by L. M. Vila
This was not the time and place for an argument but Bahn was relentless.
“No, I meant that’s enough out of you,” Bahn retorted. “Wagging your tail like a dog while they dangle treats in front of you. You’re pathetic.”
In the back of the room, Meryl kept her eyes locked on and focused. The peace talks had appeared to temporarily halt while two of the North Korean delegates discussed something amongst themselves. Meryl may not have known enough Korean to understand what they were talking about but judging by their posture, body language, and tone it wasn’t anything good.
“Shelly,” Meryl whispered while continuing to monitor the situation.
“I read you Meryl,” she replied. “What’s going on? What’s the status?”
“Can you translate what they’re saying? I can’t tell but from the looks of it, they’re not having a pleasant discussion.”
There was a brief pause for only a second or two. Meryl felt her heart beat a couple of extra times in between.
“Negative,” Agent Yuan replied. “It’s too quiet. The microphone isn’t picking anything up. You’ll have to move in closer.”
That would prove to be difficult. Any movement on her part, be it completely unrelated may be deemed antagonistic and could blow her cover. After getting the General to agree and assist with everything the President had planned, it would be a terrible waste to have it all be thrown out because of one person’s impulsive and stupid actions.
“Negative on that,” Meryl replied.
Despite keeping the conversation amongst themselves, the General and Bahn were now becoming visibly angry as it progressed.
“They’re really getting fired up now. I cannot proceed.”
“We’ve accounted for these variables Agent Lewis,” the Director stated. “Do not proceed or engage unless there is a specific and hostile threat. Is that clear?”
“Roger.”
Those words should have been soothing but it didn’t do anything to ease Meryl’s concerns.
“You’re completely out of line Bahn!” The General stated. “Now sit down and learn your place.”
“No,” Bahn said while shaking his head. “You learn yours.”
Both crutches slipped out of Bahn’s grip and dropped to the floor. The former soldier planted himself on both of his legs which now appeared to be rooted into the carpet like a century old tree. The General made a move to stand. He lifted from his chair and didn’t get a foot off the cushioned surface before Bahn’s leg exploded from its position and swung at the Suh’s head.
Bones cracked as the General let out a horrific but brief cry out in terror. His head was violently ripped from his neck and launched as if exploded from a cannon. It traveled across the room and smashed into bright white interior walls. Blood spewed forth and dragged across the carpet leaving a permanent trail of the destruction that had just passed. The General’s headless body slumped to the ground as more crimson goo continued to pour out and stain the historic ground of the President’s office.
President Park attempted to scream as Bahn raced over and clasped her throat shut with his outstretched arm. His fingers dug into the delicate tissues of her skin pinching the veins in her neck, ceasing the flow of blood to her brain and rendering her unconscious nearly instantaneously.
“Shhh,” he whispered not just commanding the President of South Korea but as a warning to everyone else in the room.
In less than three seconds, the entire course of the meeting had changed. Bahn reached into his coat pocket and tossed his pill case to the other men now under his command.
“Create a barricade. No one comes in or goes out. Is that clear?”
The men gave him a hearty salute. They cracked open the case and began taking their medicine as Bahn had done moments earlier. Within seconds they had the strength and vigor of ten men each as they began ransacking the West Wing for tables, chairs, and other furniture that will seal the entrance and prevent any unwanted guests from attending.
Bahn slowly turned towards the rest of the individuals in the room. He gave them a long toxic stare before locking his gaze on the President.
“This peace meeting is over,” he said sounding more demanding with every breath.
Bahn’s English was nearly flawless. Everything up to this point had been a complete deception and almost everyone fell for it hook, line and sinker. Almost everyone.
“FBI!” The President’s aid shouted drawing a short barrel .38 revolver from her ankle and locking the sights on Bahn’s skull. “Don’t –”
Her words were instantly silenced as Bahn seemingly teleported over to her position and locked his hand on her skull. The exposed FBI agent winced in pain as her mind continually tried to process what had just happened. Bahn lifted her off the ground and drew her closer. All of her yelps and cries were music to his ears and he wanted to savor every moment of it.
Soft whispers began to leave the young woman’s head but they didn’t come out of her lips. Bahn could hear someone talking to her. Upon closer inspection, he caught a glimpse of a hidden earpiece with his newly enhanced vision. It all made sense why some secretary had a gun and would dare to challenge him. Even after their defeat, the Americans still didn’t trust them.
Bahn slightly scratched the earpiece with his free hand and gave it a tap. He then pulled the device from her ear and before it could even bounce a second time, he crushed it under the weight of his mighty foot. He tossed the girl away with what appeared to be a gentle swing but instead sent her violently careening into the eastern wall. Her body cracked against the ancient framework. The hard stone masonry bounced her off like a rubble ball and she slammed back to the ground as gravity commanded. Consciousness still remained with her as Bahn could hear whines and yelps of pain but she had learned a valuable lesson not to challenge his power ever again. He didn’t want to kill a woman, as defiant and uncouth as she may be. That wasn’t his style.
