+Rewrite date: August 2019+

+Special thanks to co-author Techjammer.+
+This is by far the most confusing one to rewrite.+

+Overall, this chapter will change Casten's character the most.+

+We added more examples that display the differences between the Franxx and Imperium worlds.+
+Due to my job, this chapter was much delayed.+
+As a show of good faith all loyal readers get extra Corpse starch bars.+

+ Chapter III: Connections and Hearts +
+ 001 M.42 +
+ Plantation #13: Mistlestein +

Zero-Two grinned brightly, skipping with each step alongside Casten to the barracks. Her pink hair flowing behind her with each bounding step. In contrast to the pinkette, dirt crunched under the Freeblade's steel toed sabatons as he walked the unpaved path.

Casten's first full day in the Plantation was mostly spent unconscious. The pair had only just been allowed to leave the infirmary. Casten's wrists bore marks from the bruises and cuts made from his thrashing against the bonds of his Throne Mechanicum during the Ritual of Becoming. Whereas Zero-Two's wounds seemed to have suffered no injury whatsoever. Another product of her Abhuman nature, he assumed. According to the Skitarii, Zero-Two kept at his bedside almost the entire time that he was relegated to staying at the infirmary. More than once, he briefly regained consciousness to the her head of pink hair against his chest.

He saw nothing of Brigid. His Sacristan had left to return Ave Rubrum to his own segregated space in the garage and oversee repairs to the Knight Titan. She did, however, dispatch two familiar Skitarii, who he could loosely qualify as acquaintances: Sigma-seven and Delta-Nine;as sentries to guard his person. It was a welcome gesture, if somewhat excessive to the unease and discomfort of the local medical staff in towering silent heartfelt all the same.

Right now, another matter was of more pressing concern to the young Questor as he walked toward what was to be his new station until further notice. Namingly, his soon to be 'greeting' with 'Squad #13' that he was supposed to fight alongside… or at least he was trying to. He found himself distracted, staring up at the glass domed sky with mild distrust for is very existence as unconsecrated technology. Only the Adeptus Mechanicus knew the true works of the Omnissiah, thusly, only their technology and as a whole the Imperium's, could be trusted. Until they found these 'Plantations' worthy of the Machine God's will he would continue to hide his contempt for the unsanctioned creation.

It reeked of some manufactured intent that were at odds to his more measured and frugal sensibilities. The simulacrum forest in its entirety was disproportionate to the rest of Plantation 13. Why was there a need for resources to be diverted in this miniscule patch of biosphere? It would make sense if say a noble on a Pleasure World create the entire plantation as his own mobile biosphere. Yet this was a clearly classified Feral World bordering on a Death World counting the Klaxosaurs. The simulacrum environment even had wildlife inside, with the birds frequently seemed to have a habit of flying into the window panels in a splatter of gore. It was cruel to trap such creatures inside a dome they aren't even aware exists. But that was of little concern to the Casten.

"Hey, darling?" Zero-Two broke him from his musings, pausing in her jovial skipping to look at him over her shoulder.

Casten's gaze shifted to the energetic girl, her bright teal gaze catching his questioning navy blue. "Yes?"

"You like sweet things?" The innocent question caught him off guard.

Casten hummed in thought… food was the furthest subject occupying his thoughts. "I never had a preference in food, whatever you choose I suppose."

"Good!" She grinned, skipping back to resume her pace.

The pair walked along the dirt road that led to Plantation #13's barracks. When the pair finally came upon what he had been informed was the 'barracks' of Squad #13, Casten had expected something more… spartan. The building was not so much the barracks of the Astra Militarum he was familiar with as it was noble's holiday villa.

"Are you new around here?" Casten heard, femine and high pitched.

At the end of the path, a girl was seated on the stone stairs leading to entrance. She was playing with a small black feline animal that pawed at her hands when she touched it. She had a head of bluish black hair, bob cut and held parted by a hairclip. Casten was curious if it was her natural color as an adopted genetic quirk by being on this planet or simply dyed like underhive gangers. Despite playing with the feline creature, the gaze in her green gaze was… forlorn, for lack of a better word. As if her hand was moving yet her heart and mind lingered elsewhere.

The feline seemed to notice the approaching pair, quickly rolling onto its feet and dashing off into the woods. The girl stood, she had a slim, modest build and short blue hair that framed her heart shaped face. Her expression was grim; lips pressed into a thin line and her large eyes narrowed at the sight of the newcomers. It was obvious that she wasn't too happy with the pair's presence.

Despite this, Casten held both his hands over his chest. Forming the unique cross of the half Aquila and the Divine Cog used by the Knights of Avalus. "Greetings, my name is Casten, Freeblade formerly of the Imperial Hou-"

Before he could finish, a slim but firm grip around his bicep hauled him up by his bow. The Knight hadn't the time to even finish introducing himself before his pink-haired companion grabbed his arm. She dragged him into the door, brushing past the girl he had tried to greet. He didn't catch the scathing scowl that the girl he had tried to introduce himself to was sending his way.

Most members of Squad #13 watched in stunned silence as the newcomers ate. The tall, well built Imperial was eating somewhat tentatively; curiously eyeing the unfamiliar food before eating. While his companion simply dumped a whole pitcher of honey onto her breakfast platter. A petite girl, auburn-hair tied into pigtails sitting at another table had to hold back a gag at the display. Some of the others ignored the pair; such as a boy in the corner with his hair combed back and that short haired girl from the entrance.

Zero-Two ignored all of them, gingerly lifting a large, honey slathered strip of meat between her equally honey coated fingers. Lifting it high and quickly lowering it into her mouth. Zero-Two devoured the whole thing in a single mouthful. She looked to the ceiling, taking a moment to think on its flavour before Casten called out to her.

"Zero-Two, look here," he raised his napkin, wiping away drops of honey on her face.

"Che-!" The boy of the slightest build clicked his tongue at the Knight. "What's he still doing here? He isn't even a Parasite!"

"What a strange person." One of the girls commented, glancing at the pinkette. "I wonder if she likes sweets?"

Another girl; her auburn hair tied into twin tails, leaned over the table. "She isn't a person. Not with those things on her head." She raised her hands to her head and pointed out in parody of the small red horns on Zero-Two's head.

His first impressions of the pilots he will be cooperating with in the foreseeable future were unsatisfying. You have luxurious food presented here and presumably given on a daily basis yet they spend their precious time with gossip like the nobles he was all too familiar with. How wasteful and rude.

Chewing on a piece of a roasted cylindrical seasoned meat product. He is not entirely bothered by such conversation. Such discrimination was not unheard of in the Imperium, worse in some societies than others. Avalus modelled itself after the society of Ultramar. Thus, Abhumans were generally accepted as loyal subjects of the God-Emperor should they proved faithful and useful.

That they could be taught otherwise with time by the proper Imperial administrations. As a Knight though, their blatant disregard for the girl who had fought to save them from destruction irked him on a moral level.

Where were they when the Klaxosaur Xeno attacked? Why were they not able to deploy? Fear? Cowardice? Orders? Whether they were aware of it or not; the Freeblade find their lack of reflection on their failure yesterday just disgraceful.. His glanced back to the pinkette beside him. She paused eating for a moment to look at him.

Zero-Two felt a twinge deep within her chest, drawing her attention drawn towards the young Knight. Since their kiss that bound his oath to her; she had felt… something. A strange throbbing within her chest that burst forth every now and then, each time was different; sometimes it was a pleasant warm sensation, others it was a stinging jolt of electricity. What was constant was that each time, her eyes were drawn to Casten and he was looking back. There was something between them now… they had realized it while staring up at the bleached white ceiling of the local equivalent of a medicae deck. The matter was left unsaid; an understanding between the two. Both keenly aware that something changed in them both.

She went back to her food, ignoring the comments of those around her. Her new partner took the hint and followed her lead. It seemed discrimination against Abhumans was as present here as in much of the Imperium.

