Chapter 2: Stampede
The sounds of metal crashing against metal resounded across the desert, mingling with the cry of numerous Klaxosaurs. The parasites of plantation 75 had been fighting into the early afternoon, the early stages of fatigue just now beginning to set in.
"This is ridiculous, why are there so many this morning?!" Team Three's FranXX cried out, plunging its magma spear into a charging Conrad class.
"Command warned us that today would likely be more chaotic. That's why they sent Team Five to a separate location further down the line!" Team One's FranXX responded. "Just stick together and watch each other's backs and we'll make it out fine."
The battle had been steadily advancing in Squad 75's favor, slowly the klaxosaurs numbers had been thinning. Though they didn't fight with the same uniformity of other trained squads they were just as effective, using a more aggressive and individual style of fighting unique to the front line soldiers, while maintaining a close proximity to each other to allow for easy reinforcement should any team need it. Though they had numbers on their side, the klaxosaurs didn't posses much quality this time around, only attacking with numerous Conrads and a handful of Moho class as well.
"Team Two you're out of position, fall back to the group." Gen warned over the comms
"We're fine, we can handle this!" Kazuo replied as his monitor displayed another explosion of blue liquid. "Small fry like this are no challenge at all!"
"You're getting too worked up you two, fall back before they have a chance to cut you off." Daisuke grunted as his teams FranXX struggled against the weight of a clashing Moho. "Team Three watch behind you!"
After quickly spinning to skewer an oncoming Conrad, Team Three looked back just in time to see the fate of Team Two. Numerous Conrad class washed in behind the leading FranXX like rushing water, leaving them isolated and facing insurmountable odds. The remainder of Squad 75 threw themselves against the newly developed wall, desperately trying to create a route for their allies to retreat through as the comms suddenly crackled to life, relaying the commanders voice.
"Squad 75, M3 is on route, hold out for as long as you can." Though his words fell on deaf ears, the entirety of the squad were calling out movements of the enemy, desperately trying to reach their teammates and keep each other alive.
"Where did they all come from?!" Kazuo cried, his voice trembling with fear as a large arachnid formed Moho bore down on them, lashing out with two of its bladed appendages. As the attack caught the guarding FranXX on both shoulders it's pistil screamed a mix of agony and terror so loud it nearly drowned out the sounds of metal being wrenched apart, and the klaxosaur's own screams as its core was shattered. The battle field fell silent as the pilots of Squad 75 looked on in disbelief, the attacking Moho had been run through and pinned to the desert floor by a long jet black spear. The newfound silence was quickly replaced by the roar of a FranXX's thrusters and sudden displacement of air. A tall mech matching the color of it's spear slammed onto the dirt just as the klaxosaur's body exploded into a mess of blue liquid, marring the sight of the newly arrived unit. In one fluid motion it hauled the spear from the ground and pivoted, cleaving the surrounding attackers. Team Two cried out as their FranXX was thrown to the ground by the sudden force of the impact. Continuing its assault the slender mech gripped it's spear with one hand before hurling it towards the remainder of Squad 75, catching a Conrad class through the core mid leap, just before it made contact with Team One's FranXX, it's intended prey. As the creature ruptured into a mass of blue blood the FranXX gripped the cable attached to the butt of the spear and dragged it back through the air, catching it effortlessly with it's right hand.
"Are you alright?" Jin's voice cut the silence that had come over squad as the newly arrived FranXX held out it's free hand to the fallen Team Two.
"We are now, thank you. Thank you so much!" Ikumi sobbed, taking the out stretched hand. After they'd been helped to their feet the two marveled at the sight before them. In mere moments Team Five had swept away the oncoming assault, killing nearly a dozen klaxosaurs. Their FranXX seemed relatively untouched save for the heavy staining of klaxosaur blood that coated the majority of the mech; however, the decal adorning its left shoulder remained visible, the white 'M3'. "How are you and Asumi holding up?" she continued after regaining her composure.
