Chapter 14

 FOURTEEN

“Strider One-One, Selatapura Clearance Delivery. Cleared to November Air Base via the Elevator One departure, Armstrong transition, then as filed.  Maintain four thousand. Expect Flight level two four zero, one zero minutes after departure. Departure on three-three-six point one. Squawk four-three-one-two.” The controller said in their cool radio voice.

Trigger was watching from the airports air traffic control tower as the six F-15 Eagles from the LRSSG sat idling on the ramp.

Counts tinny voice came over the radio “Cleared to November, via the Elevator One departure, Armstrong transition. Four thousand for the altitude, expecting Twenty-four in ten. Departure thee-three-six decimal one, Squawk four-tree-one-two. Strider One-one”

“Strider One, read back correct” the controller replied.

Elsewhere in the tower, he could hear Count receive the taxi clearance for the Squadron, and a moment later, the six Eagles lurched their way forward and towards the runway.

The controller looked up at Trigger. “Any reason you chose to be up here and not down there with your buddies?”

“Get the better view from up here” Trigger replied.

“Whatever dude. Just make sure you don’t lean on any buttons or nothing” the Controller replied.

Trigger watched as they lined up short of the runway.

“Selatapura Tower, Strider One-One, Flight of Six, Holding short Runway Two-Zero right, Ready for Departure.”  Count’s voice came over the radio.

“Strider, Selatapura Tower, hold short for landing Air Ixiom traffic” the tower replied.

Really Count? You know better Trigger thought to himself. It was a bad habit Count had developed of not checking the arrival end of the runway to see if anyone was on short final. A few moments later the Air Ixiom Boeing 767 landed, a large smoke cloud briefly appeared as the wheels hit the runway.

“Strider, Selatapura Tower, line up and wait”

“Line up and Wait, Strider One-One” Count replied.

The Eagles stacked up on the runway in a staggered formation.

“Strider One-One, Cleared for takeoff”

“Cleared for takeoff, Strider One-One” Trigger watched the afterburner roar to life as Count’s fighter screamed down the runway. Within a moment of the nose lifting off, Trigger watched the next F-15’s engines roar to life. Within a minute the six fighters of the LRSSG had departed and were in the process of reforming up above the airport.

After hearing the LRSSG contact the Departure controller, Trigger excused himself from the tower.

Exiting into the main lobby of the tower, Trigger noticed the Base’s executive officer patiently waiting.

“Uneventful I trust?” Lieutenant Colonel Curtis asked.

“Yes sir. The Strike Group should be meeting up with the KC-10 in a few minutes. But they had extra bags on so worst-case scenario, they will have the range to get across the ocean to at least reach the Nordlands. Might be a bit of a diplomatic issue but beats ditching in either the Cascade or Spring” Trigger reported.

Curtis nodded approvingly. “Well at least their going away party was nice” He said curtly

On their last night in Selatapura, Trigger along with the rest of the Base’s leadership and Salamander Squadron had thrown a small going away party for the LRSSG. Unfortunately for the LRSSG pilots however, they were the only ones prohibited from any alcohol during the event. In solidarity with his fellow Strike Group members, Trigger abstained from any of the drunken antics other pilots were getting up to in the squadron bar, and refused any offers of Jeremiah Weed that, quite literally, were tossed his way. It had been a fun party to participate in all things considered, however it did bother him that none of the Fort Grays pilots from either squadron had elected to join them, in spite of their invitations. Trigger had hoped the party would have broken the ice and mended any ill will their arrival had caused.

“Was there something you needed from me Colonel?” Trigger asked concerned.

“Yes. OSI is here to see you.” Curtis said

“Oh, any idea why?” Trigger asked

“Didn’t ask.”

“Are they here now?”

“Yep. You should probably get on that.” Curtis said noncommittedly. Trigger rolled his eyes at the ever-laconic Curtis. “Well excuse me Colonel, I will be taking my leave now.” He said as he made his way towards the Bases administrative offices.

Like last time he met with the Office of Special Investigations, they were waiting for him in the lobby.

“Ah, Major, glad of you to join us!” The Agent said cheerfully, Trigger recognized him as the same OSI agent who interviewed him months prior.

Trigger shook the man’s hand “I wish you told me you were coming. Is your other guy not here today?” Trigger asked. “No, Agent Baxter is still on a previous assignment.” The Agent whose nametag read Palmer replied. “Ah, still no joy on Bandog then?” Trigger asked grinning. Palmer glared at him. “No. Unfortunately we are still following up on leads regarding his whereabouts” Palmer said curtly.

“How can I help you today then? Unless you just came all this way to tell me you still made no progress on that front” Trigger said sarcastically, bouncing on the heels of his feet.

“Well Major, its regarding your new assignment. We have a few questions for you. If you wouldn’t mind taking me back to your office so we can discuss a few things?” Palmer stated.

