The printer made rhythmic humming as it painted ink onto the newborn document. A female ripped it off the tray as soon as it completed, trotting it over to her superior. "The Royal Thai Navy reports, sir."

He was fixated on a monitor. He twitched as his secretary announced the incoming item. His left hand waited patiently to receive it. His right acquired spectacles from his shirt pocket. He crossed his legs and skimmed the report like he would the dailies at the grocery store. The product for sale was hours on the clock, and a slight distraction. The cost was four destroyers, seven frigates, and twelve corvettes. Outrageous prices, but not unusual in this economy.

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. The office light focused through the lenses of his glasses, and he squinted. He stowed his spectacles and returned to analyzing the screen, where a teenager took questions and doled answers beside a projector in front of an audience. The man spoke in a low, calm voice. [color=aba000]"Have we finalized preparations with the Air Force yet?"[/color]

"They authorized the releases. We are go for 1800."

[color=aba000]"Excellent."[/color] The Hukbong Himpapawid dragged their feet so flippantly that he could promise only Lotus Squadron for support as late as yesterday. Understandable, of course; jet fighters were a valuable resource. Still, Noel had tact for a teenager in keeping some cards close to the chest. He wished some of that tact was displayed here:

[quote]Nevertheless, as he looked towards the back of the stage, theatrically gesturing in their newcomer, he would not mince words as he spoke, "Members of Task Force Obsidian, let me introduce to you Special Agent Myron Makaraig, former normal person, former normal person terrorist, and murderer of Arms Masters through backstabs, poison, and overall treachery before growing a Noble Arm himself and applying for amnesty."

"Greetings. My name is Myron Makaraig, a former member of the Disablers; 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."[/quote]

He closed his eyes. He didn't think he'd have to prep the new recruits and introductions himself, but he stood corrected. The ex-Disabler was increasingly essential to the operation; the discomfort he instilled throughout the ranks would need to be ironed out. Apparently total war was perfectly within the boundaries of sanity but a defected terrorist was not. No matter; everything remained reasonably calm.

And then Noel snapped.

[quote]He 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..."[/quote]

He stood up in tandem with the audience. Noel had singlehandedly instigated both an insubordination and a full-on revolt among children with superpowers. While they were stunned by their own shock, his propelled him to action. He fetched his Glock 17, tied its holster around his waist, and only partially concealed it with his suit coat. Of course, a firearm was perfectly useless against (he counted on the screen) two, three, roughly a third of the Masters there. The handgun didn't need to be dangerous; it simply had to feel dangerous. Most folks are taught to fear guns and ammunition; it carried authority's weight. He planned to leverage that weight deftly.

Meanwhile, the man addressed his counterpart. [color=aba000]"Jasmine, I'm interceding. Watch that screen. If something should happen to me, signal the President. Tell him that I want a perimeter around this facility and, that failing, an air strike. Understood?"[/color]

"Yessir."

He collected his hat and egressed without an additional word, carefully organizing his thoughts into words and sentences. He couldn't tell what chaotic questions and challenges currently flung across that room, but he needed to prepare for anything.

------------

Iker blinked a couple times after his specific assistance was requested for theorizing contingencies. It was unusual to ascend to central planning so quickly after volunteering. Then again, his company was young, to the point of childhood. Maybe it was natural to consider outside help. He specifically wondered whether the Chinese would employ submarine wolf packs. If that was the case, their most deadly threat came not from above but from below. He was about to address this possibility, but a number of dissidents voiced their concerns first. He remained seated and silent. He wouldn't let his volunteerism be confused for solidarity, and his opinion would otherwise fall on deaf ears. On the subject matter, he personally could jump into action immediately, but it was the right of the weary to desire rest.

Once everyone had spoken their piece, he ascended and began to talk. [color=fff200]"From my experience, a straight shot is difficult in a rough wind unless you fire into it." He pressed his fist into his palm. "Upon encountering Chinese resistance, are we expected to fight them head-on, or get out of there as expediently as possible? Do we-"[/color]

The entrance swung open; Iker sat down. A gentleman marched in, wearing a bright white uniform that appeared to shine in such a dimly lit environment. He bore a wide nose and slightly wider lips. His dark brown eyes were hidden by his cap. Perhaps that was for the best, given how much fire a single glance spewed. He smiled briefly at his presenters. [color=aba000]"I'll take it from here for the moment. Thank you."[/color]

He about-faced and addressed the crowd. [color=aba000]"Good morning. I am Rear Admiral Adrián Abasolo. Among other things, this operation is my responsibility.

"We work a tight schedule, but twelve hours' respite is reserved for you presently. When this meeting is concluded, please use it accordingly. You will not have this luxury once the mission commences. I recommend eight hours of sleep.

"Even if that was not the case, the vocal dissent will be kept to a minimum. It is a tenet of war that we cannot choose the time and manner of our engagements, or our allies. Our key to winning the naval battle in the South China Sea has placed itself under severe threat. We make do. We have just received word from the Thai fleet. If you'd like to see how well we'd fare without this key, I can show you the numbers.

"Our window allows a day before Mischief Reef's blockade will be completely impenetrable. My fleet and the aircraft that protect it are on standby as we speak, delayed exclusively for your chance to rest.

"This opportunity will not present itself again. If we elect not to take it, we will be playing defense for a decade until China loses interest and this conflict concludes. And so, I am willing to send Masters into battle, whatever their state of readiness may be. I will work with this reformed terrorist, as untrustworthy and unsightly as he appears to you. We are not NATO; we don't have the luxury of extra options and resources to spare. We are ASEAN. If we are to withstand the PLA, full support is mandatory. I have chosen your coordinator. If he cannot bring you in line, I will fetch someone who will. If you will not abide Myron's teleportation powers, then the last scouts cast off in an hour.

"If you have issues with the current situation, send it to me, privately, in writing. I will handle it. If you stage an insurrection, you will be escorted off the premises. Powers or no, you stand in defense of our coalition. Which means you are under my command. I expect you to behave accordingly."[/color]

He exhaled out his nose and scanned the room. Iker raised his hand. [color=fff200]"I'd be willing to join the scout ships, if you desire me there."[/color]

The admiral nodded. [color=aba000]"Let's discuss later. Everyone else: spend an hour to fraternize. Then get yourselves sleep. I'll see you at 1800. Dismissed."[/color]

The admiral pulled Noel aside while the others were distracted and spoke quietly, with a firm hand on Noel's shoulder. [color=aba000]"You especially. You have potential, but you cannot lose your nerve in an active combat situation. I can't replace you with the operation so nearly underway. You're going to have to tough it out. Can you do that for me?"[/color]

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