WoWS3 Chpt 6

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 6 - ==
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===Ugly hunger for information===
Interrogation Room
Snow Raven Watch Commander’s office
Port Orphan System - Periphery
September 11th, 3142
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The body spasmed on the interrogation bed. "Time?"
"Six hours, ovKhan. She gave up early this time." the interrogation tech reported.
"Well, I guess that gets us a month before we find out what kind of 'sanctions' are coming…did we get anything out of her?"
"Neg."
It was the third time they'd tried to interrogate one of Kolossus's 'Envoys'. Star Captain Otto Chand knew it would be thirty days, or more, before someone who looked exactly like her would be stepping off an otherwise ordinary dropship from one of the freight lines, to assume the same position.
“This is unsatisfactory. We must attempt a new approach.” Otto grumbled.
The other two had been almost achingly ordinary, except for some minor and rapidly decaying artificial Neural tissues and a chip that so far, the Techs haven't been able to open without destroying the internals.
“Perhaps a different target…”
"A different method of approach. Seizing and interrogating Envoys has resulted in three corpses and no progress."
"More than three…if one counts the 'sanctions'." the Tech noted.
"My predecessor?" the Star Captain asked, "Even WE ruled that one an accident."
"Rumors, OvKhan, it's true the crime scene techs found no signs of foul play, but the timing of his demise was…fortuitous enough to remain questionable, especially given the demise of Merchant Factor Slethen after the second time."
"Also an accident…as far as we can tell…aff. We need to use less…obvious mistakes."
“Perhaps the abthaka? We have questions of our own for her and her relationship with the AIs does suggest she may know more herself or at the very least may give us a more reliable way to gain that information.”
“Saya Yeh? Hmmm… She no longer has the shield of her former position or Acton Howe. Her eldest daughter is in the Privateers is she not?” Otto mused.
“Aff, ovKhan.”
“That is our pretext then. Her eldest would make for a legitimately solid addition to the Watch proper. It will have to wait for her next performance review though, but I can be patient.” Otto nodded.
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===Acknowledgement of Good Work ===
OWS Ephemeral 
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"Reef Sail, Miss Yeh." Mai Roberts ordered, "We're home. Bring us to dock."
"Aye Captain." Amanda Yeh acknowledged her commander's order.
"This has been a good cruise, Yeh, I think they might even read my recommendation."
"Ma'am?"
"For a ship, silly!" Mai shook her head, "You have been a highly proficient helm officer and the men respect you, it is time you stepped up to a command billet instead of wasting your career as an Ensign. I put you in for consideration for Command Track, and it looks like you might get it."
“Wow. I guess I’m just a little surprised. I didn’t think I even had enough time in service yet for that kind of promotion. Guess time flies.” Amanda smiled.
"Yeh, My first command was when I was seventeen, we took a clapped out Merchant and a used dropship, and stole half the Tortuga Pirates' fleet. Age doesn't make leaders, character does, mind does, you have the makings and you should be ahead of others." Mai said patiently.
“Thanks Mai. I guess I’ve just enjoyed flying too much to ever really think about doing more.”
"Well, you WILL have to think on more, and that is a fact. The Service and the Touman need quality officers-and from whatever source we can get them. Do not disappoint me in your board."
“I’ll do you proud.” Amanda focused on her controls.
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===Parting Words of commitment===
The Yeh quarters
Port Orphan
September 18th, 3142
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“Are you sure you do not want me to come with?” Saya asked Phoenix.
“Want, yes, but I need you here. We’ve been deploying together too much again lately. Our daughters need the reminder they have actual parents. Not just Billie Hoel looking in on them from time to time. Besides Amanda’s got a big interview ahead of her now. She could use the emotional support.” Phoenix answered.
“That is true. I do feel a bit guilty about that.”
“But they know we love them and thus they don’t resent us for our chosen career paths and how that has forced us away from them, perhaps too much.” Phoenix kissed Saya.
“You are right of course.” Saya admitted.
“I wish I could stay long enough for Alice to get out of class and Amanda to come back into dock.”
“If I did not know better I would be jealous of Erin.” Saya kissed Phoenix.
“Saya…”
“It is okay, Phoenix. I am human, and that means mortal. As much as we love each other we both know there will eventually come a point where we must part ways. But even if I could change that I do not think I would.” Saya smiled.
“I know. And I would never even dream of asking you to change what you are. I fell in love with Saya Yeh, the human.”
“Now go. I will be here when you get back.” Saya smiled.
