A week after his father's wedding, Rafael sat in his office, surrounded by a clutter of documents. His focus was on the mission Karl had entrusted him with. The papers spread across his desk were filled with details about an Intaglio Printing Machine and narcotics transactions linked to the Red Scorpions. Rafael, feeling overwhelmed, took a deep drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling up around him as he ruminated on his task.
"Where do I even start?" he muttered, rubbing his temples. Karl's instructions were clear: avoid the military and police, as they might be compromised or in league with Fernando and the Red Scorpions. This left Rafael feeling lost, unsure of how to proceed with the mission.
His reverie was broken by a persistent knocking on the door. Though he was tempted to ignore it, the knocking persisted, urging him to respond. "Come in!" he called out, his voice tinged with impatience.
The door swung open to reveal Eugene, who stepped inside with a friendly smile. "Are you busy?" he asked, glancing at Rafael with curiosity.
"Not really," Rafael sighed, his voice heavy with fatigue. "But my mind's a mess."
Eugene entered the room and examined the documents on Rafael's desk. His eyes narrowed as he read through the pages detailing the latest Intaglio Printing Machine and the locations of the narcotics transactions.
"I see you're diving into the Intaglio Printing Machine and narcotics operations," Eugene said, his tone curious. "Why are you working on this?"
"Dad wants to track down the printer and the sources of the narcotics trade linked to the Red Scorpions," Rafael explained, frustration evident in his voice.
"But the Fontierras and Almeidas are protecting them," Eugene pointed out.
"That's exactly why Dad wants to end this once and for all," Rafael responded, determination seeping into his voice.
Just then, Jiena stormed into the office, followed by Muro and Takeru. She looked around with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. "What's going on here?" she demanded. "Why is Dad leaving such a critical mission to you?"
Rafael's jaw tightened. "What are you doing here?"
"We're here to help," Jiena replied, settling into Rafael's chair with a determined expression. "This mission is too important, especially with your personal history with the leader of the Red Scorpions."
Eugene spoke up, "I want to join too. I need to be part of this mission."
Rafael's gaze shifted to his best friend, worry etched on his face. "Eugene, your kids are still young. This mission is extremely dangerous—it's practically a suicide mission."
Eugene's frustration boiled over as he slammed his hand on the desk. "Why won't you let me join? I watched my father die at their hands. He was killed in duty. How can I not be part of this mission when it's about seeking justice and ending this senseless war?"
Muro nodded in agreement. "Eugene's right. We all have personal stakes in this. Our mom was killed by them, just as your mom was."
Jiena added, her tone steely, "It was shocking to lose my half-brother and our so-called 'mother,' but their deaths were driven by greed, not malice."
Rafael sank into his chair, his frustration palpable. "Alright, everyone can join. But where do we start?"
Jiena raised an eyebrow, her expression one of mild exasperation. "You've got all the information but no clue where to begin?"
Rafael shrugged helplessly. "Exactly. I don't know where to start."
"There are five of us," Jiena said, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "And you're clueless about where to start? We'll begin at the cabaret. Takeru knows that area well."
Takeru, who had been sipping whiskey, nearly choked as he looked up, his eyes wide with surprise. "No, I don't!"
"Takeru," Jiena said with a mischievous grin, "do you think I didn't notice you've knocked out a whole female pop group, four famous Korean idols, a girl from an Italian aristocratic family, and a rising teen star? I've kept tabs on you."
Takeru's face went white as he stared at his sister, clearly caught off guard. "How did you—"
Jiena's gaze was unyielding. "Nothing escapes the eyes of Jiena Marino."
As the group absorbed Jiena's revelations, they realized the importance of working together to tackle the mission. With a clear starting point now set, they prepared to confront their shared challenge, each grappling with their own personal stakes and the dangerous path that lay ahead.
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With their plan set, the group headed to the local cabaret in search of information. Inside the dimly lit VIP lounge, Rafael and Takeru took their seats, scanning the room. The cabaret owner approached them, a professional yet curious look on his face.
"How can I help you?" he asked, eyeing them warily.
Rafael produced a photo of the woman they were seeking, showing it to the owner. The cabaret owner's eyes flicked to the photo, and he smirked slightly.
"Give me a few minutes," the owner said, slipping out of the lounge.
As they waited, Rafael and Takeru sat on the plush sofa, the atmosphere tense.
"Are you sure about this?" Takeru asked, glancing around.
