Pre Author's Notes:
SHADOW COMPANY IN SEASON 5 OF MWII?! WITH GRAVES AND VELIKAN RETURNING AS PLAYABLE OPERATORS IN THE BATTLE PASS?! HOOK, LINE, AND FUCKIN' SINKER, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, SHADOWS! YOU KNOW I LOVE THAT SHIT!
CAN I GET A YEP YEP?!
I knew that Graves and Mace were returning as operators in season 5 with all of the leaks, but I was not expecting Velikan to also come back as part of SpecGru, especially considering that he's present as an enemy in Building 21. I guess he's being kicked out by Konni when they take over. Not really sure how to feel about Graves and his new Shadows being assigned to KORTAC though, but I guess it makes sense, considering he wouldn't really be buddy-buddy with Task Force 141 after the campaign. Interested to see how his interactions with Farah and Alex will pan out because of that.
Also excited for the faction showdown that's going to occur in season against Task Force 141 as well. Hope to see Shadow Company come out on top and win before the cease fire. Nothing more badass than kicking ass, taking names, and handing out business cards.
But I'm just happy we're finally getting a Shadow Company focused season... right before CoD 2023 is revealed.
Better late than never, I suppose. I guess this is what happens when Activision wants to push out as many wacky overpriced bundles as they can before the next yearly release. CoD Vanguard and its consequences have been a disaster for this franchise...
Gate: In the Company of Shadows
Chapter 23
Boardroom Beasts
PHILLIP GRAVES - SHADOW CO.
SHADOW COMPANY FACILITY, MARYLAND
MAY 27, 2022 - 08:30:00
The office of Phillip Graves, though still very expensive and impressive, wasn't the usual modern look that most businessmen of his caliber usually went for. Instead of marble white tiling, sleek black furniture, and plastic potted plants, Graves preferred a more classic and timeless style that gave his office a warm and inviting atmosphere; it helped put people at ease should they ever find themselves stepping into it.
As a proud American, a former Special Ops Team Chief, and the founder, commander, and CEO of a successful, multimillion-dollar, global risk management, protection, and private military firm specializing in troop, air, and maritime capabilities anywhere in the world, he understood the importance of maintaining a professional image… But he also valued a bit of the homely charm that came with the old-world aesthetics.
A large leather couch was placed against one wall, offering a comfortable spot for impromptu meetings or moments of relaxation. The walls were adorned with dark wood paneling that was decorated with elegant paintings of landscapes in ornate frames, and shelves integrated into the walls were filled with leather-bound volumes of classic literature, business journals, and mementos from his travels around the world, giving the room an air of sophistication and intellectuality.
On the right side of his rich, mahogany desk, an antique globe stood proudly on an intricately carved wooden stand, serving as a constant reminder of the company's international reach and his ambitions to expand it further.
And expand he did…
The success of his company was not built on impulse or luck. No, it came from his keen sense of judgment and shrewd business acumen. With his no-nonsense approach to problem-solving, and his mind sharpened from his days in the U.S. military, he navigated the ever-changing market with precision, building the company from the ground up and turning it into a global powerhouse seemingly overnight just through sheer determination and hard work alone.
Something that some of these board members sitting in front of him knew absolutely nothing about.
Where Graves was more than well off as a multimillionaire, these fellow board members represented the company's shareholders, which were billionaires. The snobby, one-percent, global upper-class elites like energy hedge fund moguls, innovative tech titans, and industrial giants that ruled the world, each with their own agendas and egos as grand as their wealth as they watched on from their luxurious penthouses and yachts. They came from old money, attended elite boarding schools, and belonged to exclusive clubs where deals were struck over an expensive dinner of lobster, caviar, and Pinot Noir wine.
He certainly wished that he was away from these types and back across the gate, rather than idly drumming his fingers at the end of a recently polished conference table in the boardroom filled with suits that was adjacent to his office.
In a business such as his, dealing with such people was always fifty-fifty…
Though his Shadows in the room were now out of their all black combat uniforms, they were still dressed to kill. Standard office wear suits were anything but standard when the wearer slapped a plate carrier over it and hid their identities with two-hole balaclavas and gloves.
As one of the Shadows eventually closed the set of double doors to the room and locked it, a sense of privacy finally settled over the space. The room fell into a hushed silence as the eleven other board members took their seats around the table, and the air was thick with anticipation and a subtle undercurrent of power play.
Seeing another one of his Shadows moving around the table and pouring wine into the glasses of the various members in attendance, Graves took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing them. He leaned back in his chair, his focus moving from one board member to another.
He wasn't a man of few words, because he knew that when he spoke, his words carried weight, authority, and above all else… charisma. He'd even say that it was his best trait.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Graves began, his voice carrying firm and strong, "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I value your commitment to my company's success and the faith you have placed in our shared vision."
His words were carefully chosen, acknowledging that their time was money while also asserting that he was heading this collective effort, striking a perfect balance between respecting their influence and ensuring they understood who was ultimately in charge, without appearing confrontational.
Not that he really needed to tell them. He was fairly certain that the room full of armed killers acting as security was more than enough to act as a good reminder.
"As you are all aware, our company has experienced significant growth and success over the past couple of years," he continued. "This success has not been a stroke of luck, but a result of strategic planning, innovation, and dedicated teamwork from all levels of this organization-"
"Save your honeyed words, Graves." A voice spoke up, unexpectedly cutting him off.
Everyone in the room turned their gaze towards the board member who dared to interrupt him. Sat at the opposite end of the table and flanked by her own two bodyguards was Bella Blackwood, CEO of Black Cell, a highly sought after private manufacturer in the military industry.
When the Shadow neared to pour some wine into her glass, she gave him a dismissive wave of her hand, forgoing the alcohol entirely so as to get down to business as soon as possible. The Shadow merely glanced back up at the commander, before recorking the bottle and moving to stand silently against the wall.
Despite having everyone's attention, her expression remained composed and completely unfazed, although Graves swore he saw a tiny smirk playing on her black lipstick covered lips. She leaned back confidently in the chair with her hands steepled thoughtfully, and her piercing blue eyes stared right back at him, unwavering and unflinching.
Not much was known about the mysterious trio, other than their serious demeanor and the vast amounts of wealth that they had. After all, nothing screamed 'rich' more than dressing in the rather extravagant combination of gold and black. Dressed in a gold trimmed, black leather jacket with a gold silk scarf, Blackwood looked like any other rich woman that appreciated luxury fashion, whereas her bodyguards looked outright absurd and outlandish, especially with their masks.
At least their gear wasn't doing anything stupid like changing colors...
