Dr. Franxx was in his lab, staring at the results of the recent mock battle. As he had predicted Code 016 had failed to connect with Code 015. "Hiro." He berated himself. "Stop thinking of him as some sort of chess piece when so much relies on him."

He sat pondering as he absentmindedly tapped a pen on the edge of his desk. He needed an excuse to test his original hypothesis. It was the whole reason he had come to Plantation 13 specifically and the queen would be expecting progress on phase 1 sooner rather than later.

The geezers would need to be kept at bay as well. For the moment they were preoccupied with other things and weren't keeping an eye on him. But he was pretty sure that his time outside of scrutiny was running out. Unfortunately, scrutiny was the exact opposite of what he needed if this was going to work.

"Hmm." He needed to put Squad 13 in danger. Not enough to be fatal or even harmful; but enough that he could get the results he needed. If not, then this was all going to come crashing down around him before it even started.

Picking up his datapad he scrolled through Plantation 13's to do list. Something popped out at him a few minutes later. A local magma mine had become infested with Klaxosaurs which had halted extraction. "This could be what he needed." The infestation would provide enough danger that the lockdown on Strelitzia would be released. But, it shouldn't be enough that the rest of Squad 13 would be in serious danger.

It was a shame that this hadn't come up earlier. Plantation 13 was already heading for a kissing operation with Plantation 26 to refill its magma reserves, and unfortunately, there was very little that he could do to prevent it. The kissing operations were always a mess; and with his complicated plan already stretched thin, he hoped that it would still hold after the kissing. If it didn't go well he would be in serious trouble.

"It'll have to do." He sighed to thin air.

Tapping his communicator he contacted Hachi. "Have Squad 13 attack the L15 magma mine tomorrow."

"Of course Sir." Came Hachi's reply, before hanging up.

"Let's hope this works." He prayed silently.

Hiro turned the water on for the shower and stood glaring at the blank wall. He knew, even before he started the mock battle that this was going to be the result. But even still, the results felt like he was being stabbed repeatedly in the gut. How many more chances would he get? Most parasites were given maybe one at most. But he had been failing his whole life! Only been able to connect shakily with Naomi a few times. And has he had just demonstrated he couldn't even connect with his childhood friend; who even so coincidently just so happened to be the most skilled member of the entire squad!

"Why does this keep happening to me!?" He snarled to the wall.

The wall's replied with its unwavering and unchanging blank stare.

"Typical." He thought, annoyed. "What am I even doing here anymore?"

When he was finished he made his way to his locker. Clean clothes had already been placed there for him. Irritability he began to pull them on. He had just finished, when Zorome, walked into the locker room; a smirk already playing at the corner of his mouth.

"So much for the low code number. You're even more pathetic than I originally thought." Zorome sneered.

"So help me, if any more words come out of this jerks mouth." Hiro thought while clenching his teeth.

"I mean if you can't even get a FRANXX started with the most talented pistol in the squad; then I don't know how you think you could even win against me in a fight." Zorome continued.

"Zorome, I am in no mood to listen to your shit." He said with barely concealed rage. "This will be your first and final warning."

"Alright, Alright," Zorome said in amusement. "Go cry to Ichigo or something."

Zorome was poking a very angry dragon right now. Luckily for him, Hiro decided that even Zorome didn't deserve the amount of hate and rage that was about to come pouring out of him. So he took a deep breath and walked out the door.

"Your still the biggest failure of this entire squad." Zorome laughed cruelly before the door closed.

"Alright, that's it!" Hiro spun on his feet. He was going to make sure that this cunt still felt his fist on his deathbed.

"Ignore him!" Goro yelled quickly.

Turning he saw Goro jogging hurriedly towards him. Hiro stopped himself with difficulty and waited for Goro to arrive

"Are you alright?" Goro asked concerned, as he placed a consoling hand on Hiro's shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He said automatically.

"Hey, don't take him to seriously; he's just jealous." Goro consoled. "Don't worry will find you a great partner. Before you know it you'll be fighting with the rest of us. Then you can really show Zorome who's the better pilot."

"Thanks." He said weakly. Goro was the best friend you could ask for. Goro had always been his cheerleader and had never let him down. Knowing he still had a friend like that helped sooth his anger.

"I'll deal with Zorome. You get yourself back to Mistilteinn; I'm sure your exhausted." Goro continued with one final pat on the shoulder. Goro gave him a quick smile and opened the door to the locker room and disappeared.

After a moment Hiro began to make his way towards the main lobby. Goro was right he defiantly needed to get to bed. This had probably been one of the longest days he could ever remember. Sighing, he turned towards the elevators to make his way up.

"Darling!" Zero Two called to him in a singsong voice.

Turning he smiled. This girl could always put a smile on his face, and it seemed as though she never had to do very much to get it.

"Come with me I want to show you something beautiful." She said grabbing his hand.

Well, they didn't have to move at all as far as he was concerned. She was already so beautiful that he couldn't imagine anything more he needed. But he allowed her to take his hand and lead him anyway. It would have been a hard thing to resist, for her hand was so soft and delicate that it was a privilege just to be able to touch it let alone hold it.

She lead him down a hall and towards an access hatch before finally letting go. She reached out and punched in some kind of code. The door hissed open revealing a ladder that traveled upwards. Stepping forward she climbed a few rungs before turning to look down to him. "Come on." She said gesturing him to follow before she continued climbing. Grasping the rung in front of him he began to climb. As he climbed he looked to see if the tube contained anything else but the ladder. Not finding anything he looked straight up. This was a mistake. He was now looking straight up her skirt. Although she was wearing black tights; he felt his blood rush to the very last region that he wanted it to. Blushing the deepest shade of crimson he quickly turned his head away and spent the next few minutes of the climb determinately thinking of anything else but her.

When she reached the top she punched in a code at the exit hatch, and it swung open onto a service deck on top of the plantation. He climbed out after her and she closed the hatch. The night air was the perfect temperature and was accompanied by a gentle warm breeze. Looking up he saw thousands of stars, sparkling like little diamonds in the sky.

