"Regina? I'm surprised you made it…" I trailed off as she plopped into the seat across from me.
"Really Ivanov? You thought I'd skip out on a meeting with the head of headquarters?" she asked, glancing at all the other high ranking officers around the table. Roman passed her a glass, nodding towards the open bar.
"We figured you'd be over at his place." Erik joked, earning a stern glare from Natasha.
"With Siska overseas… and Vegas basically running itself whether you are there or not… we'd figured the two of you would be inseparable." Tanya gave me a small smile.
"He had to cancel dinner at the last minute, a call came in from the JCC…" Regina trailed off. I nodded slowly. I'd been getting plenty of updates and reports from them as well. Most were not painting glowing reports of our new allies… even the VDV's interactions with the British, an annoying rivalry about stealing each other's guidons before first formation…
I glanced at the other officers I shared tonight with. This was a rare time we could all relax together, the new and old salts, share some experiences. It wasn't often us higher echelons got a chance where most of us could gather and just have a few drinks.
Tanya had turned back around, conversing merrily with Rustem. The two seemed to get along well. Then there was Luka and Roman, both arguing over whether howitzers or rocket artillery was better. George was playing checkers with Marka, the two sharing a bottle of cognac as they played.
"Ivanov, why are my and Rustem's armies stationed in Northern California? There's little reason for it far as I can see." Roman asked. I chuckled a bit, shrugging.
"The marshal wants to keep the cards close to his chest till the election's over. But do you think the current borders of the Union are satisfactory?" I asked.
"No… Not really. We could easily annex several of the nearby states, but we're just sitting on our hands." He replied.
"Yeah, but why do you think he's having us wait? The commander is a man of action." Regina spoke up. I smiled, she's been abnormally quiet these last few weeks. It was good to hear her talking more.
"If you know, why not tell us Regina?" Gerkov asked.
"The commander has always tried to proactively deal with problems… so if he's not letting us proactively deal with a problem… What problems is he dealing with?" I asked kindly, trying to allude to the answer.
"How would I know? We've not been here as long as you, and we aren't in the commander's graces like Siska or Regina." Gerkov muttered. Regina chuckled a bit at that.
"He doesn't tell us as much as you think. Ivanov's his only real confidant on military concerns… but look at how the commander operates, it's a pattern." She said.
"Come on, it's a bit obvious too…" Erik joined in, looking up from the checkers game.
"Is it really?" Marka asked, scratching at the stubble on his chin. He'd been trying vainly to grow our sideburns, but he wasn't having much luck.
"Jesus… its Merida and the elections!" Luka shouted, startling everyone as he slammed the final piece down, winning his match. The new generals looked at each other with confusion. I could see the confusion in their eyes.
My phone rang. I pulled it out, glancing at the id before I stood up and walked to a quiet corner, everyone had fallen silent. I suppose I'd given away who'd called by moving to answer so quickly.
"Colonel Ivanov speaking…"
"Hey, I'm sorry to bother you on your day off… but…" the Marshal spoke hauntingly, like he wanted to hang up.
"Sir?" I asked, waiting for him to continue. A heavy sigh filtered over the line.
"Fuck… I just forwarded an email from General Muller. If it's possible, try and make it happen, if not… I understand." I smiled wryly. Ah, a miracle to work on short notice? My specialty.
"I'll see what I can do sir." He ended the call and I opened my email, seeing the forwarded email appear within seconds. The title… odd. It wasn't like her to address reports that way. I started reading.
Message contained within, classification. Secret:priority. Correspondence for Sierra 5 only, to be declassified at discretion.
S5, dealing with user Li Fung, continues to be borderline uncooperative. Asks openly about S6 and their preferences whenever along with G6 or N6. Open discrimination between user Li Fung's troops and ours, actions seem to be unnoticed by user Jake Ellis. Americans work respectfully with Soviet and E German. Difficulties with W German allies include, fuel rationing, poor condition of rations, fights breaking out between E & W Germans in barracks and motor pool raids by W Germans. Need proper guidance for non lethal motorpool nd barracks defense, please advise.
Recommendations for curbing user Li Fung. Appoint P6 to special temporary tasking with S6. Tasking to include, open dates, showing affection publicly, wearing matching rings or bracelets, keeping user Li Fung from S6 outside of work. Recommend naming tasking, Marshal's guardian, secondary recommendation, the girlfriend.
-G6
Message ends.
I glanced over at the officers gazing my way with a sigh. It must be bad if Siska was requesting I reassign Regina from her combat command. I wasn't sure her headquarters could manage with her halfway across the globe though. So if… no. If it was going to happen a different army was going to have to replace the 11th Polish shock army at Las Vegas. There were only two in that case…
"Erik, Joseph, which of you wants to do Siska a massive favor. It'll get your men out of garrison too." I asked while walking over with a small smile. The two exchanged confused looks while everyone else leaned forward expectantly.
"If Siska needs a favor… god… how bad is it?" Joseph asked.
"You'll be replacing the 11th army at Las Vegas." I said. Both men shot to their feet.
"I'll do it!" They shouted in unison. I chuckled, nodding to Erik. He'd been slightly faster. Joseph cursed and slumped back into his seat.
"Wait, if I'm being replaced at Vegas… what am I doing?" Regina asked, a worried look on her face as she looked around.
"Well…" I set up the projector on the counter and connected my phone, displaying the email. The room fell silent as they read through the email.
"You'll be given a special tasking, that until Siska or myself deems otherwise is your one and only priority." I stared at the young woman.
"The hopes and prayers of Soviets everywhere will go with you. Your task will not be an easy one… your enemy is well trained and equipped, this isn't something we could have prepared for… I have every belief she will fight savagely, for wars fought over love have never been kind." I intoned, watching the young woman sputter and turn beat red as she read the last paragraph.
"He… he doesn't trust me like that." She protested. I chuckled a bit at that. As did a few others.
"Natasha, Tanya? Can you two help Regina with some last minute shopping? We need every edge we can get in this new battlefield." The two women nodded enthusiastically. Good, we would keep the snake from our commander, it felt wrong to push love on him so soon after the loss. But considering our alternatives? I'd rather he break Regina's heart then have to deal with some outsider that picks fights with his representative.