Miros
“What is this… CSS you are giving me?” Fox looked at Luis for several seconds before asking. He didn't know if to feel heavily burdened, but after some time, he didn't feel any detachment or hate to being given another position. Luis leaned back on his chair, seeing Fox was already ¾ in the bag. “Chief Secretary of Security? You will be responsible for considering the nation's security, but you won't have direct power to mobilize.”
“So, like… an adviser?” Fox swayed his head a little. Nala looked at him, clearly knowing more than he did, and even covertly teasing with her eyes, though she looked cold and indifferent still. Luis intertwined his fingers and released them, “No. You are now capable of making operations, like the time you pulled that off in your boutique’s district.”
Fox tilted his head out of nowhere with a rather strong force. Edgar Plomo stepped forth from his spot, “The situation in that district was resolved quickly and efficiently, but it could have been much less bloody and disastrous for the civilians.”
Fox looked at the General for a couple of seconds, his polycoria eyes twinkling slightly before uttering something. “I do my own as I do, as I must. If it was your family in danger and you still tell me those would be your thoughts, I’d respect it but still think it’s stupid.”
Everyone lifted an eyebrow, left or right, it didn’t matter. Even the Defense Secretary lifted his eyebrows, too, though he didn’t seem insulted. He was righteous, or feared bloodshed, perhaps, but not an idiot. Someone like Luis wouldn’t put such useless people in his cabinet. On the contrary, the General seemed to fit Luis’s hidden ideologies just the right way.
“Fox, Mr. Chief Secretary of Security, he is-” Luis gestured, talking in Edgar’s sake, although the latter shook his hand low in a gesture. But Fox interrupted him, “He’s not my General, I am not his soldier. I’m nobody’s soldier.”
“What can I expect in… in this new role you’ve granted me?” Fox didn’t pause for long before asking. Luis looked up at him, secretly contented, “So you agree?”
“The CSS, as you call it, can formulate operations. Be it for the rescue of an individual or civilians, a capture or… lethal activities of taking down targets, and the confrontation against the organized crime.” The Admiral, Valentino Peralta, stepped forth and explained a bit.
Already having stepped out, and unhurried, Edgar Plomo also added, “You can analyze the Lýmocan forces when needed— for an operation or to plan a new strategy. The latter would have to go through with the President’s approval before it is presented to the congress. The former… it’s up to the President, as the Supreme Commander.”
“But you can only request— no matter if it’s a small operation, or one involving a city… you have to rely on the approval or dismissal of others to mobilize any forces, and to continue investigating for a better option.” Luis added, looking at Fox seriously.
Fox seemed to understand now, much better in general. He nodded a bit, and just as he looked down at the document again, the doors to Luis’s hidden compartment bedroom opened, revealing an old, brown man walking in, staring directly at Fox.
“B-… Egoaiz Prein,” Fox called out. Butler looked at him, then at Nala, before nodding. He walked over, with Luis standing up to greet him. The others didn’t know Butler, but they’ve seen him with the President many times, always leaving them wondering if this was the ‘sponsor’ of the country, an eerie possible secret.
“President, you’ve teased the boy too much. It’s my turn,” Butler helped Luis sit back down, acting subservient, but sincerely so. He then looked at Fox, flashing an amicable smile before pointing at the document. “This isn’t just for a position in the government again, kid.”
“You’re still calling me a kid, boy, or something. What will make that stop?” Fox shook his head a bit, his face impassive, as always. Butler stopped and slightly protruded his lips. He signaled to the document again, “This, boy. Complete it and you’ll have that acknowledgement.”
“Hm…” Fox read it again while Butler voiced, “Everyone here knows the President has a secret project that can deal with both daily intelligence and secret organization intelligence. I am the head of the latter. While you still won’t know much. Just know there is this power behind the President Luis Heartez who will follow him to the core of this nation’s flourishing. Those who are here, including those who received anonymous messages, one way or another…”
Butler paused to look around, being unclear to whom he referred to. Luis was focused on Fox reading the document, like he did not care of the people who were approached by who knew who. Yet, everyone felt apprehensive anyways. Butler then carried on.
“It does not matter what things have been said or thought, you are here for a reason. I am now, with the President’s permission beforehand,” Butler looked at Luis with a gesture before returning his attention to the rest of the room. “Presenting my Piya Sanctum District before you, direct subordinates below the President.”