"Amazing!" He gasped in complete awe. He sat for minutes mesmerized as thousands of tiny worlds sparked their unique colors. Each with their own story to tell and their own message to give.

"How do you know about this place." He asked, still in awe.

"I already told you that all plantations have the same design didn't I." She teased.

"Yeah. I guess you did." He said; finally taking his eye's off the stars. "But still, I've never found a place like this."

In the low light, he didn't see her sight grimace of disappointment. "Did you ever look?" She asked after a moments pause.

"No." He said pondering. "Although now that you mention it, I am not quite sure why. I think I used to go exploring, but its been a very long time." He tried to remember all the times he had explored the Garden. Adventures and events long forgotten now just hazy feelings. The only thing that stuck out to him was a massive tree in a snowy forest. The tree's significance however and what had transpired there were now locked away. Guarded by the shadows and gaps of forgetfulness.

Changing the subject he asked. "Do you know how long you'll be at Plantation 13."

"No." She said simply. "Dr. Franxx and Papa decide when and where I go and for how long I'm there."

"Would you stay if you could?" He inquired trying to hide a feeling of slight desperation.

After a moment she answered carefully. "If I could, then yes." And after another pause, she added. "However I go where I'm ordered." The way she said the last sentence caught him as odd, but in his exhausted state he couldn't quite pin down why it felt off.

"Well, maybe this time you'll get your wish." He offered consolingly.

Yawning, he stretched out on the deck and looked back up at the stars. He was so tired, that he closed his eyes. "Just a few minutes rest, and then I need to return to Mistilteinn." He thought sleepily. But a few minutes later he was already fast asleep.

Zero Two watched him silently until she heard his deep rhythmic breathing. "I only have one wish." She thought quietly. Then, she too curled up, and fell asleep beneath that starry night sky As if in answer, a shooting star streaked across the night sky; and then flew off into the universe, now carrying its sacred cargo.

The cool morning breeze tickled his skin and the light of a predawn sun began to slowly urge Hiro awake. His eyes flickered open and he became conscious of the fact that he had been sleeping on hard metal. Groggily he made his way to a sitting position and stretched. Well, if one thing was for sure, he definitely hadn't made his way back to Mistilteinn, before he fell asleep. That was going to require some quick thinking and smooth talking if he planned to not arouse to much suspicion.

Looking up he saw some predawn light poking its way over some cragged hills. For a moment he just sat and watched the most exquisite yellows and oranges paint their way into the sky. When that glowing orb finally crested the hills he felt its rejuvenating powers wash over him in waves of divine energy.

"Today was a new day. Today was the day he was going to fly." He thought as he breathed in another deep breath of cool morning air.

Turning he saw that Zero Two was still asleep; her chest slowly rising and falling in time with her breathing. The sun's rays seemed to caress the soft lines of her face amplifying her already natural beauty. He watched silently as the sun's rays glinted and sparkled off her horns making little reflections of red light dance across the ground. At this moment, she truly looked to be at peace. "How anybody can hate her or think she's a monster is beyond me." He breathed; still watching her.

She began to stir a few minutes later, quickly he looked back at the sun. She could go without knowing that he had been staring at her for the last few minutes. Quietly he heard her sit up behind him and yawn.

"Good morning." He said warmly, turning back to face her.

"Morning." Came her sleepy reply. She yawned again and then slowly rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"That is the cutest thing I have ever seen." He thought.

This girl just seemed to suck up his whole attention whenever she was around. He hadn't even known her for very long. Still, her presence just seemed to melt away any barrier that he might have used distance himself from others. For some reason, he wanted to be closer to her, and get to know who she truly was deep down."Why was she always alone?" "Why was everybody afraid of her?" "Where did she come from?" "Why did Papa always keep moving her around?" "Why did he get the feeling that she was searching for something.?" These questions swirled in his mind.

This feeling was familiar. The feeling of having a thousand questions and no answers. "But why all of a sudden?" He had always been content with not questioning the world around him, hadn't he? "But then why did he get the feeling that he had asked similar questions before?" "Uggh." This was so frustrating.

While he was preoccupied with his thoughts he hadn't realized that he was still staring at Zero Two. "Darling." She called abruptly.

Jolting back to the present he shook his head. "S-Sorry, I was just thinking."

"About what?" She questioned sweetly.

What was he supposed to say to that? "Think." "Think." "Damn. She must think I'm some sort of creep."

He said the first thing that entered his mind. "I just thinking of how pretty your horns are when the sun hits them."

His mind began roaring with self-deprecation. "Smooth. Real smooth. Tell me are you trying to dig us a deeper hole dumb ass!? Or do you think that if we dig enough we'll somehow end up at the top again?"

"Really." She said grinning. Suddenly she leaned forward and pressed her horns into his forehead.

"Ow." All of sudden his blood seemed electrified and where her horns made contact with his head; he felt a deep rhythmic throbbing. Something deep inside him was stirring as it flapped it's massive wing experimentally, waiting to take flight. The sensation that cut through it all, however, was warmth. He almost felt as if he were connected to her. He could feel her heart beat and her gently breathing. He tried to delve deeper into that feeling; however, something was stopping him. There seemed to be some sort of barrier that was blocking him from fully connecting, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't seem to get past it. He drove against it again and again and still it wouldn't budge.

She removed her horns and the sensation was gone within an instant. "We should probably get back before we're missed." She stated abruptly standing up. She seemed completely obvious to what he had just experience.

"Y-Yes of course." He stammered rubbing his forehead. "What was that?" He thought to himself. "That was the most intimate thing I have ever experienced." If only that stupid barrier hadn't gotten in the way then maybe he could have dove deeper into that feeling. "Sighing." He stood up and followed her over to the hatch. It opened with a hiss.

"Zero Two." He called.

She turned to face him with a questioning look on her face. "Yes?"

