Chapter 57 – Meanwhile

[3rd POV]

George W. Bush was peeved. After the 9/11 terrorist attack, the people had rallied behind Apollo, not him.

However, he had generated enough support, both from the public and in Congress for two major events the White House was planning: the invasion of Afghanistan for early October, and the USA PATRIOT Act, to be passed by the end of October.

The invasion of Afghanistan was still in the planning and preparations stage, with forces being positioned in neighboring Pakistan, India, and the Middle East.

Apollo Enterprises had expressed their interest in providing intelligence via satellites but had yet to do so.

And now to blow off steam, Bush was working with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to hook up his Xbox to the television I the Oval Office. Playing some Halo always made him feel better.

"Mr. President!" Vice President Dick Cheney burst into the room. He was followed by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Director of the CIA George Tenet.

Bush quickly dumped the Xbox into a drawer before closing it shut. Rumsfeld shoved his controller under himself, sitting on it to prevent the others from seeing.

"Mr. President," Cheney repeated, "we've just received word that Apollo went to Afghanistan last night."

Bush's eyes widened and Rumsfeld fell off his chair. "I thought you said that was a publicity stunt," Bush sputtered as he pointed at the CIA Director.

"That's what we believed," Tenet mumbled as he fumbled through documents. "We received no indications that he would actually follow through."

Not wanting to lose his job, Director Tenet failed to mention that the CIA had virtually no methods of gathering intelligence on Apollo Enterprises. They couldn't be hacked. The resumes of undercover agents were never accepted for an interview.

And they couldn't monitor them with satellites. Apollo Enterprise owned all the best satellites, and the CIA purchased information from them. The CIA did not want to jeopardize this relationship.

"We only realized today because there was a follow-up press conference with Apollo Enterprises' Chief Operating Officer," Rice explained. "And it was confirmed that Apollo really went to Afghanistan last night for the purpose of hunting Osama bin Laden."

"The markets tanked by 50%," Powell added. "And Apollo Enterprise continues to slow walk, not giving us the intelligence we need for the invasion."

Bush slumped over in his chair. "What's the progress regarding our build up for the invasion?"

"We have over a hundred thousand soldiers stationed in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other countries in the area," Powell stated.

"It's September 19th now," Bush said, looking at his calendar. "I want a two-pronged invasion to go in by the 26th. One to find bin Laden, and the other to rescue Apollo."

There was more shuffling of documents as everyone scribbled down the stuff they'd have to do. Once everyone appeared to be on the same page, Bush asked, "was there anything else in the follow-up press conference?"

"Nothing else sir," Rice answered, "just that the second seasons of Attack on Titan, Love is War, and Avatar the Last Airbender will be cancelled until further notice."

"Change of plans," Bush said, "The invasion starts today!"

.

Artemis had not slept the entire night. She was waiting. At any moment, Apollo would walk into their room and apologize.

Some may wonder what Apollo was expected to apologize for. Artemis was wondering too.

Artemis didn't know what Apollo should apologize for. But she felt bad after hearing her boyfriend's words. So naturally, she held him responsible.

According to all the shows she watched, after Apollo apologized, she'd act indifferent and cold. He'd coax her out of the bed with declarations of love and promises of food. After a few minutes, she'd eventually crawl out, they'd embrace and make up. It was all planned.

Hearing the door open, Artemis put on an apathetic face and slowly turned towards the entrance. To her disappointment, Emily stood in the doorway. Not the person she was waiting for.

"My lady!" Emily said with wide eyes, "Lord Apollo has gone!"

Immediately, Artemis's mind collapsed into a jumbled mess. "What?!"

"Lord Apollo has gone to fight the Taliban!" Emily explained.

In a flash Artemis dashed from the bed and grabbed Emily, bringing her face to face. "Emily," she said with a spooky look on her face, "tell me exactly what happened."

In the next 20 minutes, Emily explained everything. The emergency meeting that Artemis purposefully missed, the following press conference, and Apollo's departure to Afghanistan.

By the end of it, Artemis was dumbfounded. She really thought he'd come for her.

"Oh!" Emily exclaimed, pulling out an envelope. "I just remembered; Lord Apollo left this for you."

Artemis snatched the envelope. She carefully inspected it as she brushed her fingers over every crease, feeling the letter inside. Then she looked up at Emily.

"I'll be outside," Emily took the hint and left the room, closing the door behind her.

The second the door clicked, Artemis ripped open the envelope and read the letter.

***To my dear Artemis,

As the sun bids its farewell to the moon, I must now say goodbye to you, my beloved huntress of the night. My heat aches at the thought of bidding you farewell, but alas, I must embark on a perilous journey to the frontlines of war.

Your presence in my life has been nothing short of divine providence. You, the moon to my sun, have illuminated my world in my darkest hours with your radiant spirit and unwavering strength. In the serene moonlit nights, you have been my guiding star, my compass in darkness, showing me the way even when the path seemed obscured by shadows.

As I prepare for the possibility of death (as infinitely small as it may be), I march forward, knowing I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I were to allow people to get away with hurting those I love.

When the moon rises and sets, know that you are ever-present in my thoughts. The distant memories of your tender touch and the warmth of your embrace will be the armor that shields me from the arrows of fate. With every life I reap, your name will be whispered upon my lips, a testament to the boundless love that fuels my spirit.

While my heart may be heavy with the burden of leaving you, my resolve remains steadfast. I shall fight with the valor of a million warriors, for I know that our love transcends the boundaries of time and space. Our love is a celestial bond, unyielding to the ravages of war, and I believe that destiny shall guide me back to your side when the dust of battle settles.

Until that glorious day, my beloved, I entrust upon you, everything that we have built for the past two decades. As the god of knowledge, I know that you'll do a fine job maintaining our home.

In the moments when you feel the weight of solitude, look to the heavens, and remember that the same moon and sun that illuminate your world are witnessing the battles I wage in distant lands. On some days, it may seem as if we are separated by the vastness of the cosmos, but our hearts remain intertwined, beating as one in the symphony of eternity.

Farewell, my lovely Artemis. May the beauty of the wilderness and the songs of the nightingales comfort you in my absence. I shall yearn for the day when we are reunited, and once again, our love shall shine as bright as the sun and moon in the celestial expanse.

With all the love my immortal heart can bear, Apollo

P.S. Make sure Yuka doesn't eat too many cookies. I fear her gluttony challenges even my blessing to maintain her good health.***

Shaking, Artemis lowered the letter, until her paper slipped and glided to the floor. Tears streamed from her eyes, as her eyes glowed silver.

Slowly the silver glow spread all over her body. Her body started shaking more and more.

"APOLLO!" she screamed, creating a large explosion, destroying everything around her.

Luckily, she was on the top floor, so damage was minimal. That is if you don't count Emily.

Emily had a feeling something like this might happen. So, she took cover on the other side of the apartment.

After everything had settled down, she made her way towards her goddess. Emily found her crying on her knees.

"Apollo, you dummy," Artemis whispered.

Emily cleared her throat. "My lady, what is your will."

Artemis paused, thinking. Then, she stood up, materializing a camo uniform on her body. "Emily, prepare a plane. You and Olivia are in charge while I'm gone."

"Yes, my lady."

"Oh, and Emily?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"Make sure your girlfriend lays off the sweets."