TFA1 3.1 - Job Interview

  Apartment 2304, Royal Crown Tower, San Francisco.

  19:20, 6 Nov 2023

  Claire J. Webber, a French-American girl who at the age of 20 had become a Titan in global economy. In her two hands, Claire held 46% of the America economy and 56% of French economy, without many people knowing about it.

  While sitting cross-legged on the sofa, Claire enjoyed a plate of waffles. It was an unusual habit for a girl with a body as perfect as a supermodel.

  However, in many ways Claire was indeed not ordinary girl. For example were her clothes. Other than business suits for formal meeting, she wore only basketball shoes, tracksuits, and jackets. Claire had no dresses or other feminine clothes.

  While chewing one large bite of a waffle, Claire looked at the old man in casual clothes before her. The old man was a US Army veteran. He ended his military career six months ago, as a rank four-star general and the head of an educational institution sponsored by US SOCOM.

  "Uncle O'Neil, are you sure you only need 12,000 combatants?"

  "Yes, 12,000 combatants are enough for the initial stage."

  Claire stared deeply at his adoptive uncle who she considered as a figure of a father before saying, "Just a little reminder, there are more than 250 million people who have the potential to become hostile combatants."

  "We don't come to conquer, so stop assuming we're going to start a war with the entire Amstell Continent."

  "Okay, but I still don't understand why you rejected TF Victory’s concept that my team tried so hard to put together?"

  "As I said before, TF Victory’s concept doesn't fit the doctrine I want."

  General O'Neil's words made Claire pout her lips, but it only made the Old General smile cheerfully.

  "Find Lucan 'Vex' McGuire, have him organize a task force according to my doctrine, and compare the results with TF Victory. You will understand what I mean."

  While still pouting her lips, Claire nodded three times.

  ---

  Mid-Class French restaurant, downtown of San Francisco.

  08:30, 14 Nov 2023

  With light steps Vex followed the guide into a VIP room on the 2nd floor. Inside the room, a young woman in business suit was waiting for him. She let her brownish blonde hair fell freely in her back. Her blue eyes had a gentle gaze. Her posture was ideal and she had a charming face along with friendly smile.

  However, with a single glance Vex immediately realized that the young and charming woman before him was no ordinary woman.

  After the guide left the room, the young woman invited Vex to sit down. "Mr. Vex, my name is Claire, CEO of Amethyst Security Group. Maybe you never heard us because we are newcomers in the field."

  As Vex sat down before her, Claire continued.

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  "We recently got a contract to provide military assistance to a country in Africa. We hope you are willing to help us put together the task force we need."

  Vex nodded before asking, "Can I confirm one thing?"

  "Please," Claire cheerfully said.

  "The person who picked me up said that my ex-wife's company is in trouble, and if I take your offer you will help her to resolve the situation."

  "Yes, and I am willing to make a letter of agreement legalized by your legal advisor."

  Vex shook his head. "No need. I just need to hear your promise in person, so I will have justification to claim it if you break it."

  "I hear you like to claim broken promises by giving a free .338 Lapua Magnum."

  "Not without a warning."

  "Thanks for the warning. Now, we can have a little chat to better understand each other." Claire gave a small smile before continuing, "Do you know General O'Neil?"

  "I was in B Squadron when he led Army Delta."

  "Can you give me a little description of him?"

  Vex nodded slightly before explaining. General O'Neil was West Point's top graduate. Spending his career up to Lt. Colonel in 82nd Airborne Division, and then became CO of Delta, followed by commander of JSOC, US SOCOM, before returning to 82nd Airborne Division. After that, he taught a lot at seminars sponsored by US SOCOM.

  Most people describe him as a military ascetic, who lived a simple life like a Franciscan but had a sharp way of thinking like a Jesuit. It was a contradiction that somehow blended well into him.

  When Delta operators trained at the House of Horror, it was not uncommon for them to find General O'Neil sitting on the sofa with the other team, squinting while the bits of the door that had just been blown up filled his face.

  After that he and the team that just entered the room would act as hostages. While the previous hostage would execute the attack, without being told where the bad-guy position was moved.

  Claire nodded in satisfaction before asking another question, "When did the last time you see him?"

  "Seven years ago, when he kicked me out of Delta. After that we never saw each other again."

  Claire pondered for a moment before continuing, "For a brigade-level unit that will operate in a triple-canopy jungle for 10 months, what is the most ideal assault rifle they can adopt?"

  Vex answered spontaneously, "An assault rifle adopted by closest military."

  "If the assault rifle adopted by the closest military was M4A1, will you still choose it even if you have the budget to buy HK416?"

  "I will."

  “Why?”

  Vex pondered for a moment before explaining his reasoning. The M4/M16 family had undergone various improvements and had been well tested. In Israeli Defense Forces, there was even resistance from field personnel when M4/M16 was being replaced with Tavor. The Israeli Army HQ then decided that some units were allowed to keep using M4/M16.

  In large-scale military operations, tactics, weapons, training, equipment, and various other technical things could win the battle, but in the end of the day logistics won the war.

  And legally it was quite difficult to obtain large numbers of weapons' spare parts. There were complicated procedures to go through, not to mention the delivery process.

  Shopping on black market was also not as simple as most people think. So it would be wise to select standard assault rifles, from the ones that have them in large numbers near the area of operation.

  Vex allowed Claire to take a little note before continuing. "In the military, it is not uncommon for spare parts needed for an operation arrive when the operation is already finished. Ironically, such case also took place in US Mil which has the most solid logistics line in the world."

  "What if there is no military near the area of ??operation?"

  "In this case, I will choose M4A3, or AK-100 series that use polymer to reduce its weight. Buy it one and a half times than the number of personnel, for reserves as well as spare components."

  "Mr. Vex, can I conclude that you think M4/M16 is a better rifle than HK416?"

  "No, HK416 is one of the best assault rifles ever made, and has many advantages over M4/M16. Even so, in long-term operation HK416 still needs spare parts. So, before making your choice, make sure you have solid logistics line."

  Claire smiled faintly before handing over a document to Vex. "This is the doctrine for the task force I want, complete with the conditions in the area of operation, the potential adversaries, and other intels."

  Vex took a deep breath before saying, "I haven't followed developments in arms industry for a while. I doubt I can give you a result accordingly to the latest developments."

  "No worry. I've provided everything you need. You can also access the work of previous team. And even if your work is not selected, you will still get proper compensation, apart from my promise to help your ex-wife."

  Vex nodded and said, "Understood."

  *****