RG Doctrine
Give both sides a way to stand down with dignity.
Feebee’s ‘manual’
The first thing Feebee did when she got back to the base was pay the captain a visit. The first thing he said was not what she expected. “You don’t stink anymore.”
“Yeh. About that. I had a swim while we were out on patrol and got cleaned up.”
He laughed, then sobered; she was telling the truth. She did look cleaner.
“What you going to do with your winnings?”
She didn’t answer immediately, just shrugged and pocketed it.
She went straight to the mess and put it behind the bar, beers on her. After a couple of mocktails, she excused herself and joined the Alphas back at the ship.
She briefed them on what happened then asked the QI to summarise it into an AAR for Chen which she shared with the Alphas too. It wasn’t how she would have written it but good enough. Read very stilted.
'Do it yourself next time,' was the QI's response.
AFTER ACTION REPORT (AAR)
From: Capt. F. Jones, Assigned to field, JSOC
To: Capt. Chen, JSOC.
Subject: Royal Crystal World – Threat Reassessment
Classification: Restricted
- Overview
Recent analysis of ambush activities and identified “dissident” elements has led to a reappraisal of threat source and escalation dynamics.
- Dissident Activity
Dissident personnel consist of family-based civilian groups.
No centralized command and control structure observed.
Activity is reactive to Royal Guard (RG) operations rather than coordinated insurgent strategy.
- Royal Guard Indicators
RG involvement in crystal acquisition and diversion not confirmed; indicators warrant further investigation.
RG-reported dissident activity correlates strongly with high-yield crystal regions.
Operational tempo of RG movements aligns with reported dissident incidents.
Ambush architecture exceeds assessed local civilian capability.
Assessment: RG actions may be contributing to, or driving, escalation patterns.
- Non-HumanTechnology Presence
Non-human components confirmed within ambush systems.
Technical sophistication exceeds local dissident capacity.
Assessment: External facilitation probable.
- Crystal Deposits
Resource extraction patterns align with high-yield crystal regions.
Market value and strategic utility of crystals currently unknown.
Action Needed: Determine crystal value chain and end-use. Urgent.
- Strategic Context
Instability of planet appears driven by sustained extraction.
External strategic interest in crystal resources highly likely.
- Current Assessment
Character of dissident threat requires refinement.
Civilian participation probable; activity assessed as reactive.
Primary escalation drivers may originate beyond local population.
Further validation needed.
- Recommended Actions
- Conduct investigation of facilities proximal to high-yield crystal deposits.
- Request HQ analysis of crystal valuation, distribution channels, and end-use applications. URGENT
Respectfully,
Capt. F. Jones
Chen's response came after five minutes. A long time for him. He'd taken his time to read it and compose a response.
DO YOU HAVE LOCAL HELP?
It was typically cryptic for Chen. He knew she didn't have RG help. So, must mean local as in the farmers, or dissidents.
She asked the Alphas, "Do you think the locals would help us?"
They laughed, but realised she was serious. "Maybe, but why would they?"
"To reduce RG influence, have more control?"
The Alphas looked dubious. "Can they be trusted?"
"Who? The RG or the locals?"
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Alpha-3 responded, "Both, either. Neither?"
Feebee helped him out, "We get it. Chill."
Then she spoke to the Alphas with her fingers, ‘SOMEONE MAYBE LISTENING.’
"Could someone make their ship invisible to sensors?" She looks squarely at Alpha-2.
"No." But as he spoke, he nodded.
"No, of course not. Didn't think so." Feebee nodded her head and finger spoke, 'TAKE HOW LONG'
"I wouldn't know where to start." She watched his fingers, ‘UNDER AN HOUR’
"Oh. Ok. Good. And I thought you were smart." She nodded.
"I'll go and get some food while you prep the ship." She turned to Alpha-3, "You want something to eat?"
"Always," he said with a smile.
As they entered the rest area the RG captain came up to them. "So, you’re off on your hunting expedition, are you?"
"As I said, we're just observers."
"Observers my arse." He stepped up close to Feebee, pushing his face in close to hers.
She held her ground, weight centred, legs and arms relaxed, eyes laser focused on the captain. They were roughly the same height although she looked much lighter. Almost fragile next to his gym-junkie frame.
He kept at it, got even closer. His breath was bitter. They almost touched, clearly he was trying to intimidate her, but she didn’t give an inch.
"Why are you really here!" People were turning, watching. Alpha-3 had seen her take this stance before, when they'd done hand-to-hand. It never ended well.
"Would you mind stepping away please. You're in my face, in my space." She pushed with one finger between the clavicle sternum junction . That one finger had specifically targeted a ganglion chain; there was minimal impact, nothing people would see as an attack. But there was precision and the effect was immediate. His body felt numb, dizzy. He staggered slightly.
Feebee took his arm. "You Ok?" She turned to Alpha-3, "Give me a hand. The captain seems to be fatigued or stressed out."
They sat him down.
He had no energy; his breathing was shallow. He looked at Feebee, shocked, detached unable to focus like he was somewhere else.
"You Ok?" Feebee asked again, her concern was there for all to see. She waved her hands in front of his face.
A corpsman came over, the medic shield with snakes wrapped around a staff visible on his collar. "What happened?" he asked, "Is the captain Ok?"
"He's having some sort of episode. Was shouting, stressed maybe and then he went all limp, couldn't breathe so we sat him down."
The medic felt his pulse. It was slow, weak but recovering. He called for a stretcher which arrived quickly and whisked the captain away.
"Can I have you name and rank, for the record."
"Of course. Captain Feebee Jones, JSOC. Observer on attachment."