The sound of clicking heels from the entrance to the dining hall alerted him to someone else.

"Morning kids!" Casten looked towards the door, recognizing that voice.

It was Nana that walked through the doors. "APE headquarters has decided to appoint me to Plantation #13 Corps. My name is Nana. I'll be your caretaker; just like back in Garden, so I look forward to your cooperation." She addressed the teens, all but Zero-Two paid attention to her.

"As you probably guessed. This is Casten, a… combat liaison?... Well, a representative of the Imperium of Mankind." She opened her hand towards the Imperial, who stood in response.

The Freeblade folded his hands over his broad chest to make the half-eagle, half cog of the Aquila Mechanis. He bowed his head in greeting. Of course, his presence was a known fact, but he had a duty as a representative of the Imperium to formally introduce himself and make his station among the local populace clear.

"Greetings. I am Casten of House Zelius, now Questor Freeblade." He looked to each pair of eyes in the room. "As you all are aware, the wings of the Aquila have found your planet at long last. By the will of the God Emperor of Mankind. It is my duty to be among you to as servant of the Golden Throne to facilitate our reunion."

Seconds ticked by with the conclusion of his introduction. The children were still giving him blank stares. Was it odd? He had tried to make it sound affable. Though he had no knowledge of the acceptable customs of this world. Unbeknownst to him; it was simply that the children were simply unsure how to react to his introduction.

"Nana," The raven-haired girl raised her hand.

The woman turned. "What is it Ichigo?"

Ichigo was her name; Casten made a mental note to remember her. The girl seemed none too happy with Zero-Two and his presence.

She gave a pointed stare at the two oddballs of the group. "Will they be staying with us?"

Squad #13's attention returned to the pair, who had seemed to completely stopped paying attention. Zero-Two was trying to push her honey-infused breakfast to Casten unsuccessfully, while he, on the other hand, tried cautioning her about high sugar intake. Advice that his partner ignored.

A boy with hair slicked back raise his arm out of the corner of Nana's eye. "Yes Mitsuru?" She asked.

"Will he be fighting Alongside us?" The boy's question seemed innocent enough, though there was something in the sidelong stare he was sending the Knight.

"Ahem-!" Nana cleared the throat, drawing the children's attention back to herself. "We're waiting on headquarters for what exactly to do with Zero-Two. In general, she shouldn't be working with you guys. Casten on the other hand…"

As she was speaking, Zero-Two had wrapped both arms around the Knight's neck and pulled him into her bosom. Stopping him from looking directly at Nana, or answering any questions.

Casten had managed to free his face at that point, though his voice was still muffled by the girl that was still trying to smother him. "I will choose when I do. Rest assured that I plan to participate in your training to learn of your way of war. I look forward to fighting alongside you all in the name of the master of mankind."

He tried to perform a curt bow, however, being held by Zero-Two; he only managed a strained half nod and a stiff tilt of his torso.

The other children seemed to take interest the Knight now that he was talking. One of them, a plump boy with short, auburn hair raised his hand in greeting.

He stood as he began stuffing whole loaves of bread into his arms whilst looking to the Freeblade. "Hey, Casten! I'm Futoshi."

The Knight nodded once more and waved with his only free hand. "Hail."

Another boy, the glasses bearing one that looked to be their leader followed." I guess he just doesn't like talking to people first." He raised a hand to wave at the Knight. "Hey, I'm Goro. Let's get along."

One by one, the parasites of Squad #13 followed Goro's example and introduced themselves.

So he this was their leader? Casten made a mental note of that just as he did each one's features and apparent personalities. All information he could gather would smoothen interaction in the future. Thus, his duty to his people and the Emperor demanded it. Soon he learned of all their names. Some of the children looked more enthusiastic to speak to him than others, who rather just seemed to be doing so unwillingly.

Thankfully, Zero-Two finally allowed him to greet them properly now that he wasn't looking at Nana. His partner's jealousy became known to him then. It was… pleasant in a way.

The kind, delicate-looking girl was named Kokoro and the plump Futoshi was her Stamen. The one with slicked back hair and sharp green eyes was named Mitsuru. He was partnered with the pensive and introverted Ikuno. Goro seemed to be of a friendly nature in contrast to his pairing with his sister, Ichigo, who seemed to scowl at him the entire time. The last two were practically made for each other: the boisterous Zorome and the judgemental Miku. At least that was what the Knight thought of them at that point.

"I hope our other encounters going forwards will serve as a bridge to a peaceful reunion." Though there was sincere hope in his words, there was no illusion in his tone. The knight was all too aware of the Imperial cautions against such notions.

"Ahem-!" His interaction with the Plantation #13 Corps was cut short by Nana. Who cleared her throat to gain his attention.

"If you two are done, I need you to follow me." Nana gestured for Zero-Two and Casten

Zorome, the light haired boy stood up from his seat. "What about us!?"

Nana smiled, trying to reassure the boy. "Don't worry, Papa will give orders to you all soon enough. Sit tight till then, alright?"

Casten nodded, offering a hand to his partner. Though she did pout, Zero-Two ultimately grasped the Knight's offered hand. Both left their dirty dishes behind on the now honey-soaked table as they followed the caretaker out.

"What's with those two? Miku huffed.

+ Lift to FranXX garage +

Hachi was apparently waiting for them in the lift's cabin. The cylindrical capsule was walled with glass, revealing the sealed city the parasites and now he was apparently tasked with protecting.

"Hail, commander Hachi." He greeted the man; who acknowledged him with a simple nod.

A dull machine hum filled the air of the enclosed compartment of the lift. The group of four stayed silent for some time as they descended to the FranXX garage.

The Freeblade moved to look out of the elevator window and to him, while impressive, was nothing remarkable. A city of shimmering golden lights and black metal unlike the colourful spires of Imperial cities he visited in the past. Clean, structured and a seemingly well built marvel of techno arcana. Yet it felt like a prison to the Knight; who grew on the open fields. Those were better times... before his homeworld's destruction.

Zero-Two joined her partner in staring out of the window, taking his hand and leaning against Casten's arm.

His brow furrowed in thought, mind racing. Since his youth, Casten was trained to be observant. The tactics of war often applied to matters of diplomacy. Searching for a chink in the enemy's armour or a gap in their guard is just as relevant as searching for a diplomatic advantage. Though he didn't have the temperament of more senior Knights of his house when it came to courtly matters. Nor did he have the cunning and charm of High Queen Artra. He considered himself competent at observation and discerning the hidden motives behind every sentence.

"While I'm sure you already know this, but I'll repeat it anyway. Code Zero-Two; you shouldn't be running off on your own and acting as you please." Nana chastised the girl with a firm glower.

Zero-Two, of course, dismissed the woman and wrapped her arms around her partner's. She knows the rules. It was simply that if she didn't see the need to follow them before; and she wouldn't follow them now. It was an act of futility at this point. Despite that, being reprimanded by Nana and Hachi is still a necessity. Even if only for the sake of procedure.

Casten glanced between the three locals, and the air of cold discontent between them. These were not unusual situations for the Freeblade. The Imperium comes with all walks of life, and not everyone will be getting along, but being able to work with those who you despise is what will save even one more helpless soul from an early grave. The millennia old rivalries of the Knightly Houses of Avalus was an excellent example.

There will always be friction, no matter how advanced they are. That is the nature of mankind that the Holy Emperor fought for. Their birthright to rule the galaxy under His eternal light. As was their eternal duty to safeguard their continued existence in this cruel galaxy. They would work together to that end; it didn't matter if they didn't like each other.

Out of more of a need to release some tension in the air, the Freeblade looked to the city and voiced out one of the things that puzzled him.

"Educator Nana, I do not mean to overstep my bounds but…-" Casten squinted his eyes harder in the distance. "-where are all the people?"

A glance was shared between Nana and Hachi. A silent message was conveyed between the two of them born of longtime familiarity. Nana was about to speak. Before Zero-Two occupied his line of sight.

