WoWS3 Chpt 8

<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 8 - ==
-----
===The Trial===
Outside the Review board room
Port Orphan System - Periphery
September 24th, 3142
----
“Look at you in your dress uniform. Careful or you might spark the interest of some young man.” Saya smiled.
“Thanks, Mom. I wish you could actually be in there with me. They still are not telling me why it is a closed session.”
“I choose to take it as a good sign. Means they want to talk about something confidential. And that is usually a good sign that they are already interested in something more for you.”
“See you in a couple hours.” Amanda hugged Saya.
Amanda entered the room with a smile.
I can not help but think I am making a terrible mistake not telling her. Alas it is too late now. I must be on my way.
Saya made her way to the hand to hand training area.
Hand to hand had never been her strongest arena of combat. She was a pilot after all, but she was not the worst at it either as she was still a Clan Warrior too.
She did not even bother using the changing area. She just took off her jacket and fished a mouth protector out of her pocket.
“Mai.” Saya managed.
“Saya.” Mai answered.
“It is not too late to change your mind, Saya Yeh.” Otto was leaning against the far wall.
Saya simply shook her head.
“Very well. Warriors to your marks.” Otto commanded.
Saya and Mai stepped to their designated spots.
Mai was the first to launch their attack. A hook that Saya barely moved out of the way of.
Slightly unbalanced Saya used that to help put more momentum into her own hook, which Mai was able to deflect into a glancing blow.
A quick jab came from Mai that Saya could not counter in time and connected with her right cheek.
Saya pulled her leg back to feint that she was about to launch a snap kick but instead planted it to give her a solid base to put power into her own jab that found Mai’s mouth.
Mai staggered back and spat out some blood.
She then closed in quickly and put her foot into Saya’s rib cage faster than Saya could react.
Saya decided to use the proximity to try and use her one big advantage, she was a taller, bulkier woman than Mai and in a grapple that would be to her advantage.
She tried to grab onto Mai but she stepped under the grab and put another blow into Saya’s ribs.
Then as Saya tried to bring her elbow down onto Mai’s head Mai slid to her left and put another shot into Saya’s ribs.
Saya was breathing harder now than she was before. She didn’t think anything was broken yet but that could quickly change.
She is better at this than I am. And not by a small margin. She has learned too well.
Saya could feel her body was moving slower from the damage that Mai had already inflicted. Even before Mai swept her plant leg out from under her when she tried to kick at Mai she knew she had moved too slow and telegraphed the move as a result.
And that was all Mai needed.
On her back Mai was on top of her pummeling blow after blow into Saya at a speed she just could not react to in such a poor position.
Yet Saya did not stop trying.
“Yield.” Mai demanded.
Saya tried to punch at Mai but with Mai on top of her she was able to effortlessly turn away the blow.
With clear anguish on her face Mai put one last blow into Saya’s face that finally rendered her unconscious.
“Well done. Now maybe you can see and finally understand it was Saya’s stubbornness that forced this outcome, not my bullshit. Take her to medical and get yourself checked out and cleaned up too.” Otto walked out of the training area.
"Not quite done yet." a hand caught Mai's arm, and she nearly hit the person.
"Hold it in, this isn't the time, or the place." James was Mai's 'Quartermaster' and executive officer. He was a freebirth and an ex-slave from Grankum. "Let him think he won this round. His kind always have a backup, and that needs to be disposed of first…and we can't let it be connected back to The Service."
"But it's not over." she insisted.
"It is for now, Captain, bide your time."
“He’s right, Mai. Otto is the sort of man who will have back up plans. Indeed, I suspect he is about to enact one now.” Billie Hoel’s avatar entered the room followed by some medics.
“What do you mean?” Mai asked.
“It is simple really. You knocked Saya out cold. That will take time to remedy, but to ensure he has leverage over Saya to keep her word…” Billie answered.
“He is going to interfere with Amanda’s review board.” Mai completed the thought.
“The good news is so it remains a point of leverage he is not going to spoil it and prevent her entry to Command Track he will only convince them to take a recess, maybe even engineer things so Amanda can visit her mother since her mother is injured.”
