"Excellent," Doctor Franxx smiles, shaking your hand happily. "Now that we're working together, there are a great many things we should discuss. Shall we go inside?"
"Forgive us, doctor," you say, "but we aren't ready to invite you into our home just yet." A hint of amusement appears in his eyes. "Ah," the man nods in understanding. "That is to be expected, of course. Might I propose my own home, then?" He gestures to the small dropship in the park.
Well, that's unexpected.
"How do we know we can trust you not to turn us over to APE?" Zero Two growls. "Nana will remain here with those that stay behind," the scientist responds all too eagerly. "She's been worried sick about you children since your escape." Nana's eyes shoot up in surprise. "Doctor!" she protests. "Why lie?" the old man asks, giving Nana a questioning look. "You have worried about them. I distinctly remember Hachi having to explain that'd they left because you were too busy crying." Nana's face flushes with color and she averts her eyes from those of you on the porch. "Besides," Dr. Franxx concludes, "you want to be here with them. You'll be happy, they'll be happy, and you'll stop mothering me. Everyone wins."
About the time Doctor Franxx begins his lecture to Nana, you hear footsteps coming from within the manor. As he finishes, a voice cries out from behind you. "Nana!" A flash of red and white jets between you and Zero Two as Miku throws her arms around your former caretaker. "Nana! They told us Plantation 13 was destroyed. We thought you and Hachi died because we left!"
Despite her previous objection, Nana naturally returns to her former self in an instant. "There, there," she says while she strokes Miku's hair gently. "I'm sorry we worried you. Hachi and I are both fine."
"Hachi!" Kokoro blows past you and embraces the taller man. Hachi looks equal parts uncomfortable and unsure of how to react in this situation. From the time you'd known him, he'd never been good at showing emotion... or handling those that were prone to it, for that matter. After glancing around for several seconds and seeing that Kokoro shows no signs of releasing him, he gingerly pats her shoulder.
The doctor grins from ear to ear, signaling his pleasure with how the situation has turned out. "It's settled then. Hachi, you shall stay as well." For the first time ever, Hachi shows either fear or confusion. You can't decide which as he stands there, wide-eyed. However, he makes no attempt to fight it. "Yes, doctor."
"Now, up to six of you may come with me for the time being," Doctor Franxx strokes his mustache while examining the group that has now formed behind you. "Zero Two, Hiro, Ichigo, (Y/N), and Codes 030 and 090."
"Why us, doctor?" Kana asks. "Call it a whim," he replies, turning to walk back down the path.
"Where are you going?" Miku asks, her cracked voice betraying her feelings of concern. "To the doctor's private facility," Ichigo explains. "Not all of us," you state. "Ichigo, Hiro, stay here."
Ichigo immediately objects. "If you think that–" "Taking away all of our leadership at the same time is a bad idea," you cut her off. "We won't be long. Besides, you've got Nana and Hachi to catch up with." You kiss the top of her head and walk away. She gives you a disappointed smile, knowing that it's the best thing to do but not wanting to do so.
"He's right," Zero Two adds, her tone still guarded. "Darling, I'll be back soon." She kisses Hiro and follows Doctor Franxx down the drive.
Similarly, Kana and Kyo reassure their squads and make their way toward the park.
The four of you catch Doctor Franxx before he has even left the manor's drive. "So, you decided to come," he says. "If you say there is something we need to see," you look down at the balding man, "then it's probably something important." He gives you a slight chuckle before saying, "Indeed."
As you enter the park, your get your first good look at Doctor Franxx's personal transport. The craft is close to twenty feet tall and roughly thirty-five feet long by twenty feet wide. The outer panels are black, with a sleek design. Two short wings extend out from the top of the fuselage. Four large jets sprout from the rear of the craft, and large turbofans become visible in the wings as you come through the trees.
As you grow closer the cargo bay door folds down, revealing a surprisingly spacious interior. Inside, you find a small lab complete with ongoing experiments and a kitchen area. Of all things, there is also a recliner holding a book, with a lamp beside it. The recliner and lamp are tucked under the pilot's compartment, right by a set of stairs leading upwards.
