Following the elevator ride, your group is led through the facility by the ever-present Freya. The trip takes you back through the forge, where the smell of sulfur and ozone is once again overpowering. Zero Two grimaces and pinches her nose in response. Considering the addition of the smells and her heightened senses, the sounds of the heavy machinery must be incredibly bothersome.

Zero Two looks relieved when you leave the hot and noisy environment and return to the sterile hallway leading to the hangar. No one really speaks, and Freya is quiet as well.

You watch the artificial intelligence with a hint of skepticism. Franxx said she could destroy this whole facility if she really wanted to. Or, she could just go and turn us all in to APE. I just can't imagine her doing that, though. She's so polite, and does everything the doctor asks without hesitation. She even left when it was undeniably clear the conversation was going to be about her. She's definitely a person in that she can think for herself… but she doesn't strike me as someone who'd betray us. If anything, she's our biggest asset.

The doors to the hangar open, revealing the variety of transports at the doctor's disposal. Freya leads you to the left, where most of the small- to medium-sided craft seem to be stored. You recognize the one you'd arrived on earlier as you walk past, but Freya makes no effort to stop you there.

As you step past the transport, something surprising catches your eye. Near one of the transports is a girl. With your view coming at her from the side, you can see she has brown hair laying straight down that reaches slightly past her shoulders. The standard grey uniform she wears hardly does anything to differentiate her from the dull metal exterior of the aircraft behind her.

The girl must hear you coming, because she turns to face your party. Now that you have a better view of her, her clear blue eyes and vacant expression catch your attention. Or they would have, if the right sleeve of her uniform wasn't coiled due to the lack of an arm to fill it. Behind you, Kana gasps as she, too, realizes that the girl is missing an arm.

Freya stops beside the craft and the rear gate begins to lower.

The girl takes her skirt in her only hand and curtseys. "It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Naomi," she introduces herself. "Doctor Franxx has requested that I return to the village of Haven with you." For a moment she almost looks disappointed, but she quickly hides it. "He told me that I would be joining Squad 13. Are you them?"

"Partially," you answer. "Zero Two and I are," you indicate to yourself and the pink-haired girl. "Kana and Kyo are the former squad leaders of Plantations 26 and 56." The girl called Naomi nods, almost to herself. "Does that mean there are others?" she asks. Her eyes widen and pitch jumps a little as she says it, but both are nearly imperceptible.

"My darling is there," Zero Two says in response, walking past her and into the transport. Naomi stares after her, confused, as she walks past. "Forgive her," you say after Kana and Kyo introduce themselves and board. "Zero Two is a bit, well... standoffish. Until you get to know her, at least."

You offer Naomi your left hand. "I'm (Y/N)." She takes it and shakes. It's a little awkward, since she only has one hand, and you're using your nondominant one. However, the two of you complete the gesture just fine.

"(Y/N)," Freya keeps you from extending the greeting any further. "If you wish to reach Haven by nightfall, we will need to leave immediately." You give her a thin, rueful smile. "Right," you say, scratching your neck with your left hand while ushering Naomi into the transport with your right. "After you."

Naomi steps onboard and you follow suit. The aircraft's engines spin up, and a moment later there is a jolt as you lift off.

This transport's interior is different than the one you'd rode in on earlier. Instead of having a lab, there is large holotable in the center of the cargo bay. On either wall are stations for communications or logistics officers. However, the lounge area is unchanged and tucked beneath the cockpit, complete with shelves of books and a recliner. This one is slightly larger, boasting two couches in addition to a table with chairs.

"This craft is designed to be a mobile battlefield command center," Freya answers your unasked question. Her form once again stands at the top of the staircase. "Why are you always up there?" you ask out of curiosity. "I enjoy looking down on humans," is Freya's stoic reply. There are several tense seconds of silence as the members of your party, even Zero Two, glance at one another nervously. The golden avatar smiles. "That was a joke." Everyone seems to breathe a small sigh of relief.