“Of Course. Right this way” Trigger said, motioning towards the door.

***
Trigger shut the Office door behind Palmer. “Can I get you a coffee or something?” he offered the Agent.

“No thanks. This shouldn’t take long” Palmer said, taking a seat. Trigger sat down behind his desk and faced the Agent.

“So, hit me, what questions do you have?” Trigger asked

“Just a few. Your background check came back clean aside from some previous blemishes-“ Palmer started. “Those have been addressed ad nauseum, I don’t need you to remind me” Trigger cut him off, annoyed. “Its ridiculous that you people dwell on something out of my control” Trigger complained.

“Well Major, understand that we have a job to do. And people in your, circumstances, Have proven to be detriments to Osea In the past” Palmer defended himself.

Trigger rolled his eyes. “Just get to your stupid questions and get the hell out of my office” he demanded.

Palmer let out a sigh and cleared his throat. “Alright Major. When was the first time you met Princess D’Elise?”

Trigger thought for a moment “Last December in person.” Palmer raised an eyebrow.

“Elaborate if you will”

“The Princess had been in the same AO’s as the LRSSG towards the latter end of the war. We crossed paths but generally had a few thousand feet of altitude between us and any communications was over the radio” Trigger replied truthfully.

Palmer nodded “Save for that first meeting, have you met with the Princess in any other capacity, Official or not?”

Trigger paused for a brief moment “Only one meeting a few weeks ago” He lied. Theres no way they know, can they? He thought.

“And was that for official Business?”

“I broke a few windows downtown and the City Council got pissed. Colonel Byrns and I had to smooth it out, and the Princess happened to be a party in attendance.” Trigger explained.

“Did anything happen at this meeting?” Palmer inquired

“I don’t know really. It was fairly short and mostly the Princess yelling at the idiot in charge” Trigger said.

“Anything afterword’s?”

“Yes, there was a dinner of sorts where the Colonel, Princess and I talked. But that was it” Trigger lied again.

Palmer jotted something on his note pad.

“Can I ask why all the questions?” Trigger said, gulping

“Are they bothering you?” Palmer said, not taking his attention away from the notepad.

“Not exactly. Just curious is all”

Palmer looked up at Trigger. “Frankly everything about you has been an anomaly. The Brass has been more than keen to let you be as is. The Princess asking for you by name is an anomaly that even General Shepard and General Edwards can’t rightly ignore. So, they sent me to figure out why you”.

“Did you talk to the Princess and ask?” Trigger asked.

“I’m sure someone did.” Palmer replied.

“Trigger is there anything else you want to tell me before I make my report to Command?” Palmer asked. “This may be your only chance to explain anything we could find” he added in a veiled threat.

Trigger paused for a second. “No”.

“Fine. Major Thank you for your time. I think I have all the information I need” Palmer said excusing himself.

Trigger sat in his office and dwelled on the situation.

***

Major Carter stepped off the cramped C-12 Huron onto the Selatapuran ramp. Trigger, standing at parade rest at the base of the turboprop’s staircase, waited for the portly officer to unfold himself.  “God, I hate flying” Carter griped as he stepped down from the plane and adjusting his blue service coat.

“So then why did you join the Air Force?” Trigger asked, extending a hand and looking far more comfortable in his green flight suit than Carter.

“Mostly the quality of life and benefits is what kept me coming back” Carter replied grinning, shaking the pilots hand. “So you must be the man of the hour I’ve been sent to see Major. Is it OK if I called you Trigger?” Carter asked.

“Don’t see why not. Everyone else does” Trigger said, motioning for Carter to follow him inside the operations hanger. “Seeing any action out this way?” Carter asked, trying to be polite.

“Probably a far sight more than Expo City if that’s what your asking. But its been more or less quiet the past few months” Trigger replied, struggling with the lock on his door. He grunted for a moment before the stuck lock gave way allowing both men to enter Trigger’s cluttered office.

Carter chuckled “Well I won’t argue that. Erusean bombers didn’t make it quite as far this time as they did last time. Outside of those first early weeks we didn’t see anything in our airspace.” Carter agreed

“So, what can I help you today with Major? Unless you flew across an entire continent just to talk to little ol’ me” Trigger asked, turning on the coffee maker.

Carter sat down in the chair and let out a sigh. “As you know, I came here on behalf of General Shepard. Just have some final verbal orders to deliver before you take your new assignment being a liaison and all.” Carter explained.

“Naturally.”

“As you probably figured out Trigger, your new mission is to act as an intermediary between the Osean Defense Force and Erusean Government. Normally we would have someone of a higher rank fill this role, but these are exceedingly strange times.” Carter admitted.

