Operation Payback

A month after Fermions supply line resumed, King Remus Albus Fermion IX and the Albanian King declared an armistice. With the fighting stopped, celebrations arose across the kingdom. Two weeks later a 20-year treaty signified war was officially over.

Will was back in his office at the Command Center. When the treaty was announced at the base, the barracks were in an uproar. Everyone was in a festive mood.

However, Will did not celebrate. He was waiting for news of his trade route.

"Why is your continence drawn," Elizabeth asked. "Should not you be happy, soon you'll return to your businesses?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, I suppose that is reason to celebrate. Hopefully, my businesses will turn around, and my profits increase," Will said.

"Yet, there is something else that burdens your mind," Elizabeth said trying to probe Will's thoughts.

Since his return to camp, Will spent more time with Elizabeth. In the morning they worked, Elizabeth as a healer and Will as Quartermaster, but after work, they ate and spent time together. Will enjoyed spending time with Elizabeth because she did much of the speaking.

"I am waiting to learn the terms of the treaty," Will said honestly.

"Why do the terms matter? Peace is peace," Elizabeth said.

"Prince Roland and I made a deal for my participation in the war," Will said.

"Oh, and you're wanting to know if the Albanians agreed to those terms in the deal?" She said.

"Yes," Will said pensively.

While Elizabeth continue to speak, Will reached out to Nisha.

"Nisha, where are you?" Will asked.

"I've arrived! Archimedes has agreed to help me as part of my training," She said

"Thank you, Nisha!"

"Will, Will, Will!" Elizabeth repeated, bringing Will back to the conversation at hand.

"Yes, Elizabeth?" Will asked.

"Were you speaking to Nisha?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, she went back to training with Archimedes," Will half lied.

"What is your plan after the war?" Elizabeth was curious.

"I'm not sure yet, why? Will asked

"Do you want to start a family soon?" Elizabeth asked blushing.

Will was shocked, they were 15! Just thought made him cringe. When he died he had a 15 granddaughter. If some old man slept with her, he would've killed the pedophile instead of altering the police.

Now he was the pedophile. He kissed Elizabeth once in a moment when his 15-year-old hormones took over.

He looked at Elizabeth and her woman figure had yet to develop, unlike April.

"Elizabeth, I want to wait a few years before we start a family," Will said.

"Oh…okay!" Elizabeth blushed.

"I want us to spend a few years together before we have kids," Will said.

"I like that idea," Elizabeth said.

Will and Elizabeth continued to spend time together and fours quickly passed by.

On the fourth day, the soldiers from the front returned to base with triumphant applause. Most soldiers smiled and waved back, others just walked with glazed-over eyes.

Prince Roland looked the most gallant, smiling and waving happily. The king smiled as well, however, the sadness in his eyes betrayed his smile.

The failure to break through to the grandmaster's rank meant he had to courageous confront his demise. The Royal Diviners and Seers foretold he had less than 10 years to live.

Death was not an easy path to walk, especially with dignity. Will, he that fact all too well.

Yet, Will wondered if the king would be reincarnated like him. Death remained a mystery no matter the world he lived in.

General Brash walked with the returning officers. Will scanned the officers, but he did not see Jason. Where was Jason?

"Commander meeting now!" General Brash roared.

The Infantry, Signal, Engineer Commanders followed behind General Brash to the Command Center on the base. Will joined the other commanders.

On the third floor in a larger corner office, General Brash sat behind his desk. The other commanders and Will stood waiting for others.

Suddenly there was a woosh and the general's third-floor window opened and a cloaked man where a black mask set inside and moved into the shadows.

"Ah good now that Intelligent Commander is here, we can begin!" General Brash began his monologue.

"Now that the war is over, the army will be dismissed tomorrow. A week later the junior officers will be dismissed. Finally, two weeks later the senior officers and three weeks later the command officers will be dismissed.

For the next two weeks break down your offices and dismiss any unessential employees.

The king has instructed commanders and senior officers to attend the award ceremony, two days New Year's a little over a month from now.

You five will each receive a commendation from the king for your services. You men fought bravely and it's thanks to you that the army kept face.

Now, I'm sure you all want to know the details of the treaty. Officially, the treaty will be announced during the Award Ceremony.

But, I can tell you a few details now. First, the peace treaty will be for 20 years. Second, our kingdom retains the right to a garrison in the valley.

Captain vont Ballard, retains his position as Death Valley Fort commanding officer. Commander vont Ballard stays behind, dismissed," General Brash said as the other commanders filed out of the office.

"Commander vont Ballard, you brother asked me to hand you this letter. He wants you to send him to your parents," said General Brash handing you the letter.

