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As Blackwood had predicted, the U.S. Navy was not present and their approach to the eastern coast of Florida was not met with any resistance. What they did not expect was the level of prosperity they encountered. The navy base was there, but it was not abandoned.

Storyline Check: the status of Southern USA

Check: Super Brawl winner

Result:

Pro-separatist Fighting Falcons victory

Region stays outside of government control

The Free City of Jacksonville, how its residents called it, was formally still a part of the state of Florida and the United States of America, but the federal hold on the entire area was tentative at best. An uneasy peace – or, more accurately, a ceasefire – between the separatists controlling much of the American southwest and the legitimate government of the United States of America was a result of a failed attempt of Washington to bring the south back into the fold earlier in 2039 using private military companies.

Jacksonville was lucky to have escaped the worst fighting, but the signs were still there – as the Seahawk ship approached the pier in the early morning mist, many of them gathered on Altalena’s deck, they could see a number of rusty, broken down vehicles littering the port area. The port was bustling with activity with fishermen and dockhands both raising their head in confusion, surprised by the arrival of the massive transport ship. As the Altalena docked, the Seahawks could see increased activity with several workers running towards what looked like an office building. Before the first of docking cables were attached to the pier’s moorings by the now-disembarking Seahawks, the workers returned with a tired-looking middle-aged bald man in a cheap suit – the overseer. He nodded at them curtly, completely undisturbed by the sudden appearance of the transport in his port.

“Gentlemen. Welcome to Jacksonville.”

He looked around, appraising the ship, its cargo and its crew with a single glance of a seasoned professional.

“You need help unloading.”

A statement, not a question.

“I’ll send over some of my boys. Drop by my office,” he pointed to the building behind him, “to sort out the fees.”

He nodded to himself as if he was going through a list in his mind.

“But first, please follow the fine gentlemen of port security, there’s the matter of your...”

He paused again, looking at the weapons the Seahawk guards gathered behind Blackwood carried.

“...equipment.”

An apologetic smile.

“We don’t want any incidents, right?”

Blackwood quickly nodded, noticing the port guards approaching the pier. They looked agitated and were carrying military-grade firearms, including one or two anti-tank launchers. He turned back towards the men gathered behind him.

“Seagrove, you’re with me. Kate, Fyodor, keep an eye on the ship and the unloading. We can stash our stuff...,” he looked back to the overseer, “where exactly?”

The overseer just pointed to what looked like a warehouse at the end of the pier.

“Right, there. Let’s get going, those gentlemen with guns look quite nervous to me.”

Two hours later

Storyline check: Episode 2 and Episode 3 methods used

It wasn’t going well.

“Absolutely not! We should send them packing – do you know what these assholes did? Of course you do, we watched the news feed together!”

The giant Native American in an old U.S. Army uniform was furious. Muscles bulging, he looked like he’d leap on Seagrove and Blackwood, standing in the local PMC office in front of its commander’s table, and snap their necks within a single motion of his enormous, muscled arms. He only calmed down after the reproachful glance of his commanding officer.

The commander, a professional through and through in his fifties, looked as tired as Blackwood felt. His clean-shaven face, military-style haircut and calm, measured movements told Blackwood that he was dealing here with a respected veteran.

The commander shook his head and rubbed his eyes before finally answering.

Storyline check: Episode 3 – Active Defense selected

“You’ve got balls, Blackwood, I’ll give you that. But the shit you did in Africa was broadcasted over corporate feeds all over the world. Hell, it even got here, to this shithole on pirate feed. Congratulations, commander, you’re now a poster child for the ‘all mercs are all homicidal assholes’ drivel,” he smiled ironically at frowning Blackwood.

Storyline check: Episode 3 – Hostages not taken

“But,” he continued, “luckily for you, us fine folks here don’t believe everything that’s on television. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if the corporates did half of that shit themselves. And we’re no friends of corporations and their federal allies here.”

Storyline check: Episode 4 – Recruitment selected

“You’re saying you want to recruit. Fine. Don’t expect much though,” the commander shook his head, “we weren’t the only ones watching the feed. Look...”

He sighed, rubbing his eyes again.

“We won’t give you trouble if you don’t give us any, but we won’t lend you a hand you either, that would be our ass – we can’t afford to lose the support of this fine city. You can trade whatever you want with whomever you want, as long as it’s voluntary on both sides. Do I make myself clear?”

Blackwood and Seagrove both nodded, satisfied by the answer, unlike the local Lieutenant.

“But General, we can’t just... ” “That’s enough. And don’t address me that way, Wolf. We’re not in the army anymore. As for you,” he turned back towards Blackwood and Seagrove, “you have one week. Then we want you gone. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Blackwood nodded.

“The south is swarming with feds. Spend your time here wisely – and good luck with fighting through them.”

“The feds?”

“Federales, pendejo,” responded the fifth man in the room, standing silently behind the commander until that point.

“Government troops. They’re well-armed and they don’t like mercs. There’s a fragile cease-fire in place, but that’s us – no such luck for you, cabron.”

“Understood,” said Blackwood flatly, realizing that things had gotten a lot more complicated.