"We don't have a choice," Rafael replied. "Dad didn't give us any leads, so we have to figure it out ourselves."
A sense of unease suddenly settled over them. Rafael and Takeru instinctively took a step back, adopting defensive stances as a group of men with melee weapons closed in on them. The two quickly sprang into action, defending themselves fiercely.
"Let's get out of here!" Takeru shouted, dispatching one of the attackers with a swift strike. Rafael nodded, and they both made a break for the exit.
Outside the cabaret, they continued to fight off their attackers, knocking down all eleven men with a combination of skill and brute force.
"Where's that bastard?" Takeru growled, his anger palpable as he stormed back into the cabaret. Rafael followed, but they were immediately surrounded by more armed men.
"What the—?" Rafael exclaimed, raising his hands in surrender. The goons quickly overpowered him, forcing him into a van that sped off into the night.
The van arrived at a remote forest area, far from the suburbs, just as the clock struck two in the morning. Rafael was dragged out of the van and into an old, decrepit mansion. Inside, he was bound to a chair, his movements restricted.
"Look who we have here," a voice said from the shadows. Rafael's eyes narrowed in recognition as he saw Fernando emerge, his face marred by scars from a recent car bomb attack. Half of his body was now metal, a stark reminder of the attack Karl had orchestrated.
"Fernando," Rafael spat, his voice tinged with shock.
"Surprised?" Fernando asked, a twisted grin on his face. "This is the result of your father's actions."
"You deserved it," Rafael shot back, his gaze shifting to a large machine behind Fernando. "I see the Intaglio printer."
"Indeed," Fernando said with a smirk. "That's where I print both Pesos and Dollars. And your father is a fool if he thinks he can steal it."
Rafael remained silent, his eyes darting around as Fernando approached him, caressing his cheek with a cruel familiarity.
"You know, your mother was quite skilled," Fernando said, a sneer on his lips. "She left your father for me. Apparently, your father stole a fortune from the Chinese."
"So what?" Rafael asked, his anger simmering.
"If your father dies," Fernando continued, "the key to that loot will pass to you or Jiena. With that fortune, we could rule the world."
Rafael laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "You're insane. Why would I share loot with you if I were a criminal?"
"Because I can help you obtain that loot and even the fortune that Takako has," Fernando promised. "Join me, and we'll expand our criminal empire."
"You're dreaming," Rafael said, rolling his eyes.
"Very well," Fernando said coldly. "If you won't join me, then they will."
Rafael's eyes widened in shock as Megan and Kazuki stepped into view, their presence unexpected and unsettling.
"Megan… Kazuki?" Rafael murmured, his voice a mix of disbelief and hurt. "Why?"
"Megan and I," Megan said icily, "have been wronged by your father. We've been abandoned for years. We deserve a share of the fortune he hoards."
"And the pain Mom, Sahoko, and I endured at the hands of Riko Marino must be avenged," Kazuki added bitterly.
Rafael spat on the floor in disgust. "You're making me sick."
"Your father wants you dead," Fernando said, his voice laden with menace. "This mission itself is evidence of that."
Sweat poured down Rafael's face as he stared at his treacherous siblings, his mind racing. He took a deep breath and chuckled, despite the dire situation.
"What's so funny?" Megan demanded, her tone sharp. "Dad's on the brink of death. He won't last much longer."
Rafael's laughter grew, even as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Not… if I have anything to say about it."
Suddenly, a barrage of rockets struck the old mansion, tearing through the structure and hitting the Intaglio printer. Rafael, using the chaos to his advantage, managed to crawl away from the destruction as Fernando, Megan, and Kazuki fled the scene.
As the smoke cleared, Jiena, Muro, and Takeru burst into the mansion, quickly cutting Rafael free from his restraints.
"Are you alright?" Muro asked, concern evident in his voice.
Rafael nodded, taking deep, grateful breaths as he was helped out of the mansion.
"Where did you get those projectiles?" he asked, looking at Jiena with curiosity.
"We have many resources at our disposal," Jiena replied with a hint of satisfaction. "What matters now is that the Intaglio printer has been destroyed."
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The five of them returned to the Presidential Palace, weary and battered from their ordeal. Eugene had left for home, while Rafael, Jiena, Muro, and Takeru made their way to their father's office, their exhaustion evident.
Jiena noticed Rafael's troubled expression as he stared at the portrait of their father. "You've been quiet," she remarked, her eyes sharp with concern. "What's on your mind?"
