>>3428090

“That’s unfair. I made promises.” A different kind of lie for you, but one that Mia appreciates: She knows your intent.

“I won’t make you break them Lance; You’re no Judas, and if you were; this conversation would be a lot less cordial. I can find him my own ways. Rest assured he will have no reason to blame you when I have him.”

[Fat chance.] You have to make an effort to keep Mia’s temper from clouding your own mood.

He looks down at the tablet again with a thoughtful expression... “I think that’s enough on my end. I believe in a level playing field, so it’s your turn… You must have questions of your own; Not that often you get a one on one…”

>Yes: You're talking to a high-ranking member of Valkyrie; You've heard some interesting things: (What?)
>[No: He’s looking for rope to hang you with. Ask about the weather.]
>Team: How are the others?
>Hawke: You don't seem to like her. What makes you suspicious?
>Writein?

>>3428110
>Team: How are the others?

>>3428110
>>Hawke: You don't seem to like her. What makes you suspicious?

Welcome back.

>>3428110
>>Hawke: You don't seem to like her. What makes you suspicious?
Good to see you.

>>3428297
>>3428829

>"You've got a bit of a chip on your shoulder here. What's your problem with Hawke?"

Writing.

>>3428834

“Hawke.” You don’t mince words, “Explain your issue with her.”

He sighs. “There’s a long history there. Boil it down hard enough, it’s a difference in philosophy.”

You shrug. “So what’s the difference? I’ve got nowhere to be.”

“Alright. The short version. Project Durga. Durga… Ever heard that name anywhere else? You shouldn’t have: it’s Hanguo in origin, specifically the southern edge around the Indian peninsula. It refers to a protector goddess, which is probably why it ended up in our lap. Hawke was the one that brought it over, and it was a big deal. Huge. The Hanguo pivoted back to the Asian theater, we followed suit: Closest we’ve gotten to total war in decades,” He grimaces.

“Anyways. They work it out in the council chambers. It’s our baby now, but they can visit. Gets spread out across the borders, St. Louis and Tel Aviv mostly. I didn’t know her at the time, but I found her handiwork everywhere in hindsight. I don’t blame her for Sinai, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the last straw: She let the researchers run wild. She calls it innovation; I call it suicidal. Anyways; The project gets cut to pieces. Doesn’t help much; Hawke made sure she got the most dangerous bits…”

He furrows his brow. “I’m not talking about an artillery Knight either. Her pilot is one of the most complicated pieces of metaform engineering ever, and it’s being recklessly thrown into the field without any safeties involved. That’s my problem with Hawke: My pilots are still on simulators at Westpoint, hers is running rampant. We got a lot of good data out of Durga and I couldn’t have my machines or soldiers without her, but the Auditor is intent on pushing this until something goes wrong.”

“You think Durga is a threat?” you ask.

He leans in, his voice dark. “Nothing is safe out here Lance, but we avoid risk when we can. Every moment she’s in Hawke’s hands, she’s less predictable. Hawke is intent on subverting and disabling every lock, guard and limit on her pet project. At a certain point, it’s playing with fire: Something will go wrong, and it’s going to be a fucking mess. She needs reined in; both of them do. That’s why I’m here. She’s untouchable, so I’m forced to figure alternatives. As of now, I’ve cut her off from more than half of the original project’s resources, and I’m not far from gaining control of the rest, but this won’t matter if she still has Durga… All she needs to do to get us all killed is stay stubborn.”

Rest of the update shortly.

>>3430658

Update; I've trashed a few posts. I'll give it another shot or two today

>>3430658

“With respect, that sounds to me like grandstanding: There must be oversight.”

“Of course there is: The rank and file are capable and vigilant. It’s not different now: You are my oversight Lance. Nothing but your own judgement and the trust you’ll exercise it decisively. I’ve always said, rather than curse the things that lurk in the dark, just hand out some damn lamps.” He collects his tablet and gathers his coat.
[Easy for him to say; I bet he doesn’t risk his own hide…]

You suppress Mia’s snark, opting instead for a curt nod. “I’ll keep it in mind sir. Just not expecting a need”
“Wouldn’t mind if it turned out that way Armistead, just can’t settle for hope… Feel free to bring up our discussion by the way, You’re not the only one on my list… Tell Hawke if you feel like it; Changes nothing on my end.. might even delay her long enough that I can keep everything from going up like a bottle rocket. By the way…”

He slips a folded file out of the inside of his coat. From within, he draws a transparency, which he presses against the glass. Despite the wires blocking the view, it’s pretty clear it’s a snapshot of a medical scan, the side view of a spine. Some edges have been highlighted, where the typically bright bone is dulled, tracing thin loops and edges from the mid-back down to the tailbone. A small doodle in red-marker draws a segmented form of an implant, straddling the spine and making contact in the dark traces.

