Chapter 211 - School Visit (1)

26 February, Military Base, City K

Matthew sat in his office watching out the window. Dominic's school visit today was going to be an interesting event, particularly as Lexi had taken the day out of the studio to be a parent accompanying the children. Looking back with General Man and the Base Commandant yesterday at the history of school visits, it was the first time in over ten years that any elite schools had come in a school visit to the base despite the offers to them.

As he stood up, there was a knock on the door and before he could say anything in walked the two people, he knew he would need to discuss matters with. Before he could snap the appropriate greeting, General Man said "At ease, colonel"

Matthew relaxed but before he could respond the Base Commandant added "The two of us spoke after you left our meeting yesterday, spoke to Colonels Wang, Pang and Dang."

A scowl passed over Matthew's face. These two were arranging something behind his back. While General Man picked up on the reaction, the Base Commandant was oblivious. General Man, in observing Matthew's frustration realised that Matthew was aware that he had gone behind his back. He knew who was influencing the Base Commandant, Major Hung who had long been a confidant of his, given how long he had been posted here. But, in this case the influence was important as Matthew should be involved in this visit, not simply because his stepson was coming with his school mates, but Matthew's own background.

However, the missing of the look on Matthew's was clearly a sign that he was getting past his position, hence the moves that he was privy to were being put in place for once Matthew's promotion to general was confirmed.

The Base Commandant continued "We made the decision that it is important that you are involved in this school tour, firstly and importantly as you have a similar background to many of the students it will make it more relatable for them. You know policy for school tours, when they happen if your child is on the tour you must lead the tour. Just because it is your stepson do not think we will treat the situation differently, and you will be leading that tour just like any other parent."

Matthew, had explained to the two of them why he did not want to be involved, but it appeared that it had not sunk in. Being well aware that he needed to respect seniority Matthew carefully responded "Sir, as I have previously explained, leading the tour like other parents, is incompatible with my position here. If you…"

"Colonel, that is getting close to being insubordination. I have given you an order and I expect it to be followed."

"Sir, before you cut me off again, as I was about to say, additionally I have only been posted here for two months and it has otherwise been years since I have been here for any time. It is more appropriate that the tour is conducted by someone who has more time on base, but I will accompany the tour quietly if that is what you want."

Seeing the look passing on the Base Commandant's face, General Man said "Sir that seems reasonable. We always make certain those doing the tours have more than a few months on base, simply to allow them to conduct the tours efficiently."

"No. I have given you an order Colonel, and you will follow it," came the response from the base Commandant before storming out of the office. His reaction was obvious, in that he hated that anyone dared to question his decision.

Back in Matthew's office, he picked up the phone on his desk, and flicked on jamming equipment and made a call while watching General Man shut the door. Within three rings the call was answered with "Colonel Rong, how can we direct your call."

"Put me through to Head Honcho." With that General Man, had a puzzled look on his face, but Matthew knew he was being put through to the only person who was truly senior to him in special forces. As he wanted General Man to hear the conversation, he put the phone on speaker before replacing the handset.

Within a minute, a voice came over saying "Head Honcho here."

"Deputy Head Honcho here, boss…" Matthew observed the utter look of shock on General Man's face. The news of his appointment as second-in-command of special forces had not filtered down. "I have you on speaker and I am with the second-in-command of the base here in City K…"

"Edward Man. Edward, it is Jason Jang here." That was a name that General Man knew well from his training.

"Jason Jang? I have not heard from you in a long time. Now I have some idea of what you have been up to."

"What I have been doing is need to know, Edward and in reality, if you knew I would have to kill you…"

General Man laughed at that, but before he could respond the voice on the other end of the phone said "Matthew, you know that this line is not meant to be used for catch up calls. What is it?"

"At this moment I need you to get an override in on something here. We have school group coming for a base tour today, and the Base Commandant since my stepson will be in the group is determined that I will lead the tour."

"I get it, you need the orders countermanded. Do you want out completely or…?"

"I need to give him some respect, so I will go along with the tour, in the background."

"Given me ten minutes. Head Honcho out."

With that the call was ended, and Matthew looked at General Man, before saying "Edward…"

"Damn Matthew, that was some important news you did not tell me."

"That will not be public until at least three months after my promotion is made public. When the decision for my posting was made here, the decision was also made that this posting would be for the second-in-command of special forces nationally. That gives the posting the necessary prominence and will cut off a lot of the problems plaguing the position here long term. It also has the benefit of dividing the command structure so if one location is targeted it does not take out all of the special forces command structure."

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