Winds of Fire

-If I heard it right, World Beyond Labs is going to expand further the mining operations in Ursus. Is that so?

-It is indeed, Coronel Orlov. – Highstew calmly responded.

Right now, the two men were comfortably sitting in a pair of couches inside Orlov's office, one facing the other. The table in between them was littered with copious amounts documents from various origins, and besides those same reports were a pair of hot coffee cups and a small kettle. Both felt the cold winter breeze blowing from the outside.

Taking a tiny sip of his drink, Michael leaned in to grab one of the documents and passed it over to the Coronel General.

-As you can read here, for this expansion we're decided to allocate more than 1131312000 ₽ in the opening of twelve new mines, concretely in the north-western tundra area. With this investment we expect to improve our Originium extraction capabilities.

-Damn, finally. – Said Orlov visibly satisfied. – It was already time that someone started to exploit those deposits. I'm glad Gergeiev chose you and your company for this, the guys at Gazprom and Nornickel would have taken twice as long to build the mines.

-Yeah, about that... we've stumbled with a little problem. Last weeks have seen a staggering rise of Reunion raids against our production facilities. Apart from damaging equipment, they also take advantage to release the workers... and to be frank, that's causing us quite significant losses. I would appreciate if you lent us more men, mainly to boost up the security.

After hearing this, Orlov let out a sigh, and leaning on the sofa he answered.

-I'm sorry to tell you this, Mr. Highstew, but I'm afraid that won't be possible.

-Are you kidding me? – He seemed very annoyed. – We need those men, Coronel. I don't know if you got a full grasp on the situation, but for your information these attacks are causing significant delays in our shipments to Russia, and they only worsen by the day...!

-Mr. Highstew. – He silenced him. – I ask you to understand that, right now, we're a bit short on manpower. Even if I wanted, I can't afford to send a few hundred soldiers to guard your factories, especially when we're just a few days away from launching the final offensive on Deity Gypherburg.

-Shit... - In a fit of rage, Michael violently stood from his seat and went away. Orlov rolled his head to the side and looked over the sofa's back.

-Don't get me wrong, Highstew. We're facing the same problems here. They constantly attack our logistics convoys and raid ammo depos. With our forces still tied up with the Ursus, we pretty much can do nothing about it, but believe me that, if it had been for me, the Russian Army would have eradicated them off the map long ago.

-I understand.... Fuck their leader. I should have eliminated her when I still had the opportunity... - Cursing under his breath, he shifted closer towards the window and looked outside.

The office's window overlooked a small courtyard surrounded by a tall wall and barbed wire. From his position, Highstew spotted a group of Russian soldiers doing some kind of shooting practice. They were somewhat far away, but despite the distance he could make out parts of what they were saying.

- Давай, Иван, стреляй уже! (C'mon Ivan, shoot already!)

The guy carefully aimed at the practice dummy with the Ak-47, and then pulled the trigger. All of his shots landed on the target, the force of the impacts shook it violently.

- Хороший выстрел!! Теперь моя очередь! (Good shot!! Now's my turn.)

That said the rest began taking turns to fire. Highstew soon lost interest in it, it was just a mere shooting practice... but just as he was drifting his gaze away from the window, something caught his eye. It was the turn of the last one in the line, but strangely enough, he wasn't carrying any weapon whatsoever. "What's he going to do? He's got no weapon." He wondered.