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Later that evening
Saya set the plates on the table.
Alice studied the contents.
“I know I’m not much of a cook, but I thought I’d try something new.” Saya said.
“What is it?”
“Something called ‘meatloaf’. But since proper actual meat is hard to come by on a station I had to make do with substitutes.” Saya answered.
Both took a bite. Both spat it back out.
“Frank’s food stall?” Alice asked.
“Aff.”
Saya disposed of the failed culinary experiment.
“Mom, I’ve been wondering. Now that I’m old enough. I want to apprentice with Minea.”
“Your studies…”
“Are boring. Even the advanced classes. I know more than almost all my teachers and even then that is mostly just a matter of hands on experience which I cannot get from a book or a classroom.”
“I suppose not. You have my permission. Phoenix also has to give hers though.”
“Logical.”
“She’s still in comms range.”
“Putting you through.” Billie Hoel’s voice came from the comm panel.
“Saya, what’s up? Billie said you had an important question for me.” Phoenix’s voice replaced Billie’s with a slight delay.
“More accurately our daughter Alice does. She wishes to join Minea as an apprentice on a ship.”
“You do, Alice?”
“Yes. Very much. I feel as if I am reaching the limits of what I can learn from books and classrooms. I need actual experience.” Alice spoke up.
“My little brightstar… Wow. I guess I should not be surprised. Okay. Since Cossack is the designated training ship, if she agrees I am willing to give my permission. But since none of us are keen on child soldiers or if Cossack thinks you’re not cutting it you’re getting yanked back to Port Orphan you got it?”
“Yes, mother.” Alice let the barest curl of a smile grow on her face.
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===Birth of a tool of Revenge===
Docking Port 
Port Orphan System - Periphery
September 19th, 3142
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Cossack and Minea were there waiting for them.
“Cossack. You know when we first met I never would have thought you mother material but I must admit I am glad to have been wrong about that.” Saya and Alice approached them.
“It was something I never would have considered before coming here, falling in love with Jonah, and becoming something more than what I used to be. But it has been rewarding. You two go on. My executive officer has been briefed and she’ll get you two squared away. There’s some adult talk us grown ups need to have before we set out.” Cossack answered.
Alice and Minea scampered off to SLS Cossack.
“Helena is going to need you back sooner rather than later. Have you and Jonah been talking about that?”
“We have and a great many other things. I find I wish I could actually grow old with him. Maybe even give him a child of my body. I know Kolossus could make that possible, but I am also loyal to Helena and you are right she is going to need me. More accurately she needs my hull.”
“The great curse of AIs. You are all bound to your hulls. It actually limits your freedom but since it is also your nature and calling parting from them is very difficult for you.”
“Yes. I think Victoria’s solution may be our way forward, so that we can have both or either as the situation permits or our mood suits us. Perhaps, if I had not waited so long I could have taken it too and done all the things I find I want to do now…”
“You have changed so much Cossack. I know you will take good care of my daughter for me. Just seems like I have been far too much of a stranger in her life lately.”
“You have been there when it mattered. She knows that. She’s also like both her moms. Fiercely independent and incredibly self sufficient.”
“Still thank you for doing this. I still do not entirely like that you’re a Warship with children on board, but it is a cultural tradition and like you say Alice takes after both me and Phoenix. Teach her well.”
“You have evolved a great deal yourself Saya and I will.”
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===Revenge sweeping Coreward===
Somewhere coreward of the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
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The transports burned. It takes a lot to make things burn in space-oxygen, for example, and incredible heat.
These transports were carrying equipment sold to Clan Jade Falcon by Clan Sea Fox's less…ethical…members.
Replacement parts and weapons.
Atrocity watched stonily as a few escape pods and lifeboats struggled away.
"Prepare for jump." she ordered.
“We’re leaving survivors?”
“System is uninhabited, no habitable bodies in it, it's off the main routes, and they were doing it under the table." she reasoned, "So I don't want to waste the ammunition or the time killing them. Space is more than capable of doing that for me."
“I suppose that is true. Where to next?”
"Anti-Spinward, the Falcons are focusing toward the Terran and Lyran fronts, which leaves their back door open for some kicking, and kick, is what I intend. Our final target in this sweep is the yard complex at Sudeten."
“Ooo… Should we leave it intact enough to do our own Malvina impression?”
"Not unless she's on the surface." Atrocity told her companion AI, "I expect she will not be, so we will have to settle for making sure she can't refuel her transports at Sudeten, or do maintenance."
“Starting the calculations.”
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