บท 2: Episode 2: Recruitment
The flickering fire in the Special Fire Company 8 lounge cast dancing shadows on the walls. I, Genos, sat stiffly on a chair, feeling like a foreign object amidst the lively banter of the firefighters. Lieutenant Hibana playfully jabbed Ogun, who shot back a sly grin. Captain Maki, ever the stoic leader, sipped her tea in silence.
Across the room, a young woman named Akira stole glances my way. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she remembered the awe-inspiring display of power I showcased during the Infernal encounter. My cold, metallic exterior may not have been the most inviting, but a spark of curiosity flickered within her eyes nonetheless.
"Lost in thought, newbie?" Hibana nudged me with amusement. "Don't worry, these guys may seem rough around the edges, but they're the best in the business."
I glanced at her, her fiery eyes filled with amusement. "I appreciate the hospitality, Lieutenant," I replied curtly. "Still, I am eager to contribute my skills. When can we begin training?"
Captain Maki set down her teacup. "Patience, Genos. Integration into the Fire Force requires proper evaluation. We need to assess your capabilities and ensure you understand our protocols."
She gestured towards a holographic display depicting different types of Infernals. "These creatures come in various classes, each requiring specific strategies for suppression. Familiarize yourself with their strengths and weaknesses."
My enhanced vision allowed me to absorb the information from the holographic display at an impressive rate. I recognized the faint blue energy signature in some of the Infernal depictions, fueling my suspicion.
The following days were a blur of training exercises. I threw myself into the tasks with unwavering dedication, my strength and agility surpassing even the most seasoned firefighters. However, teamwork and adapting to the Fire Force's hierarchical structure proved more challenging.
"Whoa there, cyborg!" Ogun grunted as I overpowers him in a sparring session. "A little too eager to prove yourself, aren't you? We operate as a unit here."
"My apologies," I replied. "I am still unfamiliar with your combat styles."
"Easy there, Ogun," Hibana interjected playfully. "He'll get the hang of it. Just needs a little practice coordinating with others."
She took me aside, patiently explaining Fire Force tactics and the importance of teamwork. Slowly, I began to understand the importance of cooperation in battling Infernals.
One evening, as the company relaxed after a long day, I found myself alone on the rooftop, staring at the city lights. Akira approached me timidly.
"Um… excuse me?"
I turned, my metallic face giving away no emotion.
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say… thank you," Akira stammered. "For saving everyone the other day. You're… really strong."
I regarded her for a moment, then nodded curtly. "It was my duty."
"Still… it was amazing," she continued, her voice barely a whisper. "You control fire… but differently from the others."
Akira hesitated before speaking again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I have a secret too. Sometimes, when I get scared or angry, I can… manipulate flames a little."
Intrigued by this unexpected revelation, I raised an eyebrow. "You possess pyrokinetic abilities? Why keep it a secret?"
Akira shrunk back, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm afraid… afraid of what they might do to me if they found out."
"The Fire Force exists to protect people who can control flames," I assured her. "Captain Maki… she understands."
Hope flickered in Akira's eyes. The next day, I approached Captain Maki with Akira by my side.
"Captain," I began, "I believe Recruit Akira possesses a unique ability that could be an asset to the company."
Maki raised an eyebrow, surprised by my initiative. "An ability, you say? Explain."
Akira stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly. She demonstrated her pyrokinetic control, igniting a small flame in her palm.
Maki studied the flame thoughtfully. "Hmm… interesting. This does require further investigation. Very well, Akari. You will undergo a series of tests to assess the extent of your abilities."
A wide smile spread across Akira's face as relief and excitement washed over her. I nodded approvingly, a flicker of warmth softening my steely demeanor (if it functioned that way).
Later, I found Hibana watching me tinker with my arm cannon in the workshop.
"So, you decided to play matchmaker, huh?" she said with a knowing smirk. "Akira seems a lot less nervous around you."
I paused, frowning as I adjusted a wire. "Matchmaker?" I replied, my metallic voice devoid of inflection. "My objective was to inform Captain Maki of a potential asset."
Hibana chuckled, her fiery eyes gleaming. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, cyborg. Look, Akira's a good kid. Just a bit shy. She needs someone who can understand her… someone different."
She threw a playful nudge at my shoulder. I remained stoic, but a faint blush – if my metallic plating functioned that way – seemed to creep across the exposed parts of my face.
"Different… how so?" I inquired, my voice a low monotone.
Hibana gave me a knowing look. "You tell me. You're the one who seems to get through to her. Maybe it's because you're different too."
With a wink, she sauntered away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I resumed tinkering, but my mind couldn't help but wander back to Akira's nervous smile and the spark in her eyes when she revealed her secret.
The following days were a whirlwind of activity for Company 8. An Infernal outbreak erupted in the industrial district, a tangled mess of pipes and machinery spewing black smoke. The firefighters arrived, suits ignited, to find a grotesque Infernal clinging to a massive furnace.
The ensuing battle was intense. Akira, under Maki's watchful eye, struggled to control her flames amidst the chaos. I, however, was a whirlwind of precise strikes. My enhanced vision allowed me to identify weak points in the Infernal's structure, delivering calculated blows that crippled the creature.
As the flames subsided, exhaustion settled over the firefighters. Akira sat on a nearby crate, catching her breath. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of fear and frustration.
"I… I wasn't strong enough," she choked out, her voice trembling. "I almost got in the way."
I sat beside her, my metallic hand offering a silent comfort. "You did well," I assured her. "It takes time to master your abilities. Focus on control, not brute force."
Akira looked at me, searching for solace in my metallic face. "Thank you, Genos," she whispered. "You always seem to know what to say."
I offered a slight nod, data analysis providing a possible explanation. "Data analysis indicates a correlation between emotional state and pyrokinetic control," I explained. "Focus on calmness, and your abilities will become more precise."
Akira let out a choked laugh, wiping away her tears. "Data analysis, huh? You really are something else, Genos."
Back at the station, news arrived – a research facility on the outskirts of the city reported strange energy readings. Captain Maki gathered Company 8, a grim expression etched on her face.
"This energy signature…" she began, her voice steely. "It resembles the one detected before the Great Cataclysm. We need to investigate immediately."
A sense of unease settled over the room. I, however, felt a surge of anticipation. Could this be connected to the strange energy I carried within me? Perhaps this investigation would finally reveal the answers I sought.
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