Chapter 6 A Split Decision
The Committee stared at the monitors without even a hint of emotion. They had authorized the operation, and so, they had no regrets. Add to the fact that they weren't the ones taking any real risk, and they were even more contented. "So, we are exactly on schedule?" one of the members asked.
The chairman nodded. He wasn't called chairman, though, since all members were equal. As in Animal Farm, though, "All members were equal, but some are more equal than others." "The distraction was only a small one. The commander and his teams should have few problems taking care of this…operation." The reason he had paused was obvious. None of them were ever exactly sure what to consider the mission, since nothing like it had ever been planned or executed. "What of the other unknowns?"
"They somehow managed to disappear from the media. From the information we can get, it looks like the UN forces are spreading themselves out to secure the city from them." The general paused to take a long drag from his cigarette before proceeding. "As of now, we have to more forces coming into play. A force of PLA troops from Sheng-du, and a battalion from Vladivostok."
"Can they be dealt with?" the chairman asked.
"They present no true problem. As always, the threat comes from the West." With that, the members separated and proceeded to their separate assignments.
Jadeite lounged about in his chamber, smiling to himself. The place was nothing but shades of black and dark purple, and all around, beings in strange masks and outfits clamored to be nearest to his throne. "Beryl was a fool," he whispered. "She tried to defeat our enemies using simple human toys. True, I have my own, but I made sure to modify them," motioning towards the former thugs, who were now becoming hungry again. "Using these deluded fools, we can once more claim this planet as our own, and then, we will once more be on the road towards conquering the universe!" The chamber erupted in wild cheers, as the masked things roared with approval.
The commander took stock of his men. He now had forty-three out of fifty men left to carry out the mission. They also had to leave behind a majority of their equipment on the transport, but that was the least of his worries. The Marines had started combing the mainland. Already, five different helicopters had flown overhead, and twice, the commander thought the game was up. They needed to find their contact, and quickly.
"Commander," his second said, "We have another issue. It seems there were two additional parties aboard the ship who could identify us."
The commander swore. Now he had to attack his countrymen and his countries allies. "Fine. Inform the men, we will have to perform contingency plan five."
The second in command nodded, and went to where the men were gathered. The commander often distanced himself from the men. He was their leader, nothing else. When they went on liberty after a successful mission, he went back to their quarters to prepare reports and commendations. He didn't look for female companions for the night, or have drinking binges. In a way, it was more suspicious that he didn't do such things, in the eyes of his superiors. Ever since the latest purges, they always eyed him cautiously, like a tamed tiger. A useful and beautiful showpiece, but to be shot at the first sign of trouble. He didn't resent them, per se, but he was wary. They were political animals, pure and simple.
"Commander, our ally has made contact. We are to proceed to the East Tokyo police HQ."
Nodding at his second, the commander quickly packed his gear. In seconds, the entire force was moving in the shadows, as it had for over twenty five years.
Young, Eastwing and Kelling all sat silently in the room, each trying to think of something that would break the overbearing silence each felt. Eastwing was thinking of how this would affect the troops on the ground. Kelling was coming up with plans for the FBI team in place in Tokyo. Young was busy trying to keep all the facts straight. Then, they all started talking at once, each on their own stream of consciousness. To the Secret Service outside, it sounded like a huge argument. When they finally ran out of steam, Kelling was first to talk. "I think we're getting too old for this," he said. "At this point, none of us will be around for Starlight."
"Worry about that latter," Young murmured. "Right now our biggest concern is for Apollo and the others. Eastwing, you said Grange had some suspicions?"
"Yes, sir. He thinks the Kingdom is creating these events to secure a place for themselves in the world. Since he's not cleared, I couldn't tell him the real reason."
Young sighed. "He's thinking like a leader." Methodically, Young hoisted his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Sir, please, you've suffered a massive heart attack!"
"Doesn't matter, Kelling. I have work to do. Eastwing, get your two boys in here, I need to talk with them. Kelling, alert your team to follow up on any missing persons reports, particularly anyone from the slums. And someone get me some goddamn pants!"
Grange ran all over his base at the airport, looking over casualty lists, hearing reports, and answering questions from the media. He hated the media the most, because he knew what he said was being turned into soundbites even as he talked into the mike. That was the least of his worries though. What topped the list was the Sailor Scouts coming to his base. When he thought back to the first meeting with them, he was grateful just to have allies on the inside. However, with the increasing number and size of incidents since their "discovery", he was beginning to have his suspicions. To other men, these would be how to take care of them if they got in the way. For Grange, it was what they might do to his marines.
Nearby, Bob, aka "Apollo", was sitting cross-legged on the ground, Grange's MPs ready for anything. Grange didn't know what to make of the teen. On one hand, he was the one with the most history, and so, the one who could be analyzed and made ally or enemy. On the other, the boy was a killing machine, trained in the art of death. Even with a whole base of Marines, Grange felt like the sheriff in "Rambo".
"Sir, chopper alpha reports a white van is proceeding at high speed towards out location."
Grange nodded. "Full defensive position at the front, I don't want anything left out, is that clear?" The aide nodded, then ran off to make the preparations.
Bob wasn't surprised to see Marines and armor moving into position around the gate. This meant the others were getting close. What worried him was still the mystery of who attacked the plane, and the men in black who killed the hijackers. "What does it mean? Are there still pockets of liberator resistance? And who sent those blacksuits?" He tried to think back to his briefings. Every so often, he was tasked with handling another countries black-ops and their harassment, if not destruction. He had done it a dozen times. The big question was the countries that still had such forces. The only ones he could think of were Russia and China. India was an ally, at least in name, and Europe was slacking in such areas. As his mind churned, he was just sucked deeper in an obvious mystery.
Max was completely oblivious to the police behind him, or the increasingly obvious military barricade ahead. His main concern was for the ones in the back. Rei was clearly out for a few days, and Serena was gone as well. Lita and Mina were little better, considering their injuries were probably more internal than external. Darien was babbling incoherently about something Max wasn't paying attention to. For him, the main concern was to get who attacked them, and nothing else.
Molly kept trying to keep Darien out of shock, and failing. Every time she tried to ask him a simple question, he would talk about the Moon kingdom, or Serena. It was like his brain had gone back in time, leaving his body to die. Ami was a lost cause. Though her wounds weren't nearly as bad as Rei's, her mind was a complete mess that would take hours to sort out. Right now, the best thing Molly thought to do was leave her be.
Grange looked over the defense one last time. There was a platoon of riflemen spread across the gate. Sharpshooters and snipers were hidden in ditches and abandoned cars. Three Humvees, each with an M2 Browning .50 cal., rounded out the group. "If they try anything," he thought, "my men won't go without a fight."
Wallace and Audley poured over the data over and over again. To both, what they saw was what they got. Russia had clearly used its crime connections to lure programmers from the private sector to do the dirty work of hacking into the US Defense net. To a pair of officers who had not gone through the dealing and double-dealing of the Cold War, all the clues were proof enough that Russia was clearly behind something. "So, when will the general be back?"
"In the hour, major."
Okay, been a while since I've updated this one, and I need a favor. Tell me if I've made a Marty Stu character in Bob/Apollo, because, frankly, I hate those. And tell me how the story is doing to.
Basically, give me some reviews or the Scouts all get two in the head!
