#pgr echo

Exekial: (Looks at Lee guiltily) Sorry, Lee. Alpha’s just easier to play, and her leap really takes some of the burden off the powercreep. (Turns back to pile of materials) On the bright side though, I don’t intend to leave you in the dust for too long. I’m gonna get you your Hyperreal frame and Liv her Empyrea frame.

Lee [Entropy]: (Scoffs) A waste of funds, if you ask me. Hyperreal’s already powercrept by Pyroath. (Frowns) And why are you getting Liv’s Empyrea frame? Wouldn’t she get hurt using it?

Exekial: Normally, yes, but remember? We’re outside the bounds of canon when it comes to gameplay. (Taps head) Liv won’t be harmed if she has Empyrea here. Also seeing as she’s the only Fire Amplifier in the game right now, I kinda need her to boost Lucia’s Pyroath capabilities.

Lee [Entropy]: (Wryly) Careful, Commandant, your favoritism is showing.

Exekial: Not at all. And as for Hyperreal, I just think you’re one of the better units to play. Your gameplay’s fun to use, and besides, this is the first time all of you will have the same element. I can’t pass up the thought of having a full Fire Gray Raven team now, can I?

Lee [Entropy]: Now you’re just trying to flatter us.

Exekial: (Shrugs) Flattery or not, it’s the truth. Although, if you’re truly worried about funds, don’t worry. I’m planning on getting your frames from the Selectors.

(Lee doesn’t say anything in response. He picks up one of the Memory Resonance Pick chips and examines it. That’s when he notices the corner filled with skulls. Lots and lots of skulls.)

Lee [Entropy]: Uhhh, Commandant? What is that?

(Exekial turns in the direction Lee is pointing towards. A sheepish expression comes across his face.)

Exekial: Oh, that. Well… (Scratches the back of his neck.) I might’ve tried to attempt Ultimate PPC.

(Lee blinks once. Twice.)

Lee [Entropy]: You what.

(Before Exekial can respond, the door to the lounge opens. Enter Lucia, Ayla, Watanabe, Alpha, and Alisa. All of them are in various beaten up states, with Watanabe having the least amount of scratches.)

Watanabe [Epitaph]: Hm. Well, that was quite a different experience than what I’m used to.

Lucia [Crimson Abyss]: Speak for yourself. Our team barely made the time limit for the last stage. (Begrudgingly jabs a thumb at Alisa.) As much as I hate to admit it, it’s only thanks to her that we managed to beat it at all.

Alisa [Echo]: (With Cecily hovering over her shoulder) I’m glad I can be of service.

Lucia [Crimson Abyss]: Tch.

Ayla [Kaleido]: We weren’t able to make the time limit of the last stage, but Lucia and I still managed to score high enough to get 20 black cards! (Holds the black cards up with a bright smile.)

Lucia [Plume]: (Comes up to Exekial with a solemn expression) Commandant, I request that we never do that ever again.

Exekial: (Rubs the back of his neck sheepishly) Sorry, Lucia. I should’ve known that this week wouldn’t be a good matchup of any of our abilities. But, on the bright side, I got enough skulls to SS your Pyroath frame!

(Lucia brightens at that. Alpha tsks and flicks vital fluid off her katana before sheathing it back into place.)

Lucia [Crimson Abyss]: If our business is done here, I’ll be heading back to my sister now.

Exekial: Alright, Alpha, take care. I’ll see you next week, yeah?

(Alpha only makes a vague gesture as she walks out of the lounge. Everyone watches as the door shuts forcefully behind her.)

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Wryly) Just as pleasant as the day I first met her.

Exekial: I’m assuming your battles went well, Watanabe?

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Scratches his chin) Well, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER and I did as well as we could’ve hoped, considering our enemy didn’t have reduced Fire resistance.

Lucia [Plume]: Speaking of, where is she?

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Shrugs) Not sure. She said something about “taking care of business” and disappeared. But I’m sure we’ll still see her around, at least until Lucia gets her new frame.

Lee [Entropy]: Commandant and I were just talking about that, actually.

Watanabe [Epitaph]: Lucia’s new frame?

Lee [Entropy]: Mm.

Ayla [Kaleido]: (Throws her arms around Lucia and nearly throws her off-balance) I can’t believe Lucia’s leaving me to handle the Ice Team all by myself! We’re already missing a Tank and now we’re losing our only Attacker T_T

Lucia [Plume]: (Sweatdrop) I won’t be leaving you all by yourself, Ayla. I’m sure Commandant has a plan so you aren’t left all alone.

Exekial: Indeed. (Taps terminal and brings up the blueprint of Wanshi’s new frame) HQ informed me that Wanshi’s new frame is coming out right before Lucia, but he’ll be in the dorm shop. I’ll have enough saved by then to grab him.

Ayla [Kaleido]: Oh! Well, if you say so, Commandant. (Lets Lucia go) But I’ll be holding you to your word!

Exekial: (Wryly) I wouldn’t expect anything less of you, Ayla.

Watanabe [Epitaph]: (Stretches and checks his pocketwatch) My comrades are probably getting worried about me, so I’ll have to head out for now. (Waves at Exekial) Same time next week?

Exekial: You know it.

Alisa [Echo]: I’ll take my leave as well. Supposedly there’s still another branch of Utopia that hasn’t been crushed yet. (Performs a complicated farewell salute) Until next week, Commandant.

Exekial: (Bewildered) Uh… sure. Until next week.

Ayla [Kaleido]: (Yawns and checks time) The WGAA probably wants me to finish that painting. Guess I’ll have to pull another all-nighter tonight. (Waves cheerily at Exekial) See you soon, Commandant!

(Everyone leaves one by one. Soon, all that’s left in the Gray Raven lounge is Exekial, Lee, and Lucia.)

Lucia [Plume]: Oh yeah, where’s Liv?

Lee [Entropy]: I think she went to the Science Council for something. Not sure what.

Exekial: She’ll be back before we know it. In the meantime though… (Rubs chin, absentmindedly staring at his office door) I need to take inventory of all the materials I still need for Pyroath. We’re running a bit low on Memory Enhancers and EXP Pods…

Lucia [Plume]: (Frowns) Can’t that wait until tomorrow? The bags under your eyes are rather dark, Commandant…

Exekial: Mm, maybe you’re right. It’s not like I have anything else to do while I wait for your banner anyways.

Lee [Entropy]: (Amused) Don’t forget it’ll still be another four months until it finally rolls around.

Exekial: Don’t remind me.

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