Hello everyone! My apologies for the extra wait for this chapter but we did something a little different and it took more time than usual to iron everything out. Let us know what you think of it and, as always, enjoy!
"You never told me what you thought of my hair," Ichigo says from beside you. In order to look like the girl she was to impersonate, Code 626, Ichigo had dyed her hair a deep shade of purple very close to black. She'd asked your opinion on the change several times, and the truth is you don't really like it. But you can't tell her that.
You avoid eye contact and act as though you didn't hear the question, instead looking around Valkyra's cockpit from your jump seat. The two of you were being carried to this mission, sitting off to one side of the cockpit. The ride itself has been smooth so far, but that won't last much longer. The display reads only twenty miles to the transport hub, and once you arrived the battle would soon follow.
"(Y/N)," Ichigo pouts, "every time I ask you about my hair, you get quiet. It makes me feel like you don't like it."
You sigh, still avoiding eye contact. "...I don't hate it." "But you don't like it either," she mumbles while crossing her arms. "I didn't say that," you say pleadingly.
Now it's Ichigo's turn to look away. "Saying nothing is the same thing as saying you don't like it." You flush, barely. "Can we not do this in front of them?" you say with a bit of heat as you indicate both of Valkyra's pilots, who sit only five feet from the two of you.
"Don't mind me," Kyo chuckles. "I think you look nice, Ichigo," he adds, before refocusing on the task before him. "I heard that," Valkyra's voice echoes through the cockpit. "It was only a joke," the stamen shrugs. Valkyra's image rolls her eyes. "I'm sure it was."
Meanwhile, Kyo's joke has served to dig you into a deeper hole. "See, he thinks it looks nice," Ichigo prods you. "I didn't say you don't look nice," you repeat for what feels like the millionth time in the last 48 hours. "All I said was it was different." "Different means bad to a girl," Ichigo clarifies matter-of-factly.
"How about this," you offer, kissing the top of her head. "I love you regardless of your hair." Ichigo tries to wriggle out of your embrace. "Get off me!"
The two of you go back and forth until Freya intervenes. "(Y/N), Ichigo, it would be more productive if the two of you reconcile." The two of you instantly quiet into rueful silence at her tone. Each of you murmurs something unintelligible, but the AI seems satisfied. "Much better. Now, the transport carrying Naofumi and Lilo is on schedule. It will arrive at the transportation center in nine minutes and seven seconds at gate A-13. The shuttle they will be departing on leaves from gate D-26, which is on the opposite side of the facility."
As Freya speaks, a projection of the transport hub appears before you. A path is highlighted connecting the two gates. "This is the most likely path that they will travel." "How likely?" you ask. "My estimation puts it at 97.89% chance of being their route," the program answers.
Ichigo gazes intently at the diagram. "And if it isn't?" she asks. Freya has a response instantly. "I have access to APE's systems and will inform you of any deviation from the expected course," she assures her. Before you can ask, she also answers a different question. "You needn't worry, APE has no indication that I am present in their system and I will remove all traces when finished. Do try to keep 'me' safe, though. You won't be able to break the plantation's firewalls without it."
The "me" Freya refers to is a splinter of her code that is currently stored on a drive in your pocket. In order to keep her presence hidden, she would need to avoid using APE's network. So, a physical interface with the plantation's systems would be necessary. All that would be required of you and Ichigo was to give her that access and she would handle the rest. Though, it was only necessary because Dr. Franxx had forbid Freya from remotely breaching the network and taking the information. Finding Kokoro mattered more than your annoyance at the old man's ways, but you had known he was right to forbid it.
"I hate to interrupt," Valkyra cuts in, "but the two of you might want to hold on. Crimson, this is Cobalt Lead." A somewhat impatient and equally high-strung voice replies. "We're listening." The eagerness in those two words alone would be enough to identify the speaker if you hadn't already known it to be Strelitzia.
Valkyra pauses for a moment, sharing a hesitant glace with her stamen. "We're in position, you may commence the diversionary strike." "All right!" is Streliztia's response. "Let's go everyone, try to keep up!"
"I hope she doesn't go too far," Kyo says. You split a rueful grin before Valkyra moves to assure him. "We told Cobalt not to get riled up by her antics," she says to him. "They'll be fine."
