TFA1 3.18 - The Last Meeting
Modest Apartment in downtown of Rio Gallegos, Argentina.
10:00 am, 26 April 2024
Most people would not have thought that one of the richest women on earth was staying in a cheap apartment in southern tip of Argentina. As usual, Claire wore a casual outfit consisting of basketball shoes, jeans, a t-shirt, and a light jacket. Leisurely, she sat cross-legged on the sofa, enjoyed a jumbo-sized waffle while studying TF Amethyst's shopping list.
Overall TF Amethyst purchased 34 million tons of weapons, equipment, spare parts, and ammunition, and the delivery was divided into 9 months, or about 12% of the total quota each month.
To avoid unwanted attention, the delivery would also be made using different routes. Fortunately, US Military had bases and weapon depots all over the world. So, only a few sensitive systems and technologies were taken directly from America. Even so, planning the purchase and delivery routes for all these quotas within three months was not trivial as both the transactions and the delivery were being carried out in silence.
However, Vex could execute this complex and large operation perfectly. He started the work in mid-December 2023, and last month the first shipment of TF Amethyst assets had arrived safely at Harley Quinn, along with shipment of food, construction material, and fuel with the total amount up to three times from the main package.
In addition, Vex also managed to get real clients from countries in Africa for Amethyst Security Group. Therefore, the lobbies he did to find out the latest developments in arms industry would seem like lobbies for these clients.
And this month, Vex would supervise the second shipment. If this delivery was successful, then for the next shipment, Vex would not need to return to Earth until Nouel was ready to be marketed to America. Meaning, this was the last time Claire could see Vex before the total cut-off for around two years. The total cut-off was necessary because after she hired Vex, the wiretapping attempt on her had increased six folds.
'From the beginning, I should have recruited Vex as Uncle O'Neil suggested,' Claire muttered as she reached out for second waffle.
Then, Bob suddenly walked in and rushed over to her. "Miss, Mr. Vex just landed, but he left the escort team and now we don't know his whereabouts."
Claire gave a small nod before casually saying, "Let’s just wait here."
"Understood."
After a small bow Bob left the room.
---
Cheap bar on outskirts of Rio Gallegos, Argentina.
A white man of medium stature and modest clothing, sat in one corner of the bar accompanied by local newspaper and a bottle of beer. Even though he was 56-year-old, at first glance the man still looked like he was in his early 40s. This man was Major General Randy Westwood. He was former Commanding Officer of 1st Infantry Division who later made a career at Pentagon.
At first, many people thought the tough-minded general would fail at Pentagon, which was known as a political battleground for top US military officials. However, Major General Randy had hidden talent as a politician. He later became Pentagon's golden boy and thrived as Vice Chief of Staff of The Army. It had even been confirmed that next year he would be promoted to Chief of Staff of The Army.
As soon as Vex passed the bar entrance, several men with Mk.18 immediately searched him thoroughly before allowing him to approach Major General Randy's desk.
Major General Randy then put down the newspaper in his hand before turning his gaze to Vex. "You don't bring your bodyguard?"
As he sat in front of Major General Randy, Vex answered, "They stand by across the street, and will fire a Javelin if I don't come out in five minutes."
"Nice jokes." After a small smile Major General Randy downed a mouthful of his beer. "So, why do you suddenly want to meet with me?"
"Regarding my order, can you speed up the procurement?"
"Nope," Major General Randy replied flatly. He then took a deep breath before continuing, “Your order this time is ten times larger and more complex than the order from your previous client, and I already worked so damn hard to speed up the timeframe by two times.
It's impossible to shorten it anymore. Unless, you want to actively involve other big players."
Vex instantly shook his head. "Can't involve them, but I can add some purchase funds."
"Vex, I'm sure you know this is not about money." Major General Randy said in a drop dead serious tone. "Previously, I helped you supply the Central Africa Federation because you promised me their natural resources would only go into US of A.
