I stood on the roof of the Joint command center, my gaze searching the cloudy northern horizon. Right now, far from here soviet troops were landing on foreign beaches, slogging through a small city ruined by undead as they would begin clearing it block by block. Downstairs General Muller and Ponatoski were conversing with Li Fung about coordination between the Soviet and West German forces.
The two of them didn't really need me. They could handle whatever came up. So I was just little more than window dressing as the two of them seamlessly managed Zeriforv's flow of reports, passing intelligence from the fleet back just as easily. It was a bit inspiring to see just how well my officers all worked together, better than a well oiled machine.
Not to say there weren't any difficulties, the currents were playing havoc with the landing ships and a thunderstorm was rapidly approaching the landing site. Landing ops would be suspended once it arrived and resumed once it passed, but I only had to mention the storm's approach before Muller began issuing warning orders to the landing group. I've gotten to watch Li, her style is rather different. Far more direct.
I'd trained my leaders to interpret my orders, take the intent of them and make up their own plans on the fly, to make something out of nothing. Li… well, she gave exacting detail to her orders. More of a do as I say style to her leadership. And so far her Panzergrenadiers were meeting her exacting orders. I just wondered if and how she'd know if she ordered the impossible from them.
But that had been earlier. I was now up on the roof, enjoying the scenic view. The harbor was full of ships being unloaded with supplies, the first convoy across the pacific. The 12th army was loading their equipment onto transports, preparing for their departure. "I wondered where you'd slipped off to."
"I wanted some clear air, to get my thoughts in order." I replied, glancing at Li as she leaned against the railing next to me. She'd loosened her hair from her normal tight buns, letting it blow in the soft breeze. She was back to her usual business suits again.
"Why don't you wear a uniform? I noticed Jake wears most of one…" I commented.
"I come from a long line of wealthy business owners and entrepreneurs, it is how I was raised. To fight for every dollar, the best contracts, the best talent." she smiled sadly, gazing over the city. Pointing to a smaller skyscraper near the city center.
"I was in my office when it started. A late night meeting with overseas clients, arranging the finalization of my company's largest contract to date." she chuckled softly.
"That's when the system appeared. I bought a pistol. I defended myself from my secretary, then the others… I just wanted to collapse and cry, but I couldn't, not if I wanted to live… The rest I suppose… I'm here now." she said, glancing at me.
"How'd it start for you? Entering this new world?" she asked. I recalled those first, early, frantic hours.
"I was visiting my wife's family in Los Angeles… I guess I was lucky in a way, only her uncle turned. I was able to put him down… get a couple rifles, defend the house for a few hours." I recalled.
"From there I quickly got to a platoon, went on a rescue mission to get my wife's sister from school, saved a bunch of kids, and started a survivor camp." I looked back on those early, stressful days. The things I stressed about back then… I wouldn't have imagined I'd be on the other side of the world by now. I felt a hand on top of mine. I looked down as she gave it a quick squeeze then pulled her hand away.
"It's… I had to kill my parents… they'd turned. I… heard about your wife, I'm not sure how I would have reacted had I been as fortunate in love as you." she replied, putting a bit of distance between us.
"I'm sorry, I'll head back down…" she stopped by the door to the stairs.
"Maybe we could learn some more about each other? Maybe brunch or dinner sometime?" she asked. I glanced at her.
"Maybe." I replied, turning away before she disappeared inside. That had to be rough. Having to kill your own parents… shit. I still had mine, granted they were with my brother and I'd only briefly visited while over there. But they were doing just fine. But Li? Who did she have?
It put some of her character into context I supposed. But some actions remained puzzling. Then again… who was I to know what she truly had wanted when she'd purposely sought me out. But returning to the command suite, seeing her earnestly working towards the common goal, occasionally relaying a message from Jake for the task force assigned to assist in his landings on Lubing, I found it a bit more difficult not to sympathize with her. Her loss.
All of us in this room, well… Siska to a far lesser degree than either of us. To my knowledge her scars were from seeing me in the depth of my own despair. But Regina and I… we had scars of our own. Maybe the two of them were being harsh on Li? I pondered on it for a while as I continued listening to reports continue to stream in.
SAG Demon's report, that the dragon was not taking the bait and coming to play was a bit annoying. Maybe it didn't live in Manila and merely used the city as a hunting ground? There seemed enough abnormal activity around the city to indicate it could feast on the hordes. Though its absence was a different mystery to puzzle over. Regardless, I had Demon pull back. No point in having them hang out in the breeze if the prize wasn't going to come and play.
The landings themselves progressed smoothly throughout the day, aside from a brief pause at Puerto Princesa due to the storm, the three involved divisions made it ashore and were making good time towards their objectives.
I'll have Leschenko try and draw out the dragon again tomorrow with a combined effort with SAG Angel. But seeing the overarching success of the day's objectives, I passed a congratulatory message to Jake before I took my leave. I had to livestream a speech tonight, it was going to be put up on the news channel announcing the successful start of joint operations with the Pacific Alliance.