"Of course we're all well aware of the company's success, Graves. After all, it's why we've invested in it - previous hiccups ignored. But let's hurry it up and get to the point, shall we?" Blackwood suggested, leaving no room for argument. "I'll admit, the rapid expansion into this 'Special Region' on the other side of this gate has been quite impressive to me. However, we're not completely aware of the timeline of events here. What exactly has transpired on the other side ever since the insertion of your company?"
Graves met the woman's gaze, unflinching as blue met blue. Though her presence was enigmatic, he appreciated her rather refreshing candor, recognizing that she was someone who wanted to be direct and get things done.
He could respect someone like that.
Graves nodded, acknowledging her straightforwardness. "The expansion into the Special Region has been a significant, but also, interesting milestone for the company. This endeavor was carefully planned ever since the unexpected arrival of the gate here at my facility. Before crossing, we had already established a strategic so-called 'alliance' with a rather influential figure within the region."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished surface of the desk as he tapped the keyboard of the laptop in front of him. The screen changed to show a profile that they had set up for Count Formal, complete with a front and side-view shot of his face, along with a brief description about his involvement as an asset for the company.
"Count Colt Formal, Head of the Formal Clan and its family throne, had come through to invade with a Roman-like army which included infantry and cavalry, as well as fantasy creatures such as dragons and goblins. I'm sure I don't need to tell y'all how that went."
The next slide was of the aftermath of the battle, which had left some of the board members uneasy, judging by the way they had shifted uncomfortably in their seats. It was an amusing sight, but unfortunately, the pointed look Blackwood sent his way from across the table reminded him that he had a job to do, so he couldn't savor it for very long. He made a show of rolling his eyes, before tapping the keyboard once more, causing the slide to now display various pictures of the Count under surveillance or being interviewed.
"I recognized the potential in Count Formal, and quickly realized that a mutually beneficial partnership was possible. We help get him back home safely to his family in Italica, and in return, he acts as our little puppet." He paused to gauge their interest, making sure to maintain their attention throughout the explanation.
"Interesting… This puppet of yours, can he be trusted to play his part?"
"I've found that fear works as a pretty good motivator." He answered with a small smile.
"Graves, I think I speak for many of us here when I say that we've done our part for this first phase." Spoke up another board member, Donovan Grant, a representative for the head of a globally dominating oil company… and slightly stubborn and annoying. "We've increased your funding, sent more equipment your way, and have even hired contractors to construct a rather sizable, fully operational, covert facility to your specifications for you and your men… and yet, we still haven't seen a single dime back in return for our generosity. You promised us that this 'gate' business would yield promising results, but so far, it's starting to look more and more like some sort of risky, venture capital investment-"
"Oh don't you dare talk to me about risky," Graves interrupted with a slightly hardened tone. "Those bosses of yours, I know they ain't gonna be affected negatively by this at all. It's chump change to 'em, not gonna be felt at all. Like a drop of water in the ocean. Me on the other hand? I'm the one putting my neck out on the line here. The company could go belly up and I could get tried in the fuckin' Hague if shit goes sideways."
"The Hague?" Another man asked nearby from his right. The voice belonged to Erik Svensson, a business man representing a major tech company based out of Sweden.
"Yes, Mr. Svensson, the Hague," Graves replied, his voice firm and tinged with a hint of frustration. "You know, the International Criminal Court? I'm talking about the potential legal ramifications if this whole operation were to be uncovered, then somehow deemed unethical or in violation of international laws. I ain't no expert, but I'm pretty sure they would frown upon corporations secretly dabbling in something like other worlds, especially if things go wrong because of our actions. My ass would be on the line, and I'm sure none of you would want to deal with the fallout either, so forgive me if I'm a bit cautious about this whole thing."
The next person to speak was Conrad Whitman, a representative of BioMedical Solutions, a pharmaceutical company that operated with a shroud of secrecy and a questionable moral compass. Despite presenting itself as a cutting-edge medical research firm dedicated to advancing healthcare, behind closed doors, they engaged in research of experimental drugs. Most notably, experimental combat stimulants, which they field tested by supplying to active operators deployed out in the field. They even tried offering some to his company, before Graves promptly shut them down, firmly refusing the offer.
His Shadows were not going to be running around hopped up on some sort of 'Battle Rage' drugs...
"Graves, we don't dictate how you conduct your operations within the region. Nobody even knows about the gate besides us and those that have signed NDAs. If anybody tried to blow the whistle, they'd be discredited, silenced, and covered up within a day. There shouldn't be any complications."
Yes, the keyword being shouldn't, and now look at where he was…
Graves leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his neatly combed brown hair. He understood the board member's concerns, but he also knew that they couldn't fully comprehend the intricacies and risks involved in his operation, not unless they were on the other side of the gate themselves to witness things.
"Listen, you may think you've covered all the bases, but there are always unforeseen variables in any venture, especially one as unprecedented as this. While we've taken every precaution to keep the gate and our activities secret, we're still dealing with a whole new world here - a world with its own politics, its own power struggles, and its own outsiders." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in.
Blackwood, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up again, this time, asking about what he had alluded to in his explanation. "You said this world had its own outsiders?" She asked, slightly tilting her head in curiosity. "Seeing as we're still, 'out of the loop', so to speak, would you care to elaborate on that, Graves?"
Graves sighed inwardly but maintained his composure, knowing that he couldn't avoid answering the question. He tapped the keyboard once more and swiveled his chair to get a view of the tv screen behind him. The image now displayed a far away view of a military base in a star shaped fortress with a large dome in the center of it. The dome looked kind of similar to what Shadow Company had around their gate… only that none of the vehicles or personnel in the base were in their familiar black colors.
"This… is Alnus Hill," Graves said, casually gesturing to the screen with a hand. "A base established by Japan, equipped with barracks, mess halls, command centers, armories, firing ranges, motor pools, and landing facilities. All necessities that would be required to run a proper, modern military fighting force."
"You're fuckin' shittin' me…" Grant muttered in disbelief. "Japan is also in the region?"
"Yeah, Japan is involved now," Graves said with a small sigh. "They were invaded on their side of the gate, lost quite a bit of civvies, and they wasted no time in establishing a foothold. From what we've gathered, it seems that they had been conducting reconnaissance missions as well before we arrived on the scene. At the moment, they're trying to establish friendly relations and end the war with the Empire, but we all know that's just a front for the media."
"I find it highly unlikely that something like this could have slipped our notice," Blackwood said, intrigue in her voice. "Why and how exactly have we not heard about this until now?"
Graves looked back at her, helplessly shrugging his shoulders. "Well the answer's simple. This ain't our Japan."
For a moment, the room went silent at the reveal, with all of the board members sporting confusion and surprise on their features.
