I walked into the JCC, jackboots clicking softly on the polished floor. Zerfirov gave me a silent, knowing look before handing me a small folder and disappearing down the hall towards the mess. I took a moment to take a look at the reflection of myself in the window of the door. My hair was perfect, not a strand out of place, my uniform was flawless. My eyes briefly lingered on the single red star with a sickle and hammer pinned to my lapel, I thought back to when Andrew had taken it off his uniform and pinned it to me with a sly grin. "Take care of this for me till I get back."
I pushed open the door to the classified suite and entered, closing the door softly behind me as I took stock of the two fellow users Andrew had told me I'd be closely working with. Jake Ellis was about as Andrew had described him, a plain laidback man that had the attitude he had something to prove. Li Fung however… I sized up the other woman as I took Andrew's seat. She didn't wear a uniform, just a tightly fitted business suit, her light makeup was exquisite, she projected an air of complete control, though Andrew had mentioned she'd seemed stressed whenever he was present… I wondered what that was about?
"I am ArmeeGeneral Muller, of the 12th Volksarmee group. The Marshal has placed me in command of the Soviet expeditionary force until his return." I introduced myself as formally as I was able. It would not do to embarrass Andrew by some unknown faux pas.
"I'm Jake Ellis, feel free to call me Jake, or Ellis, whichever suits you better." Jake said as he slouched into his seat, staring at the newest set of film that the navy had pushed up to headquarters. It showed a quick, low level flight over Manila bay where some weird whitish cloud thing slowly moved amongst the city skyline, vanishing as that twin headed dragon took to the skies and took off after the jets as they made an escape north.
"I am Li Fung, leader of the Pacific Alliance." the other woman introduced herself. She'd drawn herself up to her full height. Was there a slight condescending tone to her voice? Maybe i'd just imagined it? I nodded politely and turned to study the film. Up now were satellite images of Manila, for whatever reason the city seemed to be covered by this oddly near invisible yellowish cloud a few hundred feet above the ground.
The heat map however, showed a different story. Almost the entire city was covered in red, and if we layered the two images it lined up perfectly with the area covered by that weird cloud… maybe it was some new mutation of the virus? I wish there was some way to gather samples… but with that damn dragon… the safest option would just be to have everyone kitted in full CBRN gear, it'll limit the risks. I'll push up the request to get extras shipped out from LA on transport aircraft as soon as possible.
"We believe we are ready to start Operation Silence, the transports will sail with the dawn if you can pass to your fleet that we are ready." Li said, walking around the table to sit next to me.
"I'll inform the Admiral, it was Puerto Princesa on Palawan and Lubang island correct?" I said while scribbling down a note to inform the Admiral Gena later… wait… no operations on this side of the Pacific were being conducted by Admiral Leshenko, Gena was only in charge of the eastern Pacific.
"Will you be needing assistance or wish for me to have reinforcements ready offshore?" I asked both of them.
"Nah, my marines should easily be able to handle anything on that small rock, we're only interested in the northern bit anyway." I nodded while listening to Jake's half hearted reply.
"I don't believe it will be necessary, but it would speed along securing Puerto Princesa." Li smiled, there were too many teeth.
"I'll have the 3rd naval infantry division tag along for the landings on Palawan then." I said, nodding slightly. SAG Demon would be enough to cover both landings, that should let Angel try and lure that dragon from its nest… try and put that thing down.
We spoke at length on the details of the operations, and dealing with that dragon, noon passed before Jake left to begin briefing his command of the final plans and to get them started on their preparations. I started to gather my files as Li Fung gave me a small smile.
"Is your commander taken? I noticed he has the tan marks of a wedding band?" she asked. I froze, my teeth gritting slightly. I maintained a professional look as I finished packing my files.
"The Kommandant has recently lost his wife… I don't think he'd appreciate your concern." I said, repressing a strange feeling in my chest. It wasn't rage? Anger? No… disbelief? It was something between shock and fury.
Was she trying to get at Andrew? I bit the inside of my lip as I sized her up again. She certainly was beautiful, if one had a thing for oriental looks at least. Given Veria had been Hispanic… I thought that was unlikely… but… I repressed a frown as Li Fung stood.
"I'll see to it. Men appreciate a woman that knows what she wants after all." she said confidently, flashing me a smile that made my blood boil.
"Mrs. Li, I wouldn't advise any hasty courses of action, the loss was quite recent." I replied quietly, forcefully.
"If he's taken the ring off, he's put it behind him. What would a summon know anyway? You all have so little knowledge of the world when summoned. A real woman like myself knows what a man needs." she sneered at me, her eyes narrowing. I clenched my fist under the desk and smiled pleasantly.
"I'd be surprised if he'd take you up on a coffee date, the Kommandant is a man of principle after all." I replied sweetly.
"Like a summon like you would know, he probably doesn't even see you as a person, let alone a woman." she sneered again. I finally narrowed my eyes at that.
"You summons only know how to profess your unending loyalty. Like that means much in a real relationship. I know how and what it takes to please a man. And that's something you'll never know." she prodded. I stood, gathering my documents in my folder. I turned to face her and frowned, slowly looking her up.
"Maybe he only sees me as something to use. I'm fine with that. But at least this summon isn't so shallow as to think she knows everything a man wants because she fucked a few." I retorted before I left, leaving her giving me a hard glare.
I continued down the hall, Zerfirov appeared by my side, giving me a knowing glance as we walked. I huffed for a bit, calming myself as Zerfirov lit a cigarette as we stepped outside.
"You want me to make something happen? Off the records?" he asked, staring at the sky.
"No, the Marshal was direct. We will support the Pacific Alliance in the objective of completing the quest they have." I grit my teeth as I thought of the infuriating woman.
"Alright… let me know if she doesn't get herself in check though… her troops aren't much better and i've heard they're treating your guys worse than mine." he said, offering me a cig. I shook my head, Andrew didn't like them and I didn't want to smell like something he didn't like.
"Are you going to bring it up with Ivanov?" Zerfirov asked, letting out a long drag. I chuckled.
"Of course… that sly bastard just loves hearing about anything against the Kommandant." I replied with a chuckle.
"Well… he wants you or Regina to get together with him… you know?" I cast a disbelieving gaze at my college. He laughed.
"He spoke with a couple of us about it over drinks before we shipped out. But Andrew needs to be strong, and between the two of you, y'all are the only two of all of us keeping him together right now." he took another drag before flicking the cigarette away into a nearby bush.
"Shit, the new guys joke they're like invisible mannequins around him. You and Regina need to figure something out. Maybe not marriage, but something to make sure he doesn't… lose himself again." he sighed.
"Ah, what do I know? I'm just a salty old hand that watched a good chunk of his division get ground down in San Francisco while i could only watch, praying they'd get relieved…" he laughed, the self deprecating humor striking a twinge with me, it sounded familiar, like Regina's confession about what had happened at Las Vegas.
I glanced up at the midday sky, a few wispy clouds fluttering about. I tried reflecting on my comrades' words… we didn't mean that much to Andrew… surely? I'll try calling Regina, see if she can at least convince Andrew to wear his ring again. I'll have to keep that damn harlot away from him.