[Military Airbase]

[Venezuela]

[March 1, 2022]

—

The distant sounds of the engine announced their approach. The large bay windows showed their plane as it made its descent onto the tarmac. 

Luis Gonzalez frowned as he stared at the approaching plane. The modern matte black paint belied its age. 

A old style C-133 styled cargomaster.

Luis’s frown turned to a smirk as his secretary told him a joke. The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster had a great nickname. The Widowmaker.

It seemed that the C-133s were not as reliable as the manufacturers had claimed. There was a literal document on all their tragic failures.

Unfortunately the three planes landed without issue. 

Luis watched them with a cold calculation. The Val Verde soldiers were quick to disembark and began to unload their cargo.

To some it was as interesting as watching paint dry. To himself, there was much a person could learn from simple observation.

The soldiers were not lazy. They worked with cheer. They were alert as kept eyes on their surroundings.

Luis grunted as he pulled at his tight collar. Val Verde did not break from their last loss at the hands of the US forces, and the Avengers.

The warm weather was annoying as he was currently wearing his full, formal suit. The stiff design incorporated the best in modern textiles.

Bullet proof from small ordinances, and could even resist knife strikes. Knife strikes from a human that was.

Nice and safe, but terrible at allowing his body to breathe.

Dirty mutant scum aside, this Supreme Leader was the newest scum to wash ashore. One in a long line of upstarts since he took power.

“It seems that our VIP are disembarking now.” Andrea said as she tapped at her tablet.

Luis grinned as he took a moment to leer at his wonderful secretary.

The woman wore her professional best today. A form fitting best.

“We can meet them whenever you like, Luis.” Andrea smirked as she caught his eye.

“Of course. We cannot keep our dear leader waiting,” Luis blinked, and gave a wry smile. 

They would greet this interloper, and then send him packing after a few weeks of ‘negotiations’.

After all, there was no way that this Supreme Leader could create any foothold in his country.

Not on his watch.

—

Candice was the first commander to touch the tarmac. The land was different, but the world was familiar to her.

A old military airbase.

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A few concrete buildings that served as the command post for them. Soon armed soldiers would be driving over to greet them.

She would also bet that they would be subtle with their threats. Well, as subtle as their mechanical upkeep on their jeeps. 

Which she could hear as they approached.

The Jade Falcons, were moving their essentials off the cargomaster. Reorganized in forest green colors, they rolled the vehicles onto the tarmac. 

Her eyes roved over the worn aluminum design. She recalled the day they had bought them. Cheap to buy, and then pricey for the needed retrofittings. 

It made her brain hurt. Not to mention the paperwork for everything.

The Widowmaker was a well deserved name.

Their first test flight was so shaky that she refused a second flight. She then volunteered her own bank account to ensure that the retrofits could proceed.

The work was good. She would give them that. The C-266 was a wolf in sheep's clothing. It looked old, but had modern features.

The M2 FAV Warthogs rolled out.

Redesigned and upgraded, they sported the new ‘mini’ arc reactors. Enough power for the engine, and the optional energy weapon mounted on back.

Though half of their fleet still had the traditional payloads. Bullets for miniguns. Rockets for the launchers. Etc.

Sue had promised that she was working on making them new, modern air transport… but she would wait to see them first.

Candice’s smile widened as she saw the escort walk out. The finest elites in her legion. The emerald colored left shoulder plate told some of their story.

They had survived the most hellish situations and were still alive. Now with nifty, matte emerald colors!

Behind them walked out her boss. Which was funny since he was the one ranked below her.

Candice’s smile softened.

Johnny was many things to her. A reliable friend. A confidant. A pillar of her world. 

A brother with benefits sounded horrible… but not inaccurate.

They had survived everything they encountered. Not even the rise of meta-humans would change that. 

Not that she was willing to take chances. The new age suit he was wearing was something she had request from Sue. The fact that it also made him look refined was a bonus.

Sue, with the air of a magician, had dug it out of storage.

Storage the Jade Falcons had been busy procuring under her directions.

Any good AIM administrator hid things. In case things got rough. In case there was ‘lay offs’. In case you needed a fall back plan.

Doctor Sue Akagi was a woman who liked back up plans.

So the suit was one of them.

It used a odd, titanium cotton blend. The science was beyond her, but she had seen the suit withstand a full auto from 5.56 Nato rounds without issues.

The mannequin was fine. Though Sue warned that impervious did not mean no broken bones. 

Candice smiled at the test. Protection was important as discomfort was preferable to death.

The suit was incredible, but had weaknesses in the hands, and the head. 

Something she would have to keep in mind should a firefight occur.

Candice’s smile changed as she saw the dozen jeeps heading her way.

Unlike Val Verde’s reliance on WW2 equipment, Venezuela had a modern military.

Humvees were in two lines.

Their greeting was head in, and it was time for her to earn her paycheck.

“Form up! We have company!” Candice ordered into her throat mic hidden by the high collar of her uniform.

The troops immediately perked up and formed ranks.

—

The humvees were nice. Not as nice as the warthogs. The redesigns were coming in from the troops, and as a result, the vehicle was getting better and better.

Sue’s tech was also helping. Say anything you want about Tony Stark, but his arc reactor was amazing. The unit wasn’t as efficient as his repulsor generator, but it was something.

The lines of humvees slowed to a stop, I stood beside my armored soldiers.

Soldiers were the first to disembark from the humvees.

Their plainclothes soldiers were sharp looking. Yet before the mark 42 armor they seemed so vulnerable.

A beautiful woman stepped out. She caught my eye and she winked at me before she held the door open.

A face I recognized stepped out. It was prominent in the papers, and on any articles relating to the country.

Luis Gonzalez, the president of Venezuela.

He was a older man. A little on the chubby side, and had short graying hair. He held the air of a power as he knew he could handle any issues 

His nice suit was immaculate and he strode over to greet me.

A mob of photographers formed up behind him.

He held out his hand as the mob formed up two lines and were ready to record this eventful day.

In my travels I had seen many things. Snakes. Cockroaches. Snakes eating cockroaches. Cockroaches eating a dead snake.

This was my first time to see a cockroach who smiled like a snake.

Luis shook my hand, and I smiled as I gave a firm handshake.

The flashes of the photographers filled my sight.

“Welcome to Venezuela! My friend, we have prepared a great welcome for you!” Luis smile was smarmy.

Beside me was Candice, and across from her was Andrea.

Together, we all smiled for the cameras.

————

Chapter 26: President Luis Gonzalez