Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

To give a brief history lesson on Subic Bay, it used to be called the US Naval Base Subic Bay, a major ship-repair, supply, etc. used by the navy of Spain and America way, way~ back. Furthermore, it also used to be the largest overseas military installation of the USAF right until one of its bases closed in 1991. It was approximately 100 kilometers (62~ miles) northwest of Manila Bay and was the size of Singapore.

And in the year 1992, it was turned into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a commercial area of sorts when the ownership was returned to us. But unlike Manila Bay, it was shared by several towns that turned it into a tourist spot of sorts but even though the ownership changed this past few decades, there was still a Marine base present even though its size wasn't the same as before.

But that was not all there was in regards to my excitement.

Having Oscar as my inside man in the military, he'd get trickles of news from the grapevine, and adding Johnny into the mix just confirmed a rumor of Oscar's that as of right now, proved to be somewhat true.

The rumor was that the US would be officially repurchasing part of the ownership of the Freeport Zone about two to three years from now but a lot of things were moving up, and let's just say that friends and especially, family, from their side had just paid our country a visit—both for business and pleasure.

I'm not entirely sure how these new players would play into the mix, but with the way Johnny was acting, everything was as he expected. On the other hand, I was still a little apprehensive about this news but before I tried to call Oscar or dig up more information from Johnny, Mr. Cuervo popped up from behind.

"Hermano! I thought you'd be longer! How was your trip— I mean, trips?!" He exclaimed as he went in for a big hug.

"Good, great! Actually—"

"Why don't we talk in my house? The kids would love to see you or even play a game—"

"We could do that but unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to stay for long…"

"Eh?! Por que— Why?!"

"I'll tell you as much as I could in your home…"

With that said, I would've really wanted to stay for at least half a day to catch up with everyone but the news of Mikhail and Alexei getting shot and getting players from Oscar's side into the mix not only filled my plate to the brim, but added extra plates, bowls, or cups into the whole smorgasbord.

But yeah, I'll need Johnny to be a little more sober before he takes command of his ship so I'll spare a couple or a few hours to catch up with Mr. Cuervo and follow on some promises and deals I put my word on some people.

And the moment we got into his home, he led me to his basement once again so we could talk privately.

"Alright, Hermano… We could talk now, give me everything."

"Alright this is gonna be a bit of a lightning round so just tell me if you fell off—"

"Just give me, just gimme— start with the bad ones first! I want this shit to end in a high note!"

"A-Alright… Here I go: There's this guy named Jonathan—"

"WHAT?! *UNINTELLIGIBLE MEXICAN NOISES* HOW'D YOU MEET UP WITH THAT MUCHACHO?! HUH?! THAT— WHY WOULD YOU START WITH THAT?!"

"YOU JUST TOLD ME TO START WITH THE BAD ONES!!"

"Aiiii~ Alright, alright… I'm assuming he wants to lick my boots and work as an exotic dancer—"

I chuckled, "Close. But not quite."

"Dammit… He wants a spot in my games and for me to forgive him, huh?"

I chuckled, "So, you already knew?"

"Yeah, yeah… I actually thought he was just fucking lying because your name has spread around… He called me a week or so ago after meeting you. He told me you fucking owe him but I don't want that so I said that I'll give him what he wants contingent on the fact that you actually spoke with him. B-But what do you think about the De Leon Family and the Rivas's People?! They're good, right?! Compared to everyone else? We can work out a deal with them if they're faced with that initially, right?"

"Slow your roll, Mr. Cuervo. We've talked about this before but I have Major Perez with me, he's not the top dog of the Academy per se but he's #2—but only in that place. The president will be a fucking idiot if he denies working with you, Mauro, and Sal but the goal is to do the same thing with the Castillos, the Alvarezs, and the Garcias, right?"

"Right. That's what I asked of you before. Not everyone could be saved, I know, but that's the premise…"

'Did he assume I went to all of the families' territories? I'll tell him later…'

"You see, we can't just put you in the same room together and have a discussion like this so the best start in my opinion is to have Major Perez have a taste of what this place has to offer but the trick is to just let him dip his toes before plunging him into your pool of… of… you know, entertainment, fun, and debauchery. Trust me, that place has problems of its own and it can only be fixed here."

"And why is that?"

"Because…" Then I told him about their ranking system and their punishments.

"WHAT?! That wouldn't fly here, hermano! It used to happen here before but it just ruins business! It just makes the merchandise extremely volatile and why would people pay for pussy or culo— I mean, buttholes if they can just do what they want?!"

'At least he's against it even in a different way…'

I nodded, "Exactly. So, that's why I'm gonna need you to work him a little bit after he comes with us—"

"Hah? He's coming with you?! I thought—"

I started to annoyedly scratch my head, "Fuck, that's true. If I take him with me to meet with Oscar and his other uniforms, it'll take too much time and the General will eventually recall him. That's a bummer…"

"I heard from that American chulo with you that he has some important news, right? That's why he came here with those kids and I let them occupy your house of sorts."

"Right, right… That's… Oscar will probably be too busy to even shoot shit with the Major so I guess I'll leave him in your hands for now…"

"Great! You have more news, right? What were you young people up to?"