“I did not hurt her that badly. Just as much as I absolutely had to.” Mai defended herself.
“I know, Saya even knows, but that is a possibility for how Otto will frame it.”
“So what do we do?” Mai asked.
“For now? Let Saya recover. She will answer his questions honestly. Then he will not believe her. There is no preventing that.” Billie answered.
“You know what he will do to her then? What I did to her was not permanent. What he will order his goons to do…”
“I know. And as I said there is no way to stop it. At least as things stand. I will tend to Saya. But while you wait, maybe you can do me a favor. The audio pickups for the internal comms in cargo bay 4 are acting up. I currently cannot pick up any audio from in there. All my technical teams are busy with other tasks.” Billie smirked.
“Sure Billie. I will get a team together and get to work on it.” Mai caught the hidden message.
“I do appreciate it.”
-----
===Alternate Strategy===
Cargo Bay 4
Mai opened the door followed by James.
She was not surprised to see they were not the only two in there.
George, Nick, Elspeth, Ardis, and Alison Stabler were all in there too.
“That sneaky AI. I think she just may know how to play the game better than Otto.” Mai chuckled.
“Probably. Officially we’re here to assist in any way you need for correcting the audio pickup and move some cargo.” George nodded.
“So how do we help Saya without breaking any laws or regs?” Alison asked.
“That is a good question.” Ardis whistled.
“Especially without ruining Amanda’s career.” George added.
“Clan tradition gives us some leeway for Amanda.” Mai suggested.
“Yes. By even implying that he may unduly influence Amanda’s review board, as a Clan Warrior with this knowledge you can issue a Trial of Grievance against Otto.” George offered.
“But a man like him is going to have a back up plan. We have to figure it out.” James spoke up.
“It is simple. Much as there is always another me, there will be another Otto.” The Envoy stepped out of the shadows.
“So as long as Saya, Amanda, and Alice are in reach of the Raven Watch they will always be under threat.” Mai grunted in anger.
“Likely.” The Envoy nodded.
“We have to get this information to Amanda somehow.” Alison adjusted her glasses.
“Otto is arranging for a recess in Amanda’s review board as we speak.” The Envoy closed then opened her eyes after a brief moment.
“We don’t have a lot of time then.” Mai said. "I thought it took a month to…replace you, Envoy?"
"I'm the spare." The Envoy said firmly, "There is a plan. If we simply 'take' Amanda Yeh, it creates undesirable outcomes-your star sponsorship is soiled by a desertion, your Bloodhouse takes a political hit, and it weakens the Outworlds portion of the Alliance further by giving the Conservative rookery faction a reason to permanently conscript and dismantle the Privateers. Kolossus sees this as undesirable."
"So what's the play?"
"YOU will assure that order is maintained and nobody suborns themselves." The Envoy stated, "MY role in this, is to give Otto exactly what he claims to want, while denying him his greater goal."
She glanced at the gathered 'Team'. "Kolossus has decided to extend an invitation to you, and your selected colleagues, to visit and create a report on Kolossus Station for the Alliance Military Corps and Raven Alliance, you are tasked to select acceptably intelligent individuals from the Clan Contingent as nominees, Kolossus suggests you include Otto Chand in your considerations."
Mai looked skeptical, but then, James spoke up, "It's not a kidnapping if he volunteers to go…"
"If he refuses, it will be seen as being a political game that does not benefit the Clan." Mai understood. "Why now?"
"Secrets are only useful for a finite period of time. When they become irrelevant, they may be abandoned." 
“If he sees the truth for himself, Saya, Amanda, and Alice are no longer viable pawns in his twisted game.” Alison smiled.
“Alison, since you are medical track you can access the medical bays and deliver this information to Saya without issue. Elspeth you go tell Amanda. The rest of us will stick with Mai.” George ordered the gang.
“Take this with you. It is a recording of a conversation between Cossack, Billie Hoel, and Alice. It contains details on Amanda’s parentage that are now about to become quite known that Saya and Phoenix decided to keep from her. I’m not sure I agreed with their reasons but they had them and they are her parents. But now there is no preventing Amanda from learning the truth. The one thing I do regret is the situation does prevent Saya and Phoenix from having a say in this or telling their children themselves.” The Envoy handed a datachit to Elspeth.
