Quoted By:
“Affirmative. At 1032 time unit Cobalt deployed under the control of pilot Sophie.”
The abrupt start, unexpected addition of Dagger Squad, and handler Sunray are all mentioned, along with the new title of ‘Missy’ earned by your pilot.
Your recounting of events is lacking in details, much as the mission briefing was. The first real reaction you feel from Kinston is four minutes into expounding on the weapons system you were assigned, when he cuts your
“Phase-blade testing revealed a 0.12 second interval between materialization, a factor that could be reduced or extended by up to 2.93 seconds through inputting between 3.43 and 12.34% solely from the coil-”
Annoyance finally cracks the smooth barricade of his mind.
“Skip all details on weapons or equipment. Move forwards to contact, unless anything abnormal was reported in the period between then and first engagement.”
“Understood.”
Abnormal. Deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying.
Getting lost in your own data logs for 10-second periods and handing over manual control to your pilot could be considered normal. Even if it was repeated for 54 minutes straight.
Conversations with your pilot are another frequent occurrence. Those could be classified as ‘normal’ and thus not needed to report in detail on.
Instead, you move straight to the initial engagement, discussing the fighting.
Your interrogator stops you a few times, requesting more or less detail on specific sections. His interest wanes and waxes between different parts. More focused on the communications and overall situation, less on actual combat maneuvers used. You eventually just grit and bear the interruptions. The defeat of Cyclops. The arrival of reinforcements. The duel with Ronin.
“Pilot Sophie attempted to raise to high-sync. I denied her, for a more effective usage later.”
Your pilot’s plunge from high-sync.
Abortive negotiations, and Crimson’s interruption.
This does spark an interest.
“You attempted to request their surrender?”
“It was a mistake. My poor coordination with reinforcements led to an unsatisfactory outcome. I take full responsibility for the failure, and subsequent escape of Ronin.”
“Repeat your second contact with Sunray. What channel were they using, with what encryption?”
“E8675309, variation of J-Violet.”
You hear an odd scratching noise over the audio sensors. It has repeated several times over the questioning.
“Kinston. I ask, may I be restored to visual sensor privileges?”
The scratch stops. A flicker of concern slides over the link, there and gone. He is far more closed off than Sophie, or others.
“Continue your recounting, Core. Address me as Colonel.”
“Updating designation. I suspect that conversation shall become another gap in my flow of consciousness. It has happened many times, but the missing timestamps and changing frame condition make it unmistakable.”