"Welcome back, doctor," a feminine voice emanates from everywhere at once. You search for the source of the voice, as do your confused companions. "Thank you, Freya," the old man replies as he takes a seat in the recliner. "Please set a course for my personal facility." "At once, doctor," the voice promptly answers.
"Uh… doctor…?" you ask as the door of the craft seals. The whirring sound of the turbofans spinning out outside becomes evident immediately after. The doctor looks to Zero Two, who is covering her ears. "It's getting a bit loud in here, don't you think? Freya, dampen external volume." Immediately, the noise vanishes.
"Doctor," you repeat, "who are you talking to?" The old man continues to grin. "Freya, introduce yourself." "Yes, doctor," the voice says.
A golden figure appears at the top of the staircase. The curvy figure and tone of voice confirm that it is female. Clothed in leather and furs, the figure's face bears marks that are meant to either be tattoos or warpaint, and a single long braid falls over her shoulder. "I am Freya," the figure's mouth moves as her voice emanates from all around you. "Doctor Franxx's personal AI and research assistant."
"You're a what now?" Kyo asks quickly. "AI," Freya answers. "Short for 'artificial intelligence.'" Kana stares in disbelief. "I'm afraid I don't understand…" "Doctor," the AI's body descends the steps and looks to her creator. "Is my speech confusing them? Shall I change my voice to be more easily understood?"
"Your accent is just fine," he tells her. "They are confused by your existence, not your speech." "Oh," Freya's hand covers her mouth. "Of course." She turns to face your group once more. "I was created by Doctor Franxx to assist him in his duties to APE, and to help conduct experiments. You can think of me as something more advanced than, but quite like, a computer. I am capable of running thousands of complex simulations in seconds as well as visualizing the doctor's designs from verbal cues."
"But you're not really here, are you?" Zero Two asks. "That is correct, Code 002," the thickly accented voice replies. Zero Two bites her lip after being called by her code. "I am currently housed in over twenty different locations, though my primary processing units are within the confines of Doctor Franxx's personal facility."
"Doctor," she continues without turning to face him, "our estimated arrival time is one hour and thirty-two minutes, at an average speed of two hundred ninety miles per hour."
"You children should make yourselves comfortable," the doctor says while opening his book. "We've got a long way to go."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The remainder of the journey passed uneventfully. Doctor Franxx quietly read his book while Kana and Kyo held a steady conversation with Freya. Zero Two followed you when you took a seat in the doctor's lounge, pulling up a chair beside you. In her normal way of ignoring the personal space of others, she rested her head against your shoulder and quickly fell asleep.
Doctor Franxx would glance up at the two of you from time to time and eventually asked about Zero Two's missing finger. You explained what happened in the abandoned village as he listened intently. In the end, he seemed impressed with your quick thinking of cauterizing the wound, but did remark that a butter knife was a rather crude tool for the job.
Eventually, there is a jolt and Freya announces, "Doctor, we've arrived." Zero Two yawns as you stand and everyone makes their way to the back of the aircraft. The ramp lowers, and Doctor Franxx leads the procession out of the dropship and into his private sanctuary.
"Welcome," he says. "To my personal facility. Here is where I conduct my most interesting research and build the very FranXX you children use."
The sunlight slowly recedes and there is a loud metallic clang as a massive blast door seals behind you. Lights in the ceiling above keep the cavernous room lit as you look around. Additional dropships of varying sizes and designs take most of the space within the hanger. Some are large enough to transport multiple FranXX, and others only a few individuals. If you had to guess, you'd say that the ship you came in on would be in the middle range.
Much to your surprise, Freya accompanies you off the craft and brings up the rear of your party. I wonder how she has this physical form if she's not real. Never mind how, but why? Freya surely is just as effective without the body as she is with it. You think back to how informally the scientist had interacted with his creation. Is it because it makes it seem like he isn't alone?
You are so deep in thought that your pace slows for a moment, only to have the AI walk directly through you. "Pardon me," Freya apologizes. "That was terribly rude of me." "No, no," you rub the back of your neck. "It's my fault for walking so slowly." Freya smiles in response. "Yes, but the doctor has instructed me to mimic human behavior. You humans do not walk through one another because the flesh of your bodies prevents it. Therefore, I must endeavor to keep from doing so myself."
