Chapter 383 - The AHA

Awake and readied, after breakfast in the very accommodating diner, they drove once more. Gophy alluded to something last night, a sentence she cut for not wanting to tell. As a result, Sultria's mind couldn't focus, he wanted to know of what she referred to. Wanting to ask, the words came to a stop after gazing upon the blank, expressionless face. A feeling of certain dread woke from within. 'Better leave the subject out of the conversation,' thought he as they sped. 

The journey would be silent. No words exchanged; the passing of scenery was all the entertainment to be had. A well-founded silence as schemes and ideas came one after the other, the plan of enacting revenge would take a few months, even a year at most. The time he had plenty for war wasn't a threat, not just yet, not in Alphia and Hidros's case. The Kingdom of Elendor was another matter entirely. The shipment of weapons reached its destination without hassle with the profit only but increasing.

A few hours later, the road came to a gentle downward slope. The land, from arid and very rich in greenery turned warm. The trees weren't green but of a yellowish hue, the little temperature change had greater effects. Sugarcane fields encased by a barrier went for acres.

"Isn't Subrea the province where research and academics are most relevant?" 

"More towards the center," replied Sultria with a listless voice.

Raising an eyebrow, the focus turned to the landscape. The roads were large with few vehicles. The tarmac seemed to boil and turn blurry. Passing a village over a hill, flat-land stretched out onto forever. Wearing straw-hats paired with tools; a farming village with a glimpse of technology in terms of machinery. 

"There's the airfield," pointed Sultria in a sudden change of persona. A clean-landing strip with a jet under a modest hangar. 

Same color scheme and same design, the jet was a little bigger than the prior version. The engines were more imposing for once. 

"Hey Boss," said the pilot sat in the shade whilst waving a copy-book. 

"Hey, when did you get back?" 

"05:00 early morning, I never expected it to be this hot."

"Neither did I," he paused to scan the area, "-where are the others?"

"My co-pilot went to pay homage to mother nature. We're only two today, boss."

He stopped shy of speaking, a badge caught the attention off-guard, "-on thy shirt," pointed Staxius, "-is that?"

"Yes," stood the pilot in a salute, "-Pilot First-class, Julien Lyndoch."

"Pilot Second-Class, Eric Thompson," came another fl.u.s.tered voice. 

"The badges," acknowledged Staxius, "-you're from Sotepios, why art thou here?" 

"We were asked by Lady Cake to come to support the Boss."

"It's a bit overkill."

"Why do you say that?" turned the clueless Emperor.

"Sotepios is a jet-fighters training facility. The regiment is so hard and the academic so confusing only a few make it to be pilots. Not to mention the class system, the better one is, the harder their certification exam." Indeed, was it tough for they were another facility owned by Phantom. Manufacturing weapons and vehicles were good and all, however, if humans couldn't operate, what was the point. Based on the name of the legendary steed of Goddess Syhton, Sotepios was a winged-horse with the glow of stars. To put the comparison of skill, it was as if using a great-sword to slice an apple. Even the lowest-ranked pilots were considered top-fighters in the bigger picture. Air-supremacy, Staxius's obsession led to said venture. As to how one entered; candidates were picked from various places, mainly, the training camp for the Argashield Federation. Those with potential were immediately transferred. Sotepios, in the eyes of the public, was another training base for the Federation – the truth was hidden yet again. 

"So, Boss, are we going?" asked Julien.

"Let's," the door opened to a fully-built interior.

"What's over here?" the design was reminiscent of the TU-03 at the back.

"Oh, it's an addition for convenience," said Eric pressing a button, "-a storage area with two escape hatches. One for dropping parachuters and the other one for loading cargo. 

"There's a bike," he pointed.

"The Monif-4T, she asked to relay this," a note was handed over.

*Dear brother, I'm leaving you the bike since I got my baby at home. Make sure to not scratch it. I know how you like black; therefore, the color scheme is different. Don't cause too much trouble for tis my job.*

'I swear, she made me purchase it on a whim. Guess transport is sorted for when we land.'

"Boss, would you kindly take a seat for we're taking off," spoke the intercoms. Locked tightly, they settled with the engine alive and breathing fire. As for the car, a farmer was paid to have it clean and kept inside the hangar.

"Father-in-law," said he sat opposite.

"What is the matter?" 

"You always baffle me, how is it possible for one to have such power and money. Are you sure thou art real?"

The same question yet again. Choosing to ignore the curious boy, he stared out the hublot without care. Food and drinks were given by the co-pilot who worked as an assistant to their needs. Luxury and power and its finest. There was even a bottle of champagne in golden-foil brought over; the price of it being in the 10,000 Exa

Three hours from one end to the other, they landed at the City of Arkta, the heart of Subrea. Densely packed; the buildings weren't as tall as in Melmark. Over yonder flying above the city, the border leading into Whuotan stood unperturbed. 

"We're here now," said Staxius muffled by a helmet.

"Yes, let's go to the AHA. I've informed them of our arrival," he screamed as to fight against the loud wind. Tall and dark, away from the city on a secluded plot of land with access being a bridge over a canal, security hailed for them to stop. The procedure was short for a single name sufficed. Black against the blue-sky, an enormous shadow with it casting its own onto the parking lot. Expensive cars were lined one after the other. For an organization sworn to protect the people, in no way was it true to have enough money for such indulgence. Tis would have been the conclusion before what Sultria recounted, the tragedy of Luna.

