At the Simulation Room....

At the Simulation Room Flukey, Rapi, and Anis came across Ingrid, the CEO of Elysion and main coach of the Simulation Room.

Ingrid: I'm Ingrid, your coach for today. Welcome to the Simulation Room. This is where I'll be putting your combat skills to the test.

Anis: Commander, what is this all about?

Rapi: Having our combat skills tested after a mission? I've never heard of such a thing. They usually do this sort of thing beforehand.

Anis: And isn't that the CEO of Elysion? What is she doing here?

Flukey: I heard that the CEO likes to monitor Nikke when they're in the Simulation Room. Rapi, you're from Elysion right? Is that true by any chance?

Rapi: Yes. You could say this is a hobby of hers.

Ingrid: *Angry* No chit-chat when I'm talking!

Both Anis and Flukey stood at attention immediately upon hearing Ingrid while Rapi just stood there.

Ingrid: Next, you will face a battle simulation in the Simulation Room. I can tell you, you'd better not be lax and think that it's just a simulation. The Simulation Room is the Ark's pride and joy. You can experience combat in reality here. Not only can it simulate all kinds of real battle scenarios, but you can also fight against virtual Raptures. Tactics will be essential to handle these various situations in battle. So, go and complete the test tactically. That is all.

Flukey: Um, Ms. Ingrid, I have a question.

Ingrid: Just Ingrid is fine. And no questions allowed.

Flukey: Oh....

Ingrid: Before we begin the training, I need to know your squad name. What is your squad's name Flukey?

Flukey: Oh it's....uh....hmm...

Flukey tried to think of a good squad name and after a few minutes he found it.

Flukey: Counters. That's our squad name.

Ingrid: Name confirmed. Well then, Squad Counters, looking forward to your superb combat skills.

After the test....

Anis: Ugh, so tired.

Flukey: Man, tests back at the academy wasn't half as bad as this.....

Rapi: The operation results have already been reported. She told us to wait here.

Anis: Mm. Rapi, what do you think this is all about?

Rapi: Just like she said, it's a test. Apparently, our performance was enough to arouse suspicion.

Anis: You do poorly, they give you a hard time. You do well, same thing. You can't win. Commander, do you know anything about this?

Flukey: Not a clue.

Rapi: Well, it's not like it's a bad thing....Doing our part for the cause and all that jazz.

Anis: I suppose so. So what now, do we just wait?

Flukey: Looks like it. Hopefully the report won't take too long.

With Andersen and Ingrid....

Andersen: Well? How'd it go?

Ingrid: Honestly not as bad as I thought it'd be. The Commander isn't hopeless compared to most other Commanders but he still has a lot of room for improvement.

Andersen: Hm. I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Of all the recent graduates, Commander Flukey's the only one that's shown the most promise.

Ingrid: I agree. And I have a small theory that perhaps the Commander and his Nikke's performance excel in a real combat situation.

Andersen: It is possible. But there's only one way to find out.

Ingrid: We have plenty of missions to send them on. Take your pick.

Andersen: Whichever is most difficult.

Ingrid: So....this one should do the trick.

Afterwards....

Anis: Investigate a power station? The one in the coastal city?

Rapi: Is this the entire team?

Anis: I can't believe this! We go through hell for them, and we're sent straight back out without a word of thanks!

Flukey: Well this is an order and I have to follow it just like you girls.

Anis: Yeah, yeah. What a good little doggie you are. Gotta please your master, am I right?

Flukey: (Ouch)

Rapi: Anis.

Anis: Mm. Sorry....that was out of line.

Flukey: A little bit. But I can understand your frustration.

Rapi: Who's the assigned Commander?

Flukey: Me.

Rapi and Anis were shocked at this.

Rapi: What?!

Anis: This is....most unusual. What are they up to?

Flukey: Yeah it surprised me too. Usually a Commander isn't assigned to the same Nikkes twice otherwise there would be infighting within the group. Least that's what my teachers at the academy said.

Rapi: Hm. This truly is bizarre.

Anis: Obviously they're trying to get rid of us. They want to send us up to the surface and have us all killed without anyone noticing.

Then Shifty spoke up out of nowhere.

Shifty: But....what reason could they possibly have for doing that?

Anis: Gah! You scared me! Where did you come from?

Shifty: I heard there's a new mission, so I came to assist. If they wanted you dead, you'd be dead already. They wouldn't bother with sending you back up to the surface. In other words, this is a normal operation.

Anis: Normal as can be.

Rapi: If it's an order, I'll follow it. But Commander, are you okay with all this?

Flukey: I don't have a problem with it. Plus personally I feel that swapping out Nikkes constantly can be a real hassle. If possible, I'd like to keep you girls with me for the remainder of my time in service. I trust you girls.

Anis: Jeez sometimes I can't tell if you're just buttering us up or being sincere. But if you are being sincere, then we trust you too Commander. For the time being that is.

Rapi: Let's head up.

With that, the trio headed up to prepare for their new mission.