Chapter 1: "003"
This is exhausting...
Why am I still here, I'd much rather be back at the boarding house already...
Do they always have to go on and on like this, it's really nothing new...
"Jin"
I wonder how many this fight makes...
"Jin"
How much longer until I can see you again...
"Jin!"
Startled, Jin jolts up, shaking his head softly, coaxing himself back to reality.
"Glad you could join us, may I continue now?"
Before he has a chance to reply the commander begins again.
Letting out a deep sigh, Jin settles back into his seat and runs a hand through his hair before leaning back. The commander had always given him a hard time about losing focus during these sorts of things but how could he not? Their job is to fight, he had done so already, what was the point of recapping something he'd already lived, discussing it wouldn't change anything.
Sitting in the dimly lit briefing room of plantation 75 were eleven people, Commander Ryuta, clean cut blonde hair, solid build, stern face, exactly what you would expect someone in his position to look like, as well as the remaining five teams of the plantations parasite squad. Team One consisted of Gen and Kana, Codes 084 and 185. Gen, the leader of squad 75, was 5'9" with short grey hair and pale blue eyes, his partner Kana stood an inch shorter, her head shaved close to the skin. Team Two was Kazuo and Ikumi, Codes 233 and 371. The two were matched at around 5'4", Kazuo with short brown hair swept off to one side, and Ikumi kept her long dark hair tied into a neat bun. Team Three, Hiraki and Mai, Codes 569 and 301. Hiraki was roughly 5'6" with dirty blonde hair and Mai, 5'5" with short red hair that cut off just above her shoulders. Team Four, Daisuke and Aki, Codes 398 and 506. Daisuke stood taller than any of the other parasites at 5'11" with shaved black hair, and Aki was a contrasting 5'1", the shortest, with long black hair that ran half way down the length of her back.
Lastly, was plantation 75's infamous Team Five, Code 260, otherwise known as Asumi and her stamen Jin. Asumi was 5'4" with short brown hair styled into a pixie cut. All the parasites of squad 75 blended well together, save for Jin, who clearly stood out from the rest. Standing level with Gen at 5'9" with black hair, shaved on the sides and swept back on the top; however, what set him apart was his clothing. While the others wore the standard parasite uniforms Jin wore black. Black shirt with black shorts, black sneakers as well. A more comfortable and unique attire given specifically to him.
"So, to conclude; Team One, you eliminated 52 Klaxosaurs on this outing. Team Two you got 27, Team Three, 39. Team Four, 33. Team Five manged just over 300 by the end of the day, excellent work you two."
"You really are amazing Asumi!" Ikumi chirps. "That's more than the entire squad combined! I really wish i could manage something like that."
The sudden compliment clearly made Asumi uncomfortable, as she begins fidgeting in her seat a faint blush touches her cheeks. She still wasn't used to the reactions she got from the newer members of Team Two whenever their performance in missions was involved.
"Really, it was nothing. After all Jin does most of the work on our missions."
"Alright," commander Ryuta's voice cut through the sudden commotion. "That's all for today. Return to the boarding house and try to get some rest. Be ready for re-deployment at 0900 hours tomorrow morning. Dismissed."
After the debriefing had concluded the members of Squad 75 began their trek back to the birdcage, feverishly discussing the events of the last mission.
"You guys did awesome out there today considering its still only been a few weeks since you got here!" Kana said, resting her hands on Team Two's shoulders. This was her usual way of behaving and was one of the many reasons she was paired with the squad captain. She was kind and sympathetic, like a big sister to the group.
"We would've been lost without you though, it's a strange feeling being so close to real klaxosaurs like that, i don't know if I'll ever get used to it. You guys really are great leaders." Kazuo chimed in.
"Well to be fair, we have been here a lot longer than most, so it'd only make sense that we'd fit the roll." Kana chuckled. "How long has it been now Gen? A little over a year?" The young man nodded, not turning to face his partner.
"Wow, you guys really have been here a while. Since you've been here the longest it makes sense that you'd be the leaders of our squad." At the mention of this Gen tenses up, scowling and quickening his pace to distance himself from the group.
"Actually we're not the ones who've been here the longest. That'd be Jin." Kana says, looking over her shoulder. Jin walked at the rear of the group a few paces behind the rest, once more off in his own world ignoring the idle chat. "None of us know exactly how long he's been here, though I've overheard some of the adults talking about him. By the sounds of it he's been here close to three years."
"He's been fighting for three years on the front lines?!" Ikumi gasps, turning to steal a look at the young parasite. "I've never heard of a parasite who's ever been here that long."
