3.5 - Departure
Shooting range on the outskirts of San Francisco
0920 hours, December 16, 2023
Claire put down the Sig Sauer P226 she had just used before turning towards General O'Neil.
"I understand why Uncle chose TF Amethyst, but I'm not sure Vex will accept the offer to become XO."
"I'm sure you will succeed in persuading him."
Claire nodded slightly before saying.
"I'll do my best. It's just if I succeed some people in Pentagon and White House will inevitably react negatively."
Seeing Claire pout her lips, General O'Neil gave a small smile before saying.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of any negative reactions."
"Aye-aye sir!"
Claire then loaded a second magazine before starting to perforate, the target that had just been installed.
Apart from persuading Vex, Claire also had to discuss a few things with him. For example, the USMC was not willing to lease the AV-8 Harrier II, so Vex had to find a replacement.
Apart from that, for assault rifles she also had to persuade Vex to use HK products, because she had already bought the company.
'I have to hurry.'
Claire muttered silently as soon as she emptied the second magazine.
- - - - -
Apartment 2304, Royal Crown Tower.
1405 hours, 19 December 2023
Vex stared at Claire for a long time, while inwardly he considered the offer he had just heard.
Amethyst Security Group will not only choose TF Amethyst, but also want to appoint him as Executive Officer. Meanwhile, General O'Neil will be the Commanding Officer.
In return Claire will help him get Nicole's custody, in addition to helping his ex-wife's company get out of the crisis.
Vex took a deep breath before he finally answered.
"I accept your offer, in exchange for a salary as large as possible. Because I never intended to take Nicole custody from Yumiko, and only intended to leave as much money as possible for Nicole."
Seeing Claire staring at him as if he were a rare animal, Vex sighed silently before continuing.
"Miss Claire, let me explain a few things so you understand my situation."
"Yes, please."
As soon as Claire gave permission, Vex immediately started telling the story.
The day he was kicked from Delta, Vex instinctively realized he had to stay away from home for a while. However, somehow he returned home in a state of utter chaos.
Nicole, who had just come home from school, immediately ran in with the puppy that she had just bought a few days earlier.
Nicole cheerfully walked over to Vex, who was sitting in the living room. Smiling as bright as the morning sun, she showed Vex a German Shepherd puppy named Lily. A cute puppy, and very friendly with Nicole.
Then, Vex himself doesn't remember why he did it. Without a word, he grabbed Lily and threw her against the wall as hard as he could, and when Lily was teetering trying to get up, he shot her twice.
Until this moment, Vex still vividly remembers the horror reflected in Nicole's gaze. Meanwhile, in a half-hysterical state, Yumiko grabbed Nicole before running out.
A few minutes later the Military Police came and arrested Vex, and the next day Yumiko's lawyer came to deliver divorce papers.
"The last time I met Nicole, she was hiding behind Yumiko, and was crying hard when I tried to get to her."
Claire stared deeply at Vex before saying.
"That's why you went to deep rural Louisiana to punish yourself."
"Maybe, at that time I only wanted to get out of this world. However, the longing to meet Nicole made me come back to the surface again."
Vex was silent for a moment, while an expression that is difficult to describe flashed through his gaze.
"When I found Yumiko and Nicole living happily I was devastated, but not stupid enough to bother them."
Claire nodded slightly before saying.
"Something that is lost can be recovered, but something you threw away will forever be lost even if you can find it."
"Yes, something like that."
"Now, understand your desire. So work as hard as you can for me until your bones are crushed if necessary, and you will have an unimaginable wealth for Nicole."
Still with a super serious tone and expression, Claire continued.
"I'll also make sure your ex-wife's company thrives, of course without hinting that it has anything to do with you."
Vex gave a small bow before saying with all sincerity.
"Understood, ma'am."
- - - - -
Apartment 2304, Royal Crown Tower.
2105 hours, December 20, 2023
Beeeep! Beeeep!
On reflex, Vex looked at the apartment door while frowning. Today he gave Bob off, and also no appointments with Claire. So he wondered who the guest had visited him so late at.
Without wasting any time Vex opened the door, and at once he looked at the guest who was visiting him while stunned.
"Long time no see, Vex."
"Sir."
Vex immediately invited General O'Neil in and led him into the living room. With great curiosity, he then asked.
"What's your relationship with Claire J. Webber?"
"She is my niece, but not many people know about it and I want it to be preserved."
"Understood."
General O'Neil nodded in satisfaction before saying.
