Abner and Ken read their daily intelligence report, as they reached an interesting report, both men looked at each other with concern noted within their face.
"You know what this mean right Abner?"
"Yea, our job just got a bit more difficult."
Both Rim-Cat officers read the paper again a second time.
There are new developments that have come upon the government of Parthia. To support the insurgency within Ar'Raq, three (3) mercenary regiments have been hired secretly to deal with the Rim-Cat dillema. The Mercenary Forces is as noted along with their commanders and their Main Battle Tanks in use:
•Ahmed Abu-Bakar of the Dune Warriors (T-90/S Main Battle Tanks), an Arab Mercenary Regiment financed by sympathetic rich Arab families.
•Ishmael Ammeni of the Immortals (Zulfigar Main Battle Tanks), Parthian Mercenary Regiment financed by Parthia to fight in support of their cause all over the world.
•Abdullah Sekhmet of the Scimitars (Ramses II Main Battle Tanks), Egyptian Mercenary Regiment financed by other Arab nations in secret to assist the insurgency in Ar'Raq against the Rim-Cat Mobile Combat Regiment which is hired by the government of Ar'Raq.
Each Regiment is also supplemented by the following cavalry fighting armored vehicles:
•BTR-3
•BMD-3
•BMP-3
Also take note that each regiment also posessed self-propelled howitzers and rocket launcher systems. Their air support is provided the Parthian Airforce. It is wise to prepare the Rim-Cat Regiment for this challenges since each of the above mentioned mercenary regiments possessed highly trained and experienced Arab and Parthians who have substantial experience in their respective military and in war. Further note, the peace talk is a sham and the Parthian Government is placing their mercenary regiments in place, buying time to unload their equipment, vehicles, and personnel. If these regiments are to be defeated, it will be a devastating financial blow for the government of Parthia and only then will they take such a peace talk seriously. Until such time, it is necessary to devise a strategy of defeating such respected mercenary regiments in the field of battle.
"I think the Colonel needs to know this Ken."
"He already knows about this and is planning how to meet this new threat," replied the H.Q. Battalion Commander.
"I just hate it when he is not here and chose to have a two weeks' vacation when shit like this happens."
"Things like this cannot be help Abner," replied Ken.
Abner sighs and chugs down his coffee. The two men have the skills and talent to be effective intelligence officers and because of such talent, they are the ones who also run the intelligence section of the Rim-Cats besides their duties as the battalion commanders of their respected units.
"Well what now?"
"Wait and see Abner. Until these regiments crossed the border we can't do much about it," replied Kenshiro 'Shaider' Dima'uga.
Rolando Katapatan strolled around the encampment of Bass'Ara, a few weeks ago he met Victoria Vaughn a coalition navy master-at-arms. She recognizes him as he entered a well known club where many of the Coalition's personnel gather to relax and have a little fun. Though most of the Rim-Cats don't usually go there, the military personnel in the bar knew and respected Major Rolando Katapatan, his skills, personality, and above all, his ability to get along with the non-mercenary troops. Vicky is a woman of six-foot with brown hair, and a blue-eyed vixen walked towards Marangal, and smiled at him.
"So what are you having soldier?"
"I would like to have you Vicky," he replied with a slick smirk.
She laughed at the comment giggling like a little teenage girl as she learned that the man who she have a crush on wanted to do things to her. He may be four inches shorter than her, but it's his reputation on and off the battlefield, his kindness, sweetness, gentleness, and bravery that truly captivates her. Besides that like most of the Rim-Cats mercenary personnel, he have a six-pack, a well toned and defined body, and a tantalizing look of a real life asian warrior she have read about during her high school years.
"But I can't," Rolando added, "You're engaged."
"Yea you're right Marangal," she replied saying his call sign in a heavy accented manner.
Rolando laughed at her, yet he appreciated that she is trying to say the word properly.
"What?" she gave him a hurt look, "At least I'm trying to say it right?"
"I know Vicky," he said smiling, "at least you're trying."
The Coalition sailor girl sat on the stool next to him and ordered a beer.
"You know what?"
"What is it Vicky," Rolando replied.
"Today's my birthday, but don't tell anyone now you hear me."
"Copy that Vicky."
He smiled at her as his hand grabs the glass of seven and seven sipping his alcoholic drink.
"We should celebrate your birthday then."
"How we do that Roland?"
"Well, I got the quarters all to myself and it has kitchen. I can cook us some dinner."
He told her trutfully since the night before many men were either wounded in the hospital or they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of the security of Ar'Raq. She chugged her beer and wiped her mouth with the camouflage sleeve of her shirt.
"I would like that."
Marangal gulped his drink down and grabbed her hand.
"Come on let's go."
H.Q. Battalion Commander's Quarters....
Marangal finished frying the sliced and spiced scalloped potatoes when he placed the appetizer dish onto a plate, in the oven is a a few pounds of roast beef, basked in spices, and is slowly roasting from the heat. On the stove is two pans, one is ladden with mashed potatoes and the other is full of gravy. Though Asians prefer to eat rice and their unique cuisine, this man Rolando Katapatan has opted to cook a Western dish for Victoria Vaughn. She sat on the kitchen's table top watching him with a smile as he toil and sweat cooking their dinner, he took a hold of a plate full of fried scalloped potatoes and offered it to her.
"Thank you Roland," she said taking the plate with one hand as the other took a few pieces and started to eat, "They're good Roland, you should be a chef."
Marangal laughed at her comment knowing that the position of a chef is not like him at all. He knows his belonging and it is with the Rim-Cats is where he truly belongs.
"You flatter me too much Vicky."
"Nah uh I'm serious Roland," she replied shaking her head as Vicky munched on the potatoes; "You should be a cook."
"I'll think about it," he replied.
Major Rolando Katapatan opened the oven and checked on the roast beef, after being satisfied that is cooked medium well, he took it out of the oven and placed it on a kitchen top next to the stove. Vicky happily ate the scalloped potatoes he had fried as she eyed him with a smile as he stirred the pots and finished his cooking.
"Dinner is ready Vicky."
"It smells good Roland," she replied tossing another potato in her mouth.
