Capellan War College
Capella
Mid to Late November, 3053
A comment Teng made at the Investiture gave Kathrin Hitzig an idea where she’d seen the woman before – gun camera footage. With the investiture complete and security relaxed at the departure of the various guests, movement to and from the dropship to get access to the material. It was sometime in the last three years which narrowed things down. She figured she’d start with her most recent footage from ANGEL and work her way back. It would take time, but time was something she had to spare at the moment.
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Rosk is standing and waiting. He is looking at a familiar easel, but without paints this time. He looks around, waiting for Hiro's arrival. The view shifts to the painting, and we see a painting, not an expert quality but advanced beginner at best. In the center is an ox shape backgrounded by a mailed fist. There is a green burst coming from the gauntlet, with golden lines running through the green. It’s a smaller painting, about 6 in by 6 in.
Having discussed with Rosk where to meet him to return his blade, Hiro arrives again in his dress uniform with white gloves, carrying the blade with him. "Lt. Roskakoriinnen. I return your blade to you." Though likely curious about what's on the easel, his focus is on the man and the exchange. There is a sense of a ritual about the process.
With motions that both have familiarity to them, but a stiffness of being out of practice, Rosk adjusts his obi, fixing the know. He bows to Hiro, accepts the blade and now moving with swiftness tucks the blade in the obi. "My thanks, Lt. Colonel Yamamori, for the safekeeping of my blade." There is a definite emphasis on colonel, not mocking but drawing attention. "This gift you have presented me in my blades safekeeping is much more than was required of you, and for that you have my thanks." Rosk bows again, and pauses to indicate the end of the ritual. After the break, Rosk turns towards that painting and continues, "I found out duty will require that you leave for your new post tomorrow. I hope that you continue to grow and thrive in the new command, as you have in the past." Rosk appears to be trying to formulate other words, but they escape him for the moment.
There is a slight ripple of a reaction to the note of Colonel, fleeting and barely noticed. He nods as seems appropriate at the end of the ritual, then returns the bow. "Thank you. I wish you great success with the Rangers or another fitting command," he responds, struggling a bit with words, though his command of Japanese while not fluent has been sufficient. He starts the turn to leave, pauses and turns back. "There is... perhaps... more of the Kato I remember from when he was young left than I... thought. He might benefit from talks such as these, if you're so inclined. I would welcome your insights on such discussions if you have them." Though he hides it well, it is clear he is conflicted with many eddies and currents. Seeking to move to safer grounds he glances over at the painting. "I confess I do not see the meaning in what you have painted, though would be interested in your intent should you be willing to share." Rosk can sense that the admission is out of character from what at least most would expect. At the same time he believes it to be genuine as well. He looks as if he intends to say more, or ask something, but the words never come.
Moving on to safer topics, Rosk starts to explain the painting. "I did most of the painting in the morning, which along with conversations lead to the overall sunburst theme. I struggled to find a theme to paint on, as for a long time I thought I was painting this for someone else. Yet this time away from the daily stress and grind of mercenary life showed that I needed to reflect on myself. With Chinese zodiac signs, I was born under the ox most likely and so that was I placed at the core. The mailed fist was not originally in my mind, but as I reflected here, I was reminded that at my core I am a fighter. Whether fighting an enemy in a ‘Mech, or fighting for the poorest of the poor forgotten I discovered here that both are the same. This was an ...interesting time away from combat, and while I did some needed reflection, I found the balance I needed not in the stories from my people but from a people who hold similar but different values."
There is a bit of relief evident when Rosk shares that the painting is self-reflective. "I was curious about the bull and the zodiac but wasn't sure if it was more of a Taurian reference for some reason as you're not Han. Balance though is good. It can be hard to find. I do recommend you read the Korvin Doctrine, the Sarna Mandate and the Lorix Order or reread them if you have already. Again, to get perhaps a slightly different perspective in more detail. Should you wish to speak in the future, I would welcome it. Should you decide to return or come to Sian, I am sure we can provide appropriate supplies." There's a slight smile when he says this, and you sense the offer goes beyond mere paints and canvas.
Rosk chuckles slightly at the invitation. "Thank you for the recommendation on leadership, as I'm always looking for new, sorry not new but new ways to look at the proper old ideas. I don't get many invitations in my line of work, but if circumstances work out, I would like to see Sian." Rosk switches to Mandarin, which sounds like memorized phrases at worse, but there is a beginning of understanding the language. "It has been my honor to have these conversations with you, and the hospitality you have shown me is beyond conversation. I will certainly keep in touch, although HPG rates being what they are now you have to wonder about Comstar. I wish you all the success with the Red Lancers, and would also welcome further letters."
Hiro's smile grows a bit with the clear effort to speak in his native tongue. "Thank you. It has been an honor to speak with you as well and good to know there may be other more reasonable influences on my brother. As opportunity permits, we will speak again." He bows to Rosk.
Sensing the conversation coming to an end, Rosk responds, "I will continue to try. If we were both in different professions, here would be where I would say that I hope to see you again soon. Instead, I will stay in touch, but I never want to see you again until we are both old men and retired. Take care, and I hope I am not being to presumptuous saying this, take care my friend."
"I would be happy to see you sooner on the same side of the battlefield, as allies and friends," he responds acknowledging the friendship. "Take care as well. And may you not just survive, but prosper." With that he bows once more and leaves.
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The flight from Ceres City to the Capellan War College was manageable. Kato was invited to speak as a guest lecturer covering the Clans and his experiences with them along with battle armor deployment and tactics. One of the perks or duties of his being named a Confederation Master at Arms. Many of the instructors there already shared the same distinction and he’d have a chance to speak and learn from them as well.
During the week he was gone, Erin Mae would be finalizing their selection of a tutor she was comfortable with. He expected the Rangers would be fine. They’d already been here for four weeks and while some certainly chafed under the constant presence of the security details, they made the most of it. It was strange for him. He would be spending a week without seeing anyone he knew. That hadn’t happened since his Academy days nearly twenty years earlier.
Settling in went smoothly as did several of the early lectures. Occasionally tough questions, but he had the experience and gun cam footage to pull from. The students by and large were the easy part. The faculty was another matter. He found himself in debates over the use and success rates of different tactics he deployed and how much fortune factored into them. While spirited they lacked the animus of the arguments he’d had with his brother. There was still a wariness to the welcome, eased just a bit when it became clear he had no intention of leaving the Rangers anytime soon. The arguments though pushed him to reexamine his assumptions, to refine the strategies he’d deployed and to find opportunities for improvement to take advantage of in the future. Likewise, he was able to push some of the others to think in different ways and was satisfied to see them depart at times with thoughtful expressions. Ultimately the beneficiaries of those ponderings would be the warriors trained within these walls.
In his free time in the late afternoon and evenings he was able to avail himself of time with the sword master at the school. He was able to train with the family dao, getting used to the weight and the way it handled. His grandfather had not exaggerated – it had been meticulously maintained. So, in addition to some refinement of forms and the opportunity to spar against a true master, the finer points for the care of the blade were also covered. Much he already knew but there were some tips and tricks that would help ensure that when he passed it onto one of his children, it would be in the same shape it was then.
As the week ended and he headed back, it had been time well spent. Whether intentional or not, it served as a mini-sabbatical, and he looked forward to seeing his family and discovering what challenges lay ahead for the Rangers.
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Topic: Operation INVESTITURE - "10. Teaching Moments" (Read 374 times)