liskam

I passed all of Blacksteel's operator evaluations fair and square, and I got As in almost all the categories, so that makes me half an honor student too, doesn't it?

I've more than proven myself, but why are the higher-ups are so antsy about keeping me in check? They even went through all that HR nightmare just to have the two of us buddy up.

You should've filed your grievances before the mission if you were going to complain.

I have no doubt you are more than capable. It's part of the basics to get a good grasp of your partner's abilities, after all.

Hmph.

Which is why I would appreciate it if you would understand that, based on the results of our evaluations alone, there is a 1% difference between you and me.

See? You got a 1% difference because of how uptight you are.

I mean, how uptight do you have to be to lay out your plans on the battlefield down to the second?

Let's just say I wanted to do the pointless work, then.

However, know that I drew these conclusions by analyzing and simulating all the courses of action we could take, and I've also taken into account all unexpected situations we could find ourselves in.

Do you think my cautiousness is a bad thing?

I'm not saying it's a bad thing.

It's a pain in the ass, though.

You—

Both of us can access each other's files, Liskarm.

And I know how you got your teammates hurt because there were problems with your command.

Are you sure those teammates didn't make those mistakes because they relied on that cautiousness of yours a little too much?

Likewise, your obsession with acting on your own and your lack of concern for your teammates' safety when you strayed into enemy territory were also recorded in the files.

Surely you haven't forgotten about that?

Hah.

I hate to admit it, but we're both alive and kicking and right in front of each other. Don't you think it's funny that we're basing our image of each other on some silly rumors and data?

That's why I would prefer it if you could at least try to understand the concerns of your fellow teammates.

You need to understand just how haphazard it is to take on all the dangers yourself. I am sure you've already learned about this the hard way multiple times.

Are you worried about me?

I...

Right... I suppose I am.

For the time being, we are partners.

Partners, huh...?

I think the longest that a duo has stuck together with each other at Blacksteel was only, what, four years?

They change our posts often to make sure we get used to a wider variety of environments and circumstances.

Though Janet has also said that both you and I are too quirky, so it's hard for us to find suitable partners.

And to prove that we'd work well together as a team, she said she'd give us enough time to get used to working with each other.

Considering how we've already wasted much of our time on this needless debate, I can already imagine how long it'll take before we tolerate each other.

*Sigh*... It's only my first mission, but my evaluation will likely take a huge hit.

My performance evaluation—

Hehe... This isn't that bad either, is it?

I mean, the way you do all your homework beforehand is kinda extreme, but it's not a bad thing to take precautions.

If you can manage to predict even some of my so-called out-of-line actions, that might actually be a huge improvement to both of us.

We'll see if you're worth the extra effort, then.

Likewise, Franka, it's true that I wasn't able to prevent my teammates from getting injured with my calculations.

I admit I still have a long way to go.

Keeping your sense of responsibility in check is a means to keep a cooler head.

Oh, don't worry. If we really do hit it off with each other, I could help poke holes in those mission plans of yours in actual combat.

Feel free to keep bluffing.

Do show me how you would relieve yourself of your sense of responsibility and keep your cool during combat.

Heh, well don't you blink for even a moment then.

*Cough*... *cough*. Are you okay, Liskarm?!

I-I'm okay...

Well, I didn't expect you to actually have a few more tricks up your sleeve.

What's this now? Some kind of last-gasp attack bordering on cutting your tail off?

This is nothing as scary as that... *Sigh*...

This is just... a last-ditch effort... to clean up your mess.

I'm pretty sure I am the one cleaning somebody's mess here.

And here I thought you had the battlefield so under control, you had everything figured out down to the second, but looks like you're just another dummy who can't keep herself from electrocuting everything when things get hairy.

You could at least stop mocking me when I'm so exhausted.

Either bring me back so I can get some rest there, or just leave me alone and give me some peace and quiet...

What's the matter, Franka...?

Hey, Franka? Are you taking me with you or not?

You're leaving me behind in a battlefield?!

Hm, I thought you couldn't move even a bit?

Of course I can. Do you really think that much could wear me out?

Hmph... Well, in that case, I guess I can torment you however I want?

Wait, what are you doing...? Don't touch my hair!

I'm definitely going to talk to Dr. Longfellow tomorrow. I'll tell her all about this and have her call off this dreaded team-up—

Yeah, I'd like to see you try.

Need I remind you just how much Janet loves me?

(*Sigh*, why do I remember all this down to the details?)

Liskarm, are you mad?

I'm sorry. I'll try to get them to calm down too.

Don't worry. I get it too. This is just a normal patrol and recon mission.

W-We aren't trying to give you a hard time, Captain Liskarm. Sorry...

I mean, all of us really respect how Blacksteel does things. How strict they are, how they emphasize safety and whatnot, but that's just out of our reach...

I've actually finished reading that guidebook, you know! I mean, you gave it to us. How could I not? You mentioned all of my weaknesses in the book, and I really tried to memorize it all! It's just... getting everything memorized isn't my forte...

Yeah, I thought this would happen.

Huh?

As I've been trying to say, I'm not really as inflexible as you're making me out to be. Things aren't set in stone just because I'm in charge of this mission.

Here is the actual pre-operation handbook. It'll only take you a minute to remember everything.

I also considered the likelihood of us coming across apple trees and the fact that apples are currently in season, and set aside twenty minutes for us to pick apples.

I have a few gathering tools tucked away in my bag as well...

N-Nice!

That being the case, we still have to bring our mission to a successful conclusion. Is that understood?

Hehe, just what I wanted to hear! Wait till we're done making our desserts! We'll give you the biggest portion!

I didn't mention anything about my penchant for desserts... Ahem, anyway, listen up for the next minute!

Roger that!

(Liskarm has actually given some thought to the things that everyone else on the team has in mind.)

(Here I was thinking I had to work with her and play the role of a steadfast Blacksteel mercenary. Was I overthinking it?)

(Franka even told me, 'When Liskarm's leading a team by herself, things are bound to run off the rails if there's even a single mischievous person on the team. You gotta stand on her side...')

(Whispers) Vanilla, is Captain Liskarm actually the type who likes a wily team?

I thought she'd be so mad after we made that ruckus, but it looks like... she's not that mad... and she's not letting off sparks or anything?

We heard Liskarm's just as unreasonable and cold as the rumors make her out to be, that she's a true professional who has absolutely no personal feelings.

Well, I can vouch for her professionalism.

Hm...

And she also doesn't get mad even if you pretend to be difficult, although that doesn't mean she likes it either.

Liskarm is a professional who can tolerate even Franka's nonsensical personality.

I don't really think any of you are unreasonable. I'm sure she feels the same way too.

Did you guys... get pranked by someone maybe?

Ahaha... Well...

H-Hahaha, there's no way I would ever be bamboozled like that!

Wait, hold on. Now that you mention it, is it possible that she saw our whole putting on an act plan coming?

Wait a minute. Perhaps she did it on purpose, trying to get us to make a fool of ourselves.