Part 1
The introduction of the EX-Seed changed the face of the war once more. They had the ability to simultaneously execute the processes needed to pilot the T-Arms with little effort. Their bodies had several times the ether capacity of normal humans. They could freely circulate more than the average amount of refined ether needed for T-Arms operation, significantly upping its performance and finally enabling the UEDF to match the Arc invasion forces in war potential as a result.
U-006 Zeta was part of the very first batches of EX-Seed pilots fielded out during the course of the Arc War. He was assigned to the front lines while still looking like a tender young boy. The other EX-Seed also looked quite young. Though it might just be that the enhanced growth procedures weren't properly carried out because of the sudden turn of events that led to their early deployment.
Most were meek, unassuming and followed orders to the letter without complaint. Contrary to their usual behaviour, their actions during battle were quick, decisive and carried hints of barely repressed brutality.
They never spared enemies unless ordered to do so and kept fighting with fierce abandon unless ordered to stand down. They were akin to reapers in the battlefield. Their uncompromising visage made even their allies tremble in fear.
And yet, there are always exceptions. U-006 Zeta was one such example. Though his character might also be attributed to the researcher once assigned as his supervisor.
Part 2
Karen Hoshikawa was, in a word, carefree. She was a woman who had devoted herself wholeheartedly to bioengineering research and later found herself working for the Initiative. And yet, she had managed not to lose that spark of cheerful vitality. She had an air of honest innocence regarding her life and the way she faced her research. Her coleagues liked being in her presence, describing it as "stress relieving".
And so, with that kind of personality, one might come to question the decision to let her supervise a batch of EX-Seed children. They came fresh from the cultivation labs and were meant to be the key components in a weapon system designed to annihilate all hostiles that dared to stand before it.
Perhaps it truly was a lack of foresight on the part of her superiors. Maybe, it was simply just a shortage of qualified personnel. It could also be the workings of fate in play - though the idea is largely unscientific.
Reasons aside, it was an undeniable fact that she was assigned as the supervisor for the Zeta batch. And no one among them was more receptive to her personality and methods as U-006.
***
One of U-006's most defining traits was his seemingly endless inquisitiveness. Now, one might say that this was absolutely normal for a young child. But U-006 and the other EX-Seed were not supposed to be within the bounds of what was considered "normal". If they were, then they would've been considered failures.
Was someone not paying attention when they were tweaking the Zeta batches DNA structure?
Regardless of why that was the case, U-006 behaved more akin to children his age compared to the other EX-Seed. Perhaps even more so.
He almost always had questions ready to fire off from the tip of his tongue. And his interests ranged from a wide variety of topics. Even the most silly and nonsensical ones.
Karen delighted herself in answering all of his questions. They were like a busybody older sister and her rascal of a kid brother having fun fooling around.
Her colleagues regarded the spectacle with mixed feelings. Several of them tried to warn her not to get too attached, considering the future awaiting the boy once he gets sent out to the front lines. But Karen thought it was precisely because their time together was limited that she had to fill his heart with warmth while she still had the chance.
It might have been quite a naive decision on her part. Perhaps the result would mean U-006 getting to know the depths of despair. But at the time, they were both still so blissfully unaware.
Part 3
One might think that because U-006's behaviour differed so much from the other EX-Seed, he would've been regarded as a failure and eventually relegated to reserve duty.
There were indeed several such recommendations that came from the other researchers. But they were quickly suppressed by U-006's aptitude test scores.
His results could only be described as "monstrous". His raw ether capacity was the highest recorded since the Initiative's founding. And yet, it still continued to develop further.
His battle instincts, wit and learning speed far surpassed his fellow EX-Seeds by a fair margin. He also employed unorthodox strategies that allowed him to turn unfavorable situations around. His sim kill count rose steadily, and soon surpassed the current record while showing no signs of letting up.
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It wasn't a result of inherent potential alone. Careful observation of his daily routines revealed that the boy frequently trained more than the daily regimen required.
He didn't just do physical training. He also read countless data encoded reference books about a wide variety of subjects on his terminal. Karen had uploaded most of them at U-006's request.
He even compiled and compared various ancient and modern breathing exercises, intigrating them into an entirely new and efficient method which greatly aided his ether refining speed. The quality of the ether he refined also showed a marked improvement.
His almost abnormal thirst for knowledge (even for EX-Seed standards), his uncanny ability to effectively put all that knowledge into practice and the gradual improvements of his bodily make up and maximum ether capacity (which were already well above average to begin with) shocked the Initiative silly.
The faces of the Initiative higher ups when they first received the compiled reports about U-006's progress were akin to those who just found out they had won an unbelievable sum from the lottery.
They immediately mobilized their research teams and had them investigate the production records for the Zeta batch. Just what kind of gene modifications were done to produce such a splendid result?
***
Further investigations were also conducted on U-006 himself. What was the impetus that drove him to strive as much as he has?
The EX-Seed were generally designed to have relatively subdued emotions. The key factors that were considered in their development were efficiency and ease of use.
The general consensus was that a weapon had no use for feelings. Emotions were highly unpredictable. The risk of going out of control was particularly high.
So the EX-Seed had their greater emotions repressed. The researchers had also encoded within their very DNA a strong desire to protect the human race.
It was their sole purpose. Their entire reason for existence. It wouldn't be so farfetched to say that only the act of protecting humanity alone gave the EX-Seed a semblance of the emotion "happiness".
Part 4
So what was it that motivated U-006? What drove the boy to improve by leaps and bounds? One routine interview revealed a fairly surprising reason.
***
"Hm? Why all the effort? So I can get married of course. I'm gonna end the war, get myself relieved from active duty and get married."
U-006's answer left the researchers slack jawed in utter shock.
"M-Married?! D-Do you even know what that means?" asked one flabbergasted researcher.
U-006 arched his eyebrow in mild annoyance and answered confidently.
"Course I do. You get married to the person you want to spend your entire life and make a family with right? I read up a lot on the subject and even watched some documentaries.
So I've decided that after this war ends, I'm gonna go ahead and marry Karen."
The other researchers gave Karen piercing accusatory gazes after the casually delivered reply.
"Shotacon..." they remarked in complete unison.
Karen's face flushed apple red and she protested helplessly while trying to keep her embarrassment in check.
"W-Wha...?! Nooo! That's not it! You've got it all wrong! He doesn't really mean that. W-Well, he kind of does... But not in that way! We're not like that! I-I mean I'm kind of happy he feels that way... B-But the age difference... Anyway! It's really not like that! We have a wholesome familial relationship!"
She hastily tried to explain herself all the while not realizing she was actually making the misunderstandings(?) worse.
It was the sad sight of a twenty three year old young woman whose age equals the number of years without a proper boyfriend.
***
U-006 Zeta watched the ensuing course of events with mild interest.
He was, however, puzzled by their reactions. He had only stated something obvious after all. Marriage was an integral step towards making a "family". And "family" was a concept that intrigued him so.
"Family..." he mused.
He had read up on the concepts numerous connotations. He had yet to truly understand it. But something about it attracted him greatly. Somehow, to him, it seemed so bright. So very, very bright.
And it drew him ever closer.
Like a moth to a flame.