2017-11-04: The Gears of Change
- Cutscene: The Gears of Change
- Cast:Kahm Yugh
- Where: Bledavik
- Date: November 4th, 2017
- Summary: Kahm receives an unexpected visitor while reflecting on the events of the week.
The hangar underneath Bledavik was a bevy of activity and industry as numerous gears were serviced by round-the-clock crews to keep Gebler’s mechanized forces well-prepared and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice, an expectation made all the more relevant by the recent attack on Bledavik.
Kahm Yugh weaved between techs and engineers with quiet thought, his previous conversation still playing over in his mind as he walked towards his destination.
“You seem surprised, Captain.” The senior officer said without humor. “How unusual for you. This is an unprecedented honor for someone of your status.”
“I understand, and am duly honored.” Kahm replied, stewing carefully over his words. There were various reasons he spent so much time away from the capital, but rank interactions like these were one of them. “I’m also aware that i’m only three years into my post as Captain, and my record…”
“Is quite impeccable, full of capable achievement under scant resources and multiple constraints.” The other man said, dryly. “At least, these were Lieutenant Commander Hawwa’s words when she recommended your promotion, and the Commander agreed. The fact is, we need more oversight on drifter activities in the west region, and you seem to be the one with most field experience available. A Captain’s resources aren’t suitable to the task.”
Kahm bowed his head to that logic. “I am in the Lieutenant Commander’s debt then. She has my thanks.”
“Yes, well..” The man’s eyes drew to the side, “I suppose it only makes sense that nephilim look out for one another down here. If you want to thank her, send a missive. Dismissed, Major.”
Feet coming to a halt, the now-Major’s gaze squarely settled on the white gear being attended to by mechanic teams. Hauteclaire had not been terribly damaged during the battle, but it was never a bad idea (indeed, it was mandatory) to recalibrate and run diagnostics after any deployment. Kahm made it a point to personally review the readouts and maintenance logs where other officers might leave it to the their teams, and spent a few minutes swiping through a readout to clear his thoughts.
“Had a feeling i’d find you here.” Said a familiar voice, “Congratulations on your promotion, Major.”
“Word travels fast.” Kahm stated, glancing sidelong at the old man who’d appeared at his side, “I didn’t realize you were still on the surface, Professor Gerune. It hardly agrees with you.”
“Ha! I’m not so old that some dust and smoke will be the end of me.” The white-haired academic said, and erupted into a coughing fit for several seconds. “Ahem. See? Besides, events are far more interesting on the surface than Etrenank right now. I think i’ll be staying a while longer.”
“Mmm.” Kahm remained fixed in his attempts to look busy. “And you’re here because...?”
“What?” Gerune replied in mock-offense, “An old teacher can’t come by to see one of his former pupils?”
“Interesting. You didn’t seem to recognize me when we rescued you from your mishap in the border zone.”
“I was quite addled by all the explosions going on around me at the time, thank you, and it all happened terribly fast!” The professor harumphed, strengthening his coat, “I see you still haven’t learned to respect your elders. Just your superiors, eh?”
“You’re wearing out your welcome, Professor.” Kahm finally turned to look upon the old man, and added, “....With all due respect. You never poke your nose into anything unless it interests you, and I don’t have any more patience for the runaround than I did in Jugend. What do you want?”
The good professor visibly blanched for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders helplessly. “Ever to the point, I see. Elricht taught you too well.” He said, and turned his gaze up towards the white gear, allowing silence to reign for a few moments. “I’d heard about the battle, and came to review the combat log myself. It looks like you had your hands full.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Kahm insisted, and his mind flashed-briefly-with the image of the robed, abyssal reaper the on gear, the Rephaim, had called upon him. Ge Ramtos. Somehow, he knew that for the being’s name.
“You used it.” Gerune continued, his brows raising in expectation, “The song.”
“Only the first note.” Kahm confirmed, along with his own expectations. “Hauteclaire can’t intone the rest under normal field conditions. Not yet.”
“So you can’t control it yet.” The older man said, taking his own turn at sharp observations. “Still, that’s more progress than I expected. And the log indicates it performed well within .”
A faint smile passed Gerune’s lips as he peered up at Hauteclaire’s marble-white face. “Not that I would expect any less for one of my designs.”
“Is that all?” Kahm asked, finishing his reports. “I have other tasks to see to.”
“One more thing, and then i’ll be out of your hair.” The older teacher said, and his withered face fell into a far less avuncular expression. “Be careful, Major. You’ve spent years on the surface, and Etrenank is...different. I haven’t been invited to dinner parties in years, but I hear things.”
Gerune leaned closer, conspiratorially, and after a moment of consideration Kahm did so in kind. “The Emperor has not made an appearance in months, and the Gazel Ministry is handing out edicts left and right. It’s only gotten worse since the metal demons resurfaced, and the rumor is that the Ezekiel has been spending more and more time in the Aquvy region.” The man whispered, his eyes peeled for any watchers. “I think they’ve found something, but I can’t guess as to what.”
Kahm pulled back, eyes cool and collected. “So, that’s why you’re here.” He reasoned. “But even as a major, I’m the wrong man to ask if you’re hoping to enlist Gebler’s help. Our operating concerns remain with managing the situation on Ignas.”
“Yes, but for how much longer?” The professor fitted Kahm with the same, inscrutably questioning gaze the Major had always been confounded by. “Directives can change on a dime if there’s sufficient justification, and who knows what tomorrow will bring? Remember that as you grasp your new responsibilities, Major.”
The wizened man began a slow, plodding retreat after that, leaving Kahm with to consider all he had said in merciful, quiescent silence.
Doctor Royce Gerune was first seen in Operation Bunny Hop