"We're alright, you should get back to the others while you still have the opening." Asumi replied, panting heavily. After a quick, nervous nod, Team Two retreated back to the others. As sounds of the other members scolding the returning FranXX sounded over the comms and the fighting resumed Jin removed a hand from the pistil's waist control, resting it on Asumi's shoulder. "Are you good to keep going?" He spoke softly.
"Yea," she replied, turning to face him. Sweat poured down her forehead and cheeks, her entire body quivered from the exhaustion she was dealing with but her ever present smile never left her face. "Let's go!"
After a slight nod he returned his hand to the controls and smiled in return. "Alright, let's make this quick then." Just as the words left his mouth the comms lit up again, identifying the commander as the new speaker.
"All units, clear the vicinity of all remaining targets and return to the plantation, do not proceed any further today."
After returning, squad 75 had been told to return to the boarding house, eat, and await instruction from the plantation's parasite care taker. The group fell into the chairs around the dinning room tables upon arrival and heaved a sigh of relief before beginning to load up their plates with the assorted foods already laid out for them.
"Good work today you guy's. It was a hard fight, not many people would have been able to make it back from something like that." Kana spoke up, breaking the silence. It didn't help much to break the tension in the room though. Near death experiences were common, but the one today was far too close to leave anyone in a good mood.
"She's right. We should all be proud of how today ended up!" Asumi chimed in, her face still red and hair damp with perspiration.
"Oh yea, especially our two heros. They really put in a good effort out there." Hiraki snapped back, glaring at Kazuo who sat opposite from him at the boys table.
"You could have gotten yourselves killed, idiots." Mai joined in, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes as she mimicked Hiraki, shooting a glare at Team Two's pistil who had began quietly sobbing.
"And yet they didn't, and neither did any of us." Daisuke shot back
"He's right, they'll learn better from this experience than they ever would have from us trying to warn them anyways." Jin added. The parasites all turned to face him, it wasn't often he ever spoke when the rest of them did after all. "And besides, it wasn't to long ago that you two 'elites' got ahead of yourselves and got your spear caught after missing a pretty ambitious lunge."
The two members of Team Three's mouths dropped as their faces flushed with red. The other members of Squad 75 erupted with laughter before Team Three finally broke down and joined in as well, even Gen let a smile crack his stoic face. After the laughter had died down the parasites fell into casual conversation as they finished their meal.
"I always forget that even you know how to make jokes." Dai teased, prodding Jin with his elbow.
Jin flashed a smile as he continued working over his lunch, dipping his bread in a small section of honey. As he chewed on it absent mindedly he was addressed again.
"Why do you like that anyways?" Hiraki gestured towards the honey soaked bread in his hand. "Isn't it too sweet?"
"Nah, honestly I just prefer sweet things. It's a habit at this point I suppose." Jin shrugged before falling silent and staring out the window. The rest of the boys knew this posture of his was a sign he'd had no interest in continuing any conversation. 'Well, it was nice while it lasted' Daisuke thought, sighing softly.
A moment later the sound of the front doors opening, and the clicking of heels on the wooden floor filled the air. Just then a tall woman with long, wavy, dark purple hair rounded the corner into the dining room.
"Misa!" The majority of the parasites exclaimed. She was the plantations new caretaker, only just recently assigned to the location after the previous caretaker had been sent back to the Garden to assist with training.
"Good afternoon children, I'm so glad to see you all made it back safely." She smiled warmly addressing the room.
"It was all thanks to Asumi and Jin really." Aki giggled, rubbing the back of her head as the others took on the same mildly embarrassed expression as her.
Misa smiled towards Asumi before glancing briefly towards Jin, who was still staring off into space. After a short look of concern crossed her face she returned to her usual cheery demeanor, addressing the room once more.
"I've come to inform you that you were recalled early today because Papa has decided to honor you for your service. After all you are one of the highest performing squads in humanity's forces. You should all be very proud of yourselves." She beamed, clapping her hands together. "I would like you to all clean up and dress in your formal attire, the ceremony will start at 1400 hours."
