The briefing hall turned tense in its atmosphere as Lorenzo looked at the group of pilots with the kind of fury one could only imagine. The situation seemed to turn out of control as Mai challenged the old man, immediately followed up by Koehler intervening and proclaiming their need to unite. While Lieutenant Ritsu tapped the side of her holster in reluctant anticipation, Lorenzo slammed his fists onto the podium.

[color=f26522]"ENOUGH! It's like I'm running a goddamn kindergarten here, when I should be talking to soldiers! First of all,"[/color] he said while shaking his finger furiously at Mai. [color=f26522]"That was a figure of speech and not a challenge, pilot Twilight! Don't take everything so literally! Use your grey matter for once! I've had enough broken specimens for one day! And second, Koehler! I admit your willingness and resolve to improve as a fighting unit is admirable and even encouraged, but it doesn't mean you can provoke the rest! The two of you, get back in the row, RIGHT NOW!"[/color]

[color=f26522]"What am I going to do with you whipper-snappers," [/color]he mumbled to himself after taking a break from the shouting. His constant bellowing was now catching up to him, causing his breathing to become heavy and inconsistent.

[color=f26522]"Now then, If I could have one single damn moment without you trying to get yourselves killed, I'll announce the squad leader. Now, all of you failed the test, so in normal circumstances nobody would have been chosen. However, due to us being in a fucking war to extinction with an invading force, we'll need to organize you into a proper unit. And a proper unit requires leaders who take charge and march them to victory. For this I have chosen two Cadets."[/color] He paused while looking at each pilot in the eyes, before he spoke:

[color=f26522]"Cadet Reynolds and Cadet Shinkai, you two are hereby promoted to Squad Officer and Junior Squad Officer, respectively. The two of you showed the kind of skills required for squad leaders; initiative, leadership, intelligence, tactics, adaptability, all that crap. 
Reynolds, you especially showed the most potential for leading a unit, so now you can prove yourself. 
Shinkai, while you weren't as promising in that regard, you also showed independent ability and prowess from the rest of the pilots, and not only because of your Synchro Rate. The two of you will together be what I would consider a true squad leader, so from now on you will teach and complement each other.
For details, consult Lieutenant Ritsu. As sign of your rank, you will be authorized for possession of these."[/color]

Ritsu brought a suitcase to the podium, and opened it up. Inside were four items: two decorations that were to be worn on the right shoulder and illustrated a human inside a cog, and two pistol-like weapons.

[color=0054a6]"Tazer pistols,"[/color] Ritsu began explaining. [color=0054a6]"They deliver a non-lethal electric shock that reliably incapacitate targets at about twenty meters. You two are authorized to carry them, but their use is only for self-defense and maintaining discipline, and nothing else."[/color]

Lorenzo now spoke: [color=f26522]"Now remember, with great power comes great responsibility. While you have commanding authority over the rest of the Cadets, that doesn't mean you can abuse it, as you are responsible for the well-being of your unit. If such behavior comes apparent, you'll be demoted. Now, unless you have any more questions for me specifically, I'll let the Lieutenant take over for now."[/color]

[color=0054a6]"Now then, you will have the rest of the day off, but starting at 5.45 AM tomorrow we will begin on the daily training regime. From morning till noon will be physical training. You are to report to Sergeant Ken in the gym area of the Solaire facility after breakfast. The training will include sports, Star Fist-style martial arts and meditation, if I remember correctly,"[/color] Ritsu said as she looked over the details on her device.

[color=0054a6]"After lunch you are to report to me for virtual training. I will first hold a recapitulation test of the skills you've developed as part of basic training, followed by advanced simulations including leapfrogging, orbital deployment and strike maneuvers. Once a week, presumably on Wednesdays though there may be changes, you will report to Executive Officer Lorenzo in the briefing hall for lectures on more technical subjects, such as Framewerk systems and Cruxi." 

"Free time will be from 6 PM to 10 PM, during which you are authorized to use the gym and recreational areas. The recreational area includes a virtual reality console fitted with various shooting games, a library section and a silent room. Your accommodations will be in the pilot barracks, separate from the rest of the soldiers. There you can find manuals detailing the training program and the available facilities. Dismissed."[/color]

Ritsu then left the briefing hall, signalling that her presence was no longer needed. Lorenzo brought a pile of papers on the podium and started reading through them. Finally having time of their own, the pilots were free to either converse with each other or head off to relax and prepare for what was to come in their new life of being Framewerk pilots. Elora held her cheek as she wobbled out of the briefing hall, coughing a bit due to her throat being sore. She looked miserable, having just been witness to a horrific event.
[hr]
Once again, a transport shuttle landed on the rooftop of Solaire Base, and opened its metal doors. However, this time a girl arrived from it. [url=http://imgur.com/V9QVTYW]Lieutenant Ritsu[/url] didn't change her tone of speaking as she was there again to meet her, though, and had the same professionalism as always. The two entered the building, and walked towards the briefing hall and mess hall, where the other pilots most likely spread to by this point. 

[color=0054a6]"Cadet Camden, I am Lieutenant Ritsu, one of your commanding officers alongside Executive Officer Professor Lorenzo here in Solaire. As you know, you were transferred here as a replacement pilot of the Framewerk Project XJ9, which your previous facility should have now locked clearance of. Your Framewerk will be transferred here in a couple of weeks. You finished your pilot training a bit sooner than the others, so you'll have to work hard to catch up with the others. You will be integrated into Squad Sigma starting tomorrow, but you can already go and introduce yourself to the other Cadets. If you have any questions I will be available in my office for most of the day outside of VR. If I'm not available, ask either Squad Officer Reynolds or Junior Squad Officer Shinkai."[/color]