He looked into her deep green eye and smiled. "Thank you for taking me here. I don't think I have ever appreciated the outside world as much as I do now. It's far more beautiful than I ever imagined." Blushing slightly he continued. "L-Lets do this again sometime."

"Of course." She said smiling.

They both took one final view of that beautiful free sunrise; before descending back down the ladder. Back to the plantation. Back to the cage.

Hiro emerged from the elevator back in Mistiltienn. Zero Two had left him at the elevator to return to wherever she was being held. He needed to make it look like he hadn't been gone all night.

Sighing, he turned towards the living room. He couldn't be bothered to return to his bed; his mind was just too full of thoughts. Finding his favorite couch he sat down. The two-seater couch had a nice view of the window so he could just sit and watch the birds and the trees outside.

Ichigo walked in a little while later combing her hair.

"Good morning." He called warmly.

"Oh. Good morning, I didn't see you." She said in surprise.

There was a long pause. Each remembering the failure of last night's mock battle. Hiro felt that he should apologize; she had tried to help him and he had just sulked away like a baby. "Listen it wasn't your fault. I was the one who failed to connect. So don't blame yourself for my failures."

Ichigo was struggling to come up with an answer. Her mouth opened and closed a few time before she finally just decide to nod in acceptance. Silently she sat in a chair and pulled out her communicator and began scrolling through messages and alerts.

He was glad that was over. He didn't want to dwell on the mock battle. That was in the past and he needed to be able to full advantage of another opportunity if it presented itself. Silently he went back to gazing at the birds. He watched as a mother flapped back to her nest and began to feed the babies nestled there. It was adorable how the mother gave each one a bit of attention before feeding it. The father flapped over to them a few minutes later. Quietly he greeted his mate and then took his turn feeding the babies. The mother watched him for a moment before taking off in search of more food. Hiro smiled. "That was probably the sweetest thing I've ever seen."

He let his imagination run; replacing the birds with himself and… Shaking his head and blushing he returned to the present. His brow furrowed as his recent fantasy brought up questions that he had never considered. "Could humans even have babies?" If they couldn't then how were the children created? Human's must be able to. But as far as he could remember there weren't any babies at the garden. Just children being raised in the orphanage to be FRANXX pilots. He thought back through his lessons as a child. "Nothing." He couldn't remember even a single shred of information regarding the subject."This seems like such an important subject. Why do I not remember anything?" "Maybe Papa didn't teach it. But why wouldn't he? This was such a vital subject, that it seemed foolish not to."

Goro walked into the room. "Where have you been?"

"W-What!?" Hiro stammered startled as Goro's voiced dragged him out of his thoughts.

"You've been gone since I left you by the locker room. Where have you been?" His voice was filled with worry and suspicion.

"I, Um. I've…. B-Been right here." He lied.

Goro gave him a long stern look and he felt Ichigo's suspicious eyes on him as well. Frantically he tried to come up with a suitable lie that they would believe. Frankly, he had no wish to tell anybody, even his best friends, that he had spent the night with Zero Two atop the plantation.

Goro saw right through him. Not any of the details but enough that he knew that Zero Two had been involved. Goro let out a sigh. "Hiro, do you really plan to ride with her again."

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly. She had clearly not expected her warning the previous morning to be so utterly ignored. He knew she meant well and was usually right, but with Zero Two he felt that she was wrong. He wasn't just going to let Zero Two be all alone again just because his friends were worried about him.

"Yes." He said finally.

"Hiro. I've heard rumors about her." Goro began.

Hiro cut him off. "That nobody has ridden with her more than three times? Yeah, I know."

Goro shot a quick look at Ichigo. That confirmed his suspicion that they had been working together to keep him away from Zero Two. He knew why and he didn't blame them. If their places had been reversed then he would be doing the exact same thing. From an outsiders perspective, what he was doing probably seemed pretty suicidal. However, he just had a feeling that this time things would be different. Ever since he had met Zero Two he had experienced sensations and feelings that he had never experienced before. So even if he did die after his third time; he would rather spend his time experiencing new things instead of just sitting around waiting for Papa to figure out what to do with him. That was another reason he wanted to stay with Zero Two. Before he had just blindly accepted Papa's orders and teachings. But the moments that he and Zero Two escaped from under Papa's watch were the moments that he felt truly alive and that he was able to freely fly. He would ride this out to the end; and if it ended sooner rather than later. "Well, then it had been an interesting ride."

"Look." He said consolingly. "She's the only person I have been able to ride with. Whats our purpose as parasites if not to fight? I would rather spend the rest of my days fighting with you, than sitting back watching you guys do all the work like some overgrown child. I will ride with her, and if it kills me then that's what was meant to happen."

Goro and Ichigo were both trying to come up with some sort of answer. Anything that would dissuade Hiro from going down this suicidal path.

Hiro interjected before they had time to sort out their thoughts. "Who knows, maybe all those rumors are just that, rumors." Smiling he continued. "Thank you for your concern. I know you're only doing it because you care about my safety."

Goro and Ichigo both looked at each other. Goro gave her a slightly exasperated shrug and she returned it with a nod. Hiro had always marveled at their ability to know exactly what the other was thinking and somehow come to an agreement without saying a word.

Ichigo spoke for them. "Okay Hiro, but please don't get yourself killed. We don't want you to die. Just remember that you have friends in Squad 13 too."

"Yeah, We wouldn't be the same without you," Goro added.

That cut deep into Hiro and all he could muster was a feeble. "Thanks, guys."

The rest of the morning passed without incident. Zorome seemed a little less hostile than usual but that was about it. Everyone was discussing when and possibly where their first mission would take place. Zorome was convinced it would be something grandiose in nature; with the fate of human existence hanging in the balance. His partner Miku berated him on his expectations, her attitude as fiery as her hair. That particular argument had gone on for a while; although both seemed to be equally enjoying their fight. Futoshi hoped that it would be something easy; his attitude mimicking his overweight appearance. His partner Kokoro had agreed with him, her kind smile matched only by her radiant blonde hair. Her attention had quickly returned to Mitsuru however. What she saw in him was beyond Hiro. Mitsuru was just a jerk, who was barely more compatible with his partner Ikuno, then Hiro had been with Naomi.