“What will I be responsible for mainly?” Trigger asked

“Basic liaison stuff. Anything classified or of high military importance is being handled elsewhere, so your job more or less is to just be the voice of our interests any time the need arises. Of course, if she has something specific to discuss with the General Staff, you will be the point of contact.” Carter explained.

Trigger sighed “Wow, this sounds boring.”

“Such is the needs of the service Trigger.” Carter reminded him. “One last thing, we do ask you to ‘keep your ears open’ a bit while on this assignment.”

“A spy?” Trigger asked

“Oh god no. You’re not nearly trained well enough to be competent at spy work. Just that if you hear anything interesting, pass it along our way.” Carter said.

“Noted. Is there anything else?” Trigger asked.

***
“Your Highness, I must firmly object to this course of action!” Colonel Andres protested. Cossette folded her arms, staring at the video feed on the wall.

“Colonel, While I understand your concerns, this is my choice to have a representative present. As you have noted on multiple occasions; Our once proud military has been decimated by these wars. We will need the Osean’s help if we have any chance of defeating these Radicals.”

“But with a few more months!” Andres pleaded

“Enough Colonel!” Cossette scolded. The Colonel took a moment to compose himself.

“Of course Your Highness. I apologize.” Andres relented.

“Was there anything else you needed to report Colonel?” Cossette asked, annoyed with the mans outburst.

“Yes. It is the opinion of myself and the Osean Army Colonel that Farbanti has been secured. We have not had any rebel attacks for the past three weeks and we think they’ve been routed back towards Mount Lambert.” Andres reported. “With that being said, it would do the Erusean people some good to see the Monarchy return to its rightful home.” He concluded.

Cossette furrowed her brow and thought for a moment.

“Ma’am, I understand your connection with Selatapura, but you do need to think about the moral wellbeing of our people” Andres urged.

“Fine. If you think it is safe enough for my return. Start making the arrangements.” Cossette ordered.

“At once Your Highness” Andres said, before disconnecting the video call.

“Gretchen?” Cossette called out.

The middle-aged maid entered the room “Yes Your Highness?”

“I will need you to go back to Farbanti and make arrangements for my return.” Cossette said.

“Of course, Your Highness. However, if I may, can I please fly this time? Walking back to Farbanti from here would be hell on my knees” Gretchen said with a smirk.

Cossette chuckled. “That won’t be a problem Auntie. I’m sure we can get you on a Transport heading that way if nothing else, but I’m sure one of my families jets will work just as well”

“Oh, you don’t have to go all out for me. But the Champaign and inflight meal would be nice; Far better than the cargo bay on a Greyhound.” Gretchen replied.

“Thank you, Gretchen.” Cossette said, placing a hand on the maids arm.

***
Trigger made his way into the Hotel’s lobby, his blue military service dress making him stand out in the crowd of guests. He had been there plenty of times, but to make appearances, he still asked for directions to the elevators to reach the upper floors. Flashing his Identification to the Erusean Officer standing guard, he was patted down and let onto the elevator to the top floor penthouse.

Didn’t have to worry about that last time. Trigger thought to himself. Granted, I did have Avril sneaking me in. He smirked at the memory.

It had been some time since he had heard from The Scrap Queen. Aside from occasional reports of her working on the Osean’s jets or helping Cossette, Trigger was unsure what she had been up to since the wars end.

The Elevator doors opened at the top floor, another Erusean soldier searched Trigger for weapons before letting him proceed. A Middle-aged woman appeared to be waiting for him. “Are you the Major Osea sent?” She asked. She was in a standard business attire and wore a disapproving scowl on her face. “Yes Ma’am” Trigger said as he extended his hand. She looked at it him with an air of disgust, forcing Trigger to rescind the greeting. “The Princess will be having her briefing in the next ten minutes. I hope your ready” She said, making an about face and walking down the hallway, Trigger followed her.

“Ok, where am I supposed to be then?” Trigger asked.

“The East meeting rooms. My god they sent you unprepared didn’t they.” The woman admonished.

Trigger paused. “Im sorry but who are you anyways?” he asked annoyed.

The woman scoffed at him “I’m the Erusean Minister of Energy, Don’t you read the papers?!”

“Well, considering they’re in a language I can’t actually read. No.” Trigger shot back.

She rolled her eyes. “One of the many pitfalls of Osea, you think the world just revolves around you.” She snarled.

Trigger held up his hands. “Fine, whatever, I report to the Princess last I checked, not to some undersecretary of the interior.” He stated annoyed.

“That is Minister of Energy to you!” She yelled, jabbing a finger into the pilots chest.

Trigger grinned knowing that he had gotten under the bureaucrat’s skin.

“Minister Thorogood, I wouldn’t do that if I were you” A voice interrupted, causing the two to turn their attention to an annoyed looking Princess Cossette.

