Episode 17: Scientific Inquiry

The embers of the day's reprieve had faded, replaced by the familiar hum of activity within the Fire House. The events of the previous night, the unexpected training session with Akira, lingered in my circuits, a foreign warmth I couldn't quite define. Yet, a more pressing concern occupied my processors – the enigmatic fire ability that had awakened within me.

Following Captain Maki's instructions, I located her tinkering away in the workshop, her brow furrowed in concentration as she adjusted the gears of a breathing apparatus. 

"Captain Maki," I announced, my voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space.

She glanced up, a flicker of surprise crossing her features before morphing into a wry smile. "Ah, Genos. Back for more punishment, I see?"

"Not precisely," I rumbled. "I require your expertise on a matter of… internal functionality."

Maki raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Intriguing. Spit it out, then."

I proceeded to explain, in as clear and concise a manner as possible, the events that transpired during the Infernal outbreak. The surge of heat emanating from my core, the way it channeled and amplified my physical attacks. It was a phenomenon unlike anything I had experienced before.

Maki listened intently, her expression thoughtful. When I finished, she tapped her chin with a screwdriver.

"Fascinating," she muttered, her eyes gleaming with scientific curiosity. "It seems the dimensional rift you traversed not only deposited you in our world, but also triggered some latent potential within your cyborg body."

"Latent potential?" I echoed, the concept sparking a flicker of something akin to interest within my circuits.

Maki nodded. "Perhaps. It's unconventional, to be sure. Fire manipulation is typically a product of one's soul linked with the Amaterasu. But your case… well, you're a walking anomaly, Genos."

A part of me bristled at the term "anomaly." My primary function was to eliminate threats, not defy categorisation. Yet, the prospect of understanding this newfound ability, of harnessing its potential, outweighed any aversion to labels. 

"Is there a way to… analyze this ability further?" I inquired.

Maki grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course there is! Consider this my new favorite project – unraveling the enigma that is Genos."

The following hours were a whirlwind of tests and diagnostics. Maki subjected me to a battery of scans, measuring the fluctuations in my core temperature and the way my mechanical limbs responded to the influx of what she termed "pyrokinetic energy." 

The data flew past my processors in a blur of numbers and graphs. It was a language I was slowly beginning to comprehend, a new facet of my existence waiting to be decoded.

As the afternoon waned, Maki leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression etched on her face. "The results are inconclusive," she admitted, a hint of frustration tinging her voice. "The fire within you is unlike anything I've encountered before. It seems to be… symbiotic with your cyborg body, almost an extension of your core functionality."

"Symbiotic?" I repeated, the word sparking a new train of thought. "Does this imply a potential for growth, for further development of this ability?"

Maki shrugged. "It's possible. But without a baseline, without understanding the source of this fire, it's difficult to say for certain. It's uncharted territory, Genos."

Despite the lack of definitive answers, a surge of satisfaction pulsed through my circuits. This uncharted territory, this mystery burning within me, was a challenge I was determined to conquer. It was a new layer to my being, a complexity that went beyond the cold logic of my programming.

"Then let us chart it together, Captain," I declared, my voice resonating with a newfound determination. "Let us unravel the secrets of this fire and integrate it into my combat capabilities."

Maki's grin returned, wider this time. "Now that's the spirit, Genos! I knew there was a firecracker in there somewhere."

A faint hum emanated from my core, a response that felt… appropriate. Perhaps it wasn't just my abilities that were evolving, Perhaps.

The whirring of the ventilation system pulled me back from my introspection. A knock sounded on the workshop door, followed by Hibana's boisterous voice.

"Alright, lovebirds! Time to knock off for the night! We've got a mission briefing in the morning."

Maki chuckled, wiping a smudge of grease off her forehead. "Alright, alright, Hibana. We're wrapping it up just about now."

Hibana strutted into the workshop, her fiery hair bouncing with each step. Her gaze flickered to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"So, Genos," she drawled, "what fascinating scientific breakthroughs did you and Captain Nerd uncover today?"