"Wait, wait, wait, hold on a second…" Svensson interrupted as he shook himself out of his stupor, before looking at the commander with furrowed brows. "So let me get this straight. You mean to tell us that… not only has this gate led to a fantasy world, but that there is another gate within that fantasy world, which leads to an alternate Earth as well?"
"Yep," Graves nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he confirmed Svensson's understanding. "A parallel Earth, with its own history, politics, and power dynamics. They didn't even have a third World War on their side of the gate. It was pretty fascinating from what I've seen so far… until the novelty eventually wore off, and it just became the same old Japan."
"From what you've seen...?" Grant asked, momentarily trailing off, before a look of realization settled on his face. "Oh no, Graves, please tell us you didn't initiate contact with them…"
"Was kind of hard not to."
"Ugh, Jesus Christ…" Grant muttered, before burying his face into his hands. "Did you even at least try and remain hidden?"
"Hidden?" Graves scoffed. "Would you care to explain to me how an entire modern military force could hide from another when they're both occupying some backwards medieval fantasy world? Unless I somehow pulled a magic invisibility cloak from out of my own ass and covered the entire base, there was no hiding our presence."
Graves' response drew a mixture of amusement and exasperation from the board members. They couldn't help but see the truth in his words, acknowledging the sheer impossibility of hiding such a force in a world vastly different from their own. The situation they found themselves in was undoubtedly complex and unprecedented.
Blackwood, ever the composed one, leaned forward, her eyes glinting with interest. "So, what happened when they discovered your presence? How did they react?"
Graves smirked, leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalance. "Well, let's just say it was a bit of a shock for them. Initially, they didn't quite understand what they were dealing with. We caught them off guard, and that was an advantage we used to establish a dialogue with their government."
"A dialogue with their government? I'm almost afraid to imagine how that went…"
The next person to speak up was Irina Volkov, a striking Russian woman in her early thirties, with sharp features like piercing green eyes framed by dyed, snow-white hair that stopped just above her shoulders. Her attire was impeccably stylish, preferring elegant designer power suits in white and accessories in gold, projecting an air of wealth and sophistication.
Unlike some of the other board members, Volkov was the CEO of her own business, which was a key shareholder for the company. Apparently, her family had come from a long line of professional smugglers, dating all the way back to the Cold War, and with the assistance of Graves' Shadows, she was able to smuggle blood diamonds out from illegal mining operations taking place in the impoverished parts of Africa currently being torn apart by civil war.
It certainly never hurt to have Soviet connections…
Graves glanced at the Russian woman, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Well, the dialogue was certainly interesting, to say the least. They had a politician asking some of the inhabitants of the region about the JSDF, trying to smear their image and paint them in a bad light. Bit of an odd one she was, but they made up for it with the UN ambassador."
Blackwood simply raised a singular brow up at him. "They had a UN ambassador at the dialogue?"
Graves chuckled softly, nodding in response. "Yes, they did. It seems that they were taking this whole situation quite seriously. Despite just receiving the word about us, they had flown him into Japan in under twenty-four hours. Guess they wanted to address the matter with a diplomatic front and ensure that the company wasn't up to no good… not that I gave them the chance."
Volkov, with her sharp instincts, picked up on the implications. "That's a rather firm stance to be taking against a member of the United Nations. How did they respond to that?"
Graves leaned back, crossing his arms. "They were taken aback, to say the least. I think they expected me to be more compliant or willing to negotiate, but I made it clear that we weren't there to be bullied or pushed around. We're not intruders; we're a legitimate entity with our own objectives, seizing the opportunity presented to us, and defending our interests."
Blackwood suddenly laughed out loud as she leaned forward, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "My oh my, what a bold move… and how did they take that?" She asked, now holding out her empty wine glass expectantly, signaling for the Shadow with the wine bottle nearby to promptly fill it up
"They weren't thrilled, of course," Graves replied, smirking. "You should have seen it. A man by the name of Arthur Greenhill, not only a UN ambassador, but also a representative of the United States, throwing a hissy fit live on national television and acting like a child who had never been told 'no' before."
The other board members joined in on the laughter, some of them doing so reluctantly out of faux politeness, others, finding the scenario rather amusing themselves.
"I can only imagine the look on their faces," Volkov chuckled sincerely. "It's not every day they encounter a shadowy tier one private military company involved in dimensional travel."
Graves nodded, taking a sip of his own wine. "Exactly. They're used to dealing with political maneuvering and subtle negotiations, but we came in like a wrecking ball, so to speak. After that, they recognized that we had the upper hand, at least in terms of military power and technology. It became quickly apparent that any attempt to forcefully remove us from the Special Region would likely result in a confrontation that they couldn't afford to have, especially with their world watching their every move."
"Graves, as amusing as it is to get one up on the competition, this isn't just any old business competitor," reminded Grant, who still seemed frustrated by the risks involved. "This is a member of an official government body that you're clashing with, one associated with the U.S. Is it really wise to be creating such friction like this?" He asked, causing many of the other more hesitant board members to speak up in agreement with him.
Graves took a moment to consider the question seriously. He understood the concerns of the board members, especially when dealing with something like the United Nations and a nation like Japan, who were known to work closely with their western partners... at least in their world. However, he also knew that in their line of work, sometimes playing it safe wasn't an option.
"Look, I know it might seem like we're playing a dangerous game here, but it's as you said yourself… We're not just dealing with ordinary business rivals. We're dealing with government officials from another world and their politics. Our approach had to be bold and decisive to secure our position in the Special Region. If we had shown weakness or hesitation, we would have been seen as an easy target and lost any leverage we had. Establishing ourselves as a force to be reckoned with helps prevent us from being undermined. Sure, diplomacy has its place, but so does strength, and I made it abundantly clear that my company was not to be trifled with." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in as he sipped his own wine to help wet his lips. "Plus, it's the goddamn United Nations. What the hell are they gonna do? Wag their finger and sanction us? The gate's restricted only to the JSDF. They have no control over it."
The board members exchanged glances, pondering Graves' response. It was clear that while they understood the need to assert their strength in such a unique and potentially volatile situation, they were also concerned about the potential consequences of antagonizing such influential government bodies.
"Yes, but they might have control over Japan." Blackwood, always composed and calculating, broke the silence that had settled over the room. "Graves, while I appreciate your confidence and assertiveness, we must also consider the long-term implications of our actions. When Japan does decide to one day let their allies through, that'll be more politics that you will have to handle on our behalf. We don't want to burn any bridges that we might want in the future."
"Believe me, I know," he reassured. "I'm pretty sure I saw some get burnt pretty badly over there, so that's why I haven't completely written them off yet. They're still on the table. After all, I am nothing, if not a generous man. I'm open to diplomatic solutions… if they present themselves in a beneficial way of some sort for the company."
"Ever the decisive business man…" Blackwood noted, playfully rolling her eyes. "If more people were as cut-throat as you are in this line of work, things would actually be getting done in the world."
"Tell me about it…"
The atmosphere in the room lightened a bit as the tension eased, and the exchange of ideas continued as they discussed the potential risks and benefits of their involvement in the Special Region. Graves addressed their concerns while providing updates on the company's progress. More information was shared about the current state of affairs in the region, the various people they had encountered, and the potential opportunities for profit and strategic partnerships.
"You briefly mentioned resources in the region," Grant spoke up. "Is it safe to assume that there's oil?"
"No doubt," Graves answered easily. He tapped a few keys on his computer, pulling up an image of Falmart's map that appeared on the screen behind him. It was incomplete of course, as there was only so much that a local cartographer could map on paper before running out of space. They'd have to fill in the rest themselves… "According to a few credible sources of mine, it's as we expected. This region is rich in untapped resources, however we don't have any exact locations as to any major deposits of the sort, and have yet to conduct any further expeditions."
"Well of course you don't have any exact locations. That's where our company comes in. If we can send in a couple of our contractors with our equipment, we can begin searching for these hidden deposits and unearthing them in no time at all."
"What about minerals?" Volkov cut in, hands clasped together in front of her. "Have we found any diamonds? Gems? Gold deposits?"
"And raw materials?" Svensson joined in. "Nickel, lithium, zinc, copper, cobalt, iron? It's gonna run out on Earth one day. It wouldn't hurt to get a head start on mining and exporting it all from another world."
"Plants with medicinal properties?" Asked Whitman. "Such discoveries would not only be revolutionary in the pharmaceutical industry, but also profitable, especially if kept and grown exclusively in medical facilities that we can build across the gate."
"Yes, the sooner we get started on these projects, the sooner we can be in the lead," Grant said, bringing the focus back to him as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Or are you just waiting for the Japanese to swoop in and claim it all before us?"
Soon enough, Graves found himself bombarded with questions from almost every board member, each one eager to know more about the potential resources that could be extracted from this new world. Of course, with everyone beginning to talk over each other, Graves couldn't really interject to answer each individual question. Instead, he raised both his hands up in a placating gesture to signal for a moment of silence.
"Hey, hey, hey! One at a time y'all! Damn…" The room fell silent as the board members settled down, waiting for Graves to address their inquiries one by one. He took a deep breath, trying to keep himself from getting worked up as he took a moment to organize his thoughts and respond. "Listen, I get it. You've all invested a lot, and I appreciate it. But we're just getting started here. This gate business is complicated, okay? I can't overstate it enough. I mean, it's another fuckin' world for cryin' out loud! A world untouched by modern corporations, and the first ones to step foot into it as pioneers are a private military company and an alternate Japan? You can't make this shit up!"
"I have a clear vision for the company's future in this new world, and I need your continued support to make it a reality. Your continued support… and patience. The predicted potential for profits here is immense, but establishing a solid foundation takes time, and I won't compromise our long-term gains for short-term gains that could jeopardize everything we've built so far. Plus, the company is already in the midst of an ongoing operation. I have no idea how long it'll be before I can even think about shifting focus and resources away to other projects."
"I'm not asking for blind faith here, people." He said, leaning back in his chair and looking at each of them in turn with an expression of determination. "I'm asking for your continued trust in my abilities as a leader and in the potential of this venture. With your support, we can achieve greatness. I just need some more time. Give it a little more time, and you'll see that this investment will pay off in ways you can't even begin to imagine."
...
"I believe Graves does have a point," Blackwood spoke up, coming to his aid. "Rushing things could lead to unnecessary risks, and the consequences of those risks could be dire for all of us. I suggest we continue to give him the time and resources he needs to further solidify the company's position in the Special Region. Once that's accomplished, the returns will undoubtedly exceed our expectations. Besides, it's a bit too late to be backing out now, isn't it?"
Some of the board members looked skeptical, but didn't push any further. Graves' no-nonsense approach and Blackwood's unwavering support seemed to have calmed the other board members as well. The Shadows in the room, standing silently against the walls, also helped to add an extra layer of assurance to the current power dynamic. The eyes of the woman sitting across from him locked with his once more, exchanging a silent understanding. Graves was thankful to have a backer like her on the board. She was someone who knew how to assess risks and see the bigger picture.
Just like he was…
Finally, Grant spoke up again, his tone measured, but with a hint of approval. "You make a compelling case, Graves. Your determination is admirable, and your results so far have been intriguing. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, so I'll speak to Mr. Sanford about giving you more time to deliver on your promises. Understand this though… we didn't become rich by being careless with our investments. Our patience is not infinite, and we want to see tangible progress and returns soon. Fail to deliver, and you'll see many of us here reassessing our positions. But show us results, and we'll continue to support you."
"Nuh-uh, speak for yourself, Grant. I can't do this shit."
The boardroom fell silent as all eyes turned to the person who had just voiced their concerns. Graves recognized the middle-aged man dressed in a sharp suit as Richard Johnson, a recent addition to the board, brought in by some of the other shareholders who were looking to diversify the perspectives in the decision-making process.
"I'm sorry, are you new around here?" Graves asked regardless, furrowing his brows in pretend confusion. "Who do you represent again?"
For a moment, Johnson looked taken aback by Graves' question, before he cleared his throat, doing his best to move the conversation along, despite the revitalized air of underlying tension in the room.
"I'm Richard Johnson. I represent EcoEnergy Solutions, a new up and coming company working in the renewable energy sector, if the name wasn't obvious enough."
"Okay Dick," Graves said seriously with a bored expression, not really caring as he picked up a pen and started idly twirling it. "And uh, why can't you do this?"
It was clear that the nickname Graves gave was successful in getting the reaction he wanted, judging by the miniscule movement of Johnson's jaw clenching tight as he grinded his teeth and bristled silently in his seat. The fresh board member took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure despite the slight jab from the commander. He straightened his back as he schooled his features to a more neutral - if slightly hardened - expression.
"It's because of this fantasy world bullshit," Johnson hissed out, gesturing towards the screen behind Graves. "Shadow Company was originally hired to secure our people from foreign threats while we worked in-country overseas, not to go parading off through some freaky anomalous gate like some sort of clandestine, black ops, expedition force! Not only that, but what made you, the commander of a private military, think that it was a good idea to so brazenly challenge a member of the United Nations from another world? And the rest of you here have no problem standing behind this country hick? Talking about how to exploit this new region, while also knowing an alternate Japan is also occupying it with their Self-Defense Force, and is in the midst of handling their own politics with the inhabitants? So far, everything I've heard in this room sounds like something I'd hear from a conglomerate of shady corporate villains!"
"Johnson," Blackwood intervened with a stern warning tone. "You are stepping out of line and blowing things way out of proportion. Now shut the fuck up and relax." She swore uncharacteristically. Her use of strong language, a rarity for her, definitely highlighted how serious she was taking the accusation.
Johnson's face reddened, and he shook his head.
"Relax?" He asked incredulously. "Sure, sure, I'm relaxed! In fact, I'm the picture perfect definition of relaxed! I've got a fuckin' hard on for relaxed and a bad case of priapism to go along with it! No! Why should I relax, huh?! Is there not a single scruple in any of your morally corrupt brains telling how much of a bad idea this is?! If word ever got out about our involvement, our reputations would be tarnished! This whole thing is a ticking time bomb, just waiting to blow up, and EcoEnergy will not be a part of this when it does! For that reason, I'm pulling out, effective immediately!"
At that last statement, Graves suddenly stopped twirling the pen in his fingers, and regarded Johnson with a raised eyebrow. He had dealt with various types of personalities over the years, but this was the first time he encountered an investor so vehemently opposed to the nature of their operations - to the point that they got cold feet and wanted to pull out. It was clear that Johnson had a different perspective and a more cautious approach compared to some of the other more board members, who were vastly more experienced and knowledgeable than him in regards to the cut-throat and ruthless business world.
"You sure this is what your boss wants?" Graves asked, leaning forward and fixing Johnson with an intense gaze. "Because it wouldn't be wise to be making such capricious decisions like this on his behalf. You sure you ain't just scared?"
Johnson's face flushed even deeper, his hands balling into fists on top the table. "I am not scared, Graves. I am practical, and I'm most certain that getting tangled up in the politics of some fantasy world with a private military is not what Mr. Sanders wants at all for EcoEnergy. I won't let our name be associated with this nonsense."
Graves sighed, leaning back in his chair again, the atmosphere in the room tense as everyone waited to see how this confrontation would unfold. He exchanged a glance with Blackwood, and it was clear that they both knew that the man had become a liability that needed to be dealt with. Now there were two ways to go about this.
The first option was the scalpel approach, which is what Blackwood likely preferred. It would have been to let Johnson go all cordial like, and to continue the meeting like usual in his absence. Then after, Graves would call Sanders and tell him about what had occurred, before asking if he really wanted to pull out and miss such an opportunity. The man wouldn't, of course, because greed existed in every billionaire bastard.
Despite how noble a company's goals were, they were still a company, seeking to make as much profit as possible.
If Sanders didn't want to deal with his board member himself, then Blackwood would take it upon herself and contract some of her own people to swiftly and silently dispose of him. Probably in some sort of convoluted freak accident… Or if she really didn't care, then she would just have a car bomb placed for a nasty surprise.
The second option was the hammer approach, which Graves preferred himself. It would have been to silence Johnson right here and right now, dealing with the problem and sending a warning to anyone else who might have been having second thoughts. With the way Graves' morning was going, and the blatant disrespect that he was being subjected to, option two was sounding pretty good right about now.
"Hm, I see… so this is the best that Sanders sends us? A pathetic and scared little chickenshit playing dress up in a suit and unwilling to see the bigger picture?" Graves scoffed, before nodding to the Shadow standing behind the board member. "Hopefully the next one he sends has got more balls than you."
Getting the message, the Shadow approached the board member, before suddenly wrapping their hands around his head. Immediately, Graves could see the man's eyes widen in fear and last second realization, before he attempted to plead for his life.
"No, wait-!"
The split second of begging was instantly cut off as the Shadow forcefully twisted, and the sound of a sickening crunch filled the room. As the Shadow released their grip, Johnson's body crumpled forward, slamming against the table and spilling his glass of wine. A small pool of red spread across the wooden surface, gathering at the edge of the table and dripping down onto the carpet, staining it.
A quiet murmur of surprise filled the room after witnessing the man being summarily executed. After a moment, Graves spoke up, cutting through the hushed whispers as he spoke to the entire room.
"This meeting is adjourned," he announced bluntly, glancing towards the door and his Shadows standing guard. "My Shadows will see to it that you're escorted out. Have a pleasant day y'all."
After seeing Johnson get snuffed out like a blown candle, none of the other board members dared to argue against him as the meeting drew to a close. As the Shadows opened the doors for the suits to begin funneling out of the room, Graves noticed that Blackwood remained seated, clearly having more to say to him as she gave him an expectant look. He offered a nod of acknowledgement to her, waiting for everyone else to leave the room first.
Once the doors had closed securely behind the last departing board member, Blackwood looked at Graves with a serious look in her eyes.
"New players have joined the game, and their pawns are making plays on the board..."
Graves arched a singular brow up in confusion. "Without the cryptic and metaphorical chess speak, please?"
Blackwood leaned back in her seat, rolling her eyes as she let out an exasperated sigh. "Activity has been picking up in the United Republic of Adal, the Netherlands, and Japan. Specifically, points of interest such as Al Mazrah, Vondel, and Ashika Island."
Those names were of areas specific to them, on their side of the gate, and in their world…
"Okay… and these new players?"
"For Al Mazrah, it's the Las Almas Cartel and Al-Qatala-Aljhudud, the latter of which being a newly formed terrorist organization primarily based out of Urzikstan; at Vondel, some sort of private security group called the Peacekeepers, currently led by a former FSB deep-cover agent that went AWOL earlier this year; and at Ashika Island, a Russian PMC by the name of Konni…"
"Cartels, terrorists, and Russian contractors?" Graves asked, slightly perplexed. "Sounds like quite the party. I feel sorry for the poor fool that has to deal with them. But uh… why exactly are you tellin' me this?"
"Well…" Blackwood trailed off, a tiny smirk seen at the corner of her lips, one which Graves had a sneaking suspicion he really didn't want to see right now. "You might just be the 'poor fool' in question."
Graves narrowed his eyes, slowly processing the information he had just received from Blackwood. It wasn't the first time he had been assigned to handle such volatile situations. However, being asked to do so while he was already occupied?
"You're joking, right?" He replied, hoping to elicit a chuckle or any indication that she was just messing with him. But the serious expression on the woman's face didn't waver. "I'm not sure if you remember, but I'm already pretty busy with an ongoing operation in another world. I don't exactly have the time or resources necessary at the moment to worry about problems back home."
"And I'm not telling you to worry about it. I'm telling you so that you're in the know, just so you're not caught off guard."
Graves relented with a small sigh, understanding her perspective. He knew she wasn't one to share information without reason. Still, the idea of having potential threats looming back home while he was already dealing with things somewhere else was unsettling.
"I appreciate you keeping me informed, don't get me wrong," Graves said, his tone more conciliatory now. "But what exactly do you expect me to do about these new players? I'm not exactly in a position to drop everything and rush back home to deal with them."
Blackwood nodded, acknowledging his predicament. "I understand your situation Graves, and I'm not asking you to drop everything. You have your current mission, and that remains your priority. However, it would be wise to keep an eye on these developments, especially if they start affecting our interests or posing a direct threat to our operations in the future."
"Affecting your interests and operations?" He asked incredulously. "It's a cartel, a group of poorly trained insurgents, and some Russkies with shit gear. What could they possibly-?"
"We have reason to believe that the Defense Research Center might be targeted by one of these currently active groups."
Graves paused, and his eyes widened slightly at the sudden reveal of information. In their world, the Defense Research Center was a critical facility responsible for some of their most sensitive projects and technological advancements in the military field. Any threat to that location could have far-reaching consequences for their world's security.
"Wait, you think one of these groups might target the DRC?" Graves asked, now fully attentive to the gravity of the situation. "Which one, and why?"
Blackwood's serious expression deepened. "We can't say for certain yet, but our intelligence suggests that there might be some interest in Building 21. Al-Qatala has shown interest in acquiring advanced gear and weapons for their operations, and Konni might be looking to gain access to sensitive research and development data from the servers, which they can exploit for whoever their clients are."
"And what's the cartel's role in all this?"
"They're smugglers for AQ, and they're looking for new territory."
"Ah, Jesus Christ… narcos handling smuggling for terrorists? I haven't seen things this bad since Verdansk…" Graves muttered in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose. He shook his head a moment later, looking back up at her. "Whatever, so what's the game plan then?"
"The 'game plan' is to do nothing… yet," Blackwood tacked on that last word at the end. "Building 21 is already under watch by your Shadows, higher security permissions have been implemented for elevator access to restricted zones, and DRC sites can only be accessed with access cards, which are to never leave facility premises or be borrowed by others. If anything happened, we'd be the first ones to know."
Graves nodded, relieved to hear that some measures were already in place to safeguard such classified facilities. "Good, that's a start at least. But I don't like the idea of waiting around for something to happen. We should be a bit more proactive about this, gathering more intel, and anticipating their moves."
Blackwood gave him a knowing look. "I agree, which is why some intelligence partners of ours are working to gather more information, but we must be cautious. If we act too hastily, we might inadvertently tip our hand and alert these groups that we're onto them. Then they'll ramp up their operations, and these points of interest may very well become exclusion zones. Right now, keeping a watchful eye and strengthening security is our best course of action. For now, focus on your ongoing business across the gate, and keep us informed."
"Yes, ma'am." Graves replied sarcastically.
"Speaking of the gate, you never elaborated on what the ongoing operation you were conducting was…" She said, glancing up at the screen behind him.
"It's... complicated," he replied, choosing his words carefully. "During my trip into Japan's gate, I bumped into a woman who had lost half her family to the Empire that invaded. A… source… of mine managed to discover that they weren't digested by a dragon or anything like that, and were instead captured during the chaos. The JSDF told her that their hands were tied at the moment, so she instead resorted to me, offering half a million U.S. dollars each for her son and her husband."
"Already striking deals in another world? Well you certainly don't waste any time…" Blackwood noted, slightly impressed. "So tell me, how goes this little operation of yours?"
"Well, we're about halfway done with it. Managed to secure the husband from a little slave trading city in a rapidly destabilizing kingdom. Once we were done there, we razed that place to the ground with thermite and never turned back." He zoomed in on the map and hovered his cursor over the city. Or what was left of it anyway. "First half of the payment came through once we sent photos for verification. Unfortunately, we have yet to get the kid, but we know that they're headed south somewhere, planning to depart from the docks of Toumaren, another kingdom in the region."
Blackwood listened intently, her eyes fixed on the map displayed on the screen behind Graves. It was clear that she was assessing the situation and considering the implications of his actions in the other world. She didn't show any surprise though, as she knew full well that sometimes extreme measures were necessary in such situations.
"Razing a city with thermite, huh? Not exactly the most subtle approach, but it seems like it got the job done," she remarked, her voice even and composed.
"They were nothing more than a means to an end," Graves answered coldly. "The city was a hub for slave trading, and it needed to be dealt with. I figured if that was the case, then I may as well have done it in a way that made a statement."
"Understandable," Blackwood replied, her gaze still focused on the map. "Toumaren, you said? That's where they're headed next?"
"Yep, that's what we got out of the interrogation anyways," Graves confirmed, zooming in on the kingdom of Toumaren. "From what we've seen from our drone reconnaissance, it's a coastal kingdom, which makes them a major player in the region's trading hub, apart from the harbors of Proptor and the Imperial Capital itself. If they plan to leave by sea, they'll likely use one of the many major ports lining the coast here."
"Do you plan on burning this kingdom down too?"
"If it comes down to it, then sure… but I'd rather not. From what I've gathered, Toumaren isn't a vassal state to the Empire, and so they weren't called upon to assist with any of the fighting against Shadow Company or the JSDF. Don't really have the excuse of rapid destabilization from a loss of leadership to cover me for this one, so I'm gonna do my best to keep things hush-hush and on the down-low over there. Aiming for another swift and silent night raid."
"Well I trust you to handle things on your end, Graves. Just remember that the board is invested in results, not just promises."
"Yeah, yeah, y'all certainly won't let me forget it-"
"Which is why I'd like to introduce… or rather… reintroduce one of my own operators into your ranks."
She took out a sleek new phone model - obviously black and gold trimmed as per Black Cell standard - before leisurely holding it up and offering it to one of her bodyguards. The suited man on her right, Atom, took the phone, before slowly making his way across the room.
As the Black Cell operator stepped closer, Graves warily eyed the phone in his hands, before glancing up and meeting the man's eyes behind the frankly impractical ballistic mask. Dead eyes with no emotion greeted him, and Atom remained silent, not showing any reaction at all. It was clear that the man was trained extensively in remaining silent and unreadable, giving off an air of mystery, which Graves supposed made him an ideal operative for Black Cell.
He looked back down at the phone being offered to him, before accepting it and looking at the operator profile on screen.
"Arthur?" Graves asked, half in confusion, and half in recognition as he read the file.
"Indeed, an old Shadow of yours. I'm sure having such a professional back in your ranks would be most satisfactory, yes?"
"Of course," Graves said slowly, thumbing through the phone and inspecting the very small selection of carefully curated pictures on display. "But his gear and equipment is a little… much… for Shadow Company. Don't get me wrong, I'd happily accept him back into the company with open arms, but such a blatant display of Black Cell tech might not be good for any outsiders such as the JSDF to see. We'll have to scale back a lot of his gear to be more uniform with the rest of my people."
"Oh I'm sure he won't mind. Arthur was more than ecstatic to go back to his roots as a Shadow."
"Uh-huh…" Graves muttered, before placing the phone back on the table and sliding it to the other end. Blackwood effortlessly caught the phone, preventing it from sliding any further. Graves, meanwhile, crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, leveling a suspicious gaze at the woman sitting across from him. "Why're you doin' this?"
Blackwood kept her face unreadable as she slowly pocketed the phone. "Isn't it obvious? It's so that he can oversee this operation and help speed things along just a little bit quicker."
Graves raised an eyebrow, still wary of the offer. "So that's it then? You're just giving him to me, no strings attached?"
Blackwood let out a soft chuckle. "Of course not, everything comes with a price. You know that. Consider it more like a loan. Arthur will assist your company in the region, but when the time comes, we may call upon you to return the favor."
"Return the favor?"
"Yes… tell me, who do you have in mind for this raid you're planning in Toumaren?"
Graves gave her a brief look of confusion at the sudden change in topics, before answering, "Shadow Company is staffed with many ex-Special Operations and ex-Special Forces combat veterans. I guarantee you that each and every single one of my Shadows is perfectly capable of conducting-"
"Yes, yes, you employ a variety of highly trained professionals, seeking only top performers with long histories and notable actions in their respective fields. Save your corporate marketing speak for the public. I want to hear specific recommendations from you, Commander Graves. After all, you know your own contractors better than I do. I would prefer a professional's insight."
"Well…" Graves hesitated for a moment as he racked his brain… before a specific squad of Shadows came to mind. "If it's discretion and plausible deniability that you're after, which I'm assuming it is, then I can think of some folks that'll suit your specific needs."
"Excellent," Blackwood said, her tone confident. "Send me their files whenever you get the chance."
With that, Graves began pulling up the profiles of the Shadow Company operators he had in mind for the raid. He wanted to ensure that the team he selected was not only highly skilled, but also capable of operating with the level of discretion and finesse that Blackwood was looking for. As he worked on the task at hand, Blackwood stood up from her seat, signaling the end of their conversation.
"I'll leave you to it then," she said, glancing towards the door. "Oh, and a friendly bit of advice, Graves. Don't get tunnel visioned with the free rein you have in this new world. The threats back home here might seem distant now, but that could always change in the future…"
Graves slowly glanced up from his laptop, meeting Blackwood's eyes over the edge of the screen, before returning a slow nod of acknowledgement. Having said her final piece, Blackwood turned to leave the room with her bodyguards following closely behind, the Shadows standing by the doors holding them open for the departing trio.
As the doors closed behind them, Graves took his hands off the keyboard and leaned back in his chair, a mix of thoughts and emotions swirling in his mind as he let out a tired sigh.
Dealing with the growing complexities of his mission across the gate was already challenging enough, and now he had the added weight of potential threats back in this world to consider. Plus, the introduction of Arthur, an old Shadow currently under Black Cell employ, was both a relief and a concern. On one hand, having a highly skilled and experienced operative in his company would be advantageous, but on the other hand, he knew that working with Black Cell always came with strings attached, as evidenced by the Shadow profiles he was currently staring at.
At least he did what he came here to do, which was to reassure the board about the potential of the Special Region and keep their support. Well, most of the board anyways…
"All things considered, I'd say this meeting went pretty well," Graves spoke aloud. "What do you think, Velikan?"
At being addressed, the silent giant paused midstep as he looked up at his boss... before slowly looking back down at Johnson's corpse he was currently dragging in his arms. After a second or two, he looked back up, before giving a 'so-so' gesture with his hand.
Graves chuckled at Velikan's response, running a hand through his hair. "Well you know what they say, actions speak louder than words. Once we start bringing back results, they'll come around and kiss the ground I walk on. They always do…"
Velikan said nothing as he nodded stoically - his expression masked by his balaclava and blacked out glasses - before resuming his task of disposing of his most recent kill.
"Right, man of few words…"
[REDACTED] VALE [REDACTED] - SHADOW CO.
SITE HOTEL GAMMA, FALMART
IMPERIAL CALENDAR 687 - 12:00:00
As Vale and Bristol stood on a catwalk, they gazed down upon the scene below. The well lit structure was filled with a labyrinth of rooms, mimicking a complex, urban, CQB environment. Perfect for refining one's skills in a controlled environment without actually being in the thick of a high-risk or high-stress situation.
"Warden," Viper spoke up from down below, standing behind the squad of Shadows currently stacked in a tight formation just outside of the entrance of a center-fed room. "The door is yours. Take it whenever."
"Breacher up!"
Vale and Bristol watched attentively from up above as not even a second after those words were called out, the Shadow that was standing closest to the door delivered a solid kick beneath the handle, sending the plywood door slamming against the wall as it swung open inwards. Wasting no time, the squad of Shadows immediately flooded the room as they made entry.
Like well-trained and experienced professionals, Warden moved silently with practiced precision, their movements fluid and coordinated.
Inside the first room, the Shadows swiftly cleared each corner, checking for potential threats throughout. The well-lit space allowed them to see every detail clearly, and they took advantage of their maintained stealth to thoroughly clear as much as possible. Viper could be seen speaking up and guiding the team throughout whenever he needed to, with his years of experience as a military advisor evident in his calm demeanor that he put on for 'teaching mode', as Ronin liked to call it.
"Hey Vale, you got a light?" Bristol suddenly asked, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his lips. "Left mine back in my room."
Vale glanced at Bristol, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the cigarette. "Seriously, Bristol? You know we're currently standing in the middle of a training facility, right?"
"Yeah, a training facility that constantly smells of flashbang magnesium, gunpowder, and burnt detcord," Bristol replied with a cheeky grin. "I think a little cigarette smoke won't hurt anyone here."
"Oh yeah, sure… besides me of course… through second hand smoke." he answered sarcastically, digging into the chest pocket of his dark red flannel shirt and pulling out a plain, chromed zippo lighter. He flicked it open, before thumbing it on and holding the open flame forward. "Didn't know when the next time I'd see you lighting one up would be. I thought you were quitting?"
"I am…" The Brit scoffed unconvincingly as he held his palms over the flame. Once the end was sufficiently lit, he took a large drag, before pulling the stick out of his mouth and exhaling the smoke in the other direction. "Well, I'm trying to anyway. Hoping this is just a one off."
"A one off, huh?" Vale asked, flicking the lighter closed as he repocketed it. "Any particular reason why you decided to smoke one then?"
"Vale, we just committed, like, one of the biggest war crime sprees in a long while. Something like that tends to make one a little stressed out, you know what I mean? Well, a little is a bit of an understatement. It hasn't been this bad since-"
"Since Afghanistan," Vale answered for him, cutting him off. "Back at Site Hotel Bravo?"
Bristol stared at him, his green eyes seemingly somewhat tired now as he attempted to analyze the lieutenant. A moment later, after having found nothing, he let out a small sigh, shaking his head with a frown on his face. "Yeah… when we were 'Butchers' instead of 'Bishops'."
Vale nodded somberly, remembering those earlier days in the company. "We did what we had to do back then. It was a different time, different circumstances."
"Doesn't make it any easier to think about though," Bristol admitted, taking another drag from his cigarette, the smoke trailing from his lips as he looked down at the scene below. "Even when we're literally standing in a different world, it's hard to shake off the memories of those missions. The adrenaline, the uncertainty, the stakes, the things we did… it all lingers, you know? Now it just feels like we've come full circle, repeating the cycle all over again."
Vale crossed his arms, warily eyeing the Brit next to him. "You're not going turncoat on us now, are ya?" He asked, though his tone was more joking than anything else.
Bristol scoffed, a wry smile forming on his lips as he chuckled. "Oh please, who would I run off to? The JSDF? Nuh-uh, fat chance, Vale. You and the rest of the fellas are stuck with me."
"Oh no, whatever shall I do?" He asked emotionlessly. He looked over the railing of the catwalk, down to the floor below. "You think a fall from this high would kill me?"
"If you land head first, sure. But after everything we've been through, you clumsily plummeting from a catwalk is just gonna be a funny story to everyone else."
"You don't say," Vale replied with mock seriousness. He let out a small huff as he rolled his eyes, though the smile never left his face. "Glad to see my possible demise serve as amusement for everyone else in the company."
"Right, right…" Bristol murmured, trailing off. "So… who's the client that's cuttin' the checks for this contract anyways?" He asked, changing the subject.
"Think the client was the chick we saw Graves bump into from the other side of Japan's gate," he responded, still watching the Shadows navigate through the maze of rooms. They appeared to be closing in on the last room that they had yet to clear, that being the target room. "I don't know for sure. He didn't give specifics…"
"Heh, of course. You expect anything less?"
"I didn't expect anything more. All I know is that payday's gonna be good though, that's for damn sure."
"Hm, Yep yep."
Meanwhile, a myriad of voices combined with gunfire - obviously from simunition training rounds of course - could be heard from down below as the team finished moving through the simulated environment. From what they could see, seven Shadows acting as OPFOR were now playing dead on the floor, and Warden's squad lead was asking the 'VIP' questions. Questions such as, "Are you injured in any way?" and "Can you walk on your own?"
Viper spoke up from the doorway of the room, hands in the pockets of his combat pants. "Endex. Safeties on, Warden."
The Shadows of Warden squad all flicked their safeties on and lowered their weapons, safely pointing the muzzles of their guns down at the floor.
"Time?" Warden's squad lead asked simply.
Viper pulled his hand out of his pocket, glancing down and checking the time on his wristwatch. After a moment, he nodded in approval, seemingly satisfied with the result. "Not bad. Alright Shadows, let's gather around, debrief, and see how we can improve for the next run."
Vale furrowed his brows and glanced down as he suddenly felt a buzzing in the pocket of his jeans. He uncrossed his arms, before digging a hand into his pocket and pulling out his phone, looking at the caller ID to see who was calling.
It was Graves...
"Who-?"
Vale immediately held a finger up, silencing the Brit's inquiry as he tapped 'answer'. As the line connected, he held the phone up to his ear. "Graves, what can I do for you?" He spoke aloud, ensuring that Bristol knew who was on the other end.
'The boss man…?' Bristol silently mouthed in interest.
Graves' voice came through the phone, slightly muffled by the noise in the training facility, "Vale, how goes things over there in the SR?"
"Things are going as smoothly as ever, Graves. Surveying the killhouse, Warden just wrapped up a recent run. Exceptional performance as always." Vale replied, before he let a hint of confusion be heard in his tone. "But uh, how can I help you today, sir? I'm sure if you wanted a proper sitrep, you'd just call Oxide instead."
"You're right," Graves responded, the sound of papers being shuffled heard in the background. "You know how you talked to me about getting involved in the raid on Crius? Well it looks like it's your lucky day today, 'cause boy have I got some good news for you..."
"Sir?"
"I'm speeding things along and giving the company the greenlight to go after Crius… and Bishop has front row tickets to the show."
Bristol's eyebrows rose as he overheard the conversation, and Vale shot him a glance, signaling for him to stay quiet. "What's the timeline lookin' like?"
"Within the next seventy-two hours. Night time mission of course." Graves stated firmly. "I'll be back in the SR before the day's over, and I'll speak to Oxide about making the necessary preparations. I've been a bit busy back here in Maryland. All this time wasted on talking doesn't leave much time to actually get things done."
"The board giving you trouble?"
"You could say that…" Graves responded cryptically. "Speaking of the board, one of our main backers is sending a… liaison… of sorts, to assist with the raid on Crius."
"A liaison?" Vale asked in confusion, sharing a look with Bristol. "Am I allowed to know more about who this 'liaison' is?"
"I'll tell you more about it in person. What matters right now is that the company still needs to get their hands on HVI Crius, and client VIP, Mikami Toshiaki." Graves gently reminded. Immediately after, Vale could sense a change in the mood, as if a switch had been flicked, putting graves into 'stern commander mode' on the other end of the line as his voice became much more serious. "Vale, I see a red door, and I want it painted black..." Graves said ominously. "That's why I'm personally assigning Bishop to take the lead on this operation. This is time sensitive and high priority. The company trusts you to conclude this expediently. Find, fix, finish."
The sudden shift to move things up schedule wasn't unexpected, but what was unexpected was the responsibility that was placed on him. Ignoring the sudden weight of the assignment settling on his shoulders, Vale maintained his professionalism and nodded, despite the fact that Graves couldn't see him.
"Yes, sir."
Author's Notes:
Another chapter, and this time, we get a peak behind the curtains as to who Graves is contracted by; a board of directors that represent various shareholders investing into his company. With the previous failure that was General Shepherd, Shadow Company had been keeping an eye out for the next big contract that would offer a fat paycheck, and the gate is the perfect insurance for near limitless long-term profit. But while Graves' focus is on the Special Region, some murky things have been happening back home as well, and Black Cell is now getting directly involved to assist. One thing is clear though. The JSDF and the people of Falmart have no idea what's coming.
As darkness falls, Shadows will rise...