Chapter 383 - The AHA (2/2)
”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.