"Emperor Sultria VI," said a man dressed in an expensive black suit. He held only a mustache as facial hair and a very chubby stature, the product of having sat on his laurel, "-we have been expecting thy visit with utmost pleasure," said he smugly. A red-carpet was rolled with attendants, mostly ladies viewed as pretty, bowing their heads. No smiles, nothing, the stares were to the ground, the carpet. 

"Director Leo," said the Emperor taking off the helmet, "-I appreciate the hospitality."

"Mention it not, sire, for tis our privilege to attend to he who rules our realm," yet came another presumptuously phrased sentence. 

"Don't mind my asking," he stared the bike, "-but is it adequate for one as great as thee to travel in such, unbefitting, transport?" 

"Unbefitting thee says," said Staxius taking off his helmet, "-I suppose one would make the correlation of affordability to two-wheels."

"Pardon my saying so. I apologize for speaking out of terms."

"No, worry not," smiled Sultria, "-tis a perfectly fair assessment, I thank the concern." 

"I second the Emperor," he stepped to Leo and peered upon the shorter man, "-please, have someone attend to my moderate steed," the keys were handed. Confused beyond words, Leo glanced around seeking an answer. The King assured his standing as being higher than Leo. The latter could but smile emptily until one came to help. 

"Should we continue?" 

"Yes, Emperor, let's," said the director shaking from the experience. 

A generic office on the highest floor was common and uninteresting. The prejudicial belief of authority associated with a big-chair, large empty desk, and opened windows to the beauty of the outside. 

"Emperor, may I have the reason for the sudden visit?"

"I received reports of the monster invasion, hence my coming. I wish to hear the details in person, not through a mediator."

"It would be best told by they who've experienced the fight first hand," a press later had the door opened with three ladies in tight-body suits and masks walk. 

"Emperor, here are one of the AHA's top-heroes; the Feline-force. From right to left, Taji Muko, Mi Muko, and Emi Muko. Each time their name was called, one gave a meow or made some gestures relating to cats. 

"H-how may we serve?" said Mi, the eldest of the group.

"Acquaint thyself with the Emperor. Emi, you're coming with me, I have a job for thee," after which the chubby-man waddled outside practically drooling with hands around her waist. The secretary soon took as overwatch, her glare made the heroes tremble.

"Care to explain?" 

"I'll speak," came forth Taji who felt her sister's withdrawal, "-Monsters unlike the ones at Hidros began to appear suddenly. Many heroes before us fought the beasts without care for why such a thing was happening. We were smug to think they be so weak. In the past few months, villain activity around Alphia has the Allied Heroes run-thin. We can't afford to give any more members to the protection of Whuotan. Evacuation is being planned, we all but need permission from the emperor," the conversation went back and forth for more than a few minutes.

"Majesty, is there anything you wish knowing?" asked Sultria with a gut feeling.

"Sure," he stared Mi, "-my question is for you. I heard the heroes of Alphia are strong with a stronger sense of justice. Answer me this, if perchance a situation came where either you'd save a life and lose popularity or abandoned one and be hailed as a hero, which would you choose?" her face lit with a newfound passion.

"Emperor," the door opened as she was to speak, "-we sadly have to dispatch the heroes. May we see you on a later date? Taji, Mi, let's go," he said strongly.

"Pardon me," said Staxius who bumped against the heroes on their way out.

"Forgive me."

"Majesty, is there anything I can assist with?" asked the secretary.

"No, we'll be leaving for now," they excused themselves. The way the workers viewed the duo on the way out was different. A complete change, one of which was belligerent and unforgiving. No care to the ranks – a clear intent of being intruders. 

'It's far worse than I think. AHA isn't anything close to being helpful to the populous. What in the hell was the Feline-force about. The suits weren't anything to protect nor help them, it's fanservice if I've ever seen one. Overly s.e.x.u.a.lized to attract viewership. It's a good way to make money, got to hand it to the puppet-masters, they know how to play their cards.' 

"What was the question earlier about?" they sped along the road.

"Nothing much, there wasn't a point in getting an answer. I phrased it in a way only to provoke a reaction. Tis why the Director walked in rather conveniently. As for the trio, I didn't sense any power from them, they're normal individuals. Didn't you notice how he took away one of the sisters? I'm sure it wasn't for show, we were in the midst of a hostage situation. The secretary stayed behind to ensure their silence."

"Why didn't you do anything?" 

"There was nothing I could have done."

"Come on, don't give me that. Isn't the King of Arda all-mighty?"

"There's so much brute-force can give. AHA is rotten to the core. Never go there again, we've been blacklisted. The way the workers stared. The killing intent, pure and unforgiving. There isn't much Hidros can do to help. Evacuating Whuotan is a good idea."

"What are you going to do?"

"Didn't I say, a revolution?"

Along the hot road towards the airfield where waited the plane, there came an obstacle. One of which couldn't be broken using threats nor killing, the connections ran deep. A critical observation was left out. Cimier's involvement, human-trafficking. Seamlessly bumping against Mi, her shuffle showed the mark of a slave-crest.