Sometime later Hachi's voice came over the loudspeaker. "All members of Squad 13 prepare to sortie. Assemble in the ready room in ten minutes."

The squad jumped up and practically ran to the elevators. All the while chatting excitedly about their first mission. Hiro went with them. Officially he wasn't a member of Squad 13 but if he was allowed to pilot with Zero Two it was better to be prepared and available.

"Your target is a nest of Klaxosaurs that have taken up residence in the L15 magma mine," Hachi said addressing the group. "Your objective will be to clear the targets so that production can resume."

"We'll be fighting Klaxosaurs so soon?" Futoshi asked with an edge of hesitation in his voice.

"Don't worry, you won't be fighting Klaxosaurs like the one that attacked the plantation just yet." She said consolingly. "We would like to ease you guys into things; so we're starting small."

Hachi began filling in details once she finished. "You'll be fighting a handful of scattered Conrad-class Klaxosaurs on level 8. Klaxosaurs was you are aware require magma energy so they will most likely be located around pipes or drill shafts. This should be a relatively simple mission of search and destroy. The Conrad-class is a bit smaller than your FRANXXs, so they shouldn't pose any real threat unless you're swarmed. "

After a pause, Nana added, without looking at Hiro. "Strelizia won't be a part of this mission."

"W-Wait, What!?" Hiro stammered.

Nana plowed on. "Squad 13 will need to be able to defend the plantation on its own."

"Ichigo and Goro you'll have field command."

"Roger." They both replied.

Hachi gave the final order. "All hands, prepare to board."

Ichigo stood in front of her FRANXX with Goro. She took a few deep breaths. She knew the squad was ready. They had been training their whole lives and now was finally time to put all that time and effort to use. Although she could only imagine how Hiro felt; she was glad that he wasn't coming along. The three of them were practically siblings and losing either one of them would have been a devastating loss. Goro she could keep an eye on. They did almost everything together and they knew what made each other tick which is why they got along so well. But Hiro, after the few days he had gone missing from the orphanage when they were children; had started to close himself off. He went from being the center of attention to less than normal in just a matter of days. Naomi had helped her and Goro coax a little of his old self back but it was never the same. It didn't help that no matter how hard Hiro and Naomi tried they could never connect. Unfortunately, this caused their relationship to slowly deteriorated. Each a reminder to the other of their own failings.

"You ready?" Came Goro voice, rousing her from her thoughts.

"Let's do this." She smiled.

He reached down and gave her hand a little squeeze. "While be alright." He said into her ear.

"Of course." She whispered back, returning the squeeze. She felt safe putting herself in his care. Like being wrapped in a protective cocoon. That and something else that she couldn't identify but just felt.

They made their way into her FRANXX Delphinium each taking their seats. She got down on her knees in front of Goro and placed her hands in her control sockets. Her parasite suit deployed the controls from her legs and her helmet moved forwards into position; its display coming alive as it did so.

Goro gripped her controls, and she felt a warm feeling travel from the base of her sacrum, up her spine till it reached her head. She gave a little moan as she felt their syncing rates soar and her body became one with Delphinium.

"All parasite teams call in." Hachi's voice called.

"Delphinium calling in." She and Goro called.

"Argentea is ready to roll." Zorome boomed into the communicator.

"Genista ready." Kokoro and Futoshi called.

There were a few long moments of silence as Chlorophytum failed to report.

"Chlorophytum ready." Ikuno and Mitsuru called, their voices sounding strained.

An alarm sounded and the launch doors in front of them opened with a hiss.

"All FRANXXs proceed to magma mine L15." Called Hachi.

"Roger!" Squad 13 gilded out and began to make the long trek towards the mine.

The mineshaft was a colossal hole in the ground that went down hundreds of feet before branching off. Various machinery stood idle around its edges waiting to return to work. The massive pump pipe that traveled straight down into the mine stood empty. Obviously, something had destroyed the connection somewhere in the mine.

"Wheres the lift," Zorome asked looking around.

"Over there," Ichigo said using Delphinium's massive finger to point. The lift was a series of platforms that were designed to transport heavy equipment to and from the mine.

Squad 13 made their way over to it. They each stood on one of the platforms.

"Final equipment and resource check," Goro called.

"Magma claws deployed, and magma reserves at 97%," Argentea called.

"Magma cannon loaded. Ammo stores full. Magma reserves at 92%. Genista reported.

Chlorophytum gave its diagnostics a few seconds later. "Repeating guns online. Suppression and beam modes available. Magma reserves at 94%

Goro called Delphinium's stats. "Magma spears operational. Magma reserves at 95%.

"Move out." Called Hachi.

The lift beneath their feet lurch forward and they began their descent down in the deep abyss.

Argentea jumped the last few feet and quickly looked around.

"All clear." She called up.

The rest of the squad arrived a few seconds later.

Delphinium issued orders. "Argentea take point. Genista cover the rear. Chlorophtyum stay with me."

"Roger."

"Your first target is in a refinery down shaft 16. Stay alert." Nana called to them over the communicator.

"Roger," Delphinium replied. "Proceeding to objective."

"Zorome," Goro called over to Argentea.

"What?"

"I don't want any surprises. Keep a watchful eye." Goro said sternly.

"Got it," Zorome said turning Argentea towards the shaft.

The shaft twisted and turned as it made its way deeper into the earth. The shaft was becoming darker and darker the farther they went. The shaft lights seemed to be smashed; so they were forced to resort to the lights on their FRANXX. Unfortunately, this gave away their position to anything that might be watching them. They continued on; until a light at the end of the shaft began to appear. Delphinium gestured for them to shut off their lights, and they made their way forward.

"One Conrad-class located in the center of the refinery." Called Zorome over the communicator.

