Chapter 4 - A promotion and a new appointment

24 December, Military headquarters, Capital City Country Y

Matthew Rong paused and did one final check of his office before picking up the last of his personal items to leave. It was disappointing that his leave for two days to allow him a quick trip to see Phillip in City K before taking up his new deployment in City Z had been cancelled. It was going to be a three-day trip to City Z, and he had to be there by Friday to commence work. He just hoped that Phillip's cancer did not progress too much before he could get a week off and visit him.

Just as he was about to open the door, a Lieutenant opened it and snapped a salute, before taking the box from Matthew's hands and saying "Colonel Sir, you have been summoned to the secure meeting room immediately. I will take these to the waiting area for you."

Matthew pondered why he had received the summons. Friday, he had sat down with his superiors to discuss his new deployment and figured that there was nothing left. On entering the secure meeting room, he was confronted with not only six different generals but President Dong. That was unusual. The president tended to keep out of everything military and more importantly given his connection to Phillip had steered clear of Matthew, even at award ceremonies.

Matthew quickly snapped a salute, and at direction shut the door taking the seat he was directed to take. The General's looked at the President, almost like they were scared to speak. After a minute or so of silence President Dong decided to speak. "Colonel Rong, you might wonder why you have been summons here. I will let the generals here explain and then explain why I am here."

Given the direction from the president to speak, the head of special forces spoke "Colonel Rong, as you know over the years there has been ongoing issues with the appointment of the head of special forces based in City K. The fifth appointment of a head in two years failed spectacularly over the weekend, and we have had to remove him with immediate effect. He has agreed to take your position at City Z. He will arrive in three days directly from City K, and his family will follow him."

"He had just confirmed in a message that our suspicions of problems with someone connected to the base seemed to be supported, but his teenage son was arrested by the police apparently involved in drug trafficking. We suspect that the drugs found on his son were planted, and our police liaison agrees, however he is useless as the head there."

"And if I remember right drugs were found on another officer and two were accused of skimming funds."

"True. We had been searching for a solution and remembered something the president had asked a few weeks ago. He had asked if there was a possibility of a posting for you to City K, could we facilitate it."

Matthew looked directly at President Dong. Damn Phillip had a meeting with the president and told him that his cancer had returned asking if possible, for him to be posted back home."

"From what we understand talking to the president, your family is from City K, and your brother has cancer, which we are surprised you did not inform us about. Changing your posting in those circ.u.mstances will not arouse suspicion and will make actions to try and force you out more difficult to achieve."

"You have something in mind Sir?"

"Absolutely Colonel Rong. We intend where we can to alter your service record to indicate you are more administrative than active service, which should give you more protection. You have a brief to assess and re-organise the Special Forces stationed at City K's base. That will be made public, but the secret part of your mission will be to search for why the various issues have been occurring and following your leads on the Devil."

"Yes Sir."

President Dong spoke "And there is one more thing, you have been promoted to the Rank of Major General. This promotion has been in the motion for six months. However, with the discussions we have had before this meeting your promotion for the next six or so months will remain part of your sealed Record. The only officers at City K's military base that will know your true rank are the two officer's senior to you, the base commandant and the head of general forces on the base. To everyone else you will still be a colonel. Your true rank will give you the powers you need, but the public rank will ensure that you are not too far apart from other officers."

"Yes Sir."