Chapter 32: Front 16 – Superstition

Incident Report B
We Live Cally-Lass?

Yes Lieutenant Nilas Sir.

Good good, 'ight lets get this over with. This 'ere recording is the interview concerning... What was the code again?

TF-OD-0001 Lieutenant Sir.

Thank you Cally. I'll be conducting the interview as 'acting squad cap'ain, that one over there is Ensign Bachika - The problem child in the bed is Warrant Officer Scarlet, and the woman behind the camera is Junior-Lieutenant Cally, who is our impartial witness.
 Well I say impartial but she's The Rookie's bunkmate, 'ardly unrelated to us--

Is this relevant Lieutenant Sir?

Huh, err no, I guess not. Umm.... Interview commenci--

Oh get on with it old man! Before I have another seizure out of boredom!

Warrant Officer, I'm not sure that's an appropriate tone to take with--

Don't you go getting involved girly! You're Una's friend but that'll only buy you so much goodwill with me!

Scarlet don't you think that's a little harsh?

Enough!! Sheesh I'm trying to do an investigation here, last thing we need is you three all talking over each other like old women.

Who you calling old Nilas?

........Let's just get this over with can we?
 Scarlet for the record how do you plead to charges of illegal substance abuse?

Shove it.

......And how do you plead to charges of falsifying medical exams?

Oh Nilas I didn't know you were so forward! You wanna' oversee my next medical personally is it?

And on the charges of insubordination? Anything to say on the fact you would be dead if you hadn't had a seizure in your cockpit during a berserker rage against an enemy machine, brought on by your illegal substance talkin' ?

I ain't done nothin' to nobody, Innocent 'till proven guilty!!

........
 Cally turn the camera off, we ain't gettin' nowhere like this.

Oh wait sir! If you don't mind I have a form request.

What right now? Hoki-lass this is an official inquiry, heck why are you here again?

Yes Sir, sorry Sir but I though it better to ask now then interrupt you later.

Go on?

I want to apply to be Scarlet's wingman if that's alright.

Eh!? You want to be her wingman, after she nearly got you killed? The heck 'appened to you two hating each other?

Ha-ha! Suck it Nilas, with Hoki and Una on my side I have the majority hold over the squad, hahahahaha!

Ummmm Luientant Sir, should I keep recording or?

What? Ah er...

The paperwork for making me her wingman, should I prepare it Sir?

Lieutenant-- Sir --Lieutenant -- Sir --Old man Nilas --Lieutenant --

Oh fine whatever! Hoki bring me the paperwork and I'll sign it all to hell, clear it with Nate too - though why you two are best buds now baffles me.

Hear that Scarlet, isn't it great!

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Ha it's brilliant, I think you've really broken his spirits!

That wasn't exactly what I meant....

Ummm, Lieutenant Sir?

Cut the recording Cally, we're a lost cause.....

1st Lieutenant Kolme Nilas.
Recording Ends.

Kolme Nilas sighed deeply while scratching the back of his head - Beside him the room's small doorway slid closed as young Cally left to return to her regular duties on the bridge.
 The ship's sick-bays were a generic affair, a series of small, plain-whitewashed rooms connected by simple doors and lined from wall to wall with monitors, medical equipment and of course a cot for the patient.
 Said patient in question being none other than the Am Fluchtig's resident troublemaker, Scarlet.

It was somewhat strange for Kolme to see the woman bedridden - At present she lay with the white sheets tucked up to her shoulders, only her signature red hair and face free of the beds confines.
 Currently she was grinning wolfishly in Kolme's direction, a look of satisfaction in her eye;
 "Haha your face is priceless old man."

"I hope ya' appreciate how much more work it'll be to make a written report. Would'a been much easier if you'd just cooperate on camera woman."Kolme huffed.

"Music to my ears, enjoy your letter writing, Acting-Squad-Leader." Scarlet cooed back.

 Hoki Bachika, Kolme's second in command and apparent 'traitor' to his cause, stood quietly at the opposite side of the bed - Smiling both awkwardly and apologetically in Kolme's direction.
 He sighed, "Whatever makes you want ta' pair up with this nuisance?"

Hoki smiled in her usual polite way; "We came to... An understanding of one another when we were waiting for the enemy ship to arrive. And anyway someone has to make sure Scarlet doesn't go 'lone-wolfing' any more."

Scarlet cackled again - "Haha, hear that Nilas? Girl knows who the better pilot to be around is, eh?"
 Kolme sighed again while stepping forward and picking up a clipboard from the end of Scarlet's bed;

"In all seriousness though Scarlet, Enhancers, really? I always guessed you'd be on somen' but that's some pretty extreme stuff right there."
 Scarlet simply frowned and shrugged her shoulders, having already been lectured multiple times in the course of the three days since her battle with the Casnel and its submarine home.

