Tabakov folded his arms across one another as he leveled a light glare at the Field Marshal, shaking his head at such ignorance.
"The ship was almost destroyed, anyone who didn't get off during that mission died due to explosive decompression and those stuck in any remaining compartments died from massive radiation leaks not long after, as per standard protocol the husk was towed back to Omega-52 which took weeks due to the fragile state of the hulk, from then on it was examined by our top minds, including the good doctor XiaoBei himself at one point, it was through his efforts the RECON scanners were derived from the scanners onboard the Kerimov." the man lectured as if to a young student, enjoying this slight bit of power over the man through knowledge.
"He however saw the value of the ship not just for it's research-potential, but as a Commissariat asset against the Houses. Think, if restored this ship could be used to infiltrate systems even the Fighter Corps have troubles with, eavesdrop on enemy communications, do more intensive scans from afar then risking danger up close and even drop infiltration teams into house space wtihout risking a highly visible Storm, His Watchful Eye also planned to use it as his new base of operations, leaving the TOR ONE with the required space to conduct research that required the isolation and safety of space that could NOT be done on Mykolaiv." he paused, turning all so slightly in his direction, looking at the man from the corner of his eye.
"The price for such progress, such potential is high. But our ancestors also knew the price would be high to ensure the freedom of Sirius from the Alliance...I ask you this: Are you willing to pay the price for freedom?" he asked lightly, almost as if commenting on the weather.
Garcia listened closely to what Tabakov had to say. He knew that Tabakov was trying to get back at him for the whole cargo hold incident and was trying to regain his pride.
Still, while it pained him to admit it, everything Tabakov said made sense.
"We all have to pay a price in our struggle for victory. Very well, you may continue with your little pet project. I have some of my own to considert." he paused for a moment as he said that before beginning to walk back towards the docking bay and to his ship.
His Watchful Eye might have won a small victory today in gaining this vessel, but Garcia had bigger plans in mind for the SCRA.
As the man walked away Tabakov allowed a small smirk to cross his face, he had won this little battle, however the war would continue, perhaps not today or even on this issue. But he knew there would always be more issues cropping up, more battles to be won through wit and skill... Allowing the smirk to fade from his face he turned back to the wretched form of what was once the Kerimov and put his hand to the ear-bud once again.
"Sir, the project continues unimpeded. All reports are in, we are green for Phase II. Engineers are being given orders to start repairs immediately and clean up any remaining radiation spills onboard. However they say it will require more resources to complete the project. I am requesting additional allocations from the Trade Division to this end."
It was silent for several minutes before he heard Him speak.
Time passed...His Watchful Eye kept close vigil over the progress of the Kerimov. Hull breeches were sealed by the skilled engineering teams of the Coalition, new hardware installed onboard to replace the inoperable computer and mechanical systems onboard. Even the entire Order-Made sensor arrayed was replaced by the Coalition RECON copied from XiaoBei's research on the Kerimov before and after it's disablement. His Watchful Eye had moved all his equipment onboard the Kerimov and repurposed one of it's Living Quarters to serve as his new command center. The room was almost an exact copy of his old Command Center.
The monitors he was currently focusing on showed images of the Kerimov in it's Drydock, undergoing the final checks before heading out into open space. The ship was captained by one of his Commissars, Thomas Langley, a firm man of military discipline and very serious to all he meets,
He for-now was merely content with listening to the frequent Intercom announcements, waiting for a specific one that would signify the success of this project...It took half an hour of waiting since the last announcement, which was ironically a Ministry of Truth propaganda article concerning 'Leadership' and 'Loyalty'...To be frank he did not listen to those anymore....He has heard it all before.
Then he heard what he had been waiting for...Which brought a small smirk on his face as he leaned back in his seat, his hands folded in his lap as he listened, getting comfortable...
"Attention! The Core has been brought online. All work crews report to your stations and prepare to ship out. Engineering Deck is to keep an eye on core temperatures during initial burn and report any issues immediately. Non-Ministry Personnel are to disembark immediately. Initial Burn out of Dry-Dock will commence in 2 minutes. I repeat, Burn out of Dry-Dock in 2 Minutes."
With that the announcement ended. Two minutes remaining...His Watchful Eye felt something he had not felt in quite some time. Excitement. The Commissariat's greatest tool would be proven today, that their efforts in gathering supplies for the required repairs, pouring through old blueprints of the ship from the archives to ensure proper repairs are rendered and ensuring the loyalties of the work crews themselves so the Houses or any Order Agents wouldn't sabotage their efforts...
To His Watchful Eye the two minutes seemed to pass in the blink of an eye when he heard a second announcement.
"Attention all personnel, prepare for burn, Engines 1 through 3 are reporting all green, Thrust-Control also reports the all-clear. Initiating Burn, all Kerimov Crewmen are to brace themselves and stand by."
With that the ship seemed to give a slight jerk to His Watchful Eye as the burn was initiated, the engires fired and slowly began to move the Kerimov out of it's drydock.
The ship finally started to clear the end of the dock, His Watchful Eye kept his calm and simply watched the monitors as the ship cleared the last few meters of dock and went into open space.
"Attention, this is Commissar Langely, we have cleared Dry-Dock and are now in open space. All work-crews are to begin checks on all systems and ready for operations, I want reports within the hour on all systems. Langely out."