Thursday came and it was time for the test. Kyo and Rinto made their way to the mock cockpit together. It was Kazumi that proposed that failing teams switch partners. It was Oliver that agreed immediately. Sei looked both shocked and betrayed. Kazumi had gotten what he had wanted and took Oliver by the arm. They went to the middle cockpit simulator. Once inside, they took their helmets and put them on. It was the proper procedure. They sat in the middle as instructed and bent forward. Both Oliver and Kazumi were butt to butt. The visors flipped on and they were in a different bedroom this time. Their particular synchronization attempt generated a new environment for them. Everyone was able to reflect on their first time and try again fresh. It was fine for Oliver. He achieved an 80 again. Kazumi could not get his White Pulse high enough to get out of the pilot suit this time either. They both winded up failing for the second time. Kyo and Rinto succeeded with their revered roles. Rinto was actually pretty gifted as a Bottom. He got a 64 with his Black Pulse. Kyo had a 55 in his White Pulse.
When he had failed twice in a row, he was furious. The only saving grace was that Sei and Nao were also not able to synchronize. It seemed that Sei and Kazumi were simply a pair of defective pilots. They were not making the mark as Tops. Oliver knew that he had to synchronize on the third try. To be able to prove himself, he needed more than the required 5 successes. As it stood currently, the most that he could get now was 8. On Tuesday, it was Oliver that went directly to Nao. "We definitely need to switch partners again. We have a decent shot of making it if we work together." Oliver said. Kazumi scoffed. "The only reason we failed is because you refuse to be a nice Bottom. It takes too long to switch pulses." Oliver ignored him. He just looked at Nao. "We have to get at least 1 success in! The first 3 are the ones that everyone watches." he exclaimed. Nao just looked at him. Rinto had to translate for Oliver. Once Nao understood he nodded his head. He said something in Japanese. "Nao just said 'You better not be another limp bastard.'" Kyo informed Oliver. Oliver had a new partner.
Nao