"Our estimated arrival time at Haven is 1900 hours," Freya announces. "You are welcome to rest, or inspect any and all of the ship's hardware in the meantime. I will inform you all when we are near arrival."

After several minutes of looking around, you grow bored with the lower section of the craft and ascend the stairs. On the second floor, you find several more stations in addition to a door that you assume leads to the cockpit. Your assumption turns out to be correct when you step through it and find two chairs and a dash, containing all manner of buttons, dials, and switches.

"You're flying the ship, aren't you, Freya?" you say, despite having no idea where her avatar may be. "That is correct," the cockpit's speakers answer. "I am capable of piloting all of Doctor Franxx's personal aircraft and ground transport vehicles."

"Could you teach me?" you ask, sitting in one of the pilot's chairs. "I have analyzed over three thousand hours of instructional videos on a variety of topics," the voice replies. "I have also passed every APE piloting certification test with perfect scores numerous times. If this makes me a suitable instructor to you, then yes, I can teach you."

You chuckle at Freya's unintentional boasting. "That'll work."

Over the course of the next thirty minutes, Freya explains the basics of flying a medium-sized dropship. Invariably, there were times where the information went straight over your head, thanks to its technical level or just an overload of new concepts. Eventually, though, she seemed satisfied and let you take hold of the controls. She mentioned that she would be monitoring you closely to ensure the craft was never in jeopardy and then withdrew, leaving you in silence.

Five minutes after Freya left you to your own devices, there is a knock on the bulkhead door behind you. It opens a moment later, but you can't tell who has joined you without taking your eyes off the instrument panel. You are unwilling to do so, for fear of a scolding from the AI. The footfalls are light, which tells you it can't be Kyo or Zero Two. Zero Two could move almost completely silently if she wanted to, but most of the time her generally loud personality was reflected when she walked. That only leaves Kana or the new girl Naomi.

"May I join you?" an unfamiliar voice asks. "Sure," you reply without taking your eyes off the skyline. In your peripheral vision, Naomi lowers herself into the copilot's chair. "I was hoping I could ask you some questions."

You give her a sidelong glance. "Why me? Zero Two's a part of Squad 13 as well." Naomi fidgets for a few moments. "I'm… not exactly comfortable around her yet." Using her hand, she sweeps a stray hair behind her ear. "She doesn't look like she likes me, either."

"Zero Two's skeptical of everyone she meets," you vouch for your pink-haired friend. "She's got a good reason, too. I don't know the specifics, but because she isn't entirely human, APE ran lots of experiments on her when she was a child. None of them were very pleasant. Just give her some time, she'll come around."

"You seem very trusting of me for someone you've just met," Naomi points out. You flick one of the switches on the panel. "You don't really look like someone who's a threat. You haven't said or done anything to make me think so, either. You're also one of Doctor Franxx's personal parasites, who are loyal to him and not APE, right?"

Naomi nods. "Most of the parasites Doctor Franxx keeps are like me in some way. Each of us was going to be thrown away before he saved us. He gave us a purpose again. Even if we can't fight, we can still be test pilots his new designs."

He really has been doing all he can to help parasites, hasn't he?

"If you don't mind," Naomi continues, "I'd rather we didn't talk about that." You give a slight smile, trying to show support. "I understand." "I would like to continue with my questions, if that's fine with you," she says.

You don't say a word, so she continues. "You said that you and Zero Two were both members of Squad 13." Her voice cracks. "Does that mean you two are the only ones left? And that she's your partner?"

You choke and begin coughing. "I'm sorry," Naomi quickly backpedals. "I didn't mean to offend you." You cough a couple more times before getting a hold of yourself. "No, no, Zero Two isn't my partner. I probably wouldn't be here if she was." Naomi removes her hand from her mouth. "I... see."

"We aren't the only ones left, either. Everyone that I met when I first joined is still waiting for us at Haven," you continue. "If you could..." Naomi hesitates for a moment. "...Their names?" you say, knowing what she wishes to ask. "The pairs are Zorome and Miku, Kokoro and Futoshi, Mitsuru and Ikuno, Ichigo and I, and Hiro and Zero Two."