You resume walking and Freya falls in step with you. "If you don't mind my asking," you begin. "Not at all," Freya answers happily. You roll your eyes. I didn't even get to ask the question. "How is it that you have this body?"
"It is merely a hologram," Freya states. "This facility is lined with holographic projectors, and each of the doctor's personal aircraft has them as well. The doctor said he found my presence to be soothing."
"How about the way you look?" you ask. "And your name, did he create you this way?"
"I was born a simple program," Freya replies. "When Doctor Franxx created me, he gave me the name Freya. It was some time after that when he had the projection units installed. Until that point, I had no physical form. While the installation was carried out, I viewed the records of my name and designed this body to fit with them. However, I can change it at any time."
In a matter of seconds Freya transforms from a geisha to a woman in a business suit, then to Zero Two, and finally to yourself. Her base color changes with each new form, as does her spoken language, but no matter what her eyes remain golden. Finally, she reverts back to her original form.
"That was both impressive and unnerving," you admit. "Staring at a literal copy of myself is very weird." Freya gives you a smile. "Then I shall refrain from taking that form in your presence," she reassures you.
The hallway you had been walking down gives way to another cavernous room. The smell of sulfur and oxidation assaults your nostrils, causes several of you to cough. The clanging of large hammers, the whirring of saws, and crackling of welders at work can be heard from across the gigantic room.
"This is the forge," Doctor Franxx explains. "Here, the weapons, armor, and any other accessories of my custom FranXX are manufactured." As if on cue, a large shadow passes overhead. After staring for a few seconds, you find it to be trident with a knife-like blade attached at the opposite end. While you walk, the trident stops at several stations, where magma-fueled spear tips are added to the weapon and welded in place.
"This way," Doctor Franxx says as he leads you through a door into another hallway. However, the only thing in this hallway is the lift at the end. "Everyone, step aboard," he ushers you in. "Freya, my office." "Yes, doctor." There is a jolt and the elevator begins its ascent.
As the elevator climbs, the wall behind you gives way, revealing another room. Unlike the others though, this one is very familiar to you. It's a docking bay for FranXX. The room is poorly lit, which seems a little odd, but from what you can see the dock is empty. "From the looks on your faces, you all seem to know what the docking bay is for," the doctor chuckles. "Completed FranXX are stored there until final testing can be completed. My personal store of parasites conduct the tests and any necessary modifications are made after."
"It's rather empty, doctor," Kana states. "That it is," he agrees, leaning on his cane. "Several days ago, I sent out the FranXX for a new test squad." He pauses, glancing at you and Zero Two. "A replacement for the failures of Squad 13."
You roll your eyes and sarcastically remark, "Sorry to disappoint you, doctor." He smiles and gives you a few seconds of laughter. "Oh, far from it. You've done exactly as I'd hoped."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The elevator slows, and much to your surprise the walls of the shaft come to an abrupt end. The room the elevator opens into must be at least sixty feet across, because the only sources of light are the windows some thirty feet from you on either side. The dim illumination doesn't allow for you to see much, but Zero Two, with her ability to see in the dark, is taking a good look at the room.
"Freya," Doctor Franxx prompts before he steps off the lift and in the direction of the east windows. "Could you please bring units 96 through 100 online and put their readouts on the east monitors?" "Yes, doctor," Freya nods. "Unit 97 has just finished final diagnostics. No anomalies were detected."
Additional sources of light appear on the side of the room you suspect looks over the docking bay. Sensing that the doctor has something to show you, you follow him to the windows. Kana and Kyo hesitantly join you, while Zero Two wanders in the opposite direction.
"You asked what I have to offer," Doctor Franxx leans on his cane with his back to the docking bay. "Well, this..." he clicks his cane against the hard floor. One by one, the lights in the docking bay activate, revealing a row of FranXX that had been shrouded in darkness. "...is what I have to offer."
