Chapter 2 Part 4

USA Command Center, Tactical Operation Command.

1950hrs

" Bullseye to Badger actual, we are leaving the city. Requesting field observation. Over."

The radio call reported the current activity of the convoy now observed by an MQ-9 Reaper drone some 12,000 feet above Chernobog. The drone operator in the command center silently controls the drone and put on the live feed on the main screen of the TOC.

"Copy that, Bullseye. Standby." Alex responded and observed the feed for any inconsistency of their sonar scan from the predator or any activities that may caught within the sonar pings.

He addressed the drone operators waiting for their response according to the data received from the drone currently above the convoy. One of the Sensor Operator maintaining and observing the sensor data nodded his head and gave thumbs up to Alex, signaling that the scan is complete and they are in the clear.

Alex nodded his head appreciated the result turned to his radio, "This is Badger Actual to Bullseye, the traffic is green. Negative on any hostile activities around your AO. You are clear to proceed to the evac point for drop off and exfil. Over " he confirmed the scan to Task Force Alpha.

"Copy that Badger Actual. Proceeding to the evac point. Interrogative, how is the status of our birds? Over. "

Alex turned his interface online and read new data report from the air group dispatched to the evacuation site for the airborne extraction. Satisfied with the results he responded to Bullseye's request.

"Valiant flight and Beatles flight are enroute to the evac point. ETA 15 Mikes. Looks like you guys had to wait for a while outside. Over."

"Affirmative Badger. At least we're not stuck in the city. Over."

He chuckled, " Copy that Bullseye. Stay safe out there. Badger Out."

Alex then cut off the transmission between him and the convoy. With the reports came through from the drone feed, he was certain that the convoy would make it out of there in one piece.

Alex stretched his arms upwards, trying to elevate the stiffness on his arms after long hour of stress. He then continued his work again for other priorities that needed his attention. As he worked on other projects, his assistant next to him interrupts.

"Sir, how can we approach on this one? I mean, the world already knows about us." Lt. Wilson expressed his concern about the footage that severely compromised some of their mission objectives prior hours ago.

Alex paused his work and took a while thinking about the previous outcome of the ops. Then he replied, "Not all of them, Lt. Right now there are too many variables for them to conclude. As far as I know, the main concern now is how to make use of this incident."

"Sir?". Puzzled with his commanding officer's outlook of the mission.

Realizing his mistake, Alex said again to Lt. Wilson. "What I've meant was that how to build connections in this world? Should we keep it to ourselves or we make contact with the locals in official manners? With our engagement against Reunion there are possibility that Lungmen become more alert to us compared to Ursus Empire, let alone Laterano itself. Those church rulers are literally what we really want to avoid contact as of now. "

Lt. Wilson then examined the map of Lungmen City. "Is it possible that the players might lived inside Lungmen? I mean, there should be enough activities there for them to do as Lungmen is one of major trade hubs in Terra. With their Gamer Skills, most likely that they made their own names there." He explained to Alex.

Alex nodded his head on his assistant's keen observation yet he still felt that something was lacking in the suggestion.

"Good idea there Lt. But then, how can we make contact with the officials? We don't just knock on their front door and say we want immediate cooperation. We need something much appeasing for them to accept."

Alex took a deep breath and sigh. "If I'm right about the survivors under Alpha's protection, there should be nobility among them. That alone opened a new can of worms for us."

This new revelation made prior after the intel analysts completed the comparison on Chernobog's public school database salvaged from Chernobog Public School and the survivors currently with the task force. The results gathered shown rather concerning situation for Alex's faction.

The survivors taken from the school were not only came from the Public School but also came from other institutions across Chernobog. One particular case was Natalya Rostova, or should has known as Natalya Andreyevna Rostova, one of the heiress of the New Nobility in Ursus political stage. In the record retrieved from the data banks, she studied in Peterheim Middle School, one of high status schools in Chernobog and she was the school council president.

One particular bit of information that concerned Alex and Lt. Wilson was the Rostova family were very influential in Chernobog. There were public records of their business blooming within the city and they even had connections with the previous Mayor of the then fallen city. This tidbit proven that Miss Rostova may has been a fallen Noble, but with the news of her survival would make a whole new scenario of already unstable political climate in Ursus Empire itself.

And that kind of scenario just involved one survivor, let alone other heirs and heiresses within the survivors ranks. Its going to be an astronomical scandal for the Reunion movement. Their testimonies alone could bring down the Reunion should they been dismantled by Ursus Military. As if they are going to involve themselves in this particular mess.

Crime begets Crime and Hate begets Hate. Alex's faction now had to tread on a new political landscape that he really wished he has something strong to wash his hands from them.

"Should we bring them to us for now?" Lt. Wilson asked his superior.

Alex agreed. "Yeah, we should do that. The political turmoil within UE is a literal clusterfuck. Their military should move in and crush the Reunion movement but instead, they let them control Chernobog in weeks. "

"How on Earth they ignored their own mobile city but also let them wreck havoc into the region, spread chaos through the nearby border of Yen and possibly into Lungmen itself. That kind of reaction sets off many red flags all over it."

There were too may irregularities that came through his data servers. The Reunion movement should be a militant organization with a purpose, to defend their fellow Infected. Previous years of insurrections in the Northern Tundra became the main case for the Reunion to stand up for their own. Even Patriot, one of the most experienced Generals of the Empire that were sent forth to curb down the said rebellions even joined the ranks of the rebels against the Empire.

