Story - Camp Life [Part 9]

[Author's note: I believe one of the hardest parts of writing, other than writer's block and finding inspiration, is knowing when to cut material and when to keep it. I've got a lot of material I want to explore, but sadly it's too much to explore at my current pacing. I'm actually doing myself a favor by cutting the excess material I had planned, but there are still story elements that I'm a little sad I won't get to explore. C'est la vie, I guess. Ok, so this piece goes over some things previously explored...plus some new items, including some surprises. There will be TWO revelations in this story part! Also, in this world, citizens of the Federal Union are often times referred to as "Federal Unionists" or "Feds" for short.] -- It has been at least an hour since we've last checked on our sniper/spotter team Lucia and Connolly. They maintain their vigilant watch over the camp, all the while quite nervous that they haven't heard back from their unit. Just as tensions were at an all-time high, there's finally a break! *BLIP-BLEEP* There is a distinct chirp coming from the handheld radio on Connolly's hip pocket. “Connolly? Lucia? If either of you can hear this, please respond!” Lucia and Connolly look nervously at one another. They both have picked up something unusual in their friend's voice. Connolly takes the radio off his hip pocket and replies. “Yeah Marcus, we're here. Say, what gives with the long weight? Nearly two hours on an ID? Normally you guys get back to us quickly regarding identifying targe- The man on the other side of the radio interrupts Connolly. “Look Connolly, we don't have long so I'm going to give you the quick version of what's happening. Turns out those two Federal Unionists and the Sinoan girl, they're a much bigger deal than they appear to be. Central Intelligence is still looking into the girl, but the two feds have already been identified. Both of them are Gamma Unit Special Forces! Active duty, too! Both Lucia and Connolly gasp. Serving in General Jiang's militia, both Connolly and Lucia are familiar with being up against the armies of both the Federal Union as well as the Russo-Confederacy. Border clashes/skirmishes are not unheard of. What troubles them are the “Gamma Unit Special Forces” and “Active Duty” parts. Those are the words Connolly and Lucia were dreading to hear. Marcus, the man on the other end of the radio, continues. “Central Intelligence and Central Command have been on top of this situation since you sent me those photos nearly two hours ago. They've been putting a lot of research into the two of them, so much so that the General has Inspector Callenbeau working the case too! Lucia and Connolly gasp again. This is definitely larger than either of them were expecting. Marcus continues speaking. “Callenbeau, wow, you ought to see that guy work! Within forty minutes, he has just about every detail on those guys. Both of them are Special Forces that fought in the Russo-Federal Union War. They were part of a two man infiltration group that would sneak behind enemy lines, sabotage vehicles and supplies, then ride off. By the time Russo-Confederate forces knew what was happening, they were gone. They went by the name “Wrecking Crew.” Between the two of them, they had twenty two decorations and awards! Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service in Combat, Courage and Valor in a War Zone, Enemy Supply Line disruptions, I mean...the list goes on and on! While Marcus talks on, Connolly and Lucia occasionally give one another concerned looks. “The younger one, he's been in the Federal Union army for eight years. The older one, he's served for nearly twenty years, and get this...of those twenty years, official records from within the Federal Union itself...they say he died ten years ago. He got a full funeral too. It's the damnedest thing...” Both Lucia and Connolly shout in unison. “WHAT?! DEAD?!” But we saw him talking to Hardev!” “Yeah, that's one of the things Callenbeau wants to ask the guy, personally! Both Callenbeau *AND* General Jiang are currently on their way to the campsite as we speak! Their ETA is about an hour to an hour and a half from now. While this discussion is happening, both Lucia and Connolly notice something concerning. A convoy of military vehicles has made its way to the campsite. Consisting of mostly armored personnel carriers, the vehicles stop at the outskirts of the camp and soldiers begin exiting their respective vehicles. Lucia takes the small radio from Connolly and speaks with the man on the other end. “Marcus...did Central Command send a convoy to the camp?” “Yes, Lucia. Given how fast they were mobilized, I'd say they should be getting to the campsite soon. “I....uh, I believe they are already here, Marcus.” Connolly speaks up. “Yeah, those are definitely our APCs. Mother Mary, this is getting crazy...” Marcus speaks.. “Look, Command wants you to find the Captain on duty, it should be Captain Hiro Matsuda, and report to him directly, Until this matter is resolved, the two of you are to serve directly under him. Got it? This is what Command wants.” “Got it, Marcus. Lucia and I will close up here and head straight down to the camp and report to Captain Matsuda. Signing off right now” “Good luck, both of you. This is Marcus, signing off.”