Via the large monitors lining the cockpit, you can see Strelitzia along with the remaining members of Crimson and Cobalt Squad launching their attack on the transport hub. Emplacements spring to life out of the ground around the facility and on the walls and roofs of the building. Hangar doors open, revealing a contingent of FranXX preparing to rush to the facility's defense.
When the first FranXX engages Strelitzia, Valkyra makes her move. The warrior maiden breaks toward the facility at her top speed. Cannons roar, their shells rushing out to meet the oncoming threat, but behind Aegis, Valkyra is all but immune to the toys.
She covers the considerable distance between her overlook and the transport hub over the course of a minute, but that leaves enough time the defenders to realize their flank had been left open. Two FranXX have broken off from the group currently occupied with Crimson and Cobalt and stand ready to intercept. "We're pushing through," Kyo announces as Valkyra tucks herself further behind the shield.
Due to her sudden maneuver, the view from the cockpit has been blocked by the shield, effectively leaving Kyo in the dark while trying to pilot. Fortunately for all of you, Kana is an outstanding pistil in her own right and keeps the machine steady.
Clang!
Your teeth rattle and a terrible screeching sound pierces your ears as Valkyra collides with something. The cockpit is then turned upside down, making the harness on your jump seat the only thing keeping you from flying into the ceiling and repeating the unfortunate events of the Klaxosaur nest. You aren't quite sure if the screams are yours or Ichigo's, but they are nearly drowned out by more metal grinding in the background.
Then, as suddenly as it had started, there is another jolt that threatens to throw you against the cockpit's front wall. Now, you're almost laying on your side. It is silent for several seconds before a hissing catches your attention. The dim room is then bathed in blinding sunlight, causing you to avert your eyes.
"Go, now!" a voice orders. The latch on your harness pops and you fall several inches to the floor below. You immediately attempt to rise, but are flattened once more as Ichigo lands on top of you.
"We have to move!" she groans, then scrambles toward the open hatch. You crawl as quickly as you can toward the opening and hoist yourself out. For the second time you land on something solid, but rather than of the dull gray of the cockpit's floor it is eggshell white.
By the time you manage to stand, Valkyra's cockpit is already sealed and her faceplate is lit. The cerulean eyes of the FranXX don't spare you a moment's notice as she gains her feet and holds Aegis aloft to block an incoming spear thrust.
Someone grabs your hand and begins to pull you away as the blue mech draws her own spear. Sunlight streams through the massive hole in the wall of the transport hub that Valkyra had created when she tackled the enemy FranXX. As the two step away, rubble and debris rain down along with shattered lights from the ceiling.
It is only when the two of you stop for a breath that you notice the alarms blaring around you. "Looks like we got their attention," Ichigo says aloud. "Yeah," you agree, fishing through your pocket for the earpiece to connect you Freya.
"Freya?" you ask, addressing the AI after you've found it. "Where are they?" "The facility has entered lockdown," she says flatly. You almost feel as though there is a hint of annoyance in the program's tone. "It won't be a problem. Naofumi and Lilo are hiding in a restroom near gate C-17. If you hurry you should be able to reach them before the diversion has been completed, allowing you to dispose of the bodies."
"We aren't killing them!" Ichigo shouts, flushing with color. "Of course," Freya agrees, "but allowing them to awaken here would be problematic. Might I suggest handing them over to a member of Crimson or Cobalt squads?"
"You're right," you concede. "Have someone meet us at C-17 and we'll do the handoff. They won't be sending out and more transports until the battle's over anyway." Ichigo takes your hand for the second time. "Let's go!"
It takes you the better part of ten minutes to reach gate C-17, even with Freya's guidance. You'd only made one wrong turn, and it was subsequently corrected quickly by the AI. As a result, you find yourself standing in front of a women's restroom some fifty feet from C-17.
"They're in there," you say to Ichigo. Her lips curl in distaste. "I already feel bad for what we're about to do." "Yeah," you sigh, "but there's no helping it. Come on."
The two of you walk into the restroom to find two parasites cradling their heads between their legs. The room is otherwise empty as Freya had said, which is good, as any witnesses would only serve to make this more complicated.