"Would you like to know?" she asked with a grin filled with mischief. Not caring the glare Zero-Two was receiving from Nana. It only made Zero-Two laughed inside even further.

Casten was easily torn between his 'technical' superior, and his first friend here in this place. A very clear disparity existed between them. One that he took mental notes to store away for later. A secret was hidden here, that Nana felt the need for discretion in her answer, while Zero-Two looked more than happy to spin her version to color his judgement out of simple spite.

Everyone had secrets, things kept hidden for a reason. Either for good or ill. He felt out of his depth far too early in this assignment; whatever they were keeping here was best left that he rather not know. For his safety, and the Imperium's… At least until he could inform the Administratum and if necessary, His holy Inquisition. If the secret's threat is negligible then the Imperium is more than willing to sweep it under the rug. Otherwise, the Plantations are very easy targets for Faber Ferracium's orbital bombardment weapons.

He gently pushed the pink haired girl back, a frown marred her features as she instantly knew his answer before he replied.

"I do believe." He spoke, holding a hand in the air. "I will retract my question for the time being."

"Are you sure?" You have the right to know as the diplomat..." Nana genuinely asked.

"Truth be told. I am disturbed by how quiet this place is, hearing the lack of industry or the working populace needed to maintain your Plantation. It puts me on edge." Casten clarified.

"Interesting…" Hachi spoke, breaking his silent stoicism "Does the Imperium have machines similar to the Plantations?"

"Land Behemoths to be precise." Casten answered "Mobile hive cities that are many times this engine's size. Many have been functioning before the Great Crusade and still are; ten thousand years since."

"Ten thousand years!" Nana was shocked at such a number since even Plantations can be destroyed within a single year, let alone function for that long.

"Wow...they must be relics by now." Zero-Two chuckled. She imagined a something like the plantation, domed, but rusted and full of rickety junk keeping it together.

"Zero-Two!" Nana scolded her for disrespecting a possible way of life for the Imperials.

Casten held a hand out in a comforting gesture "It is alright educator, a relic is what it is. But to us, it is a term of reverence. If anything, what she said is a compliment, not an insult."

Zero-Two beamed in happiness. While Nana sighed with relief.

Hachi however kept that stoic expression, that would have been perfect on a Death Krieg Korpsman Commissar. Casten felt uneasy under such a laser focused expression.

His personal task was at least accomplished. Despite the tension that stifled in the elevator, was being fanned by the conversation. Casten could feel it in his gut that he could stop here, or pursue his line of thought But he realized that he may cause some displeasure from Zero-Two and he could end up regretting it.

He took the chance regardless.

"Tell me, are there any others like Zero-Two?" Casten asked.

Zero-Two's features immediately tightened at his question, wondering what he implied about her. Nana looked uncomfortable, but the question is not confidential material. So she answered appropriately.

"On a genetic level, yes." Nana started "On a physical level, no."

Nana took a breath to start the subtle nuance of what the Parasites are.

"You see, in order to pilot a Franxx, there must be two pilots; a Pistil and a Stamen." She explained out loud with her hands following her gestures "The children as they grow, are given an extra strain of blood cells, called Yellow Blood Cells that allow the pilots to sync with their Franxx. One boy, and one girl, both must be in sync to pilot them."

"What they sound like is that they're more trouble than they're worth." Casten stated his opinion "How have you not found a way to make a machine that only requires one pilot? Instantly multiplying your forces two fold."

While still holding a critical eye at the Freeblade's gauntleted hand; twitched a lip at his blunt criticism.

Nana, however, did not welcome it after her experience with the Throne "I will not hear that from a pilot of a machine that has a third of a chance of success and puts the pilot at risk simply because of imprinting" She finished her rebuttal with a scowl.

Casten shrugged. Nana just sighed seeing that it wouldn't change his stance. So Nana instead continued to explain what she is allowed to disclose.

"As for Zero-Two, while on a genetic level she's no different from any other Parasites. I do not have the authority or the knowledge on why she is the way she is. Only knows about the Zero-Two in any meaningful capacity as he has been with her since the beginning."

Casten nodded at that. There was less information than he would have liked; but it offered more than enough insight on the basic nature of the local's status quo of combat.

"So what does that have to do with me Darling?" He turned to Zero-Two looking at him with a critical eye. Her hand tightened in his grip, knowing full well that if she wished, she could break even bone it his hand. But she did not. Her squeeze was only as if it was in a tight vice.

"For the first part. I genuinely wanted to know" He reassured her. Zero-Two remained skeptical, but she loosened just a bit, where it did not immediately feel pinched. "The second is your status among the locals."

"My status?" She tilted her head in response.

"Yes, for your benefit more so than mine. The Imperium has had many enemies, and mankind before its reunification has lived among the stars for so long. We have adapted to the local environments of a million worlds. Some more extreme than others."

"How extreme?" Nana asked. Zero-Two thinking the same thing.

"I will leave that for another time. But some worlds are called 'Death World' for a reason, educator." Casten deflected "The point is, that any mutations that have occured on the person in question, the Imperial calls them formally as abhuman.

"That sounds demeaning…" Nana voiced out such a term that devalued a human's worth.

"It's not perfect, but mankind will not abandon them." He replied "My home thankfully is one of those who see value in them. We owe our lives to them, more times than we can count in the Imperium's service."

"While I do not know what is that Zero-Two warrants your ire. I have faith that you at least have a reason for it." He reasoned to the Educator.

Nana was silent, but thankful that at least he had a firm head on his shoulders. So she rewarded him with a smile for his conduct.

As for Zero-Two, her expression was one of confusion, but attentive on what he had to say. He then turned to the pinkette in question.

"Hopefully, now that I believe we are partners, whatever burdens you once beared; Know this, the Knights of Avalus are behind you, and with them, the Imperium. So let us better ourselves in the future. Your past is the past, your future is now with the Imperium"

Zero-Two smiled, relishing in the feeling of sincerity. She felt, calm. This was not like her, and she liked this feeling.

Before Nana could ask anymore about their guest, the lift had arrived at the garage with an electronic beep. Signaling the end of their brief moment of peace to resume their offices.

Squad #13's caretaker took a tentative step forward, following the pair. She chastised herself internally. Him being roughly around the age of the Squad #13's members. She had taken that for granted. It was a mistake to underestimate him. Recalling what the intelligence and research division had told her of Imperial Knights.

Casten was a Questor Imperialis, a noble from an aristocratic system of complex alliances. Oaths of fealty and mess of conflicts, honours, war, and internal competition. She should have been prepared for him to be observant and wary. Right now the only thing keeping him around was the hope that he found them to be amicable. So far it looked like he wasn't happy with what he found of their society... she would have to step up her efforts.

+ Location, Unknown +

Seven egg-like chairs stood suspended on metal stalks. On each chair sat a figure clad in white, red and gold. Each one a different design, some a parody of human features. Some not. Elevated above all the others sat Father, his gloved hands pressed together before his golden mask in thought. The dome-like chamber was surrounded by a myriad of holographic projections and recordings.

"We confirmed the reports of a Mohorovic-Class Klaxosaur attacking Plantation #13. Moderate damage to the outer wall and defenses." A female voice announced, images of the attack appearing on the holograms.

"Fuel reserves at 54%. Extensive damage to walls and defensive batteries across the entirety of section #36 through #67 are destroyed. It will require at least two months to repair."

"We did deploy Strelizia, however…" a still image appeared, showcasing the robotic feline in question smashed against the wall.

"So." A thin councillor grumbled. "How was it defeated?"

Father spoke, waving a hand. "Fortunately for us. Our Imperial guest felt the need to intervene."

A number of looping video clips played, depicting various stages of the battle. The ominous form of the Imperial Superheavy walker charging through garage to breaching the doors to Zero-Two. The ensuring battle was watched in silence by the council to its end. Rapt interest in the Imperial super heavy walker growing in their body language, leaning forwards towards the central viewscreen or pinching their masks.

