07-08-2014, 04:38 PM
A few of the wounded men in the room had questions for him; mostly regarding the state of affairs in Sierra Leone. They were aware that Freetown had quieted down and was, more or less, secure. But what of the Chinese? Would they send troops to protect their country's assets? What of the Legionnaires trapped at those very facilities and mines in the northern half of the country?
Jacques had little information to provide. At the moment, it seemed the Chinese companies would be pulling pin on Sierra Leone, at least until the dust had settled, although the Legion's legal team were working on expanding the security contracts they held with those Chinese companies. Every penny they could squeeze would be needed to help fund their operations in the country.
As for their people in the north; there had been some minor confrontations. Lieutenant Afolayan's men had gotten into a hairy situation, but had come through intact and with dozens of civilians bottled up in an American-owned rhodium refining plant. Similar stories surrounded the other half-dozen Legion teams; civilians and Red Cross employees were held secured in foreign-owned factories and mines, where dangerously small teams of mercenaries held the perimeter fences and hoped the Temne did not turn their attention their way.
All things considered their causalities thus far had been blessedly few. Satisfied, Jacques was about to take his leave when the two Americans piped up. He grinned; Americans, of course, both had one last thing to ask of him. He nodded to Jared, indicating for the man to walk-and-talk, but first looked to Jared. "Yes, Mademoiselle Grey."
He studied Jay for a moment; the man's tone, facial expression, posture. If Jacques wasn't far off the mark, Jay was quite likely stricken with the Red Cross worker. Jacques had already perused the woman's public records; nothing in-depth, but enough to get a read on the woman. She was lovely, there could be no denying that, but for all her humanitarian works, there seemed some touch of...distance, about her. Young Jay had his work cut out for him.
Work that Jacques could accommodate, at least until the Legionnaire was in fighting shape again. They had lost many friends on the Jeddah rescue operation. He had little doubt that the coming weeks in Sierra Leone would not be any more pleasant; any distractions would be well received by the men. An underdog love story, perhaps?
"She is well. I believe by now she's making use of one of the embassy computers."
He looked at Jay's leg and seemed to ponder a moment, "You were on the team that rescued her. Well, until such time as you are in fighting order, you shall be the Legion's liaison with the Red Cross in Sierra Leone. I somehow doubt that Mademoiselle Grey will be leaving the country any time soon.
" He grinned mischievously; the woman simply did not seem the type willing to make a decision to leave just because it was dangerous.
"Have the medics take a look at you. Once you have a clear bill of health, pay a visit to the young woman and see what she needs of us. I expect the Red Cross' assistance here. Whatever they can spare."
DV would surely draw most of their attention; the sad truth was that they were a political tool as much as any other group, whether they realized it or not.
With that, he nodded to his men and waved for Jared to follow, returning their salute as he took his leave of them. One of the Legion clerks waited in the hallway, a stack of papers waiting for his attention. The clerk would show Jacques to what would pass as his quarters and office for the coming weeks. He had planned to pay a visit to Natalie Grey first, but would save that for once he was better rested.
The woman was probably aware by now that her mother had paid for Natalie's safety. He did not want the girl thinking Jacques had done it just for the money. Giving her some distance and room to work would hopefully allow her to understand that. He hoped she would prove a useful tool in fixing a broken country.
Jacques indicated for the clerk to lead the way, but allowed them some distance so Jared could speak with some semblance of privacy. "What is troubling you, Legionnaire?"
Jacques had little information to provide. At the moment, it seemed the Chinese companies would be pulling pin on Sierra Leone, at least until the dust had settled, although the Legion's legal team were working on expanding the security contracts they held with those Chinese companies. Every penny they could squeeze would be needed to help fund their operations in the country.
As for their people in the north; there had been some minor confrontations. Lieutenant Afolayan's men had gotten into a hairy situation, but had come through intact and with dozens of civilians bottled up in an American-owned rhodium refining plant. Similar stories surrounded the other half-dozen Legion teams; civilians and Red Cross employees were held secured in foreign-owned factories and mines, where dangerously small teams of mercenaries held the perimeter fences and hoped the Temne did not turn their attention their way.
All things considered their causalities thus far had been blessedly few. Satisfied, Jacques was about to take his leave when the two Americans piped up. He grinned; Americans, of course, both had one last thing to ask of him. He nodded to Jared, indicating for the man to walk-and-talk, but first looked to Jared. "Yes, Mademoiselle Grey."
He studied Jay for a moment; the man's tone, facial expression, posture. If Jacques wasn't far off the mark, Jay was quite likely stricken with the Red Cross worker. Jacques had already perused the woman's public records; nothing in-depth, but enough to get a read on the woman. She was lovely, there could be no denying that, but for all her humanitarian works, there seemed some touch of...distance, about her. Young Jay had his work cut out for him.
Work that Jacques could accommodate, at least until the Legionnaire was in fighting shape again. They had lost many friends on the Jeddah rescue operation. He had little doubt that the coming weeks in Sierra Leone would not be any more pleasant; any distractions would be well received by the men. An underdog love story, perhaps?
"She is well. I believe by now she's making use of one of the embassy computers."
He looked at Jay's leg and seemed to ponder a moment, "You were on the team that rescued her. Well, until such time as you are in fighting order, you shall be the Legion's liaison with the Red Cross in Sierra Leone. I somehow doubt that Mademoiselle Grey will be leaving the country any time soon.
" He grinned mischievously; the woman simply did not seem the type willing to make a decision to leave just because it was dangerous.
"Have the medics take a look at you. Once you have a clear bill of health, pay a visit to the young woman and see what she needs of us. I expect the Red Cross' assistance here. Whatever they can spare."
DV would surely draw most of their attention; the sad truth was that they were a political tool as much as any other group, whether they realized it or not.
With that, he nodded to his men and waved for Jared to follow, returning their salute as he took his leave of them. One of the Legion clerks waited in the hallway, a stack of papers waiting for his attention. The clerk would show Jacques to what would pass as his quarters and office for the coming weeks. He had planned to pay a visit to Natalie Grey first, but would save that for once he was better rested.
The woman was probably aware by now that her mother had paid for Natalie's safety. He did not want the girl thinking Jacques had done it just for the money. Giving her some distance and room to work would hopefully allow her to understand that. He hoped she would prove a useful tool in fixing a broken country.
Jacques indicated for the clerk to lead the way, but allowed them some distance so Jared could speak with some semblance of privacy. "What is troubling you, Legionnaire?"