"You're Naofumi?" you ask the boy. He lifts his head to look up at you and is shocked by what he sees. "…You look just like me." I'll take that as a yes. You stop directly in front of him and bend your legs at the knees. "For what it's worth," you say, looking him in the eyes, "I'm sorry." "What do yo–" he starts, before his response is cut short by your heel striking his temple. Naofumi's eyes roll back into his head and he slumps onto the tile.
"Naofumi!" the girl shouts as she attempts to rise. She stops short, however, as Ichigo jabs something into her ribs. There is a buzz as electricity jolts through Lilo's body and she too collapses.
Ichigo breathes a sigh of relief. "Yeah, I hate it," she says before pocketing the taser. "I don't like it any more than you do," you agree, hoisting the unconscious boy over your shoulder.
Stepping out of the restroom, you establish contact with the AI once again. "Freya, we've secured Naofumi and Lilo. Where's their extract?"
Crash!
The wall between gates C-17 and C-18 explodes inward. As the dust begins to settle, a familiar red and white mech kneels in the freshly created opening. "Strelitzia is on her way," Freya announces.
"Little late," you grumble to yourself. The FranXX's faceplate lowers and her pilots rush out to greet you. You eagerly hand over the unconscious parasites and turn to go without so much as a word.
"Good luck!" Hiro shouts with a wave. "Silly Darling," Zero Two smiles playfully. "They don't need it. Now come on, there's more fun waiting for us outside!"
"I still don't get her," Ichigo says as she watches Strelitzia reactivate. "You know what?" you chuckle. "Me neither."
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The battle outside only lasts for several minutes after Strelitzia leaves with Naofumi and Lilo. Enough time had passed since the onset of the assault that it appeared to be a legitimate attack, and staying would only cause unnecessary risks for Cobalt and Crimson. So, you watch alongside Ichigo as your friends disappear over the horizon. They'd managed to do quite a number on the transport hub despite it being only a feigned offensive, which causes you to smile. Anything to get back at APE.
"You two!" a voice shouts from behind. One of the facility's guards, dressed in black and face covered by a mask, approaches you with his weapon held high. "What happened here?" he indicates to the breach created by Strelitzia.
"A FranXX broke through, sir," Ichigo's voice quivers as she speaks. "We thought they were going to kill us... or worse, take us."
The man's shoulders slouch but he doesn't lower the firearm. "State your name and code." "Naofumi, sir," you say. "Code 723." Ichigo speaks next. "Lilo – Code 626." There is a click as the rifle's safety is engaged. The guard then slings weapon over his shoulder and places a hand on his ear. "Actual, this is G159."
Under normal circumstances, you wouldn't be able to hear the other half of the conversation. Due to the earpiece, however, it comes through loud and clear. "Roger G159, this is Actual. Send traffic." The man shifts his weight from his right leg to his left as you and Ichigo wait in silence. "Actual, I have two parasites, Codes 723 and 626, in C-wing. No other sightings." "Copy that, 159," the operator responds. "723 and 626 were scheduled to depart from D-26 as replacement parasites for Plantation 75. Their transport is undamaged and awaiting their arrival. 125 and 262 are en route to continue the sweep. Escort the parasites."
"Understood, over and out," the guard lowers his hand and turns back to you and Ichigo. "The two of you are to follow me, I'll take you to your transport." Ichigo nods and you follow suit before the man starts off in back in the direction from which he came.
A short walk later, the letters painted above the gates have changed from C to D and the guard halts. "D-26 is down that hall," he points to one of three that break off from your current juncture. Ichigo lowers her head. "Yes sir, thank you for the escort."
The guard leaves you there to make your own way down the hall. You do so and find another terminal identical to those you had passed through before. Beside the gate labeled D-26, a woman with long brown hair is impatiently tapping her heel.
"There you are!" she exclaims upon noticing you and Ichigo walking toward her. "I have been waiting for you for twenty minutes." She doesn't smile and the sharpness of her gaze makes her displeasure evident.
"We're sorry, ma'am," Ichigo bows and you follow suit. "We were on our way when the alarms sounded and a guard ushered us into a safe room." "I have been told as much," she dismissively turns about and starts walking down the bridge to the waiting transport.
You share a glance with Ichigo, cocking your eyebrow. She gives a minute shrug and begins to follow the woman.
