View source for 2022-02-01: Wiping Out

{{Cutscene
|cast=Leina Ashta, Shuffle NPCs
|location=Shuffle Combat Training Facility - Location Unknown
|summary=Riding the Wave doesn't work out...
|date=2022-02-01
|plot=Spiral of Encounters
}}
{{PhaseAndTurn
|phase=1
|turn=2
}}
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"Her alignment test results are remarkable... her waves are in perfect synch." Several Shuffle scientists and technicians conferred in the booth. Laying within a chair in a relaxed pose, hands laced over her stomach and eyes closed was a girl whose curly hair was parted by the presence of a metallic, wired headband.
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One of them pressed a button, and asked on a PA, "Ms. Ashta. Are you able to visualize a target in the adjacent room?" The girl nodded simply, giving no other affirmative indication. "Just imagine what you're feeling as an extension of yourself - and let it rise, as if you were lifting an extra limb."
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In the next room, a safe, beam shielded room, the test funnel rose, its thrusters moving to compensate, and rebalance to suspend itself in the air.
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"Now - strike the target."
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"...  ride the wave..." The girl murmured to herself, right as she focused on doing just that.
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-=-=-
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"Waves still erratic-!" "Shut it down!" "What the hell happened!?"
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The entirely self contained firing range still had a funnel clattering about as it smashed repeatedly against the walls, the entire room scored with wisps of smoke from beamfire at the lowest possible power setting.
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"Don't take the headset off yet! Wait until we clear all the steps of the safety protocols!"
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Hands at the headset, her whole body trembling, she tried to ride it out.
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... It was difficult to do, with her mind in two places all at once, two times at once.
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She'd been advised to ride the wave, she wasn't told what to do when she wiped out.
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-=-=-
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"I don't know how to put this Ms. Ashta... but we found no error in our systems, and your waves aligned as perfectly as we've ever seen. There's no reason that you shouldn't be able to do this."
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Leina was quiet, saying nothing, her entire being feeling like it was barely there.
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"We'd like to recommend a psychiatric evaluat-" "Don't bother." Leina interrupts, "I just can't do it. ... I'd like to keep my records private for this. Please don't inform Heart-2 of the results."
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"... You are technically of age. However she sent you here for combat training, and has requested to review all results. You're certain?"
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"... yes..."
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The man allowed a heavy sigh, "Very well.  I'm still recommending to command you be taken off combat duty until a full psychiatric evaluation is conducted and you're cleared."
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The abstracted look in her green eyes faded as she instantly snapped to attention, "What!? Why?"
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"Although your performance in both the simulator and the field are stellar for the short amount of time you've been on active duty... while evaluating your mobile suit, we found that it's equipped with a late model Bio-Sensor. Were you aware of this?" Leina looked briefly surprised but shook her head as he continued, "A type Anaheim only developed for Neo-Zeon. Given its nature as a pseudo-psycommu system, we're concerned about potential... side-effects, given the results of your recent test."
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"There haven't been any." Leina told him evenly, recovering from the initial surprise. "As far as I can tell there hasn't been any reaction at all."
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"... It is, reacting, according to the diagnostics we've performed and your suit's logs." Leina looked startled, but then questioned further, "But nothing erratic?" More hesitation, "... Well... not as of yet, I still hold my reservations."
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"Then they can remain reservations." She told him stubbornly, "I have no desire to utilize more advanced Newtype Tech than what's already in my mobile suit, so there's no reason to take me off active duty. I only agreed to this in the first place because it was standard testing for a Newtype on active combat duty."
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The man rubbed his forehead, seeming stressed yet unmoved, "... Ms. Ashta. I can seal the results of the test so long as you have no desire to utilize proper Psycommu systems in combat but ultimately I have to make prudent recommendations up the chain of command. I can't stress the potential danger enough-"
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"If I agreed to a private psychiatric evaluation, would you be willing to recommend I remain on active duty?" He looked hesitant until she added, "I've utilized this mobile suit for a number of missions - including one that caused great personal distress without experiencing any erratic behavior whatsoever."
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The man was silent, pensive for a time, then...
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"... I'd like you to start immediately. If after three sessions, you're given the green light to continue, it'll be as you say. And you will continue with them afterwards."
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"Agreed." She replies, relief flooding her.
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She had told Sayla she wanted to do this right and she did. However... going off combat duty at the moment was something she couldn't abide right now.
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She didn't need anything like funnels or a psychoframe to protect the people she cared about.