The first FranXX reminds you of Freya in several ways. Starting from the ground up, she resembles the valkyries you'd read about from Northern European mythology. Rather than appearing as if she were wearing heels like most FranXX, this unit's feet are flat against the dock's floor. Heavy greaves cover her lower legs up to her knees and are adorned with wing-like protrusions at the knee. Her thighs are likewise covered in thick armor, as is her chest. Large pauldrons protect each shoulder. The outer side of the right arm has a sort of curved plate that runs from the elbow over her hand, hiding it from view. The majority of her armor is a deep blue, while her skin is a shade of grey as opposed to the typical white. Wearing a winged helmet harkening back to the times of old, she completes the mythical look.
In her only visible hand lies a large spear reminiscent of those used by standard model FranXX, but with several key differences. For one, this spear is longer than the standard model's, easily as tall as the unit herself. Secondly the head is fixed, removing the ranged component most FranXX enjoyed. Instead, there are hand guards at two separate locations on the shaft of the weapon. The first at about one-quarter of its length and the second at two-thirds. Her opposite hand, you now realize, holds a large circular shield.
Even in her dormant state, this FranXX towers over her sisters. The blue giant easily is a full head taller, and you can only imagine how much stronger.
"Doctor," Kana whispers, "what is this?" He grins. "This," he begins, "is Valkyra. Designed to be a stalwart protector of her friends while bringing a swift end to her enemies. She wields the shield Aegis and the spear Gungnir." "She's unbelievable," Kyo whispers.
"I'm glad you think so," the old man smiles. "She is yours, after all." Kana and Kyo both snap to Doctor Franxx. "Surely you can't be serious," Kana is unable to conceal her excitement, starting to shift her weight back and forth between her feet. "Oh, but I am," the scientist continues to beam with pride. "As of today, you two will pilot her together. Never again will your friends suffer. Instead, they can take shelter behind you to weather the storm." His voice drops to nearly a whisper. "Each of you showed great promise as both squad leaders and parasites. What happened to your plantations and your former squads was out of your control. If this war with APE is to be won, Squad 13 will need you by their side."
Kana wipes away a tear. "Thank you. Thank you for the second chance." Kyo nods. "We won't fail our friends a second time," he agrees, his eyes wandering to you and to Zero Two.
"Excellent," the doctor claps. "Then allow me to introduce you to the other members of your new squad. Freya!"
Four of the lights go dim, leaving only one FranXX in sight.
This FranXX is much simpler than the one revealed moments ago. The unit is almost completely concealed beneath a cloak of stark white. The design is odd, because you've never seen a FranXX wearing something made of fabric. Such material is much too easily damaged and could get caught on almost anything, leading to a slew of other problems, with the foremost being almost certain death by Klaxosaur.
Putting that aside, the most distinguishing thing about her is the weapon at her side. It resembles a crossbow but seems to be missing several key components, namely the cams and string used to propel the projectiles. Instead, the barrel is lined with strange devices on both sides. Occasionally they spark, or an arc of electricity jumps from one to the next.
"This is Sylvestris," Doctor FranXX explains. "A scout and sniper. That cloak is woven from a heat-absorbent synthetic nanofiber. As long as she's wearing it, she'll be invisible to any kind of scanning or sensing equipment. The only way to find her will be to physically spot her. But if she is close enough to be seen, then the target is already well within range."
"The crossbow uses temporary high-power electromagnetic fields in series along the barrel to propel bolts at speeds nearly invisible to the naked eye. It suffers from nearly no drop due to gravity thanks to that speed. It suffers no changes in course due to ambient weather conditions. The only thing that can keep the bolts from reaching their target is hitting something else first. And that is only if sufficient speed is not maintained. During testing, she shot through the chest plates of four standard model FranXX at a range of over three miles. Then it nearly dug through the mountain behind them."
"Who will pilot her?" you ask. The doctor's response doesn't immediately answer your question. "When we dug through the wreckage of Plantations 26 and 56, we found only five FranXX. The missing children belonging to Kana and Kyo's former squads are those we left behind at Haven, were they not?"
"They are," Kana eyes the well-dressed scientist. "So… you planned this?" "No, my dear, I didn't," Doctor Franxx replies. "At least not entirely. I knew that if all went according to plan, Squad 13 would rebel against APE. In order to stand a chance and even the odds, they would need to find allies among former parasites. I wasn't sure where or how they would acquire this assistance, but I was confident they would find it."