"Roger," Goro called back. "Get as close as you can before you pounce."

Argentea inched its way forward. The Klaxosaur still didn't seem to notice her and scratched that a magma container. Argentea leaped forward and with a series of rapid jabs stabbed the Klaxosaur. It screamed in pain and tried to resist but Argentea ripped out its core and crushed it.

"Target one eliminated," Ichigo called back to the plantation.

"Very good. Approach the second target."

The second Klaxosaur was scratching at a pipe when they arrived. It heard them coming and turned to face them. Before it could do more but look at them Delphinium leaped forward and with a couple of rapid slashes and a stab the Klaxosaur exploded in a cloud of blue blood.

Before she could call the plantation Ichigo spotted targets three and four on a wall some distance away. She used Delphinium finger to point them out to Genista. Genista lifted her massive cannon and took aim. With a loud BOOM, a massive magma bolt leaped from the cannon and exploded right on top of the two Klaxosaurs killing them instantly.

"Fine work," Nana said. "Your final target is in a cavern a level down from your position."

The cavern was a mess. Magma was spewed everywhere and pipes were torn and shredded so much that they were barely distinguishable. Rivers of scolding hot magma flowed from the ceiling and walls. It all funneled to a giant hole in the floor where it disappeared.

"What the hell happened here!?" Futoshi exclaimed.

"I don't know. But I have a bad feeling about this." Mitsuru replied.

Ichigo's heart was pounding in her chest. "Something was off here and she didn't know what it was." She hated being unprepared which was just increasing her sense of unease. "If things went badly it would be her fault if one of them got killed." The very thought sent shivers down her spine.

"Calm down Ichigo," Goro whispered sending his comforting energy through their connection.

Ichigo felt it tingle her spine and she let the feeling of him wash over her. She let it wrap around her; encasing her in its warmth. Nesting in it's hold she used it to calm her frantic mind; letting him penetrate deeper and deeper into her. Their sync numbers raised a few more notches

"Thank you." She whispered back.

"Alright everybody lets finish the mission." She called.

Delphinium made its way towards the hole; the rest of the group following close behind her. Looking down she saw large masses of magma pooling and flowing throughout a strange glowing blue substance. "What is that." She thought. She had never seen anything like it before in her life.

Nana's voice sounded into their communication frequency. "Your final target is located in that cavern. There is a path out according to the schematics; so finish the mission and let's get you guys back to base."

Ichigo shook herself and then spoke to the rest of the squad. "Take positions around the hole. Make sure you have your maneuvering boosters primed. We jump on three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

They jumped into the chasm. Each FRANXX fired its boosters to slow its descent before they hit the bottom. Delphinium and the other landed with a crash on the floor of the chasm.

Quickly Ichigo looked around but the Klaxosaur was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is it?" Came Mitsuru's voice.

"I don't know, but stay alert," Goro said back.

"Hey, what is this stuff," Zorome said reaching out to touch the blue substance.

"Don't touch it, you moron!" Miku raged. "You don't know what that is! And your especially not doing it with my finger!"

"Alright, alright I'm sorry," Zorome said hurriedly.

Ichigo bent over to investigate one of the pod looking things that were scattered all across the room. Inside there was a glowing orb. "This is so strange. I've never seen anything like this." She kept staring at it trying to identify what it was. The whole pod seemed dedicated to focusing magma into the orb almost as if feeding it. "What were these things." Was it just a coincidence that the mine was attack and magma was everywhere? Or was it somehow connected."

Something moved inside the orb! Whatever was inside that orb was alive and moving!

"Guy are you seeing what I'm seeing." Her voice cracking from the shock.

"What!?" The Squad called in surprise.

"Look at these pod things. I think somethings alive inside them." She said trying to control her shaking voice.

"Your right! What in the hell are these things!" Miku yelled in shock.

"They almost look like some sort of egg," Ikuno said examining one.

"What do you mean?" Goro asked confused.

"Well in a book I was reading on biology it had a diagram of an egg. This kind of reminded me of it." She replied gesturing with her FRANXX's hand.

"Where did you read that?" Kokoro inquired. "I've never seen a book like that."

"Well I spend most of my time reading about science and engineering so I may have seen a few more books on the subject than you." Ikuno clarified. "Admittedly I've never read anything that describes something like this.

Their conversation was interrupted by the enraged scream of a massive Klaxosaur. It charged at them forcing them to scatter out of the way. The Klaxosaur quickly wrapped its enormous serpent-like body protectively around the pods. It used its head to lunge repeatedly at Argentea; desperately trying to eliminate one of the threats to its eggs. Argentea was fast and for now, was avoiding the strikes, but she was quickly running out of room. Chlorophtyum opened up with a barrage of magma bullets straight to the Klaxosaur's head. With a scream of rage and pain the Klaxosaur changed targets; lunging at Chlorophtyum instead. Luck with on their side. The Klaxosaur came up short of chomping down on the FRANXX. It was unwilling to expose its precious eggs, even for a kill shot at one of its attackers.

This wasn't going well. If they stayed here they were as good as dead. "There!" Ichigo shouted. The passage that Nana had mentioned earlier was on the other side of the chasm.

"Make for the exit!" She shouted pointing.

"We're stuck!" Genista's pilots shouted.

Turning she saw that Genista was wedged in-between the chasm wall and the Klaxosaur.

Ichigo thought fast quickly taking stock of the situation.

"If we could somehow get the Klaxosuar to focus on the eggs, then maybe Genista could get free!" Goro called.

"That was it!" She had an idea. She was about to tell Goro, but she hesitated. If what Ikuno said was true, then what she was about to do would be extremely cruel. "No!" "This was a life or death situation. She didn't have the luxury of debating morals with her squad mates on the line."

"Goro let me have the controls for a moment." She yelled. She could at least keep Goro's hands clean from this atrocity.

"Sure thing!" He called back.