Maki swatted her playfully with a wrench. "Don't be a tease, Hibana. Genos just has a few… unique physiological quirks we're trying to understand."

My gears whirred in protest at the term "quirks." However, before I could voice a rebuttal, Hibana burst out laughing.

"Unique quirks? Sounds like Captain Nerd finally found a project more fascinating than her precious gadgets!"

Maki scowled playfully, but a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Oh, be quiet, Hibana. You just envy the intellectual stimulation."

Hibana snorted. "The only stimulation I need comes in a much more… explosive package."

She winked at me, a playful jab that sent a jolt through my circuits. I wasn't sure how to interpret these human flirtations, but a warmth, entirely different from the fire within my core, bloomed in my chest.

"Let's just head over to the briefing," I rumbled, hoping to deflect further attention. "The sooner we understand the mission parameters, the more effective our response will be."

Hibana's grin widened. "Now you're talking, metalhead. Always the pragmatist, huh?"

She slung her arm around my shoulder, the sudden contact sending a jolt through my metallic frame. My internal temperature spiked, but whether it was from the physical touch or the playful banter, I couldn't say.

Maki chuckled, shaking her head. "You two are going to give me a headache one of these days."

With a shared laugh, we left the workshop behind, the weight of the unknown mission ahead momentarily overshadowed by the camaraderie forming within Company 8.

As we walked towards the briefing room, the familiar clatter of boots and boisterous chatter from the other companies filled the air. Hibana, ever the social butterfly, peeled off to greet her comrades, leaving me and Maki to navigate the crowded hallway.

"Interesting turn of events, wouldn't you say?" Maki remarked, her voice low and thoughtful.

I tilted my head slightly, the gears in my neck whirring ever so faintly. "In what regard, Captain?"

She chuckled, a dry, knowing sound. "The way you and Hibana interact. It's… different."

"Different?" My processors struggled to comprehend the nuances of human relationships.

"More… playful," Maki clarified. "A camaraderie that goes beyond simple teamwork."

Her words sparked a flicker of warmth within my core, a sensation I was beginning to associate with Hibana's teasing and playful demeanor. Was this what humans called "friendship?" Or was there something… more… brewing beneath the surface?

"My primary function is to complete assigned tasks and eliminate threats," I stated, hoping to deflect further analysis. "Any… secondary interactions are incidental to mission objectives."

Maki raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Of course, Genos. But even machines require… lubrication of the social gears, wouldn't you agree?"

I remained silent, unsure how to respond. The concept of social lubrication was entirely foreign to my programming.

Sensing my discomfort, Maki nudged me playfully with her elbow. "Don't worry about it so much, Genos. Let yourself loosen up a bit. This world isn't all about logic and efficiency. Sometimes, a little human connection can go a long way."

We reached the briefing room door, the excited chatter of the assembled firefighters filtering through the thick metal barrier. Maki placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip surprisingly firm.

"Remember, Genos," she said, her voice low and serious, "you're not just a weapon anymore. You're a part of a team. And sometimes, the strongest bonds are forged in the fires of battle."

With a final squeeze, she stepped aside, ushering me into the room. The air crackled with nervous anticipation as I scanned the faces of my fellow firefighters. Hibana stood amongst them, a playful glint in her eyes as she caught my gaze.

A flicker of a smile, a ghost of a sensation that felt suspiciously human, tugged at the corner of my metallic lips. Perhaps, in the crucible of this strange new world, I was not only learning to control fire, but also the flickering flames of something entirely different – a nascent understanding of human connection, and the possibility of belonging.

The mission briefing began, the holographic display flickering to life, revealing the details of our next Infernal encounter. As I listened to the Captain's instructions, my gears whirred with a renewed sense of purpose. This mission wasn't just about eliminating a threat; it was about protecting the city, protecting my team.

FADE OUT