The societies; November 21st

I sighed as I leaned back in my chair. It was nice to be back at headquarters again. Ambassador Hailey had managed to negotiate a treaty with Hawaii, the civilian government in Sacramento had quickly thrown in the towel, and finally, the scourge that had been Black Horse was eradicated.

On the surface military operations across the former state of California were slowing down. Over the past few days I'd been doing a lot of the logistical legwork, but tonight, I'd be giving a speech to the Union, my first televised one… I'd be announcing the war for California was at an end. That we'd won.

I had my officers and staff to thank for that, but most importantly… the 93,711 soldiers that had died to make it happen. Too many names there was talk of creating a memorial, some grand and some more humble ideas. Personally I was leaning towards a simple wall with their names inscribed with a relief in the middle.

Activity at headquarters was quiet for once, most of the staff were working half days, my way of trying to give back to the often unthanked soldiers that made the operational and logistical mess work. I glanced up at one of the few officers still within the headquarters. "Major , I thought I told you to go home?'

"I did sir, I was reading through some of the security reports from your guard detail, I just wanted to go over some of them with you…" Ivan had an uncomfortable look on his face as he sank into the chair next to me.

"There's something of interest in those reports?" I asked with a raised eyebrow as he dropped several folders onto my desk. Each had a different name in different languages I couldn't read… actually… what?

Las defensoras de Veria, Stowarzyszenie Małżeńskie Andrew - Regina, Die Abteilung des Kriegsgottes und der Kriegsgöttin, Артиллерийские расчеты для мечты Тани, Общество сторонников госпожи Наташи. Flipping open each folder unveiled the name in english… a language I could read.

The Defenders of Veria? Why did anyone need to defend my wife? She was about as heavily protected as I was. Wait… why was my mother in law in charge? The hell was going on?

I grabbed the next folder. The Andrew - Regina marriage association? I looked at Ivan but he just motioned for me to keep reading through the others.

The department of the war God and Goddess… The Society of the supporters of lady Natasha… Artillery crews for Tanya's dream…

I slowly put the documents down, looking at Ivan with pursed lips. "… Why? How…"

"At least for the last few weeks sir, they've been watching you, gathering intel on you specifically sir." He said slowly.

"I can see that. Why… and why these names?" I asked.

"Sir, I take it you don't really approve of this?" He asked quietly.

"No, why would I?" I asked.

"The marriage and divorce law, it was signed and took effect on the 1st…" Ivan held up his hand to interrupt me.

"Sir… it has provisions for… ah… expanding a marriage amongst its… legislature." He proceeded to explain the law. I felt a growing disgust with the politicians, more than I already had. This on top of all the other bullshit they were pulling?

I grabbed the folders as I left. I truly wanted to believe this was just some misunderstanding, some soldiers making shit up to get attention. I needed someone… I narrowed my eyes as I closed the door of my uaz.

I really didn't want to… but… it would be for the better. I came to a stop outside my home. Got out and walked over to my in-laws. I knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before my wife's youngest sister, the one I'd rescued from that school opened the door.

"Andrew? I thought Veria was coming over later…" I gave her a small smile.

"I think she is, is your mother home? I want to talk with her about something?" She gave me a long lol but let me inside, sure enough she was in the kitchen making dinner with her parade of children and sisters.

"Iris, I need to speak with you." I called.

"Oh? Why is that?" She asked, her Spanish heavily scenting her limited English.

I nodded outside and tapped the folder in my arms. She looked displeased but rattled of some instructions in Spanish before we walked into the back yard, closing the door behind us.

"What is it Andrew?" She asked, her voice sharp. I handed her the folder… the defenders of Veria.

"Is it true?" I asked quietly. She flipped through it for a moment then gave me a long look. Iris gave me a small nod.

I closed my eyes and sighed. "Thank you…"

"You think I'm just going to let you knock up some other women? You married my daughter." I chuckled at her acquisition, she stumbled through it.

"I have no intention of it… I was too busy with the siege, then Black Horse… I need to reign the politicians back in." I murmured quietly.

"So this is their fault?" She asked pointedly. I shrugged.

"If it had come to my attention sooner I would have stopped it." It's as much my fault as it is theirs for passing it into law."

Iris's gaze softened as I glanced over at my own home. "I'll have my staff put an end to it, but please keep it up… I… a bit ashamed to say I didn't even notice. Ivan had to drop folders on my desk."

"As long as you treat my daughter right…"

I gave her a long look. "I treat her better than you ever did… and don't deny it, I've seen the scars."