“If one of my Valkyrie pilots had a body shot like this, my staff would tell him to take supplemental minerals for the bone leaching…” He furrows his brow, “If he wasn’t mine, well, I’d advise he make some serious inquiries into his medical history”

>Concur: That seems like good advice; I’m sure he’d appreciate the tips.
>Confirm: If he’s got some idea what’s going on in there, you’d rather drop the pretense.
>[Bait: He’s grasping at straws… It doesn’t look anything like that anyways.
>Shrug: Overton can take care of his own, So can Hawke.
>Writein?

>>3437728
>Concur: That seems like good advice; I’m sure he’d appreciate the tips.

>>3437728
>Concur: That seems like good advice; I’m sure he’d appreciate the tips.

>>3437728
>>Concur: That seems like good advice; I’m sure he’d appreciate the tips.

>>3437739
>>3437740
>>3437806

"Good to know."

Writing.

>>3438337

You take a good look at the film.

“That looks like it could turn out a bit nasty. Glad someone’s looking out.” You hedge.

“Drink your damn milk Lance.” He folds up the film and stows it. “Something happens with Hawke, just send the details in network, anyone will do. I don’t need to tell you we’re keeping a close eye right now.”

He stands and turns just as there’s a knock at the door.

“You’re going to be out fast Armistead; Don’t need to be Intel to see that.” He gestures across the room before opening the door. “Be careful; this whole thing is going to look ridiculously inadequate with the kinds of hell we’re dangling over…. Yes… I know…” He trails off addressing an unseen aide or guard.

With a click, the door shuts, leaving you alone with the sterile calling room. You extricate yourself from the stiff seating and walk back to your quarters. You hop back on the cot and the lumpy mattress is far less of a concern.

[So that’s all it takes to sway you? He could have made most of that up.]

You certainly aren’t taking him at face value, but there’s more than enough in there that fits together. It doesn’t surprise you one bit that separate projects in the VC would have feuds; You’d already been used as the lynch pin for one takeover. It mostly comes down to the balance between trust and judgement. Overton can’t imagine you’d be particularly keen to work with him considering the reputation of his people, but you’ve only received the news through a single source: If there’s even a grain of truth in his position, then asking Hawke’s opinion is the exact wrong thing.

[So, we do our own research?]

On VC black projects? Not exactly an easy search.

[Easier than you’d think. Between Durga and I, you have access.]

You frown. You’re not that sure you want to drag Durga into this. She could react badly if she realized the foundation of your exploration.

[She’d act even worse if you dodge around her. She’s naturally curious… And it might even be faster, she’s possibly less limited when it comes to topic… Hey. I’m being honest, don’t kick me when I’m down.] She pouts at your bemusement.

You’ll leave it be for now. You’re sure you’ll have some time to think it over before they drag you back into service.

>>3438840

It would be another three days before you had significant contact. You were provided with some of your paperwork and a few ratty paperbacks only a few hours after Overton's visit, but based on their content, you took more rest than anything else. At that point, they cleared you for digital access using a loaner slate, which eliminated your greatest annoyance about the whole affair. With contact re-established; you pulled a half dozen technical and medical manuals to peruse regarding your situation. You decided to wait on anything more specific until you were under less scrutiny. On the other hand, having data access means communications access:

>Hawke: Getting out of here is your number 1 priority; Anything else can come after you clear quarantine.
>Durga: Now that you’re hopefully beyond the worst hurdles, you need to ensure the rest of the team is as well.
>Alex: You need to catch up on the homefront, especially if things are getting strange with the IRH.
>None: You’re still in custody nominally. You’ll wait this out and avoid tipping your hand.
>Writein?

>>3438842
>>Durga: Now that you’re hopefully beyond the worst hurdles, you need to ensure the rest of the team is as well.
>>Alex: You need to catch up on the homefront, especially if things are getting strange with the IRH.

>>3438842
>>Durga: Now that you’re hopefully beyond the worst hurdles, you need to ensure the rest of the team is as well.
>>Alex: You need to catch up on the homefront, especially if things are getting strange with the IRH.

Shouldn't contact Hawke just yet

>>3438842
>Durga: Now that you’re hopefully beyond the worst hurdles, you need to ensure the rest of the team is as well.
>Alex: You need to catch up on the homefront

>>3438842
>>Durga: Now that you’re hopefully beyond the worst hurdles, you need to ensure the rest of the team is as well.
Who knows what the rest of them have been put through.

>>3439168
>>3439190
>>3439228

>"Isn't really all that long, but it sure feels like it."

Update tomorrow after my exam,: Can't skip on that. Don't worry, pretty close to normal time.

>>3443974

It is perpetually embarrassing when I get back from classes with both an empty thread and an empty mind.

1 update a week is personally unacceptable. I'll start the next thread when I can ensure the necessary time and planning rather than whatever this is.

>>3448325
No worries, man. Even with the slow update speed this is my favourite quest on the board. I understand how the IRL grind be.

>>3448593

That means a lot.

I'll get my finals sorted, put down some outlines and see if that improves my productivity.The writing is never difficult, it's writing in a direction that's not straight down.

>>3449189
IRL has gotta come first, don't fret. We're not going anywhere.