The Away Mission Test: Part 8

Summary
''Osamu finds a work-around to his trion emergency. Meanwhile, the executives discuss the special assignment submissions, emphasizing Somei's remarkably spot-on answer. At the end of Day 1, current rankings for Phase 1 are released, with Suwa Squad in last place.''

Long Summary
Osamu's computer suddenly turns off, which Katori scolds him for. Madoka reassures him that if it was actually broken, he would receive a replacement. Suwa believes that Osamu is out of trion: Osamu tests this by failing to charge the ship, confirming the theory. Suwa explains that Osamu has used the recharge panel twice, which depleted his reserves. Katori berates Osamu about being careless, but he is reminded of her hypocrisy. Suwa tells Osamu not to worry, as the others will be powering the ship from now on. When Katori prods Osamu about his derailed assignments, Osamu decides to work on the assignments by hand before inputting answers later, earning praise from Oki and Ui for his quick-thinking.

In the Selection Test Control Room, the executives have received all special assignment submissions. Netsuki is astounded by Ikoma's response, but Kido shifts attention to the brainstorming process behind these answers; several agents suspected management to be testing for future leadership roles, while Somei and Ōji inferred that they are collecting long-term data for Border. Netsuki brings up the former's thought process, who, having been prompted by Kitazoe, reasoned that the squads were shuffled to force already-seasoned agents to utilize their learned experiences in a controlled environment, simulating the advancement to B-rank and aiding the future creation of squads in ways a standard military-recruit approach couldn't. This would also teach A-rank agents how to properly evaluate their underlings. Although neither Ōji nor Somei submitted their speculations, with ample time to talk, Somei could expand on her remarkably accurate inference in ways agents like Kitora could not. The executives mull over putting her up for an executive position. Hyuse and Yūma's responses, proactive speakers, and Osamu's quick-fix were all awarded points from the judges. In the end, only what was submitted would be graded.

At 7pm, the assignment files are locked. Day 1 scores are sent out to team captains, with Suwa's Squad 7 in 11th place.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics are seen only briefly and have yet to make a proper appearance.
 * Yōko Katori
 * Osamu Mikumo
 * Madoka Ui
 * Kōtarō Suwa
 * Kōji Oki
 * Eizō Netsuki
 * Masafumi Shinoda
 * Katsumi Karasawa
 * Tatsuhito Ikoma (mentioned)
 * Masamune Kido
 * Sumiharu Inukai (mentioned)
 * Takuma Yuba (mentioned)
 * Shōhei Kodera (mentioned)
 * Kōtarō Suwa (mentioned)
 * Masataka Ninomiya (mentioned)
 * Tetsuji Arafune (mentioned)
 * Kazuki Kurauchi (mentioned)
 * Shinji Fuyushima (mentioned)
 * Risa Maki (mentioned)
 * Haruka Ayatsuji (mentioned)
 * Reiji Kizaki (mentioned)
 * Yuri Rindō (mentioned)
 * Kazuaki Ōji (mentioned)
 * Hana Somei (mentioned)
 * Isami Tōma (mentioned)
 * Jun Arashiyama (mentioned)
 * Mitsuru Tokieda (mentioned)
 * Kyōsuke Karasuma (mentioned)
 * Yūichi Jin (mentioned)
 * Hiro Kitazoe (flashback)
 * Hana Somei (flashback)
 * Kazuto Tonooka (flashback)
 * Kai Minamisawa (flashback)
 * Shirō Kikuchihara (flashback)
 * Ai Kitora (mentioned)
 * Hyuse (mentioned)
 * Yūma Kuga (mentioned)
 * Michael Cronin (mentioned)
 * Kirie Konami (mentioned)
 * Ken Satori (mentioned)

Triggers in Order of Appearance
None appear over the course of this Chapter.