2 Days Later,

1st July 2043

Basement 3, R&D Facility 5,

Restricted Sector, Genaco Compound.

Suzuki and the rest of the Gladiator Trainees sat in a small conference room with several Full-Body Virtual Drives stacked horizontally across its walls. Across from the trainees stood Akarai Seki, who adjusted his glasses and regarded them sternly.

"First, I would like to commend you on your training this past week," Akari praised the nervous youths. "We have been paying attention to your planning and willingness to work together. Your decisions over the past week will reflect positively on your final assessment regardless of your mission's outcome."

The screen behind Akari turned on, revealing a top-down geographical layout of the mission's mountain range. Pulling up a picture of General Cassia next to the map, Akari said, "As you already know, your mission is to eliminate this General. What we have not told you is why." Akari glanced at every trainee pilot and then said, "Gladiator pilots are bountiful, but those capable of piloting Centurions are few and far between. Every Centurion pilot killed is a massive bonus to the overall war effort. In the setting of this mission, the alien invading force have a few Centurion pilots decimating Terra's local forces. The intelligence lucked out on finding this Centurion pilot tasked with securing the transportation of some sensitive materials. While we welcome any intel on the materials, your priority is only to eliminate Cassia. Are there any questions?"

Suzuki raised his hand and, when prompted, asked, "If the orbital elevator plays a considerable role in transporting these materials, are there any repercussions for blowing it up?"

Akari's eyes narrowed. "The orbital elevator is a multi-layered structure with foundations hundreds of meters deep. The foundations hold considerable weight, but a connected space-station orbiting Terra jointly supports the structure. In case of a breakage, the station sports powerful thrusters that can resist Terra's gravity. Blowing up a section of the elevator will not topple it if that's what you're thinking. At most, it will render it inoperable for a day or two while they perform repairs. So, no. I do not advise wasting resources to destroy the elevator. But to answer your real question, we might consider adding or removing some points depending on how any action affects the mission and its world."

"Understood." A dark light shone in Suzuki's eyes, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

Akari switched the camera to show a massive VTOL. "As per your leaders' recommendations, you will be transported via a single VTOL. They will also be responsible for your extraction, so plan accordingly. If there are no further questions, please enter the Full Drives so the assessment may begin. Taiga, and Minako, you both are exempted."

"Ah, and here I thought I'd sneak through," Taiga chuckled. He and Saeko remained in their seats while the rest walked over to the Full-Body Virtual Drives. All except Suzuki, who curiously walked over to crouch in front of Taiga and Saeko. Taiga's eyes brightened with apparent intrigue. Leaning forward, he whispered, "Hoho, I smell a conspiracy. What's going on in that devious mind, Suzu-tan?"

Suzuki coldly looked at both deviants and asked, "How much do you have in your accounts?"

"Oh my, what crazy plan are you thinking this time." Taiga's smile widened, mischief written all over his face. Without another word, he yanked out his phone and checked his account. "I've got just over 250 million Yen, but only 68 available. Why?"

Suzuki looked at Saeko, who nodded and said, "About the same available for me. Why?"

Suzuki frowned as he took out his phone and searched for something, his brows relaxing somewhat when he found it. "Just about enough," whispered Suzuki in relief. He then looked at the aberrants and asked, "Do you trust me?"

"To show me a fun time? Absolutely!" Taiga grabbed the younger man's shoulder. "You're gonna do something interesting, aren't you?"

"Perhaps. I have something in mind, but it's risky... and very expensive."

Taiga grinned. "How much do you need?"

"Everything you have." Suzuki's replied with fierce eyes. He then glanced at Saeko and said, "It'll only matter if you also send me everything you have; otherwise, forget I said anything."

"Hey. Hey. Please do it. Give it." Taiga repeatedly nudged Saeko, but she swatted his hand away with a glare.

Saeko observed Suzuki's calm eyes. Knowing they had little time, she asked, "I only have two questions. What are your projected chances of success, and is this a loan or not?"