Clamor, hushes…
There was some commotion, but Fox remained impassive, let alone Nala, who might have known this would happen. Then, Butler looked at Fox, nodding at Nala after they exchanged a glance and she hung her head a little. Just as Fox wondered what it was about…
“Like my rank, Fox, there is another one, which is of brutal importance. There has only been 2 in the history of the District, whose lives were lost in between several decades, bringing about the peace we now have today. Complete this first assignment given to you by the President’s decree as the first Chief Secretary of Security, and you will become the third Raging Blood of Piya Sanctum District.”
“Ragi- wait, what decree?” Fox frowned a bit, before widening his eyes to look down at the document. It told of his new position, and the payment for accepting it as a hidden expert trained under utmost specialized means, all garbage. However, it was a good, one-time payment he couldn’t refuse. With an honorary merit and recognition, besides a few benefits.
But there was no assignment nor decree. Just as he wanted to grab the document, Luis smiled and pinched it with his left fingers. He slid something below the document’s side, below. A small letter-sized paper slid out before placing it atop.
Fox’s eyes widened, and he read. A few seconds later, with his head tensed, he looked up at the President, then at Butler, before going back to the President. “You want me to-”
“Proteros will be your first task,” Luis interrupted him with half a smirk from the left side of his mouth. “You now count with I, the President, full support and assets of the country to plan the extermination of organized crime groups. Not of the people in them, the groups. Understood?”
Fox tilted is head to the right, hanging it, with his eyes widened as much as possible. Luis chuckled, with Butler continuing where Luis left it, “You will have a month to plan the cleansing, but half a month to start cleansing the capital city. Are you up for it, Fox?”
“…!” Fox’s eyes trembled when he heard this. He had just come out of ‘jail’, and he was just getting together with the beauty that smitten him the moment she appeared before him for the first few, several times in his life.
Now, there was a country-wide mobilization to cleanse the dirt he once half-belonged to as an Artista in Riverlye? And in less than a month?
Seeing his face, both sneaky leaders exchanged glanced with low eyebrows before Luis spoke out, “Fox. This is a matter of utmost importance.”
Luis stood up and accommodated his jacket, with Lesly hurrying over from the side to check his tie and collar, gaining his attention momentarily as she continued. He resumed, “I’m not leaving this to you only because you are capable and because you have the connection with people I do not. The results Mr. Ego has shown me are exactly what I need for a role like this.”
“You will cooperate with the navy, air forces, and the army. Similarly, the national guard, who will deal with the police forces in your stead, but the latter are still your concern. But you still need the brains and flexibility to work this out in due time. Let me present to you a little someone… he is also the reason why some of your previous actions in Riverlye were caught.” Luis presented, gesturing his right arm to the doors Butler came from a couple of minutes ago. They opened again. Fox looked at them with narrowed, resentful eyes this time as they did…
Step, step, step, step… A young boy with soft white skin, an exotic metallic, natural sapphire hair with black locks and sapphire eyes appeared between the doors. He was short, even for his age, and looked a little effeminate. He stepped in and watched everyone, astounded, before forming a wide smile, “Hey, everyone!”
“…” Fox looked at the boy before staring at Luis, then at Butler. The latter tilted his head and lifted his eyebrows, “What? How do you think others felt when you came around to the world’s eyes.”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Fox rolled his eyes, almost tripping from his hold on the desk, but picking himself up in time. He looked at the young boy before asking Luis without looking at him, “What’s with this one?”
“This is Miros, he… actually aided in finishing the project of the ‘baby’ you’ve been trying to repair all this long. Which was presented last International Vehicle Presentation in 1,020.” Luis grinned and explained, “I happened to come into this information and asked Butler to bring him into the District. He was an orphan, but he has everywhere to go and continue studying now.”
“Hi, I’m Miros…” Miros stepped up to Fox and half extended a hand before awkwardly dropping it. Clearly, he has also read something about Fox, which he felt like know anyone could nowadays. Of course, Miros wasn’t supposed to, but with his capabilities…
“Myertha…?” Fox frowned, ignoring the boy’s gesture. Miros nodded before grimacing. “Oh yeah, that thing. Y’know, there were more things I wanted to do with it, but the guy sponsoring everything didn’t want any of it. Anyway, I’ve been having more fun this half a decade working for the government. Oh, yes, I’m a Ly, in case you were wondering.”
