After being picked up by a helicopter Zan was escorted to a private briefing room, where XO Lorenzo was comfortably rolling around in a chair eating a sundae. Zan immediately stood at attention and saluted XO Lorenzo. [color=gray]"Alright you failures~!"[/color] spoke Lorenzo as he ate a sundae, [color=gray]"Considering no one won, I decided to declare myself the winner and help myself to this delicious sundae that was meant for the winner... oh, and the all day pass to the relaxation room~! So, while I enjoy myself, you all will be learning why you all failed today,"[/color] he grinned as he took a scoop of ice cream and promptly ate it with delight, snickering like a devilish serpent.

Which is something that he didn't even remember how one tasted anymore, since it had been so long since he ate one. So in his opinion a sundae was not a reward, nor was the all day pass to the so-called relaxation room. Then XO Lorenzo started telling each of the pilots their flaws. Then he got to Zan. 

[color=gray]"Zanny! You performed excellently and exactly as I expected... and sadly, I'm disappointed because you did just that; perform exactly as I expected. You follow the rules without thinking... it's like I'm talking to a doll honestly. You failed because you did everything by the book, you didn't do anything differently from what I'd expect you to do. Think for once,"[/color] muttered Lorenzo as he tapped his own forehead, [color=gray]"Sometimes it's better to be alive than it is to be a simple-minded machine, Zanny."[/color]

Zan kept on saluting and his face stayed lacking any emotion, while he took in what XO Lorenzo said. This had no effect on him since he had been used to these types of talks for a long time now. [color=red]"XO Lorenzo sir, I am following my training, and that is all. I follow orders and will always do that, since my superiors have a bigger view of the big picture than I do, sir,"[/color] responded Zan, [color=red]"Sir, my only reason to live is to fight in humanity's war for survival, which I will die during. Sorry sir, but I am simple-minded machine just as you said, sir."[/color] 

XO Lorenzo went through all his 'rant', then after a long silence, Lorenzo stood up, with his signature grin returning on his face as he spoke. [color=gray]"Now... does anyone have any questions before I announce who the squad leader will be?"[/color]

Then the kid named Antwon said some really dump questions? Zan was really starting to not like him. 

[color=gray]"And, yes, I do have a lack of interest in you all, because to me, you are nothing more than stupid children,"[/color] Lorenzo smiled a bit at Antwon- no, 'smile' would be too innocent and kind, his expression was something far different. Compared to his cheerful and usual demeanor, this 'face' of his was truly maddening. [color=gray]"Do you have any idea how close humanity is to being extinct?"[/color] Lorenzo squeezed Antwon's shoulder. [color=gray]"Every second I waste with pathetic things like you... every second I waste with worthless excuse for human beings like you thousands of humans die... Yet... here you are, thinking you are so special and deserving of attention? Heh, sure, you were gifted with great abilities to pilot MY Framewerks, MY devices that I created to defeat the Cruxi... yet here you are, thinking that you, who have done nothing but prove that they are useless failures, demand MY special attention and interest? You really are a fool, child."[/color] 

In Zan's opinion, everything XO Lorenzo said was true.

[color=gray]"Let me ask you something, all of you... What is humanity's enemy?"[/color]

[color=blue]"The Cruxi,"[/color] spoke Lt. Ritsu as she cleared her throat suddenly.

At the mention of the Cruxi, Zan's face had a look of hatred. But that look was on Zan's face for a short time, before going back to having no emotions. 

[color=gray]"Correct... however, since the dawn of man, humanity would fight each other instead of joining together against a common enemy... whether it be through deceit... subterfuge, assassination, political warfare... whatever, there is always a power struggle. The same as there was here. Sure, some of you worked together, but the truth was, the moment you all began to fight you all failed- you weren't supposed to. Humanity isn't supposed to fight each other, nor is it supposed to kill each other, that is a grim-dark past we have intended to bury and leave behind yet you all were aiming to do just that out there like a bunch of barbarians. Were the Cruxi here, they probably wouldn't even bother to fight you, they would probably allow you to kill each other and sit back and watch with a cup of tea in hand."[/color]

[color=gray]"You are all pathetic excuse for human beings and have disgraced the dead,"[/color] spoke Lorenzo as he glared straight into Antwon's eyes, before lowering his hand and walking away.

[color=gray]"Also, my 'baseless' insults aren't as baseless as you may think. They're truths, and your flaws need to be improved, otherwise you are all going to die- simple."

"Oh... and congratulations, Sigma, you're hereby promoted to Squad Leader. You're the only one who actually attempted to form a group, and survived well beyond what I thought they would. Although, I fear your squad is incapable of taking orders or understanding how everything works from what I've learned and seen."[/color]

Zan would now listen to any order Sigma gave him, since she was now his superior.

[color=gray]"Now leave,"[/color] muttered Lorenzo as he sat down back into his seat.

Although Zan had two questions, he left right when he was ordered to do. He went and changed out of his suit and into some military fatigues. Then Zan went to go train again. Zan put in an earpiece just in-case new orders came in.