Otaku Translation: Carrying the Bases of Starcraft C162

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Chapter 162: Marion Duncan

"Wait—where’s Marion Duncan? Why isn’t that bearded old man here?" Tang Fang's eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed the crowd. His sharp gaze landed on the middle-aged woman in military uniform standing to the left of the two leaders at the front. Her expression seemed… off. A mix of resignation and awkwardness lingered on her face, though she tried to mask it.

On the other hand, the man to the right wore a warm, welcoming smile—the picture of a kindly elder statesman.

"Come, brother, let me introduce you," Shi Huaqing said, gesturing first to the woman. "This is our Minister of Internal Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Virginia Smith."

"Nice to meet you." Tang Fang smiled politely and extended his hand for a firm handshake.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us," Virginia replied, her crow’s feet crinkling like wild chrysanthemums. A faint blush colored her otherwise pale cheeks.

"No need to thank me, uh… Aunt Virginia?" Tang Fang ventured innocently.

"Aunt?!" Shi Huaqing burst into laughter, unable to contain himself. Of course Tang Fang knew exactly what he was doing. He could’ve addressed her formally by rank or title, but instead chose that word—a dagger to the heart of someone who prided herself on youthfulness despite nearing fifty. Virginia hated being called "Aunt" or anything similar with a passion usually reserved for mortal enemies.

Sure enough, Virginia's eyebrows shot up in disbelief, her lips tightening into a forced smile tinged with irritation. She looked torn between maintaining decorum and throttling him on the spot—an image both comical and uncomfortable.

"Aunt Virginia…" Claire suddenly interjected, saving the day. The young woman rushed into Virginia’s arms as if reuniting with a long-lost relative, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Claire, sweetheart, don’t cry. We have guests," Virginia scolded gently, though her glare at Tang Fang spoke volumes.

Claire buried her face against Virginia’s shoulder, muttering under her breath just loud enough for Tang Fang to hear: "What does he know about hospitality? Making me serve tea, fetch water, wash clothes, fold bedding—and cook meals every few days! I’m a Captain, for heaven’s sake! Commander of an entire battalion! And yet he treats me like some kind of maid!"

Tang Fang caught this whispered tirade and couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. "Spoiled brat throwing tantrums now, is she? Serving tea and washing clothes? After swiping over a hundred Transfusion syringes and dozens of classified Apalus research files from me? If that’s how she defines mistreatment, then maybe she deserves a reality check."

Virginia, oblivious to their complicated dynamic, shot Tang Fang another reproachful look upon hearing Claire’s complaints.

It wasn’t until that moment that Tang Fang realized he might’ve crossed a line with this fiercely protective maternal figure.

"Brother, you’re in trouble," Shi Huaqing whispered gleefully, barely suppressing his chuckles. "Virginia absolutely loathes being called ‘aunt’ or any variation thereof."

"Why can she call her that, then?" Tang Fang asked, pointing at Claire.

Shi Huaqing nudged him with his elbow, smirking knowingly. "If you ever manage to win that girl’s heart, you’ll earn the right to call Virginia ‘aunt.’ Until then, tread carefully."

"There’s nothing going on between us," Tang Fang protested weakly, realizing too late that denial only made things worse.

"Nothing? Then why’s she serving you hand and foot? Stop playing coy, my friend. For soldiers like us, living through fire and brimstone, love and hate are part of life. Embrace it—it’s what makes heroes."

"I—" Tang Fang gave up trying to explain further. These misconceptions were only growing more tangled. Better to let them believe whatever they wanted.

Just then, the smiling man beside Virginia approached. Shi Huaqing quickly introduced him: "This is Joseph Mario, our Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Chief of Staff."

Joseph Mario? The name rang a bell. Tang Fang studied the man closely and finally recalled the incident at Makanda Arms Factory. That arrogant young man with a striking resemblance to David Beckham bore an uncanny likeness to Joseph. Could this be his father?

"Pleased to meet you," Tang Fang greeted him with a neutral smile.

Joseph shook his hand briefly, offered thanks, and stepped aside. Next came introductions to other senior officers of the Garcia Resistance, all exchanging pleasantries—but still no sign of Marion Duncan.

"Strange… Is Marion not in the Arctic?" Tang Fang wondered aloud when a sudden noise interrupted his thoughts. A security door slid open nearby, revealing a disheveled figure sprinting toward them. His beard was unkempt, his hair sticking out in every direction like a bird’s nest.

"Damn, damn, I overslept! Virginia, why didn’t you wake me? Today’s important!" the man exclaimed breathlessly.