Delphinium charged at the Klaxosaur and leaped into the air at the last second. She spun so that she was situated weapons pointing down. She began to pass over the pods and took one final look at their glowing beauty. She thrust her spear forward and almost as if in slow motion watched as it sliced through a pod. It cut like a hot knife through warm butter. Its precious life nurturing juices spewed forth, in what seemed to be an endless gush. The egg rolled out and smashed into pieces.

Delphinium landed on the other side near the exit. Ichigo watched as the Klaxosaur realized what she had done and let out a scream of agony filled horror. Completely distracted it dived forward trying desperately to repair the broken egg. Ichigo's heart shattered as she listened to the creatures desperate whimpering as it tried again and again to repair the damage.

The destruction of the egg had served its purpose. The rest of the squad rushed towards the exit all communicating sighs of relief and gratitude. None of them except Goro had seen what she had done; only its results.

"Thanks," Argentea called.

"You really saved us there. You're amazing!" Genista's pilots exclaimed in gratitude.

"Nice work." Chlorophtyum congratulated.

"It was the only way to save everybody," Goro said to her. She could feel him sending his calming energy into her. It made her feel a little better, but she was still so disgusted with herself that she felt unworthy of his care.

"Let's get out of here!" She called to the squad.

They had only been running for a few minutes when they heard a scream of pure hatred usher from they chasm they had left behind. It was then followed by the sound of clanking running as hundreds of objects from places deep within the mine started moving towards their location.

The sounds of things entering the tub from the entrance far behind them became deafening in their ears. They increased their speed knowing that facing that hoard would be suicidal.

Squad 13 screeched to a halt. A massive wall of rumble was blocking their way and they were forced to stop.

"Now what do we do!?" Argentea wailed in disbelief.

Goro quickly took charge. "Argentea, Genista, start clearing this rumble so we can get out of here. Chlorophtyum stay here and provide suppressive fire. We'll take care of anything that gets to close. Got it?"

"Roger!" The squad called back each taking their position.

"Here they come!" Hundreds of four-legged Klaxosaurs half the size of the FRANXXs charged towards their location.

"Open Fire!" Goro yelled.

Chlorophtyum opened a set of vents on its guns and activated suppression mode. Hundreds of magma energy bolts flew from the guns towards the Klaxosaurs. The charge of death slowed but continued to plowed on.

"I can't keep this up for much longer!" Chorophtyum shouted.

"Hold it for as long as you can!" Delphinium shouted back.

"I'll try!"

The bolts flew across the shrinking gap smashing into their targets.

A few moments later Chlorophtyum's guns spurted to a halt. "RELOADING!"

Delphinium flew forwards into the charging line of Klaxosaurs; slashing repeatedly left and right in an attempt to slow the onslaught. But for every five they chopped down; ten more seemed to fill in their place. Delphinium was forced to give ground and it wouldn't be long before she and Goro would be overwhelmed.

"We can do this Ichigo! Just hold it together!" Goro shouted.

They kept slashing left, right, left, right over and over again.

"READY!" She heard.

Delphinium flew back to the group, and Chlorophtyum began its barrage once again.

"How long until we're through that block!" Goro shouted to Argentea and Genista.

"We can see the other side! But it will take more time to clear enough space to get through!" Genista shouted back.

Goro opened the comms to the Plantation. "We could really use some help down here! I don't know how long we can hold out!"

"You don't have any more excuses!" Hiro shouted at the administrators. "Send me and Zero Two in Strelizia!"

"Papa hasn't authorized the use of Strelizia," Hachi said calmly. "We can't disobey orders."

"They're going to die if you don't." Zero Two said with a slight edge to her voice. "Let me ride with my Darling!"

She had joined them in the ready room a few minutes before this whole operation had started falling apart. She had the same idea as Hiro and was dressed in her red skintight parasite suit.

"I'm sorry but we have our orders," Nana said.

"Well, I'm changing them." Came a voice from the briefing screen. Dr. Franxx's face appeared and he gazed down at Zero Two and Hiro. "I don't want Plantation 13 to lose, squad. Plus I would like to see if this Hiro really is compatible with Zero Two."

"You may sortie. Strelizia has already been prepped." He said.

"Thank you, sir!" Hiro said eagerly. "Come on Zero Two let's go!" He grabbed her hand and they ran out towards the launch bay.

He had expected her to let go, but she was gripping his hand just as hard as he was gripping hers. They made their way onto the loading walkway until the reached Strelizia. Hiro reached out with his free hand and touched the FRANXX's face. The metal beneath his fingers was warm and seemed to have a life of its own. If he focused hard enough he could almost feel what felt like a heartbeat pulsating through the FRANXX. This was where he belonged. This was the FRANXX he was going to fly in!

"Do you want to fly with me, Darling!?" She asked sweetly.

"Yes! Let's do this!" He replied at once.

Strelizia's faceplate slide down and out of the way; revealing the entrance to the cockpit. He rushed forward and took the Stamen's seat located behind her. She was only a second behind him. Her arms and legs sliding into position in front of him.

"Let's see what you can do!" The controls deployed from her legs and the display on her head came alive waiting for him.

He reached out and grabbed the controls. Their sync rates soared higher than anyone had ever seen. Immediately he felt her presence, and she seemed to become a part of him. A tingle ran up his spine and he felt their minds almost fuse together. "This was exhilarating." Being this intimate with someone was mind-blowing. He had never experienced so much power and freedom in his life.

Zero Two giggled in pleasure. "I don't think I have ridden with anybody with this much raw potential. This is quite exciting." Turning her head she flashed him a grin. "Let's see what you can do!"

Strelizia came alive and flexed it's fingers experimentally. The walkway in front of her face moved out of the way and she grabbed her Mega-lance. The launched doors opened to the outside world and Strelizia crossed the room and a few steps. The sky was free of clouds and the sun shone its brilliant light. Strelizia leaped into the air a flew; it's maneuvering jets leaving a trail of brilliant orange fire. The air rushed faster and faster around her as she picked up speed. The plantation quickly became no more than a dot on the horizon as she flew farther and farther from her cage. The dead Earth, no more than a red blur as they soared through the sky.