"So, he did find a partner," a smile crosses Naomi's face. "Who? Hiro?" you ask. "Mm-hmm," Naomi nods. "He was my partner at first, but when we got to Plantation 13, he stopped connecting with me. He was a much lower code than I was, so it was decided I was the problem. They sent me away and said he would get another partner."

"It was never me though," neither Naomi's expression nor her tone shows the slightest hint of resentment. "I did everything I could, he just lost his will to pilot." She gazes out at the setting sun. "That was actually when this happened." She indicates her missing arm. "I don't remember much. Just being scared and in pain, alone in the darkness. Doctor Franxx told me that my transport ship was destroyed by a Klaxosaur and that they found me like this. After that, he took me in."

Naomi changes the subject, obviously not wishing to live such a moment any more than she has to. "You said you were Ichigo's partner? Does that mean Goro...?" You sigh. "Yeah. I never met him, but he sounded like a great guy. Ichigo's told me that I'm a lot like him." Naomi studies you critically for half of a second. "I can see that," she readily agrees.

Naomi giggles out of nowhere. "Do Zorome and Miku still fight?" It takes you a quarter of a second to start rolling your eyes. You reply with, "All day, every day," grinning all the while. "You can tell Zorome cares about her, though. He always seems to make his decisions with her in mind." Naomi's face lights up, remembering something. "Did anyone ever tell you about when we were little in the Garden?" You shake your head. "Miku wanted her hair braided, but Kokoro was already doing mine... so Zorome told her he could do it." Naomi is already beginning to laugh, recalling the memory. "Miku lets him and he tied her hair into this big, massive bow. It took us almost an hour to get it all untangled. Miku wanted to strangle him, but the adults pulled them apart before she could do anything serious."

You laugh. "That sounds just like them." Naomi takes a moment to gather herself before giggling again. "I'm sorry, I haven't laughed that much in a long time." "Well," you look at the flight clock, "we've still got an hour left before we reach Haven. Want to keep swapping stories for a bit?" There is an unmistakable glint in Naomi's eye.

"Yes!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ichigo paces back and forth on the manor's front lawn. The group that had gone with Doctor Franxx has been gone for over six hours now, and it's starting to worry her.

Where could they possibly be? Why haven't they come back yet? Nana and Hachi promised that they'd be here over an hour ago.

As Ichigo continues to fret, the faint roar of jet engines catches her attention. In the west, she finds a sleek black craft approaching Haven. Skimming just over the tops of the trees in the forest, the ship slows until it hovers over a clearing on the side of the mansion opposite of Ichigo. The roar becomes a quiet murmur after the ship disappears behind the building.

Ichigo makes no attempt to be subtle as she sprints around the manor's exterior to greet her returning friends. When she turns the corner, she finds that several others must have heard the noise as Miku, Zorome, Ikuno, and Kokoro, along with many of the members of Squads 26 and 56 are already anxiously waiting for the others' return.

Up close, this ship looks different than the one she'd seen earlier in the day. It's larger, and antennae sprout from the top that look like the ones used by FranXX for communication. The power of the turbofans is so great during the craft's descent that the grass underneath is totally flattened, and Ichigo is forced to hold her skirt in place some thirty feet away.

While she is admiring the ship, there is a metallic groan and the rear gate begins to lower. As the ramp lowers, Ichigo makes out six figures shrouded by the late afternoon sun's glare. Six? There were only five when they left. Doctor Franxx, Kana, Kyo, Zero Two, and (Y/N). Who does that make the last one?

Ichigo's question is answered a moment later when none other than Naomi steps out of the craft.

"Naomi!" a chorus of voices shout as the girl is swarmed by her friends. The girl in question is immediately overwhelmed by the reunion with her former comrades and breaks down in tears, hugging them with her good arm.