As she turned to leave the children all turned to one another excitedly. Papa wanted to honor them at a ceremony? They'd never had the chance to see Papa or hear him speak, after all front line plantations never had start up ceremonies as most members arrived at separate times, filling empty positions as needed. The only time most of them had ever heard Papa was during the video that played during their graduation from the Garden. As the others celebrated amongst themselves Jin's eyes narrowed as he began to chew on his tongue.
Another one?...
"How're you feeling? You didn't look so good when we were changing out of out pistil suits earlier." Kana said, pulling up her skirt as she glanced at Asumi over her shoulder.
"I'm fine now." She replied with a embarrassed smile, zipping up her top. "I was just pretty exhausted is all. We had to push pretty hard to finish up and return to the group as fast as we could. I'm more used to the pace we take when we're fighting alongside everyone is all. With the way these fights have been going though I imagine it'll be like this more and more..." She sighed, fidgeting her hands together nervously.
"I'm sure Jin will look after you though, he always has. You'll be fine." Kana rested a hand on Asumi's shoulder as she tried to reassure her.
"I know, and that's honestly kind of the problem... I'm really just holding him back. If it weren't for the fact that the FranXX have to be piloted with a pistil I'm sure he'd be better off without me..."
"I doubt he thinks that way. He cares about you, we all do. You're an important member of our team. You'll figure something out, besides, we'll do our best to lessen your load."
Kana returned to dressing, but just as she was finishing with the final touches of her uniform Asumi spoke up once more.
"I've been thinking about asking to receive an Elixir injection."
Kana turned to face her with horror in her eyes. An Elixir injection was a procedure that younger parasites could take to have their yellow blood cell count increased in order to raise their aptitude scores. She was trying to raise her numbers with Jin through such an extreme method?
"You can't be serious. Do you have any idea how many children left to get those injections and never came back when I was in the Garden?!" Kana cried. "There's only about a fifteen percent chance you'll survive the procedure and even then it doesn't guarantee that your numbers will go up any higher than they already are!"
"I know that, but I'm his partner. If I'm going to call myself that then I have to do everything in my power to help him out, even if it's risky."
"You haven't already arranged to get one, have you?" Kana whispered, not wanting the others to over hear. They'd only worry if they knew.
"No, not yet. I was going to talk to Jin first..."
"Good, you shouldn't go through with it though. It's far too big of a risk." Kana finished, straightening Asumi's uniform before taking her hand and leading her out of the room towards the main foyer.
"Yea..."
The amphitheater rang with thunderous applause as the children of the plantation began to march down the pathway following a grand procession of plantation security. The teams walked in formation; The two squad Captains walking at the head of the group, hands held together by small rings bound to one another worn on their little fingers. Behind them walked Teams Two and Three and behind them, Teams Four and Five. The children all wore their assigned dress attire, consisting their typical clothing as well as a decorative white shoulder cape and a matching beret. Jin was assigned to wear different dress clothes as per usual. His uniform remained mostly the same as well, but his shorts were swapped out for dress pants of the same color, a matching watch coat draped over his shoulders decorated with buttons, an inner lining and band around the right arm, all colored in a brilliant snowy white, and a black service cap, detailed with a similarly white trim.
After the children reached the end of the path they fanned out to stand side by side in their respective groups, the Captains in the center, Teams Two and Four now to their left, and Teams Three and Five to their right. The theater was filled from end to end with the adults of plantation 75, watching from their seats high above, and in the middle of the arena was a platform, there sat a row of masked men, with one more seated above them at the rear; Papa, and the members of APE. As the applause died down the children took in the magnitude of the event taking place. All the adults were here to see them, APE was hear to see them. Papa, was here to see them. Unable to contain their joy, smiles broke out across the faces of the children.
