Free Monthly #24 The European OCO

A selection from 21st Century Short Stories

Introduction

Emergence: Fall of the West has been released! (UBL for those who haven’t bought it yet)
However, there are still stories that need to be told but came too late to be included in the series properly. This is one of those stories.

21st Century Short Stories | The European OCO

I waited for my guests to sit. Both men helped get me involved with the Council after my son’s death. They were good people and I trusted them. Today, however, I needed them to trust me. I was especially worried I would not convince Julien to work with me. “Vasil! I appreciate the invite.”

“It is always my pleasure to host you, Julien. You’re one of the good ones, my boy.”

Marek rolled his eyes. “Of course he is. He’s working with us.”

“That means little, my boy, when we’re all of the same mind ideologically. He understands the intricacies of alcohol. You do not. I am afraid that matters.” Neither man acknowledged the attempt to disarm their concerns for my health. My suffering was the least of my concerns, and I needed to joke about my alcoholism to keep it that way. Nothing productive ever came when we bantered about my drinking. I sighed. “I assume you’re both up to date on what’s been happening in South America?”

“There is talk about a formalized SAR.”

“Precisely. The resistance is working with the Council and receiving supplies, particularly from Vasilevsky Industries. As you know, this requires a bit of sleight of hand to smuggle things through Europe. So far, we have done well enough, but I’m afraid I have some favors to ask the both of you.”

“What kind of favors might those be?” Marek asked cautiously. His involvement with my Obscured Clouds Organization and help with the European Council of Regions came with a price. He had grown apprehensive whenever I had a request for him. I saw it as a battle I needed to win.

His task of maintaining close ties with the Upper Council made it difficult to use him in any other manner. He was an insurance policy with the Upper Council keeping tabs on them, but that meant he, too, was under similar scrutiny by those we could not trust. If I asked him to help me, it would draw both attention and ire from our foes. A steady stream of information had to flow for OCO to continue our mission, and Marek was dead set on carrying his mission to completion.

“I fear my direct and indirect participation in the Upper Council is ending. That means my access to their plans will be more limited than ever. I’m already working on turning some of their security to our side. Unfortunately, this necessitates more reliance on the European Council of Regions.”

“I’m not sure I like where you’re headed here.” Marek sat back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“I need help. OCO operatives are working angles in the Americas, and I’m still getting the military contracts, but the Council wants to shift their focus away from South America. With the ECR on our side, the flow of supplies will go where they are needed. I need your help to ensure that.”

“I’m still not following.” Julien scratched his chin and glanced between me and Marek. “Why shift resources away from the SAR?”

“Internal politics and foolish beliefs.” I answered, downing what vodka remained in my glass. I watched as they made eye contact. Marek nodded to reassure Julien I was telling the truth. I continued as if I saw nothing. “We’re outnumbered in the upper echelons. Anyone with an ounce of strategic wisdom would see that shifting focus to Africa and even Asia Minor will lead to losses in South America. The Upper Council simply refuses to listen to reason. So, I need your help to keep the fools from going too far in the wrong direction.”

“That’s a dangerous game.”

“Of course it is, my boy. We live in dangerous times.”

“Julien.” Marek turned his head, keeping his arms crossed. “As much as I hate to admit it, Vasil is right on this one. Dangerous, treacherous, however you want to think of it, it’s something we committed to when we joined the Council and the OCO. If we can help keep the Council from self-destruction, I say we do it.”

“I guess I’m not understanding why it’s so important.” Julien’s elevated tenor tone reverberated throughout the room.

I answered as empathically as I could. “The SAR can barely sustain themselves. If we divert too many supplies, they will crumble. That’s my primary concern. However, there is the matter of keeping our secret arms trade from the All-Seeing Eyes attention. We have kept the AI Governors from suspecting so far, but when their supplies stop making it out of Europe they will investigate. The gravy train will end, my boy. That is what I wish to prevent. You two have more ears in the ECR than I, especially where the trade routes are concerned in the Mediterranean.”

“Are they really in dire need of our support? Don’t you have industry in South America that can suffice?”

“Nothing at scale for military production, save ammunition.”

Julien looked down at his lap for a moment. Marek and I understood Julien’s need to understand before committing. Even when time was of the essence, Julien took his time. I found it an endearing but annoying trait.

Finally, he raised his head and nodded. “If you believe this is for the best, then so be it. I will ensure supplies reach the SAR in whatever way I can. It is unwise to mistrust you after all you have done for us.”

“Thank you, Julien, my boy. I know your efforts in France will be most welcome.” I let a broad smile break out as I flicked the details to his wristphone.

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