TF Amethyst

Last night, Andrew Fox received a message from Vex. It said Vex was on international flight to Mississippi and would arrive at noon. The problem was, Mississippi had three international airports but Vex didn’t mention it in which airport he would land. 

Moreover, when Andrew checked the arrival schedule for the past week, both private and commercial flight to Mississippi, he didn’t found Vex’s name. However, because he had pressing matter to talk with Vex, he immediately flew from his office in Edward AFB to Mississippi. 

Of the three international airports in Mississippi, Andrew chose Stennis International Airport where he had an office and a small team of staff. As soon as his chopper landed, Andrew immediately got off. Then, he could only sigh as he saw Vex was casually leaning his back on the wall next to hangar’s door. 

 

Vex’s appearance and manner didn’t change much. He wore a T-shirt with picture of an adorable puppy on the chest, along with tactical pant, and a baseball cap. However, Andrew knew for sure Vex always carried a concealed hand gun somewhere in his waist.

‘I hope he don’t shot my leg like his last broker,’ Andrew muttered as he nervously came over to Vex. “Did you really just arrive?”

“Yes.”

Andrew didn’t believe Vex’s words at all. He was sure Vex had arrived a few days ago and sent his men to monitor him before making a contact. However, Andrew decided to play along.

“I’m sure you had heard about what happened to General Randy.”

“Yeah.” Vex nodded and then asked, “Do you still remember the item you owe me?”

“I do.”

Actually, Andrew couldn’t remember the details. But at least, he recalled he still had to send 8 units Super Hornet, 12 batteries Tamir ADS, 144 units M113, 160 units LAV, 1340 units Humvee, along with a long list of ammunitions and spare parts.

“Good. I thought you had bailed out on our deal.”

“Vex, my part is to upgrade and refit those equipment. General Randy is the one who had to take it out of US Mil’s storage facility. When he lost his position, we also lost access to acquire your items and nothing I can do to fix it.”

“I know.” Vex handed over a memory card as he continued, “That’s why I want to put additional order. Including the one that you have sent, make the total number up to this new list.”

“Have you secured the access to storage facility?”

“I’m working on it.”

“Vex, whoever kicked General Randy out of his office, must be insanely strong figure. Are you sure you have solution for this?”

“I hope money can solve it. That’s my first option,” Vex firmly replied.

“Well, as long as you have the access to storage facility, I can do my part.” 

Andrew immediately put the memory card into a tablet without connection. After checking the new list with great seriousness, he frowned and fell into a deep contemplation.

In the last purchase, Vex ordered 56 Hercules and a lot of people asked why his customer needed such a huge number of airlifter. They thought Vex’s customer want to invade some country. However, because Vex ordered only 32 units Super Hornet, Andrew managed to assure them that the purchase was not to start a war. 

But now, less than two years later, Vex made second purchase and increase the number of Super Hornet up to 144 units, along with 96 units Harrier and 24 units Growler. Not to mention he also significantly increase the number of other aerial assets and even added new type on the list. As for ground assets, the total number was 29.430 of various vehicles and 730 pieces of various artillery systems.

Andrew immediately turned his gaze towards Vex and in a serious tone he asked, “Is your customer in an attempt to start a war?”

“No.” Vex then calmly asked, “Can you complete the deal or I have to find other broker?”

After heaving a deep sigh Andrew replied, “I can, but I need a few hours to check some details first.”

“Good. We will continue this talk tomorrow at noon.”

“Where?”

“Go to your closest favorite restaurant. I will right behind you.”

“Okay.”

As soon as Vex entered his Lancer Evo III, Andrew immediately entered the hangar, went straight to the meeting room, and called his staffs.

---   

After 14 hours of hard working with his staffs, Andrew managed to confirm the availability of each items on Vex’s list. As sun rose on the eastern sky, Andrew went to a nearby family restaurant. 

He still had a few hours before the meeting, so Andrew decided to enjoy a good breakfast before having some sleeps. However, as soon as he entered the restaurant, Andrew saw Vex had waiting for him in one corner.

Andrew immediately came over to Vex’s table and sat before him. “Our meeting is at afternoon, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Vex put a piece of bacon into his mouth before continuing, “However, if you already had some updates, you can tell me now.”

