Apartment 2304, Royal Crown Tower, San Francisco.

1920, 6 Nov 2023

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

While sitting cross-legged on the sofa, Claire was enjoying a pile of waffles. An unusual habit for a girl with a body as perfect as a supermodel.

However, in many ways Claire was indeed not an ordinary girl. For example, in clothes. The only clothes she wore were suits, blouses, and h-line skirts for formal attire. Long-sleeved track-suits when at home, and casual wear in the form of basketball shoes, jeans, t-shirts, and jackets when going out. 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, with a rank of 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 is more than adequate for the initial stage."

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

"We didn'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 concept that my team tried so hard to put together?"

"I told you, TF Victory concept doesn't fit the doctrine I wanted."

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. I guarantee you will understand."

While still pursing her lips, Claire nodded three times.

- - - - -

Mid-Class Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown, San Francisco.

0830, 14 Nov 2023

With light steps Vex followed the guide into a VIP room on the 2nd floor. Inside, a young woman in standard office worker clothes was already waiting for him.

Brownish blonde hair that was left loose, blue eyes with a gentle gaze, ideal posture with a charming face, and a friendly smile on her red lips.

However, once Vex glanced at her, he immediately realized that the young and charming woman in front of 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 haven't heard of it because we are newcomers in the field."

As Vex sat down before her, Claire continued.

"We recently got a contract to provide military assistance to a country in Africa, and we hope that you will be willing to help put together the Task Force we need."

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

"Yes, you can, please."

"The person who picked me up said that my ex-wife's company was in trouble, and if I take your request seriously then you will help my ex-wife's company get out of the crisis."

"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 Squadron B when he led the Army Delta."

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

"I can."

Vex nodded slightly before starting to explain.

General O'Neil was West Point's top graduate. Spending his career up to Lt. Col. in the 82nd Airborne Division, then became commander 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 General O'Neil as a military ascetic, who lived a simple life like a Franciscan but had a sharp way of thinking like a Jesuit. A contradiction that somehow blended well into him.

When Delta personnel 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 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 her next question, "When did you last see him?"

"Seven years ago, when he kicked me out of the 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 assault rifle do you think would be the ideal choice?"

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

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

"Yes, I would."

Vex pondered for a moment before starting to give a description.

The M4/M16 family had undergone various improvements and had been well tested. In the Israeli Defense Forces, there was even resistance from field personnel when the M4/M16 would be 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's 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 the spare parts needed for an operation to arrive when the operation is already finished. Ironically, this also happens in the US Mil which has the most solid logistics line in the world."

Claire nodded for a moment before asking her next question. "What if there is no military near the area of ​​operation, that can be used as the basis for selecting the assault rifle?"

"In this condition, I will choose the M4A3 or AK-100 series that already use polymer to reduce weight. With a purchase amount of one and a half times the personnel involved, for reserves as well as cannibal components."

"Mr. Vex, can I conclude that you think the M4/M16 is a better rifle than the 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 a solid logistics line."

Claire smiled faintly before handing Vex a document.

"This is the doctrine for the Task Force that I want, complete with the conditions of the operating field, the potential to be faced, and various other intel."

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

"Don't worry, I've provided everything you need. You can also access the work of the 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's company."

Vex nodded before saying, "Understood."

*****