----
===Compliance to an Order===
Saya’s medical room
Amanda Yeh M5 7775551 walked into Saya’s room.
The playback of Billie Hoel, Cossack, and Alice’s conversation about the Yeh daughter’s parentage stopped.
“You should have told me.” Amanda scowled.
“I did not so you could honestly say you did not know. I made that decision long ago and Phoenix agreed but was less certain. Now it has resulted in nothing but pain. For that I apologize. I was wrong.” Saya looked away from her daughter in shame.
“Well, Alice has already forgiven you. I guess I can understand the logic but, really? Keeping that from us? I’m so angry I can’t even properly put it into words.”
“With how things worked out it was clearly a mistake. I cannot deny that. I wish I could have at least told you myself. You deserved that much. I would have too if given the chance.”
“Now we’ll never know.” Amanda huffed then left the bay.
“I may have ruined my relationship with my daughter.” Saya said to herself.
“Amanda is just raw right now, but given enough time I am certain she will get over it.” Billie Hoel’s voice came over the comm system.
“You and Cossack did not give me a chance to tell Alice first. Because of that Amanda also had to find out the truth from elsewhere.”
“Yes. We clearly overstepped. That information should have come from you…”
“Your maternal instincts kicked in. My Alice has always been pained about that and you sensed it. So to ease it you told her. I find I can not sustain my anger in the face of that fact.” Saya shook her head.
“I still need to make it up to you somehow.”
“Just tell me that there are going to be consequences for Otto Chand. He is the worst kind of snake. Just correct enough to get the support of others but self deluded and self-righteous enough that they do not care about the means they use to get to their ends and think they are justified in doing so. Always the actions of others, never them that cause them to do distasteful things.” Saya answered.
“Oh yeah. Kolossus has actually invited him for a visit.” Billie Hoel chuckled.
“That should be most entertaining.” Saya chuckled then winced as her ribs were still sore.
----
===Unexpected Invitation===
Warrior's reception area, Port Orphan Station
She walked past staff, who gave a nod, and she gave it back, to the official offices of the Clan Watch, whose Elemental guards stared.
"Lenny, Tonya!! I told you, I'd be back!" she Smiled at them. "Your boss. Kolossus has sent me to deliver a message, and this one doesn't even come with special effects!"
“And what is this message?” Lenny asked.
She bounced up in the deck's .75 gravity and booped his nose, "An Invitation of course!!" and giggled, while Tonya's astonished stare turned to a sort of sour frown. "Kolossus wants to normalize relations with The Clan, Otto's name came up as a likely candidate, and I was given an invite to deliver!"
“Good, then this matter will be settled once and for all and soon.” Lenny let out a breath of relief.
"In-Deed!!" she crossed her hands behind her back, "SO, is the bossman in?"
“Not at the moment but we will inform him of your arrival and message. He should be here shortly after.” Lenny shook his head.
"Oh Good! How's my hair look? It's not too messy is it?" she seemed almost comically concerned, "Not often I actually get to do real diplomacy out here…"
“But… She… Savashri!” Tonya muttered.
“Aff. You look presentable.” Lenny said flatly.
"Excellent! Since we ARE waiting, I don't suppose he kept my violin, it's such a hassle getting a new one tuned…"
“I am uncertain if it is still in his possession. It is possible that it was donated to the local schooling programs.” Lenny shrugged.
"Ah well, A new one might go better with the new jacket." she dismissed, "it's in better hands with the kids anyway…"
“You wished to see me?” Otto’s voice came from behind the Envoy.
Her wide smile was back, and like a magic trick, she turned, extending a flat envelope. "For You!!!" she declared, "An Invitation, from Kolossus!! Details are inside. Now I've done that, you can bring your answer to my usual hangout once you've determined the details."
And skipped past him.
“Most interesting.” Otto began to open the invitation. "It is…engraved?"
The Tri Fold Card was, indeed, engraved.