“Excuse me Your Highness” Thorogood apologized.

“I mean she did start it” Trigger defended himself.

“Major, are you positive this is the foot you want to step off on?” Cossette admonished.

Trigger paused, before relenting “My apologies ma’am.”

Thorogood nodded “Your Highness, I was just leading the Major to the meeting room for your briefing.” She said

“That’s fine, lead the way Minister” Cossette ordered.

As Cossette passed Trigger, she jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and shot him a death stare.

Entering the room, Trigger could see a collection of other politicians and aids to Cossette’s cabinet sitting around a large oval table. On a far wall he could see a projector and lectern set up waiting for his briefing to begin. Cossette took up her seat at the head of the table, while Trigger made his way to the lectern.

Cossette sat and folded her arms. “You may begin when ready Major” she ordered. Taking the stack of papers from the Pilot.

Trigger cleared his throat and began his briefing. Quickly detailing Osea’s current mission in the Gunther region and the plans to support Cossette’s troops within Erusea. It was a script that General Shepard’s office had sent him the night prior and one he had tried to memorize the best he could.

Upon finishing he opened the room up for questions.

Everyone present seemed to be waiting on the Princesses lead while dealing with the foreign Interloper.

Cossette sat reading through the report Trigger had presented her. “Major, Regarding supply lines. Will Osea be willing to help move troops as well via the air?” She asked.

“I will have to discuss that directly with high command ma’am, unfortunately that’s out of my wheelhouse” he explained apologetically.

“What about moving one person?” she Implored

“Depending on the situation ma’am, I believe we may be able to arrange that” he answered.

“Good, I will discuss this with you later then. I have a member of my staff returning to Farbanti and I was hoping Osea would be able to assist as a gesture of good will” Cossette said with a slight grin.

Trigger took his seat along the table. He struggled to follow the other ministers reports to the Princess. Cossette had told him that many of her current ministers had been unwitting replacements, as most of those originally appointed to the positions had either been killed, disappeared, or defected to the Radicals.

As the briefing winded down Cossette stood up. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, once again for your hard work for the people of Erusea.” She began. “I do have one final order of business to discuss with you all. It is my pleasure to report that Farbanti has been secured. With the help of the Oseans and our own forces, we will once again be able to have the seat of Government back in our capital.” A round of applause broke from the cabinet members.  

“When will we be moving?” one of the Ministers asked.

“Colonel Andre’s is making arrangements for our move to be within the next week” Cossette explained.

“We can finally go home” Another Minister said in a tired voice.

“Does this mean the wars effectively over?” Another asked.

Trigger couldn’t understand their position at all. While Osea was no stranger to war, even in its darkest hours they had never lost as much as other countries did. Trigger remembered the celebrations that took place in Ustio during the Belkan war, when they had finally liberated their occupied capital, it was said the bells had been ringing for months.

For the Oseans it was an utterly foreign idea.

Weird. He thought to himself.

***
“Did you really need to get into that much of a dick-measuring contest?” Cossette asked, taking a handful of popcorn from the bowl.

Trigger and Cossette sat on the couch in Triggers apartment watching a movie. Cossette had switched to her pajamas and had pilfered one of Triggers hoodies. Trigger had his arm wrapped around her as he absent mindedly watched the movie. He was glad Cossette had agreed to put on the subtitles since he still couldn’t understand Erusean at all.

“I mean she did start it!” he defended himself.

“I know she can be a bitch, but it doesn’t mean you can just do that at work Trigger!” she chided him.

“Oh sure, when you do it, that’s just the Princess exercising her authority. But when I do it. Im ‘Out of line’ and ‘need to Remember my place as an ambassador’. Is that right?” Trigger said sarcastically.

Cossette rolled her eyes.  “Whatever. Just try to play nice while in Farbanti. Your going to be outnumbered there.” She reminded him.

“So what’s going to be the deal with that? I imagine its going to be harder for us to sneak around there.” Trigger asked.

“I have Gretchen getting that established. That’s why I wanted her flown out there as quickly as possible. You will be staying in one of the guest rooms at the Royal estate. There will be a time when the Staff knows to leave the main living quarters alone. From there it should be business as usual for us” She said nonchalantly. After the briefing in the Morning, Trigger had quickly made calls with the Airbase for Cossette’s head aid to be flown out to Farbanti. He only briefly caught a glimpse at the itinerary but it was multiple short hops between airbases along the Erusean Coast in the back of Hercules troop transports and even a Globemaster.

“You make it sound so easy.” Trigger muttered.

“Well I can’t ask you to get an apartment there just yet. And besides, most of my cabinet members live there full time so they already have homes. It should be fine.” She reassured him.

“Well if nothing else; At least it gets us away from that damn elevator.” Trigger joked.

“And the Change of scenery will be nice too” She added.