[b][i]Mission Two: Siege of Mischief Reef[/i][/b]

[b]Municipality of Lingayen - 10/11/2022, 6:08 UTC+8[/b]

Noel nodded and said, "That last part is true, Ms. Qingshe, which is why we're also bringing in a recent addition to the Government's ranks; a Special Agent who fought alongside me in the deposition of the previous President after his treachery was exposed."

To tell the truth, his feelings about that man were... confused. On the one hand, Myron seemed like a decent person; certainly of help in the foundation and consolidation of the Government of National Salvation. On the other hand, he was [i]a former terrorist[/i], one who had murdered Arms Masters like himself before becoming one in turn. Nevertheless, as he looked towards the back of the stage, theatrically gesturing in their newcomer, Noel would not mince words as he spoke, "Members of Task Force Obsidian, let me introduce to you Special Agent [i]Myron Makaraig[/i], former normal person, former normal person [i]terrorist[/i], and murderer of Arms Masters through backstabs, poison, and overall treachery before growing a Noble Arm himself and applying for amnesty."

As the young man, with glossy, gelled black hair, walked in, his dark blue suit and leather shoes were immaculate as he entered the stage. Seemingly unfazed, even proud of the insults that Noel had hurled towards him, Myron turned, faced the stage, and bowed towards the group for a moment before getting up and facing Qingshe, Kaitlyn, and Ayahime with a smile as he said, "Greetings. My name is Myron Makaraig, a former member of [i]the Disablers[/i]; we claimed to stand for normal people against Arms Master supremacy, and I used my cute looks to lure Arms Masters in all protective so that they can be shot, stabbed, or even blown up - I can resume doing so at any time as long as I stay handsome."

His grin widened as he continued with relish, "Don't worry, as an Arms Master myself now, you don't have to fear that from me... Or do you?" he chuckled a little, before manifesting his own Noble Arm, a small circular shield. "This is Inpormasyon, aka Information. It converts objects and people into data and can transfer them through electronic communications like radio or the Internet. That means that if the enemy does not have a firewall or an antivirus, I can literally email you guys to their ships after your twelve hours of preparation are up."

Looking at Qingshe, then Lotus Squadron, Myron answered the question on air support for his young... friend(?) by saying, "The Philippine Air Force will be deploying its six remaining KAI-T50 - FA-50PH Variants - to aid Lotus Squadron, while Indonesia will be sending out the same number of Dassault Rafale jets. I know it's inadequate, but with all due respect - We're the underdogs here; we lack equipment and despite the fallout from the Crisis of 1988, China has spent a lot of resources lulling us to sleep and our military doctrine was oriented towards fighting... Internal enemies."

Noel decided to pop Myron's bubble with a well-pointed remark, "Yes, yes, we know [i]you were there[/i] when the Hammer and Disablers were using our country as their sandbox for developing terrorist tactics. Moving on..." He responded directly to Qingshe, "We know that the Chinese know and we anticipate treachery en route to the ship and on the ship itself. That's why we gave Myron an amnesty; he's at least a countryman and he knows how skullduggery works."

Qingshe then received a message from a secure channel; it was 'His Imperial Majesty', Jin Li of the House of Aisin Goro, aka the Qing Dynasty's clan. It said, [i]We've established an internet connection to the outside. The window is 25 - 30 minutes. Has Myron introduced himself already? If so, suggest to our allies that they should go to where we are [b]right now[/b]; make the idea sound like your own.

Myron has already packed the supplies we need.[/i]

Noel then looked at Callie and finally gave a response to her words, "Approved. I suggest Volunteers Makri and Dorn, or possibly Nil, but we may need the latter to defend either the ship or Mischief Reef. I can also go myself if we [i]really[/i] need someone who can bring on the pain..." 

Looking at Princess Fukuyo of Japan, the young man said, "I can also form a team with you, if needed; you performed well against Huo Ren."

Then he turned to acknowledge Second Lieutenant Larsdottir and said, "Indeed, we should talk in private - I'm sure that you and I would fare better without the company of our... [i]Amnestied[/i] friend. That, and I am under the impression that the enemy has probably guessed the bare outlines of our plan, even if their Intelligence Services weren't up to snuff - Which they are. So it would be best if only the two of us - And maybe Qingshe - know what contingencies to set up."

[i]That said[/i], he did have to give away some facts about 'Valkyrie', just to assuage Lotus Squadron and how they're only getting 12 extra Jets as their support, and so he told them, "Second Lieutenant Larsdottir also doubles as an aerial asset, one optimized for reconnaissance and interception. She can keep up with a dedicated aircraft at speed, and her smaller profile means that she can get into areas that larger objects can't. Not just that, but her affable and friendly personality allows her to work with almost anyone - I think you'll all like her."

As for Myron, he was looking at Callie with what seemed like shock, and an adept enough observer could see that his hands were trembling. He was not paying attention to Second Lieutenant Larsdottir right now, due to his focus on the blonde. Then the young man tore his gaze away from Callie and towards a newcomer - Iker Orozco, right? - before saying to him, "Volunteer Orozco. I will need your help in arranging contingencies as well." 

[i]If you can swallow working with a former terrorist and war criminal.[/i]

Then Noel answered Nico's question, "Honestly, it would probably be evening, yes, unless there is a way to hurry up the engagement. Note that it is perfectly plausible the relief mission can take place over [i]multiple[/i] days, so we'll need both of your Noble Arms' modes."

As for what Nico said next, Noel visibly cringed and said, "Listen, we know when we can afford to be loose-lipped with valuable information and when we can't. With all due respect, I don't think you know the same - What happens if I order you to accept the Seven Virtues' offer? I'm not going to do so, but have you ever thought what would happen if I was the sort of person to do that?! And please don't reveal the name of the one who invented the Occult Programming Language, which is the source of Noble Arms and other forms of Magitech, to us all - Not that it isn't too late now!"

He sighed, "Change of plans. Myron, convert as many of us as you can into data - We're going to the Spratlys now before any spies realize they got a larger windfall than they already expected to have..."

[@SkyHresvelg][@Chiro][@Aisede][@Lewascan2][@Sniblet][@Conscripts][@Gerlando][@Creative Chaos][@Nimbus][@The Man Emperor][@KaiserElectric] [@Landaus Five-One][@QJT]