought for anything, it’s to live my life the way I want! And I’m not going in some electric coffin just because some tin can tells me to!” ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision stepped forward, “So I’m going to fight you, you microwave oven! Show me what you’ve got!”

FearTamashi #16View on SuiVision stepped forward. “I’m fighting too!”

HeartTamashi #6View on SuiVision stepped forward. “So am I.”

ChemTamashi #31View on SuiVision stood frozen and watched as each robot facing them shifted into an identical fighting pose.

SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision walked alone towards the edge of the city. He started to hear noises echo across the distance - probably more fighting from either OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision or ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision . It didn’t matter. The entire fight seemed pointless to him now. He’d wanted to best KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision. He wanted to prove that he was superior, but he’d lost. They finally fought and he lost. He was still better at some things. He was more ambitious, more successful. To most people he would be superior. But it wasn’t enough, and now that he had lost he’d have to fight her again somehow.

He reached the base of a small mountain on the edge of the city. He thought it would be the perfect place to get away and clear his head. But as he took his first step up the hill, he noticed a man through the thicket. It was an older man with white hair and a plaid shirt.

“I came down when I heard the commotion.” the old manTamashi #67View on SuiVision said. “Is something happening?”

“ChaosTamashi #42View on SuiVision and OrderTamashi #41View on SuiVision are fighting each other. It’s nothing new.” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision replied.

“Oh, I see.” The old manTamashi #67View on SuiVision looked over SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision and glanced at his expensive suit and sword. He gave a wry smile “I never made it all the way up the mountain, and I’d sure like to. Would you accompany me?”

“Alright, fine” SuperiorTamashi #37View on SuiVision grunted, and took a step up the hill.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision and BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision stared down VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision, who still was still panting from her fight with HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision. The adrenaline of the fight had clearly taken its toll.

“Is she going to be alright?” HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision asked.

“I don’t know.” KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision answered.

A moment later, a cluster of fifteen robots approached the group. They were slightly taller than Kasumi and were about as large. Kasumi, Birdcage and Hero all took a step back as they approached.

“Hello” a robotic voice said, “We’re from a Triangle Company organization called the ‘Machin’, and we’re tasked with bringing you back to the facility.”

“We’re not going back.” BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision answered.

“Unfortunately this isn’t optional.” the Machin answered. “You’ll either come willingly, or we’ll escort you by force.”

HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision stepped forward. “I’ll handle this.” he said.

“No.” VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision grunted as she stood up. “They’re made of metal. You can’t stop them alone.”

“You’re too tired.” HeroTamashi #73View on SuiVision insisted, “You could die.”

“If they plug us back in, we’re as good as dead anyway.” VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision raised her fists up as sweat percolated across her body.

KasumiTamashi #50View on SuiVision and BirdcageTamashi #10View on SuiVision raised their fists too, but shot VineTamashi #3View on SuiVision a concerned glance.

“Fine.” the first Machin said, as they moved into fighting stances in perfect unison “But don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision grunted as he sliced meat into small slices in the back of the diner. It felt like a waste to slice meat with knives that were meant for fine sushi. He shook his head. His previous life had been one with purpose. By day, he was an in-house sushi chef for TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision himself. By night, Itamae was an assassin following his every command to prime the world for Takahashi’s crusade. And they had won! The world was his. But Itamae had been given a second life. And as he stared at a dilapidated piece of meat in a cheap diner, he wondered why. How could this life mean anything compared to his last?

ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision raised his head as he heard the bell chime as someone entered the diner. He stared through the small opening from the kitchen and saw what looked like robots walking through the diner. They looked about the size of a person, but they wore no clothes and were definitely machines.

“Hello.” the first of the robots said to the waitressTamashi #55View on SuiVision. “By order of TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision, we’re placing you under arrest. He’ll want to know what that resistance logo is doing here.”

ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision ducked his head low in the kitchen and stayed very quiet. He’d always hated that resistance logo and was glad she was finally paying for it, but more than anything, he was ecstatic that TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision was alive and conscious! And he had a team of robots working for him! He wouldn’t expect anything less from a genius like Takahashi.

ItamaeTamashi #79View on SuiVision knew the citizens of Nozomi were proud and independent. He smiled as he wiped the meat from his knives.