Then, at some point, this movement escalated their attacks with even more precise actions such as assassinations backed by chaotic riots in the streets. They even changed from engaging military installations to attacking the public themselves, resorting terrorism to influence their backers and to strike fear on their adversaries. These kind of militant tactics really shown the experiences of their commanders on the field yet, why resort to terrorism? Those kind of actions just burned down their public reputation that they build for years prior.

Something isn't right. He can feel it.

He studied the new information again in his interface, new combat data and threat analysis came forth in various sets of instructions on how to counter another incursion of melee based attacks. The prior engagement made the analysts and even his own Admin compiling any available data related to technologies, tactics and even large scale military formations for him to learn more of this world armed forces.

Tactics utilized by certain particular Reunion groups raised his interest. Theses bunch were conformed as units served under Mephisto and some served under Faust, Mephisto's personal guard and may even be a close friend. Their rush tactics and even suicidal attacks upon his task force's lines were staggering to the point of absurdity. But, with the support of Frost's sniper units, they had even reached the line to engage in melee, killing some of his men.

A bunch of psychopathic and deranged killers should the reports came from Chernobog were true. This kind of radical group really differs from other more professional militant groups answering to much more experienced members in that organization.

Lt. Wilson interrupted his thoughts about the Reunion.

"Then, the Reunion possibly want to make another strike against Lungmen. Should we make contact with Lungmen Admins. If they accept our support for the city itself, we also able to conduct search missions in the city for the players that may lived there. " He explained to his CO.

Alex paused his thoughts for a while and replied.

" Its not a possibility, it is guaranteed that the Reunion would strike Lungmen next. The question is, when?" Alex turned his command console and selected one of the files in front of him. "I want to make contact but as far as I know about Chief Wei Yenwu, that guy is a ruthless and cunning man. Its matter of time before he's going to use us for himself just for the sake of Lungmen and then discarded us like used products."

Alex then analyzed the records provided from the interface. He skimmed some of them and then stopped at a particular dossier of a humanoid dragon, Chief Wei Yenwu, the executive leader of Lungmen City. He passed it to his assistant for him to read through.

" Thank you, sir." Lt, Wilson addressed him for the notes.

Alex continued on his assessment. "Another thing I concerned about that man is that he is willing to use anything in his disposal to make sure he gets what he wants, regardless of the consequences. He didn't care about the process, all he cares about are the results and his own power base in the city. "

"We need to go all out on this one Lt. This one engagement just costs our men lives, and that just fighting against militias. We didn't know what are the exact capabilities of other nations especially about their particular armaments and battle tactics. Any suggestions?"

Lt. Wilson nodded his head reading through the same dossier. "If that so, then we need to focus on our infantries and light vehicles first. What kind of upgrades you had authorized? "

Alex turned to his interface and selected General's Promotions. Tabs of information floated at front of him showing what the Lieutenant asked of him.

[ USA Generals Power : 1 Star Access 3/3 GP ]

[ Veteran Company ] [Authorized]

- All basic infantries are trained as Veteran 1-rank in the Barracks

[ Armored Company ]

-Authorization of Paladin Tank, Patriot Missile Truck and Composite Armor upgrade.

[ Covert Forces ] [Authorized]

-Authorization of US SOCOM units and stealth aircrafts.

[ Air Mobility ] [Authorized]

-Authorization of V-44 Starlifter and Support Aircraft Armor upgrade.

[ Logistics Efficiency ]

-Authorization of Supply Drones and Combat Chinooks.

-Supply Centre now able to be upgraded with small supply drop.

"Well, that's kinda strange. With this amount of points, I should ranked up to 3rd Star by now. Veteran Company, Covert Forces and Air Mobility. That is what I have for the GP." Alex studied through his abilities.

"Should we ask your Admin about this? "

Agreeing the suggestion Alex replied. " We should, we need to know more about this access requirements and what should we need for ourselves especially for our men. "

"Admin, could you open the faction tech trees?"

A new data tab raised up to his view.

[ Request Accepted ]

[ Providing Data Feed… ]

[ Access Granted ]

[ Faction Tech Tree ]

[ USA = Full Access ]

[ RUS = Locked ]

[ ECA = Locked ]

[ PRC = Locked ]

[ GLA = Locked ]

[ Notice : New Update Available YES/NO ]

Alex stared at his assistant. "Looks like we have an update on the tech tree."

"Then do it. Let see what's new on the list." Lt. Wilson quite interested with the new update.

Approved of his assistant words, he pressed the YES button for immediate update.

[ Loading Update… ]

[ Waiting… ]

[ Update Complete ]

[ New Tech Tree Added ]

[ TIER List Added]

[ New Neutral Structures Added]

[ TIER 1 FACTIONS]

[ United States of America ]

[ Russian Federation ]

[ European Continental Alliance ]

[ People's Republic of China ]

[ Global Liberation Army ]

[ TIER 2 FACTIONS ]

[ Allied Nations (Red Alert 3) ]

[ Soviet Union (Red Alert 3) ]

[ Empire of The Rising Sun (Red Alert 3) ]

[ TIER 3 FACTIONS ]

[ Global Defense Initiative (Tiberium Wars) ]

[ Brotherhood of Nod (Tiberium Wars) ]

Speechless…Alex and Lt looked at each other. They thought this mission now completed with the airborne extraction, now this new surprise?

Alex said only one sentence formed in his mind that trying to comprehend what just shared with him.

"What the fuck."