"King Remus Albus Fermion IX has decreed that your time Quartermaster Commander fulfills your two years of military service after graduation.

Most noble Knight Academy graduates spend their time in the army drinking and fooling around with women in the Officer's Barrak.

Your year of service during the war more than merits release from your two stints during peacetime. Congratulations, Commander Baronet vont Ballard!" General Brash praised.

Will thanked the general and quickly left the office. This was the first piece of good news he had in a while. Hopefully, he could use his military service to graduate early and skip his fourth year altogether.

Will returned to his second-floor office and dismissed all his employees except Grace, Sarah, Miles, Bubba, and his phoenix platoon.

Within a week, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers disappeared, but not before having a festive party. The next week, the base became almost a ghost town. Except for a new company of fresh soldiers that arrived at the barracks.

Will's 10 wagon caravans to and from Guidon were reduced to a single weekly wagon. The Requisition Warehouse was almost empty except for a few boxes of rations enough to feed the new company which patrolled the edge of the Death Valley.

Even Grace, Sarah, and Elizabeth had all returned by the second week. Elizabeth returned to Yorkshire and awaited Will's arrival.

"Nisha I'm leaving. If you have heard from me by the third full moon, come back to Guidon," Will said.

"Yes, life bond," Nisha replied yawning.

With that Will packed up and returned Elder Thaddeus' cottage in the wooded alcove. The trip to Guidon seemed foreign to him after being in Death Valley. The solitude seemed like a welcome friend.

The trip to Guidon was cold, Will had to hold his coat close to his body. It was always cold the last month of the year. Snow blanketed everything in sight.

For kilometers, the Will could only see snow-covered farms. The bare trees looked like a bright blinding sun looked peaceful. The trip was leisurely.

When the wagon reached Guidon, Will noticed the once-bustling barrack now looked lazy. Will was amazed at the speed at which peace and war flipped.

Rumors of war could have people on age for months, yet the announcement of peace immediately brought relaxation.

Outside the gates of Guidon, Will saw Vanessa. She was waiting in the same spot when he returned from the Beast Tribal Lands.

"Greetings Boss Will," Vanessa said with a curtsied.

"Greetings," Will smiled. He liked that no matter his titles, he would always be Boss Will to Vanessa.

"Would you care to change out of your clothes first, before I apprise you?" Vanessa asked.

Will looked down, he was wearing his army uniform.

"I have a suit prepared for you at the Casino, if would care to change?" Vanessa said.

"Indeed. We can talk on the way. Did you do what I asked?" Will said.

"Yes, Boss Will. But, for what you wrote I'm worried this may harm the bank," Vanessa said worriedly.

"It's fine, when can I expect it done?" Will asked.

"Next week, when you're in Yorkshire," Vanessa said.

"Is that fool still charging 10% months compound interest?" Will said grinding his teeth.

"Yes, the total for Yorkshire and Guidon combined is two million," Vanessa.

"Good, and our bank is prepared?" Will asked.

"Yes, Boss!" Vanessa said worriedly.

"Good, good, you and Mei have done a commendable job. How are loans?" Will asked.

"Not well, people are having trouble paying their loans back and our backs have cut back on serving loans," Vanessa said.

They arrived at the inn. Will changed out his uniform into a handsome black suit.

"Get my carriage, I want to ride down to Yorkshire today. But first, I want to see all the ledgers," Will said.

Will walked into Vanessa's office in the casino. The ledgers looked blood red, but Will could just make out an increase in profit on the rise.

The casino was the biggest beneficiary of peace. It seems some guest celebrated the news of the treaty at the casino.

Even the cafe profit had a positive trend of profits.

"Hopefully, we'll be in the black fully in six months to a year," Will said to himself.

After he was done reviewing the ledgers, Will step out the inn and stretched. He saw his carriage driver waiting dutifully for him.

"Vanessa is my luggage back?" Will asked.

"Yes, Boss Will. Including, your new cadet uniform," Vanessa said proudly.

Sitting inside the carriage, Will looked out the window and asked Vanessa, "How is Anne?"

"I don't know. She pulled out of the Knight Academy and joined the Mercenary Guild. I haven't seen her in a year," Vanessa said.

"Yes, this time last year it was the Winter Ball," Will said.

"Her mother's worried sick, do you know why she left?" Vanessa asked sincerely.

"She confessed to me last year, but I declined her advanced," Will said sadly.

"I understand Boss Will. I'll let her parents know," Vanessa said.

Will gave the order and the carriage jerked into motion. Will was excited to begin, Operation Payback.