Family

Outpost 34

The ship had pulled in quickly, the injured were taken off first and escorted to the medical sector, including Hirabayashi's pod.

Walking off quietly, the trio of Kanesaki, Nishihara and Sakaguchi looked around for any sign of the captain - nowhere to be seen.

'So, is the captain... Nice?' Kanesaki asked nervously, he hadn't met the captain yet, given their absence for the first few days he's been at the base.

Nishihara and Sakaguchi looked over their shoulders at the Chimera, then at each other, before Nishihara replied.

'The captain can be... Eventful, at times.'

Sakaguchi nodded in with a slight smirk, one of humourous agreement.

'Define "eventful" for me.' Kanesaki glanced about at Sakaguchi continued for Nishihara.

'Captain's pretty loud, likes to be the first in engagements, often looks for the biggest fish to catch, y'know.'

Sighing a little, Kanesaki nodded. 'I see.'

The three made their way through the doors of the main base, and we're greeted by Lieutenant Wachisaka - the old man smiling warmly.

'Lieutenant!' Both Nishihara and Sakaguchi suddenly stopped, stomping the floor in precise unison before saluting, their backs upright.

Chuckling, Wachisaka waved his hand down.

'At ease, I'm just glad you boys made it.'

Kanesaki followed them all as the lieutenant guided them to the control room.

'The Captain's waiting for you lot. And he's eager to meet you, Kanesaki.'

The Chimera's eyes suddenly opened in slight surprise.

'H-Huh?'

Laughing to himself, Wachisaka looked over his shoulder at Kanesaki. 'Well, he wants to meet the new Chimera who's been surprising all of us, plus he wants you to join him on the next big operation that comes up!'

A small smile formed on Kanesaki's face, clearly happy to work with the captain, despite him supposedly being "eventful".

The control room doors opened, both Sakaguchi and Nishihara took a deep breath in, tensing their bodies as Kanesaki stared with a brow risen, slight confusion taking over his face.

'Gah! Can no one here beat me!'

Staring ahead, Kanesaki saw two men arm wrestling, one was clearly struggling more than the other. The younger man gasped in slight pain as his hand was brought down in a mere second, slamming against the table.

He stood and and was forced to walk back to his station in defeat. Kanesaki's eyes switched back to the other, taller and older man.

He sat back in the chair like a man who knew he'd won - because he just had. One hand still rested lazily on the table, knuckles faintly flushed from the force of the arm wrestle, the other draped over the back of his seat in effortless confidence.

His semi-long brown hair fell in messy waves, slightly damp with sweat, a few strands clinging to his brow. It was untamed but not neglected - like the man himself: wild at the edges, disciplined at the core. A small, well-kept beard framed his jaw, just enough grit to mark him as experienced without burying his features beneath roughness.

Even sitting, his broad frame was obvious - even more built than Sakaguchi, his muscle packed tightly beneath a dark grey tactical vest that clung to his torso. Slung over his shoulders was a lighter grey officer's coat, the captain's badge gleaming just enough to remind everyone around him that he wasn't just another bruiser with a strong arm - he was in charge. The coat didn't look formal on him; it looked earned.

His fingerless gloves were scuffed, stretched from years of use, tight around the knuckles. Black cargo pants and polished leather boots completed the look - practical, sharp, ready to move. He looked like a soldier on his break… or a predator biding his time.

There was power in his stillness, a sort of casual dominance that didn't need to shout. But even through the win and the menace, there was something else - a quiet charisma, a hint of humor behind the sharp eyes and solid frame. He could silence a room with a glance - or share a drink and make it laugh.

Right now, though? He was just sitting in victory, relaxed, unreadable - the kind of man you didn't want to bet against, especially not twice.

His eyes shifted over to the group, specifically at Kanesaki, stood behind the other three. Wachisaka cleared his throat before speaking.

'Captain, the officers have returned.'

Standing slowly, revealing his true, tall frame, the captain stepped over, each step slow and powerful, his presence had taken over the room completely.

Nishihara opened his mouth, stepping forth as he spoke.

'Captain! This is CL7-287, or as he prefers, Jyn Kanesaki!'

The man's eyes shifted to Kanesaki again, he walked past Nishihara and stood, seemingly towering over the Chimera. A small bead of sweat ran down Kanesaki's face as he stared up, the captain grunting a little before going to speak.

'Ha! Nice to meet ya, newbie!'

Surprise, confusion - both took over Kanesaki as he let out a simple 'Huh?'

Before he knew it, the captain had put his hand out, eager for Kanesaki to put his out. In simple courtesy, Kanesaki responded, shaking his hand - the captain's grip was tight, it felt as though he was crushing the Chimera's hand.

'Always good to get some new faces! I've heard good things about you from your last lieutenant, Hanaka, and also from the officers here. So I trust you'll be useful around here!'

His smile was almost contagious, as Wachisaka and the officers had all started grinning too. Kanesaki thought to himself: this guy's so happy, I thought he'd be some kinda brute!

'Oh-crap! I forgot to introduce myself properly. I'm Captain Sugita Yanagi, and I'm glad to have you as our Chimera helper!'

Grinning nervously, almost forced, Kanesaki spoke.

'Nice to meet you, captain...'

Nishihara went and patted Yanagi on the back, his grin widening as his voice sounded polite.

'Captain, he's a little... Serious about things. He might come off as kinda bland or uptight, but trust me, he's a good fighter and doesn't mind breaking the rules a few times!'

In annoyance, Kanesaki's face scrunched up, eyes looking more angered.

'Hey, I'm not uptight!'

Sakaguchi and Wachisaka laughed in the background, so did Yanagi, who then put his hand on Kanesaki's shoulder.

'Listen newbie, I don't care if you're bland or boring - hell, you can be all rule following and shit, but as long as you're a good soldier, fighter and are able to get along with everyone, then I'm sure you'll fit in with me!'

Suddenly, he shifted, pulling Kanesaki in for an awfully tight hug, taking the air out of the unsuspecting Chimera.

'I officially welcome you to the family at outpost 34!'

Unable to breathe properly, Kanesaki murmured weakly, 'Wasn't I already part of the "family"..?'

Yanagi chuckled a bit. 'Heh, you're right, but I just officially welcomed you into it! Now, no one can tell you otherwise!'

Something strange formed inside Kanesaki, something kinda, warm, nice. He looked around after Yanagi stepped back. Everyone was looking at him, soldiers, officers, everyone. He felt like he belonged, everyone was smiling with him.

He had a proper place. A family.

Chapter 33 - end