Beijing, February 24: 19:00 Project Anvil councils headquarters

Officer Donovan

I flew to China, after receiving an urgent summons to Anvil's Council's HQ in Beijing. The burden I had to carry, I wasn't prepared for the weight of it, I wasn't prepared to report to council members, that our commander-general Nicolas Foster was killed in action.

Blindfolded, sad, and angry, I was escorted to my destination. To my frustration even after they finally took the damn thing off of my eyes, I found myself surrounded by darkness yet again.

Seconds later focused lights illuminated the room, focusing at the table in front of me, it had a bunch of case files laying on there. To my surprise and relief, the dreaded question never came, nor they asked any details of the incident. Did they not care? Or do they knew everything already? No, they couldn't, the ink on my report paper had to dry yet, they could not have been acquainted with details of it. Fuck, this is such a mess, I'm sorry General...

Donovan's foggy mind suddenly sharpened as he received his orders, his task - to study five case files in front of him. He was also noted of the utmost importance of the task, that was delegated to him. As a senior officer who is most familiar with the project and acting commander after the incident, he was warned to take his duties very seriously because now, he is involved in the selection process of a new commander for the Anvil project.

Casefile Nr #1 The Colonel

The colonel Adam Hunt

I was very impressed with what I read about the colonel, to me, he looked like a perfect man for the job. Strong, smart, brave, and loyal, truly a great leader among men, a leader that would give us hope and a chance to fight this back against this menace we are facing.

Casefile NR#2 The Prodigy

Akemi Haku

After opening the second candidate's casefile, I had to reread it multiple times. I remember staring dumbfoundedly at the files as I read them over and over again to make sure that - my eyes do not deceive me. I had a hard time shaking off the shock and confusion, not to mention the stray thoughts that this is a test of some sort, and this candidate is just some fabricated fiction.

Akemi Haku age - 21. A twenty-one-year-old girl is being considered to run an operation with the future of the world at stake?

A child, and nothing more, but despite my personal opinion - she's still a candidate to be taken seriously, especially after the baffling information I found in those files.

Despite her young age, she has 87 successful disclosed operations, and her success rate - 100%. 87 perfectly executed missions with zero friendly or civilian casualties. There are no certainties in life, not to mention - war, one stray bullet can change the fates and destinies of many, one misguided look at the target and you can blow up the whole op. This candidate was - abnormal if not fake altogether.

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Case file Nr#3 Senile General

John Walters

58 years old 3-star general, decorated with many honors and potentially wast connections network. He looked like another perfect candidate to run the Anvil project. My further investigation into general Walters caused me some uneasiness and gave me cause for worry, that if the council would pick him as our new commander - he would nuke everything to oblivion, just for a chance to ensure our mutual destruction.

Casefile Nr#4 The Mercenary

Shawn Reynolds

Private contractor, a mercenary. Despite his competencies and impressive service record, mercenary - is still a mercenary. In my personal experience mercenary follow their own interests first without thinking of consequences. I strongly believe that now of all times, we are no in a position to put our interests above others and need a strong leader who is ready to serve, ready to sacrifice all for the cause, just like he did.

Casefile Nr#5 Womanizing drunk

Drake Allard

When I read that Drake served under general Foster and was considered his protégé I got really excited, but is this a joke?

Half of his files were heavily redacted, and the other half? Insubordination, drinking habits, often absence from the post, striking a superior officer and gambling away a military vehicle for a sack of potatoes. Well, this Drake fellow looked like a true gem and the perfect candidate to cross off the list first.

I didn't know how much time passed in this disorienting room before I was done with my task and finally put the files away. As soon as I was done, a distorted voice from the back of the room ordered me to gather my thoughts and pick 2 candidates, first - the most suitable candidate, that I think should lead this project and the second - the one, who I think is the most unfit for the job.

Adam Hunt was my obvious choice, there was no doubt or second-guessing in my decision, and for the other, a sack of potatoes huh... I don't doubt that with this person's illustrious skills we could exchange our strike craft for a sack of rice and some tomatoes next...

A few minutes passed in silence after I gave my answer, they blindfolded and escorted me out of the building. With such quick reaction time and decisiveness from HQ, I left with some of my worries alleviated... We will be fine, everything will be fine now, I'm sure of it well get back on feet in no time and exterminate those pests.

March 1, 1:40 am

-Commander-

I arrived at my point of destination, which seems to be an empty desolated wasteland in the middle of nowhere, the driver told me to step out and drove off immediately after I complied with his request.

“No greeting party, no drinks, no ladies huh... well that's a lackluster"

I said these words out loud mockingly expecting no answer and yet a seconds later I heard -

"The party will have to wait, sir, we have plenty of beverages but our female staff... Can be a bit touchy at times. " after turning around, I saw a tall, fit dark-haired man in his late thirties with a short, strict military haircut and even more strict, masculine, facial features.

There was one thing that really made me curious when I examined my new companion's face - he looked tired and was it, angry?

Why would he be angry with me? The man introduced himself as Major Donovan and escorted me to an underground facility through a secret entrance leading straight to the commander's quarters.

Before leaving Major Charles Donovan informed me of a staff meeting at 5.30 am in the conference room, but his last remark as he was leaving the room was “Rest now please, and don't be late.” he took a pause and added Sir after a brief moment with a grumpy voice. "Don't be late"? huh...

Now I knew for sure that he's pissed about something, and me? Well, I'm too curious of a person to pass up on an opportunity to have some fun at work at someones else expense, but my plans for Charles will have to wait for now.

Old man's room

-Commander-

You would think this room would feel strange and foreign, but as I was looking around I could not help but feel the surge of memories and emotions. The room was filled with books and photos just like his old one used to be.

Sentimental old fool, he had no children of his own, yet the room was filled with photos of his men's children. He even brought the same old huge punching bag with countless patches on it. He used to say that this bag - is his oldest living comrade and that those patches - are scars of war received by taking away the pain of his and his men.

Bottle of rum on the table, The Old man never drank himself, he loved to keep his mind sharp at all the times, nor he tolerated drunks, but this rum was for us nonetheless.

We were men of war, too tough and proud too to share our burdens, but in reality, the Old Man knew that - we were too embarrassed to talk about our problems. He would invite you to his cabinet, pour you a drink, and say “ Here son, drink this, and tell me what's on your mind, tell me of your problems.” And I, I had so many problems... I still do Old man...

Drake poured himself a glass of rum, and took a seat into the General's chair, the chair of the man that he considered to be his true father. He leaned on one of his hands while holding the glass with the other.

After a few moments, Drake put the glass back on the table without taking a single sip and said with a tired whispering voice before dozing off "I'm sorry for being away for so long, I'm sorry for being so selfish, for being too late... but I'm home now, It's me and you again Old Man, you old fool, what did you got dragged into.

His eyes were closed, the hand that he leaned on, its palm and fingers covered most of Drake's face, but It could not cover tears running down through his cheeks.