The old man shifts his cane from right hand to left. "To beat APE and their legions of identical FranXX, you will need something different. You will all need something different. These units have been designed using the same principle as each of my test squads. They all have definite strengths and weaknesses, but together they can cover for each other's shortcomings, creating a single squad that is much greater than the sum of its parts."
"Moving on," the doctor taps his cane once again, and the light illuminating Sylvestris goes dark. The light over the third docking station flashes and then begins to burn, revealing the FranXX below.
In stark contrast to Valkyra, this unit stands slightly shorter than the rest. Her eyes are roughly level with the others' shoulders, or the chest plate in Valkyra's case. Her colors also clash with the blue giant's, being a mix of red and yellow with the same white skin tone as Delphinium.
The smaller frame of this unit is further exemplified by her near complete lack of armor. Most FranXX have at least a small amount covering the vital area like a helmet to protect the cockpit, or a bit of reinforcement over the magma reactor in their chest, but this FranXX has none of that. Instead, small maneuvering thrusters are located across her arms, legs, and back.
Starting near her waist, the blade of this weapon runs the full length of her arm, with the opposing tip jutting out above her shoulder. Between these points, the blade holds a crescent shape. In each hand she holds a metal rod connected to the blades, completing these strange weapons.
"She's got no armor," you whisper. "That is correct," Freya agrees. "Unit 098, dubbed Heliconia, possess no external armor, due to its weight inhibiting her mobility." Kyo also studies the design critically. "What if she gets hit?" he asks. "Heliconia isn't supposed to be hit," Doctor Franxx enlightens you. "She is made to bob and weave through the combat zone, attacking targets otherwise preoccupied. I believe an appropriate analogy would be, 'float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.'"
What does that even mean?
Doctor Franxx stops, noticing that you are all looking at him in various states of confusion. "It seems I'm showing my age," he chuckles. "Anyway, Heliconia is nimble and quick. Her bladed tonfas will make quick work of any foe foolish enough not to give her the attention she deserves. Think of her as filling the same role that Argentea does within Squad 13." The doctor finishes speaking and Heliconia is once again put in darkness.
As the fourth FranXX comes in to view, the first thing you notice is her weapons. Her hands hold two circular blades that you recognize as chakram, but there is a very unique twist. On either side of the blade, four holes run from top to bottom, each large enough to fire a projectile out of. Continuing up her arms, you find a magma fuel line feeding into each of the weapons.
"You've figured her out, eh?" Doctor Franxx gives you a sly grin. You take a brief moment to consider your response. "She's Chlorophytum," you answer. "Those chakram have holes on either side of the blades so she can fire out of them." "That is correct," Freya announces. "Each chakram holds eight shots at a time, which are automatically replenished via the direct links to her reserves. Additionally, the weapons can fire in single, quadruple, or octuple configurations."
You shiver. I can't imagine what it'd be like to go against her. First, she tries to mow you down as you approach because she never has to reload. Then, if you do get close enough, she slices you with the chakram before firing all eight barrels into you at once.
"Why does she have hooves, doctor?" Kana asks. "For added stability," he responds. "When Genista was designed, an extendable stake was included in her back leg to assist her in steadying her cannon to fire over long distances. However, while it is deployed, she's rendered immobile. To correct that, Laevis employs hooves. By adding additional surface area and having a brace acting as her heel, she is better able to dissipate the force of each shot. I won't bore you with the details, but the result is that Laevis can easily control the recoil from firing rapidly."
"What about the mask?" you ask. The object in question is a piece of metal obscuring Laevis's face below her eyes. Doctor Franxx shrugs. "I liked it. Now, last but not least."
The light above the last dock comes to life. The FranXX below looks as though she stepped straight out of one of the military history books you'd read back at the Garden. A copper-colored chest piece adorns her upper body, but gives way just above the midriff. A seemingly removable helm covers her head with its faceplate currently pulled up, revealing the blank face of the inactive unit. Her legs are encased by the same copper greaves, and a vambrace protects her otherwise unarmored left arm. Her right arm is completely different, however.