"If nothing else it proves these Imperials are capable." One of the A.P.E councillors said.

"That's not all," Father nodded and brought up another set of recordings. Showcasing the metal behemoth running through the garage, knocking loading arms and kicking small engineering vehicles out of the way.

One of the councillors leaned in, a larger man with a deep rumble of a voice. "...He knew precisely where to go… How? We didn't give the Imperials any of our FranXX unit's signatures. Much less Strelizia's specific one."

Father nodded. "The Knight armour's couldn't have penetrated the lining of the structure, and his armour was located nearly half the city away. Granted a distance like that isn't very far but..."

"What did Doctor Franxx say?" the thin councillor asked. "We have received news that Strelizia has stayed back at Plantation #13."

"Another one of that girl's whims? Doctor Franxx spoils her too much," the thin member sighed.

One of the seven, shorter than the rest hummed. "She may have had some contact with the Knight. Perhaps something happened between them? Looking at the numbers, her para-capacity and synchronisation with Zero-Eight-One was even worse than before. Doctor Franxx had mentioned something about those Knight having a similar control concept to our FranXX."

The hooded one brought up various stills of the Knight's machine, the Throne Mechanicum that controlled it and Casten himself. Specifically, an image taken by a security camera focused on the port behind his head.

"Unthinkable!" The larger one slammed his fist against the armrest of his chair. "That offworlder will taint her blood! She must be recalled at once!"

"Let's not be hasty; we all saw how she was in that battle. This Imperial could be an opportunity for us." Father brought up a pair of images. Zero-Two watching the battle and her wrapping her arms around Casten when he returned. "There is much we still don't understand about them. Let's leave Doctor Franxx to his observations. This might be a boon to us."

"He isn't under us! We can't control him! What if Zero-Two tells him something the Imperials in orbit don't like?" The large member argued, slamming his fist down on the armrest of his chair.

The hooded one raised his hand to still his hot-blooded compatriot. "Are they really asking much of us? We all fight for humanity, you saw what just one of them could do. Imagine if we worked together on a broader scale?"

"If they even consider us equals," The thin one interjected. "If we let them build on our world and pay them their tithe what becomes of us? They might put everything we're working towards at risk "

The other councillors began to discuss and argue amongst each other, some for and some against the notion. Many highlighting the risk whilst others argued in favour of the potential rewards. All of this came to an end when Father rose from his seat.

"Enough!" Father ordered, gaining the attention of all present. "We shall observe if the Imperials fit within our vision for humanity and their future usefulness."

+ Male FranXX pilot locker room +

The gathered Stamen busied themselves in the locker room with their pre-mission preparations. All of them stealing glances at the strange coffin-like case before him. It was a six foot tall metal sarcophagus painted in rust red. The half-cybernetic skull of the Mechanicus emblazoned upon the upper section of the thing. A pair of sapphire blue lights glowing from the deep sockets of the skull. Though they all quickly resumed their previous activities when Casten walked in. The Freeblade in question ignoring them in favour of donning his own bodysuit.

Casten's attire was unlike the thin, skin tight ones of the FranXX pilots. It featured thick fibre covering every inch of his body with thick padded sections that covered every major surface of his body. The suit was specifically designed for use by Questor Imperialis to both cushion from the shock of Knight Titan combat travelling through the walker's frame and protect the Knight from adverse conditions should his armour's life support and temperature regulation techno arcana fail.

All the parasites turned to look fully at Casten as he approached the coffin and leaned in to line his eyes up to the skull's glowing blue eye sockets. From which a thin line of light appeared on the Freeblade's forehead. Slowly, the light moved down and over Casten's eyes to scan them. The grinning skull's mouth opened to expose a vox speaker. A monotone voice coming from it as it invoked by the Sarcophagus' machine spirit.

"+Access Granted: Identified, Freeblade: Casten Zelius. Praise be the Omnissiah, for he bestows the gifts that safeguard his servants.+" A monotonous voice droned from the skull.

Casten formed the Aquila Mechanis with his hands and bowed his head in reverence at the mention of the Master of Technology. "Praise be…" He whispered.

With that, the Cog Mechanis began to turn and grind, the rust red doors on either side rotating to reveal its contents; a full suit of Questoris Armaplas Carapace armour. Painted in the colours of House Zelius: mainly dark grey plates with white painted pauldrons and poleyns. All pieces lined in gold trim. Decorations of heraldry from House Zelius was displayed alongside that of the Imperial Aquila and the Cog Mechicus. All in all Casten looked like a human reflection to his Superheavy walker that he controlled. Even the helm's visor was the same curved faceplate and V-shaped eye slit was the same as that of Ave Rubrum.

The Freeblade wasted no time. A pair of servo skulls hovered out and locked each piece in with tool tipped arms. Whirring bolt drivers screwed plates and adjusted to fit the Freeblade perfectly with analytical cogitators. Still. He reached out and formed a fist with his gauntleted hand, throwing a punch in the air and performed a few motions to see if he had made it too tight or loose.

Finally satisfied with the fit. Casten took the final piece of his armour. Devoid of function beyond that of tradition and pride to many Knights. Now feeling like a great weight in his as he looked it over the dark grey segmented cuirass was packed a white tabard that held not the heraldry of House Zelius… but of the skull and Laurels sigil of Freeblades.

"Hey. Good job on that Klaxosaur. I'm kind of amazed when you said that was your first time fighting one." Casten paused to regard the blonde haired boy his name was...Goro.

The Knight Scion shook his head. "Your thanks should be to Zero-Two. Without her I no idea that a Klaxosaur's core needed to be destroyed to kill it. Nor would I have woken in time to intervene her delaying the Xeno."

The blonde smiled and gave the Freeblade's bicep a playful box. "Still, you saved us. Thanks."

"You're welcome... I suppose." Casten gave Goro a sidelong stare. Navy blue eyes studying Goro for a moment before turning his attention back to putting on his other gauntlet.

He ignored Futoshi. Despite the fact that he noticed the heavy-set boy sneakily stuffing a few buns he had snuck into the changing room down his gullet. Far be it from the Freeblade to criticise the other boy. Though it was a poor choice to stuff oneself just before an exercise.

"Heh! We could have handled that without you!" Zorome cut in behind the pair. "It was a fluke! You didn't even know where to hit! no way I'll accept that an off-world weirdo like you managed to kill a Klaxosaur before us!"

He was ignored. The target of the small boy's ire simply too focused on putting on the torso plates. Zorome didn't take kindly to this. Though he at least seemed to give up.

Finally, Casten was down to the last piece. His helmet slid on and locked with a twist of the seal and a heavy metallic clank. A hiss followed when he locked his helmet down to the neck brace. The visor went down, hiding his that exposed features behind the armour plate. The rebreather mask built into the armoured visor sealed with a hiss. Finally done wearing his wargear, the Freeblade finally turned to look down at Zorome behind him.

"Whether you want to believe it or not is immaterial to me. I slew it. The God-Emperor is the only witness I need." Casten's answered, voice tinged in vox-static from his helmet.

He ignored Zorome's indignant insults and taunts as he left. It was a good thing none could see the triumphant smirk under the solid Armaplas visor of his helm.

+ Female FranXX pilot locker room +

"Why are these so tiny and tight!?" Miku complained, straining to pull the latex-like underwear to cover her rear.

Her question was rhetorical. Which is just as well given that none of her fellow Pistils were capable of answering that. Nor would any of the adults in A.P.E answer any of their questions anyways. They all seemed irritated when the children asked them questions of any kind. So Kokoro steered the conversation in another direction.

"Connecting feels so weird. I hope we get used to it soon. It isn't at all like how our training units felt..." The girl sighed, pulling her long hair back as she removed her undergarments and stowed them into the locker.