“Only some rough outlines.” Andrew wrote some orders and gave it to the waitress before continued, “But I need your agreement before going further.”

“Good.” Vex nodded and continued, “I had a tight schedule. Let’s make sure you can process some of my orders. As for the rest, we will talk about it later.”

Wasting no time Andrew explained, “Mostly, we don’t have problem, except for Harrier, LAV, and M113.”

“Let’s start with Harrier.”

“USMC finally put Harrier on retirement. You can’t lease it like how you lease Super Hornet from Navy, but you can purchase it.”

“I will purchase it.”

“Problem solved then.”

“How about the upgrade I asked for?”

“We can do it.” After a pause, Andrew explained.

Replacing the original display into multipurpose touchscreen LCD, replacing APG-73 to APG-79 AESA radar, and planted other instrument from Super Hornet into Harrier’s cockpit while maintaining direct link capability to ground force both via Link-16’s connectivity and SATCOM, would require a major retrofit on the cockpit.

But it would also give the Harrier other capability such as latest radar warning system and information processing, latest data-link and targeting capability, latest infrared countermeasure, new mission computer with computing power ten times bigger, and the same joint helmet mounted sight for Super Hornet. 

Meanwhile, Rolls Royce can carry enhance engine performance to increase its output, while Boeing would produce a slightly bigger but lighter wing to increase its internal fuel capacity.

“The problem is, it will burn a lot of money.”

“Do it. Money is not a problem.”

“As you wish.” Andrew grinned before continuing, “As for LAV, do you really need 1200 units in operational and 300 units in storage?”

“Yes, my customer need that many.”

So far, TF Amethyst had received 680 units M1152 Ripper. GCG was pairing it with LAV Shorad or Tamir Launcher Vehicle. However, it was not too effective because Humvee’s combat radius was only 200 km while LAV Shorad and Tamir Launcher Vehicle had combat radius up to 400 km. 

Therefore, GCG wanted to replace all M1152 Ripper with 320 units LAV Ripper. Meanwhile, Amphibious Strike Group would need 450 LAV all variant.

Vex then firmly added, “Ask General Dynamic Land System in Ontario to build new unit, if you have to.”

“Why don’t you replace it with Stryker? It had bigger combat load and better protection. US Army also had many spare units along with abundant spare parts.”

“My customer put armored air drop as core element on their doctrine. They only can employ it with a small and light vehicle like LAV.”

Andrew nodded a few times and then said, “To meet the quota, I also have to buy second-hand LAV from other countries.”

 

“Do as you see fit.”

“Okay.” Andrew waited until the waitress who brought his order left before continued, “Now, about M113. We can’t acquire it.”

In an instant, a big question mark appeared on Vex’s forehead. He even stopped chewing his bacon. “Why?”

“Last year, the administration put every M113 in the inventory to aid program for allies who need it as spare part. Right now, it’s impossible to take M113 out of storage facility unless you have a formal request from allied country.”

After gulping down a mouthful of orange juice Vex asked, “What is the fastest alternative I can get?”

“Bradley.” Andrew calmly explained, “As its replacement start to enter into service, DoD turn every Bradley in good condition into high-roof model, and install kit for medevac, mortar, logistic, or other variant of support role.

Currently, it’s pretty easy to covertly take a few hundreds Bradley, and then retrofit it to your specification.”

After pondering for a while Vex decided, “Make it 280 units in operational and 70 units in storage. I will send you the type and specification later. Also, add 42 units M1A3 Abrams into the list.”

“Are you sure about Abrams? I thought your customer has no interest for heavy hitter unit.”

“If they can’t get M113 with 105 mm gun, they will need Abrams even though only one battalion.”

“Okay.”

“I will send the down payment at noon. The rest will enter your account after I secure the clearance.” In a serious tone Vex continued, “This time, take every single item in my list out of storage facility before starting your part. I will pay the rent for the place.

And if after that, I have another delay, I will make sure you spent the rest of your life on wheelchair.” 

After gulping hard Andrew nervously replied, “O-okay.”

“Good.”

Vex then happily continued his breakfast. After that, he drove to north through highway along the east coast. It was a long drive straight to the nation’s largest port facilities for specialized cargo in US of A.

*****