The next day, they had me go through rigorous medical testing. After all, I was just another experiment for them. The least I could hope is that they would find some way to cancel out the dying part before it was too late for me.

"You're free to go. We'll have to test you after every piloting session however, so just be prepared", the lead doctor had told me as I left.

I was to report to training and use a janitorial bot to do some cleaning, as my schedule said. The other stamen were lucky. I only realized this now. They didn't have a literal death sentence looming over their heads. They got to lead somewhat happy and full life's while mine would be cut short. What was it about her that made people die?

A loud ringing startled me as I walked.

"An A-Class Klaxosaur has been spotted outside of the Plantation! All pilots prepare to deploy!"

My communicator rang. It was Nana.

"Hey! Suit up, you're going out with Code 002", she said before she hung up.

Sweet! I got to pilot... but at what cost. I arrived at the hangar and was directed to Strelizia. I watched Code 002, or Zero Two as I was told, enter. Strelizia was outfitted with a large spear, which I assumed also had a ranged attack as most FranXX's did. I joined her soon enough. She seemed to chuckle.

"Ready for your first ride newbie?"

I didn't know how to respond. She chuckled again.

"Initiate startup", Hachi said over the comms.

I focused on Zero Two, our consciousnesses combining.

"Good! Exit the hangar and take care of the Klaxosaur", Hachi said as I watched his comm window blip out.

Something was weird. I could feel something... some sort of feeling over my heart. I didn't have time for it. We had a Klaxosaur to fight. It was a large creature, almost like a dog shape. We charged forward and I ran Strelizia's spear through its body. It roared and I went to back off, but the FranXX wouldn't move.

"What're you backing off for!? Finish it!", Zero Two yelled at me.

I hesitated and the Klaxosaur launched us backward.

I could feel her pain as we crashed into the ground.

Grr...

Was she growling?

We charged the beast once more and this time I pierced it's skull, finding my target. The core shattered on the ground as I pulled the spear out.

A sudden pain made me release the controls. It was right over my heart, where I had initially felt... something. What was this?

"Good work newbie... looks like it's already kicking in", she said smugly.

What was wrong with her?