"Give it time, and soon I'm sure we'll all fit in that category." Kazuo adds confidently as the rest of the group smiles in agreement.
After arriving back at the boarding house the teams break off into groups of girls and boys to get ready for bed. The boys retire to the lounge to wait to use the baths, allowing the girls to take the first turn.
"Has anyone seen Jin? I thought he was just with us." Kazuo questions, taking a seat on one of the sofas.
"Don't worry about him, he always skulks off on his own before bed, where to I couldn't say." Hiraki scoffs, taking a seat at his side.
"He does this most nights, I wonder why. We should probably see if he's okay..." Daisuke speaks up as he sits down on the floor, resting his back against the wall. He had been Jin's roommate for just around 6 months now and hadn't once seen him come to bed. This nightly outing was something of a ritual of his, but that didn't make him worry any less.
"Forget about it Dai," Gen snaps, "He's been like this ever since I first got here and there has never been a problem. It's just cause he's not like us."
"What do you mean? He's a member of our squad isn't he?"
"Yea but regardless. How many parasites do you know who are given a special Franxx to pilot? How many do you know who dress the way he does? It's like the adults just give him free reign of things and let him do as he pleases. If we start worrying about him like he's one of us it's only going to get us killed."
The group fell silent. The outburst from Gen wasn't completely out of no wheres, after all there had always been animosity between the two. As for why, neither would ever say anything about it. He was right though, Jin was different from the rest of the squad. He was given a unique FranXX directly from APE. A custom special forces FranXX designed for the use of the nines, APE's personal elite force. This FranXX was known as the M9 variant, renamed to the M3 variant once assigned to Jin. This model bore no facial features whatsoever, save for two small slits where it's eyes would normally be. It's design was more slender and lithe than the others to adapt to its use at higher speeds, and it carried a magmatic spear, similar to the standard issue FranXX, but with a longer blade. However it differed from the FranXX used by the nines in that it's spear possessed a reinforced tow cable connected to the waist of the mech. Should the user decide to throw the spear it could be easily withdrawn. It was also painted similarly to the way its stamen dressed. Instead of its typical shining white and red, the mech was finished with black paint from top to bottom, causing it fit in more amongst the squads units better, though it didn't do much to that effect.
"Still..." Kazuo speaks up, smiling softly to himself. "I'm glad he's with us. I can't count the amount of times he's saved Ikumi and me, and we've only been here a little while. Even if he is a little different I think it'd be good if we could get along with him."
"You're welcome to try, but just remember this," Gen responds softly, looking out the window at the expansive night sky. "He's likely been here for years already. We're not his first squad mates and we won't be his last. He's used to this, so one day when we die, he'll forget all about us. He won't even notice we're gone..."
The room quiets once more. It's something every parasite is taught to expect, an inescapable reality, even more so for those on the front lines, but not one anyone is ever prepared to consider. They were all prepared to fight the klaxosaurs with everything they had. 'Turn your life into a blaze of glory, and shed every last drop of blood you have! For the sake of humanity!' Papa said in the videos. However just being aware of what awaited them, didn't make it any easier to face.
"I really love this, it's the best part of the day!" Mai hums, slowly lowering herself into the bath.
"I know what you mean. The baths here are so much cozier than the showers at the Garden." Aki beams, resting her head on the edge of the floor as the others settled in as well.
The baths in the boarding house were the same as the standard design for most plantations, one small in ground bath in the center of the room and a wall of showers. The room was separated from the rest of the house by a small changing room filled with shelves to store clothing. The baths in the majority of cases are used for exactly what you'd expect, washing up and then bed. However to a front line squad they were an invaluable commodity when it came to resting their aching bodies after a full day of fighting. On the front lines their were many differences to the standard fair of piloting, one of which being the constant connection. While most squads remained on stand by until required to defend the plantation from any oncoming assault by the klaxosaurs, their job was to sortie first thing in the morning, taking the fight to the monsters until late hours of the afternoon, refuelling as needed. Though the battles raged on, that wasn't to say either side was breaking any new ground. It had been years since the first pilots set foot on the front lines, and to this day it has remained a stalemate with no gain. Whenever humanity claimed victory and pushed forward, their forces were crushed some wheres else, and the balance of power rested level again.
As the night progressed the girls had slowly began to finish up. After quickly rinsing her self off at one of the showers, Kana turned to the bath where the remainder of the girls sat, soaking.
"So, I've never really asked, Asumi, but seeing as we've got a newbie around it seems like the perfect time; Whats it like piloting with the infamous 'Jin'?" She giggled. All the girls turning to follow her gaze, eagerly awaiting the response.
