"Ethan, this crystal core should go to you," Henry said, handing over the glowing core.
Ethan waved it off with a grin. "What's there to assign? Obviously, it's going to Skinny Pete."
"I knew it! I knew Captain would give it to me!" Skinny Pete beamed as he took the core.
"We all knew he'd give it to you," Sean said, his tone turning stern. "But it's one thing for the captain to assign it. It's another if you just help yourself. Got it?"
"Got it! I wasn't gonna use it without asking. That's why I waited till we got back."
"Alright, don't get too uptight," Ethan said casually. "We're not buried in red tape here. Fallen Star Squad isn't that kind of team."
"Even so," Miles chimed in, "I think we should have some basic rules. For high-tier crystal cores like this, it's better if you're the one assigning them, Captain. Avoids any future drama."
Ethan nodded. "Fair enough."
Then he turned to Skinny Pete. "Go ahead and advance to Stage D. I've been curious about your ability."
