Auxiliary Post made by @QJT (Fleshing Out NPC Responses)Phnom Penh, Cambodia
American Embassy"So?"
No staff members sat at this moment. They stood attentive at their posts. They hadn't the opportunity to sit down between clocking in and hearing the transpired events. The pressure was simply too great. Their superior paced erratically before the bulletproof windowpanes. When appointed, he expected a cushy gig, spending his tenure partying with the muckety mucks. He didn't expect the war. He certainly didn't foresee the conflict approaching his literal doorstep.
He inhaled once, then exhaled twice. The tension was focused on him; he'd redirect it elsewhere. "Call the President," he ordered.
In one continuous motion, an underling picked up a black business telephone and punched a single button. "This is the Cambodian Embassy. Relay us to- Well, obviously, haven't you seen the TV?" The lass leaned backward and sidestepped her foot. "We understand." Click. "He's coming, and will respond in fifteen."
"We don't have that much time!" he shouted, his unease sending shock waves across his subordinates. "Where the hell could he-"
His secretary reminded him of two analog clocks on the side wall, displaying in bold font "WASHINGTON DC" and "PHNOM PENH" respectively. They both showed identical positions; the left was 6:30 ante meridian and the right was 6:30 postmeridian. "President's away from the Oval Office, probably eating dinner or something."
"Fair enough," the dignitary deflated. "But if I don't hear a ring, I'm taking control of this situation from here. I have the prerogative." He sighed through puckered lips. "I won't be another Chris Stevens."
Manila, Philippines
Naval Station Jose Andrada
AdmiraltyThroughout her career as his aide, Jasmine had never witnessed her boss cross his arms as he did presently. He stared at the screen, upright and rigid. His image was a stone, a monolith, but his eyes displayed a blend of anger and consternation that she'd dared not interrupt. But duties called, and lives were at stake. Few had the authority, fewer had the reaction times, and fewest had the willpower to act. "Admiral?"
Abasolo sighed.
"Played us like a damn fiddle." He snapped to attention, his countenance glazing over and narrowing into cold calculation.
"I need Villanueva, Mendoza, and Baltazar in this room, with their phones, immediately." He sat again at his desk, whipped out a ballpoint, and began to write.
Fortunately, the three officers worked in the same building. It took minutes and a handful of stark words to summon them hither. Abasolo pointed to Villanueva first.
"Call the US President. Ask what assets they have locally. Let them know we have Task Force Obsidian in the area if they wish to pool resources to evacuate our parties." She ran the few feet necessary to establish a base.
Baltazar was next, fully prepared with a pencil and notepad.
"Get the People's Republic of China," the admiral commanded.
"Use the diplomatic channels. Give me their reaction to this, and their official statement."And to the final minion,
"You're the backup. I want you on the receiver, listening to the tone until I order you to punch in a number.""Admiral." Villanueva had accomplished her task. "He's talking to the American embassy in Phnom Penh. We're twenty third in queue."
"How long would that take?" Jasmine asked.
"Hours. It'd be too late. Doesn't matter," Abasolo responded.
"Stay on that line in case." He put a finger to his brow.
"Mendoza, fetch me the Japanese."After painstaking minutes, Mendoza relayed her result. "No dice. Something about the UN."
As if on cue, the television network switched to the visage of a pristine rectangular tower of blue glass. "Hold on, I'm receiving breaking news: the United Nations has convened an emergency special session to address this morning's hostile acts in Cambodia."
The admiral touched his forehead with his fingertip, closing his eyes and furrowing. He spoke his thought process largely to himself but broadly to his acquired staff.
"The Americans put us on hold. The Philippines and the USA has a formal alliance, so everyone in front must be internal or allies. That means Japan, most likely, but they're preoccupied with their own internals. We need-" His vision jolted upward.
"Jasmine, bring up a map of Phnom Penh, with embassies highlighted."Jasmine's generation was immersed in tech; it took her mere seconds. "Prepared and ready, sir."
The Chinese actually, surprisingly, responded. Baltazar was left chattering away with his equivalent on the other side of the telephone, asking questions and writing the answers down.
Abasolo parsed through the dots on the screen.
"We can't make it to the USA. They're across the city. Japan... it's eight minutes' walk. The Cambodians will be all over the place by then. Too risky." He clapped his hands.
