Chapter 14

*FOB Alpha*

Darjeeling lifted the small flap of the command tent, as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she saw officers scurrying around, some tapping away at small laptops, and in the corner a flustered looking woman rubbed her forehead listening to a radio.

Stood in the middle of the tent was a small table, covered in maps and diagrams, Assam and Pekoe stood scrutinising and pointing to different parts. Nearby Rosehip sat throwing and catching a small pencil, the name Assam inscribed on its side.

"Well, Pekoe, Assam, what have we got?" Darjeeling leaned on the table, picking up a small cup of tea that had been placed in front of her.

"Earl's forces have made major advances as KMM forces have began to collapse" Darjeeling nodded, "However, they're now hitting heavy Pravda counter attacks here and here" Assam pointed to two spots just north of Oarai.

"Ok, and what about Katyusha?" Darjeeling sat down on a small chair at the head of the desk.

"Katyusha has left for the capital ma'am" Pekoe, picked up a small photograph and handed it to Darjeeling.

It showed a large motorcade of tanks, heading from Oarai to their capital, Sendai.

"Ok" Darjeeling placed the cup down with a small rattle. "How do we get her...?"

"Pitty we dont have someone who's on her side" Rosehip chuckled.

"I'm sorry?" Darjeeling, Assam and Pekoe stared at Rosehip, making her jump and fall off her chair, the pencil landing with a thunk on the table.

"I knew you still had it" Assam whispered, pocketing the pencil in the confusion.

Rosehip pulled herself to her feet, and began to dust herself off, her red uniform now stained.

She stammered, trying to find her words, after being put on the spot.

"Well... Way i see it, is if we had someone with her, we could just drive off with her! Right?" Rosehip said with a large smile.

Darjeeling slowly nodded, "and how do you propose we do that Rosehip?"

"Uhm... well, I have a very cunning plan" She pulled a small bit of folder paper and placed it on the table.

"What's that, and why is it in crayon?" Assam asked, picking it up.

"Well, I told you when i was Kay's lawyer, I lost my pen..." Rosehip mumbled, ,looking away from the trio, "Anyway! and this is the best part!, What if one of us, 'Defects', Katyusha likes theatrics right?, and is a bit egoistic, maybe one of us could tickle her taste and make her happy!"

Darjeeling grinned.

"We can build up a rapier-"

"Rapport... Rosehip" Pekoe sighed.

"Yeah that thing!" Rosehip beamed, pleased with the attention she was getting.

"You called this operation Double D?" Assam placed the paper down.

"YEP!" Rosehip exclaimed clapping her hands together and making the analyst behind her jump. "For Deceive and Deliver!"

"I love it... but lets call it... operation double cross?" Darjeeling smiled. "Load up Rosehip, you got yourself a mission"

Rosehips eyes widened, realising what she'd just gotten herself into...

*Pravda Capital Building, Sendai*

"Miss Katyusha" Klara whispered entering the room.

"Yes, what is it Klara?" Katyusha said between mouthfuls of food, "Can't you see i'm busy?".

"Sorry Ma'am, but we captured a high ranking Gloriana trooper-"

"SO WHAT, THROW HER IN THE CELLS" Katyusha interjected.

"It's Rosehip, she wishes to defect"

*THUNK*

Katyusha slammed down her knife and fork.

"Defect?"

"Yes, she asked me to pass this message onto you..."

"Read it to me!" Katyusha bellowed, before continuing to eat.

Klara coughed slightly, before beginning.

"Oh, great and noble Katyusha, saviour of the people, and deliverer of..." Klara squinted at the paper in confusion, "Libertie?"

"I Rosehip, commander of the Flying Crusader task force, humbly request your permission to defect, for too long, I have suffered under Darjeelings..." Klara shook her head in confusion.

"meanness".

Katyusha was smiling widely.

"So they finally have realised, that I, Katyusha am the true heir to Japan!?" She chuckled softly.

"I don't like this..." Klara mulled slowly.

"Well, what do you know?" Katyusha threw a small pad of paper at her. "Get Nonna to bring her to my office, IMMEDIATELY".

"Yes Miss Katyusha" Klara sighed, leaving the room.

*CREAK*.

Nonna entered the room carrying Rosehip over her shoulder, and dropping her with a thump on the table.

She turned and stood by the door, watching closely Rosehips every move.

"Ummm, Great Katyusha, in your infinite humbleness, could you maybe, um... untie the ropes?" Rosehip asked quietly.

Katyusha beamed widely, "A polite one, I like that!"

She hopped from her chair, pulling out a small knife, and cutting the ropes tying Rosehips hands and feet, Rosehip carefully began sitting up.

"You know Rosy" She placed a hand on Rosehips shoulder, "Your a bit rough around the edges, but I see... Potential in you, you know who to respect, and address me in a way that even Nonna doesn't" she scowled at nonna, who sighed and walked out the door. "I think, we're gonna get somewhere, you and I!".

Rosehip smiled, knowing all of this was being transmitted back to Darjeeling from a small microphone in her button.

"I think, it will be fun!" she exclaimed, "Victory to Pravda!" raising her fist in the air.

Katyusha playfully clapped in the background.

*FOB Alpha*

"I knew she had it in her!" Darjeeling said placing down a cup of tea.

"I'll monitor the feed closely, if we think it's going south, STS have authorisation to get her out at all costs" Assam said, turning back to a monitor.

"Excellent. Now Pekoe, I hear Kay is out of surgery, let's go visit her shall we?" Darjeeling turned to the tent exit, picking up a small bouquet of flowers.

"Yes Ma'am" Pekoe exclaimed running after her.