The Solider Husband

27 December, City K Military Base

Five minutes after leaving General Man's hospital room, Matthew was back in his office within the special forces command building, and directed to a meeting room, where he was met with twenty five majors, all of who jumped up and saluted him, although one was somewhat reluctant to do this.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please sit." With that the group all sat down.

"I am Colonel Rong, and I have just been appointed as the new head of special forces here on base. As has been explained to me, that position designates me as third-in-command of this base. A series of coincidences have landed us in this meeting."

"Normally in the absence of the base commander and the commanding general, I would be fully in control of this command. However, given my deployment only assigned me here three days ago, and properly commences on Monday I have not been able to settle into my accommodation yet, let alone it being less than twenty-four hours since I arrived here. National Command have made it clear that I need to be settled into my accommodation to be able to commence my work fully on Monday."

"I have spoken to General Man, and while he is in hospital and along with myself and Colonel Yu, who despite her broken arm, can assist us in making some decisions. We all will have limited availability and that will be confirmed to each of you in an email later today, once all arrangements have been confirmed by Colonel Yu. Additionally, as I am the fully deployable senior officer on base, when I am not here, I will also email to you a general idea as to where I will be located. You need to make sure what I am talking to you about is massed on to those not in attendance."

"The intention is that Colonel Yu will be on duty for decisions to be confirmed by her between 6am and 10am; General Man, will ensure hospital staff will allow you access to him between 10am and 2pm, and I will be in my office between 2pm and 6pm. This will continue until Monday, when I formally commence my post. The new availability until the base commander and other colonels return will be updated to you at that time."

"However, and this I will leave up to you to determine the roster, between now and Monday, there must be a minimum of three of you on duty at all times. You know the limits of your decision-making powers, and over and above that either Colonel Yu, General Man or myself will approve or alter the decisions you reach."

"How you deal with this situation will be watched. To be honest with each of you, how you perform given the unique situation here will be put forward for considerations not the next wave of promotions to lieutenant colonel. Outside the times that I have indicated, you know where General Man will be. Colonel Yu will either be in transit or at her home, unless she advises otherwise. My movements will be a little less certain, as I am settling into my accommodation, and organising my affairs generally. My office will have a better idea each day as to my movements, and how you can contact me."

"Just so you all know, I grew up in City K so not only am I attempting to settle into my on base accommodations, I am trying to spend some time with my brother who has been diagnosed with cancer. Consequently, I will also be re-establishing myself at the family home, so when needed I can be near my brother while he faces this cancer battle."

"Outside the confirmed times of Colonel Yu and General Man's availability, your preference should be to contact me rather than them. If you cannot contact me, you will know then how to contact them. More importantly is one of us is NOT available at the set times that you will be informed of, you are to declare an emergency and track based on the information we provide you as to our movements. That emergency declaration is to be made to the national military headquarters. Any questions"

There was deathly silence in the room. "You are dismissed. I will see those directly under my command at my staff meeting in fifteen minutes. I require all officers to be present at that meeting."