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Front 6 - The Am-Fluchtig Squadron
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6.1 - Politics
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Hoki once more found herself standing to attention in a hallway, resisting the urge to stretch away the strain in her body from such a long time spent in the uncomfortable briefing room chair. In the end, the session had ebbed out for the better part of two hours - Combining that with the shocking scenes of the enemy attack, as well as the sudden newfound pressure of a very close feeling mission - And Hoki found herself feeling claustrophobic more than anything else.
Batty's group had, of course, made to leave the meeting first, only to be stepped in front of by the ever-smug-faced Louise and the almost ghostly Tabitha. Once most others had filed out, Hoki had quietly made her own way and now awaited Kolme, who had approached Nate and his aides. A part of her wanted to say something to the man, to reprimand him for putting her on the spot, but ultimately, she had decided to let it go. Not because she thought it would end badly for her, if anything, the opposite. Commander Nate wasn't the worst for it, but he could still be expected to act 'skittish' around her. Admittedly, he was that way around many people, but she just didn't want to be seen as receiving any 'special treatment'. In some fashion, Hoki pondered if she might actually have been more upset over having her lineage highlighted in front of the whole procession - More so than not having been informed on what the meeting was going to be about.
This time Kolme actually arrived quite promptly and seeing as they still had some time until their next engagement, he suggested they go in search of 'a proper breakfast'.
Kolme, for the most part, seemed almost lost to thought in a way Hoki was unfamiliar with seeing on the older man's worn face. They made their way through the somewhat broader but equally dull corridors of the ship's amenities area in relative silence.
"Something the matter, sir?"
"Hmmm? No, not exactly Hoki-Lass."
'Lass' - Whatever else Kolme did, that much always stayed constant. Whether he was acting clumsy and unpunctual or with surprising tact and poise - He never let his preference for addressing people informally fade. This was by no means unique to her; he addressed people he hadn't even been acquainted with in much this manner - With Commander Nate being the only real exception - But maybe that was the point. She didn't hold it against them, but a twinge of disappointment always passed by her when Una or Sabban would continue to address her as 'Miss' and Scarlet made a point of using the word 'Princess'. But Kolme was different in that way. Even during the interview when she had first met him - Back when she still outranked him - He had never treated her as anything other than another colleague.
Maybe it was just how he had been raised or the fact he was older than almost anyone else aboard the ship, but whatever the case, it was something she couldn't help but appreciate.
Kolme seemed to pick up on this quagmire of social contemplation as he spoke his next question;
"You thinkin' about Nate or me?".
"Er, what, sir?" She replied earnestly but then reconsidered what benefit there was to playing dumb, "It was just... well, the Commander is he...?"
Kolme laughed lightly, "Ha, I can understand that al'right. 'Is he acting at being dumb?' that kinda' thing right?” He nodded as if to confirm his comment, "People are tricky like that. I can't speak for 'da man obviously, but in my experience, he really is a grade-A toss-head."
'...oh....' Hoki thought sullenly.
"But. And it's a big one; Nate is also one of the bravest men I've ever met, good under real pressure and loyal to a fault. Back when I was with the Tradech Flag Fleet, we came under attack, lost the escort cruiser that was my home back then, and well, I was in shock, ya know? So the last thing I expect ta' see is a group of lifeboats - Not from the destroyed ship but from the moon. We were fighting above the moon; guess I shoulda' mentioned that first, eh? Well, anyway, the ship explodes, and the Tradech, 'she' was busy with her own problems - So Nate just decides, unescorted, to launch some dinky boats into the middle of a battle-field to go rescue any survivors of the destroyed cruiser.
The first 'order' I ever got from him was along the lines of--" At this point, Kolme's tone changed to one of a Nate impression; "'You over there in the MBT, I don't suppose you would mind giving us a quick hand would you chap?' – After that I thought he was insane! But the sort of insane I can respect, if ya get my drift. That's Nate Novel for ya, lass."
Hoki thought on this for a few moments as they passed some other crew members heading in the opposite direction - Before presenting her answer with Nate's almost 'character-breaking' moments of intellect contrasted by downright idiocy, still fresh on her mind, "As um... Admirable as that is sir, isn't he a little..."