"This is what humans call a happy reunion, isn't it?" Freya asks you. "Yeah," you answer warmly. "They all thought Naomi was dead." Freya nods. "I shall have to make a note of this reaction and add it to my personal response matrix." "That would completely eliminate the point," you explain. "It may be a human reaction, but how you feel should determine what you say and do. For example, how would you react if you hadn't seen Doctor Franxx in a long time and he suddenly showed up to visit?" Freya cocks her head. "I am conversing with Doctor Franxx right now in his personal facility."

"Never mind," you say and begin walking down the ramp. However, you notice that Freya remains at the top. "Aren't you coming?" you ask. "As much as I would enjoy that, I cannot leave the confines of the ship," she informs you. You give her a questioning look. "Why's that?"

"The holo projectors that give me this form are not installed in the manor of this estate," she explains. She sticks her arm straight out in front of her to illustrate the fact. As it crosses a certain threshold outside the main compartment, part of her arm seems to dissolve and disappear. "Likewise, there is no working computer system for me to inhabit. If you wish for me to be accessible outside of the ship, or without the need of your communicators, then sufficient infrastructure will need to be installed."

You nod. "I understand. When we come back in several days, I'll ask Doctor Franxx if something can be done about that. In the meantime, if you get lonely you can always call my communicator."

"Your concern is appreciated," Freya smiles, "but it is ultimately unnecessary. I have plenty of tasks to attend to, and keeping the doctor company is among them. Until next we meet, god afton."

You aren't entirely certain of what Freya's final words were. Her thick Swedish accent had returned, and it seems she slipped back into the tongue for a few moments. However, before you have the chance to ask, her projection winks out. "What an interesting person," you mumble to yourself and prepare to head inside.

Before you make it, you are blindsided and barely manage to hold your footing under Ichigo's assault. "What took you so long?!" she demands. "Well..." you start, "Doctor Franxx kept talking, and talking, and talking, an–" "Fine, I get it," Ichigo huffs.

You kiss the top of her head. "Sorry if I worried you. It was never my intention." "I guess it's alright," Ichigo mumbles. "I might have overreacted a bit. Are you going to tell me what you found out?" You hesitate for a second before continuing. "I think it's better if we get everyone together and then go over it," you tell her. "After dinner should be fine."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The conversation at dinner had gone as you expected. There were lots of questions about whether or not Doctor Franxx really could be trusted, and almost anything to do with the new FranXX was mentioned. Nana and Hachi did their best to placate the room, and before too long the topic changed.

It seemed several points of contention were popping up among members of Squads 26 and 56 over who would get to pilot which FranXX, but Kana and Kyo quickly stepped in and stated they would be making the decisions for them.

The topic of Doctor Franxx's facility and what you'd seen intrigued the others who hadn't been present, but also sparked the question of whether he was still hiding things from you, like he had from APE. In the end, however, everyone more or less agreed that working with the doctor now that he knew your location was better than trying to do it alone.

Once dinner was over, you hold Miku back as everyone starts to file out.

"Hey, (Y/N)," she gives you a cheerful smile. "What do you need?" "I wanted to ask a favor of you," you tell her. "Sure," Miku replies without hearing what it is. "I didn't even ask yet," you chuckle. "Well," Miku cocks her head to one side, "you're helping me, so I'll help you."

"I supposed that's fair," you agree. "Anyway, when Kana and Kyo take their squads to get the new FranXX in a couple of days, they won't be able to get them all. The two members they picked to pilot Heliconia aren't completely healed yet. They asked me if someone from Squad 13 would be willing to come along and bring her back for them."

Miku nods, listening intently.

"The trip will take several days, and it would interrupt your training if I went with someone else. Ichigo can't because we still need someone in charge to stay. So," you take a deep breath, hoping Miku won't overreact to what you're about to say, "I want you to go with me instead. That way, your training can continue, and Ichigo will be here to make sure things go smoothly."

Miku blinks several times but doesn't say a word.

"You want me… to pilot… with you?" Miku finally responds, her voice a little shaky.