"This is amazing!" Hiro yelled. This was flying! He had finally found his wings!

He felt himself penetrate deeper inside her mind. Wrapped in her glory he let himself swim in her endless lake of potential.

He was laughing with pure joy! This was freedom! This was what he was born to do!

"Your amazing Zero Two!" He cried in pure ecstasy.

Strelizia smiled at him. "It's all you DARLING!"

She soared higher. "Were a perfect match! Let's see what more we can discover!"

The magma mine was becoming larger and larger by the second. Far below he looked down. Squad 13 had made their way back to the center and were fighting to keep from being overrun.

Strelizia comms came alive and he heard Goro shout. "Were trapped and about to be overrun! If we don't get help were all going to die!"

"Don't worry guys! Were coming!" He shouted.

"HIRO!" Surprised voices called but he didn't hear any of it.

Strelizia twisted in the air and dived down the mine shaft. Her spear thrust out towards the writhing mass Klaxosaurs. Strelizia hit the mass so hard that a massive shockwave sent Klaxosaurs flying; exploding as they hit the walls with inconceivable force. She swiped horizontally and left only explosions of blue in her wake. Turning she threw her lance down a Klaxosaur filled mineshaft and cleared it with an explosion of blue. The lance returned to her with a tug on its hose and she turned to the stunned squad.

"We'll finish up here. Get back to the top." Hiro said before turning back to the Klaxosaurs.

Strelizia moved just in time to avoid a deadly beam of energy that was shot from below. The beam went searing just inches in front of her face.

"Are you alright Zero Two!?" Hiro shriek horrified. He couldn't bare the thought of her being hurt. Especially due to his delay.

"Never better!" She called back. "Let's finish this!"

The beam had carved a massive chunk out of the wall of the mine and the heard part of a wall collapse.

"Zero Two! I think the mine is going to collapse we need to get out of here!" He shouted to her.

They looked at the crater where the beam had come. Far below a very angry serpent was charging another beam to shoot at their location. It clearly meant to eliminate the mine to prevent any intruders from every entering its home again.

"Look there it is!" Zero Two shouted in delight.

Hiro stopped her before she did anything reckless. "Leave it! We'll be trapped down here if we attack! We can deal with it another time."

"Fine." She pouted.

Strelizia didn't even bother with the lift. Instead, she just ignited her thrusters and flew out.

The Klaxosaur beam hit the wall again and it collapsed. Far above the mine, Strelizia watched as the mine caved in on itself. Machinery was devoured as the surrounding land collapsed. The once massive pump that had stood proudly sucking magma energy for humanity was now nothing more than a pile of scrap metal strewn across the crater.

Squad 13 was gliding above the ground away from the destruction. Thankfully they had gotten clear of the devastation.

The comms came alive. "Hiro! Are you alright!?" He heard Ichigo say sounding panicked.

"Never better!" He called back. "I'm glad you guy are alright! You had me worried for a while."

"Where are you?" She called confused.

"Above you!" He called back.

He watched Squad 13 screech to a halt and look up.

The comms came alive with an incomprehensible babble of questions and exclamations of surprise.

"How are you flying!?" Zorome's voice cutting through the rest of the squad.

"Zero Two!" He said simply. "She's amazing!"

He felt a warm flood of gratitude rush into him through their connection. It tickled and was so sweet that it tasted almost like honey. He basked in the sensation swimming in its pleasure.

While he was enveloped in her gratitude he remembered that he owned her some gratitude as well. Sending a wave of his own he heard her give a moan of pleasure and Strelizia sank in the air a few inches. "Thank you!" "Thank you for helping me fly!" "I will be your wings for a long as I can!"

They continued to bask in each others presence letting this feeling of warmth flow through them. Hiro smiled. He wondered if this is what the others felt when they connected. He penetrated deeper into her until an ethereal image seemed to float into his mind. The image was of a burred child looking figure with black hair. "Da…Da…..Da.."

This almost felt intrusive. Something told him that this was a very special and private memory. Regrettably, he began to back out of her mind all he wanted to do was dive deeper into her but invading her privacy any farther would be indecent. If she didn't want him to it could also be extremely painful to her. The thought of her angelic face twisting in pain felt like a hot knife being pressed against his skin.

He resurfaced a few moments later to the sound of the comms. "Hiro! Hiro! Are you alright!"

"Yeah, I'll fine? He stammered. "I thought I already answered that?"

"You guys have been silent for a few minutes. And we couldn't get a hold of you." Goro interjected.

"Oh! Sorry. Maybe we had a radio blackout or something?" He said think fast. "Anyway let's get back to the plantation before anything else happens."

"Good idea," Ichigo said. "Squad move out."

Quietly he said to Zero Two. "Come on. Let's join the others."

Strelizia nodded and they flew down to join the group.

Zero Two returned to her own mind and body when Streliza was docked in the launch bay.

Standing up she turned to face Hiro. "That was incredible Darling!" She stepped towards him and put a knee on his seat in-between his legs. She placed a finger on his chest and walked it up to his shoulder. "No one's ever piloted me like that before. She stated.

Suddenly he reached out and hugged her to his chest. It was so sudden that she collapsed on top of him. The position was warm and intimate. She could feel his toned muscles beneath his parasite suit and sudden something seemed to spark deep within her core. As she lay on top of him and was reminded of her long-lost Darling that had been taken from her.

"Thank you, Zero Two!" He whispered. "Without you, I would have never been able to experience piloting a FRANXX." "If you ever have need of me don't hesitate to ask! And if you ever need a pilot, come to me and I'll always be willing!"

"Thank you and I will." She whispered back.

Hiro suddenly seemed to realize what he had been doing and what position they were in. He quickly let go of her and stammered frantically. "I!… Um!... I'm s-sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

The sight of his panicking face was the funniest thing in the world and she burst out laughing. She rolled off him wheezing and giggling even harder. "Y-You should have seen your face!" She wheezed. "I-I wish I had a picture of that!" Rolling on the cockpit floor she continued to laugh fighting to regain control of herself.

