Three days later, the day of the meeting with the president arrived. Sergeant John was traveling with Lieutenant Harvey. They were being escorted via a grey armored sedan.
"So, it seems the gridlock has cleared up quite a bit," Harvey stated as he looked out the window.
"Yeah. About half of the population that lived in the designated 'danger zones' have moved to safer cities now," John responded. "That also helps us to narrow down where those criminals are hiding since the danger zones are the areas they attack. Their location wouldn't be far off, although it's proving difficult to find them."
"Yeah, and there's been some criminal activity outside the main S-Class criminals. Other criminals are taking advantage of the chaos. It's throwing us off." Harvey added.
"This situation is getting worse and worse, and the citizens are cursing us more and more. All because of Nathan and his damn group!"
"He is very much like his parents," Harvey remarked.
"...There's no way President Garfield will reject the deployment of the super soldiers, especially when many civilians have moved.
"We've arrived at the Whitehouse." The driver said to them as he parked. Immediately, Harvey and John exited the car. They were now standing in front of the White House.
The White House is the home and workplace of Damian Garfield, President of the United States, and the headquarters of the president's staff members. Inside its white, detailed architectural structure were over one hundred rooms, spanning six floors. It perfectly displays wealth.
John and Harvey made their way to the security guards guarding the building.
"Good morning, we're here to meet the president about the super soldier deployment situation," John said to the guards. "We are John Walker and Harvey Keith."
"Oh, yeah. We were expecting you guys. Follow us." One of the guards said in an amicable tone. Happily obeying, they followed.
In the White House, numerous staff members were working. They were all wearing business suits and were so focused on their duties that they ignored John and Harvey's presence.
They took an elevator and made their way to the fourth floor. They were escorted to a lobby room. The setting of the lobby room was that of a living room in an expensive house. There were five chairs set around a glass table, a fireplace, a flat-screen television mounted on the wall, a makeshift kitchen comprising a coffee area and refrigerator, and other decorations.
"Please wait here. The president will be with you shortly." One of the guards said before they left. The military officials took a seat.
"When was the last time I've been here?" John asked as he looked around. "The interior looks nicer than before."
"John," Harvey interjected. "Are you sure that the president will accept the proposal?"
"Well, if he doesn't, our country will continue to spiral into disaster. I'm sure, as the president, he would not want that." John said with a smirk on his face.
"I see."
They waited for the arrival of President Garfield. In approximately fifteen minutes, he had entered.
"Sorry I took so long, I was in a meeting." President Garfield apologized. He was a tall, elderly-looking man with grey mid-length hair and a beard. He also wore a black business suit.
"Oh, don't worry, we didn't wait too long," John said as they both got out of their seats and approached the president. They greeted him with handshakes.
"It's good to see you guys again." Garfield expressed.
"The feeling is mutual, president," Harvey added as they took seats. As if catching up on old times, they made small talk before diving into the main topic.
"Well, President, I'm sure you're very busy, so we'll do this quickly." John began. "I'm sure you are aware of everything that's been taking place."
"Yes," Garfield said in a low tone.
"In the span of two weeks, they've killed hundreds of people, cost hundreds of millions in property damages, and reduced our numbers somewhat." Harvey outlined.
"I understand you guys want to deploy super soldiers," Garfield said. "But, I can't understand deploying them all around the city...their destructive capabilities will only cause us to incur more expenses."
"Although using soldiers and officers would have been sufficient for most other blessed humans, these criminals have some of the strongest abilities and have likely trained them to the utmost of their capabilities," John explained. "We have sent super soldiers at them, but it proved futile."
John took a picture from his bag.
"Do you remember this person?" John said as he showed Garfield the picture. It was the super soldier that defeated Charles in the past. "He is nicknamed the 'Blessed Slaughterer'. He is our strongest super soldier who had fought the battle-crazed killer in the past. Although he had defeated Charles, he survived his attack."
"Yeah, and knowing Charles' personality, he'll likely try to get stronger so he could fight him again," Harvey added. "Not to mention Jack the Ripper, who somehow escaped Alcatraz Island, stronger than before his incarceration."
"We don't even know if the rest of their group have abilities, but it's safe to assume they do." John continued. "The wise decision would be to deploy all the super soldiers on a search and destroy of those S-Class criminals.
The president seemed to be taking his time to process the information.
"Sigh...I understand." Garfield relented. That caused the military officers to smirk. "I didn't expect the traitorous Hayes couple to continue being a pain in our side...even extending to their son."
"Yeah." John agreed.
Those Hayes have always been such a pain in the ass...in any generation.
"Thank you for accepting our proposal. Hopefully, we can locate the criminals' hideouts and destroy them finally--"
As John spoke, a guard entered the office, attracting their attention.
"Mr. President, someone would like to talk with you." The guard said.
"Someone wants to talk with me? I only remember booking a meeting with Sergeant John and Lieutenant Harvey today...who is it?" John asked with a look of confusion.
The guard allowed them to enter. The individual was wearing a black hoodie and a grey theatre mask. Judging by their body, they were a female.
"What!? Why would you let someone up here without even seeing their identity." Garfield raised his voice in a panic.
The woman took off the mask and hoodie. As you've probably guessed, it was Ada.
"Don't worry, I'm not hostile or anything."
"Ada Foster!? What the hell are you doing here!?" John shouted. "How did you possibly get up here!?"
"C'mon guys, won't you listen to what I have to say?" Ada said, making a puppy-eyed expression. Strangely, all the panic quickly left everyone.
"W-What do you have to say?" Garfield asked.
"I'm here...to make a deal with you guys," Ada said. She had a nice, teeth-showing smirk. "I can help you."
* * *
Back at the warehouse, everyone was doing the usual. Jack and Zack were watching a violent movie, Charles was exercising, Ada was keeping to herself, and Nathan was currently training with the NPC.
"Sigh, I wonder why I couldn't have used the trailer filled with explosives to blow up everyone while they were trapped in gridlock," Zack asked in a downtrodden tone as he watched the movie.
"Didn't the developer say something about saving that trailer for the right time?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, but...sigh, I just want to do something big. To be the star of the show, ya know." Zack added.
"Oh, that's rough, mate," Jack responded before focusing on the movie fully.
* * *
As Nathan was sparring with the NPC, he was lasting longer in close-quarters combat. He was using nunchucks and seemed fairly adept in swinging them around, albeit the NPC was still avoiding them.
The NPC tried palm-striking Nathan in the chest, but he blocked with the nunchucks in time. He still was knocked back a few feet but kept his feet planted on the ground.
"Not bad." The NPC praised. "You've gotten much better in the last few days. I can tell you're taking this seriously."
Of course, I am. I've been consciously trying to improve myself with every fight.
Nathan rushed at him and continued to fight.
I'll continue to improve so I can see Lilith...and explain everything to her.