"Oh, well..." She blushed, sinking further into the water. As was typical of the pistils who were assigned to pilot with Jin she carried popularity amongst the rest of the parasites. Though it was to be expected it still took her by surprise whenever she was put in situations like this. "It's hard to say exactly, since I only ever did my initial testing with someone other than him. I guess you could say it's tiring, and a little embarrassing."
"How so? I thought it'd be exciting to pilot in a FranXX like that." Aki spoke up, giving her a reassuring smile that urged her to continue.
"It is, it's just... Typically, as pistils, it's our jobs to connect to the FranXX and pilot with the assistance of our stamen taking the controls, right?" The girls nodded. This was how the typical pilot teams worked after all, which is why they had been designed to be operated in pairs. "Well with him it's different. He takes the entirety of the controls. It feels a little like you're a puppet, dangling from strings you can't quite see. At first it was a scary feeling to be so helpless and at the mercy of someone else. After a while though I started trusting him with the job, and it seems to be what he's most comfortable with too. Though it makes me feel a bit useless that all I really have to do is focus on connecting with him, which isn't all that easy either..."
She was right. Not many could connect with Jin, and those who did only ever managed a paracapacity of around seventy-five, just above the minimum required for the activation of a FranXX. It was an extremely taxing job, and one of the reasons he was given the unique mech to pilot. Unlike standard issue models, theirs was unequipped of all typical safety equipment used to prevent anyone from being overwhelmed by their partners during a connection and being harmed, both physically and mentally.
"I'd hardly call you useless, you've got one of the hardest jobs of all of us. I doubt I'd be able to make a connection with someone who's barely even human." Mai teased, pulling herself from the bath. The others rolled their eyes and smiled at this. He certainly was... different.
"Is it true what they say about him then?" Ikumi asked softly, staring at Asumi, eyes full of wonder. "That he's some sort of special soldier created by Papa?" Seeing Asumi's clear discomfort at the question, Kana stepped in to her rescue.
"Nah, as far as he's ever told me in the few times we've talked, he grew up in the Garden the same as we did. Some of the rumours are true though I suppose." She said with a sly grin.
"Like what?"
"Like how he's not the squad captain by choice. He's turned down the position every time they've offered it to him. That the adults watch him very closely and give him special missions from time to time. And the rumour about his code number... that's true as well from what I've heard."
"What rumour about his code number?.." Ikumi whispers, excitedly waiting for the answer.
"The rumour that in the entire history of the parasites, he's the only one...
To ever have his changed."
Jin yawned, resting his hands behind his head as he walked. The birdcage's forest really is beautiful at night, he thought to himself as he continued on through the trees. This was the time he took to himself every night just before bed, time to clear his head and appreciate and take note of his surroundings, if only for a short while. He continued on slowly, taking his time and breathing deeply. This had been just a little more than two and a half years since he'd initially arrived at plantation 75 when he was reassigned to the front lines. His surroundings always changed, new squad members, new partners, new orders and new missions. The forest and his nightly walks were the only thing he counted on remaining the same. After around 15 minutes the sound of wind blowing hard against glass like a blustering storm grew louder and louder, he was close. Moments later he emerged on the other side of the trees, standing just a short distance away from the edge of the glass dome of the birdcage. Outside nothing moved for as far as the eye could see, save for the clouds. It was peaceful, and belied the truth of what was outside the walls of their home; Chaos, though he didn't really mind. He had no misconceptions about what the front lines were, yet he still requested his transfer here.
As the moon rose in the sky the gusting wind had grown hushed, leaving only the gentle sounds of night life to sing in the air. Jin lowered himself to the ground, resting his back against a nearby tree with a sigh. Gazing out over the edge of the plateau, he let his mind wander.
How have you been lately?...
Have your fights gone well, or have you been hurt?...
What do you think of the sky tonight? Personally i really like the way the stars glisten...
Have you seen anything beautiful on your missions?...
Am I ready now do you think? Would I be of any use to you?...
If you saw me now, would you recognize me?...
Do you think about me at all anymore?...
"Find what you're looking for yet?" A soft voice called out behind him.
He leaned back and turned to see Asumi, just leaving the tree line. She had always come to find him if he'd stayed out to late, worrying about him more than he thought necessary, though it'd be a lie to say it didn't make him happy. Most people avoided him due to the way everyone regarded him, calling him a genius, a prodigy, a true reflection of what all parasites should be. A 'Hero'. He despised that word, just thinking about the way the adults gawked and fawned over him while spouting nonsense like that made his skin burn. She never treated him differently though, even though she did believe he was special she always made sure to behave as though he was just another team member around him. She had been a thoughtful and compassionate partner since the moment they'd met, the first person to ever make him feel less alone since he'd arrived here.
