09-16-2016, 06:13 PM
The short trumpet call and the sight of a few soldiers speed walking for cover almost had Carolyne worried, but she knew Camp Merrill wasn't exactly in the middle of a war zone. "Unless you feel like getting caught out for colors, you should probably come with me," a young private said as he passed her by, walking towards the command post. He was carrying a clipboard and judging by the way he was strutting, he had something important to do. He wasn't bad looking, either, but the muscle bound high and tight crowd wasn't really her thing.
This wasn't Carolyne's first rodeo, but it was the first time she'd ever actually been invited along by the hosts. The 75th Ranger Regiment was into a lot of classified stuff, like any other special forces unit in any military on the planet. Carolyne knew that even if the government was trying to officially put this as a humanitarian mission, you don't send Rangers to Africa to help out locals.
The continent was practically on the verge of collapse, and with Jacques Danjou's mercenaries conquering western Africa, it wasn't hard to believe the Rangers were getting sent over to stop him. If her short career in journalism had taught her anything thus far, it was how to smell a good story - and this was looking like it'd be a great one, even if the very fact they were headed to Africa was so far off the record.
After all, it wasn't like the US had much in the way of resources anymore. Neither did China or Australia or any of the other countries not under Nikolai Brandon's thumb. If the entire continent fell into instability, that would be an awkward conversation for everyone in Washington.
When they made it into the command post, the national anthem started. Carolyne gave a look to the soldier with the clipboard. "You're telling me you all run for cover to avoid standing outside for a minute?"
"Wait," the private said, "You're that journalist, aren't you?" Carolyne gave him a wicked smile as his face paled a little. "You're not going to mention that in any articles, right?"
"Let's see,"
she said, "Private Barnes Retreats From His Own Flag."
Carolyne crossed her arms and looked away, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Sounds like a great headliner, doesn't it?"
She laughed, but judging by his expression, he didn't find it nearly as funny as she did. "Don't worry about it, your secret's safe with me. It's off the record."
This wasn't Carolyne's first rodeo, but it was the first time she'd ever actually been invited along by the hosts. The 75th Ranger Regiment was into a lot of classified stuff, like any other special forces unit in any military on the planet. Carolyne knew that even if the government was trying to officially put this as a humanitarian mission, you don't send Rangers to Africa to help out locals.
The continent was practically on the verge of collapse, and with Jacques Danjou's mercenaries conquering western Africa, it wasn't hard to believe the Rangers were getting sent over to stop him. If her short career in journalism had taught her anything thus far, it was how to smell a good story - and this was looking like it'd be a great one, even if the very fact they were headed to Africa was so far off the record.
After all, it wasn't like the US had much in the way of resources anymore. Neither did China or Australia or any of the other countries not under Nikolai Brandon's thumb. If the entire continent fell into instability, that would be an awkward conversation for everyone in Washington.
When they made it into the command post, the national anthem started. Carolyne gave a look to the soldier with the clipboard. "You're telling me you all run for cover to avoid standing outside for a minute?"
"Wait," the private said, "You're that journalist, aren't you?" Carolyne gave him a wicked smile as his face paled a little. "You're not going to mention that in any articles, right?"
"Let's see,"
she said, "Private Barnes Retreats From His Own Flag."
Carolyne crossed her arms and looked away, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Sounds like a great headliner, doesn't it?"
She laughed, but judging by his expression, he didn't find it nearly as funny as she did. "Don't worry about it, your secret's safe with me. It's off the record."