She stumbled when Miku tackled her from behind. There was a mischievous glint in the girl's eyes as she leaned in to wrap her arms around her friend to feel up her midsection. A grin on the auburn haired girl's features, revelling in the fact that she was making the gentle Kokoro uncomfortable.

"Feels like someone's stirring you up inside right?" She teased.

Ichigo left the two girls as Miku began to tickle Kokoro. "Does it really feel that bad?" She asked, stepping into the dressing chamber.

A light rose from the metal ring at her feet and slowly rose up on whirring motors, seemingly painting a white suit onto her body, broken only by parts of sky blue. Immediate following that. The protrusion in the capsule extended and clamped around her collar. A metal spinal section attached to a large plastic hood flexed behind her head, plugging into a slot at the pelvic section. A pair of heels locking onto her feet; these were designed to attach to the riding slot in the Pistil position in a FranXX's cockpit.

"The connection kind of puts me at ease, even if it felt a little weird. Like becoming one with my partner."

"Eh... Really?" Miku frowned.

Kokoro only smiled. "I wish my para-capacity numbers were as high as yours!"

"Good for Goro then, you double digit elites are made to be together," Miku said, now taking her place into one of the capsules.

There was no jealousy in Miku's words. Unlike Zorome; she never felt the need to prove herself or compete with others. A sticking point of the pair that often was what sparked arguments when her Stamen caused mishaps in training or back at Garden.

"Gee, thanks," Ichigo said sarcastically, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Speaking of elites, what about Zero-Two and the Questor Knight or something?" Miku asked.

Ichigo's features tightened at that. An unpleasant feeling welled up inside her at the mention of the newcomers. Miku folded her twin tails in as the mechanism of her dressing pod began to whine and activate. Her bodysuit

Kokoro smiled. "At first Casten seemed a little scary; but he's just kind of… protective of Zero-Two."

"It's kinda cute, isn't it? Fawning over each other like that." She crossed her arms, releasing an annoyed sigh. "I wish that Zorome didn't make him mad though... He might actually be kind of nice-"

A violent slam silenced Miku's musings. She stuck her head out of her booth to find . "What's up with her?"

Ichigo hissed closed her eyes when she left to room, letting the automatic sliding doors close behind her. Had her squadmates already forgotten Hiro and Naomi? The friends that had trained beside them for so long? Their positions had been usurped by these outsiders yet the others seemed to have already begun to accept them.

Her troubled thoughts were interrupted by the thund of heavy boots backed by the metallic clanking of sabatons.

She looked to her side to see the armoured form of, Casten, one of the causes of her sour mood walking out of the changing room. The girl grit her teeth, refusing to meet his gaze even as he gave her a curt nod whilst walking past her. The Freeblade Knight didn't respond. Either he didn't notice, was uninterested, perhaps he was simply unbothered by her lack of a response.

Ichigo clicked her tongue in frustration.

She knew it was futile and a childish grudge. Knew that it was hardly the fault of a man that had literally come from space and a girl that might as well be just as alien. Still, she couldn't help but resent them… Maybe if they didn't have such ready replacements fall into their lap. A.P.E headquarters wouldn't have shipped them out so easily.

Maybe the problem lay with their pairing. Maybe if they hadn't been shipped off she could have petitioned a trade in partners that might prove their para-capacity numbers be more compatible. Maybe…

"Maybe I would have had a chance…" She whispered, giving voice to her true thoughts and desires.

Eyes the colour of dark peridots glared at the retreating armoured back. The one that she felt was to blame for her loss paid her no heed, ignorant of what she perceived his wrongs to be. Simply meeting with their caretaker, Nana, and disappearing behind doors at the end of the sterile halls.

+ FranXX Garage +

Casten arrived before his Superheavy walker, Ave Rubrum, with Nana in tow. The Freeblade's suit of armour was far too large to use the same housing clamps as a Franxx. Even if they could, his Sacristan would never allow a venerable machine in the Omnissiah's service to be housed in the clutches of unsanctioned, unblessed, and unsanctified moorings.

It seemed she had the foresight to bring one from the Faber Ferracius. Rather, it was more the case that her internal cogitators simply calculated what she would require based on predictive algorithms on what facilities seemed available.

"G-greetings." Nana swallowed at the sight of Brigid and her Servitors.

The Tech thrall looked like cyborg corpses… no. Like human bodies slaved to the machines that were grafted into their bodies, forever bound to servitude. As for Sacristan Brigid herself. Nana found the Mechanicus woman almost equally unnerving. Her faux beauty contrasting the cold mechanical augments that protruded from her body.

A good portion of the garage was now filled with Imperial technology. Plasma generators, ammunition loader mechanisms, auto-sanctifiers… All assembled at a speed impossible to achieve to those unblessed by the Omniissiah's gifts. Purity seals graced various surface and fluttered under the constantly shifting air of ventilators and hiss of expelled exhaust. Mechanical armed Servitors and augmented tech thralls under Brigid's control swarmed on the gangway. Servo skulls whispered litanies whilst they worked to appease the machine spirit of the Questoris Errant that the moorings held.

Casten approached his Sacristan, Brigid, that had been busy. "Hail Brigid, my thanks for this." He held the Aquila Mechanis with gauntleted hands to his chest plate and lowered his head respectfully.

"Your request was simple. Think nothing of it milord- I mean, Sir Casten," The woman's electronic voice shuddered as she spoke. Years of calling Scons of House Zelius lord acted against Casten's wishes; he was a lord no longer. She would need to update her recognition database within her memory cogitators.

"Fine work begets praise, Brigid, just as the Emperor's light shines upon those that fight for humanity. His guise of the Omnissiah bestows his blessing of knowledge upon those that venerate his works," The Knight stared up at her handiwork.

Whilst Casten conversed with his Sacriston, Nana stared up at the inelegant Imperial behemoth. She found little she could discern from it besides the fact that somehow, the lifeless machine filled her with dread. The way it's dark Ruby lenses stared down at her. As if there was an overwhelming presence in its gaze.

Still, she forced herself to take in every minute detail of the Superheavy. She had been tasked with observing them and the Knight in particular, something she'd planned to do regardless of her unreasonable dread at the walker.

Parts had been repaired on his armour and the livery had been altered as well. The small shield that displayed the heraldry of House Zelius been removed; the Laurels Fidelis took its place. A skull wreathed with vibrant green laurels. According to the Imperials; it was a symbol used to denote his status as a Freeblade. On the chest a painted banner "Ave Rubrum", the machine's name. These marks made him a Freeblade now; an Questor Imperialis with no allegiance to any house, only serving the wider Imperium.

He felt… uneasy. No longer held by oaths of fealty and bonds of past honours. Casten didn't expect freedom to be so.

"Now Lord-...Sir Casten. You must retreat to your Chamber of Echoes and I to this Land Behemoth's control sanctum." She bowed.

Casten nodded to her as she left. He took one final into the armour's gaze and nodded to it, as if striking some kind of agreement with the dormant machine.

+ Plantation #13 +

+ Operation Control Center +

Brigid eyed the holographic picts that surrounded the darkened room with suspicion. Though she was a Sacristan specialized in the rituals of appeasing the Questor Imperialis, she was still an adherent of the Machine Cult. There was always the suspicion of tech-heresy on unfamiliar worlds unsanctioned by the priesthood of Mars. The masked people that operated them were no less suspicious. That, however, was not her task. Once this planet was fully under Imperial compliance the Adeptus Mechanicus would move to sanctify what technology they could; and destroy what Was not deemed acceptable to the Omnissiah's design.

A man stood at the center of the circular room, standing before the floating hologram that displayed what appeared to be a series of bars that connected to disks with the names of every Franxx. "Welcome, Miss Brigid." He said, turning to her.

The woman nodded, her metallic feet clanking across the metal floor panels as she approached. "I understand this is the control sanctum for monitoring of your war engines?"

"Sanctu-well… yes, I suppose. This is the Operation Control Centre, OCC, if you will. I'm Hachi, overall commander of Plantation #13's defenses and the FranXX units," he introduced himself.