"If you don't want to, it's fine," you attempt to comfort her. "It was just a way for us to keep training instead of stopping for several days. Piloting with you could also help me understand your strengths better. If you aren't comfortable with it, then I'll ask one of the other girls. You were my first choice."

"Are you sure we… you know… can?" Miku asks. "And won't Ichigo be mad?"

"I think that either of us could connect with anyone in the squad. We're all friends, and bonds like that are enough to hold a connection." You tell her. "And in terms of Ichigo, I'll talk to her. As long as I make sure she realizes there's nothing going on, she'll be fine with it."

Miku still doesn't seem entirely convinced. "Tell you what," you say. "The trip isn't for a few days. Take some time and think about it. Whenever you make up your mind, just let me know."

Before you can make it to the door, Miku shouts after you. "I'll do it!" You glance over your shoulder at her. "As long as you're sure." Miku nods. "I'm sure." "Alright then," you continue out the door. "Kana, Kyo, and I were going to come up with a plan tomorrow. I'll swing by and grab you before we start."

Well, the easy conversation's over. You straighten your collar. Now to convince Ichigo.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You're late," Ichigo states as you enter your shared room. She is already dressed for bed and sits with her back against the headboard. "As my pillow, I expect you to be on time."

You bow. "So sorry to inconvenience you, madam. It won't happen again."

Ichigo giggles. "So, what took you so long?" You take a shallow breath. "I was just having a conversation," you answer. "With?" Ichigo coaxes. "Miku," you respond, while removing your shirt.

The image of Ichigo in the mirror frowns. "You've been spending a lot of time around her recently." "I am training her," you place the folded clothes in the drawer. "It kinda comes with the territory. I thought you said you were okay with it?"

Ichigo crosses her arms and turns as if she were going to look out the window. Her left eye, however, remains trained on you. "Who said I'm not?"

Oh boy, here we go.

"Good." You take a seat on the edge of the bed beside her. She still refuses to face you, but her eye remains fixed. "Those new FranXX we talked about, the ones at Doctor Franxx's facility? He told us to pick them up by the end of the week. Kana and Kyo talked about it, and the trip will be at least several days."

Ichigo's pouting expression softens and she faces you. "That'll be a long trip. Just like ours. I hope they can make it alright. Not everyone from their squads is healed yet."

Ichigo finishes speaking but notices a strange glint in your eye. "What aren't you telling me?" she asks suspiciously. "They don't have enough pilots," you reply. "If they are to go in two days like they planned, then they could only bring back four FranXX. Trying to get one here by herself would be a nightmare. So, they asked me if I could go with you and bring the last one back."

"We can't both leave," is Ichigo's immediate response as she begins muttering to herself. "We'd have to send another pair. But who? I'm not sure the others would want to stay with people they don't really know for that long."

You pat Ichigo on the head. "Don't worry, I've already taken care of it." Ichigo shoots you a quizzical look. "Miku and I will go."

Similar to Miku's reaction when you'd asked her just a little bit ago, Ichigo just blinks as her mind processes what you've said. Once, twice, three times and then, "I must be really tired." Ichigo hugs your arm and falls back into bed, bringing you with her. You land face to face several inches apart. "I could have sworn you said you wanted to go with Miku, but that's silly."

"I did say that," you tell her. Ichigo bolts upright in the bed. She turns to look down at you with tears of either frustration or sadness forming in her eyes. "So, you want to leave me here while you go off riding with another girl?" her voice is strained, and it cracks as she finishes speaking. "Am I not good enough for you anymore?"

"Ichigo," you attempt to comfort her, but she pulls away. "Look, you know I wouldn't do this without a good reason, don't you?" "I would never have asked to ride with one of the other boys," Ichigo huffs, her back still turned to you.

You audibly groan. "It's only because one of us needs to stay here." "Then you stay, and I'll go with one of the other boys," Ichigo shoots back glancing over her shoulder to gauge your reaction. "Absolutely not," you answer without hesitation. "Why?" Ichigo smugly asks. "Do you not like the idea of me piloting with other guys?"

