Following is the original recording of the SAINT conspiracy to re-distribute ships of the 5th Expeditionary Fleet:
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FEED BEGINS
"Exactly how much unrest is there?"
The holographic figure squirmed, despite being close to the head of the slowly spinning table. She was only where she was because of her relationship to the Ketsurui clan, which was good. The question was the last question she wanted to answer, for the consequences would not sit well with the others in the room. Their brains worked differently than others; strange, complex ways that were never logical. After a nod from the hologram at the head of the table, she relented.
"More than is healthy, even in terms of manipulation. Some are scared. Others are nearly traitorous; they speak of the gap between enlisted and officers as we would talk about us versus the Mishhuvurthyar. Yoshike's Rebellion has stirred the desire for equality."
The ice behind the question made her cringe inside. "In my opinion," she said slowly, "an overhaul of personnel would be the most effecient method. I have taken the liberty of drafting a list --"
"Never," the hologram farthest down the table sputtered. "The officers of the Star Army are too few; we should replace the enlisted."
"Equally irreplaceable in the 5th," the hologram above said. "Yoshike cost them six percent of their total manpower. Armor pilots are being soaked up to replace enlisted. The only ships untouched are the Akuro and the battleships."
"Can we not recruit further?" The bottom hologram asked, a galaxy sneaking behind him as the table spun.
"For a fleet that served its purpose long ago?" The third hologram up said. "Besides, the colonies are now the recruiting pools it must draw from. The NH-29s cannot fill the cracks; too many of the ships cannot be retrofitted."
The second hologram finally raised its old, weary head. "We must face facts. The 5th Expeditionary Fleet cannot seed the future of Yamatai when it is rotted with traitors and aging equipment. There is also the mental state of Taisho Motoyoshi Katsuko."
She had just started to inhale when the fifth hologram spoke. "She is a brilliant officer."
"A taskmaster with extreme psychosis," the fourth said quickly. "Ayenee destroyed her, as it destroyed nearly all who went there."
"Who could take her place? Kazuhiko is experienced, but she would treat the soldiers worse; Yoshikawa would never leave her crew; and Morimune is not fit to lead. There are no other officers worth considering."
"Gentlemen," the head of the table said. "We must focus. I agree the 5th is no longer the seed carrying the Empire's future; that is best left to Taisho Chen and his 3rd Expeditionary. But we still must have a use for them."
"I do not believe so," the fourth said. "The collective resources of that fleet could be redirected into a new war fleet, or boost the capabilities of Zero Fleet."
"Unnecessary!" the fifth cried.
"And it does not fit in the Type 29 Fleet Plan," the third said. "Spread the ships across the territories we took from the Mishhu. They would do well in detering SMX reminants."
"Many follow Motoyoshi's orders," the fifth said, anger easy to see even via hologram. "If she is mentally incapacitated and flies off the handle, what then?"
The fourth nodded. "We should not leave this to SAPM."
"Agreed," the third said. The fifth mumbled in agreement.
"Have you nothing to say?" the head asked the second. It shook its head. "Then we must undertake this ourselves. We have our goal, but we still have no task to undertake."
"Remove Motoyoshi from command," the fourth said. "Use an agent to assassinate her. It is the most effecient way."
"Despictable," the fifth blustered. "Surely she would listen to reason."
"Do not be so sure," the second said. "Ayenee did things to her brain. Soul Transfer cannot fix her."
"I agree it is best to kill her," the head of the table said firmly. "But it would be easier to convince the rest of the crew if Taiie VII was no longer hospitable."
"How?"
"Destroy their Iori."
"!" Even the second hologram could not believe its ears. "You are not serious?"
"A malfunction in the KAMI should satisfy our needs. A sleeper agent, certified by Kessaku."
The second hologram thought for a moment. "Agreed. One who might be restless during the day."
"See to the details," the head told her, looking at her for the first time. With that, the table froze, and one by one, bottom to top, the participants vanished until she was all who was left. A heavy sigh escaped her mouth, but she nodded to herself and disappeared too.
ENDS