For this order, I am once again willing to help you because you put forward the same conditions. Although this time you didn't tell me which country you supplied."
Vex gave a small nod before saying, "I know you've worked so damn hard for the deal. But I'm really in a desperate situation. At least include the spare Howitzer barrel, 155 mm shell, Mk. Series bomb along with Paveway kits and JDAM kits in the next shipment."
Major General Randy took a deep look at Vex before saying, "Vex, the order of the items I can put into the shipment is being arranged in a specific way so that no one would sniff it. One small change in that order will bust my side open.
Like in the previous shipment, you forced me to get you six Advanced Super Hornets with tactical nuclear capability from USN storage facility earlier than the schedule, and as the result CIA sniffed it out. If I haven’t risked my career, some of your cargo ships would have been sunk by Devgru in the middle of nowhere."
"Sorry about that, but I need the Super Hornet's operational data in the area of operation as soon as possible."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"Well, in the end everything went well so it's okay. Let’s just put more precaution into the operation.”
"Yeah."
After gulping down his beer Major General Randy then stood up and walked towards the exit.
---
Modest Apartment in downtown of Rio Gallegos, Argentina.
12:30pm , 26 April 2024
As soon as Vex sat down next to her, the first thing Claire asked was, "Who did you just meet?"
"It would be much better if you don’t know."
"Vex, I'm your Boss. Answer my question!"
"My Boss is General O'Neil."
"Vex, The Boss of your Boss is your Boss."
Vex smiled before casually saying, "Boss of my Boss, as far as I remember, you promise me you will close your eyes, ears, and nose to my activities as a means for operational security."
Claire instantly pursed her lips, but she didn't push Vex further. Then, while thrusting the laptop on her lap to Vex, she said, "Fine, let's hear your report."
"First, this is a report from Mr. Slane." Vex handed Claire a USB before turning on Claire's laptop and plugged on a memory card into one of the slots.
"In general, all TF Amethyst assets are working well on Amstell. LAV Shorad has done a jump test. The Super Hornet had performed dogfight against Black Eagle dozens of times, although dogfights against Rider has not yet to be carried out. We will also keep Abrams and all assets that were already sent before you recruited me."
Vex then showed Claire the bird’s eye view of Terry Hill as he continued, "The problem is, it turns out there's a giant gold mine in Harley Quinn's side yard."
Claire frowned before asking, "Any Region know about it?"
"We've confirmed that the two nearby Regions don't know about it. The gold mine is managed by a foreign party from outside Amstell, and because of a spontaneous incident we are forced to seize it."
After changing the display on the laptop to a giant encampment on east coast of Amstell Continent, Vex added, "On the first day they managed to land 60 thousand combatants. The last day before I left, the number has increased to 300 thousand combatants and 100 thousand construction workers."
Claire surveyed the various constructions in the display before asking, "What are they building?"
Vex calmly replied, "A fortress city. We conclude their primary goal is invasion of Amstell Continent. Their scout somehow found a gold mine and decided to exploit it. IDG also believe they have planted a large number of spies in nearby Regions."
"What is our response?"
"IDG wants to launch an operation to exert influence in two closest Regions. But Old Man O'Neil and I refused it. We agreed not to reveal Harley Quinn's existence until we reach minimum essential force."
After pondering for a moment Claire asked another question, "Why don't we launch an airstrike on this newcomer?"
Vex took a deep breath before saying, "Super Hornet's combat radius for air interdiction is only 721 km, while the distance to east coast is 1800 km. We also haven't mapped Amstell Continent as the base for Inertial Navigation System. And so, long-range smart ammunition can't be used yet."
"What can we do then?"
"We will create artificial rain to turn some grassland along the invasion route into a swamp. They also have to cross a vast mountain range, and we can fake landslides to hinder their march."
"Can we speed up the delivery of TF Amethyst assets?"
"Nope and money can't resolve it. I've tried offering it to our broker."