"Says 'ere" Kolme continued;
 "That you won't be better for atleast another four days, minimum. Having a seizure from overdose at your age is no laughin' matter ya know. And besides that, means you'll miss the next operation."

Scarlet's face suddenly lit up in response to this comment, "You what? Who the hell wrote that? I'll get out of this bed right now, clock them over the head with me bear fists - That 'outta prove I'm just fine to start piloting again!"

"Oh will you now Miss.Grimizan? I have no doubt you could 'clock me' in a fight but I'd rather you didn't impede your recovery - Four more days rest is my conservative estimate."
 This voice had been none other then the deep basso tones of the ship's doctor, a tall tanned man permanently dressed in a heavy white coat, with a head of short fuzzy black hair.

"Ah doc, I ah. Ahem, they need me Doc!" Scarlet exclaimed taken a little off guard by the sudden intrusion, causing Kolme to smirk childishly.

"If it's in the next 4 days they will just have to make do with the other 14 or so mechs in this fleet won't they? Now then time for your bloods." The doctor replied flatly, wheeling a table of contraptions and syringes over.
 
Hoki made some attempts to convince Scarlet they would be fine on their own but Kolme opted for a broad grin - "Shame really, they say we could arrive any time now, recon' enemy will stop inside of Station 9, you know the abandoned one - Should be fun."
 Kolme jeered, enjoying his revenge for Scarlet's earlier ruining of his interview.

At first Scarlet scowled at this, up until a specific phrase - At which her eyes widened;
 "Station 9, thee station 9, as in 9.3? Kolme you listen to me right now, leave it alone. Anything you see there, leave it. Don't bring anything back, don't take pictures, recordings, nothing. I mean it Nilas!!"

Kolme and Hoki glanced at each other in confusion, "What do you --"

"Alright times ticking, I'm a busy man you understand Lieutenant.
 You can come visit again later yes? Right now Scarlet needs her medication, Doctor's orders if you want her out of here in 4 days - I know I certainly want her gone by then."
 The large man said, waving his hands in a shooing motion.

Kolme frowned, signalling Hoki and making for the door.
 "Wait you dolt. Oi! Get that syringe off me! Kolme, stay away from everything in there you hear me! Kolme Nilas, Station 9 is dangerous, you hear?!"

****

Kolme and Hoki walked down the metal-lined passageways leading out from the sick-bays.
 Kolme glanced across at Hoki, she was a tall woman with a stride that easily matched his own. As usual she had her auburn hair tied in a neat ponytail and kept both hands held to a file of who knows what.
 "Something the matter Sir? You're not mad I want to be Scarlet's wingman are you?"

'Pah, as if. My whole plan was sending you two off on that mission would make ya' friends - Shame Scarlets now putting all her efforts into arguing with me now though....'

"Not at all Hoki-Lass, just this whole business with Station 9.3"

"You mean Scarlet's.... umm, warning?"

"Ya that, other things too. I hate ta' admit it but I'd rather have her with us if we face off against the Casnel again.
 Doesn't help Una's only just recovered from her own injuries, not even sure if I can deploy her right now."
Kolme mused.

Hoki glanced down at her feet, her expression becoming crestfallen at the mention of Una.
 'Oh nice one Kolme, make the lass feel bad why don'cha?'

"Ah-h... 'Course the Scarlet things worrying itself. Never seen 'er so serious before. Wonder what she's seen there?"
 Hoki's face perked up a little again at this question, forming into a small smile - "Maybe it was her base when she was pirating in the peace years? Who knows what she might of left behind?"

"Ha, like a diary! All pink and frilly I'll bet!" Kolme laughed, "Still, we better ask her about it before the mission - Find out what she knows before we end up stumbling on any more headaches we don't need."
 Hoki nodded and opened her mouth to response but was swiftly cut off by the blaring of an alarm.

"The heck's that racket for?" Kolme said over the noise.

"Battle-Alert Sir...You're sort of meant to know that sort of thing..." Hoki mumbled.

'Already! It's only been 3 days since the last fight, this is too damn soon!'

"Hoki go gather the others and put the Vijaiks ta' standby. I'll contact the bridge, get the full details."

"Aye Sir!" Hoki saluted brightly before beginning to make her way towards the hanger.

"Ah wait Hoki! Pass me your handheld first! I forgot mine....again."
 Kolme called, chasing after his young compatriot.

'Too damn bloody soon for another battle, and all this Station 9 superstition.... What other secrets are you hiding Scarlet?'

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