Starting at her shoulder, she is covered in a thick armor like Valkya possessed. It extends down from the shoulder with a small break at the elbow, then from the forearm to the wrist. The strangest thing about this is that upon closer inspection, the armor proves to be more than just that. It is also then that you realize her right arm is thicker than the left, and not due to the armor. In exposed gaps, you can see hydraulics and other moving parts. Wow, she's much stronger on that side.
"Freya," Doctor Franxx almost sounds annoyed, "where is the trident?" Freya bows her head. "I'm sorry, doctor. It is still on its way from final fabrication. It should be here in just a moment."
The old man huffs. "I suppose I'll continue with it for the time being. This is Gladiolus. Her design comes from the Retiarius, who used to entertain the crowds of the Roman Colosseum." "Gladiators," you elaborate further for the others. Kana gives a silent "oh" as Kyo nods.
"She specializes in– ah, there it is," Doctor Franxx pauses as the three-pronged spear you'd seen on your way in enters the dock via an overhead rail. The weapon is quickly deposited in the rack beside Gladiolus by a mechanical arm. "She specializes in single combat," the bearded man resumes. "Each point of her trident can be fired like a harpoon. This was borrowed from the design of the standard units. When activated, the net stowed on her waist excites the magma energy particles, causing them to magnetize. Should she manage to trap an opponent, they will find it extremely difficult to free themselves on their own. Using the two in tandem, she is more than a match for any single FranXX outside of my personal designs."
"Where do you come up with these designs?" you ask. "If you search the earth's history of warfare, you will find many sources of inspiration," the doctor says as he steps away from the glass overlooking the docking bay. He moves to seat himself at a large oaken desk in the middle of the room. "Valkyra, from the shieldmaidens of Northern Europe. Gladiolus, the world renown fighters of the Roman arena. Heliconia and Laevis represent elements of the Chinese and Indian militaries. Finally, Sylvestris is a hunter of the Siberian tundra."
You, along with Kana and Kyo, follow the doctor and seat yourselves on the couches near the desk. Zero Two is already sprawled out on one of the couches with her feet propped up. She also has managed to find a lollipop somewhere in the office and toys with the stick.
"Now, for a brief history lesson." There is a whirring noise as a projector kicks on above a couch. A holographic projection of a FranXX even more rudimentary than the Proto-FranXX in your home's docking bay is shown before you. Another flicker and a large Moho-Class Klaxosaur, similar to the one that had attacked Plantation 13 during the doctor's initial visit, appears.
"When the Klaxosaurs first emerged over three hundred years ago, they were a total mystery to us," Doctor FranXX narrates. On the wall behind his desk, which is revealed to be one enormous monitor, footage of a Klaxosaur rampaging through a city plays.
"Rising from the depths of the sea crying like a newborn child, it laid waste to the city of Rio De Janerio. It was a peaceful city, one full of color and excitement. Millions lost their lives in a matter of hours." The city of Rio De Janeiro burns behind the doctor. On a mountain in the background, a statue of a man with his arms outstretched crumbles and falls.
"The military responded but they were unable to contain it. The most advanced weapons humanity had to offer were thrown at that monster, but we couldn't even scratch it." The Klaxosaur on screen opens its jaws, firing a beam of energy. The beam cuts a swath through the line of tanks before the entire area is obliterated by the resulting explosion.
"The world watched in horror as the tragedy unfolded. However, in the end, after leaving nothing but ruin in its wake, the creature returned to the sea." Waves crash against the beach and the black-and-blue figure disappears beneath the waves.
"Attacks like this continued to occur with varying frequency for the next three months. Each time, the Klaxosaur would appear out of the blue, destroy the city, and retreat back to the depths from which it had come. Coastal cities weren't the only targets either. Cities such as Moscow and Berlin at the heart of the European continent were attacked. Eventually, we connected the dots that each city was a major producer of magma fuel. That's how we learned they were drawn to it.
"In the end, the first confirmed killing of a Klaxosaur was the result of multiple nuclear missile corpse was given to my team, with the order that we were to find a method of killing whatever it was." Doctor Franxx pauses for a moment. "I still remember when I first laid eyes on the creature up close. I'd seen them from a distance numerous times as they went on their rampages, but that didn't compare to being beside one. The sheer size of the body was… awe-inspiring.
