Chapter 183 - Interesting News

6 February, Military base, City K

Having participated in the physical training regime this morning with members of the active team, Matthew, David, Ben and Joseph all wandered into Matthew's office and were greeted by cups of coffee waiting for them. Signalling to Warrant Officer Wang and Sergeant Yi, as he entered both realised that he did not want to be disturbed.

Once the door was shut and they were all settled, down, Matthew pulled out the jamming device and switched it on.

Observing this, Ben quickly quipped "You are so paranoid Matthew?"

"Paranoid, that is mild Ben," added Joseph, causing David to laugh.

Shaking his head, Matthew responded "I do not know at times why I put up with you, let alone ask for you to be posted where I am."

"Because you like our wives company too much, let alone you know you can be yourself around us," came David's reply.

"Talk about your own wife, not mine or Ben's," responded Joseph, which drew a round of laughter from everyone.

"That, gentleman tells me why I put up with you. You make me laugh and realise that despite everything in the end there are more important than the career we have chosen. Friends and family, which our career allows us to act to protect."

"True boss. Now, we have Major Hung poking around in too much, so we better get down to business," responded Ben.

"Speaking of Major Hung, I know the plan was to announce your promotions in a staggered approach, but given how he has been trying to throw his seniority in the rank as Major around, I convinced National Command that your promotions will be announced later today and they will all be confirmed as having occurred together just before Christmas. That will make grant you seniority by rank over him and will stop some of his behaviour."

Reaching into his desk draw, Mathew drew out three envelopes and handed them out to Ben, Joseph and David "Your new rank insignia's are here, along with your warrants of appointment, as you can wear it publicly from tomorrow, rather than simply being spoken about."

"You know our wives will not forgive you for this not being made a fuss of," said David, drawing nods from Ben and Joseph.

"Tell them I will make it up to them. But we are getting distracted. Firstly, what do you think about the announcement from David Hwang about his connection to Major Hung?"

"Easy to figure out. He found out about the background investigations that we commenced on all senior staff with national authority, and it would not take too long for it to come out. But …" Ben started

Interrupting Ben, Joseph added "But the interesting thing, and it was unsaid in the press release, is the story behind their parent's death. Given the young age of both, they were determined not to have been involved in the illegal activities of their family. Major Hung had to seriously prove himself to get to his position given this, and he has been regularly monitored to see if he has connections to any of his families past activities. Nothing in that has flagged as suspicious, however…"

David added "The three of us agree there is something that just does not sit right. As a technology entrepreneur David Hwang until recently has been reclusive therefore little is known personally about him. He generally let his PR team handle all publicity matters, but unlike other technology entrepreneurs who are open about their past, he has kept his past hidden until now. That makes me wonder if there is something that he does not want known. Speculative, I know. Business wise, the story about an orphan making good, developing a company from nothing to what he has in the time frame he has, would be the feelgood story of the decade. But telling no one until now, and minimising what was said…"

Matthew interrupted "Makes you concerned. When you say it like that, it raises concerns for me. Flag the concerns with the security vetting team. Announcing his relationship to Major Hung, provides us with a reason to have a preliminary screening check."

"I have already checked on him in general clearance channels. As his company has developed software used by various government departments, he already has top level clearance, and there are the usual regular checks to keep that. Digging deeper, would draw too much attention, and I suspect you do not want that boss," responded David.

"That worries me. Quietly and carefully check into his activities. If you are found out, the reason to use is that as he has publicly announced his connection to Major Hung, due to his position here we need to examine him for threats that may compromise him. If they press further, the argument is he has his top-level clearance, but that has not been examined by us to check that we can protect him and his cousin and are being extra careful, for national security reasons. Flimsy, I know, but it will hold up. As I trust your instincts that something does not feel right, I will back you. But it must be low priority. Our hunt for the Devil has to be priority."

Pausing Matthew, pulled out a folder, and said "You can look at this, but I have to have it back before you leave. My meeting when I accompanied Lexi to visit Anna Hou over the weekend also had a meeting with an informant connected to the Military in Country X. There are rumours that the Devil escaped without difficultly from ISX base and he has formed a relationship with an underworld group that traffic weapons and people. Flimsy I know, but there are a few groups, if true that this could be here. One, I hate to say, is run by Lexi's former mother-in-law's brother. You will have seen the security screen on her, given the court proceedings, that indicates she has significant, regular contact with her family, despite bring very public in disowning them when she married into the Yao family."

"You are worried about that?"

"Absolutely. But she knows that I dislike her already, so trying to compromise me will be problematic. We need to investigate each group and try to see what we can find with the rumours. Who is with the intelligence team this month?"

"You want to move us around boss?" asked Ben.

"At the moment yes. I know you each have the role that you are best suited for, Ben Intelligence, Joseph training, and David administrative support, but you know the other goal that is for our postings here is to reorganise the Special Forces group here to be like the other groups, lean and adaptable. Cutting down on administrative support and creating an adaptable group with those who remain is what we want. People need to be able to undertake multiple roles, not just stuck in one position. Moving you three around regularly, sends a message that it applies from the top down, but it allows each of you to look at areas afresh regularly, observing problems and aid in making the changes that need to happen. You can work out what you do until I tell you we will change again."

Ben shook his head and said, "In other words, you want to make our work difficult."

"The problems with promotion gentleman, but remember I still have seniority over you and more importantly I am the head of this special forces group, so…"

Laughing Joseph said "You can do what you want, and we have little say. We get it boss. You have told us that so many times over the last few years you know we just ignore it. Seriously, we will talk about it and let you know at the end of the day what we want to do."

"Thanks. Get that investigation into the rumours about the Devil escaping and his next move but absolutely sanitize where the information came from. Get going on the other investigation as well, but remember it is low priority. Keep me in the loop, but talk things through as needed but…"

"Make sure the discussions are kept secret, use the jamming devices if necessary. We know the drill," responded Joseph.

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