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Front 11 - Vent

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11.1 - Ensign Vint

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There was something of a buzz passing throughout the ships of the Tristian Flotilla - Following both the battle at the Clover and later at Station 9.3, the news that the enemy submarine had not only a Casnel but also a powerful Fortress - It would be fair to say all, from pilots to the lowest ranked crewmen, were on edge. Further it had become clear that their query, the submarine Curadh was indeed heading rapidly towards TSU-s headquarters, raising the question of if the whole mission was a bust.

In response, the Tristan flotilla's trio of captain had concocted a small distraction, a friendly tournament between the pilots of the three ships, to be broadcast locally to all crew members - A way for the pilots to let off some competitive spirt and to give the crew something light-hearted to be invested in - The captains had even turned a blind eye to the many gambling on which pilots would come out on top.

Over the handful of days since the tournaments announcement, the betting had perhaps become more intense than anyone was expecting, somewhat to the chagrin of Commander Batty, who despite allowing it, certainly didn't approve.

The question of who would come out on top ended up being a dead-end, after news spread of Scarlet jumping out of her sick bed to immediately go and capture the enemy warship's ace pilot - It was fair to say no one was questioning her place as a living-legend.

The bigger categories ended up being the somewhat cynical question of who would score lowest, as well as guessing at who would take second place. Some even trying to guess where all 15 would end up ranking.

Soon the day was upon them, all the pilots, the trio of captains and a number of other off duty crew members - Flocked to the Fluchtig's underhanger for the event. Of course the entire thing would simply take place via the simulators, there was no way a practical duel could take place when the enemy was still under pursuit.

"I don't believe..."

"He really lost?"

These were the reactions of Una and Hoki upon seeing the results of the first semi-finals match - So far things had gone the way most expected. Pilots like Una had been knocked out in their first match, others like Hoki had gotten through 2 before losing. Similarly Sabban and Scarlet had swept the competition.

Some minor upsets had been the likes of the Valliere's squad getting completely thrashed, with both its commander and vice commander getting knocked out in the first round by Scarlet and the Rinie's vice-commander Erfu, respectively.

In the end only one pilot from the Valliere had made it to the second round, a young man by the name of Ahern and even he hadn't gone any further than that. Ultimately the semi-finals came down to 2 pilots each from the Rinie and the Fluchtig - Leaving a smug faced Commanders Batty and Nate standing next to a slumped and thoroughly dejected looked lt.commander Louise, all three of which stood watching from a raised gang-walk above everyone else.

It seemed the ending to this little affair was as most predicted - Scarlet would defeat lt.Tomo of the Rinie and Sabban would defeat 2nd lt.Erfu, also of the Rinie - A nice final would take place, where Sabban would no doubt put on a good show before inevitably Scarlet would take the win. Atleast that's what everyone expected.

Though it had been a close match, in fact many would go away calling it the best duel of the day by far - In the end Sabban lost to Lt.Erfu. The elven woman, a relative unknown, had proven a formidable opponent - Expertly wielding a duo of swords she had beaten Sabban in a fair bout of close quarters combat.

The match over, both pilots stepped out, Erfu giving a little bow to the cheering crowd below - Sabban however just scowled, when offered a hand to shake he rejected it, storming off in the direction of the nearest door. Luckily there were few paying attention to his departure as all eyes were already turning to the other semi-final match between Scarlet and Tomo.

"Should we follow him?" Una asked meekly, her and Hoki having been some of the few to see the clearly upset Sabban storm out.

"Nah lass leave him cool off." Kolme added, making his way over to the two, "Sabban might have that whole 'stoic' thing going on, but he's still a young man at heart, losing twice like this must bite at his pride."

Hoki frowned, "Twice? Oh you mean at Station 9 as well?"

Kolme nodded. A cheer rose up from the crowd as the countdown for the next match began - Up on the gangwalk commander Batty was lavishing in her squads excellent performance - Across the three ships of the fleet, many cheered, others lamented their loss of funds and more still sat excited for the final couple matches, all the more enthused after seeing the surprising skill of lt.Erfu.

"Actually, maybe I'll go give him a cup of tea or something, I still need him for that interview later..." Kolme mused, waving goodbye to his other two subordinates.

"Don't you want to watch the match?" Una said.

Kolme offered her a knowing grin, "The Rinie's pilots are good, that much is true - But ain't no one beating our Scarlet."

In the end Kolme was quite right, Scarlet handily beat both Tomo and Erfu in successive matches, taking the top spot for the day. The crowd was pleased and the Captain's plan to alleviate some of the tension across the flotilla was all considered, a resounding success - Except perhaps for one young man, who now found his pride twice wounded...

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TRANSCRIPT OF POW-A INTERVIEW 3, TAKEN FROM THE AUDIO RECORDER PRESENT DURING INTERVIEW.

POW-A; "Ho-ho, hello boys and to who do I owe the pleasure?"

NILAS; "1st Lieutenant Nilas, this 'ere is Ensign Vint--"

POW-A; "Hey I remember that voice, you're pilots from back then ain't ya?!"

'Have you ever been abused?'

'How about being in an abusive relationship?'

'With parents or a lover or just a toxic friend group?'

'Ever had to put on a happy face to mask it? Even years after it happened?'

VINT; "Keep Quiet, Prisoners are only required to talk when addressed."