When she had finally stopped laughing she gave him a smile. "We should leave before anyone gets suspicious."

"Right!" He leaped into the air, and she was forced to bit her tongue to keep herself from laughing again.

They made their way out of Streliza and down to the launch bay floor. When they arrived he was dragged by his friends who here bursting with questions.

She stood there watching. "This boy had to be her Darling; he just had to! Nobody except the boy from her childhood had ever made her feel the way she did. Everybody was either afraid of her or just used her like a tool. Not him. He hadn't been afraid of her! He seemed to genuinely care for her and want to protect her. Just like the boy from all those years ago!

The only problem is that he didn't remember her! They had wiped his memory just like the did with hers. Only because she was a monster and fought tooth and nail with herself did she retain most of her memories. She even had to eat her most prized possession, and even then those bastards had taken away his face! All she could recall of him were his presence and what it felt like to be with him. The name of that precious boy had been taken from her too! Damn Papa! He had taken everything from her! He had forced her to be his puppet with the promise that if she ever wanted to see her Darling again she would do what he said.

Had her Darling been here at Plantation 13 the whole time? She had been forced to fight with every other Plantation when she was with the Nines. But that elite squad had always had an excuse to not go to Plantation 13. When Dr. Franxx had taken her out of the Nines she remembers asking him. "Where are we going!"

His only reply had been. "Somewhere you'll enjoy." And then he had refused to answer any more questions on the subject.

Had Dr. Franxx smuggled her away so that she could reunite with her Darling!? Was the boy she had spent her whole life dedicated to finding right here in front of her!?

"I have to try!" She said to herself. "If it's him! Then I have to try and unlock his memories of me! " She pleaded a silent prayer. "Please Help Me! Please help me unlock his memories! All I have ever wanted is to have my Darling back! Please!"

"Come on Zero Two; I want to properly introduce you to the rest of Squad 13." He was standing there in front of her. His outstretched hand waiting for her. She grabbed it. Anything for her Darling! Anything!

Dr. Franxx was jubilant. These results were exactly what he was looking for! Finally, something was going his way! Hiro and Zero Two were a match far beyond anything he could have hoped for. If he hadn't been a stupid cunt and erased the boy's memories this could be only the tip of the iceberg. He had to find a way to reverse that mistake. Squad 13 was also turning into a dream come true. Thank god he had the foresight to request that they be a special research squad. As a result, they were more malleable to change and were less corrupted by Papa's teachings. He needed to exercise this advantage as well. Educating this squad on the forbidding teachings of the past would be essential. If he could get Hiro, Zero Two, and Squad 13 then humanity may still have a chance. This would require a lot of luck and careful playing of his cards; but if he could manage it, he could rectify his past mistakes.

A knock came from the door. Nana walked in. "Sir we have recovered the parasite's body. She's still alive but I fear not for long."

"Bring her in." He said intrigued.

Nana waved at the door and a stretcher being directed by Hachi hovered in carrying a body.

"Good work you two." He said. "Leave her here for now. I want you to make the necessary arraignments for Code 002 to be assigned to Squad 13. With Code 016 assigned as her stamen. Then await further orders."

"Yes, Sir." The both called before turning an exiting the room.

Thank god both of them were the administrators of Plantation 13. He had long converted them to his cause. Their assistance not to mention their silence would prove invaluable in later stages.

He chuckled to himself. He had been saying "Thank god." A lot lately. He had never been a religious man, but with stressful times ahead he liked to believe that there was something more watching over him than just his brain.

"I think a progress report is in order." He said to the wall. He got up and walked to the center of the room. Stopping he pulled out a glowing blue piece of tech from his pocket and threw it on the ground in front of him. Quickly he got down on one knee and a hologram flicked to life in front of him.

"My Queen." He said bowing his head.

The figured didn't open it's mouth put spoke directly to his mind. "I take it you have good news for me." She said in a haunting voice.

"Yes, my lady. Phase 1 is in effect and progressing smoothly for the moment."

"Can you give me a time that I can expect its completion?" She said.

"Unfortunately I cannot. A previous mistake I made before I joined your service will slow completion. However, I will do what I can to speed up this process."

"Very well you may proceed old friend."

He looked up into her beautifully haunting glowing blue eyes. "My lady. There was a victim of the trigger we used for phase 1."

"What of it. If so they were a necessary sacrifice."

"Of course my lady. However, she is still alive for the moment. If I can get her to you before she dies, then perhaps she may be of some use to you."

He watched her glowing eyes narrowing into a stare. "How so?" She asked.

"I believe she may be able to solve your problem." He said knowing that he had hit the bullseye.

She gazed at him for a long moment before speaking. "Bring her to me."

"As you wish My Queen." He said bowing his head.

The hologram flickered off. Standing up he walked over to the wounded and dying figure on the stretcher. He stared at the hole were her right eye had been and then to her missing left arm. "Let's hope you can be useful to her." He said to the figure. The figure gave no reply but just lay there dying.

"Chichu." He called to he glowing device.

A Klaxosaur that the queen had left in his service answered with a grunt.

"Cargo will be at the secret loading dock beneath the plantation. Be careful with her, she is in a delicate position! The Queen wants the cargo brought to her as fast as possible. Be careful to not hurt the cargo more than they already are. It's no use the Queen if it's dead."

The Klaxosaur gave a grunt of acknowledgment before terminating the connection.

Dr. Franxx guided the stretcher to a secret cargo lift. "Good luck." He said. The doors to the lift closed and the figure disappeared from sight.

Authors Note: Thank you for reading Chapter 3: Connections of the Jian Bird.

I would like to apologize for the delay. This chapter is almost twice as long as the previous chapters so unfortunately it got pushed back a few days.

If you have any questions or feedback feel free to let me know.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of The Jian Bird: Her Mark