"My children!" Papa's voice boomed throughout the theater. "You have accomplished great things in service to this plantation. In service to us all. I would like to personally congratulate each and everyone of you, for standing as the stalwart protectors of our world, against the most fearsome enemy we have ever known. May you burn with the light of the sun itself as you forge on, knowing that we all thank you for your service, that we all believe in you! May you continue to give everything you have, every last bit of yourselves, in service to humanity!"
As he paused, the stadium broke out into applause once more; everyone, including the security staff and even the plantation officials joining in this time. This was their moment, they'd earned it. Papa acknowledged them and even gave them his congratulation. The children were so over whelmed with emotions they couldn't stop from laughing in disbelief as they began to wave, Team Two even began to cry tears of joy at the praise they'd received. Then Papa began again.
"However, there is one more we must thank today." With the dramatic flare of an experienced showman, he raised his hands slowly, palms facing the sky, to point towards the pair at the end, Team Five. "Code 003, your record is one of unparalleled accomplishment. You surpass the expectations set upon any parasite, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty in your years of tireless service. You alone stand atop all the rest, an example to all. You truly have earned the code number you bear, for you are the shining beacon of humanity's hope!"
Once more applause exploded throughout as all eyes fell on the young stamen. His squad mates merely looked on in amazement, he had just been personally praised by papa himself! However, as the ovation continued on there were three who did not share the sentiments of the rest. Gen, who struggled to contain his seething frustration at the praise given to his squads designated freak. Jin, who simply looked on, a calm and relaxed expression upon his face, and Asumi, who both winced in pain, and glanced down in concern, as Jin's hand gripped hers so tightly his knuckles were flushed white.
As the children returned to the boarding house, Jin broke away from the group, storming off into the surrounding forest.
How could he do that?!
That moment meant everything to to them. The fact you were acknowledging them meant everything to them!
For what possible reason did you have to go off, spouting ridiculousness like "Humanity's shining beacon of hope"!
As he stewed over those thoughts he broke free of the trees into a small clearing just before the edge of the birdcage. The clearing was immaculate, no twigs, no leaves, nothing. It has been kept spotless over its entire surface. At it's edge however, just before the tree line, sat rows of small piles of stone, neatly stacked and placed roughly three feet apart from one another, lined out twelve groups wide and two long. After a few steps he sat down in front of the collection and furiously ground his palms against his temples.
What did I ever do any different than any of them? Than any of you!
Why do I get treated like this? Just because I learned a little more? Lived a little longer?
Why does everyone act like none of you matter at all...
"Is everything alright?" A soft voice whimpered behind him.
"I'm fine." He let out a sigh as he relaxed his posture, resting his hands in his lap. "I just wish he hadn't done that. He didn't need to, and all it did was take away from your moment."
"Our moment?" Asumi questioned as she sat down beside him. "We're a team Jin, that moment was all of ours. And so what if Papa focused on you at the end? We were all proud then, because you're one of us!" She smiled, gently brushing his dishevelled hair back into place.
"I'm sure Gen would disagree..."
"Kana will deal with him, she always does. He just gets competitive when it comes to you. So don't think anything of it, okay?" After a reluctant nod from her partner she glanced around the clearing in confusion, taking in the unnatural sight. "Did you do all of this?" Another nod. "What is it?"
"When I first arrived here I had an amazing Squad Leader. He was kind, strong, and always looked out more for others than himself. He looked after me, and taught me a lot of what I know about how to pilot. As you'd expect, one day he didn't make it back. It was the first time I'd ever experienced death, and while the others moved on, I- I just fell apart." He spoke in a soft voice that drew her to hang on his every word, her face awash with concern and empathetic pain. "In trying to forget I came across a book in the library in which others had lost people they'd cared about too. In that book they performed a 'burial' they called it, where all the attendants dressed in black to signify their mourning at the loss of the person they cared for. They are then left in a 'cemetery', a place decorated with a stone for each person there, where you can go to remember them, or speak to them if you want." As he finished, Asumi's eyes widened as she took in everything that he'd said.
"So then, your clothes..."
