Chapter 45: Blue Light

Chapter 45: Blue Light

The conference room was large and almost completely empty. A couple of aides were on hand, ready to work the screens, while a couple of officers sat together at one end, stiff and cold and withdrawn.

The dozen TV monitors were lit, dour faces staring at them.

It felt like walking into a prison sentencing.

Major Hackworth was on one of the central faces, and James studied him, trying to get a sense of what was to come.

The majors handsome visage gave nothing away.

Once they were settled, a bald man in fatigues with enormous presence kicked things off. He looked as if he could have been carved from granite, his brow furrowed, his eyes almost lost between his narrowed stare.

Good evening, everyone. Im Lieutenant General King, commander of the Joint Special Operations Command based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. James got the distinct impression this was said for his and Serenitys benefit alone; everybody else stared out of their screens without an ounce of surprise.

These are unprecedented times, and just as in 1977 when numerous terrorist incidents highlighted our nations need for a new form of special operations unit similar to the British SAS, we are faced today with a need that requires an innovative solution. In 1977 we had Colonel Charlie Beckwith. Today we have Colonel Tom Hackworth.

Serenity glanced sidelong at James and mouthed: colonel?

The United States Army Special Operations Command has approved the creation of a new special operations force that shall be known provisionally as Blue Light, and with which we will seek to marry the discipline and effectiveness of the US military with the innovative powers and tactics of this new worlds ranking system.

King frowned out at them all. James Kelly, Clarice Parker, you are both being instated as Majors and will operate under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonels who will in turn report to Colonel Hackworth. Jessica Miles, you will be instated as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, and will continue in your role of advising and guiding Blue Light through what is to come. In short order we hope to have created a structure that can accommodate the chaotic nature of this new force, and which will respect the unique squad structures that best optimize the new synergies at play.

James remained silent, watching, allowing the words to sink in. Nobody was asking him if he wanted this.

Jessica had been right. Thered never been much of a choice in the first place.

King continued. JSOC recognizes that to expect Blue Light to adopt military culture overnight is impossible, so you will be granted the leeway necessary to execute your responsibilities as needed so long as you maintain basic protocols and understand that you are now an extension the US military. Colonel Hackworth will work with you to create a functioning system, with the primary goal being to get you all up and running as quickly as possible and with a system that can be duplicated in every city.

The Lieutenant General pinched the bridge of his nose and his tone lost its formal cadence. Kelly, Jones, Ill level with you. The forces assaulting our nation are unlike anything weve ever faced, and the prospect that were dealing with only the first waves of God knows how many is sobering. We need to harness your abilities and ensure that the men and women in the armed forces are not left behind and unprepared when future Nemesis wave appear. This is a hinge point. Either we adapt and rise to the occasion, or we fail in our most sacred duty and live long enough only to witness the collapse of the United States of America.

James sat up a little straighter, Kings words hitting him like blows.

Colonel Hackworth will take over from here. But its clear that we cannot afford to neglect the unique tactical benefit your powers afford us in these upcoming battles. Whatever comes, know that we are all united in one sole purpose: to defend the American people at any cost.

Some invisible signal must have passed through the monitor, because everybody saluted, and then the monitors darkened as people logged off, till at last only Colonel Hackworth remained on the line.

Congratulations on the promotion, colonel, said James.

Thank you, major. It came at some cost. The creation of Blue Light was controversial, and well need to prove our viability before the army fully trusts us. The one thing we dont have is time. As such, Im not going to waste any attempting to re-organize what was once known as the DRC, nor replace any existing current leadership with outside officers. Instead, I want to support your operations with my staff, and will be putting as much focus on creating a model that can be implemented in other metropolises as anything else.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

Yes sir.

Sir, interjected James. Before we do that. I have a few questions.

Go ahead, Kelly.

When Operation Urban Angel destroyed the enemy fortress, did you notice any effects on the comatose?

None, said Kelly. We destroyed the enemy structure but werent aware of the spire and gem as you described them. A dome of darkness covered the structure that defeated our sensors, but that darkness dissipated once the structure itself was destroyed.

The magic darkness, said Serenity. You need Dark Vision to penetrate it.

A similar dome covers every enemy structure weve observed thus far, said Hackworth. Following your description and handing over of the black gem, weve analyzed the space between the enemy symbols and the structures but have been unable to detect anything passing between the two. Obviously, that doesnt rule out energies that transcend our understanding of physics.

James considered. Has anybody tried attacking the symbols?

We have. Sidewinders were fired at a symbol over Atlanta, but to no effect. Weve attempted a variety of means to destroy them, but theyve remained impervious to conventional weaponry.

Well shit, said James. Any more instances of Monitors appearing?

Within the US? There are five, with your being one. Weve dossiers on the other four individuals, and all were high ranking like yourself. Its my hope to bring them into Blue Light.

Could I see those dossiers?

Sure. Ill have them shared with you.

Whats being done with the black gems we handed over today?

Theyre being analyzed by scientists. I dont know the exact details, but theyre a high priority. Ill keep you appraised as information comes in.

And your own ranks? In the regular army? How are folks keeping track of whats going on, level-wise?

Haphazard at best. Our systems arent designed for that kind of intel and adapting to this new facet takes time. Hard to believe its only been six days - has it been six? - since this all began. I understand what youre going to say, and yes, its a priority. But we have to work with whats plausible, and restructuring the armed forces overnight is just not going to happen.

James glanced to his two companions. Thats unfortunate, but I understand. Well, weve got the DRC waiting on us. I think I should head back to the Marriott and tell them were now Blue Light.

Very well. Good luck with breaking the news, Major. I have confidence in you. Well coordinate on your messaging, and how well make this announcement to the world at large. For now, refrain from posting new content on TikTok.

Understood. James stood up. I dont know how this is supposed to work. Do I ask to be dismissed or something?

Hackworth smiled tiredly. Were not going to be playing this that way. Others may disagree, but I understand whats truly going on here. Were allies, Kelly. In public, we might need to observe more formal decorum, but in private, dont worry about it.

Yes sir, said James, and realized: the reason he was calling Hackworth sir wasnt due to his rank, but because he respected the man and it felt right. Were going to make this work.

I know, said Hackworth. Seeing as we dont have a choice, I believe it.