Three days had passed since the former chief and his goonies met their demise, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as I called for a meeting.
As we gathered in my newly acquired office, the room was filled with an eclectic mix of individuals: Lana, Ryuji, the twins, Albert, Aurora, Eve, and myself.
Albert, standing dutifully behind me like a professional butler, surprised me with his unwavering loyalty. When I suggested he take a seat, he responded: "You are my new master now, and it would be impolite for me to sit in your presence. As a professional butler, I cannot bring myself to accept it."
Rather than objecting, I decided to let Albert have his way. After all, his dedication was admirable.
Meanwhile, the twins and Lana engaged in friendly banter, their previous animosity seemingly forgotten. You might wonder how such a peaceful atmosphere was achieved. Well, it wasn't always this way.
Initially, tensions ran high between the twins and Lana. Once their duties were complete and they finally had a chance to introduce themselves, it was as if sparks flew between them. They argued, fought, and competed relentlessly, each trying to outdo the other.
At first, I allowed them to vent their frustrations, knowing that the root of their arguments was me. However, after enduring three days of constant bickering, I reached my breaking point.
Consumed by anger, I unleashed my frustration by punching a recently repaired wall. In a serious and almost menacing tone, I addressed them: "It's great that you get along, as they say, 'friends that fight stay.' However, this has gone too far. We have important matters to attend to, and instead of finding solutions, you squabble over trivialities. If I am the cause of all these problems, do you want me to remove myself from your lives? If that is your desire, then please, by all means continue. If not, understand this: we are a family, and from now on, the world is against us. If we continue down this path, our family will crumble even before we face our enemies. As the head of this family, I will not allow it."
Upon hearing my impassioned plea, the twins and Lana abruptly halted their relentless bickering. Without wasting a moment, they retreated to a separate room, driven by an urgent need to address their grievances and find a resolution. Curiously, Aurora somehow found herself entangled in the midst of it all.
Hours passed as they engaged in intense discussions and negotiations, their voices echoing through the walls. What transpired during their closed-door meeting remained a mystery to me, and truth be told, I had no desire to uncover the details. All that mattered was the transformation that awaited their return—a remarkable metamorphosis from a state of constant conflict to one of serene harmony.
As they emerged from their secluded sanctuary, their faces radiated with newfound joy and tranquility. The tension that once hung heavy in the air had dissipated, replaced by an aura of contentment. The specifics of their resolution eluded me, but what truly mattered was that equilibrium had been restored. With everything back to normal, we could finally redirect our focus to the pressing matters at hand.
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The meeting kicked off with a weighty request—I turned to Ryuji and urged him to provide a comprehensive account of the aftermath following the operation.
With a solemn expression, he began to unravel the grim reality that unfolded. "First and foremost," he began, "We must confront the staggering number of casualties that resulted from this operation."
Taking a deep breath, Ryuji continued, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"Among the death row prisoners, only seven managed to survive. Some were discovered lifeless in their cells, while others fell victim to the chaos of the riots. Tragically, a few succumbed to their injuries despite receiving treatment for the genetic mutations they endured. As for the group of individuals who were sold, kidnapped, and excluding the twins, the boss, Albert, and Aurora, all 33 of them miraculously survived. However, their condition, both mentally and physically, is nothing short of heartbreaking. Many have endured unspeakable abuse and experimentation, leading some to contemplate ending their own lives. Yet, thanks to Lana and the compassionate nurses by her side, they were prevented from succumbing to despair. Instead, they were sedated, their slumber serving as a glimmer of hope for the healing of their scars, both seen and unseen."
Pausing for a moment to let the gravity of his words sink in, Ryuji concluded with a somber tone.
"In summary, out of the 150 prisoners involved, a staggering 110 lost their lives. Shifting our focus to the facility staff, excluding the 25 who were allies, 15 scientists met a grim fate—undoubtedly the boss's doing. The ten nurses who actively participated in these inhumane acts were bound and cast aside alongside the rest of the guards. Among the 100 guards employed by the facility, a mere 25 managed to survive, now imprisoned and awaiting your future punishment, Boss."
I nodded, my expression reflecting a deep understanding of the dire situation at hand. With a heavy heart, I spoke, my voice laced with a mix of resignation and simmering anger. "The magnitude of the death toll doesn't come as a surprise to me. Out of the 205 lives lost, I've managed to take control of approximately 150 souls. While the demise of the death row prisoners and the guards and scientists fails to move me, it is the innocent victims who suffered unspeakable sexual, physical, and mental abuse that ignites a fire within me. We have to find a way to help them in the future, for no one deserves to endure such outrageous treatment. My hope is that their scars will heal, allowing them to reclaim a semblance of normalcy. Time has a way of fading memories, or perhaps a newfound purpose will guide them towards a brighter future."
Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I turned to Ryuji and posed a crucial question.
"What about the damages and other miscellaneous matters? Did everything progress smoothly?"
Ryuji nodded, his eyes reflecting a sense of relief.
"Yes, boss! Everything is proceeding as planned. The technicians working within this facility are not only skilled but also possess good hearts. They have been diligently repairing all that was damaged, nearing completion. Additionally, they wanted to express their gratitude for liberating them from the tyrannical regime of the former chief and the clutches of the organization. On another note, the chefs and servants are tirelessly cooking for the remaining survivors and ensuring the rooms are clean and ready for their occupancy."