What's In Io's Arsenal?

[m_k_tksa 0]

“I do na think physical force is necessary. Nor, in this case, effective,” Major t’Prin leaned back in her chair, steeping her fingers together and regarded the younger, brasher Tal Shiar agent as she stewed in the chair before her.

t’Kayton squirmed, attempting to reign in her temper before her superior officer. “But the Maenak has made little or na progress in the last week. She’s moving too—“

“Au do realize work of this nature takes time, ie?” t’Prin interrupted, kept her voice held at the same conversational tone while regarding her subject.

“Ie, but—“

“And we are to be merely the catalyst for change.” t’Prin lectured.

 

“What does that—“

“It means we are to…” she paused for dramatic effect as if searching for the most appropriate verbiage. “…coerced…na. That’s na right. Ah…persuaded. Ie, that sounds better. Our job is to persuade the menkha maenak to perform the tasks necessary for the betterment of Rihannsu everywhere. However the behest will take a monumental amount of time. The task requires intricate details, planning and perseverance. We can na expect nor demand to see immediate results. In fact I doubt that au and I will see results at all. What we must do is to assist the maenak, motivate her to keep trying, and above all, stay on task before we reach our benefactor so that he, and the menkha maenak can continue their quest.” She tilted her head. “Do au think that physical punishment is an appropriate motivator for this guest.”

“Ie. Ie I do. Au know that interrogation protocols include physical persuasion. I do na see how this is any different.” t’Kayton seemed to understand that her follow up response would make or break her career within the Major’s detail. However, she neither cared for the Major’s methods nor did she agree that maenak was worth all this trouble na matter what their benefactor had promised. Nor did she care for the maenak pushing her buttons every chance she got. If the woman knew that by doing so it would result in punishments of increasing severity, perhaps she would do what is required of her.

“Au have na done much research into au’s detainee.” While t’Prin’s tone remained conversational, the implications that t’Kayton had na clue what she was doing hung in the air. “If au had, like I did, then au would know that the maenak is of the highest caliber Galae officer. Loyal to the end. Any amount of physical pain equates to martyrdom for the cause. The Empire. Not to mention damaging her will slow her productivity down further.” t’Prin shook her head sadly, thinking perhaps about t’Ksa’s fate, perhaps about another’s. “Have au introduced her to the children yet?”

“The children?” t’Kayton raised her brows.

“Ie, the children.”

“Na, I have not.” t’Kayton scowled.

“If au are so concerned about the maenak’s productivity, perhaps au should.”

“Why?”

“Au will see in time,” t’Prin smiled enigmatically. “That is all,” she waved a hand to dismiss the sulking Tal Shiar officer, refusing to waste the time to explain her working theory to gain the Maenak’s cooperation. She waited until the woman had fled her presence before remarking to herself. “Pity. I had such high hopes that she could be taught.”

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Io would assume that the Maenak was complacent in this hostile situation. As if she was unconcerned that she would never again return to her home, her life, her family. She did na fight back. The only weapon she used was her tongue which caused na more damage than a stomach cramp from the resulting good laugh.

 

As a result, the guards were becoming more relaxed with the Maenak and almost sympathetic when t’Kayton chose to mete out her own form of persuasion. While na necessarily weak, they thought, she was completely harmless.

 

They thought wrong.

 

t’Ksa had several other non-traditional weapons in her arsenal, na that they noticed. And she continued to utilize them every waking second. From Pain’s snoring to Brain’s quasi-friendly conversations or from her guards’ idle conversations while she worked to t’Kayton’s rantings, t’Ksa listened and absorbed everything. She also watched, counted, touched, smelled and, if necessary, tasted just about everything within her reach. From there, the khiensa mind games she learned in Academy were deployed. It was na the traditional form of warfare, but t’Ksa was sure in time it would prove effective.

 

Morgana just needed to remain focused and na give into the growing homesickness within herself. The longer time passed her hope of rescue by Galae forces decreased exponentially. But she could na afford to feel sorry for herself. Na yet. Na until she was free and safe.

 

Because na all battles were fought fist to fist, disruptor to disruptor - and sometimes strength comes from within.