Chapter 43 - Taking some Control (6)

27 December, City K Military Base

Surprised at the comment from his Sergeant, Matthew asked "What do you mean?"

"Sir he will pursue two agendas. He believed that he had been acting commander of the special forces for three months, he was going to be promoted to Colonel and he would have your position. Secondly, he views that he is the perfect intelligence head, he uses this to eliminate threats, but at the same time apparently fails to comprehend other threats, just as serious as the terrorism threats he neutralises."

"Just yesterday, and it is in the pile of reports for you to review, the police captured a group of weapons smugglers with a cache of weapons, less than fifty kilometres from the base. That is something intelligence, even in my lowly opinion should have detected and acted on."

"Then there are the drug smugglers, who is to say that they do not smuggle terrorists in, and the kidnapping of high-level hostages for ransom. He views that these are purely a police matter, and only passes on information if he can clean the source of it."

"Three weeks ago, someone senior from the police department was here and had an argument with him about failing to pass on information that could have prevented the kidnapping of the child of Chester Yao about six months ago. His excuse for not saying anything was the source was purely military and he could not pass information on that he could not hide the source of."

Hearing Chester's name and the mention of a child surprised Matthew. He had to stay calm and not let people know his background. "Damn it. We have clear directions that we are to cooperate completely with local police authorities. And I bet because they have not had cooperation, we get none from them. That is the last thing I need. Sergeant I need a meeting with our local police liaison as soon as it can be managed."

"Sir, I actually informed the police yesterday of your appointment, and a meeting has been scheduled for …" Sergeant Yi looked at her watch and then continued "ten minutes time. I will arrange coffee for that meeting."

"We have gotten distracted. Please continue with your observations please."

Warrant Officer Wang continued "The women officers, were furious with you about them being considered non-operational once they are pregnant and the announcement on requirements to take maternity leave. That, I think sir, you can talk to them individually about. The rest of your officers were a little harder to read."

"Sergeant please obtain the personal files on all my officers and have them ready for my review starting from tomorrow. Otherwise you are dismissed."

"Yes Sir."

Warrant Officer Wang, let Sergeant Yi exit the door before him, but he stopped and shut the door before asking, "Sir, do you mind me asking the role that your brother has at JL International?"

"As I told you my brother works there and I had not been able to tell him about my posting here nor contact him via phone, so I needed to inform him so he could tell the rest of the family." Pausing Matthew realised that his connection to Phillip would be quickly known, so he said "My brother is the CEO of JL International Phillip Rong, and through a blind trust I technically own a large part of the company shares."

Matthew paused again and then continuing "I have a house here where at times I intend to stay. Tonight, my brother is arranging for me to meet with some old friends, so I will stay there. Now I will show you the way there, but no one other that you unless I tell you is to know its location. I will also arrange a room for you there, so you do not have to travel back to home, if you are not up to it. But if you want you are welcome to join us."

"Yes Sir." Warrant Officer Wang paused "Sir can you really explain what is happening why you were appointed? I do not want to be disrespectful, but I am confused…"

"You are wondering what is going on. No, I will not take it that way. All I can indicate is that my assignment was last minute, but I do not know who I replaced, so they may have been a general, but something meant that they could not come."

"Thank you, sir. I will let you have a few minutes of peace before your meeting with the Police Department head." With that he exited the office closing the door.

Matthew pulled out a piece of paper, and started to write down, where he would be once he left the base tonight:

Base

Rong Family Home

Club JT – Welcome Home function with family and school friends.

Rong Family Home

Base