2022-11-16: This cutting edge of warfare has no protective handle(r)
- Cutscene: This cutting edge of warfare has no protective handle(r)
- Cast: The Nega Force's Cascade Wattana and Major Pham, discussing Yuliana Dispersal
- Where: Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Date: 2022-11-16
- Summary: Cascade Wattana confronts Major Pham about her assignment to the Nega Force -- even though she, herself, is a Cyber-Newtype, and she's bullied relentlessly by Yuliana. The Major reveals the REA's intent, and Cascade finds resolve within herself.
"Major," Officer Cadet Cascade Wattana salutes, sharp. Judging by the barrette in her hair, she's having a femme day, today; for all the faults in her workplace, her co-workers have at least noticed that much.
"Cadet," Major Pham Van Vinh greets her, stoic. "Please, sit down." And she does, in that functional chair opposite his. "I have a question for you," he says, leaning forward, hands folded on his desk. "Do you feel you've made progress in your first assignment?"
Cascade frowns. "Sir," she says, uses the acknowledgement to stall a moment. "Permission to speak freely?"
"Go ahead," he affirms. He isn't afraid of Yuliana overhearing them 'accidentally'; she's taken off early after work to see to more wedding preparation. ... he's also arranged for Parminder and Wen to be on the field at this moment.
"The only progress I'm making is towards a breakdown!" Cascade exclaims, leaning forward, hands grasping the armrests of her chair. "Haven't you gotten ANY of my transfer requests?! That woman, the Captain, she -- she's a demon! She's a demon, and she hates me! I don't know what fucking lab you grew her in, but you should send her back there! In pieces!"
"Cadet," Major Pham takes a breath, "you will mind your volume. Your vehement objection is noted."
"Yes, sir," Cascade agrees, volume and weight sinking back into her chair.
"I have received your requests," Pham goes on, when she quiets. "Please consider them summarily rejected."
"Why?!" Cascade demands, before she glances away, frowning. "Sorry, sir. But I don't understand. The Republic put a lot of effort into making me... fuck it, just making me -- I don't get why you just want me to, what? Deal with that horror show until I snap, like the other two? Seriously, even by REA standards, what's the point?" She swallows, glaring at him, near tears. "Now you're finally talking to me face to face, I just want you to look me in the eyes and tell me why I have to suffer like this."
The Major is quiet, for a moment, as he considers her demand. "Suppose, for a moment, we did 'grow Captain Dispersal in a lab'," Pham settles on, spreading his hands mildly to indicate Cascade's previous complaint. "Now, I'm not making any comment on it, you understand. But if the REA could create an anti-Newtype saboteur, Cadet, let me ask you -- what would stop anyone else from doing the same, or even just something similar?"
Cascade doesn't reply, at first. "... nothing," she says, eventually.
"That's right." Pham inclines his head, in curt approval. "If people like you are the future of warfare, Cadet Wattana, the next step in the process is someone like Captain Dispersal. This is why we are assigning Cyber-Newtypes to this unit. We are on the cutting edge of combat, and we would be fools not to learn how to combat this advantage before we face it ourselves. How many were in your graduating class, Cadet?"
"Eight functional survivors from the lab, sir." Cascade doesn't look particularly happy to speak of it, and she dispenses with his euphemism. "Out of twelve."
"Eight," he confirms. "And your project is far from the only one in existence. Do you not think the Republic wants to safeguard you all, in the case of an enemy with Captain Dispersal's abilities? This is why you must suffer -- because we are making ready for the inevitable future. I don't want you to break, Cadet... I don't take people on only to shatter them. Rather, I hope you will adapt." His hands clasp, about each other, firmly. "It's for your own good, and the good of the Republic."
"That's not reassuring, sir," Cascade frowns. "But... just so I'm clear, you... want me to beat her?" She pauses, settles on: "I'd never gotten the impression."
"Your survival will be sufficient," Major Pham tells her, unmoved. "So, let me ask you again. Do you feel you've made progress in this assignment, Cadet?"
Cascade's hands tighten, beside her. "If you're telling me it's to get out in front of that monster... fine. Fine. I'm doing great," She grinds out, through her teeth. "I'll prove to you this garbage is a warfare dead end!"
Major Pham smiles, and does not tell her to lower her voice, this time.