POW-A; "Oh, sorry, pardon me, Ensign."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

NILAS; "Eh, lighten-up a bit lad."

A SCRAPING NOISE FILLS THE ROOM AS LT.NILAS AND ENSIGN.VINT PULL BACK AND SIT INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAIRS OPPOSITE POW-A.

'Maybe I'm just young or naïve, that's probably what Kolme Nilas would say.'

'But I think what's worse than just an abuser, is one who's innocent.'

'Someone so blind to the world they don't realise the evil they commit.'

'Because atleast a victim can blame a malicious abuser, someone they know manipulated them.'

'But how can you blame someone too unaware to even see the pain they cause?'

NILAS; "Al'ight lets keep this quick. Prisoner of war Major 'Moncha', as per IAFS regulations each member division of this ship has a right to interview you, including my combat gang. If you could be so good as to answer the questions nice an' quick we'll be on our way."

POW-A; "Ah so that's how it is? Nice of you to explain, the last two groups were much less accommodating - Shoot away lads, what'cha wanna know?"

VINT; "Name, rank and position."

POW-A; "Starting easy eh? I like it. Names Moncha, I'm a major for The-States-Union Air force and Combat-Commander aboard that ship y'all been chasing these last few weeks? Or is it months now?"

VINT; "We're asking the questions. You must have more of a name than just 'Moncha', and the name of your ship, please."

POW-A; "Ah sorry fella's, think I must of bumped me head after your red mech rammed into me, don't really remember much in the way of names anymore."

VINT; "I want the names--"

NILAS; "Hey don't get so stressed Sab-lad, if the intelligence guy couldn't get his name, then we sure can't and anyway we already know the ship's name."

VINT; "He doesn't know what we know you senile old man!"

POW-A BEGINS LAUGHING AT THIS COMMENT.

'I used to have a friend, she was transgender.'

'Her mother wasn't openly transphobic or anything-

In fact she truly believed everything she did to be for the Child's sake'

'She believed going to all the child's friends and telling them to stay away was for the best'

'She believed going through the child's possession regularly to find any sign of femininity,

and then throwing such things out - Was for the best'

'It might be hard to believe, but she truly believed she was in the right-

In the right when the child got so desperate they ran away from home'

'In the right when she tried to have the child intimidated at their new home,

To laugh in the child's face and throw slurs... And hit 'sense' into the child'

'She really truly kept saying it was all for the child - She never apologised, never talked about it'

'But the child couldn't hate the mother, she was after all oblivious.'

'The Mother really believed she was the victim, that her children were simply ungrateful.'

'And years later when the child met with the mother again, the conversation closed with the Mother's words;

"I'm still waiting for your apology child."

VINT; "What's so funny?!"

POW-A; "Sorry, sorry, I just though it was funny - All these years piloting and I got beat by you two? Eh, so let me try work it out, I've a good eye for these things. You, Mr.Nilas we're the first guy I attacked right?

 And let's see, that makes your noisy friend here the one with the shotguns?"

VINT; "What of it?"

POW-A; "Oh nothing, just not what I expected - Back there I had a fair bit of respect for you, ya' managed to block my attacks for way longer then most enemies I've faced and you defended your allies too - I presumed you were the courageous backbone of the team."

THE SOUND OF SCRAPING FILLS THE ROOM AGAIN, FOLLOWIED BY THE RUFFLING OF CLOTHES - ENSIGN VINT'S VOICE MOVES NEARER POW-A's

VINT; "I'd of beaten you too in a fair fight!"

'That girl is dead now.'

'Her Mother never did apologies and they never did make any true amends.'

'And yet I feel sorry for the Mother, still out there somewhere believing she was right in her rejection.'

'Probably saying the child would never of died had they stayed with Mother.'

'Totally unaware of the suffering and abuse caused that drove the child away in the first place.'

'An abuser who shows no remorse is 'evil', what about one who doesn't know they're doing wrong?'

'Someone who is incapable of any sort of fault or awareness?'

'Have you ever had a relationship like that?'

NILAS; "Sabban stand down!"

VINT; "He's laughing at us Kolme, he thinks he's better then us, then me!!"

POW-A; "Think? Kid I know my own strength, do you know yours? I see now, you ain't all that brave - Nah you're just an impetuous brat, reckless - All that skill is what has kept you alive, but it don't make you a good comrade or soldier, eh boy?

NILAS; Sabban don't you do it! He's just goading ya'!

'My parents were like the girl's too.'

'Different circumstances but same effect.'

'I think Kolme might of been in something like that before too - His eyes at times have the same vacant stare as my Dad's.'

'I'd almost forgotten how pathetic a man he is, simply looking for a quiet life while living on a bloody battlefield.'

SHUFFLING OF BOOTS AS LT.NILAS AND ENSIGN VINT MAKE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE DOOR.

POW-A; "Ah-come on fellas, not leaving already are ya?! We've barely gotten started! Well come back soon, love having the company.

'I never want to be like them - Broken and pathetic like Kolme or Blind like the mother'

'Never'

DELETE TRANSCRIPT?;

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YES

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TRANSCRIPT DELTED FOR WHAT PURPOSE(S); File was corrupted beyond use.

SOLUTION(S); Re-commencement of interview #3.1 from the start at a later date.

SINGITURE AND AUTHORITY; Ensign Sabban Vint, Vijaik Staff & Test Pilot.