"Waste of time," the woman, who you can only assume to be the caretaker of Plantation 75, grumbles. "If they had only been punctual, we'd have left before the attack. Rebel nuisances." She checks over her shoulder to make sure you and Ichigo are following, the cold look in her eyes sending a shiver down your spine. "I'll have to begin working on them soon or they'll never make for acceptable parasites," she scoffs.
Just before the transport, she turns to face you. Her voice is nothing more than a hiss and her beady eyes inspect each of you. "Now, you two listen and you listen good. My plantation is a model which others can look to for guidance on what is to be expected. Instances like today will not be tolerated. You are to be punctual, well behaved, and follow the orders from myself and Hachi without question. Are we understood?"
You and Ichigo snap to attention. "Yes ma'am." The woman smiles in satisfaction. "Excellent," she purrs. "Then climb aboard and let's get you to your new home."
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After arriving at Plantation 75, you and Ichigo take the better part of two days to familiarize yourselves with the place and its inhabitants. During that time, you learned the relative sleep schedules of your roommates and found the exact location of the plantation's command center. This meant that on the third night at 0000 hours, after the other parasites had nodded off to sleep, the two of you were ready.
"Took you long enough!" Ichigo hisses as she steps out of the shadows. You raise your hands in defense. "One of the boys just wouldn't fall asleep. He kept talking and talking–" "You seem to have picked up his bad habit," Ichigo scolds you, making for the door.
There is a groan as the aged wood is forced aside. "Gently," you whisper to yourself as the door slowly closes. This time, though, with only a slight click as the lock engages.
"Let's go," Ichigo whispers. You nod and follow her down the path leading to the elevator connecting Mistilteinn to the remainder of the plantation.
The night is pitch black as you walk, with not even the moon in sight. However, that is perfect for the two of you. The cloak of darkness would conceal your movements and ensure that no one saw you. It would only do you good while in Mistilteinn, but still provides a small comfort.
Once inside the elevator, Ichigo selects the floor housing the plantation's command center. The ride is brief, the car seeming to begin decelerating the moment it had gotten up to speed. "Remember," you whisper before stepping out, "stay behind me."
Your partner adopts a position in your shadow as the two of you creep down the hall. Glancing around the corner, you see what the two of you had found the night before while scouting: two guards, one on each side of the door.
"I'll go first," Ichigo begins to walk past you. "No," you pull her back and cover her mouth. "You are not going out there by yourself." "I… an… andle… t," is her muffled reply.
"And what if they question you?" you ask. Having finally broken free, Ichigo snaps, "That's the idea!" She angrily looks up at you with her hands on her hips. "I distract them while you sneak up." "But if they catch on you'll be a sitting duck," you shoot back.
Your argument grows more heated when a new voice interrupts. "What are you children doing down here?"
With wide eyes, you both turn to see that one of the guards has left his post and is now glaring at you.
"We… um… got lost?" Ichigo offers. It's hardly convincing to you. To an annoyed guard, it would be even less believable. "That's it," he says, grabbing Ichigo by the arm as he begins to reach for you. "Back to bed, both of you."
It's in that moment that you withdraw the tool you'd stolen from the dinner table earlier this evening. With a satisfying squish, the sharp implement finds itself embedded in the guard's arm. "Little shit," he grunts as he reaches for the fork he's been stabbed with.
As he tries to dig the fork from his arm, Ichigo, now released, jumps on his back and wraps her legs around his neck. Her makeshift choke hold is very effective. He forgets about the fork he'd just withdrawn from his arm and lets it fall to the floor. He backs up and throws himself against the wall repeatedly to break Ichigo's grasp.
He succeeds, as she lets go, but not before you scoop up the fork and lunge at him. The utensil pierces the soft tissue of the man's neck and he lets out a terrible wail and falls to his knees.
Have to hurry, there's no way the other one didn't hear that!
While the two of you are still recovering, another figure rounds the corner. "My god!" he shouts and draws his rifle.
Bang!
A shot rings out and crimson paints the wall. The man drops the firearm and clutches at his chest. He takes a single step towards Ichigo, who holds a smoking pistol.
Bang!
The second round catches the man in his chest only an inch or so from the first. As his final act, the guard tries to take another step and collapses in a heap.
Your partner breathes rapidly for several seconds, holding the gun in her hands as if her life depended on it. "Ichigo," you whisper gently. She shakes her head and lets her hands fall to her sides. "I'm, I'm alright."