With sparkly dust and colored inks, even.
"Has this been tested-? No…well I guess we find out if it has been poisoned." Otto shook his head.
-----
======================================================================================================
You are Hereby Invited!!
Kolossus Invites YOU, Otto Chand, for a visit and inspection tour to discuss in a civil manner topics of mutual interest between Clan Snow Raven, Clan Snow Raven's Watch, and Kolossus. This invitation is in-person and you are allowed to bring up to twenty guests, staff, and assistants of your choosing, along with the personnel listed below;
George
Nick
Ardis
Elspeth
Alison Stabler
Amanda Yeh M5 7775551
Transportation will be provided to the venue, accommodation for listening and recording devices is permitted.
Please RSVP to your local Envoy at their habitual area, please respond promptly. This matter is of some importance to your Clan.
Kolossus
======================================================================================================
-----
“Well this is most interesting. I wonder what brought on this sudden cooperation?” Otto muttered as he studied the invite.
“ovKhan…Are you sure it was wise to just open and handle that message?” Tonya asked.
“Aff. Despite all that has transpired between us and Kolossus and the Envoy they would not do anything as foolish as lace the message with anything harmful. But it would still be wise for the techs to examine it.” Otto answered. “Twenty people. A point of Elementals, just enough to show we are able to defend ourselves if need be without being too threatening. The rest I will pull from our support personnel. Interesting that Kolossus is asking for these others in particular. Tonya take the invite and envelope to the lab. Lenny I shall be in my office making the arrangements.”
“Seyla.” Lenny affirmed.
“Aff.” Tonya grabbed the envelope and paper with gloved hand.
----
===Motivation behind the Cards===
Port Orphan, 'park' recreation deck
She adjusted the strings on the new fiddle. This one was from a merchant out of Fallry, made from a bright, almost enamel-colored native wood from that world. The bow drew across the strings in a scale, testing the tune and the tone.
It was quite acceptable as fiddles go.
Otto walked up to her and held out an offprint.
“The list of guests you requested.”
"Excellent." she lowered the instrument, and accepted the print, "Okay, we leave tomorrow."
“I must admit I am surprised at the sudden shift. Much of the past could have been avoided.”
"Secrets have a duration, Otto." she told him, "When they become obsolete, it's time to end them. Kolossus made the call while you had my prior body in interrogation, but light only goes so fast. I was fortunate enough to have a spare ready this time after the last two times."
“Another question if I may? Why the members of the Privateer Service? I am curious why they are also invited.”
"Nostalgia on my part, though Kolossus has a purpose of Kolossus' own there." she answered, "Have you figured it out yet? You've had me in narco multiple times and I've died in interrogation thrice so far, have you doped it out? Do you have a working theory?" she asked idly.
“I am no scientist, but the most likely possibility despite how fantastical as it sounds is Kolossus has found a way to copy human memory to new bodies. Cloning bodies is not entirely far-fetched given our ability to clone organs and limbs.”
"The Star League had that ability, it's where the M-5 came from, and the Desmond systems, but that's the right track. Every AI used to be someone else...except Kolossus. Kolossus is a 'pure' artificial intelligence, Kolossus literally does NOT have a 'human soul' at Kolossus' core, Otto…but I did, I do."
“There are those who wonder why we are concerned. No matter. I am just glad we can finally be done with this matter.”
"MY boss, Kolossus, would agree that it's reasonable to be concerned." she nodded. "Some AI are dangerous. One of the most dangerous is confirmed to be dead now, so the secret is no longer…current, it is obsolete."
“Oh and which AI was this?”
"Systems Regular Operations Manager AI 'Alabaster', Terran Hegemony Intelligence's Signals branch, embedded into Comstar. It suicided in 3132. Kolossus had to verify it was, in fact, gone."
“Interesting. Another item to add to my report.”
"Indeed. Well, business is done, would you like a song?" she asked.
“I have other matters that require my attention, perhaps another time.” Otto smiled, bowed slightly then left.
She smiled enigmatically, and began to play anyway-a proper classical piece for violin from some distant era echoed in the park-like rec area as he walked away.
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
08