New Recruit

* Title Screen
* Original title card

**New Recruit** is the first episode of Mainstream, introducing players to the Counterside, Coffin Company, and Fenrir Squad.

## Synopsis

> *The rookie Counter at Fenrir Squad is given an unexpected assignment on her first day with the Company. Along with the commander who returns after a long absence, and a member who has remained for a long time.*
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## Appearances

* The Girl
* Coffin Company
	+ Coffin
	+ Managerial Department
		- Administrator
		- Machine G.A.P.
		- Lee Sooyeon
		- Kim Hana
	+ Operation Department
		- Lena Mackenzie
		- Chloe Starseeker
	+ Corruption Biology Research Lab
		- Olivie Park
		- Lee Yoonjung
	+ Fenrir Squad
		- Yoo Mina
		- Hilde
		- Joo Shiyoon
	+ ALT Squad
		- Seo Yoon
		- Eujin
		- Xiao Lin
		- Kim Sobin
* Corrupted Objects
	+ Ministra
	+ Spira

## Plot

### Act 1

*See also: Episode/Act 1/Transcript*

The episode begins with a monologue from the Girl talking to an unknown individual. She tells the individual that nobody - man or god - can change the past, regretting a "foolish mistake" she made. She claims that it is better to give up instead of fight on, and then bids farewell to the other individual.

The scene changes to the Administrator's perspective, waking up to greet Kim Hana after a long plane trip. After introducing herself, the two board a bus for the Coffin Company Office. During the ride, Kim explains some of the history behind the city they are in, Ground One, along with the Grand Dimension Crevice, and Coffin's ongoing financial crisis. However, she is interrupted by an announcement from City Management that Corruption rays are increasing within the city center, and a Counterside Effect alert is expected. Kim apologizes for the delay, and asks if the Administrator has a message to send to the Vice President before their arrival. He tells Kim to send a message that the Vice President must "rescue the VIP".

Meanwhile, the new hire - Yoo Mina - is flown onto the Coffin Company helipad where Joo Shiyoon and Hilde are waiting. Shiyoon tells Hilde that it is quite coincidental that Hilde returned to Coffin Company unannounced on the same day the new recruit arrives, though Hilde dismisses this. Shiyoon looks over Mina's history, noting that she barely lasted a week at her previous two employers. When the aircraft carrying Mina touches down, the two enter and introduce themselves. They are then interrupted by an announcement that a Level 2 Counterside Effect alert has been issued, and the newly formed Fenrir Squad prepares to deploy.

After handling the intruding COs, the squad returns to Coffin HQ. Vice President Lee Sooyeon welcomes Hilde back to Coffin, and introduces herself to Mina. She then briefs the the squad that they are to be sent on a special mission to extract a VIP and escort them to HQ. As they search for the VIP, the squad encounters a vehicle fighting various Corrupted Objects. Hilde asks for a visual description of the VIP, but is told the description is above her security clearance. They find the VIP, introducing itself as Machine G.A.P.. As Hilde punches Machine G.A.P. in frustration, Sooyeon warns Hilde that the Administration has reported a rise in Corrupted Object activity in the area, and advises extraction immediately. As they leave in the vehicle Machine G.A.P. was using, the Administration issues a Level 3 Counterside Effect alert. A Category 3 Beast blocks their path, though it is defeated by Fenrir Squad.

Upon returning to HQ, Sooyeon informs the squad that Machine G.A.P. is now the CEO of Coffin Company, as it was able to buy the company and save it from bankruptcy. Due to the ongoing financial crisis afflicting Coffin, Sooyeon explains that the Coffin ship is the only ship available, Fenrir Squad is the only squad in the company, and the Operations Department disbanded and left to form their own companies. With the debriefing over, Fenrir Squad prepares to leave. Sooyeon asks Hilde why she returned, surmising that some unknown individual may be the reason, but Hilde dismisses this.

### Act 2

*See also Episode 1/Act 2/Transcript*

The next day, Seo Yoon introduces herself to Mina, explaining that she was also recently hired by Coffin. As the two get to know each other, they are interrupted by an announcement to attend a briefing. Sooyeon explains that, due to CSE levels remaining at 3, the Administration has sent a request to Coffin to enter the Counterside and destroy the corruption core to reduce the CSE levels. Sooyeon then invites ALT Squad, the reinstated Operation Department, and heads of the Research Lab to introduce themselves to the others. Afterwards, Sooyeon then invites two new hires for the reinstated Operation Department - Chloe Starseeker and Lena Mackenzie - to introduce themselves. With that done, Chloe and Lena dive the Coffin into the Counterside.

After clearing the area around the ship of COs, Yoon asks Mina about how she got her weapon; Mina reveals that she acquired the weapon from her sister after she fell into a coma from a corruption disaster. Yoon gives Mina a small teddy bear, claiming it's a lucky charm, before they are interrupted by Shiyoon.