He gestured to the name of one of the FranXX on the screens, a blue and white one that resembled a maiden with a single blue eye and a red fringe over where the other would be. Brigid found herself perplexed by such wild design. They appeared almost organic with joints hidden under some kind of flexible covering.

"Why do your war engines seem so… delicate?" Brigid asked.

The commander shrugged. "You're going to have to ask the good doctor for that."

Brigid nodded but her frown didn't abate. "What are your functions here?"

"I give the Plantation #13 Corps mission orders from this room and transmit them directly to the Corps. From there it is up to the squad leader, Delphinium over there," he pointed to the blue one.

The augmented woman nodded once more. "I see, not uncommon to the structure many of our Imperial forces."

+ FranXX garage +

"Hey, why does she get to be leader?" Miku whined to no one in particular, leaning down on the Pistil's position.

The hood came over her head, connecting her to her FranXX, Argentea. A numbness spread throughout her body as nerves seemed to dull. Her body... floated, for lack of a better word. Like a water balloon being drained of any sensation. Her being was spread out; a sensation all Pistils experienced as their nervous systems connected to their machines.

"If you're all ready, we'll begin the combat drill," Hachi's voice sounded over the radio.

Casten meanwhile, sat upon his Throne Mecanicum, the chamber just above Ave Rubrum with rails for it to slot into the walker's cockpit.

"This will be your first drill in a FranXX. Stay calm and commence connection protocols," he continued.

"Sir Casten. I shall commence the ritual of linkage and activation of your MIU link. Omnissiah bless thine servant." Brigid's voice filtered in through his helmet.

The Freeblade closed his eyes, allowing the umbilical cable to connect to the MIU port behind his head. Instantly, he felt a dull wave of drowsiness spread within, making it harder and harder to keep his eyes open. Casten gripped the handlebars at the armrests of the Throne Mechanicum as it descended into the cockpit. A moment later, ancient mechanisms locked down with a series of mechanical clanks and a hiss of pressurised air.

For a moment there was darkness when the rails retreated and his cockpit hissed shut. Then, felt a sudden jolt of electricity pulse through his spine. Static tinged his vision as the darkness abated, he saw the hangar now. The moorings held what now felt like his body in place and saw the gangway in front of him. He found a small topographic map at the lower right side of his vision and a paper doll representation of his armour's status on the lower left.

Looking through red lenses, hearing through audio receptors and feeling the world around him through Ave Rubrum sensors all felt strangely natural. The Questoris Pattern Knight's Adamantium plates were his skin, the cables and pipes pumping oil and energy became his veins and blood that fed from his plasma reactor heart. Hydraulics, motors, servos and frame became Casten's body.

He lifted his arm, replaced by Ave Rubrum's Reaper Chainsword, triggering the release mechanism on the pipes and cables that fed the maintenance diagnosticators the information necessary for the many adjustments and calibrations needed as he awoke. The gangway hinged out of the way, servitors clearing out along with the Servo skulls that tended to Ave Rubrum.

He took his first step, titanic metal foot shaking the reinforced metal panels that made up the floor. It was strained, as if he hadn't moved in days. Each step that followed became more natural as his mind became used to its new vessel. He was Ave Rubrum now. He took walked forwards, shaking the hangar deck with each step of Ave Rubrum's metal foot plates. This time, he stopped before the armoured shutter that led to the outside world rather than smashing and tearing his way through it..

"This is Ave Rubrum, I stand ready," the Knight's booming vox speaker announced.

What he expected to hear through the vox network when he connected was a series of similar responses. Instead...

"Ahn~!" Miku's transmission came across first. He paused, Rubrum's head tilting as if to listen closer.

"MMhhhahh~!" Kokoro's voice filtered in immediately after.

A few short seconds of silence followed before two more moans were transmitted to his vox receiver. Casten activated his internal vox link. "Plantation #13 Corps, why are you making those noises? Are you in distress? Respond."

"H-Hey! He can hear you! Quit making weird noises!" Zorome argued, though he forgot to stop the transmission.

"It's a natural reaction!" The shrill voice of his partner spat back.

"If the Pistil or Stamen are even slightly out of sync, they para-capacity will begin to fluctuate wildly and the FranXX will shut down. The key is to have complete and utter trust between each other," Hachi explained

Brigid's voice could be heard in the background. "I see, similar to how the right and left hemisphere of a human brain both perform together. How… inefficient"

"Mnah~!" "Ahh, Hah...~!" Ikuno and Ichigo's cries were heard next.

"Make it stop…" Casten's voice shook. He shut off his feed from there, not wanting to hear any more.

"Are you okay?" Goro asked, Ichigo seemed spirited despite her discomfort. "Ah...I'm alright, keep going."

"It's over Sir Casten. I advise you reactivate your vox-feed.," Brigid informed the Knight.

With a soft click and the sound of a short burst of vox-corruption, he did exactly that. "Warn me should that be the norm."

His Sacristan huffed. "That would be unwise. What would happen if one of them must relay information prior to your deployment?" Casten fell silent at that, she had a point.

The doors opened to reveal the dry, dead land that encompassed much of this planet. He hadn't the time to appreciate it before. Taking a few steps forwards, Rubrum's visored head turned to regard the other war machines it was to fight with.

They were wild things, each with a different colour and design. All bearing the general appearance of young maidens with lanky appendages and smaller torsos. With the obvious exception of one being covered completely in a hat and greatcoat ensemble not unlike a guardsman of the Valhallan Ice Warriors regiment. Names flashed over each one as with their crew complement thanks to his linked Auto-senses. The pink one with what resembled white puffy vest, boots and a pair of oversized gauntlets that had glowing yellow claws.

"Argentea…Zorome and Miku" Rubrum's vox rumbled Casten's words like an earthquake as he looked to each one to remember their features and crew.

His helm turned to a black one with green striping. "Genista, Kokoro and Futoshi…" He intoned once more. This one's head resembles a hat, and a pair of gold strands resembling hair sprouted out of it. The front of its body resembles a long dress, and it has cubic shoulder pads with hands that appear to wear black and green mittens. Genista's feet resemble boots, and its weapon is a gun with a rotating cylinder mainly black, green, and orange in colour. It resembled a Rapid Fire Battle Cannon mounted on Paladin pattern Knight Titans. Only this one mounted a large Bayonet. Practical.

"Chlorophytum, Ikuno and Mitsuru." Now was a Chlorophytum, is a walker mainly colored white and violet. Fins modified to resemble hair, strangely. Chlorophytum only has a single eye with a cyan color. It has an orange gemstone on its forehead, along with a violet gemstone on its chest. Chlorophytum's arms are shaped like guns, and it has pointy, orange legs that are used to defeat Klaxosaurs.

The leader, or so Hachi claimed. Delphinium has a single light blue eye, while a red fringe covers where her right eye would be. "Delphinium… Goro and Ichigo." Delphinium had three deep blue fins on the top of its head, and it wears a white and pale blue helmet over it. The chest area of Delphinium is mainly pale blue with a red and orange crest in it. Its torso contains many shooters, colored white and deep blue.

"Did I do it right? I didn't suck did I?" Futoshi asked.

"You did fine!" Kokoro reassured him. Though the reply came from Genista, it used Kokoro's voice. This was not lost on Casten.

"You are the will of your armour?" The heavy footfalls of Casten's armour brought the attention to him.

The FranXX of the Plantation #13 Corps were taken aback by the Questoris Knight-Errant. They had to tilt their heads to meet the glowing ruby gaze of the looming Knight Titan. Many looked hesitant when faced with the emotionless Adamantine mask of metal that gazed down upon them. Though he seemed curious, the suit of armour couldn't help but seem menacing.

Genista held a hand at her chest nervously. "Y-yes! It seems Futoshi and I are perfectly matched!"

The expressionless helmet tilted down slightly, he seemed to be bowing or nodding. "That is good… I think."

