Chapter 208 - A presidential visit

18 February, Military base, City K.

Matthew stood in his office window watching President Dong being shown around the military base by the base commandant and General Man. General Man had wanted him to be the third officer, but having quietly sounded out Joseph, Ben and David they agreed that this would be a perfect occasion to send Major Hung out, using the excuse he had been here on base for longer than them.

Hearing the knock on his door, Matthew turned around and say Joseph, Ben and David all enter his office. Once the door was shut, Joseph switched on their jamming device and said "Boss, we have some information…"

"Enough to justify sending that idiot rather than any one of us on the inspection tour with President Dong?"

"Absolutely. But apparently the President has already indicated he wants a private meeting with you. What is that about?"

Matthew knew he needed to tell them the truth about this meeting "He was behind my posting, and therefore your postings here. Senior military command expressed concerns about what had been happening here and when the last few problems surfaced, he suggested that I be deployed here. Long term connections here and as of the family wealth impossible to use tactics like the past to get rid of those in command."

"A clean skin…" added Ben, which drew a round of laughter.

"Ben, we all know that is not strictly true given what we have all done in the past," said David once he stopped laughing.

"Come on you three. Am I going to be the cause of all your jokes today?"

"Well boss, you do make it easy at time," said David. "But seriously on the question of has the head of special forces from time to time here been targeted, we have been going over data with your friend John Nang. Naturally there is no concrete evidence, but what we reviewed shows a pattern that led us to all conclude that it is the case."

Ben pulled out a folder and handed it over saying "That is what we have that resulted in that conclusion, and before you ask it has been sanitised that will allow you to provide it to the President."

Joseph added "But nothing has led us to say who is behind it. We all have our suspicions…"

"Major Hung, I know gentleman. And I am aware that I cannot say anything about that suspicion. What about…"

"The suspected leaks? What do you take us for miracle workers?" retorted Joseph.

"You have been known to be," joked Matthew. Pausing he added "Do not say that is me. I am assuming that you are proceeding carefully not to alert whoever is the leak to the investigation?"

"We are. But we all have our likely suspect, but it is difficult to find any concrete evidence as we need that to act because it will result in criminal charges and see whoever locked up. It is frustrating as…"

"Major Hung…" chirped Joseph and David.

"Come off it you two, we said no unsupported allegations."

"Stop being so sanctimonious Ben, you have the same view as us."

Shaking his head, Ben ignored Joseph and David before continuing "Picking up from where I was so rudely interrupted, it is frustrating as of our suspicions, but we cannot act and tip our hand. It will take what it will take. But the reorganisation here is helping to unsettle a few people making information come out easier. One interesting thing is apparently Major Hung as a source who refuses to speak to anyone other than him that has given him information about terrorist groups. Once of us will pursue a meeting with that source, but if what we think is true, it will be a front."

"Thinking about reorganisation, boss you have not joined us on PT with the non-go teams the last few days, clacking off?"

Matthew shook his head. One of the issues with his advancement is such that it minimises his ability to join in PT with the non-go teams, as paperwork and administrative issues came first. The frustrating thing though, was it would be rare that he would be allowed on missions again, unlike Joseph, Ben and David who still could do so.

Matthew said "Thank you for that. But I need a quick review of this week's plans as the president has requested a briefing with myself, General Man and the Commandant."

Twenty minutes later, the meeting broke up, and Matthew sat down to read the folder Ben handed him. Looking at the intelligence, he had to agree with the conclusions then made. That was something he could present to the president when they spoke. He carefully opened his air-gaped laptop and started to go through intelligence loaded on it, to see what else he could fine.

However, before he could get to far into the work, he was interrupted for the meeting with the president, so he shut down and re-secured the laptop before heading to the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, President Dong, said "Colonel Rong, could we please speak privately."

Once everyone left the room, carefully Matthew pulled out his jamming device and switched it on.

President Dong said, "Paranoid, General Rong?"

"Paranoid? No just careful. And before you ask, I have information about the specific tasks I was sent here to do." Matthew carefully removed the folder Ben gave him, handing it over "That contains information that confirms the view that whoever was previously appointed to my post was targeted. By whom, we cannot conclude but…"

"You have your suspicions, and after meeting Major Hung I believe I can guess who you suspect, but that is not in here as you cannot prove it."

"Correct. As to the others, the re-organisation of the special forces group is moving forward, and it will become like the other groups throughout the country. It has been long needed."

"More importantly, is there a leak?"

"Uncertain. While I know I should trust the commandant and General Man, until …"

"You figure out who is responsible and determine that they are not using either you are saying little. Cloak and dagger stuff Matthew, but you know this can backfire."

"I know, but in addition to the position you and senior national command gave me a specific mission here as well. I will not risk that as it will only end up hurting innocent people."

"Just promise me you will keep me updated, and you have the perfect excuse as I made it clear about…"

"Your friendship with Phillip and Chester. Obviously." Matthew knew that the change in conversation was happening and switched off the jamming device.

"Speaking of Phillip, he looked exhausted at the Anniversary Ball. How is he?"

"Mr President, he seems much better that he was when I returned, but at the same time he is worried about the future as this is his third battle with cancer. But at the same time, he and Chester are…":

"Looking forward to when they married. I figured out at the ball how unhappy your parents were with their relationship, but they are stuck in the past not accepting how much that type of attitude causes harm. I let those same prejudices drive my son to his death, and that is something I do not want any parent to have to go through." Pausing President Dong added "Promise me, when they do marry, you will let me know."

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