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6.2 - Politics Part 2
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Having already eaten that morning, Hoki chose more of a snack than anything of much substance, in contrast however Kolme ordered the largest breakfast available - Full of fried goods and overly crisp savouries. The tea they drank created a similar disparity:
Hoki had the usual blend from her homeland, in the fine porcelain looking teapot - Kolme on the other hand opted for the sort of pot that looked to be as old as he was. The kind with so many dents and scratches in its outer metal casing as to make it hard to identify the thing's original shape - Whether it was actually an old kettle rather than a teapot was even unclear.
The type only useful for brewing that speical brand of over-brewed sludge that Kolme loyally labelled 'Proper Tea'.
He was the only other person Hoki knew whom the canteen kept a personal teapot for.
Old Teapot/Kettle Stock Image from Pixabay [https://i.imgur.com/mmrbGl6.png]
Kolme differed greatly from her father in that regard, where 'The Hero of The East' had become a connoisseur in rare & expensive brews in the years following the war (perhaps in defiance of the 'crap' they had been forced to live with during wartime) - Kolme was seemingly still using the same brand as had been available to that very group of 'common soldiers', in the bleakest moments of The First War.
'Old habits must die hard for him.'
There was quiet for a bit as they tucked into their respective meals, the canteen itself being characteristically abandoned as was usual, with only a handful of other diners at that hour of the day.
After a short time it struck Hoki once again that Kolme appeared to be lost deep in though. A new consideration crossed her mind;
"Ah-hem, My apologies about the briefing Sir. I guess I wasn't much good of a vice-leader. First my fighting with Scarlet last week and then I might as-well not of been present for all the good I was, if you want to try have someone else be your second--"
Before Hoki could go any-further, Kolme laid down his cutlery with a raised eyebrow and interjected;
"What are you going on about lass? Ain't nothin' wrong with how you acted."
"But sir I--"
"Not your fault Nate forgot to send us the files, yet ya' handled it like a pro. You even woke up on time which I can't exactly say myself now can I? No Hoki you did just fine."
Kolme concluded before sighing heavily in a somewhat unbecoming fashion; "It's this mission, I don't like da' smell of it." He finished not making eye-contact.
"The 'smell' sir? I'm not sure I follow..." Hoki added earnestly.
Kolme sighed again though clearly more at the situation rather than at Hoki;
"This whole thing reeks of politics. It'd be one thing for the enemy to be attacking our supply lines, heck that'd be normal, but this is different. I mean a Casnel, really? For submarine duty? And whatever about this Camilion system thingy', using specifically a Troy class ship, well..."
Kolme finished while half-heartedly stirring a teaspoon around his cup.
"You think this - 'submarine' is TSU-s propaganda Sir?"
"Ya maybe. 'Course not just that but I think it's a part of it. I need'nt tell you the similarities between this vessel and the Cheval-De-Troy do I? A single prototype Casnel, an experimental assault-vessel working autonomously. Ha I bet there's even a Magi aboard to boot! All during a crucial tur'in point in the war when every country is trying to decide which side to pick goin' forward."
Hoki simply nodded in response, a similar line of thinking had crossed her mind but having a second person highlight it like this made it feel all the more plausible.
The 'Cheval De Troy', the ship The States Union had created in the final year of The First War little more than a decade ago.
Backed into a corner as the Abhailen-Revolutionary-Forces continued to invade the continents of Bhaile, with their at the time advanced Vijaiks - TSU had thrown all it had left at one final project. That project had been the Troy class vessels and their new line of mecha - Casnels - Both made using the newly refined metal 'Goibniu' or 'Maglite' colloquially speaking - And it had worked.
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The first Casnel had been near invincible, a destructive force that ripped its way through the solar system like a comet through the stars, a young Magi-pilot at its helm. Magi - People born with innate powers, often minor to the point of inconsequence, but in the right circumstance capably of becoming legendary warriors no matter the Era or technology.
The Cheval De Troy had carried the Magi and their Casnel throughout a long journey, quelling enemies almost single handily all while boosting the moral of all those who met them. Some called the combination heralds of God or the Sun or Divine Fate and 'Justice'.
But even a decade later, Casnels were a rarity due to the expense involved in their creation, this applied even more so for the Troy class of vessels. It was said the Goibniu expended by just one of these ships could be spent on ten or more Casnels - This had lead to the line eventually being discontinued, despite their remarkable efficiency - Leaving only those already constructed in active service. Nonetheless of those created, all of the line were considered to S-class warships, higher ranked than even a brand new ship like the Fluchtig.
"So you think the enemy is using this to boost their own moral and convince the Nation-States not to side with IAFS?" Hoki posited.
Kolme laid a hand to his chin considering this, before reaching across the table to pick up the salt and pepper shakers. He lay the salt down horizontally, while placing the pepper on its side pointing at the salt.
"I think it's more like this to be honest, The 'Curadh' with its Casnel are TSU-speical branch's attempt at propaganda - However I also think that's what we are being used for too. IAFS beats this 'Reincarnated Cheval-De-Troy' and in doing so we prove that this 'Fate' element ain't on TSU's side. We say 'Hey our special Celtic-Class ship is just as good, why not rally around our custom Vijaiks. We'll keep you safe from those mean bullies', that kinda' thing.
Essentially both sides are gambling on the Curadh, with us simply in the middle."
"That's certainly possible but is it all that important?" Hoki said.
"Good question lass.
You could say it's normal political manoeuvring, not even complicated at that but than why not just send a fleet to guard the Clover eh? Up the security of the supply lines, launch some regular ambushes and so on.
No instead they create a new 'autonomous flotilla' to pursue these guys, in turn this 'mission' puts the Clover at risk if we feck it up - If the trackin' fails and the Curadh gets away, we'll also be putting more civilian lives at risk and who knows what else."
"Also--" Kolme's face by this point had taken on a harder expression, almost a down-right scowl; "-- People who want something to 'look good' tend to prioritize that over the people involved. I guess you could say I just don't like being used as a piece on a board of someone else's game, we've too little control over this.
IAFS is already a mess, we all know that. A few dozens ships can't face an empire, we're all really just skirting around TSU's coat-tails. No countries want to rally to our flag publicly and Bayley Mechanics is more interested in branding than proper support.
This feels like a corporate measure, a calculated gamble of risking the Clover and us in order to improve our image. This is the plan of a board of directors, bureaucrats - Not tacticians."
Kolme had nearly spat out the last few words, his face an absent-minded grimace.
There was silence for a bit as Kolme's long-winded rant came to an end. For not the first time that day Hoki felt she was being exposed to yet another side of her comrade, this time one she might rather of not seen.
Kolme's whole body language had tensed, even his accent seemed to harden into something nearly sinister, all over what seemed to Hoki to be a fairly rudimentary circumstances. It only took a few moments for Kolme to clearly pick up on this newfound stillness in the air and like the flip of switch, his face and mannerisms returned to normal - "Ah there I go again Hoki-lass. Hahaha guess we can't sit round here gossiping all day eh? 'Bout time we got to the other 'meeting'. Scarlet's face is gonna' be a picture when she hears all these details. Heh...I just hope she doesn't break too much furniture..."
And just like the meeting before it, their bizarre morning brunch ended and the two began the short trip over to the hanger.
They talked a little less on this trip but even when they did, there was no more signs of this more cynical Kolme she had briefly glanced, and Hoki was left to simple contemplate the meaning behind his harsh words and speculation.
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