Chapter 218 - School Visit (8)

26 February, Military Base, City K

While working with the soldiers to engage the children, Matthew had been watching out for Lexi, and when she appeared to be cornered, signalled to Joseph to keep an eye on Dominic. He quietly said "I need to go and help your mummy out. Please stay here."

Seeing Dominic nod, Matthew quickly moved towards Lexi, and as he reached her, he heard her state his background.

As she started to storm off, she crashed into his chest and Matthew said "Ladies, while I respect you are entitled to an opinion, the one thing I do not take is people upsetting my wife or stepson. Maybe it is better for the rest of this tour that you stay away from her."

Taking a breath, he added quietly so only the five of them could hear "Let me just remind you, you are on a military base and civilian law does not apply here. Military Law rules supreme. That includes behavioural standards that would not have a consequence, other than if someone would bring a civil lawsuit against you. Those are treated as criminal actions here. That includes insulting members of the military, interfering in a military marriage, and physically assaulting members of the military or their families. I saw you just then raise your hand towards my wife behind her back."

Seeing the scowls from the women who thought they had someone to easily bully, Matthew added "Take it as a friendly warning. But it might be better if you stay away from my wife."

With that Matthew escorted Lexi off to the side, finding somewhere quiet to speak. He asked, "Are you alright?"

"Why do some people think they are entitled to something just because they want it. Those three only want an introduction to rich society as they want to secure another rich husband and think that I can be bullied into giving them that. What b*tches."

Seeing Lexi was angry Matthew responded "Do not worry about them. I can see they are talking to the tour guides, who appear to be re-confirming what I just told them. They will keep away as they do not want to end up in the trouble they can end up in if they keep going. But I will make sure for a couple of weeks, if you are willing to cooperate, that they remain totally scared, in having Dominic taken to and from school in a military vehicle…"

Sensing that Matthew wanted to stir the situation up to cause an over reacting, Lexi responded "Matthew Rong, you call me a troublemaker…"

Matthew laughed, and said "Will you be OK?"

"I will."

"Just remember Lexi, if you want to get away from all the politics, I can have my adjunct escort you to my on-base accommodations."

"I can handle them, as the warnings will get around everyone in the group. Now get back and be with Dominic." Lexi paused and smelt her top, before adding "Damn, now I smell sweaty"

Matthew walked away, heading towards where the packs were sitting, before he reached into his pocket and pulled out his secure phone, quickly dialling his adjunct arranging for a change of clothes for Lexi and Dominic to be brought from his on-base accommodations to his office.

Twenty minutes later once the children had enough of having a go on various parts of the obstacle course and all the photographs they wanted taken, they headed towards the buses. Matthew before joining them briefly paused and said "Joseph, get these men back to HQ. I need you to get the cameras from the tour guides and double check them for photographs that should not be given to the school."

"Got it boss. Looks like you are taking the easy way out."

"Other than Lexi, no civilian on the tour knows the truth about me. It is going to be difficult enough in the mess…"

Laughing Joseph said "Go. I will let you know when the photographs have been checked. But will you join us for the water insertion jump we are doing?"

"I thought it was meant to be a HALO jump, and I was surprised when I say the helicopter being fitted out for that?"

"It was but these are meant to be low risk demonstration jumps, not training jumps and the winds at higher altitudes are not meant to be the best…"

"I get it. As to joining you, doing that will possibly tip some to figure out my assignment."

"Got it."

Matthew turned and returned to the bus boarding it. As he sat next to Lexi, he heard a question asked "Mr Rong, why did you and those soldiers not salute."

Matthew stood up, turned and said "Those soldiers are Special Forces troupes. Except on significant formal occasions, they do not salute. That is about protecting senior officers in the group, particularly when they are deployed. If soldiers saluted those who were senior to them, it would tell the enemy who were the important members of the group and allow them to easily be targeted. Special Forces soldiers learn that at an early stage of their training. I have friends in the military who are have been in the Special Forces, and having spent time with them when I interact with Special Forces Members I do what they do. Does that answer your question?"

The reply came "It does, thank you."

Lexi hearing the exchange, had to smile to herself about Matthew's response. It was the utter truth, but it revealed nothing about his posting. He was good at this game of telling the absolute truth without revealing anything.

Matthew stood back down, and the bus headed back towards the central buildings on base. As they were heading back, Matthew quietly said "Lexi, I had some clothing for you and Dominic placed at my on-base accommodations, and I have sent someone to get a change for you and Dominic from there. You can both shower and change in my office if you want to, before heading to the mess hall for lunch. Your passes, will see your meals billed to my mess account, but you can use it either to access the general mess hall where everyone else will be eating, the officer's mess or the Senior officers mess."

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