"Thailand. They're next door neighbors. Mendoza!" he announced.
"Call the Royal Thais. Get an aide in their embassy to walk to the Japanese. Tell them to tell the Japanese to tell the Americans that Task Force Obsidian is in the delegation, and stands by to help them if possible.""Sir!" Baltazar raised his hand. "The Chinese deny any involvement in the matter. Their delegation is also trapped behind hostile lines. Any action to pacify the Royal Cambodian Army is permitted."
"Because they don't think we're capable of anything anymore." Jasmine swallowed. "Do you think these really are just rogue elements?"
"Whatever I think, they've given us the green light. I plan to take advantage of it.""But can Task Force Obsidian handle the entire Cambodian military?"
"What?" Abasolo took a moment to gather the data.
"No, you misunderstand. They're not protecting the other nations; the other nations protect them. They'll be shielded by security and reinforced by the full American presence in the area. It's an advantage they might not survive without.""And is it enough?"
Abasolo pursed his lips.
"Then they wouldn't have a chance anyways. But I have faith in them. It's my Task Force Obsidian."Phnom Penh, Cambodia
American EmbassyThe American ambassador did sparingly little, merely direct his underlings to where they already headed and bark orders that they already heard while clutching the receiver. "President's orders! Everything goes in the furnace; no documents shall remain! Pack up your bags; we head out in fifteen!"
He returned to the conversation. "Yes, Mister President. We're proceeding without any hiccups. Now, where are the helicopters?" He stamped his foot, and his staff momentarily paused. "Then how the hell else are we supposed to evacuate?!... 'You're working on it.' Well, that changes everything, you sh- Yes, Mister President. I'm sorry for my tone. Please, we want assurances that... WHAT?!" He swayed motionless at the phone for a few seconds, then hung up, followed the cord to the outlet, and unplugged the cable. "He's on the phone with Japan." Perhaps his rashness had doomed them all.
Manila, Philippines
Naval Station Jose Andrada
AdmiraltyAdrián Abasolo leaned back in his chair, staring at the television screen. His capabilities from Manila were exhausted to their fullest extent; he could only sit back and watch the chaos unfold. He heard the high energy newscasters drone on with meaningless updates. "In a surprise upset," the black box stated, "The UN Security Council and a majority of member states have denounced the Kingdom of Cambodia for the past hour's scandal."
His desk phone rang, and the admiral pounced on it.
"Rear Admiral Adrián Abasolo.""This is the President of the United States." It wasn't the president's voice (obviously; it was female), but upon a quick glance the country and area code checked out. Success. "You mentioned that Noble Arms Masters were nearby?"
"They're with our delegation, yes," the admiral confirmed, smiling between statements to hide his glee.
"I'm certain you already have escape routes. We can help your security safely escort your delegates outside the city if you link the two parties together.""What do you want in exchange?"
"We're allies. There's no catch."The voice was almost too rapid for his understanding. "Understood. Our intel reports that the RCA has crossed the Norea Bridge. We're advising our own to head west into the city, where apparently we have friendly forces waiting to escort us. Follow close by; we'll inform them of your arrival and send an envoy to link up with Task Force Obsidian."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mister President," Adrián quipped.
"We'll let you reach your next appointment. Stay safe." Click.
"It's a good day after all, Jasmine."Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Diamond Isle Convention CenterThe Philippine diplomats had split off from the rushing river that departed the convention center. The head delegate pointed to a open window in the center. "There they are!" They'd successfully located their protection and now rushed towards it, fractured as it might have been.
They weren't the only ones. Three men jogged up, splotches of green and brown covering their uniforms and helmets. The forerunner pointed to the very same window, and one man behind him threw the grappling hook end of a rope up to the balcony. Within seconds, the men traversed the heights and now stood amidst the Noble Arms Masters. The apparent leader extended a hand for a handshake.
"Major Patrick Thomas, US Air Force Special Operations Command." It was equally clear that he could scale the building effortlessly and that the speed at which he scaled it had taken a slight toll. He breathed heavily through his words.
"Air Commandos," he clarified.
"We're here to assist you as needed, to link up with the United States protection as we get everyone out. What's the situation?"