"After we overcame the initial shock and got to work on examining the carcass, we made several discoveries." The Klaxosaur image explodes out into segments. Streams of text scroll past, detailing each piece.
"The first was the Klaxosaurs were neither machine nor beast, but a combination of the two. Their hide was made of a rare earth element that at the time had yet to be discovered. But beneath this outer shell we found bio-synthetic tissue interwoven with what appeared to be machinery. With this knowledge, we deemed the Klaxosaurs to be living creatures that were totally at odds with what we knew about the nature of life itself. The name 'Klaxosaur' was chosen for them. It was derived from the words 'klaxon,' a large horn, and 'saurus,' meaning lizard." Doctor Franxx chuckles. "Looking back, it may have also been because 'Klaxosaur' sounded much more scientific than calling them 'screaming lizards.'
"The second discovery came weeks after the first when we finally managed to crack open its skull, which proved to further confuse us. Inside, we found a large yellow orb." The image highlights what you know to be the core all Klaxosaurs possess. "At first, we simply assumed that we had found the creature's brain… and we were right, but none of us had anticipated what else we found."
Doctor Franxx stops speaking and takes a drink from a glass filled from a bottle produced from his desk. "The brain proved to also be inorganic in nature. During initial scans, we detected many spindly fibers that we assumed transmitted impulses, like the neurons in the human brain." The core breaks apart as the doctor explains, showing its inner workings. "However, when exposed to power, this brain began to function again."
"We attached the brain to an artificial body we'd created." The screen behind him once again changes. This time, a small robot no bigger than a man is connected to the Klaxosaur's core. One scientist approached the figure, only to be thrown against the nearby wall. Several shouts can be heard as the robot tosses around other scientists until the power is cut.
"The brain was not a brain, but a sophisticated artificial intelligence. It showed no ability to communicate, but when attached to the much smaller frame it still attempted to carry out its directive. Years later, we learned that the AIs controlling the Klaxosaurs must be capable of communicating with one another, as they began to appear in groups and implement strategies to counter our FranXX squads."
"What does this have to do with the FranXX?" you ask. You are thankful for the lesson on Klaxosaur history, but don't see where it connects to you or the FranXX.
Doctor Franxx nods in acknowledgement of your question. The image of the Klaxosaur rebuilds itself and the FranXX breaks apart. "The FranXX were our solution to the Klaxosaur threat. Using the basic premises of the Klaxosaurs, we designed a mobile exoskeleton to fight them, but instead of using AIs, which we knew nothing about at the time, we would substitute human pilots. These machines of war became known as FranXX."
"The first FranXX were a crude attempt at utilizing a technology we didn't truly understand. They would succeed in defeating the Klaxosaurs, but it often cost most if not all of the squad that had been deployed. This resulted in the pool of available pilots for the machines dwindling at a very unsustainable rate."
"The human mind is especially malleable during childhood. This led to the idea of raising children specifically for the purpose of piloting the FranXX. For that reason, the Gardens were established." The large facilities that you are all too familiar with cover the wall. "These facilities could nurture hundreds of children and teach them the necessary skills to defeat the Klaxosaurs."
The image changes to children, little boys and girls dressed in identical grey clothing. "Because the children were being raised as tools and not people, they weren't given names. Instead, they were given code numbers, ranking them from highest potential to lowest of those the same age. The lower the child's number, the more ability they had shown. Those above five hundred were routinely pruned to ensure that only suitable candidates for the program remained."
"To help keep the children in line, they were stripped of emotion… or rather, they were never allowed to develop it. Any show of emotion was punished. We needed living weapons, not crying infants. To further show the separation between these children and the adult society they would serve, they were deemed 'Parasites,' a leech stealing from its host."
"So, we were used as a replacement for an AI that didn't exist at the time," Kana looks equal parts intrigued and concerned. "Freya proves that an AI is now possible, so why are we children still used to pilot the FranXX?"