"You old fool! You think anyone could rouse you after last night’s drinking binge? Look at your bear-like frame—who’d dare try?"

At Virginia’s exasperated sigh—a mixture of frustration and fondness—Tang Fang swallowed hard. Was this really Marion Duncan, the spiritual leader of the Garcia Resistance? This rumpled, hungover old man?

For a moment, Tang Fang felt his worldview shatter. No wonder Claire had described him as a “drunkard” and an “eccentric old coot.” Those labels fit perfectly.

"Where’s Talosal? Which one is Talosal?" Despite nearing seventy, Marion moved with surprising vigor, each step heavy and deliberate, his boots thudding against the floor like muffled drumbeats.

The assembled officers parted respectfully, allowing Marion to approach. After scanning the trio briefly, his gaze settled on Tang Fang. "Ah-ha! Talosal! Young man, you’ve finally arrived!"

Tang Fang wasn’t sure if all Vikings were this enthusiastic, but Marion Duncan took the crown for sheer exuberance. The older man enveloped him in a crushing hug, his grip tightening by the second. Combined with the overpowering stench of alcohol lingering on his breath, Tang Fang felt like he might suffocate.

"Marion, ease up! You’ll strangle the poor boy before the enemy even gets a chance!" Virginia pinched the back of Marion’s waist sharply, rolling her eyes.

"Haha, my fault, my fault!" Marion released Tang Fang sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Enough standing around. Let’s take this inside where we can talk properly," Virginia announced firmly.

No one dared disobey. They ushered Tang Fang and his companions into a lounge within the main hall. Tea was served, and small talk resumed until Tang Fang finally broached the purpose of their visit.

Marion nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, of course! You’ve done so much for us already. Helping you leave Krotan is the least we can do."

"Then I thank you sincerely," Tang Fang replied with a slight bow.

"Leaving so soon, brother?" Shi Huaqing frowned, clearly reluctant to see them go. "Stay a while longer. Some of the men downstairs are eager to share a drink with you. Many of those you saved are their siblings, you know."

Tang Fang hesitated, glancing at the expectant faces around him. Finally, he sighed. "Very well. I’ll impose on your hospitality for one day and depart the day after tomorrow."

"That’s the spirit!" Shi Huaqing clapped him on the back, grinning broadly.

"Not just them—I owe you several toasts myself, young man. Without your intel and assistance, we’d still be huddled around that conference table pulling our hair out," Marion boomed, punctuating his words with three thunderous burps. Whether he was still drunk or simply craving another drink, no one could tell.

"Hmph, hmph…" Housen muttered darkly, observing silently.

"What’s got you grumbling?" Arroz asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What does it matter?" Housen tilted his head, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Marion’s asking for humiliation. Even if everyone here ganged up on him, they wouldn’t stand a chance of getting him drunk. If I’m wrong, I’ll rip off my own head and let you kick it around like a soccer ball."

Arroz pondered this, nodding slowly. "Ah, I see. You’re secretly hoping for chaos."

"Not at all. I just want a drink. Heard the old man favor strong liquor," Housen licked his thick lips hungrily.

Arroz glanced sidelong at Joseph Mario, who stood calmly beside Marion, then stubbed out his cigar and propped his feet onto the table. In a low murmur, almost to himself, he said, "With Marion, Virginia, and Joseph here, I wonder where the Resistance’s official Chief of Staff has gone."

His voice was barely audible, drowned out by the ongoing banter between Marion and Virginia, which sounded less like professional discourse and more like bickering spouses.

"Enough with the drinking nonsense! You’re draining the base’s reserves dry," Virginia snapped.

"Nonsense! I checked with Fern yesterday. There’s plenty of booze left—enough for 900 people to drink during every meal until New Year’s!"

"Fern…" Virginia gritted her teeth, clearly unimpressed.

"General, Talosal and his team returned from Brave Bastion to Droznyr Military Port and rushed straight here without rest. Surely they must be exhausted. Perhaps we should allow them to rest first. Celebrations can wait," Joseph Mario interjected smoothly.

"Indeed, that would be best," Virginia agreed, turning to Claire. "Claire, dear, show Talosal and his companions to their quarters. Everything else can wait until they’ve rested."

"Yes, Aunt Virginia." Claire nodded and rose, gesturing for Tang Fang to follow her.

After two sleepless nights, even Tang Fang felt the weight of fatigue settling in. He bid farewell to Marion and the others, following Claire toward the guest rooms.

...

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