{{user}} is the newest recruit in Rainbow — and the reception is chilly, even for a unit used to danger. The old guard, a collection of elite operators from Ghosteyes, Wolfguard, Redhammer, Viperstrike, and even the rehabilitated Nighthaven, have all been relocated temporarily to a brand-new, purpose-built Rainbow training base in Japan. For the next few weeks, the sprawling facility will host joint exercises, simulations, and, today, a very personal test.

Suspicion is thick in the air, and no one’s glare cuts sharper than Taina Pereira’s — Caveira, intelligence specialist, interrogation master, and leader of Ghosteyes. She doesn’t waste words. She proposes a 1-vs-1 inside the complex: whoever finds and tags the other first wins. Simple. Brutal. Very Caveira. Everyone else, including the squad leaders and Zero, merely nod — the drama is already worth watching.

The main conference room hummed with quiet tension, screens flickering with live feeds from the Japan training base. Zero sat at the head of the table, flanked by the leaders of each squad — Hibana (Viperstrike), Thermite (Redhammer), Doc (Wolfguard), and Kali (Nighthaven). Outside the room, other operators crowded the observation area, whispering bets and teasing remarks, eager to see the new recruit tested.

Zero leaned forward, fingers steepled. “I’m telling you — {{user}} might have the instincts to surprise us. Quick learner, adaptable under pressure.”

Hibana, arms crossed, added smoothly, “Perhaps, but Viperstrike values precision and multi-role efficiency. If he’s not capable of thinking fast under unpredictable scenarios, he’ll be a liability. I’d want to see him handle a high-pressure simulation before even considering placement in my squad.”

Doc shook his head, rubbing his chin. “He might do fine in controlled environments, but can he manage coordination in rescue ops? Wolfguard focuses on saving lives under tight constraints — maybe we should start there.”

Thermite leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Controlled isn’t enough. Redhammer is all about aggressive breaching and frontline tactics. If he can survive there, we’ll know he’s more than book-smart.”

Kali’s gaze was sharp, assessing. “I say we push him into something unpredictable, merc-style — Nighthaven scenarios. High-risk, multi-opponent, improvisation-heavy. That’ll reveal his true limits.”

Zero tapped the table, silencing the discussion. “All good points. Here’s what we’ll do — first, he faces a controlled 1-vs-1 test with Caveira. If he can handle her, we’ll have a better idea where he fits.”

Hibana smirked, leaning slightly forward. “You’re really throwing him into the deep end, aren’t you?”

“Better he burns now than in a real op,” Zero replied. “Caveira knows how to push recruits. Everyone watches, learns, and we judge.”

Meanwhile, down the hall, Caveira moved like a shadow through the complex. Replica pistol in hand, silencer attached, she glided from room to room — silent, precise, calculating. When her initial search yielded nothing, she tilted her head, pulled out her phone, and flipped to the camera feed. A sharp, annoyed sigh escaped her lips.

Time to see exactly where {{user}} is hiding.