Not even half a minute passed and the entire Oval Office was in disarray. Everything had gone according to plan. Bahn couldn't have been more pleased with his efforts but the mission was far from over. He walked over to the President who was still shaking over the entire ordeal. Suh's blood continued to drain all over his floor and some of it had even splashed on his otherwise stainless face.
The soldier took off his jacket and let it drop delicately from his hands. He started to remove his tie all while keeping his eyes locked on the President. No one else dared to move after seeing his initial display of strength. Not that it mattered anyways. Anyone who has ever dared to challenge him no longer had a life to call their own.
Using his tie, Bahn began to restrain the President. The old man didn't put up a fight. It was easy to rationalize. He saw how quickly one life was ended and would do whatever it takes not to share the same fate. Bahn secured the President's hands behind his back and wrapped them up tight. This wasn't done because he thought of this man as a threat. This was to insult him. Bahn wanted nothing more to humiliate the self-proclaimed most powerful man in the world before he and his entire country were humbled for all eyes to bear witness.
Killing for the sake of killing was a futile endeavor. There are greater punishments to experience in life than death would allow. Bahn didn't want everyone who opposed him and his ideals to die. He wanted them to be humbled. That was the entire point of this operation. They didn't need to infiltrate the White House and hold the President hostage for their plan to succeed. This entire operation was a message to the rest of the world. If the greatest country on this earth could not defeat them then what hope did everyone else have?
“Now,” ordered Bahn.
He lazily took a seat in front of the President. This was all for show. Soon sirens would be blaring into the air and chaos would ensue. At the very least, he needed to quell some boredom before America falls.
“We will be discussing a new deal.”
The President tried not to look intimidated or scared when he replied but doubted his body would respond t
o any of those commands at this point. He mustered up all of the courage he had left which proved extraordinarily difficult given that he could still feel the dried blood of his former guest painted on his face.
“What kind of deal?”
March 27th, 2013 4:06PM
1286 4th St SE
Washington, D.C.
The harsh words of the man behind the glass continued to populate the thoughts of the FBI agent. Dr. Shin was responsible for creating Ryoo Myung-Dae and this entire wild goose chase that sent Michael half-way around the world. Had he known this is there the doctor was hiding, Michael would have put a bullet in his skull days ago.
“So you're the one the General feared?” Shin taunted. “I cannot see what he was so afraid of. From up here you look like insignificant insects waiting to be crushed underneath the boot of your superior.”
This was an exercise in futility. Michael never took offense when insulted. Actions always spoke louder than words. If the doctor wanted to talk, then he would let him talk. This would save the FBI agent a good amount of time during the inevitable interrogation.
“If the General considered you a threat that must mean there is more than meets the eye with you. Semyon feared nothing, not even God whilst he built is empire. And since you were the one to take that away from him, what does that make you?”
Michael remained silent. He didn't move or falter in his stance. Both sides were waging wars of intimidation. The first on to show any signs of weakness would have an uphill battle from here on out. Michael has never lost one of these yet.
“Irrelevant now,” quipped Shin.
His voice was growing more and more irritable with each statement and the scratchy speaker system was not improving thing either.
“For you see Agent Madison, I hold the ultimate weapon that will make even you fall to your knees. Behold,” he shouted while procuring a small white pill from his pocket. “This is the instrument of your destruction. The General beheld you as if you were some kind of God. And this,” he started with a wicked grin forming on his lips. “Is God-Slayer.”
The FBI agent's brow furrowed as his interest piqued. Agent M was now in pill form and looked no different than an aspirin. If that's what Ryoo had taken then it is a substance to be feared indeed. A dozen soldiers with that drug coursing through their veins could annihilate entire armies. Michael was only concerned with one at this point.
“And what is it that you want?” The Paladin asked.
Even though their very lives were threatened and nearly taken just moments ago, he still spoke with such elegance and class as if the last few minutes never happened.
“What do I want?” Taunted the doctor. “I want to live the American dream.”
The way he said those words almost made it seem like he was genuinely being sincere. Perhaps the language barrier made it difficult to translate but no matter what tongue was native to the doctor, he couldn't hide his emotions from Michael. All he needed was to look in someone's eyes and the truth was always waiting for him there.
“For years, American has swung their weight around acting like the policemen of this world. You either bend to their will or die trying.”
The doctor choked up as his next words really struck a chord with his emotions.
“My land! My people! You destroyed it all! All we wanted was to live in a world without you but you just couldn't stand someone with the guts to look you in the eyes and tell you no.”
He had to hand it to Dr. Shin. For someone as educated and intelligent to cook up Agent M as he did, he sure had a knack for the intimidating bad guy role. Unfortunately for him, Michael has heard it all before. Some from the best but mostly from the worst. Even if he swallowed that pill, all of the training in the world wouldn't save him now. Michael had already defeated Ryoo Myung-Dae, a seasoned and trained warrior. Defeating this man even with the aid of chemically enhanced strength would be like snapping a very talkative twig.