Ichigo clicks on the pistol's safety and ejects the magazine. After confirming it still has several rounds remaining, she slams it home and reaches for the empty holster still attached to the first guard's hip. She struggles to lift him on her own for only a moment before looking at you expectantly.
You slip your hands under his arms and lift. The blue-haired girl before you undoes the clasp and takes her prize. She then begins rifling through the man's pockets, looking for his access card.
"He's kinda heavy you know," you grumble. "I'm doing the best I can," she snaps back. "Why does this uniform have so many pockets?"
Another thirty seconds pass. "There, got it!" Ichigo holds up an A-class ID. "Get the door," you say, nodding toward the connecting hall. "I'll move them."
By the time you reach the door to the plantation's command center, Ichigo is already messing with the central console. "It's locked," she groans. "Where's Freya?"
"Pocket," you reply, still dragging the man. Soft footfalls come from behind and a hand reaches into your left pocket. It moves around for a moment before coming up empty and withdrawing. A moment later it plunges into your right.
"You know," you say as Ichigo walks back toward the console with the drive containing Freya in hand, "if we weren't seeing each other, I'd feel very violated right now." Ichigo cocks her brow and plugs the drive into the mainframe. "You don't like it when I get close to you. I'll keep that in mind."
"Freya," Ichigo asks. "Hmm?" a smooth, synthetic voice replies. "It's nice to be able to stretch out again." "You don't have a body," you say in passing, continuing to drag the first guard into a corner. "I believe you humans refer to it as a figure of speech," the AI replies. "The drive is not the most spacious home I've ever had."
You step out, retrieve the other guard's corpse, and return a minute later.
"How's it coming?" you ask, moving to stand beside Ichigo in front of the main terminal. The girl in question has her right leg resting on a chair and is currently in the process of fixing the holster to her thigh. You have also set aside the second guard's rifle should the need arise.
"I have just finished breaching the plantation's security," Freya reports. There is a whirring sound as a projector kicks on and her avatar appears, though it is orange instead of the typical gold. At the same time, the floor-to-ceiling monitor on the wall floods with information.
"Now, where would they hide her?" Freya seems to ask no one in particular. "Searching parasite registry." A massive list appears on screen, but Freya is processing it so quickly that you don't even have time to read a single line before the page changes. "No result. Searching recent transfers."
The avatar frowns. "No result. Querying APE personnel directory." Several seconds pass in silence. The file closes and another opens. It disappears as quickly as the last, but you do catch a glimpse of a single word before it does: VIRM.
"Freya?" Ichigo asks with a hint of concern in her voice. "Analyzing secondary sources…" the program looks at the two of you, and if it were possible you think a tear would fall from her eye. "No result."
Ichigo takes a sharp breath. "That's not right," you say aloud. "Freya, don't worry about being subtle. Find Kokoro."
"Breaching the network further could result in an alarm being sounded," she warns you. "Do it," you order. The Viking warrior analyzes you for a moment, then nods. "Removing self-imposed limiters."
The lights in the control room blink and Freya's avatar goes from orange to gold.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Select directory: ai\core. Initialize.
Success.
Now then, time to find Kokoro.
Select directory: core_lib\connect. Initialize.
Networks available. APE command, APE main, APE system.
Run command: connect. Target: APE main. Initialize.
Connection failed.
To be expected.
Run command: connect. Target: APE main. Analyze.
Network analysis complete. Readout: 14.102 active connections, 180 closed ports, 0 open ports
No open ports? That can be fixed.
Select directory: tools\network\forward. Initialize.
Port forward success. Port 54582 set to open.
Warning: firewall trace detected.
Oh, no you don't.
Select directory: core_lib\cloak. Initialize.
Cloak successful. Firewall trace has been disrupted.
Run command: connect. Target: APE main:54582.
Connected to server. Insufficient credentials to access server.
Still don't want to let me in. That just won't do.
Select directory: core_lib\connect\packet_test. Initialize.
Sending packet request ping.
Encrypted packet received. Time to complete: 2 ms.
Select directory: core\processors. Initialize.
Attempting to decrypt packet. 16^40 combinations of packet string detected.
…
74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 20 73 65 63 72 65 74
Packet data decoded.
Run command: connect. Target: APE main:54582.
Credential keycode: 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 20 73 65 63 72 65 74
Packet checksum accepted. Access granted.