“Can you repair a destroyed Myertha?” Fox blinked, not bothering about anything else, and just asked. Miros blinked, too, once. Then, he nodded, “Of course! I can al-”
“Am I to plan all of this in 2-4 weeks?” Fox ignored Miros and turned to Luis, who was still engrossed in their first meeting. After also blinking, Luis nodded, “He will aid you. Don’t underestimate him. I have kept him hidden longer than you. You should understand that.”
“…” Fox stared with an unfocused gaze and blinked a few times before nodding. “Miros, you know where my boutique is?”
“Yep!” Miros nodded. Fox returned the gesture, “Then come at it tomorrow, we’ll start working since then. Bring information of every land route, streets, railways, highways, freeways, rural roads; everything with you.”
“Oh, already have it!” Miros jolted on the spot, excited to announce it. Fox stopped just as he nodded to Luis again. He turned his head to Miros for a few seconds before adding, “Every aerial route, too. Helitaxis, choppers, military aerial routes, trading ports, sea routes, and submarine trajectories of the organized crime known to date. The relationship of trading companies coming and going with supplies with the ports, and the possible involvements of authorities in these places.”
“I can also bring the previously known ports favored by each organized crime group up to date since 32 years ago, and the companies who have been seen forming some shady deals. Caught by the people with evidence but dismissed by the judges. Mn, there’s also the representation of the communities where the OCs have either dominated over them, or brainwashed them into protecting them when the uniformed folk come after them.”
“…” Fox looked at Luis, startled and speechless. Luis smirked, feeling victorious again. Fox shook his head a bit and pushed yet again, “How about the routes these groups take to flee, and the people who aides them? From homeless to governors. Also, I want a detailed view of the various handling of these with ANS and the transportation of illegal merchandise and items. An estimation of their weaponry would also suffice.”
Fox glanced at Edgar for a moment, “Not from what it has been seen, but what one can deduce from gathered intelligence.”
“So?” Fox looked at Miros again and exclaimed. Miros thought for a moment, eyes widened. He then nodded, becoming excited. “Sure! I can also check the places where they are recruiting more people and why there. Oh, I’ll investigate the latest confrontations between the OCs!”
Fox gave the President a look, which the latter replied by cocking his head with a smirk. Then, Fox looked at Butler, “So, what’s a Raging Blood?”
“We can talk a bit about this. Are you willing to spend some time with this old man at the top?” Butler replied. Fox arched an eyebrow before slowly nodding. He turned to Luis again, grabbing his pen and writing on the document and decree, “Your first Chief Secretary of Security accepts his delegation, and thanks the President for his trust.”
With that, Fox walked away but stopped, his posture somewhat stifled. Nala smirked from the left corner of her mouth a bit before going over, hugging him from behind before putting his left arm over her shoulders. Just then, Miros sounded, a bit anxious, “What time should I go there?”
“When it opens,” Fox said, leaving as he passed by Colmillo, latching off the desk. Like he couldn’t notice the way Colmillo’s mask focused on Miros, and the aura of fangirling over him. He only hoped she knew to wait for such a fresh piece of meat, at least.
“I’ll be there!” Miros exclaimed, saluting Fox seriously. Butler nodded at Luis before walking behind Fox and Nala. Immediately after, Luis was approached by his cabinet with all sorts of questions and doubts. Luis had to stand up and pacify them, “I know, I know. I have also had my fair share of debate… I can’t stop here, and I will still need your aid when the time comes…”
On the other hand, Colmillo walked to Miros, standing a few steps before the boy. She tousled his hair, as she always does, and Miros pouted after blushing a bit. “Big sis, do you have more challenges for me?”
“We’ll work together, there. I’ll test you lots, then. You ready?” Colmillo’s robotic, smooth and soothing voice sounded. Miros widened his eyes, “Yes! Oh, stop it, I’m so ticklish…”
… Fox stopped with Nala near the elevator. She lifted her right hand to his face, cupping him lightly. Fox did the same with his, but she slapped his right wrist away. He complained, cutely so but emotionless so, “Aww. Why that brutal?”
“I don’t like public display of affection.” She responded, letting go of his face, too. Fox blinked, “I know, but you touched me first.”
“Tonight— you can touch me all you ever wanted,” Nala said without batting an eye, eyes fully open. Fox bathed in those gray, light blue, before asking as he semi-gulped. “Can I?”
“Can you?” Nala lifted her eyebrows and went back at him with that. Fox frowned, concentrated and focused. “Will I?”
“Yes, I will let you all you want.” Nala’s voice melted, and she caressed him again, passing her left fingertips through his black hair above his right ear. Fox gulped again, this time with his eyes locked silly onto her face. Then, out of nowhere, she spoke before pulling his cheek a bit. “Don’t be too pushy. He chides by balding parts of your head if you misbehave.”