The doctor shifts in his chair. "Freya, leave us." "Yes, doctor," the AI nods and disappears. Franxx waits another ten seconds before speaking. "Freya is one of a kind, the culmination of three hundred years of independent research. She isn't just similar to a person. She is a person. All she lacks is a physical body. Her will is her own, and if she wished it, she could alert APE to our presence or destroy this entire facility."
"You mean you can't control her," you summarize. "There are measures in place," the old man replies. "But she could breach them given the correct circumstance. Deep within this facility is Freya's central processor. If I were to show it to you, you'd find an intact Klaxosaur core."
"Another hybrid," Zero Two scoffs. "Can you actually do anything, doctor? Or is everything you do just stolen from someone else?"
"My dear, I would explain to you how complicated interfacing human technology with Klaxosaur technology is, but you don't care." The doctor doesn't seem the least bit offended. "All that matters is that I provide solutions to problems, as does any good scientist or engineer."
Zero Two remains unimpressed, but doesn't press him further. "You could be more grateful," the bearded man continues. "I am your father after all." Zero Two snarls.
You gasp. "You're her father?!" Doctor Franxx shakes his head. "Not in the literal sense, I merely raised her, kept her safe from APE." Zero Two crosses her arms and doesn't meet his gaze. "Didn't feel like it," she mumbles. "My dear, I did everything within my power to protect you." For the first time, a frown crosses the man's face. "I admit there were times I failed. But your life would be nothing like it is now if I hadn't cared for you. Just think, you could still be with the Nines… Alpha always wanted you to be his partner, you know."
By now, Zero Two's face is a mixture of anger and appreciation. Her eyes say she knows the doctor tried to care for her in the ways he could. Her body, however, is tense after recalling some clearly painful memories.
In an effort to distance yourselves from that conversation topic, you put forth a question that had been nagging at you for quite some time now.
"Doctor?" you begin. "Could you tell us a bit more about the design of a FranXX's cockpit? Specifically, why do parasites take the positions they do when piloting?" You can feel a little heat rush to your cheeks while you visualize the position with Ichigo.
To some, a mysterious smile spreads across his face, but not to you or Zero Two. "My boy, I think you and Zero Two know the exact reason for that. However, in the interest of the other two, I shall explain. While the emotions of parasites are suppressed during their upbringing at a Garden, that environment cannot strip a human of their base instincts. The position that FranXX pilots take up is to awaken some of these instincts, as they are a direct path to a powerful emotion. Sharing this emotion with your partner helps to put your minds on the same page, if you will, and helps the two of you to forge a connection."
"Which emotion is that, doctor?" Kana regards him curiously.
The doctor ponders her question for a moment. "I think it is best we stop here for now," he admits. "You are welcome to stay here for the night, or Freya can fly you back to Haven. Whichever you prefer. It would be too risky to have Freya deliver the FranXX, so we'll have no choice but to move them over ground. The journey will take several days' time, and I'm sure not everyone from Squad 26 and 56 will be up for the trip. You may need to take several members of Squad 13 as well."
"How can we get a hold of you if we need you?" you ask. Doctor Franxx reaches into the desk and reveals a communicator like the ones given to each parasite. He taps on it momentarily and yours vibrates in your pocket. "Freya will be taking you back in a separate dropship from the one we rode in. It will remain at Haven to act as a relay until a more permanent means of communication can be established. You can also reach her via your communicator. She has a vast wealth of knowledge, so don't hesitate to call upon her."
"Alright then." You stand, and the others in your party follow suit. "We'll be back soon for the FranXX." "Don't forget to utilize Nana and Hachi," Doctor Franxx calls as the lift begins to descend. "They'll do you more good than me."
When the lift stops at the end of the shaft, Freya's avatar is waiting for you. She smiles. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the docking bay." You fall in step behind the AI, your mind already pondering the multitude of parameters that have changed since this morning, and how to keep your friends safe in the conflict that is bound to erupt.
Now for those of you that made it to the end we've got a special present for you. Just copy and paste the link while adding in the necessary dot and com in the place of the [] and you'll find artistic interpretations of each FranXX introduced in this chapter. imgur[]/a/WSvZCxk
Be sure to let me know which is your favorite!