(scene, DATS HQ in the early morning hours.)
(*from offscreen*) Dammit!!
(scene cut to Masaru in the infirmary, who's punched a wall with his unslung arm; he's heavily bandaged, as are Tohma, Yoshino and to an extent Sakura and Toshiro, plus their Digimon.  The Zoners and their Digimon, on the other hand, aren't very scuffed up and have one or two small bandages on their person)
How could we be overwhelmed like that!?  We're supposed to be stronger than that!!
There's nothing you could've done.  We've dealt with Digimon invasions just like that...usually we need a small army of our own to beat 'em back.
We've seen a whole lot worse than that, believe me!  You guys ever see a Numemon Rush up-close?
Please don't go there.
Then how the hell're we supposed to do our job?  If we're so outclassed--
Like three Perfects just learning their power is gonna cut it.  Accept the fact you were in over your heads and learn from it!
(*sweat*)That isn't really helping much...
You were the one wailing on that Gotsumon for hurting Ikuto!
You think I'm going to apologize for that?  You saw what he did!  I should've ground him to sand for what he did to that kid!
(*Ebony is visibly nervous at the tense atmosphere, holding Dreamerymon close*)
...He's still doing all right, isn't he...?
...I can't guarantee how someone his age will handle blunt-force injuries like that.  But I can't explain why he's still alive, let alone the fact he stabilized as quickly as he did.
He keeps saying he's a Digimon, doesn't he?  What if he's right?
Don't be stupid!
But Masaru's right...how do we expect to fight an entire army if we can't keep up?  We can learn as much as we like, but we'll still be outmatched when it comes to firepower...
This really is the worst...!
We can't be this weak... how did we get this far and just fail!?
(*from off-panel*) That's enough of that!
(scene cut, a doctor is wrapping bandages around Satsuma's head, Digistar is sitting cross-legged next to him, looking down in a heavily pensive expression)
As much planning as we've done, we all knew an invasion would overwhelm us.  But giving in to despair won't fix anything!
What's important now is that we find out who opened that Digital Gate, and why.
Whoever that was, they saved our butts for sure...
But who has access to that tech?  I thought that Noguchi guy was the only one who could do that, and he got hauled somewhere!
Maybe DATS made him do it and we didn't get told about it!
It doesn't matter.  (*he stands up, as the doctor indicates he's done with the bandages*) Right now, I need you all back to the command center for debriefing.  (*turns to the Zoners standing around*) That goes for you all as well.  Dismissed!
Yes, sir!
...uh, ditto!
(as everone leaves, as best they can, Satsuma is reaching for his folded up clothes to the side of the bed, when Digistar pipes up quietly)
Captain?  ...Can you wait here a minute, real quick?  I...I need to talk to you about something.  Something important.
Are you sure it can't wait?
It won't take long, I promise!  I just need a moment.
(Satsuma hesitates a moment, but thens resigns himself to it)
...Go on, Kudamon.  I'll be along shortly.
(Kudamon doesn't ask, he simply leaps off the bed and past a confused Impmon)
Great, do I wanna ask?
(*looks annoyed*) Go with him, Impmon.
How come?!  What's so important I can't know about it!
(*looks serious and kind of emotional*) Just go, okay?  This is personal!
Okay, okay!  Sheesh!  Not my fault you need private time with your new boyfriend!
He's not my-- (*stops, holds it back and lets Impmon leave*) ...
(*sits back down*) Now, what's this that's so important.
...Well...(*holds her hands tightly and nervously together*) ...I...kinda don't know how to ask it.
Then just say it.
...I just...well...thanks.  For saving me.
(*sighs*) You could've picked a better time for gratitude, I think.
It's not just that, sir!  ...I said that because...well...I did something like that for someone else once.  And it was probably really, really stupid of me to do it too, since I almost died for it.
Why?
...You remember that guy I mentioned once, right?  The one that Blue kept comparing you to when you guys first met.
I think I remember him now.  It was something about glasses, wasn't it?
Blue hated him for a long time for that, nevermind the fact he was doing things that would've destroyed both of those worlds.  I think Blue still hates him in some way, even if he's a better man after all of that.  But I believed he was always a good person...and that was probably only because I...well, I really had a crush on him.  Really, really had a crush on him.  And I was younger, I didn't know what I know now!  I don't even know if me just throwing my life away like that for his sake was what changed him, even after everything he'd done...
But you said he changed because of you.
I want to think like that.  I've always wanted to think like that.  But...all this time has made me feel scared, like I'd think too hard before I sacrifice myself like that again!  Like I'd be too scared to even help you!
You're the one who brought me out there to help.  I'll even be honest and say that there's a real chance I won't even be your commanding officer after this.
I won't let that happen, sir!  If anything, it should be that Hashiba jerk who loses his job for what he did!  How could he suggest those things of Ikuto and still be a human being!?
Being angry at him isn't going to change anything.  You need to channel those emotions to something productive.
...I'm sorry, sir.  I've just...I've done so much for you guys the past several months, and there's still that part of me that thinks there's something really wrong, that I'm being blind to something because of my feelings.  (*reaches for Satsuma's hand and holds it tightly*) Please sir...I just don't want to be wrong about my feelings!  I want to know I'm doing the right thing by believing in you guys...that I'm not crazy for trusting *you*!
....
I want to believe DATS are the good guys...you've been everything that's kept me believing I can do this all this time...I just want to trust you!
(Digistar is trying her hardest not to cry, during a moment of awkward silence; a concerned Satsuma then puts his other hand gently on the side of her head)
Digistar.  Look at me.
(*does so*) ?
You've put your heart and soul into everything you've done since you joined us.  I don't want you to ever believe that I or anyone else you work with would deliberately lead you astray.
How do I know that?
It'll have to be that trust you want, Digistar.  I already trust you.
(Digistar swallows hard, still trying not to cry or go completely dere from the close contact; but she settles on quietly hugging his arm, burying her face in his bicep)
(*tries to say something about it, probably about how inappropriate it is, but gives up and just lets her cling for a while*)
(There's a knock on the doors and a voice asks him if he's all right)
--Everything's fine, I'll be right there.  (*Digistar then looks up, then seems embarrassed at what she did*)  ...Do you feel better?
I..I'm sorry if I did anything, sir--
Don't apologize.  We still have work to do.
Um, right!
(Digistar hops off the bed and is headed for the door as Satsuma slips his shirt back on; but when she gets to it and the doors slide open, she stops and hesitates for a bit, then turns back around.)
...Sir, I was just wondering--
(*is putting his coat on*) I thought you were leaving.
...Can I walk back with you?  Please?
(*looks confused at first, but then softens*) Follow me, then.
(he says this in the last panel, as they're starting down the hallway together)