A Vulture's Hunger

[Goliath]

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Operation: Heavy Rain

Objective: Destroy FORT CARTHAGE

Agent I.D: Bolin 'Vulture' Zhao

Interview Location: Aonyobo Annex, Tohoku System (Chochinbi Headquarters)

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Uploading Agent Testimony⋱ . . . . . .

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Interviewer: Agent Zhao, are you prepared for your evaluation?
Zhao: Konbanwa, Madam ▉▉▉▉▉. Yes, I am ready.
I: In your report, you have written that the first few days of this operation have been hectic. Even before the final offensive had begun you and the Kusari forces you were accompanying had met strong resistance. Could you elaborate?
Z: Oh -- straight to the point. Yes, I...have fought a number of their fighters as my superiors were coordinating against enemy Capital Assets. Bombers, Fighters, Gunboats. I fought as many as I could. It was... stressful. With so many of them and so few of us, I was forced into a defensive position.
I: And how did you get out? After all you are here, having a lovely conversation with me and recounting events for the higher-ups to evaluate later on.
Z: Can I be honest with you?
I: I would expect nothing less from one of The Emperor's most gifted.
Z: I saw no way out. My eyes were just... set on what is in front of my cockpit. I knew that eventually, my ship's wear and tear will get the better of me. It was all a matter of time, and I did not have much to begin with. So I went on the offensive. Together with my brothers and sisters we took out enemy fighters and bombers one by one.
I: How many confirmed 'kills' do you believe you have contributed to?
Z: Somewhere around twenty. Roughly. Maybe thirty, but I am unsure. My ship's guncam recordings should be of help to you.
I: We will see. Now -- you pride yourself with saving numerous allies from death's cold grips. But you have not talked about the ones you could not save. How do you feel about this?
Z: My heart burns! I grieve for those who lost their lives. I thank them for their selfless sacrifice. For every one of their deaths, three, four even five Order fanatics have died. They motivated me to stand my ground and fight. And I did so to the best of my abilities.
I: Moving words, Agent. You have made them proud. And your honor remained unsullied. Now -- during this operation, have you met anyone familiar from The Order? A voice, a face, a ship. We know that some civilians from our Nation would rather swim in mud, than the clear waters of Kyushu.
Z: Only one, madam. My little brother chose to betray our family. Our values. I believed him dead for many years... but. To see him conspiring with the enemy? I would have never thought him capable of such.
[A short pause]
Z: Akio was his given name. The fu-oool...he took upon the nickname of 'The Colonel' without ever deserving it!
I: And what became of him? Describe to me what you did in this... 'Showdown', as you wrote it off in your report.
Z: I... I should not. Despite his many heinous actions against our home, he still died with honor. His name should be laid to rest now.
I: Allow us to remember him one more time, Agent Zhao, before he is truly forgotten and your family's reputation restored.
Z: Very well. So it went like this . . .

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And so, Zhao began describing his duel.

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