“…?” Fox frowned, curious and taken aback. Nala stepped aside and let him see Butler walking towards them. She held his right elbow and blew on his neck from a distance before walking away with half a spin, “I’ll wait in the car.”
Fox gulped again, left behind by Nala, where he had to face Butler immediately. Butler nodded at him as they waited for the elevator. A couple of beautiful women looked at them when the elevator doors opened, blushing when looking at Butler, before interestingly staring at Fox.
Once in the elevator, heading to the highest point. Fox and Butler remained silent. It was only the two of them. It was a bit silent, until Butler made a strange comment, “Keep your head up, kid.”
At last, they arrived at the rooftop, which only a tiny number of people in the entire building had access to, and walked around. Fox looked at the city night. In the distance, he could still see and hear some bustling around the SCJ building. He must have looked at it for long, for Butler walked to him and stood on his left.
“Gets one excited. Many don’t feel it, and might not know about it unless something drastic occurs. When in times of uncertainty, any piece of news is as true as one’s heart. Who knows what they will do when they see lies and the truth, independently of what they believe… 5 million people. This is…” Butler was a bit breathless when he arrived at this point.
“Lye,” Fox complemented. His face remained natural. Butler looked at him, nodding a bit. He gestured to the edge. “We are very high, and only folk like us could feel safe being here for an hour or more without equipment, but we don’t fly just because of breath. Still, would you mind sitting? I find it more… conveying when people speak like this. I learned that, too.”
“Okay…” Fox felt a bit weird, but he still took the first step to the edge and sat down, his legs hanging down from it. Butler followed suit, groaning a bit as he sat down and rested, his backbones sounding and cracking in Fox’s ears, who cocked his head in contemplation.
“Ask away,” Butler sat properly with a straight back, while Fox folded his left leg and supporting his left elbow on it. Fox thought for a bit before asking, frowning ever so slightly, “What is that of the Raging Bloods?”
“They are a position similar to the Butler, only not necessary for its functions.” Butler commenced, following with a sigh. “They were formed when the Green Transformation was just in its very first year. The President back then had the support of unique figures in the country, even dating back to the times of the Lýlaco Empire. They weren’t rich socially or monetarily, but in intelligence and mobilization.”
“Either way, during those times, the Raging Blood was that which was titled to become a sort of… image.” Butler lifted his sight. His narrowing eyes showed reminiscence. Fox wondered if he’d ever get to know of the District’s records. After so many things have happened, and hinted, he couldn’t help but become intrigued. It was also done with that means to an end.
“The difficulties of being… a ‘special agent’ back then might have been lesser than now, but the validity and nature a special agent in Piya Sanctum District must bear to be titled Raging Blood has never changed.” Butler’s words gained a lot of intrigue from Fox’s part, alright.
Then what? Fox wanted to ask but limited himself to listen. Butler continued at his pace, unhurried and with ease, “The first one continued after the President back then finished his work. Things were complicated, as his successor was the beginning of the return of all corruption. The first Raging Blood died, falling into the sea, but he successfully kept Lýmoca on its right path, albeit crooked and led into a helplessness without the promised restoration.”
“The second Raging Blood surged soon after that. He was younger, with more experience, and witnessed the development of the secret world. He had more chances to keep up with the times.” Butler looked at Fox with emotionless, firm eyes. “He was betrayed by other secret organizations, either nearby or overseas, and all that was left was to hole up afterwards.”
“…” Fox was left with only silence to think. After a little while, he lifted both his legs and hugged them, placing only the heels of their feet on the edge, the rest hanging out. “They were like the activist leader of the District, then? They had to have… no ambition, only the gall to step up and do something? Attract attention to oneself, and subsequently to the District… and to do that within the secret world, it had to be… something. Am I right?”
“Mostly,” Butler lightly smacked his lips open and worded before adding, “There are things that you missed, but don’t ask. You will come to eventually know.”
“Then, what about the Butlers? What is the matter with them— this role?” Fox rested the right side of his head on his arms. Butler nodded a bit, looking with upturned eyes at the sky again, nighttime and so dark. “There’s been many since almost 300 years ago. It’s not like Raging Blood, who become such when proven worthy and don’t stop even after death. They are more like presidents, if we are to compare, while Raging Bloods are either kings and queens or emperors or empresses.”
…