Hero of Humanity

[MORRIS MASON. Fort Las Vegas, Mojave Wilderness, United States of America. Tuesday 15th of June, 1880 Gregorian Calendar].

Morris Mason finished giving his report, which consisted of Lu Cian's eyewitness account, alongside Mason's own speculations. He then surveyed the faces of the other three people in the room.

Major William Carney, war hero and the commander of Fort Las Vegas stroked his thick, well kept beard. An indication that he was deep in thought.

Special Agent Martha Canary, better known as Calamity Jane for her unerring ability to always be where trouble was brewing, merely took another sip from the gin bottle in her hand.

Special Agent Catherine Douglas, the most junior member present, was the first to respond.

"We need to take the fight to these demons!" she declared. "Send an army out and exterminate them."

"So, you have an army on you?" said Morris in a sarcastic tone.

"Last I looked, there was an army in this fort," retorted Catherine.

"This fort is the main US military outpost in this area," explained Major Carney. "It's also the railway hub connecting southern California and southern Arizona to Utah and then Colorado. Regulations state that Fort Las Vegas always needs a full Brigade, that's three thousand men, stationed within at all times."

"So your going sit on your arse and do nothing but wait for reinforcements!" protested Catherine.

"I don't know how they do things from where you're from, but here in the United States, we don't speak like that to our superior officers!" declared Morris.

"Lucky I work for the Coalition of Humanity," smirked Catherine. "So my only superior officer present is Calamity Jane."

"Be that as it may," Major Carney continued in a calm tone. "I don't have the power to send enough troops for a suppression. Instead I'll have to follow protocol and set up a quarantine. Warning all nearby towns of the danger and then waiting for reinforcements."

"How long will that take?" asked Catherine.

"Two weeks by rail," calculated Major Carney. "They'll need to prepare first. Then, the distance between here and Los Angeles, where we'll be getting our reinforcements from, is almost two hundred miles."

"Two weeks doing nothing is a bit long," stated Catherine.

"We'll be setting up quarantines," Major Carney reminded her. "Those have proven fairly effective in containing and monitoring demons in the past."

"Major Carney," Morris felt like biting his tongue. "As much as it pains me to admit… I think Special Agent Douglas has a point. Though she's been rather ineffective at making it."

"What's that Corporal Mason?" questioned Major Carney.

"That Lu Cain struck me as brave and reasonable young man," stated Morris. "He said that he saw and was told of the fact that these demons had some level of intelligence. Now I'm not saying they can think strategically or even tactically for that matter. However, we can't rule out that as potentially intelligent adversaries, our usual containment protocols won't be as effective on these new demons as they are on the animalistic ones.

We need to send a military team to directly investigate the matter as soon as possible. Making sure that we have the firepower to supress the enemy should conflict occur. I request command of one of the battle wagons and a squad of three fireteams necessary as a minimum to operate the battle wagon."

"You don't have the rank to command a squad," Major Carney pointed out.

"I know, which is why I invited a guest," explained Morris. "Please allow me to bring him in to the meeting."

"Any objections to this?" Major Carney asked the two Special Agents.

They both shook their heads.

"Alright," agreed Major Carney. "Bring in your guest. Though we will limit discussion to your plan and not include any other issues."

"Of course," agreed Morris. "This is why I waited until this moment to bring up the matter of our guest."

Morris left the Major's office and hurriedly rushed to one of the headquarters' waiting room. The room's only occupant was a black haired, black eyed man, who although only a hundred and sixty-five centimetres in height, gave off an aura of authority.

"Sergeant Jin Jie-Rong," Morris bowed his head. "Thank you for your patience. As we discussed, it is time for us to help each other."

"Lead the way," said Jie-Rong.

Morris gathered his thoughts as the duo headed back towards Major Carney's office.

Jin Jei-Rong was a member of the Chinese Imperial Army whose equivalent American rank was sergeant. He was actually in the United States on personal matters, to visit a relative; Lu Feng. After Morris had informed him of Lu Cain's account, Jei-Rong had asked Morris for a way to travel to the where his relative was last seen. At which point, Morris had come up with a plan which benefited both of them.

"Major William Carney, Special Agent Martha Canary and Special Agent Catherine Douglas," Morris made introductions on entering the meeting room. "Please let me introduce Sergeant Jin Jei-Rong of the Great Qing Imperial Army."

"Please take a seat Sergeant Jin," offered Major Carney. "Can I offer you a drink?"

"I'm fine thank you Major Carney," Jei-Rong declined. "Though I would be in your debt if you were able to accept Corporal Mason's proposal, which we worked on together."

"Continue then," Major Carney instructed Morris.

"Back to my plan," said Morris. "As a Corporal, I cannot be placed in charge of a Squad. However, Sergeant Jin Jei-Rong has the necessary rank."

"May I ask Sargeant Jin, what your interest is regarding this business?" queried Major Carney.

"I am here in the United States to visit a relative; Lu Feng," clarified Jei-Rong. "Corporal Mason knew of this and gave his condolences to me, but also informed me that I would not be allowed to travel to where Lu Feng was last seen. However, he also informed me that you, Major Carney could assist me with this request."

"The settlement where Lu Feng resided, was attacked by demons!" Catherine blurted out. "But Major Carney is unwilling to send troops down to investigate."

"Special Agent Douglas," sighed Major Carney. "That is what we in the military call confidential national intelligence. Even if we are all united in our efforts against the demons. I would ask that you please refrain from providing such information in the future to foreign military officials."

"If I may be blunt Major Carney," said Morris deciding to capitalise on Catherine's outburst. "We have two Special Agents from the Coalition of Humanity. We could turn this investigation of the Lake Mohave settlement over to the Coalition. They could then request for us to provide a squad to assist them. Since it'd be a Coalition venture, then Sergeant Jin's rank would allow him to take command of the squad and I could act as his second in command."

Major Carney rubbed his thick beard and sighed. "So, you want the Coalition to take over a sensitive American investigation. Then ask us for access to military assets including a battle wagon and a squadron. American military assets which we would in turn, then give control of to a Chinese military official?"

"I know it sounds… strange," admitted Morris. "But we're fighting to save human lives from demons. You were there at the Demon Siege of New Orleans. You were a hero for humanity. So, you must accept that humanity's conflict against the demons, should be given priority over the smaller schemes of independent nations."

"I know you lost almost your whole family to demons Corporal Mason," sighed Major Carney. "But you're being overly idealistic. Even as we speak, there are voices in Congress pushing for reforms to disentangle us from the Coalition. The Demon Siege of New Orleans happened fifteen years ago. It's been fifteen years since a major demonic incursion on American soil. A lot of people have started to fear other nations more than they do demons. This world peace between all nations won't exist for ever."

"I know," replied Morris. "The unity won't be with us forever. But it's with us now. I ask you Major William Carney, will you be a hero for humanity today, as you were on that day, fifteen years ago."

"I…." Major Carney hesitated. "I Major William Carney, hereby request for Special Agent Martha Canary, to take over the investigation of the Lake Mohave settlement attack. Do you accept?"

"No," said Martha, putting down her bottle of gin. "I ain't no hero of humanity."