2022-07-21: Theft and Corruption
- Log: 2022-07-21: Theft and Corruption
- Cast: Vitaly Sokolov
- Where: Side 7 - Barge
- Date: U.C. 0096 07 21
- Summary: Vitaly goes over the records after taking responsibility for the failures during LaPlace: Unchaining. Something went horribly wrong, and she needs to know why.
In an office on Barge, Vitaly Sokolov is staring at an army of documents and dossiers. To her left, a pile of dossiers of on-board staff. In front of her, pictures and datapads. To her right, battle reports and damage costs.
What should have been a 'simple' trap against Sleeves forces, had turned into a nightmare. Of course, she has taken all the responsibility for this operation. But things are not adding up.
"I hope you'll be okay."
She pulls a photo from the pile ahead of her, showing the bodies of the security officers that were watching Marida Cruz' chamber. Found in the security room with gunshots to their backs. She puts it down slowly, and then pulls a few records down from the pile on her left.
Checking their names, cross-checking it with the Notice of Death, before signing each with her own signature.
"You said that you had people who believe in you, and support you. I know what it feels like to have those people taken away. So I won't take you from them."
The woman grits her teeth, her metalic hand squeeling, before the pen snaps in two, and she throws the pieces to the walls. "Zinnerman..." She whispers, as she pulls another battle report over.
Aurum-1 missing. From some of the ReZEL EWACs that were on-site to watch the region, they finally have a hint at her disappearance. The Silhouette match on a unit that deployed under Civilian license during the Vajra battle. She remembers meeting the pilot, according to the records at La Vie en Rose II. The man who got so violently sick from someone's food. Who was it again who'd registered him as a scout against ZAFT forces? Her memories are still a bit scrambled because of the tazer to her body.
"I will not take from your family what was taken from me."
How. How did that man know about her family? Did he bring a Tazer because he knew about the fault in her cybernetics, or was he always just intent on stunning her?
She touches a small intercom button next to her. "File request with G-Hound Officer to have my family moved to new location." Pause. No... no. Until this is dealt with, that won't help. Is information even leaking? Did he just assume?
"Go home, Vitaly Sokolov. Don't waste what time you have left chasing ghosts."
Is she just chasing ghosts? Another press. "Rescind request." - "Understood, Ma'am."
Regardless of the situation, The School is going to start asking about their precious subject soon. And this is her responsibility now.
Instead, she grabs a picture taken by one of the cameras. A man wearing a cap and sunglasses, tipping the hat down as they leave that security office. "Who are you?" To the side, transfer papers for a soldier named 'Graspa Naill' - a Cyber NewType - to be at Barge. She doesn't remember requesting anything of the sort. She came to Barge on the recommendation from superior officers. But they deployed, so it's not them. It must be someone on Barge.
"What am I missing?" She asks herself as she puts the letters to the side and begins once again. "I will find you. I will root out this poison." The dossiers. She will go through every single one if she must. She will find that person.
After this... a visit to NERV.