Reporting back in at the ship, the group decides that ALT Squad will lure out the less dangerous Corrupted Objects while Fenrir Squad moves toward the corruption core and destroy it. With the core destroyed, the two teams can link up and eliminate the remaining COs in the area. As they begin to implement the plan, the horde of COs attack Fenrir Squad instead, while contact with ALT Squad is lost. Hilde realizes that ALT Squad cut contact on purpose, finds the teddy bear on Mina, and smashes it. Meanwhile, ALT Squad prepares to reach the corruption core, with Lin covering from behind. They eliminate the Category 3 CO believed to be the core, and prepare to restore comms and notify the others of their success, but they are ambushed by Ministra before they can do so.

### Act 3

*See also: Episode 1/Act 3/Transcript*

Chloe and Lena inform Hilde that ALT Squad has no reported in yet, despite the presumed destruction of the corruption core. As the two operators ponder the situation, they detect a dimension jump. Lena warns Fenrir Squad of the danger, suspecting that a Corrupted Object is the cause. The Corrupted Object, Spira, is revealed to be a Shadow who searched for Fenrir Squad in an attempt to return to Normalside. The squad manages to temporarily force Spira to retreat, expecting her to return soon.

The squad then intercepts Spira's attempt to breach the ship. Angered, Spira hits the ship with a powerful Corruption Ray, and then aims a second Corruption Ray towards Mina. Mina is unable to dodge in time, so Hilde jumps in the way and is hit by the Corruption Ray instead. The squad boards the ship just before it launches to fly away from Spira's horde.

Hilde is rushed away to receive medical care. Shiyoon tells Mina that since Hilde is incapacitated, leadership of the squad has transferred to himself, but he decided to then transfer leadership to Mina instead. Despite the odds, Mina decides to fight Spira. She and Shiyoon leave the ship and deal with the COs roaming about to wait for Spira. Mina confirms that the ship's laser is available for use, and searches for Spira. When Spira notices them, Shiyoon and Mina run back to the ship. Spira attempts to use another Corruption Ray, but it is deflected by Shiyoon; taking advantage of Spira's now weakened state, Mina orders the ship to fire its laser, injuring Spira severely. Pressing her advantage, Mina kills Spira with the sword hidden within her weapon. The two then return inside the ship and inform Hilde that the current threat is over.

### Act 4

*See also: Episode 1/Act 4/Transcript*

ALT Squad escapes from Ministra, with a horde of COs in pursuit. Yoon asks Lin if she can still see the Shadow - Lin believes the Shadow is taking its time to approach. Upon cutting a path through the COs, ALT Squad regroups with Lin. Once they regroup, Ministra teleports them, causing ALT Squad to fight back. Ministra mocks ALT Squad's resistance, expressing interest in reassembling them into COs.

Meanwhile, Fenrir and the bridge staff on Coffin detect Ministra's location, intending to rescue ALT Squad. Fenrir Squad exits the ship and confronts Ministra. Ministra asks them what happened to Spira; Shiyoon presents the Eternium crystal recovered from Spira's corpse, confirming Spira's death. Enraged, Ministra attacks, but escapes into subspace before she can be killed by the squad. ALT Squad then comes out of hiding, and Mina demands suitable monetary compensation for the actions and rescue. Ministra is found again, revealed as the true corrption core, and is killed by the two squads before she can escape.

The two squads return to Normalside on the ship. As Hilde leaves Coffin HQ on another transport, Shiyoon ponders Mina's incredible ability to kill Spira in one blow, considering the feat impossible.

## Stages

* Act 1
* Act 2
* Act 3
* Act 4
* Hard

 1-2
 1-3
 1-4
The moment you let your guard down, you'll be hunted. Good luck.

 2-2
Before carrying out the dangerous task, they must clear the surroundings of Corrupted Objects.
 2-3
 2-4
It's tired of being the sidekick.

 3-2
 3-3
 3-4
 #1

 4-2
 4-3
 4-4
 #2
The Administration appreciates your efforts. Keep up the good work.

Give rest to the dead.

## Gallery

The unknown girlKim Hana meets the new bossGround OneGround One skylineCSE Alert over Ground OnePlatina Express transport vehicleYoo Mina in the transport vehicleHildeHilde and Joo ShiyoonHilde and Joo ShiyoonShiyoon looks up Mina's profileTransport vehicle arrivesYoo Mina meets Fenrir SquadEmergency CallHilde receives a call from Kim HanaJeep with the VIPLee Sooyeon berates Hilde for abandoning the companySooyeon asks Hilde why she returnedMina showeringSeo Yoon surprises MinaThe CountersideSeo Yoon manipulates MinaHilde reveals a Resonance Pulse Generator in Seo Yoon's gift to MinaMinistra appearsHilde blocks Mina from Spira's attackShiyoon questions Mina on their next plan of attackMina unleashes WolvesbaneHilde recoveringThe new President contacts Fenrir SquadShiyoon bids Hilde farewellShiyoon watches the transport vehicle fly awayShiyoon suspects Hilde of hiding details about Mina