The Away Mission Test: Part 6

Summary
''Suwa's Squad 7 explores the facility, deducing exam mechanics and deciding on the day's night shift. While they are working on the questionnaire, they receive a Special Assignment.''

Long Summary
Suwa directs his squad to inspect the facility. They discover there are 2 locked doors (one of which is later revealed to be the operator room), a bedroom with 1 bed, a bedroom with 2 beds, a toilet, shower, changing room, washroom, kitchen, and a workspace with 5 desks. In the workspace there is a capsule bed in which every member must use at least once. In the kitchen almost everything is powered by trion aside from the fridge, which Suwa points out is electrical to avoid spoilage. The group learns there is a food shortage problem, but Osamu discovers there is a flour, sugar, and salt dispenser, which Madoka realizes can be used to make bread.



The squad then moves on to the test. Phase 1 has 3 rules: complete the provided assignments, survive for 7 days, and employ trion bodies from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. There are 2 types of assignments: "delegated" and "universal". Universal assignments are 400 problems per person that they all must solve, while delegated assignments are 1000 assignments split between the group in no particular order. They also learn they can only solve problems from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. Suwa deduces that the universal tests test the personalities and preferences, while the delegated tests test how well he makes use of the squad. The universal problems are required for completion, whereas the delegated ones aren't. Katori remarks that she isn't trying to get onto the away team, in which Osamu responds lightheartedly, resulting in Katori's humorless affirmation that she will only go with her squad. Suwa is confident Katori wouldn't be chosen for the Away team even if she qualified.

Suwa tells them about 2 other tasks: the unknown special assignments, and the battle simulation which appears to be an online game competing against other squads. Katori believes the battle exercise is the part where squads can truly pull ahead, to which Suwa agrees. Madoka learns there is a special nighttime room for operators where they must write a report on the day's events. Katori is disappointed, since she also wants a private room. Suwa explains the communal work laptops use trion, so the ones in the operator room ensure enough time to type. The squad then delegates the sleeping schedule after Osamu notices the capsule bed requirement. Once that is all done they begin their assignments, which cover subjects of varying difficulty, including heavy memorization and psych tests. At 10:40 A.M., they get their first special assignment.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Characters in italics are seen only briefly and have yet to make a proper appearance.
 * Kōtarō Suwa
 * Osamu Mikumo
 * Kōji Oki
 * Yōko Katori
 * Madoka Ui
 * Katori Squad (mentioned)

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