"Hey! Don't get all lovey dovey over this crap!" Argentea said, tilting towards Genista. She then jabbed a finger at Delphinium, then Ave Rubrum. "Got that double digits and space knight!? Don't you forget it!"

Chlorophytum interjected. "What's the point in competing amongst ourselves?"

"Hah! Sour grapes, much? Watch this!" Argentea hopped on the spot before performing a series of backflips followed quickly by a twirl of her pink body.

Zorome seemed to be in control of the walker, making it perform spins and flips despite the protests of his partner. Casten listened intently, double digits… did he mean the ones with lower digits were better? The Freeblade made a mental note of this.

"H-hey quit being so rough!" Miku's panicked voice complained from the twirling FranXX. But she was too late to stop Argentea from tipping over. "Wh-whoa!"

She was only saved from hitting the ground by the outstretched hand of Delphinium that had caught her. "Thanks." Miku sighed.

Casten watched the squad's antics and turned Ave Rubrum's lenses to Delphinium. "Is not one pilot in control of your actions?"

"No, the Stamen has the initiative when it comes to handling but it depends on the Pistil's capacity to keep up with those actions." Ichigo explained, turning to Ave Rubrum before looking back at Argentea.

"So consider if your partner can keep up." The light blue FranXX gave a pointed in Argentea's direction.

"Hm…" The Knight hummed as he tried to process that .

"Thanks Miss High-and-Mighty." Zorome mumbled within his cockpit.

The squad turned to find Ave Rubrum, one of his Thermal Cannon's twin barrels smoking. In the distance was his target, a holographic projection in the rough shape of a Klaxosaur. "All well and good, but I believe this is still training to actually fight the Xenos curs."

"He's right," Hachi called from the OCC. "Casten, you will engage targets to get you accustomed to the various Klaxosaur classes to learn of the location of their cores. Proceed to the waypoint. The rest of you will coordinate with each other in maneuvers."

"My thanks commander," he answered, Ave Rubrum looped off towards the icon on miniature map.

+ Plantation #13 +

+ Exterior maintenance gangway +

Zero-Two stared out at the setting sun, watching as her darling's Reaper chainsword tore into one mock target while his Thermal Cannon immolated another that had tried rushing him from another direction. The projection of a snake-like Klaxosaur jumped into the air to attack his back. It was met with the clashing teeth of the Reaper as the Knight's great bulk suddenly spun out of the way with a quick step back with his raised blade.

She puffed up her cheeks, pinching her lollipop's stick and tugging at it. Battle… she'd seen it all before. Simulation just wasn't like watching darling fight real Klaxosaurs.

The tram that raced past behind her summoned a rush of air that pulled her long pink locks with it. The girl set her arms on the railing and slid down slowly, deflated. She cast a longing gaze upon the warmachine that was wreaking havoc amongst a group of holographic enemies.

She concluded that it was boring without her darling with her.

+ Some time later +

+ Plantation #13 FranXX garage +

Casten's reawakening from the Throne Mechanicum's induced stupor was met with a welcome sight: Zero-Two was standing before his seated form a scant few inches away. Her body tilted sideways in such a manner that her long pink hair cascaded down onto his lap. She smiled at him as the umbilical cable retreated back into the throne. Padded gauntlets twisting his heavy helmet off and could find little else to do but smile back.

"Hey darling!" Zero-Two cheerfully greeted him.

Casten found his smile turning from a greeting to that of genuine joy, though his smile was still somewhat strained. "...Hail, Zero-Two."

How long had it been since someone greeted him with such expectation and mirth? …Too long. He felt a tug; the girl hauled him to his feet before wrapping hugging his arm. Though he was still disoriented from his time linked to Ave Rubrum; at least standing wasn't too hard.

"Hrn…" he grunted, clutching his forehead with his free hand as he descended the stairway that led from his Throne Mechanicum to the main dismounting deck of the FranXXs.

Seeing the worry in her large teal eyes, Casten gave her a smile and tried to push his pain back. "I'm fine..." She didn't look convinced. "Alright.. less than fine. But I'll live, sworn on the God-Emperor. " he admitted.

The pinkette leaned in to support her darling. One arm laced around his as he winced at the sudden brightness in contrast to Ave Rubrum's dark cockpit.

"Why don't you two do that somewhere else!?" The sudden shout turned the pair's attention to Ichigo, breathing heavily and having just climbed out of her FranXX.

Her eyes were reddened from… tears? She seemed incensed for some odd reason. Casten raised an eyebrow. He was too tired to respond at any rate. Squad #13's leader didn't even faze Zero-Two, who left his side. If anything, the horned pistil's curiosity was piqued.

"What's it to you? I'll do what I want he's my darling." She bluntly stated. If Casten minded her possessiveness, he didn't voice it.

Ichigo's icy glare didn't waver as she regarded the far more imposing Zero-Two. "There you go, calling him that again! You're still under Father aren't you? At some point you'll get another Stamen and be sent off somewhere. You're leading him on and you know it."

This struck a nerve in the Freeblade. God-Emperor knew that he didn't want that to come to pass. Left with his oath unfulfilled and helpless to do anything about it.

Just like on Avalus.

"Whose place and why? You've been angered by our presence for some time now, spit it out and be done with it. Frankly I've had enough of your impertinence." He grumbled.

Casten spoke now, losing patience with the back and forth. "If Zero-Two is sent away I would follow, even if I must take Ave Rubrum and walk to her."

In truth, hearing the truth behind the squad leader's words struck a nerve in him more than he cared to admit. His scowl deepened with each passing second as a rolling headache seemed to set in. He missed the look the pink-haired girl sent him at his statement, he was too annoyed to care.

"Hiro and Naomi! Maybe if you didn't come then they wouldn't have been in such a hurry to get rid of them!" Ichigo finally released the real reason behind her frustration.

"I don't know of those two. If they were reassigned then you need only ask yourself or your High command why. Its neither our fault nor is it our concern," his terse reply was as one would expect. Though more dismissive than usual. "Zero-Two, are you coming?"

The girl in question leaned down and sniffed Ichigo, moving mere inches away from the shorter girl's face… then snaked her tongue out to lick Ichigo's cheek.

"Hey!" Goro exclaimed.

Ichigo jumped back in shock, hand flying to the cheek whilst Zero-Two leaned back and stared at the ceiling and rolled her tongue inside her mouth.

"Hmm…" She hummed, seemingly contemplating the taste.

She skipped back to her Darling and stood on her toes to lick his exposed face. He didn't really respond, having more or less gotten used to it. "You're not darling... but still sweet. I like it your taste!" She concluded.

Before Ichigo had a chance react Casten's patience had finally run out and he had disappeared down a corridor. Zero-Two quickly followed suit. Her brother, Goro, grinned at her expense and landed a palm on her head that she quickly brushed off.

"She got you there!" He laughed.

+ Later +

+ Plantation #13 Squad Barracks +

"Do you think we'll ever be that powerful?" Futoshi asked, catching a football with his chest and deftly rolling it over his shoulders. "You know, as a pilot, like how Casten sawed the Klaxosaur in half and all," he finished, kicking the ball back to Zorome.

"Say what?" Zorome intercepted the ball with his forehead and bounced it on his knees. "Just so you know, that offworlder doesn't count as a pilot."

The thought of that off-worlder beating Squad #13 to a kill chafed on Zorome's pride. That day was supposed to be their day. If anyone should be killing Klaxosaurs it was parasites! They were the ones raised to protect the Plantations and adults! Not some guy that dropped out of the sky!

Futoshi hummed. "But he did kill a Klaxosaur, we all saw it. Even that strange single-digit and papa have take an interest in him."

"Feh! He got lucky, without Zero-Two there's no way he would have known how to kill that thing." Zorome spat. "He isn't even a Stamen, what does she hope to gain by hanging around him?"

"Well," Another voice chimed in.

