Even before entering the room, Sigma knew this was going to be harsh. At first, the situation at the briefing was quite. But before long, it erupted in a storm. Lorenzo spared no vitriol for anyone, as he carefully dissected each one of the pilots. Still, verbal abuse was still much better than being physically beaten to a pulp. Or for the matter strapped to an operating table.

One by one, the pilots were put in Lorenzo's sights, which wielded words like a Cruxi energy weapon. Although, for some, stealth commendations were given, as if to lessen the brunt of the blow. Sigma didn't need to hear what Lorenzo would said. She had thought herself too arrogant, and too cocky, and she had paid the price by being almost instantly incapacitated. 

Still, she felt a knot in her chest when Elora was given a first front view of Lorenzo's disappointed visage. She clenched her first so slightly. The girl was fourteen, like her and her sisters. And unlike her and the Homunculus project, she probably had little training in that regard. [i]Tighten a wire too much, and it will snap.[/i] Those were the words that came to her mind. 

Buehl, for all his attitude also got a real chewing, but Sigma had an inkling he might be one of the officer candidates on Lorenzo's mind. Simply because, technically speaking, he had been an officer before. Sometimes you had to play safe. 

And then her turn came. Lorenzo stated the obvious. Sniping targets had been the reasonable, efficient solution and she had pulled that stunt because she thought she was better than she really was. Her emotions had clouded her judgement. She bit her lip and endured the chewing, her fists tightly knit into balls until a word escaped his lips. [i]Irina.[/i] Years of training had left quite a reflex on the clone pilot and upon hearing said word, Sigma literally blanched and relaxed her fists, shaking so slightly.

"I apologize for my unsightly behaviour, sir." She pieced together.

[i]Will I be discarded?[/i] She thought to herself. [i]No, he would have done it already if such a thing was meant to be. He would've executed me on the spot and replaced me, instead of chewing me.[/i] A small, self-deluded consolation, but better than nothing.

The following two, Romanova and Shinkai also got a chewing. The latter one specially, which made Sigma suspect Shinkai could also be an officer candidate. [i]Better than Buer, If I had to give a say.[/i] She added mentally, as the XO kept talking about. Roger was called a retard. Sigma wondered that if Lorenzo didn't send him into checkups promptly, the retarded pilot Rooney would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The final member, the one with the edgy nickname, Zero also got some chewing and commendation. He could probably the one officer too.

And then Sigma's trail of thought was interrupted by the magical thought of parfait. So creamy, cold, and thick and sweet. The ambrosia of the gods after a battle. Losing control of her mouth, droplets of saliva began to make their way out of the corner of her mouth, before, in a mighty display of self control, the young pilot wiped the drool with the sleeve, before advancing towards Elora.

"Per Aspera ad Astra" She whispered in her ear with a little hug, thinking the thought might cheer her up. But she was completely oblivous wether Elora would get Sigma's meaning or not. Social knowhows still escaped the grasp of the silver haired girl. And she didn't look like the only one. She heard about new cadets, and one of them sounded particulary dispassionate.

[i]It's as if she is like one of us. I have a bad feeling...[/i] She cringed inwardly. It made her remember something, before remembering something she had to do.

No, something she owed. She had to ask, and know. She hesitated at first. Words failed to form once. Twice.

"Um...sir? I...wish...to ask, what is the status of the rival pilots?" She finally blurted out, shivering slightly.