Rafael took a long drag from his electronic cigarette, exhaling a cloud of vapor. "I'm just wondering if this mission is even worth it," he said, his tone laced with frustration. "Dad could have wrapped this up ages ago if he really wanted to."
Muro frowned, his gaze shifting between Rafael and Jiena. "Are you questioning Dad's decisions?"
"Not at all," Rafael retorted with a touch of sarcasm. "Why else would he put us at such risk? It's as if he doesn't care about us anymore."
Later that night, at eleven o'clock, Karl arrived back from a meeting in the suburbs. He entered the living room to find Rafael waiting by the minibar, nursing a glass of whiskey.
"Still awake?" Karl asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Waiting for you," Rafael replied curtly.
Karl settled into a chair across from Rafael. "Why?"
"I have something to ask," Rafael said, his gaze steady.
Karl leaned forward, his attention fully on his son. "What is it?"
"Why did you give me this mission?" Rafael asked bluntly.
"Because I trust you," Karl answered with unwavering confidence.
"Trust me, or do you want me and everyone else dead?" Rafael's voice was sharp, his frustration palpable.
Karl's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "What are you insinuating?"
"I'm starting to think you set me up to fail," Rafael said, his tone challenging.
"If I wanted you dead," Karl responded, his voice hard, "I would have done it when you were still a child."
"Then why choose me? Why not one of your trusted men?" Rafael pressed, his frustration growing.
"Because I trust you more than anyone else for this mission," Karl said, his voice rising as he reached for his pistol. "We're going somewhere. I'll help you with this mission to prove my trust."
Rafael hesitated, his eyes searching his father's face for sincerity. Torn between trust and doubt, he stood his ground.
"I don't care if you join me or not," Karl said firmly. "I'll complete this mission myself if necessary."
With a deep sigh, Rafael finally agreed and followed his father. They left the Presidential Palace and climbed into a sleek, new Mustang, racing away into the night.
The Mustang screeched to a halt outside an old tavern on the fringes of the capital's red-light district. Karl stood beside the car while Rafael, cigarette in hand, leaned casually against the vehicle. Moments later, two men approached: Dagul, a short, middle-aged man with a gruff demeanor, and Carrey, a taller, mid-sized man with a cautious expression.
"Mr. President, it's been a while," Dagul greeted Karl with a nod.
"Dagul, Carrey, good to see you," Karl replied warmly. He then introduced Rafael. "This is my son, Rafael."
"Nice to meet you," Carrey said, shaking Rafael's hand firmly.
"Why are we here?" Rafael asked, his eyes scanning the area.
"We're here to take down the Almeida clan," Dagul said bluntly.
"Almeida?" Rafael repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Armand Almeida," Carrey confirmed.
"Let's not waste any time," Karl said decisively. "Is the mole and the source inside?"
Dagul and Carrey nodded. Karl pulled out his pistol and led the way into the basement, signaling Rafael, Dagul, and Carrey to follow.
In the dimly lit kitchen, they took up strategic positions. Rafael hid behind a large flower pot, while Karl crouched near the door, his pistol aimed at Armand Almeida.
"Goodbye, Armand," Karl whispered coldly, then fired a precise shot that struck Almeida in the head, killing him instantly.
As the bullet hit its mark, Almeida's soldiers erupted into chaos, returning fire. The kitchen became a battleground as Rafael, Karl, and their team exchanged gunfire with Almeida's men. In a matter of minutes, the soldiers lay dead, their bodies scattered amidst the carnage.
"Dagul, destroy the CCTV server," Karl ordered, collecting Armand's records and a stash of cash. "Arisa might find this useful."
"Sir, it's done," Dagul replied promptly.
"Karl, Dagul and Carrey will be working with you from now on," Karl said to Rafael. "Dagul, Carrey, Rafael is your new boss."
Dagul and Carrey approached Rafael, showing their respect by kissing his hand.
"This will send a clear message to the Fontierras, Fernando, and the Red Scorpions," Karl declared. "Burn the tavern to the ground."
Dagul and Carrey methodically poured kerosene around the tavern's interior. Karl then fired at the LPG valve, igniting a massive explosion. Rafael watched from the car as the tavern was engulfed in flames, witnessing the demise of one of the underground world's most influential figures.
As the blaze consumed the building, Rafael's apprehension about his father's true motives grew.