Chapter 43: The major’s offer

Chapter 43: The major’s offer

They entered the NYCEM, Serenity checked her bullpup, and Jessica led them upstairs. Their entrance had been noticed on previous visits, but this time they actively drew stares, as if the vast majority of the folks loitering in the lobby knew who they were.

They werent the friendliest stares.

Made James feel like he was walking into a slaughterhouse and these people had lined up to watch.

They entered an elevator. Jessica was tense but calm, while Serenity kept fidgeting, tapping her hip as if seeking the presence of a gun and permanently disconcerted by her lack of one.

The elevator doors opened and someones aide recognized them, spoke into their phone, then stepped up with a polite smile. He was young, in military fatigues, blonde haired and blue eyed with a strong jaw.

Mr. Kelly? Warrant Officer White. Major Hackworth would like to speak with you.

Good. James glanced sidelong at Jessica, who nodded. He here?

Hes remote, but Im going to spin him up in a conference room. This way?

Spin him up? muttered Serenity. What does that even mean?

White pretended not to hear.

A moment later they stepped into a small cubicle of a room, just large enough for the three of them to squeeze in around a table, with a large flatscreen on the wall. White spun up Hackworth, which in the end meant he just got him on a remote video call, and then left the room.

Kelly, Miles, Serenity. Hackworths untouchable Errol Flynns looks were starting to look a little frayed. Congratulations on your successes. Can you give me a quick debrief on how your assault went?

Major Hackworth. Despite himself James felt reassured at the sight of the mans face. Good to see you, too. The assault was a success. And he outlined in broad strokes their plan, its implementation, what they found, and how their teams had leveled up as one entity, resulting in a huge boost of power.

Outstanding, said Hackworth, sitting back and sipping from a styrofoam cup of coffee. We saw nothing like that with Operation Urban Angel. Now, dont get me wrong, a number of our men achieved some remarkable ranks, especially those manning the Black Hawk miniguns and the Bradley chainguns, but overall our progress in the ranks was uneven, which is whats caused us this current dilemma.

James frowned. How so, sir? I heard your mission was a success.

It was, insofar as we cleared the target and extracted a number of civilians. But we took heavy damage from the demons who swarmed our armor. Their arm-blades can cut spaced laminate armor with frightening facility, and they were smart enough to go for treads and wheels. We were overrun, and only the caliber of our boys and the sheer intensity of our firepower allowed us to get the hell out of there. In the end we had to call in a bombing run, which resulted in the demolishing of several city blocks, the destruction of the enemy fortress, and the loss of who knows how much leveling experience.

I still dont see how that concerns us, said James.

The reason being that our boys - most of them - signed up to the US military because we promised them theyd become part of the worlds greatest fighting force. And I believe thats still true today, but that video your posted from the center of enemy territory, standing calmly over their fallen queen and reporting total victory, has caused some botheration amongst the ranks.

Serenity laughed. You saying we out-militarized the military?

No, Im saying that your personalized approach has revealed benefits to utilizing this new magic system the way its apparently been designed to be used, and which the military currently doesnt harness. Now, Im pushing to rearrange our formations from the squad level up to capture this synergy youve discovered, but nothing moves fast in the armed forces, and by the time my suggestions are implemented, if at all, it could be kingdom come. Which our boys know and have a profound appreciation of, so when they see you calmly claiming to be Supplicant Level whatever, they get itchy and start wondering if theyre fighting for the right outfit.

Wait, what? James gave a sharp shake of his head. What are you saying? That our success in the hive made your men?

Wonder if they wouldnt do a better job defending our country working for the DRC. Our MPs have already arrested a dozen privates and specialists trying to sneak off base and go AWOL in order to make direct contact with you. Hackworth pinched the bridge of his nose. And the worst of it is that I understand why they might make such a hare-brained decision. These are men and women who have been forged into weapons from the moment they entered Basic. Theyre almost universally patriots, and they want nothing more than to be the cocked fist of the US, ready to smash whatever foe rears its head into smithereens. But Operation Urban Angel had us forcing an exit on our own turf, while your own mission was able to stroll into enemy headquarters like it was a day at the park. With the official line being that nothings going to change, and everybody aware of the deadlines were facing, its no wonder that our men are starting to entertain unwise possibilities.

James nodded thoughtfully. I appreciate this, major. I really do. Youve been a huge ally throughout this nightmare. Do you mind if we discuss amongst ourselves for a moment and then call you back?

Thats fine. Dont take too long.

And Hackworth ended the call.

Shit, said James, sitting back with a big exhale. How the fuck do we navigate this mess?

Its ridiculous. Serenity looked like she wanted to leap to her feet and pace, but the room prevented her from doing so. How the fuck does it make any sense for us to just give the military everything weve created? Theyll stifle us, tell us what we can and cannot do, ruin everything weve managed to build so far.

Jessica? prompted James.

Jessica was frowning and staring off into the middle distance. She blinked slowly, removed her rimless glasses and cleaned them absent-mindedly on her blouse. I suppose I should have seen this coming. It was inevitable. When people in power are scared, they seek scapegoats. But we couldnt have approached the situation differently. We needed your outreach to draw prospective members. Everything weve done has been necessary, with the natural terminus being well, this.

Which leaves us where? asked James.

If we dont take up the majors offer, I think our best-case scenario is new leadership and an auditing of all our decisions taken thus far. Theres plenty for them to object to, from my liberal approach to acquiring funds to the militarized nature of our members. She raised a hand, forestalling Serenitys objections. Im not saying theyre right to object. Im saying that if they choose to hew to the law, they have enough ammunition with which to take us apart.

Our members would simply quit, said James, thinking of Sarah. Theyd probably quit if we joined the military as well.

Not necessarily, said Jessica. It would all depend on how we presented it to them. What the military asks of us. The devil is in the details, but its the details that I excel in mastering.

You think you can work this? Serenity raised her eyebrows. This is the military were talking about.

These are strange times. Jessica sighed. And I cant guarantee anything. But the plain truth is that weve been too successful. Either we adapt, or we die. And in this case adapting might mean working more closely with Hackworth and the military.

Serenity looked to James again. Or we could leave.

James frowned down at his hands. Thought of the ballroom, how the thousand people whod shown up had shone with potential, a means to make a real difference in what was to come. If he and Serenity walked away, sure they could keep on fighting, and maybe they could even keep Crimson Hydra together.

But Crimson Hydra would never be enough by itself.

They needed everybody to keep advancing, working together, leveling, and preparing for what was to come.

We need to save the DRC, he said heavily. And you know what? It may be bleak of me to say, but I dont think the old ways are going to last for much longer. Nemesis 3 might be the push that sends things into a tailspin. The military, the government, all the old ways of doing things, theyre hanging on, but if they dont adapt, theyll fall apart under the stresses.

You mean well outlast them? asked Serenity.

I think so. If we preserve enough integrity to keep our teams together and just keep killing demons and wiping out symbols, well keep leveling and growing more powerful. Thats all the really matters. And when the time comes that folk like Iverness and the others are gone, well still be there, standing together, united, and strong.

The devils in the details, said Serenity, unconvinced. Itll depend on what they ask of us.

Correct, said Jessica. And thatll be my fight. As a Deputy Commissioner I have some say and can work with Morgan and Hackworth to achieve the best transition possible. And if we dont like it? Well, we can cross that bridge when we get to it.

Fair enough. James considered them both, then nodded. Lets get Hackworth back on the line. Lets see where this rabbit hole goes.