He knew there would be a war, and knew that TakahashiTamashi #100View on SuiVision would need him again.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision heard the sounds of footsteps from every direction. LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision, SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision, and Kitsune pivoted to form a tight circle with their backs to each other as they noticed dark shadows appearing from nearby windows. Large figures appeared from the sides of every building and street corner, and in the space of mere moments they found themselves completely surrounded.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision narrowed her eyes at the figures as they marched closer. They were about six and a half feet tall with large shoulders and an imposing stature. They had screens on their faces and a dark gray color across their skin. As they grew closer Kitsune saw that they were in fact robots designed for battle with hard stares and bodies crafted with layered steel.

After the robots created a large circle around the group, a single robot stepped forward and began speaking with a deep booming voice.

“Attention!” it shouted. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision narrowed her gaze. LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision and SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision breathed heavily. “We are the Enforcer Machin! Return to the facility or die. You have five seconds to decide!” it paused, “ONE!”

“We have to get out of here” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision insisted, “They’re made of metal. My sword can’t cut through them.”

“TWO!”

“Their circle around us is wide, but it’s not thick. If we spring towards one side, we might be able to get out before they surround us.”

“THREE!”

“Are you in?” KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision asked. LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision and SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision nodded.

“FOUR!”

LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision clenched his fists.

“FIVE!”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision sprinted towards the west side of the cluster. LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision and SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision sprinted shortly behind. The Enforcer Machin on the east side chased briskly after them. As Kitsune reached the Machin on the east side, she studied them closely. They were large with gigantic arms and hands. A single Machin could capture any one of them. She knew that while Long and Senshi were excellent fighters, they couldn’t move as swiftly as she could. As she stared down the monolithic machine, she made a quick calculation in her head.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision drew her sword and dashed towards a Machin. As it reached towards her, she jumped forward, placing her right foot against its waist, then leapt upwards, spinning in air with her sword drawn. The Machin reached upwards and attempted to grab her, but her blade flashed back and forth in every direction. His hands couldn’t break through. Meanwhile, LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision and SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision ran past each side of the Machin who was only focused on Kitsune. A moment later Kitsune landed on the Machin’s head but dashed away before it could grab her.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision, LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision, and SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision ran ahead with a tide of Enforcer Machin chasing shortly behind.

LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision stopped running.

“You two go ahead,” he said, “I’ll buy you some time.”

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision turned to LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision , “That’s stupid, you’ll die!”

LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision glared at KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision with his eyes fixed in place, “I’m not backing down.” he insisted.

In that moment, KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision heard his story echo through his voice. She understood the defeat, self-blame and resolve that radiated through him. A hero’s death and the refusal to back down meant redemption. And while she disagreed, she had no time to persuade him. She saw the determination in his eyes, and knew he could not be moved. In that moment, she responded the only way she could. She nodded towards him to grant him the validation he deserved. Then she turned away and kept running. She hated running from a fight. But this was a legion of robots. This was unwinnable. SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision followed her closely behind. She knew he hated leaving a man behind, but LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision left them no choice.

LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision breathed deeply and smiled. The moment before the Machin pounced on him, he felt a wave on conviction and relief, as if his every anxiety had been validated. He hadn’t backed down, and would be remembered as a hero. That was all he really wanted. As the nearest Machin grew closer, he reached backwards and clenched his fist. He’d never punched solid steel before. He imagined it hurt pretty bad. But he’d already decided to go out swinging, so he threw his fist forward and made contact with the Machin’s chest.

The ringing sound of a crunch echoed through the city street. KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision took a moment to turn back.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision saw LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision with his fist thrust forward into the Enforcer Machin’s chest. The metal seemed to crunch around Long’s fist, and the much larger Machin collapsed backwards onto the cement before him.

LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision stood in shock, with his fist still held firmly in air. How had he punched a figure made of metal? How did he win?

LongTamashi #11View on SuiVision heard a rush of wind as he glanced to see KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision standing by his side, with SenshiTamashi #89View on SuiVision closely behind.

KitsuneTamashi #9View on SuiVision smiled as the endless swarm of Machin formed a tight circle around them.

She readied her blade.

They could be beaten.

They had a chance.