"I asked Papa for them after I learned of their significance from that book. I'm sure he'd rather I dress like everyone else but as long as I perform the way that I have, he doesn't really concern himself too much with me or what I do during our down time."
"And this place, the stones..."
"I couldn't bury them, after all I didn't have their bodies. So instead I take the stones I find lying around and do the best that I can. They deserve to be remembered, each one of them were amazing people, and if everyone else will eventually move on, then I'll remember for them."
The two sat in silence as they looked over the twenty four sets of stones before them. Asumi had never imagined that he even remembered one of his former squad mates, let alone every single one. He even bore such a tremendous sentiment towards them all, enough to both create and maintain this place.
"You really are a kind and caring person, aren't you." She spoke softly as she turned to face him.
"Am I different somehow? Everyone always praises me and keeps me on some sort of pedestal. What have I ever done more than any of you?" He turned to meet her eyes with tears in his own. "All of you fight with everything you have. You give your all to ensure each others safety. You always perform your duty and sortie every day without hesitation. Why am I considered special? Just because I've been lucky enough to live this long?"
"You Are special, but that's nothing to be ashamed of Jin." She cooed, pulling his head into her chest, gently stroking his hair as tears ran down his face. "You look after me, even though I have a hard time keeping up with you you always make sure to wait for me, even if it's more work for you, and I'll always be grateful to have you as my partner. I doubt I'd even still be here without you." After a brief pause, she began again. "You spend every night, remembering someone important to you, don't you?" His eyes widened in disbelief, his body tensing as his breath caught in his throat. He attempted to lean back and speak up but she interrupted his movement, holding him against her. "I've known for a long time that's what you do at night, though I couldn't begin to imagine who it is. You spend every evening looking out into the distance, like you can see something no one else can. The way you focus on it and never look away shows just how much this person means to you, and the fact that you can remember someone so fondly, despite the time that's passed goes to show just how truly caring of a person you really are. For that alone, even if no one thought you were, you'd still be special to me."
She leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. Jin finally sat up, staring into her eyes in amazement at the things she'd just said to him. She really thought that of him? She returned his stare with a soft smile adorning her face. After a long pause he finally began to speak up again.
"I'm glad I got to meet yo-" Before he could finish, his voice was cut of by the harsh resounding cry of an air raid siren accompanied by the voice of a command official.
"Attention, all members of Squad 75 report to the hanger. Two Gutenberg class klaxosaurs are on approach to the plantation. I repeat, two Gutenberg class klaxosaurs are on approach to the plantation."
As the five teams rushed off into the distance towards the enemy they couldn't help but succumb to the numerous thoughts running through their minds. How did two Gutenberg class klaxosaurs just show up out of no wheres? Why didn't any of their equipment pick them up earlier? How would they stop them before they reached the plantation? These thoughts were pushed aside as the voice of the commander cut through on the comms.
"We've identified numerous Conrad class moving with the two Gutenbergs as well, this will be difficult. They need to be stopped now before they can gain anymore ground on us. Teams One through Four, focus on taking out the Conrad class, Team Five, take down the Gutenberg Class."
"Right!" The squad replied in unison.
After a few more moments, the four standard issue FranXX collided with the first wave of klaxosaurs, maintaining a steady line to stop any from breaking past. As soon as the engagement began, M3 stopped in it's tracks a few hundred meters behind, gauging the oncoming enemy. Both Gutenberg class were extremely similar in size and shape. Both were tall, lanky, and humanoid, with exaggerated length to their arms, and club like endings where hands would be.
"We're lucky, they're thin. The cores should be relatively easy to hit with little to no armor. The right first. Ready?" Jin questioned.
"Yea, let's go." Asumi replied, drawing harsh and quick breaths, her body already shaking from the stress as the display began to signal a fluctuation in her paracapacity readings.