Again, Kolme kindly helped her out of her awkward position with a knowing grin, "Aye that's true to a degree, I suppose. Then again, it's just the way of these things. When you have a man like Nate, someone who won't hesitate to make a sound judgement call in battle and always looks out for those below 'im, what you also need is someone who's the opposite.
You saw it today: That Wally fella didn't say two words in that 'ole meeting while the Commander herself couldn't stop yakkin'. You can be sure Lt.Wally took all the notes and listened the most careful of all 'us sure, but he ain't got the backbone to command by himself, while Batty sure as heck can't be all gun's blazing without Wally to back her up ya get me?"
It was Hoki's turn to nod in agreement. That did sound like a reasonable, if simple, assessment of how a captain and their first mate should function.
"Then you’re saying Commander Nate needs someone more, ah, 'formal' to back him up?"
"It might not be that simple. Lt.Aurin does his best, but before the Fluchtig, he was an admin officer - Really, ya’ need Emelia about to keep Nate in check. She's got that 'discipline' that Nate lacks.
'Fraid there's only so much I can do about that in her place. Discipline ain't really my MO."
"It's funny, really," Kolme continued, seemingly rolling into a tangent; "In stories and such, meetings always go one a' two ways, right? Either everyone sits around respectfully like, while some big wig gives orders in a dramatic fashion as lights flicker and the excitin' music plays - Or ya get all the generals around some large table, laughing and smokin' evilly.
Really though, every meeting I've ever seen is more like that today. People bickering and bartering even when there's important 'stuff ta' be discussed.
Unless you have one person who can command the room, who everyone respects, I guess it's ta' be expected. I suppose it could be a coping thing - Ha! Or just bruised egos, but I guess really lass, a meeting of military types is no different to putin' a load of people who don't really like or know one another in a room for a few hours an' seeing what happens.
Don't matter if it's people or groups, we're none of us so simple as to fit one mould or another."
"I guess I'm no different--" Hoki stopped mid-sentence, realising she was speaking aloud.
Kolme only gave that same knowing look, "Hmmm, what was that?" He grinned once more; "I suppose we all do a bit of that, eh? Maybe, as a random example, say, a teacher - Puts on a good front for all her colleagues and students but underneath ends up feelin' lonely in all that false solitude.
Ah, what am I saying? Ignore my random ramblings, lass."
Hoki didn't know how to respond as they rounded into the entrance for the canteen and made it up to the familiar counter at the end of the long room.
'I suppose having an 'abnormal' boss like Kolme could be worse.'
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Having already eaten that morning, Hoki chose more of a snack than anything of much substance. In contrast, 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 special brand of over-brewed sludge that Kolme loyally labelled 'Proper Tea'.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
He was the only other person Hoki knew for whom the canteen kept a personal teapot.
Old Teapot/Kettle Stock Image from Pixabay [https://i.imgur.com/mmrbGl6.png]Kolme differed significantly 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 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 thought. 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 have 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 needn't 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 TSU had created in the final year of The First War around a decade ago. Backed into a corner as the Abhailen-Revolutionary-Forces continued to invade the continents of Bhaile, with their advanced Vijaiks (for the time), 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.
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, capable 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 morale 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 led to the line eventually being discontinued, despite their remarkable efficiency - Leaving only those already constructed in active service.
"So you think the enemy is using this to boost their own morale 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 laid the salt horizontally, placing the pepper on its side and pointing at the salt.
"I think it's more like this to be honest. The 'Curadh' with its Casnel are a TSU-special branch 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 then why not just send a fleet to guard the Clover? 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 prioritise 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 dozen ships can't face an empire. We're all really just skirting around TSU's coattails. No country wants 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 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 ended. 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 not have 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 a switch, his face and mannerisms returned to normal; "Ah, there I go again, Hoki-lass. Hahaha, I guess we can't sit around 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 hangar.
They talked a little less on this trip, but even when they did, there were no more signs of this more cynical Kolme she had briefly glanced, and Hoki was left to simply contemplate the meaning behind his harsh words and speculation.
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