The Lost Number (A Darling in the Franxx male reader insert)

Chapter 001

Chapter 1: Code 002

"Watch out Delta. You have the initiative in terms of handling so you can't just rely on Epsilon to keep you safe." you said as a Klaxosaur nearly jumped the girl.

"Yeah, yeah. We're just fighting small fries for now so it's alright!" Delta replied, still turning around and piercing the beast.

You shook your head and turned your attention to the other feeds and the sensor data. While rather weak the creatures just kept coming with no end in sight. Perhaps a retreat would be best for now. Especially since the units were far away enough from any plantations to not allow for regrouping.

"You shouldn't consider retreat so quickly." Alpha said, reading the intention in your silence.

"You're in wide open fields. Perhaps moving to a more defensible position would be preferable. I'd rather you didn't get hurt under my supervision." you replied, sending a rundown of the situation to the Franxx.

"You could always switch with one of us if the pressure is getting to you." Alpha said.

"After what happened the last time? No thanks." you replied.

"That only happened because it was a regular parasite though."

Forgoing a reply you just offered a course for a different location. The idea didn't go over Alpha's head, as he ordered a change of formation, charging forward, much to Delta's excitement. Soon the units made their way to a dried up valley, a horde of small Klaxosaur still on their tail. Slowing down slightly to set things up the squad made their way deeper, soon stopping as a series of large explosions went off behind them, burying the creatures.

"I wanted to kill more of them!" Delta said, pouting.

"It's faster this way. Besides, papa said we should be back as soon as possible." you replied.

With this you turned the comms off temporarily and began writing down your own notes regarding the attack and making drawings of the Klaxosaurs. You were particularly curious about the reason Papa wanted you all present this time. Alpha was usually the link between the squad and APE. The other adults weren't saying anything relevant about it either. Closing the notebook after some thinking you grabbed your ID card and made your way to your room, hiding the notebook. It was more of an open secret than anything, known by the others to a certain extent. At least the stuff from your first startup trial with them onwards at least. The stuff from before was in another notebook.

With things properly set up you reached the hangars, where the others were already docking their units. Outside the changing room you reunited with them and headed to the communications room, where Alpha, alongside the holograms of Papa and the rest of the APE council, were waiting. Every member except Dr. Franxx. You kneeled, waiting for their words.

"You've obtained great results today. With such progress it'll only be a matter of time before we can make more decisive strikes." Papa said.

"It's due to the training we've been provided by the members of the council." Alpha replied, acting as the spokesperson for the group.

"Your next assignment is a little different. That pistil will be joining your ranks soon. Your job is to keep her under surveillance and report to the council." Papa said, looking at you and then Alpha in particular.

"Understood. What about the next mission?" Alpha asked.

"Operations are to be put on hold until the arrival of the girl." Papa replied. "Use the time for maintenance and to get your self-destruct charges replaced."

Everyone nodded in unison, though Delta did so rolling her eyes. You didn't understand the reason for those charges either. Not in the case of your units at least. As everyone else left you slowed down, turning around and looking at the council. You struggled to get words out at first, but eventually decided a possible scolding was better than waiting blindly. Taking a deep breath you asked: