Chp. 1-3: Peace Within Chaos

December 31st, 2018 (Local Time: 2120)

Norris Bay, Osea

Sean had been watching the redheaded woman for about half an hour now. Always in short glances, in ways he knew would be discrete. She was the short, willowy kind of girl. Sean was no stranger to love. It was par for the course in highschool, being a jock and still separated from the real world. There'd been several who'd just been having meat sweats and he was caught up in the midst of fully realizing girls weren't icky. Then the one that'd woken him up. The big, beautiful and unstoppable force that'd been Angela Cray. If she were here, she'd either tell him to lower his hopes or that girls don't like to be given intense stares like that. He kept stalling while he tried to think of a good way to start a conversation. Something…mature; mature and friendly. She struck him as being that kind of girl: she was beautiful, but this kind of place was a bit fancier than the dives closer to the base. What to bring up? Architecture? Maybe the music playing?

His luck inevitably ran out when her friend's eyes met with his. Out of all the things he could've done, he chose to give the biggest, dumbest-looking grin he could. The friend visibly swallowed a snort and Sean found himself immediately looking away. Out of the very corner of his eye he could see the redhead looking his way, revealing. Her friend adjusted her gaze so it was centered on him. Mercifully, the others at his table were too interested in their conversation to notice their fellow aviator making a fool of himself. He reverted back to some of his old ways to get him stable, then looked at the redhead just before she looked away. Her friend stopped her and guided her gaze back to the same spot. Okay, he thought, she didn't seem to be that bitchy satellite type. In fact, said friend sat back and watched him expectantly. Sean stood up and walked over to the bar, throwing a quick "I'll be right back" over his shoulder. The two women watched him approach, the friend more closely than the redhead, and sit down to order something to mask the scent of liquor on his tongue. He took a long pull of iced tea before he even planned to say something.

"Alright there, skyscraper, let's hear the pickup line." The friend said impatiently.

He lowered his glass and arched his eyebrows at her. The redhead snickered.

"Oh come on, Jane, don't be like that." She insisted.

"Actually, right now I'm thinking that this iced tea is terrible. Should've had Sprite instead. Either of you wanna Sprite?"

The redhead nearly spat her drink all over the counter. She sucked in a loud breath and cleared her throat. Her friend just stared at him.

"Was that intentional?"

"Was what?"

"You said it like you were trying to do standup."

"If I'm tryin' to do standup, you have my full permission to tell me to leave."

"Jessica, what was even funny about that?"

"I blame the timing." The redhead replied cheerfully as she regained her composure.

She turned her face towards him fully, giving him a proper look at her. He noticed faint, faint scarring around her left eye. She adjusted her glasses, but he sensed she didn't seem to be looking at him. Sean nonetheless held up a hand.

"Sean Guidry." He said.

"Jessica Davis. Are you holding up your hand?" She replied.

"Yeah…?"

"I'm blind…DON'T go freaking out on me."

"...Okay."

It was certainly a curveball he hadn't seen coming. He awkwardly lowered his hand and cleared his throat. Jessica's expression grew stern.

"I'm serious, don't go groveling."

"Gotcha…so uhm, nice to meet you. Do you still wanna Sprite?"...

J_Flowers: I was just remembering that. Yeah, I know I'm probably looking at it with rose-tinted glasses. It was a nice way to start the new year, though! I had a lot of fun going out to the city square for the fireworks. Even if, you know…

Sean smiled warmly as he re-read the message from Jessica. It was moments like this that all the fear of reverting to a dumb jock washed away. That he'd grown up and was trying his best.

Sean0293: It was! Obviously the best part was meeting you, but it was a great chance to get familiar with the town.

J_Flowers: There are so many other places I wanna show you. The old shipyards, Fort Emmerson, You would probably like the dunes…I still can't believe you've never been to the beach before!

Sean0293: I still firmly believe that the oasis just up in the hills from my home still counts.

J_Flowers: No it doesn't! :I

He wanted to ask if he'd get to pick out her swimsuit, but again held himself. Be mature, he told himself. But he would admit that a girl like her in a bikini, especially something that fit her style, would make it hard for anyone to be mature. He kept that to himself.

Sean0293: You're really determined to make it happen, huh?

J_Flowers: Yes! You'll understand once we go. Smelling that clean sea air and feeling the water rush over your feet. On days when it's clear, and you can feel the warmth of the sun. Especially after you swim. I don't have to tell you again how much I loved wrapping up in my blanket as a little girl and eating lunch between swims.

Sean0293: I like the way you describe it. It makes me think of when my family would go camping up in the mountains, by this creek. Wait, does that count? What about the reservoir? It had a beach.

J_Flowers: No, because I said so.

He honestly liked that about her, and he was happy to let her know as much. He was feeling that warm, fuzzy feeling she gave him take over. It came just in time for him to see that his sister was online and reaching out to him.

Lil_Miss_Hoops: Introduce me to your girlfrieeeeeeend

Sean0293: No, not until I'm sure you're not actually as weird as I'm afraid you are.

Lil_Miss_Hoops: Gasp! How could you say something so mean and slanderous! I will have you know, little brother, that I am not weird. I am adventurous and outgoing and wise beyond my years!

Sean0293: How are you the older of the two of us?

Lil_Miss_Hoops: Cause I'm cooler, Shrek. B)

He rolled his eyes at her take on his callsign. He could only imagine his sister in her quarters, snickering over it. He made it no secret that he was paying more attention to his conversation with Jessica as she kept gushing about the beach.

Sean0293: My older sister is bugging me.

J_Flowers: Hehe, does she know about us?

Sean0293: She does…actually I have to confess I sometimes ask her if I'm being too much of a meathead or not.

J_Flowers: Oh?

Sean0293: Well yeah! I'm pretty sure that crap would annoy the hell out of a classy girl like you!

Before he had time to wonder if he'd said too much, he quickly switched back to Marcy.

Lil_Miss_Hoops: I should start dangling my advice over your head until you introduce me.

Sean0293: She knows you exist, and you're not the only one I go to for a second opinion.

Lil_Miss_Hoops: Good.

Sean0293: What, no more sarcasm and wit?

Lil_Miss_Hoops: If you want, but fact is that it's good you're doing that. I'm no sage giver of wisdom.

Sean switched back to Jessica, at which point he realized he'd revealed some of his intentions. Mostly because Jessica seemed to be overjoyed.

J_Flowers: No one's ever called me classy before. I like it. XD

Sean0293: I think I got a bit ahead of myself. Sorry. ;

J_Flowers: Not if you made me smile you didn't, Hehe. You earned a few very important points today, Big Guy. Now back to why you need to go to the beach...

"I have to admit I still feel humiliated, Captain."

Von Koning nodded in understanding and sat down in his chair.

"But you made the right decision, and that's what matters. The longer you serve, the more you learn that your professional pride isn't about looking stronger. How are the men?" He replied.

"It was nothing much to them. Many of them are still somewhat overwhelmed by being deployed." Bruno explained.

"All normal parts of this sort of thing. Is there anything else you wish to bring up, Lieutenant?"

"No sir."

"Thank you again for swallowing your pride. I know you don't like to be singled out, either, but rest assured I'm giving every platoon this level of attention."

The two exchanged salutes and Bruno exited the room. True to the Captain's word, Second Lieutenant Jos Peters was sitting in the hallway outside. The two exchanged acknowledging glances before Bruno descended the stairs nearby. The bottom floor of the old tool factory was buzzing with activity as the two patrols from B company made sure their IFVs were ready for their next outing. Past what had once been loading docks, more soldiers milled about outside their tents. The rusting buildings and hastily-fixed roads had been home for a few months now. Whatever they'd once been called, they were now collectively known as Forward Operating Base (FOB) Schkodra. To him, it looked like something out of one of those scary stories about abandoned places. Rather than grotesque creatures of myth, it was inhabited by elements of the Ustian 11th Mechanized Battalion and Osean 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He donned his light-blue beret and walked across one of the parking lots, returning salutes as he got them.

As he walked, he tried to emulate the Captain's attitude. The man was no stranger to peacekeeping operations; he'd been part of Ustio's first foray into such endeavors. Before they'd deployed from their barracks, he'd gathered all the men to share what he'd learned from that. They were representatives of their nation, not just its armed forces. It was their duty to make a good impression to everyone: civilians, the militias, the world, and their fellow peacekeepers.

That image was important even as he approached his destination. He passed the remains of a train yard and towards a modular building near the base's headquarters. Inside was a collection of officers, representing just how many different nations were participating in the IUN mission here. Oseans, Belkans, fellow Ustians; all gathered around a hodge-podge of makeshift tables and old ones scrounged from the ruins of the complex. He spotted a pair of familiar faces close to one of the TVs. A pair of Osean tank commanders he'd fallen in with. One of them, a pale-looking man with dirty-blonde hair, raised a hand and beckoned the Ustian over. Bruno managed a genuine smile and stabbed a finger in the direction of the coffee machine. His compatriot nodded in understanding, as did the other man.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen." He said in accented Osean when he sat down.

"Afternoon Bruno. What's the good word?" Second Lieutenant Cassin Lockhert replied.

Bruno took a long drink of coffee, savoring the warmth that went down his throat.

"The only good word here seems to be fresh coffee." He chuckled dryly.

Second Lieutenant David Bahjat's dark features formed into a sympathetic smile.

"Who gave you trouble this time?" He asked.

"My platoon ran across a roadblock put up by some local militia. They wanted to inspect my vehicles for "fugitives", but backed off when it seemed like we might detain them."

"That fat guy with the bad teeth? Claims he's a cop?" Cass asked.

"Yes."

"I hate that guy. Doubt he was anything more than the town creep."

"He seems to have some pull with others." Dave shrugged.

"Life is full of mysteries. That's one of them." Cassin suggested.

He took a long pull of his coffee to wash out the bad taste he had in his mouth. Bruno was eager to change the subject.

"You two look like you didn't get back too long ago." He said, nodding towards their tanker coveralls.

"More range time with the local tankers. Cass has been trying his best not to be too weird." David confirmed.

"I need to help them fully understand the sheer power of the M1 Abrams and its advantages over their old T-72s." Cass half-joked.

Another part of the IUN mission. Cass didn't stay on the subject for long; he'd already talked Bruno's ear off about the tank he commanded. Bruno had to admit he respected the man's attitude. Cassin had made his career part of who he was. The Ustian had learned more about armored cavalry than any book might have taught him.

"Do you see them perhaps adopting some of the traditions of your Cavalry?" He suggested.

"Possibly, but unlikely. They have their history; it's just the tank that's new." Cassin mused.

"So how's the family?" Cass went on.

Bruno hid a growing smile behind his paper cup. His Osean compatriots had the same expression as they eagerly awaited the latest news.

"Adrianus took his first steps earlier this week. Celeste sent me a video of it." He announced.

The two gave a quick "golf clap" before Dave leaned forward expectantly.

"Come on, man: let's see the video." He insisted.

"Only if you tell me when you intend to get married, Lieutenant Bahjat." Bruno chuckled.

"I'm thinking of hooking up with my cousin. Revenge for the dozen times he tried to hook me up with his in college." Cass added.

"Depending on which cousin that is, I'm going to either roll my eyes or hit you over the head with a wrench."

"Jude. Elena likes her, and you know she's a good judge of character."

Dave let out a pensive "hmmm", to which Cass laughed and clapped. He insisted it sounded like the guy wasn't too opposed to it. Bruno again felt bemusement; the two Oseans were very much opposites. Cassin was a self-described "Army Brat" from a long line of NCOs. David was an immigrant from Helmajistan whose family had done so to escape the civil war there. Yet, they were like siblings. He fished his phone from one of his fatigue pockets and scrolled through it in search of the video he'd gotten.

"I will show you this on the condition that you do the same when you have kids." He proposed, half-jokingly.

"Hope you got patience; Elena wants to wait a few more years and I'm perfectly fine with that." Cassin chimed in.

"Patience is a virtue for any officer, Lieutenant. I can assure you that I can be patient."

It didn't occur to him that he was basically saying he wanted their friendship to last. Personally, Cass didn't mind at all. Their conversation was interrupted by the sounds of chairs being pushed back. Bruno looked in the direction of the noise and saw the TV seemed to be drawing more and more attention. The trio exchanged glances, then Dave stood up and wandered over to the commotion, followed by his companions.

"What's up?" He asked a Belkan officer.

"Your former president Harling is making a speech at the space elevator." He replied with a heavy accent.

"Well why the hell is everyone treating it like the second coming of Christ?" Cass added.

"Isn't that thing part of why we're here or something?" An Osean officer asked.

"I was under the impression that we had come here to quell the violence." A Belkan officer noted.

"A combination of both? We were given a briefing about our mission here." A third, this one Ustian, proposed.

A few others went back and forth between one-another on whether that was true or not while, on the screen, Harling cleared his throat to begin speaking. With him, according to the ticker at the bottom, was the President of Selatapurta, Sri Marga.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm honored to be here for the proper opening of the International Space Elevator. A project I have a personal stake in, something I have pushed for since my last term in office. This is a major step forward for the economy of Selatapurta, and for international cooperation…"

There were a few awkward claps, but Cass's comment seemed to have tempered some excitement. He lifted his styrofoam cup like it was a beer glass and gave a sarcastic toast.

"Mister Peace and Unity, folks. Just don't ask why the Yukes kept landing hits against us so easily in 2010."