Chapter Ninety-One: The Eastern Alliance Summit
At 23:37:43 on the twenty-sixth in East Alliance time, and 21:37:43 in local western time, the heavy U-47 transport aircraft from the United Kingdom descended slowly onto the runway of the East Alliance base. The four J-33 fighters that had accompanied it peeled away in different directions. Under the effect of the sobering injection, Prosecutor Kevin and the others who had fallen drunk one by one were now waking at last.
The East Alliance base seemed to lie in the desert, surrounded on all sides by a desolate expanse. The base itself was protected by optical camouflage, yet even so, on the eve of battle, the ground there glowed as brightly as day. On the parade grounds were no few soldiers who would soon be going to war.
“Everyone, the elite arriving here from our East Alliance this time are from Europa and the United Kingdom. Their strength is no less than ours, so I hope everyone can be courteous. This is an order from the Supreme Command. Is that clear?”
After the aircraft landed, Colonel Louis glanced calmly at the great machine before him, then turned to remind his subordinates.
“Yes, sir!”
As soldiers of the East Alliance, everyone present was brimming with spirit. Even in the depths of winter, with the heavy warm coats on their backs, they felt no cold at all.
The aircraft’s hatch slowly opened, and Murakawa’s party came down from it. Most of them were wearing United Kingdom uniforms; only Lei Mingchuan and Kevin were exceptions. Murakawa wore a black Welsh military uniform, while Kevin wore a pristine white prosecutor’s uniform.
“Gentlemen of the United Kingdom, I am Colonel Louis of the East Alliance. I have long awaited your arrival.”
When Murakawa and the others entered Colonel Louis’s field of vision, especially Murakawa, who had the features of an East Alliance man, Colonel Louis immediately understood why this fellow was so valued by his superiors. Among this group, only two were not dressed in standard United Kingdom uniforms, and one of the others held the very same rank as he did.
“I am Prosecutor Kevin of the United Kingdom. He is my assistant, Major Lei Mingchuan.”
Though he did not understand Chinese, Murakawa still introduced himself first as instructed. After the two of them shook hands, Murakawa spoke as well.
“I am Lei Mingchuan. It is an honor to meet you, sir!”
Facing Colonel Louis, Murakawa’s tone was not especially haughty, yet even so, Colonel Louis still stepped forward at once to shake his hand, never daring to relax in the slightest.
“Mm. Welcome. I’m afraid this mission has been arranged rather hastily, but since everyone is prepared, let us rise at six tomorrow morning. At seven o’clock, we shall officially begin our Sten Campaign. Then, Prosecutor Kevin, Major Lei Mingchuan, and... Major Billy, please come with us.”
When he mentioned Major Billy, Louis hesitated a little. After all, Billy was not particularly special. Yet after hearing Louis speak his name, Billy seemed displeased.
Five minutes later, in the conference room of the East Alliance desert base, Colonel Louis and the three officers from the United Kingdom sat at opposite ends of the long table. As an important part of this mission, Colonel Louis was laying out the battle plan, while on the large screen, the map of the first objective of this mission, Tashkent, was displayed before everyone.
“In summary, if we are to take full control of Tashkent, we must first seize these locations: the Tashkent municipal government, the subway station, the suburban airport, and the power station. We will take the airport ourselves. Major Billy, you are responsible for the assault on the power station. Major Murakawa, you will handle the municipal government. As for the subway, after you occupy your assigned objectives, our soldiers will take over the positions you have secured. Then you will converge on the subway and assault it together. Do you have any objections?”
“No!”
“No!”
After the strategic analysis, Colonel Louis summarized the key points of the prebattle meeting. Having heard him, Prosecutor Kevin and Major Billy quickly agreed to the tactic.
“So that’s how it is? Fair enough, I suppose!”
Yet after hearing Colonel Louis out, Lei Mingchuan, who had been keeping his eyes closed the whole time, suddenly opened them. In his hand there was now a special paper document.
“I’m sorry to tell you this only now, Colonel Louis. Please have a look at this document as well. You will understand.”
As he spoke, a sealed and bound document pouch was tossed before him. Seeing the pouch, and especially the signature upon it, Colonel Louis’s expression changed. He silently picked up the pouch, opened the document, and glanced through it. After reading it, he could not help but furrow his brow.
“Major Lei Mingchuan... no, Colonel Lei Mingchuan, I sincerely apologize for my arrogance. Please issue your orders!”
What troubled Colonel Louis most was a single line in that document: “All matters are to follow Colonel Lei Mingchuan’s instructions.” It bore the signature of Marshal Zhu Dekun of the East Alliance.
It was clearly a sealed document, yet the signature was unmistakably the marshal’s own hand.
“Mm. This time, Wales will take full command of the battle situation. We shall arrange the specific details ourselves. Remember, the situation on the battlefield changes constantly; it is impossible to use the same tactic unchanged. Colonel Louis, I’m sorry, but please content yourself with watching this battle. Tomorrow, open your earphone and follow instructions!”
At this moment, Murakawa seemed like an outstanding commander, as though he could control the entire situation at a glance.
“Yes, sir!”
Though resentful, Colonel Louis could only grit his teeth and accept it. Wales would command the whole operation? Then what use would there be for the East Alliance?
“Colonel Louis, I know you may have doubts, but rest assured: in this battle, Wales’s orders will be tailored precisely to each and every soldier, and we will minimize casualties as much as possible. And Billy, I know you won’t be convinced by me. I am fully aware of your records. But this is the battlefield, so obey orders. From now on, you are merely a soldier attached to the United Kingdom.”
The reason Murakawa deliberately said this to Billy was that Billy’s previous actions had strayed seriously from mission directives. Although he had ultimately completed the tasks, the matter had only been balanced out as a wash of merit and demerit.
“All right. I’ll do my best...”
Even so, Billy still felt somewhat displeased. He had originally come from the United States; if not for that treaty, he would never have...
“All right, then, Prosecutor Kevin. Tomorrow, on the surface, I will still be your assistant. Please do not reveal it.”
“Understood!”
Having learned Murakawa’s general identity, Prosecutor Kevin, though outwardly defiant, was in fact entirely obedient to his orders.
“Very well. Then let us adjourn. Rest well. We still have battle tomorrow, and we cannot fight without enough strength.”
“Yes!”
Happy National Day, everyone.