"I came to discuss the realization of TF Amethyst, or in short we will call it Operation Amethyst."
Vex nodded slightly, while he remembered the curiosity that had been bothering him for the past few days.
The ability to shift a Battalion Combat Team's strength to a radius of 1,000 miles in 18 hours from the time the operation command was issued, the ability to operate in rainforests, deserts, savanna, marshes, snowy mountains, and highlands.
In the dry season 85% of the operating area can be explored by light armored vehicles with tires, while in the wet season the percentage drops to 55%.
Vex had a hard time imagining which African country had such a complex area of operation. In addition, TF Amethyst is also projected to be able to carry out ten non-war military operations.
"Sir, can you tell me which country is the TF Amethyst area of operation?"
General O'Neil casually replied.
"TF Amethyst area of operation is not a country, but a continent, and there is potential to increase it to become an intercontinental area of operation."
Seeing Vex staring at him wide-eyed and mouth wide open, General O'Neil immediately continued.
"In a few days we will visit it so you can understand the field conditions. After that we will think of a silent delivery method, then start recruiting personnel and purchasing assets."
General O'Neil smiles a little before continuing.
"For now make me tea and serve it with whiskey, as there are a lot of details we need to talk about."
"Roger."
Vex answered briefly before walking into the kitchen.
- - - - -
Louis Cafe, Baltimore, Maryland.
0910 hours, December 21, 2023
Today Vex looks different from any other day. He not only trimmed beards that filled his face, but also wear a new suit jacket.
One hour before the appointed time he even already arrived at Louis Cafe, a small cafe near his ex-wife's company.
A smile suddenly bloomed on Vex's lips, as he saw Yumiko pass through the cafe door and go straight to his table.
Yumiko still looked the same as when she last saw her, long shiny black hair, a distinctive oriental face, and a well-tuned body like a supermodel.
"Thank you for coming."
Yumiko nodded slightly before sitting in front of Vex, then in a flat tone she said.
"For six months, I was desperately fighting the forced acquisition launched by Katsunori Holding without any progress. However, last week they suddenly retreated when victory was only half a step away."
Yumiko took a deep look at the Vex before continuing.
"Strangely, a few days later you asked to see me."
With a tone as calm as possible Vex answered.
"I have nothing to do with it."
Yumiko took a deep breath while scorn filled her face for a moment.
"Even though we haven't seen each other in the last few years, I can still tell when you're lying or telling the truth."
Since Vex didn't respond immediately, while Yumiko could see cold sweat starting to appear on Vex's forehead, she immediately continued.
"Tell me what you want, as long as it has nothing to do with Nicole's custody or my marriage, I'll consider it."
A deep regret gripped Vex's heart for a moment, before he calmed it down and said.
"Can you give me Nicole's pictures? Both the photos from her birth and the photos after we parted."
Yumiko pondered for some time before speaking.
"Give me your smartphone."
Without a word, Vex handed his smartphone, and Yumiko was pondering for a while when she found that apart from several unidentified numbers, there was nothing else on her ex-husband's smartphone.
What's more, it was the smartphone she gave to Vex when they were together. Vex is also still using his old number and email.
"When there's a new photo I'll email it to you, but you shouldn't meet Nicole in person."
Yumiko stared deeply at Vex before continuing in a super-serious tone.
"Until now she still can't see the shooting scenes in the film, hear the sound of firecrackers that are too close, or anything like that, and you must be aware of the cause of all that."
"Understood."
Yumiko then looked at Vex deeply, and she immediately understood Vex's desire to return to live together with her. However, she realized that it could not be happening. After sighed silently, Yumiko then said.
"I don't want to interfere in your life, but just a suggestion. You better find a new partner and start rebuilding your life."
Vex smiled slightly before answering.
"I'm working on it."
Yumiko realized Vex was lying, but she chose not to say any further. After nodding slightly, she then got up and walked towards the exit.
- - - - -
Up to two hours after Yumiko left, Vex was still sitting in his chair, dumbfounded, feeling the turmoil in his heart that never subsided.
Until finally, General O'Neil who was sitting in a corner decided to approach him.
"We can delay departure to Amstell Continent for a day or two."
Vex took a few deep breaths before saying.
"No, we better get going. My goal in coming here has been accomplished"
Vex sounded very steady. However, General O'Neil caught the regret and bitterness in the words he spoke.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely"
Vex then called the waiter to pay the bill.
Not long after that, he and General O'Neil walked out of the Louis Cafe, and a luxury SUV with bullet-proof armor approached the two.
*****
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