Claire thought for a while before saying, "What if I reveal my status as a holder of US of A economy up to 40%, and then show my support for the assets acquisition."
“Absolutely no,” Vex firmly said. "You are our ultimate card and must be saved until the last second. Remember, when Nouel enters US of A, our strongest enemy will appear and you have to make sure TF Amethyst is not being swallowed alive."
Claire pursed her lips before saying, "No sweats, in two years I will control 80% of US of A economy."
After a deep sigh Vex said, "It's not easy to do it, but right now we can only wait patiently, and try not to commit reckless actions either on earth or Amstell."
Claire nodded before saying, "Understood."
"Well, I have to see the delivery team and make sure everything is going well, so see you until the next meeting."
"Okay."
Wasting no time Vex got up and walked towards the exit. At the same time, Claire was also preparing to return to San Francisco.
---
Cabin of a Gulfstream G650, airspace in northern tip of Argentina.
15:20 pm, 26 April 2024
While supporting her chin using the back of her left palm, Claire looked at the cloud out of the window. Bob, who sat in front of her, was curious as to why she had been pensive since the plane took off, so he tried to find out the reason.
"Miss, are you thinking about Terry Hill?"
"Yeah." Claire took a deep breath before continuing, "The gold deposit in Terry Hill is enough to build a second Federal Reserve, but as you know we can't bring it here."
Bob nodded slightly. More or less he knew why large amounts of gold could not be brought to earth.
The US of A used gold as insurance if the US of D and the US of A’s economy crash. Given the amount of gold on earth would remain the same, its value would stable when economic growth was good, and would skyrocket if the economy collapses. Therefore, if suddenly the amount of gold increased dramatically, the price of gold would fall and this was tantamount to cutting the value of economic insurance owned by US of A.
With a tone full of regret Bob then said, "If the mine is a nickel, cobalt, or copper deposit, then one of TF Amethyst's main goals to support future energy needs in US of A will be fulfilled."
"Yeah." Claire let out a sigh before asking, "Regarding Vex's purchases and deliveries, do you hear anything?"
"Yesterday, my colleagues at CIA told me something that maybe connected to TF Amethyst."
Curiosity immediately flashed in Claire's gaze, "Tell me about it!"
After clearing his throat Bob began to explain. In early February, six Super Hornets at MacDill Naval Station were declared as total loss due to the cracks in their airframes. But the six Super Hornets never arrived at junkyard as the official document stated.
In the same week, CIA discovered that six packages of Advanced Super Hornet upgrades with tactical nuclear capability had been sent to Middle East. The operation to intercept this shipment was about to launch when suddenly Pentagon decided to cancel it.
Bob showed the report he was reading before continuing, "Surprisingly, the report from Mr. Vex this time stated that TF Amethyst already has six operational Super Hornets. While all Super Hornets that TF Amethyst bought have not yet been delivered and are still in our warehouse."
Claire nodded slightly before asking, "Is the aircraft truly possessing nuclear capability?”
With a serious expression Bob replied, "There are rumors that Israel is testing a tactical nuclear with code name Gundam Zero in the middle of some desert. The weapon system has a range of 2,000 km when being released from an altitude of 30,000 feet by a fighter jet. It has the capability of stealth flying, counter-jamming, and guided by artificial intelligence.
The weapon system is designed to detonate at an altitude of 1000 feet, and then generate a hot cloud that will turn the target below into ash up to a radius of 40 km, and be uninhabitable for 5-8 years."
Claire nodded slightly before saying, "A weapon system to wipe out a city or kill a titan monster like King Ghidorah."
Bob nodded and said in a serious tone, "Miss, it's not too late to call Mr. Vex and ask him why he developed weapons of mass destruction."
"Don't worry about it. We won't use it against fellow humans," Claire replied calmly before leaned her head and closing her eyes.
A question mark immediately gripped Bob's heart, but he didn't ask further and let Claire to get some rest.
*****
