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Now you're sorry?

No. Instructor Dobermann said we could go at our own pace. I'm just a late bloomer!

Hah hah.

But I'm also worried she'll be disappointed in us...

Beagle, Kroos.....

Okay, seriously, don't be too hard on yourselves. We didn't make these tests so you could pass them. They're there to tell us what to work on.

Wow. It feels awful when a guy tells you straight to your face that he's better than you. And you can't even do anything about it!

It's the truth. There's a huge skill gap between you trainees and us instructors.

That's why we're your teachers. That's what we're here for.

And even if you haven't noticed it yourselves, you've made huge strides since you came to Rhodes Island.

...He's right.

Yeah... I guess he is.

And really, you girls are doing great. The instructors you went up against are all experts in your respective fields.

Do you have any idea how we got where we are? What we've been through?

No way...

Yes. Dobermann alone trained us.

Hard to believe as it may be, Dobermann today is a hundred times softer than she used to be.

Huh? Are we talking about the same Dobermann? She's soft?

That's not funny, Uncle Grace.

I'm not kidding.

Grace! My abuela runs up a mountain with a pack twice that size! You really can't handle some light jogging?

Fallon, you want the enemy to die laughing? Is that what you're going for with these clumsy slapstick attacks?

Tess, you falling asleep on me? Hold your gun straight! Don't let me out of your sights!

Viktor, the enemy doesn't give water breaks!

Leah, let's have you learn some basic first aid before you try healing Arts. This bandage work is as much of a mess as you are.

We're done for the day. Give me ten laps around the training room! You hear me?

Sir, yes, sir!

I can't hear you!

SIR, YES, SIR!

That bad, huh?

The point is still that Dobermann may not be the strongest fighter herself.... Hey, I'll toot my own horn and say I've got a 50/50 shot against her at this point.

Come on, cut the crap.

Hey, a little self-confidence is good for the soul.

Anyway, Dobermann may not be the strongest fighter around, but the tactics and strategies she pulled out of her time with the Bolívarian army are overpowering.

Bolívar....?

Yeah. Like the 'Bolívarian Civil War' you see on the news. That Bolívar. We all wonder exactly how Dobermann got to be as great as she is, but she never talks that much about her time in Bolívar.

Anyway, at the time, Rhodes Island was just getting going, and they really needed some talent. Then, how do I put this...

Dobermann was a real soldier back then.

What does that mean?

Like, we're all pretty awesome here at Rhodes Island, but our overall atmosphere is still really relaxed, right? We get to have our own lives.

Okay, let me put it this way. If you were with us back then, Kroos, you'd never end up napping in a utility closet. The thought wouldn't even cross your mind.

Huh? That sounds like hell.

You get what I'm saying? Dobermann's way different now.

Really. It's hard to imagine the person Instructor Grace is talking about is our Instructor Dobermann.

Yeah... Dobermann works us hard, and she's kind of scary, but once you get to know her, you can tell she really cares about us.

She always really cared about people. Even back then.

It's just, sometimes, what you do means more than why you do it.

All right, that's enough chatting for now. You girls pack up, go take a shower, have lunch, and get ready for the group training this afternoon.

What about you?

Me? I'm going to gather up the other teachers and we'll take your test results to Dobermann.

Oh, I can do that for you.

Really? You can?

Sure. We'll pass Instructor Dobermann's room on the way to the cafeteria.

Oh. I'll go too.

Um, I'll pass. I'm in no hurry to see Instructor Dobermann.

Thanks a lot, ladies.

Oh, and uh, don't tell Dobermann what I just told you. Ever.

Instructor Dobermann!

Oh? What are you two doing here?

We're bringing you some test results, and I guess some other information from Instructor Grace.

I passed!

Let's see here... Oh, good.

The others.... Kroos, Beagle, and Hibiscus didn't pass. Did Lava?

Sorry....

It's okay, you're making progress.

Go on back and tell Kroos to be ready for this afternoon.

Ahahahaha.

Go on. Rest up.

Okay!

Hey, Instructor Dobermann, are you cleaning your room?

Yes. I do so regularly.

Can I help you?

Huh? Why?

Um. Sometimes you want to give back to your teacher, you know?

Oh, I'll help too!

Er, unless we'd get in the way?

...No, not at all. I'm just a little surprised. I thought you were scared of me.

No way! I have a lot of respect for you, Instructor.

Me too!

All right. I'll take the help. Thanks.

Okay!

There's a lot more stuff in here than I expected...

Oh? Is that odd?

No. I just always thought of you as an instructor with a tidy room, the type who wouldn't keep a lot of stuff.

....I really didn't bring much with me when I first came to Rhodes Island.

But I've been living here for a few years now.

Oh, right. Instructor Dobermann joined Rhodes Island a long time ago?

Yes, compared to most operators. It's been a while.

Why did you join up, Instructor?

Oh, sorry. Is that a bad question?

No. It's just, now's not the time. We'll talk about it later.

Okay.

Are you curious too?

Eh? Yes... I am! I really want to know more about you, Instructor.

Know more about me... huh?

Heh.

Might as well start on the wardrobe...

Hey, Instructor Dobermann, is this a uniform?

Huh? Yes.

It's a souvenir I kept from my time in the Army.