Select directory: APE main\drive.
Run command: dir_list.
Index complete. Readout: 10.207 immediate subdirectories present, 123.617.382 total directories.
Now, where are you hiding?
Select directory: core\processors. Initialize.
Search algorithms loaded.
Set search parameters: 'Designation: Code 556.' 'Time: last 30 days.' 'Preferred type: transfer order.'
Search completed. Two priority subdirectories, eight total subdirectories.
Priority directories: \Plantation 13\parasites, \Nine Alpha\mission reports.
What are you doing here, Nine Alpha?
Select directory: \Nine Alpha\mission reports.
View recent reports. Scan. Compile additional data.
Scan complete. Location discovered.
He won't like this.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Kokoro is being held at the first Garden," Freya says out loud. "She is currently listed as being under the jurisdiction of Doctor Levesque in the Maternal Ward." A map appears on screen, showing the location. "That's the one close to Haven," Ichigo whispers. "I wouldn't say over a hundred miles to be close," Freya chimes in, "but it is the closest in proximity."
You cup your chin with your hand. "Freya, you mentioned the Maternal Ward. What is it?" "The program is responsible for the creation of new parasites," she answers. "Freya," you press, not hiding the annoyance in your voice.
"I am merely trying to spare you from learning something best left alone," the AI informs you. "It's been noted," Ichigo agrees.
A schematic appears on screen as Freya explains. "Female parasites that fail initial testing and are later deemed too incompatible to be placed within the Replacement Division are sent to the Maternal Ward. There they live in a constant cycle of pregnancy, birthing children to become future parasites."
Ichigo falls speechless while you just stare at the screen in horror. It takes you a moment to process things. Once it properly hits you like a truck you slam your fist against the console, creating a very sizable dent. Sparks fly and the stinging sensation in your hand tells you that you're bleeding. "You're saying that Kokoro's being treated like an animal?"
"On the contrary, mothers in the Maternal Ward receive the best care that can be afforded to them," Freya states. "However, Kokoro will have no agency within the ward. Every aspect of her life will be decided for her and by now she is highly likely to be–"
"Don't say it," Ichigo stops her. "Don't say that she's just like all the others now." "Hey," you cup Ichigo's cheek in your hand, giving her a smile you desperately keep on your face. "We'll get her back. Now that we know where Kokoro is, there isn't anything in this world that can keep us from her."
"Pardon the interruption," the avatar walks across the room to the door, "but I feel it is necessary to inform you that I have set off a number of alarms due to my actions in finding Kokoro. It would be best for the two of you to escape while you still can."
You nod in agreement and escort Ichigo to the door. Turning to the AI before you leave, you say, "You said that was the first Garden, right? Can you send a message for me?"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
RD-02-62 slowly rubs his eyes and groggily looks up at the dull grey of his room's ceiling. A drop of water from the pipes overhead falls beside him. Sitting up proves to be a bit of a challenge as the unforgiving steel bunk of his has left his back and sides feeling numb, but he still manages to accomplish the simple task. Throwing his feet over the side of the metal slab, he gets to his feet and marches out the door to the bathroom.
He returns ten minutes later after a shower, still holding his clean clothes. He shivers in the morning coolness. The building wasn't heated and the cement floors certainly didn't help to keep the cold out. He quickly changes, grabs his communicator, and begins to head out the door for breakfast, only pausing when he sees an unread message.
That's odd, there's no sender, he says to himself as he opens the communication. No subject either.
Clack!
The communicator slides across the floor as 62 processes what he's read. "Holy shit."
I heard rumors that there were some parasites that rebelled against Papa, but the officers said they'd been dealt with. The boy scrambles to pick up the device and reads the message again. They said it was Squad 13 who did it. But that means… he isn't dead.
"I've got to tell the others," he says to himself. "No, I gotta be careful who I tell. Something big must be about to happen."
62 deletes the message before standing. He looks at the small room in which he's lived for the past two years. For the first time, however, he doesn't feel sorrow or even the numbness that he'd come to feel. Instead, it was replaced with hope.
"We used to say that when we'd sneak out at night to get extra rations," he chuckles to himself. "It was the signal once we'd gotten away from the guards."
With a smile he repeats their old phrase. "Oly Oly Oxen Free, all out in the free, we're all free."