Corporal Misuna Jiyang

"Seriously?" Hernamidos spat on the female commando. "You ordered Barracuda 2B48 to stand down?"

The orange-haired girl winced, rubbing her face.

"Answer me, Corporal Misuna Jiyang!" The General cracked his knuckles.

"Y-yes, General."

"And why exactly did you do that?"

Misuna shook with fear, avoiding eye contact with the General.

"Tell me!" Hernamidos stomped. "What damn good reason do you have to make our Federation look bad?"

"The targets weren't Vulpi," Misuna adjusted her red glasses. "I-I thought we were defending humans from the fox freaks. We're not supposed to kill humans, right?"

"Idiot!" Hernamidos slapped her again. "There were humans who kissed the feet of fox devils!"

"B-but..."

"No, buts! Do you remember your training simulations back at the Academy? I thought you're better than this, Corporal!"

"But the civilians in the simulation attacked us. The ones we're talking about didn't."

"Are you serious? They still worshiped the fox freaks! Dammit, Corporal. Please tell me you're joking. It sounds like you didn't learn anything from the Academy!"

Poor girl. Calice saw Hernamidos slap Misuna again. I feel bad for her, but I don't know if I should do anything.

She then saw shadows approaching from a hallway junction. Calice jolted away from the window to hide. She spotted Agent Dacos with two crusader droids walking past.

"Have you found her yet?" The psychic agent said to his earpiece.

Oh, it's that dumb guy, Calice observed.

"No? Double your search! Make sure all exits are sealed!" Dacos yelled. "Crazy! Now that Calice is gone, I need to find her before General Hernamidos yells at me again! Seriously, why does everyone yell at me? Does a single person appreciate my efforts here?"

The droids stared at him.

"Right," Dacos rolled his eyes. "You guys can't talk."

Once the three left, Calice ran back to the window.

"May I remind you, Corporal?" Hernamidos snapped a cigar into his mouth. "This isn't the first time this has happened! Do you know that? You are a real pain in the ass!"

Misuna rubbed her bruised face, shedding tears.

"I put up with you because you have the skill," The General took a puff of his cigar. "You and Corporal Liyan are the most talented of our Reaper Squad force. I worked my butt off to cover you from the Supreme Herald, remember?"

Misuna gave a tiny nod.

"Corporal Liyan," Hernamidos turned to the commando with spiraling goggles. "Will you please escort Corporal Jiyang to the simulation center?"

"W-what?" Misuna gasped. "No, please! I need to rest."

"We have to deal with this issue now, Corporal Jiyang," Hernamidos flicked his cigar into the trash can. "You need more time in the simulation until your mentality is fixed for combat."

"But I don't want to!" Misuna cried.

Should I help her? Calice hid, watching the commandos force Misuna across the hall. No way! I should not do that! But my parents told me those simulations would turn people into killers. What happens if she goes there?

"Let go of me!" Misuna demanded. "Kumiciel! Help me!"

"Misuna, this is for your good," The commando with spiraling goggles replied. "Hernamidos knows what's best for you."

"No, he doesn't!"

They approached a set of transparent doors. The other commando opened it while Kumiciel wrestled with Misuna.

"Please, Kumiciel!" Misuna begged in tears. "You promised you'd stay by my side!"

Kumiciel sighed and pointed at the other commando. "You, prepare a simulation capsule. We'll be right there."

The commando nodded, entering the room to set up the device.

"Kumiciel," Misuna hugged him.

"Hey, it's going to be alright," Kumiciel took off his helmet and goggles.

As Misuna cried onto Kumiciel's chest, Calice still debated whether she should help Misuna or not.

Maybe that Kumiciel guy will help her. Calice thought.

"Misuna," Kumiciel stroked her orange hair. "You will be fine. This is for your good. We are trying to help you."

"No, I don't want to go back," Misuna shook her head. "I can't kill people who did nothing to us."

"But Misuna, those people support the Vulpi."

"Still, they didn't harm us. It's not like in the simulations."

Kumiciel gave her a puzzled look. "Misuna, those who support the enemy need to be shot. It doesn't matter if they're human or Vulpi."

Misuna shook her head, not buying the logic.

"Look, Misuna," Kumiciel scratched his head. "I don't know what's wrong with you. But don't you see? We're on the right side! We are making a better world!"

"How do you know that?"

"We're ridding the world of crime! That means we are doing good in this world. Remember that time you were kidnapped by the Waxing Sickle?"

Misuna looked down. It wasn't a topic she liked to talk about.

"We saved you, and won't let that happen to anyone else in the world!"

"Then why can't we just kill the Vulpi only?"

"We told you! Some people support the fox freaks!"

"Not everyone."

"Come on. Hernamidos said we must teach those who help a fox devil a harsh lesson! We need to break eggs to make an omelet, right?"

"Please, I just don't want to go back into the simulation," Misuna changed the topic. "I can't right now."

"Come on," Kumiciel patted her shoulder. "I'm sure the simulation will help you get back in shape. I can go into the simulation with you if you like."

"No, Kumiciel. I don't want to go," Misuna pushed his arm away. "I'm not in the mood to kill right now. I don't know if I'm even fit to be a commando anymore."

"Why? Then, tell me where would you go?" Kumiciel yelled. "What if you get kidnapped again? Especially by another fox demon!"

Misuna couldn't answer. She didn't know where she would be without the Reaper Squad.

"That's what I thought," Kumiciel dragged her by the shoulder. "I'm doing this for you. I promise the simulation will help you get back in shape!"

"Stop it!" She wrestled with him. "I said no! Do you care about me?"

"I-I do, but we must follow Hernamidos' orders."

"Is that more important than me?"

"W-well..." Kumiciel stuttered.

"Do you care about how I feel?"

"Y-yeah, but we'll get in trouble if we don't-"

"So you care about not getting in trouble more than helping me?"

Kumiciel was silent.

"M-Misuna, I'm so sorry," Kumiciel punched her on the head.

Misuna fell unconscious as Kumiciel carried her into the simulation center.

What a terrible boyfriend! He doesn't care about her at all. Calice clenched her fist. Should I help Misuna?

She looked through a window of the simulation room. Kumiciel and the other commando opened one of the cylindrical capsules and placed Misuna inside.

Come on. I'm a social worker! Patient care comes first, right? I'm sure Shien would help Misuna if he was here!

"All systems are operational," The other commando closed the device.

As the two commandos pressed buttons into the computers, Calice snuck behind them.

Their capes are immune to superpowers, so I'll stun them by hitting their heads. Calice extended a palm, blasting thunderbolts.

Kumiciel and the other soldier were caught off guard as the lightning shocked their heads and knocked them unconscious. Calice frantically pressed buttons on the controls until the capsule opened.

"Are you okay?" Calice shook Misuuna.

She was still unconscious.

Misuna, I don't think you will be happy if you stay with the Reaper Squad. These people are unsupportive of you.

Calice carried Misuna on her back.

I'm sure Shien would do the same. Calice smiled. After all, that shortie was my inspiration to be a social worker. Alright, time to get out of here.

She ran out of the hallway in search of the hangar.