"Nah. The view's still nice though." He replied, giving her a small smile.
"You're right." She sat beside him. She was dressed in her sleeveless night gown, draped in one of the blankets from the lounge, her short chestnut coloured hair still damp from the baths. "Thanks for looking out for me again today."
"You really don't give yourself enough credit. Connecting to a unrestricted FranXX for an entire day is really impressive. Even if you don't think so, I'd say you're pretty amazing." He shook his head as he rested back against the tree.
"I wish my numbers were higher though, then maybe you'd be able to move a bit easier."
"Eh, numbers don't really matter. Just as long as you're there looking after me, I'll manage every time."
'I wish she'd stop thinking like this.' He thought to himself. Asumi always put herself down when it came to their partnership. No matter what he said or did she always viewed herself as some sort of circumstantial burden to him.
"So stop worrying about it. We're partners, I'd tell you if I needed more help you know. You're the best partner anyone could ask for just the way you are." He finished, resting a hand on her shoulder.
She'd blushed as a small smile broke her gloomy expression, gently leaning against him. The pair sat quietly for a while, watching the moon glide through the sky, not speaking another word.
"We should get back, we have an early morning again tomorrow after all." Asumi said, finally standing up as she held out a hand for Jin. After taking it, she helped him to his feet, still holding his hand. "You know..." She began, gripping tighter. "You come out here every night, and never really say much to any of the others, and you're always lost in thought... If there's something on your mind, or you ever need to just talk, you can always come to me." She looked up, her piercing emerald green eyes meeting his.
"I know. If something ever comes up you'll be the first to know." He laughs, giving her a soft hug. "I'll be back in a few minutes, you go on ahead and get some rest."
She gave him one last smile before turning and beginning the walk back to the house, leaving him there at the edge of the dome. As he watched her leave his smile slowly faded, his eyes softening as a small frown touched his face.
I'm sorry...
Closing the door behind him silently, Jin turned to face the large empty foyer of the boarding house. Quietly climbing the stairs to the landing he mulled over his conversation with Asumi. He'd wanted to talk to her about what he was feeling but he could hardly even consider it himself, he'd spent so long consumed by his missions that he'd never really had a chance to think about what he'd planned to do with the remainder of his life. He couldn't stand the thought of abandoning his partner, but he couldn't stay here forever either. There were things he needed to do, promises he had to make good on.
Eventually he reached the entrance of his bedroom. Drawing a deep breath he cracked the door, taking care not to wake Daisuke. A sigh of relief crept its way out as he slid in unnoticed. After shutting the door behind him he lowered himself onto his bed, checking once more to be sure that Dai was still asleep in the bottom bunk of the adjacent bed. The house was silent, drenched in a stillness Jin had never grown used to. After days filled with constant engagement, the eerie quiet that came at this time was deafening, drilling its way into his mind. He'd lie awake most nights listening to the sound of his own breathing, expecting at any moment for it to be drowned out by the deafening cries of the klaxosaurs swirling together with the sounds of tearing metal and the ringing of cannon fire. Though it never came he could never rest easy like the others, lying alert until exhaustion finally broke him down. After quickly undressing he fell into his sheets, the weight of his body pulling him into the mattress, thoughts of the past swimming through his tired mind as he lost consciousness.
"It certainly has been a long time, hasn't it Code 872." Papa spoke. The dimly lit room surrounded in monitors displaying the images of the various members of APE. Jin stood at the center of the room, hands resting behind his back as he stood at attention. "You've shattered our expectations and out performed what we'd ever thought you capable of."
"Thank you, Papa." Jin spoke quietly, eyes fixed on the monitor in front of him, staring ahead absent mindedly.
"Your request to be transferred to the front, rather than sent back to the Garden has bore more results than we could have hoped. This test has proven more than worth while." The vice president continued on. "An event such as this is an unprecedented anomaly, and requires unprecedented actions."
"We have decided that a parasite of your current abilities is done an injustice by being referred to by a code that signifies a level of potential that is far beneath what you have achieved. Our conclusion is that you will receive a new designation as of today." Papa finishes. After a small tone sounds, a new display illuminates itself on the tactical monitor just to Jin's left, depicting three digits.
"You truly are the strongest of all the parasites, a worthy backup plan to be sure. We expect even more great things from you, and look forward to seeing what you will accomplish. May you bring victory to humanity...
Code 003."