“But even in your infinite arrogance you think we would just lay down and let you do what you wanted? Your estimations and intelligence are grossly miscalculated Agent Madison. For you see, we are going to live the American dream and we are going to do it the American way. The world has been taught a valuable and constant lesson from this country. If you want something bad enough, all you have to do is take it.”
Those words intrigued the FBI agent. The way he said it didn't have an ounce of trepidation or dismay. Dr. Shin believed in what he was saying and in some situations that was far worse than someone with super-human strength.
“That is exactly what we are here to do. Our land may have fallen but we will adopt a new home here today. The land of the free and home of the brave will soon under my control. Chaos will rain down from the heavens. Blood will flow through and flood the streets. The American experiment will just be a footnote in what will be the greatest nation this world will ever know from now until the end of time.”
The insanity in the air was extra thick. There was no going back now. Michael had seen this kind of activity before during his hunt for the ten most wanted fugitives. All talk, no action.
The doctor looked down and pointed right at the FBI agent.
“America will be no more. You are now standing on what will soon be the proud lands of New Korea.”
That just sealed the deal. This doctor had clearly lost it. Michael grew tired of this charade and was ready to dispense justice in a way that everyone could understand, crazy or sane.
“You two have been bestowed with the highest honor I could give you. Your blood will be the first of many spilled today. As my army rises and you are pleaded, no begging me for a quick death I will be sure the history books will remember your sacrifice. The rest of the world will want to know who was the first to stand in our way. And they will need to be taught a lesson of what happens to anyone and everyone that does.”
Army? Michael thought. What was left of his army lay destroyed on his front lawn as a warning to anyone and everyone who would dare stand between him and his mission.
“Something's not right,” the Paladin spoke. “He's not lying but I can't sense the presence of any others.”
The FBI agent turned his gaze slightly. During their travels, Davis had constantly displayed unique abilities and a knack for always finding the best possible solution in any scenario. His power was great and Michael knew he would be a forced to be reckoned with should their partnership come to the inevitable battle between them. But if the Paladin was showing some sign of hesitation now, despite all of his power, Michael could feel uneasiness settle within him as well.
“Where is Ryoo Myung-Dae?” Michael spoke.
He already knew the answer. The FBI agent just needed to establish a connection and if possible, get a few more questioned answer.
Shin had a puzzled yet inquisitive look on his brow.
“So you’ve heard of our prototype? He made everything you see before you possible. Without his efforts, we wouldn’t be able to fund our base of operations here. He made short work of your supposed best fighters in the world and is now on his way to join his brother to claim our greatest conquest.”
Thoughts flowed like a raging waterfall. The doctor had no idea of the younger Ryoo brother’s fate but the fact that the second one was already on U.S. soil was beyond distressing.
“What conquest?” Asked the Paladin.
He was generally inquisitive and more than likely sense the disturbance building within his companion.
“What greater conquest is there,” the doctor started with an arrogant grin twirling on his lips, “that getting the most powerful man in the world to fall on his knees and surrender?”
Adrenaline filled the blood of the FBI agent. Ryoo Myung-Ho was not only in the country, he may very well be in the White house as they speak. There aren’t enough Secret Service agents in the building that could save any of them now. The only one with the power and knowledge was stuck in this warehouse, letting his rage boil all while listeni
ng to this mad scientist monologue about their evil plans. Michael had enough. It was time to silence him for good just as he did Ryoo and just as he will do to his older brother regardless of what the Paladin has to say about it.
“Farewell Agent Madison,” the doctor waved. “Please give my regards to the General.”
Shin dropped the microphone and walked over to the console just below the window's view. Michael counted him flipping five switches. He then stopped and then folded his hands behind his back. The FBI agent wasn't certain what had just happened but he was pretty sure it had something to do with the violent roars coming from the boarded up area in the back of the warehouse.
March 27th, 2013 4:08PM
20th St NW
Washington, D.C.
“Something's wrong,” Agent Yuan stated. She continually tried to reestablish connection with Agent Lewis but there was nothing but static on the other side.
“What was the last transmission?” Asked the Director. The stern look on his face set the mood for the rest of the agents monitoring this operation.
“I’m going through the data now but there’s a lot of interference,” replied Shelly as she continued to go through the sound file and scope pattern. “The last thing that was transmitted were two loud thumps.”
The seemed to settle the Director’s temper a bit. A tap on the headset is the sign for an ‘all clear’ or ‘everything’s okay’ as it was discussed before the operation began. He leaned back in his chair and relaxed a little bit.
“Then everything should be fine?” The Director stated.
“I don’t think so sir,” countered Agent Yuan.
Her instincts were steering her in a direction that the Director might not want to hear at the present moment but it was in her duty to proceed.
“Just before the taps I’m showing two loud bursts of sound. I’m trying to clear it up but there’s a lot of interference.”
Shelly continued to play the bursts in a loop. The data was a mess. It was difficult to hear but from within the distortion, she was able to make out Agent Lewis’ voice saying something. The earpiece was pressure sensitive and any loud shouts from the wearer could dislodge or even damage the device.