Mitsuru leaned on a pillar close to the two other Parasites with his arms crossed. "I hear the Pistil known as Zero-Two has a unique ability. She can pilot a FranXX on her own."

"You all saw how it was four legged and all right? I heard to unlock human form she needs a Stamen." Mitsuru gestured with his fingers, mimicking a four legged animal morphing into a two legged figure.

Zorome grinned at that. "Heh, so he's useless then!?"

"Ngh, it didn't hurt this much the first time I was linke to Ave Rubrum," Casten could be heard mumbling as he rounded a bend to the courtyard of Squad #13's villa-barracks.

He was still wearing his padded suit and armour, though his helmet he kept under an arm. He had returned to the barracks to be assigned a proper room. Zero-Two seemed to be merrily hanging off his arm, periodically letting to go to express a form of amazement or open her arms wide and amuse herself with wide twirls.

He was met with a football to the side of the head the moment he cleared the bend. The blow itself didn't hurt much; but his already addled mind was hit with another wave of pain and he found himself reeling. The Knight stumbled for a moment, barely hearing the cheer that went up from the ecstatic boy. Nausea and disorientation quickly turned to fury however.

"May I know why you did that?" Casten grumbled through gritted teeth, his tone low and seething with anger. Casten's left hand clutched his throbbing head whilst the other hand closed into a fist.

"Heh, sorry I really expected you to dodge. Guess you're as slow as your ugly machine huh!?" The boy taunted. "Didn't you kill a Klaxosaur? Or did Zero-Two just tell you how to do everything like a lump of muscle with no brains?"

"I was fast enough to kill a Xenos before any of you had even managed to get into your pathetic excuses for combat walkers. Maybe if you weren't so busy with your grandstanding and vainglory you would have made it in time," Casten spat back, stomping up to the boy.

Casten Unclasped the straps to his gauntlet and let it fall to the ground. It was a symbolic gesture from the Knights of ancient Terra. A challenge to a duel.

To his credit, Zorome didn't intimidated by the muscular teen that dwarfed him. "You wanna go?"

Casten's dark blue eyes narrowed in barely contained wrath "Yes, you said I was a witless brute. If you lose, what does that make you?"

+ Later +

+ Operations Control Center +

Nana's voice was low as she spoke. "Allow it? But…- yes, yes. I understand…" Her eyes suddenly widened. "This is more than a simple trial! I think that Imperial boy means to kill-!"

"Of course, yes. I'll do it Doctor, Father," she put down the call, eyes still fixed on the device she held.

The instructor took a deep breath to compose herself before the left the OCC, eye stinging a bit from moving to such a bright place as the briefing room.

She saw all of the squad was present. Casten holding Zero-Two's hand with a deep scowl on his features. It looked as if the Knight-Scion was in no mood to even talk, lest a seething roar escape if he opened his mouth.

"There will be no killing in this match. That's Father and Doctor Franxx orders." Nana announced.

"Good luck darling." Zero-Two smiled innocently, as if sending Casten off to a game.

The Knight nodded and slid on his helm, wordlessly making his way to the deployment bay.

Zorome's reaction contrasted the Knight-Scion's completely. "Lets kick his ass!"

+ Outside Plantation #13 +

Miku stared on in trepidation at the Knight. It was late into the night and the only illumination was provided by the Plantation's floodlights. It served to cast the Knight armour an even more eerie light as the shadow made the bright ruby red glow of the lenses behind the slits of its narrow visor stand out even squad, Zero-Two and strangely Nana, Hachi, Brigid and Doctor Franxx had all showed up to watched the duel.

"Are you ready?" Nana asked, using the intercom system usually used to make announcements to workers on the outer side of the Plantation.

Argentea hopped up and down on the spot. "We're good." Zorome announced.

Casten's mind was finally at ease. The strain of being turned from a forty foot war engine to human abated for the moment. He had heard horror stories from senior Knights back on Avalus, of some knights being consumed by their armours machine spirits from the inside out. He had always thought that such tales were reserved for children or young scions to teach them to feat and respect their machine spirits. It was distressing to the young Knight that those stories seemed to hold some truth.

Ave Rubrum was far less emotive. Instead he simply drew one foot back and his Reaper into a striking position. "I stand ready."

He hissed, snapping back into focus at the opponent before him. Offensive capabilities? Those claws seemed negligible but he had heard that FranXX magma weapons acted similarly to a sort of extremely hard crystal, similar to the hated weapons of the disgusting Eldar breed Xenos. Just as their name entailed, those magma weapons also had a thermal property to them, used in their purpose of melting and weakening the armour of Klaxosaurs. What was the to be aware of? Argentea's speed. The FranXX had demonstrated its maneuverability time and time again, it would do well that he not underestimate them.

The silence seemed to last and eternity before Nana finally swiped her raised hand down. "BEGIN!"

Argentea burst into motion immediately, dashing along the side to run parallel to Ave Rubrum and flank around his sword arm. Though the Questoris's head tracked the FranXX, it seemed not to even bother pivoting it's torso. The pink robot eyed the exposed components along Ave Rubrum's back asit lashed out with claws of magma energy.

"Too slow, just as I sai-" Zororme's cheer died in his throat when the Argentea found herself tumbling along the ground. "Wh-what was-!"

Zero-Two smirked from the stands, eating the lollipop she had unwrapped. She somehow know what darling was thinking; and it amused her even more. She didn't know where this conviction came from... maybe she was just getting a better read on her darling? Either way, this was going to be fun

Argentea's claw had struck some kind of barrier that flashed a bright gold the moment before her claw could smash into Ave Rubrum's reactor housing. It didn't stop the blow completely but it did deflect the force off Ave Rubrum, sending the pink war machine stumbling before falling face first into the dirt.

"Did you really think I would leave my rear unguarded? To underestimate the foe is to mean death!" Casten's voice boomed as the armour advanced on his fallen opponent.

"Hooh~! A deflector shield?" Doctor Franxx nodded in approval, stroking his moustache.

Brigid cleared her throat to gain the eccentric doctor's attention. "Ion shield; it serves a similar function, but is more efficient and effective in the hands of a skilled knight. It serves more to dampen a blow and redirect most of the force to allow the Adamantium armour take the blow more easily."

Casten didn't let the FranXX get up, swinging the flat end of his chainsword into its abdomen mid air before kicking Argentea across the rocky wasteland ground. A thunderous crack echoed through the air when Argentea was pinned in place by Ave Rubrum's foot. Metal creaked and groaned as the super heavy Imperial combat walker lent more and more of its weight to crushing the FranXX's midsection with four metal foot pads.

"I-I'm not done-" Zorome's next words were cut off by a sudden glow from within the darkness of Ave Rubrum's Thermal Cannon barrel. Her attempt to stab the foot with her clawed gauntlet stopped before she had even carried it out.

Casten was in no mood to drag this out. Already he could feel a clawing pain from within his mind, Ave Rubrum's head turned ever so slightly to see the figure clad in red on the gangway. Zero-Two seemed to be making light of the duel as some game; perhaps it was a game to her. The Knight-Scion could never truly tell with her. But she was the one had an oath to, so he nodded to her. Why? Casten didn't know, he only knew that when he was with her; the clawing pain from his time joined with his armour lessened

Being crushed underfoot, Argentea's crew seemed to panic. In that moment the Knight was the embodiment of wrath. Even Ave's Rubrum's expressionless visor and glowing ruby eye lenses promising terrible things served only to seat even more fear into their hearts.

"Yield. Now."

A moment of silence followed Casten's booming demand, many of the spectators unable to hear the reply. Nana raised a hand and brought it down in a cutting motion. "This duel is over!"

Zero-Two had already made to the return bay of Casten's armour, ignoring the cheers from the Zelius Tech Adepts and collective sighs of disappointment from the other Parasites. She flicked her long, pink hair to the side and tossed out the new bare plastic stick of her lollipop. Darling was playing right into the hands of the seven old geezers, she didn't like it.