Castle Rise Hotel, Bower City, UAC
***
Bower City was known for its glorious Casinos, vast strip clubs, and luxurious hotels. Although the City was smaller than Astron, high-ranking officials, tycoons, and high-class citizens were frequently seen in the former to escape from work, destress, or find class hookers.
It was declared the second Capital City of the United Alliance Confederation. It provided a large contribution to the UAC's economy due to its glamour and an indulgence of vice, inviting tourists from around the Globe. More foreign money came into this city than Astron.
Bower City also held the second-strongest military stronghold. This city served as contingent for Astron if ever crisis overwhelmed the latter again. UAC officials made sure that these contingencies shall be solidified and sometimes enacted to truly augment the true strength of the Confederation. Even secret bunkers were also constructed within the City's territory to house VIPs if ever a second war would take place.
***
In a large, 4-bedroom Villa on the 20th floor of a 5-star Castle Rise Hotel, Commander James sat comfortably on a gray leather cushion chair. In front of him was UAC Defense Secretary Henry Wallace, fat in his early 50s, perfectly shaved mustache and beard, holding an expensive Kuban Cigar in his right hand. In between, them was a center table where their bottle and two glasses of martinis were placed.
They usually have their meetings in Bower City to evade prying eyes. They always have their 4 to 5 bodyguards escorting them, dressing subtly so as not to catch too much attention. Bower City was where the Secretary frequently visits in his spare time to indulge in his vices, gambling, and prostitution.
Both were sitting with legs crossed enjoying the city view in front of them through the transparent glass wall. Defense Secretary Henry Wallace was wearing an expensive suit. He was one of the rich politicians but not too rich that he envied the business tycoons. He was publicly popular for his endeavors in charity work fighting for the poverty of the poor countries affected by the siege wars of rebel militants.
"Mission Blacksweep is unsuccessful." Commander James reported to Secretary Henry.
"This is your first failed mission, Commander. What happened?" The secretary asked while puffing his cigar.
"The team was ambushed as if they know we are attacking them that night. The video footage from Captain Luke's helmet provided us with intel. Our operatives were no match for their strengths and speed. All the kill squad operatives excluding Luke were KIA or missing."
"Sneaky bastards! How do they know that we are attacking them?" The Secretary's voice raised, clenched his fist to the arm of his chair.
"That is uncertain for now. I need to plan this carefully, it is like they are counter-scouting us, reading our movements from outside our base."
"We need to move up the timetable, Commander!" Secretary said sternly.
"I have a plan and it is now in motion as we speak." The Commander retorted.
"We should do it quickly James, we do not have much time. UAC Intelligence Agency is looking at unliquidated Government Budget funds and your $ 33B is not easy to hide. Be transparent about this plan of yours as agreed."
"Ok, Henry. I have a recruit. He is Lieutenant Lance Davis. He is the only survivor of Mission Red Sparrow, 3 years ago. Do you remember this mission?"
"Not much. What about it?"
"Search and rescue and the militants killed our team. Bombed by a civilian."
"Oh, Yeah. I remember now. Lance Davis. That's why his name rings a bell."
"He is the only survivor but he was able to accomplish the mission alone, releasing the hostages in the process," Commander explained.
"How do you think that this will solve our problems, James? One nation's hero is not enough for our great endeavor." Asked the Secretary impatiently.
The Commander reached out his glass of martini and drank it wholly and responded afterward,
"He is one of them. I had his blood samples studied back in my lab. The good thing is, he does not know that he is special."
"Really? An immortal right under our noses." Henry grinned, "Now this is a game-changer. Are there others in our military service who shared the same blood with Davis?"
"To the best of my knowledge and from my research team, he is the only one."
"Did you know this before you sampled his blood?"
"It was impossible that ordinary military personnel can accomplish mission Red Sparrow alone against 35 rebel militants inside the targeted establishment. We retrieved video footage from his helmet, our enemies were flying with one punch and his speed was fast, faster than our fastest operative."
"This inhuman strength and speed did not manifest before his missions until Mission Red Sparrow. My researchers studied that these capabilities have sparked by his rage and anger as he witnessed his comrades die before his eyes," explained the Commander.
Secretary Henry's eyes were wide open upon hearing this story.
"Interesting." Henry sipped on his martini. "How did he acquire this? Is he some sort of a spy from their race against us? How could we trust this guy? Do we even know how to control him if he will discover his true nature?" Asked the Secretary impatiently.
"I do not think he is a spy, Mr. Secretary. I also don't know why Lieutenant Davis had their blood in the first place. It is still a mystery for me." The Commander stopped when somebody knocked on the door.
One of the Secretary's bodyguards, wearing a suit, standing a few feet away from them went to the door and peeked at the peephole.
The Secretary's bodyguard opened the door and the black ops agent went inside a couple of steps.
"Sir, Davis' death is successful. Agent Kate and Lt. Davis are going to Bower Tarmac as we speak. Their ETA is 15 minutes." The agent reported.
The Commander nodded and the agent went outside back to his post. The Commander continued their conversation and convinced the Secretary.
"He will be controlled. He is trained for years to follow the chain of command. This guy has family problems and we are the only ones that could solve them. That was the bargain."
"Let us hope for the best. In the meantime, I will stall the budget audits from UAC-IC. If you could provide me with construction or acquisition projects from other mission sites across the Unified Cities of UAC in your department so that we could deceive them with our unliquidated funds? This will give us enough time to do what we need to do." The Secretary said
He stood in front of a glass wall overseeing the City looking down at the people and the cars on the streets.
'They do not have the idea of what it is out there.'
Three knocks again and the bodyguard opened the door. The door swung open and came inside was a high-class escort girl wearing light make-up, and a turtle neck sweatshirt covering her upper body but it hung above her navel, exposing her lower abdomen and lower back.
Her tattered jeans fit perfectly with her slender legs. She was a petite slim girl with a very cute angelic face. Her complexion was glowing and her hair was long. She looked like in her early 20's.
The hooker took a few steps from the door to the Villa's living room but she stopped as the Secretary raised his right hand signaling the bodyguard to check her with weapons.
"A body check?" James asked.
"In my line of work, I shall not be lenient, James," Henry replied and James nodded in agreement.
The Commander finished his Martini and stood up and said to the Secretary. "This my cue, I can see why you are very fond here in Bower City, Mr. Secretary." The Commander smiled and continued, "Remember old friend, we will reap great rewards after this mission. You will have your Oil rig and I will have immortality."
The Secretary added, "Remember James, do the attacks quietly and swiftly. We should not alert other local tribes from the area. This will might expose us. Media will come and your base camp will be exposed. Then we are toast."
The Commander nodded and turned, slowly walking towards the door where the high-class hooker was standing. The hooker locked her eyes on him and the Commander noticed and stared back too. She did not lose her eye contact and softly opened her mouth to whisper, "Brace yourself, Commander."
For a short moment, the Commander stopped walking, wondering the meaning of what the hooker have just said to him.
'It meant nothing. She's just a hooker.' James thought.
The hooker started to walk with long strides towards the living room where Secretary Henry was waiting for her.