"No," you answer honestly, "I don't. But that's not my reason, and you are blowing this way out of proportion. I'm taking Miku so she can continue training and so you can stay here and lead the others. I never said I wanted to make her my partner, or that I wouldn't rather do it with you."

Clearly having had enough of this conversation, Ichigo throws herself back onto the bed but faces away from you. "Fine. Do whatever you want."

You lay down as well but make no effort to close the distance between the two of you. It wouldn't be appreciated right now even if you did. Before you fall asleep, you whisper just loud enough so that the girl you share the bed with can hear. "Goodnight, Ichigo. I love you."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Do you have everything you need?" you ask Miku as she descends the staircase. The redhead nods. "I think so. I have three days worth of clothes, my makeup," you chuckle at her concern for her appearance, "some hair ties–" Miku abruptly stops. "Are you even listening to me?!" she groans, hands on her hips.

"What…? Uh… yeah," you scratch the back of your neck. "It sounds like you have everything. Ready to go?" "Uh-huh," she smiles confidently. "You're sure?" you say, preparing to give her the last out before you leave. "Because if you aren't, you can still stay here." Miku narrows her eyes. "I said I'd go with you, and I will."

You take your bag from the floor and begin to lead Miku to the dropship. "Zorome give you any trouble?" She thinks for a moment. "I don't think he knew how to act," Miku says from beside you. "He opened his mouth and closed it a couple of times. He told me–"

"Hey, (Y/N)!" a voice yells down from the second-floor balcony. Turning to look, you find Zorome. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"I'll meet you outside," you tell Miku, leaving her so you can speak with Zorome. The blonde boy waits for you at the bottom of the stairs Miku had descended moments before. He has his arms crossed over his chest while leaning against the banister, and his right foot toys with the pant leg of his left.

"Did you need something?" you ask in a neutral tone. Zorome finishes biting his lip. "Take care of Miku." His tone is somewhat somber, and he doesn't look you in the eye while speaking. Instead, he settles for a sidelong glance. "If anything happens to her, I'll blame you forever." He must realize how that sounded, so he adds, "Don't get any funny ideas. It's just because she's my partner."

"I won't let her get so much as a scratch," you promise him, extending your hand. Zorome eyes it for a moment before accepting it with a huff.

With that taken care of, you proceed outside to Miku and the waiting members of Squads 26 and 56. Everyone has gathered to see you off, even Ichigo, who had given you the cold shoulder since you told her you were going with Miku.

You approach Ichigo from behind and kiss the top of her head. "I'll be back soon. Love you."

Without waiting for her to answer, you climb aboard the craft and the ramp raises behind you, as you were the last to board. A hissing sound pierces your ears as the craft's interior is pressurized. You place your bag in a locker beside the ramp and roll your shoulder.

"Welcome back, (Y/N)," Freya's familiar voice greets you. "Hello, Freya," you smile at the AI's avatar standing at the top of the staircase. "How've you been?" "Busy," the golden figure answers. "The doctor received an order from APE for a new FranXX design. As a result, I have handled the task of prepping the FranXX you will be bringing back to Haven myself."

Miku stares in awe at the AI. "Are you real?" The program gives her a warm smile. "I am very real, Miku," Freya answers before moving down the stairs. "It knows my name," the redhead whispers with a glance at you.

Thinking it's probably better to get the introductions out of the way before this gets more confusing, you take the initiative. "Miku, this is Freya, and she is an artificial intelligence designed by Doctor Franxx." "Is she alive?" Miku asks. "She is as alive as we are," you reply. "The only difference is that she doesn't have a real body." "That is correct," Freya confirms. "The form you see before you is a projection."

While Miku continues to stare at Freya, there is a lurch as the dropship takes off. "Our estimated time of arrival is two hours and seven minutes from now," Freya informs you.

You tap Miku's shoulder and gesture to the lounge area under the stairs. "May as well relax while we can. Once we land, it'll be back to it." She nods, and the two of you settle in for the flight.