"40-70% chance of success." Suzuki noticed everyone had entered their Full Drives and sped up his explanation. "Few extenuating circumstances can wildly swing the chances of success either way. Secondly, this is a loan. Genaco requires us to use our money to purchase loadouts. They would not do that without amply rewarding us upon completing the mission."

"Mato-kun, get in your Drive."

Suzuki looked over his shoulder at Akari, who towered over him. "Yes, Sir." Then, looking at Taiga and Saeko, he said, "Whatever you decide, I'll understand." With those words, he stood up and quickly walked to his Full Drive.

As the capsule closed over Suzuki, Taiga shared a look with Saeko. The silver devil's tempting grin shattered whatever apprehensions Saeko had left. They flipped out their phones and quickly inputted some commands. Almost instantaneously, Akari received a transmission.

'Sir! We detected massive transactions from the disqualified trainees to Mato Suzuki. Should we block it?'

"Seki, don't you dare block it."

Akari looked at the glaring Taiga. "I never planned to. Your team deserves at least that much compensation after getting rid of their two heaviest hitters. Don't worry. No matter the outcome, you two will get your money back."

"Nah, then it'll not be a bet," refused Taiga with a defiant grin. "I'm betting everything that kid'll shock you silly."

Akari shook his head with pity in his eyes. "There is no chance. This test is designed to teach the participants about despair. They will not succeed."

"Seki-tan, if there's one thing I've learned, never underestimate that kid's madness." Taiga laughed as he pointed at the screen. "We can argue forever. Let's see who he proves right."

"Fine," Akari acquiesced and then said as he pulled a chair next to the duo. "I'll take your bet. If Mato-kun loses, you must return to the De-sync chamber for a month."

Taiga's smile momentarily dimmed, but he quickly shook his head and slapped Akari's shoulder. "Just cause I play a vampire doesn't mean I want to live like one in real life. But, fine, I'll take you up on your bet. If we win, you'll start prepping it."

Akari's gaze turned grave. "We can't. You know the risks more than—"

"That's why it's a bet," replied Taiga with a slight chuckle. "I know you won't do it otherwise."

Akari looked past Taiga to Saeko, whose brows were tightly bunched. "Is it because of her?"

"Maybe. Does it matter?" Taiga's twinkling eyes caused Akari to frown in frustration.

"No. I suppose it doesn't. Whatever the reason, you have no chance of winning." Akari shrugged and then focused on the screen, ignoring the unruly young man.

Taiga, meanwhile, looked at the still-frowning Saeko and teased with a small smile, "This isn't like you. You should say something if you want to. Bottling things up will give you constipation."

Saeko's frown deepened, and she turned to glare at the young man. "When were you going to tell me? How bad is it?"

"Hehe, I'm telling you now, aren't I?" Taiga shrugged and added with a wry grin, "It's not as bad as you think—just a few nosebleeds here and there. As long as I don't stress my brain, I've still got at least a few years left."

Saeko buried her head in her hands as she felt a deep sense of shame and guilt wash over her. Tears streaming down her face, she whispered, "I'm sorry; if it wasn't for me. All of you; none of this would have happened."

"Pfft. Is that what you think?" Taiga laughed as he raised Saeko's chin. "If it weren't for you, I would've died in a pit somewhere, never knowing what it was like to have lived. Henri and the others, too; the experiences we had here, even as fucked up as they were, were a million times better than the futures that awaited us." Taiga glanced at Seki. "Same goes for you, Seki. I still don't really know the full story, but by now, I've figured out that everything we went through was for something greater. Because of us, you learned how to enhance Suzu and the others, and it's all leading to some grand conclusion. Fuck knows what that is, and if I'll even live to see it, but one thing no one can deny is that our lives had meaning. For trash from a dung heap, that alone's worth the price of admission, wouldn't you say?"