A moment later, M3 crouched close to the ground before launching into the air. Its thrusters engaged, sending it directly towards the first klaxosaur. The klaxosaur raised its arm to impact the mech but was just as slow as it looked, with a rapid motion M3 planted its hand on the wrist of the creature and vaulted over the blow. At the final moment it lunged forwards with it's spear forwards as the thrusters engaged to their maximum force, piercing straight through the enormous monster and landing directly behind the mass of klaxosaurs. As the creature exploded M3 flicked its wrist, removing the core from the tip of it's spear before assuming it's original launch position again. Jin gritted his teeth at the sight of his partner before him, concern washing over his mind.
"One more time Asumi, then we can leave it to the others. Hang in there." At this point she was unable to muster a response, using every ounce of her strength just to stay conscious. With that, M3 once more propelled itself into the air and towards the rear of the remaining Gutenberg. The thrusters engaged, it once more plunged its spear into the body of the creature, the sound of tearing metal and squishing of fluid ringing throughout the cockpit. The force of the blow had driven the klaxosaur to the ground, crushing the nearby Conrad class beneath it's weight, but there had been no impact. They hadn't hit the core. Upon realizing this Jin attempted to force the spear deeper but to no avail, M3 wasn't responding. He sat back as the displays began to disengage as a voice called out over the comms.
"Code 260 paracapacity has dropped below minimum levels. Code 003 what's going on!? Code 003!?"
Jin looked down to see Asumi collapsed over the pistil terminal, heaving and shaking violently, her skin had lost all color. Just as he'd reached for her to be sure she was okay, a tremendous impact threw both of them against the wall, before everything went dark.
The ringing in his ears was deafening, but nothing compared to the throbbing pain in his head, but he could barely make out the words being shouted over the channel. As he blinked, refocusing his vision he began to take note.
"It hit them! The Gutenberg class struck Team Five, M3 is incapacitated. Teams Three and Four, with me, we'll hold the remaining enemies off, Team Two attempt to reach M3!"
'So that's what happened.' He thought to himself, rubbing his forehead gently. After a brief moment of panic he quickly scanned the darkened cockpit before finding Asumi, lying against the wall, softly crying to herself.
"I- I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry." She whimpered, eyes filled with tears as she stared back at Jin.
"If I wasn't your partner... If it was somebody else..." She choked out the words as he crawled towards her.
"Don't worry about that, are you okay?" Nod. "Are you able to move?"
"I- I think so..."
"Then we have to get back out there and help the others." The sobbing began to increase in volume as she covered her face.
"I can't! I can't fight with you! If I try I'll just end up slowing you down and getting you killed!"
"If we don't get up, we'll all be killed. We have to go Asumi."
"I... can't..." She returned to quiet whimpering.
"Then if you won't fight with me, I'll go alone." He sighed, slowly lifting himself off the ground. After steadying himself he began to limp towards the controls once more, which were now on the wall as the FranXX had seemingly landed on its side.
"What are you..." Asumi questioned, sniffling as she moved her hands away from her face. Jin reached a hand above his head and gripped the edge of the pistil terminal, pulling himself up and throwing his leg over the side. "No! You can't! It'll kill you!" she screamed as she attempted to climb to her feet, with no success.
"Maybe, but if I don't try then we'll die for sure anyways, and I'd much rather try everything I can than give up halfway. Besides, there's still things I need to do, I can't roll over and die yet." He shot her a reassuring smile that pierced her core. Even in this dismal situation, when there was no hope left, as he was about to throw his life away, he could still conjure a smile, to attempt to save her heart in the end.
As she screamed, once more begging him to stop, Jin slid his arms and legs into the pistil terminal. He closed his eyes and drew one final breath before an excruciating, indescribable pain racked his entire body. His eyes felt as though they were melting in his skull. Every bone felt as though they would break under the weight of his body at any moment. His muscles burned with the feeling of being torn apart. The grinding oh his teeth to suppress the howls of agony that built in his lungs, and the wailing of the internal alarm, were the last things he experienced before everything went blank.
"Stampede mode: Activated."