The medic looked to Alpha-3, clearly asking for confirmation.
He nodded, "I can confirm. Captain Jones is our CO. We are here on attachment from JSOC. She may actually be the senior officer on base now."
The medic literally leapt in the air. "Ma'am."
"Please make looking after the captain your priority."
"Yes Ma'am."
She turned to Alpha-3, "Thanks, but the senior officer bit wasn't necessary."
He leant in close, "What did you do to him?"
"Me. Nothing. I'm just a teenage girl remember."
"Yeh right."
As they ate lunch they got a call from Alpha-2, "Ship's ready."
"Oh. Ok. Good. Do you want us to bring you anything?"
"Is there anything left after Alpha-3's had his fill?"
"Some."
"Sandwiches would do fine."
"Ok. See you in five."
As they took off, Alpha-2 was trying to explain what he’d done and eat a sandwich at the same time.
“You know, I was told it’s rude to speak with your mouthful.”
“It’s rude to do a lot of things but that won’t stop us.” They laughed, Alpha-2 less so because of the sandwich in his mouth.
“Where we going?” asked Alpha-2.
“To the waterfall, hidden. Then down south to see some dissidents.”
Alpha-2 lifted off then picked a route that would bring them across the river, a good way below the waterfall. As they approached the gorge he flicked a switch and dropped down hard, almost into the stream.
“We should be invisible now. To RG sensors anyway.”
Feebee nodded, “Now slowly. Up stream to the waterfall.”
Alpha-3 was gulping air, “We there yet?”
“Set us down over there.” Feebee was pointing to an area of beach, by the edge of the stream that would hold the scout ship.
The two Alphas got up, ready to lead the way as the rear ramp dropped.
“No. Wait here.”
“Two clicks; trouble. One click; clear, come slowly.”
“Ack” they both responded.
“Comms check.” Feebee single clicked. Both raised one finger then gave a thumbs up. Both then gave a single click back. She nodded, then walked down the ramp and onto the beach by the stream.
She immediately, called out. Any attempt at obtaining cover or being accepted by the jungle, dispensed with. “John. River. I know you're here. I want to talk.” She repeated the call then sat down. Legs crossed, fists relaxed on her knees.
She didn't have to wait long. John emerged first, rifle ready but pointing at the ground. He was below them. Then River stepped out, up stream. Rifle in hand, pointing at Feebee. They kept their distance, able to easily step back into the jungle.
John called out, “You made enough noise to wake an army.”
“That was kinda the idea, although not a big army. Just any army of two.”
She laid a package on the ground. “Medicines. For the leg, but also for other stuff you may step on.”
John laughed but didn’t come forward. “What you really here for?” he asked.
“Want to know if one of you would help me with some families down south. Help me avoid further conflict.”
It was River that spoke first, “What’s in it for us?”
“Can’t offer much. Maybe just knowing you tried and did some good.”
“How far south?”
“Maybe two hundred clicks. There’s a big crystal farm.”
John looked at River, then back at Feebee. “That’s one of the main farming areas. Lots of good land and good people. Trouble too.” John then looked at his son, “I can’t go.”
River crossed to the package and opened it. Inside were a dozen tubes of the cream Feebee had given them before.
“Is this...?” He held up two two small green packs. They had snowmen on them.
Feebee nodded, “Yes. Chocolate. My favourite.”
He looked at his father who just laughed. He then turned to Feebee, “How long will he be gone?”
“One, maybe two days.”
“Promise me you’ll look after him.”
“You have my word.” As she spoke, she put one hand on her chest and nodded towards John. He nodded back.
As they entered the ship, Feebee explained to River that the other two were already on board. Alpha-2 was the smaller. Alpha-3 the taller.
“Do they have names?” he asked.
“I guess.”
River carried a pistol at his hip. The rifle was over one shoulder, it no longer pointed at Feebee.
“I’ll get them to show you a thing or two, so we don’t get shot if things get hectic.”
River became defensive. “I can handle myself.”
“I’m sure you can but…”
He cut across her, “I can look after myself. Despite what Dad, thinks.”
“He has your best interests at heart.”
“Sometimes I wonder.”
Typical teenager thought Feebee. Old memories informed her opinion and obviously excluded an assessment of her from that.
“Ok. Look. If I was to attack you now, how would you defend yourself?”
He shrugged, “I’d just shoot you.”
“OK. Let’s try. Ready?”
“Yes.”
Before he finished the word, Feebee had stepped in close and taken the gun.
“That wasn’t fair. I wasn’t ready.”
Feebee smiled, “War isn’t fair. Again. You ready?”
He took a step back and drew the gun, pointing it at her. The Alphas started towards him, “Stand down. This is training. Practical training.” They stopped moving but didn’t relax.
“Ok. Let’s do this again. You ready?”
Before he could finish saying YES, she was inside his defence again and had taken the gun.
River looked shaken, “You could have killed us anytime back in the cave.”
“Yes. And, I’ve promised your father I’d look out for you. I keep my promises.”
She pointed to the Alphas, “These guys are good. Learn from them.”
Feebee flew them out of the gorge then down south. The sensor blocker was turned off. They were visible again.
She made a quick call to the base. “Can you hear us? Hello, we had some comms issues. Hello, can you hear…”
“Hearing you loud and clear. We lost you for a minute. Happens.”
“Oh. Ok. Good. We’ll check in when we get there. OUT.”
The Alphas took River through some basic defence and attack moves. He was co-ordinated and a quick learner. He even seemed to be enjoying it.
They left River with his own weapons, despite them being old and somewhat antiquated, they worked and he was used to them. To load him up with their stuff would take training but more importantly distance him from the locals they hoped to meet.