Akari's face remained stoic, his emotions hidden behind a mask of calm. "What was it you said? I had no choice because it was a bet?" Standing up, he sighed and proposed, "Let's add a clause to the bet. If you win, I'll explain everything to the trainees; consequences be damned."

Taiga's lips twitched as he watched Akari walk toward the exit. "Are you sure that's alright? Don't you need to clear something like that with the higher-ups?"

Akari paused at the open door. "I've given over twenty years to this company. I've earned the right to be a little willful. Besides, you're, going to lose, so I have nothing to worry about."

As the door shut behind Akari, Taiga chuckled as he pulled Saeko close. "Come on, no more crying. Let's support the kids." With those words, he focused on the screen, which depicted the interior of a VTOL.

***

The back of the dropship was dark and cramped, illuminated only by the dim red lights overhead. Twenty-odd Gladiators huddled together, their operatives' faces etched with tension and determination as they prepared for their mission. At the very back, Ayumi, whose hair was securely tied in a bun, held her helmet in her hand as she addressed the trainees.

"Alright, everyone, this is it." Ayumi matched every trainee's gaze, her confidence reassuring each of them. "This is what we've leaked blood, sweat and tears for this past week—what we suffered Taiga's abuse for." Light laughter rippled through the cabin. Ayumi waited for the din to die, then continued, "I know Genaco has billed this as some competition between our squads. But, at the very least, we are comrades on the same mission. Put aside all notions of competition. Protect the back of your teammates, and believe in their conviction to protect yours. We will emerge victorious as long as we stick together and stick to the plan. Everything afterwards, we will leave to Genaco to decide. Are we in agreement?"

"This whole thing sounds like a pain," Kimuri sighed as he spat out the thistle and put on his helmet. "But, I will trust you guys this once." With those words, he balled his fist and struck his chest twice.

BOOM! BOOM! The other trainees mimicked his action and then also put on their helmets.

'Thirty seconds to the first drop!"

The pilot's loud announcement prompted Ayumi to put on her helmet. "Communication Team, get in position!"

Four Gladiators consisting of two Sentinels, one Berserker and a Stalker moved to the back of the dropship. The Berserker took the lead as the back of the dropship opened. The immediate sounds of the rushing wind drowned out all sounds as the dropping pressure sucked the air out of the cabin. Fortunately, the Gladiator's magboots kept their balance.

Ayumi looked at the time on her HUD: 2220 hours, and then looked at Akiyo, who wore the Berserker. "Remember, you have until 2250 hours. We cannot risk the enemy intercepting our communications, so the rest of us will begin on the presumption you've succeeded."

Akiyo nodded. "Just keep your comms open. We'll send a signal once we're done." With those words, she led the four Gladiators to the edge and peered into the night sky. Outside, the darkness was absolute, punctuated only by the occasional flashes of lightning in the distance.

Among the four, Jade, in her purple-black Sentinel suit, took a deep breath and steadied herself, the roar of the engines and the whipping wind making it hard to hear her thoughts. She knew the stakes were incredibly high for this covert mission, and the success depended on her ability to complete it undetected. She double-checked her equipment: one RDK unit; one Level-5 hacking kit; one 10-drone module; two super satellite communicators; one EMP for an emergency, and finally, two Gauss pistols. The pistols fired metal projectiles using magnetic fields rather than gunpowder or plasma. She chose this weapon because it was silent and highly accurate, although it required brief charging periods between shots.

After ensuring all her gear worked, Jade looked around at her team. Though she could not see their faces, their stiff postures belayed their focus on what lay ahead. With a nod from Akiyo, Jade knew it was time. She took one last deep breath and then pushed off the edge of the dropship, hurtling towards the distant mountains at breakneck speed. As she fell, adrenaline pumping through her veins, Jade threw away all stray thoughts, knowing that success was the only option.

Aboard the dropship, Suzuki, who inconspicuously occupied a corner, whispered as he watched Jade disappear from view, "Good luck."