Dustin Jaeger (ダスティン・イェーガー Dasutin Iēgā?) is a primary supporting character in the 86 -Eighty Six- series introduced in Under Pressure and a focus character of Dear Hunter.
His personal name is Sagittarius (サギタリウス Sagitarius?).
He is the only Republic citizen who volunteered for the Eighty-Sixth Strike Package as a combatant.
Appearance[]
Dustin is a tall, bespectacled adolescent with the Celena features of silver hair and eyes. While on duty he wears the standard deep-blue Republic uniform. His casual wardrobe includes dark blazers and black shirts.
Personality[]
Dustin is a fast learner, having been a valedictorian before volunteering. While initially clumsy and nauseated by the horrible sights of war, he adapted to the battlefield rather quickly. Dustin was also quick to see the hypocrisy of the Republic due to his circumstances. Such hypocrisy was a major factor in his enlistment.
He is also compassionate. He prefers not to burden Shin any further than they already do and gave up his blanket for Anju when they were trapped in the mountain shack. He was also particularly attentive to Anju's scars.
Dustin is moderately capable of reading the room, but somehow manages to make situations more awkward. He easily admits his desire to see Anju in a bikini without realizing that Shin (and by extension, everyone on comms) had been eavesdropping. He also walks in on a touching Shin and Lena moment after getting lost, making the embarrassment worse by telling them to not mind him and continue.
Background[]
Dustin was born in the Giadian Empire as a member of the minor imperial nobility [4]. His family moved to the Republic when he was young. He initially resided in a sector with other immigrants, raising him around mostly Colorata, who would be sent to the internment camps come the war's beginning. Despite being born in the Empire, Dustin and his family did not suffer the atrocities carried out on the Eighty-Six since they were a Celena.
Dustin eventually moved to Liberté et Égalité. As the valedictorian of an academy in the Republic's capital, he was presented an opportunity to give a speech to his peers during the revolution festival. He spoke out against the crimes of his people and government, who treated the Eighty-Six as disposable livestock.
After the First Great Offensive, Dustin volunteered for the Eighty-Sixth Strike Package. He hoped to break the cycle of hatred and atone for standing by while his Eighty-Six classmates died on the front lines. He also intended to correct the hypocrisy of his escaping persecution while other immigrants suffered. Despite volunteering, he didn't have any prior military experience. As far as we know, he is the only Republic combatant in the Strike Package.
Chronology[]
Volume 4: Under Pressure[]
Chapter 2[]
Dustin arrived at the base of the Eighty-Six Strike Package, along with Major Henrietta von Penrose, and introduced himself to Shin and other processors, albeit with some nervousness. Sensing the dark atmosphere due to Dustin being the Republic's citizen, Shin told Dustin to drop the formalities, which eased the tension between him and veteran processors.
After learning about the Eighty-Six's culture of deciding the position of leaders through the melee, Dustin tried to challenge Shin in the hope of blending in with the group. Before he could proceed, however, Dustin was challenged by Anju, who defeated him effortlessly.
Section Under Construction
Volume 5: Death, Be Not Proud[]
Section Under Construction
Volume 6: Darkest Before the Dawn[]
Section Under Construction
Volume 7: Mist[]
Section Under Construction
Volume 8: Gun Smoke on the Water[]
Section Under Construction
Volume 9: Valkyrie Has Landed[]
Section Under Construction
Relationships[]
Anju Emma[]
Anju and Dustin share an awkward relationship. Dustin is open about his attraction and feelings towards Anju, yet Anju has not gotten over her love for Daiya. Anju cannot see Dustin as a love interest, but still enjoys his company. During the formal event in the Alliance of Wald where they danced together, Anju confessed that while she may never be able to see him in the way she saw Daiya, she did not want to lose Dustin either.
In Volume 13, Anju is shown to be blushing, indicating her growing feelings for Dustin. Dustin, exhausted and caught off guard, starts talking about his relationship with Anju, even though Frederica is present. They share meals and free time together, with Dustin displaying dried flowers and creating a bouquet with Anju, showcasing their developing intimacy. Afterwards, Frederica threatens Dustin, warning him not to make Anju cry.
Dustin is restless and troubled, knowing Chitori, his childhood friend, is alive but turned into a bomb. He is desperate to save her, revealing his emotional turmoil to Anju. When Anju finds Dustin, she confronts him about Chitori. Dustin admits Chitori was a significant part of his past, but his promise to Anju stops him from rushing to his potential death.
As the situation worsens, Dustin becomes depressed, isolating himself and losing his appetite. Anju, caring deeply for him, is seen taking extra food, likely for Dustin, showing her concern and nurturing side. Despite his internal conflict and memories of Chitori.
Anju returns to the base and discovers Dustin is missing in action. He was blown away earlier by a projectile missle and rolled down a ravine. She feels surprisingly little grief or anger initially, because her head is still in "battle mode", determined not to live in resentment or wait for miracles. However, she still wishes deeply for Dustin to come back.
As the battle ends, Anju is in a daze, unable to process her emotions fully. Kurena informs her that Dustin has returned, which triggers Anju's emotional response. Dustin survived despite being in bad shape, partly because his RAID device protected him/his neck from the shrapnel. Earlier, he encountered a young girl, a Mascot who had been abandoned, and decides to help her, remembering Anju's words about surviving for her sake even if it means cheating.
When Anju told him it was okay to "cheat", she wasn't suggesting he abandon others or ignore justice. Her real wish was for him to stay alive and come back. She didn't want him to give up his life for the sake of justice, a mission, or the goal of saving everyone. Even if he ended up powerless, unable to help someone, and feeling miserable and weak, she would still accept him.
After Kurena tells Anju that Dustin returned, she immidietely runs to meet Dustin, but feels unsure about what to say due to her guilt over not being by his side during the battle. Dustin reassures Anju, telling her that he survived because he heard her wishing for his return. He admits to feeling weak and having to cheat to survive but emphasizes that her words gave him the strength to come back. Anju, overwhelmed, jumps into Dustin's arms and clings to him.
When Anju calms down, she finally notices the little girl who had been clinging to Dustin's leg the whole time. "Dustin, who's this child?"
Dustin introduces the little girl he rescued, jokingly referring to her as "our child." Anju, surprised and flustered, talks to the girl and suggests they all go home together.
Abilities[]
Combat Skill[]
Though he is noted for his admirable spirit, Dustin practically has zero combat experience. It is for this reason that Anju personally requests him to be in her platoon, as his piloting skill and experience are considerably lower than other processors. Since her platoon is in charge of suppression fire, they are usually stationed behind other platoons, a safer position for rookies like Dustin.[5] Like Anju, his personal Reginleif is equipped with the MLRS, with an addition of smoke dischargers to provide cover during battle.[3]
Quotes[]
“Second Lieutenant Dustin Jaeger. I’ll be under your command as of today. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Trivia[]
- The name "Dustin" originated from the Old Norse Þorsteinn (Torsten), Meaning Thor's stone.
- Jaeger, Jager, or Jäger means "hunter" in German.
Gallery[]
- Illustrations
Footnotes[]
- ↑ Stated in Volume 1 Epilogue 1 to be the same age as Lena (18 turning 19). Stated to be the same age as Anju in Volume 5 Epilogue 2 (17 turning 18). 18 has been chosen as a middle ground between both sources.