End of the Odyssey(2)
Al and his assistants were back in the planning room, unaware that they were avidly being watched by a room full of people who were waiting to see what he would say.
He had an inkling of it, for sure. But he was also sure that the live broadcast must surely have been interrupted, because for theatrical effect, it was best if the plans of heroes or villains were hidden from the general public. After all, only when it was viewed with the shock factor would it make an impact, and this was a concept that he was taking to heart, right now, as he finalized what he was going to do.
Outside, the sounds of soldiers milling around could be heard, drifting in through the door that was half-open. The other commanders were also with their men. 'Where they might be inciting them against me, and my mad plans.'
With a sigh, Al shook his head. A new report had just come in that had forced him to abandon all his thoughts on the ending, so far. It was pinned to the wall of the room, now, prominently visible right in the middle of the notice board.
It said: "National Guard called in. Arrival in one day."
There were so many types of odysseys that one's mind would be overwhelmed if they tried to study them all, but Al had done the hard work. He had been hoping that this was one where he would be given enough time to do what he wished… but clearly, the system was making it so that they would have no choice but to end it in a day, or have it ended for them.
With the advent of the National Guard, it was to be expected that the Resistance would be rooted out easily. It would be an automatic win for the heroes… if he wasn't able to do anything about it before then.
It could be said that this was advantageous for one side, but the system always tried to be fair. It could also be said that it was advantageous for the villains that they had such a perfect, hidden organization to make use of unlike the heroes who had to be transparent about everything they did… so generally, people never found a reason to whine that victory had been stolen away from them, or that a defeat had been given where they didn't deserve it.
As his thoughts veered to the matter of winning and losing, he sighed again. His original plan had been that he would focus on advertising the tools, and not care about the victor. But now, after coming so far… his mind had changed, and he didn't know whether that was good or bad.
'I want to win. I just want to! I don't know why… and I really don't care, I guess.'
This thought finally made him clench his fists, and decide that he would put aside everything and just give it his all. He had to stop thinking about what others would say about his actions, or what others would feel due to his decisions… because at the end of the day, he was the leader of the villains, and he would be responsible for the way this odyssey was going to end.
Turning to Jessica and Jordan, he indicated to them to close the door, which the latter did quickly. It was remarkable to see just how much their camaraderie had grown over the past few days. Where before Jordan had always been ready to shoot a snide remark even when it wasn't deserved, now, the man seemed to have imbibed a healthy respect due to his capabilities…which would soon be broken, but there was no other way.
Like it was a wound whose bandage needed to be peeled away as quickly as possible, Al launched into it after taking in a quick breath.
"Guys… I'm sorry, but this is how it's going to be. I have two motives driving me. I need to advertise the tools even more, because that is our primary objective… and I also need to win. I don't know about you, but I really want to stomp that arrogant pixie-haired brat's face into the ground. To make both these things happen… I'm going to make use of you, as I said before. Even though we've grown closer… it is imperative that you two are kept in the dark about what is going to happen. It is your reaction that will facilitate the best advertisement for the tools possible. This is my decision. I know that you hate it… but this is how it's going to be."
He turned around then, unable to face them both. Social situations had never been his headstrong suit, and now, with embarrassment thrown into the mix, it seemed that his glaring weakness would lead to him destroying any reputation he might have built up so far with his actions in this odyssey.
Sure enough, in the background, he heard Jordan stomping out and slamming the door behind him. That left him alone with Jessica, who was still sitting on the chair, unmoved, her eyes surely fixed on his back which trembled now, trying to convince him that there was an itch even though that wasn't the case.
He heard the sound of the chair being pulled back, too. He waited for the door to open and then slam shut again… but to his surprise, that didn't happen even after a few seconds.
'Wait… are the footsteps coming towards me? What the—��
His thoughts ground to a halt when he suddenly felt something soft press into him from behind. He froze like a deer in headlights, and as his waist was enveloped by her hands and he felt her bot breath on his neck, he shuddered, never having thought that something even remotely like this would happen.
She bent forward and kissed him on his cheek, resulting in such a deep blush that he was sure he must've gone as red as a tomato. She left him, then, and he felt such a pang of loss that it almost hurt physically.
"I trust you. Go get them, villain! And after the odyssey is done…we should meet up."
She was gone before he could even draw a breath. As the door shut behind him, he raised his hand slowly to the spot where her moist lips had touched his skin.
It tingled, and the sensation spread throughout his body. A silly, almost childish smile came to his face, which he had to hide by burying it in his hands.
'Holy crap! Holy, holy, holy crap! She… likes me! She said we should meet up! Wow! I never thought this day would come! In all that time dreaming about magical elves or alien woman calling me to—ah, ahem, I shouldn't think of that. But… holy crap!'
It took quite a while for the giddy excitement to go down. His heart seemed to beat in his chest thunderously for a long time, and the smile kept returning to his face no matter how much he tried to force it down. In the end, he had to glance at the report regarding the National Guard again to refocus himself, and even after that, he found himself looking forward to the end of the odyssey.
So, with renewed vigor, he walked out and onwards to the broadcast station that had already been set up. He purposefully avoided the direction in which he knew Jessica was standing as he wasn't sure that he would be able to stop that lovestruck face from appearing again, and after reaching the camera, he kept his eyes on the lens and nodded at the one behind it to show that he was ready.
The mask was quickly given to him, and after a short countdown, a red dot blinked on the camera. With another theatrical wave of his hands, he declared, "People of New York! Long live the Resistance! All our efforts have been pushing the governor more and more… but instead of learning, he has decided to risk it all! Watch this!"
He paused, knowing that the video had begun to play. Al had never been against reusing tricks if it meant that they would work, and as he saw it, he grinned within the mask, happy about how it had turned out.
It started with the fight between him and the leader of the heroes. It showed how he escaped, and after he got to the cycle, it cut away from him and showed the woman from behind.
It was clearly visible that she was shaking with rage. He couldn't hear it right now, but as he was the one who had given the command for it to be edited, he clearly recalled what one of the soldiers had been commanded to say so that they could make it seem as if the hero was the one saying it.
"Just you wait! The governor is going to use lethal methods, next! Do you know how he's going to get the money? He's going to dip into your retirement fund, and wipe it clean! All of your lives are over, you ants! Fuck you all!"
The red dot on the camera came on again. With a sad shake of his head, Al declared, "It is clear now that one last push is required. One last move that will give him no choice but to change, and treat us the way we deserve. In exactly 6 hours, we are all going to march to his home! No matter who comes against his… we will push past! No matter what happens, we will reign victorious over this cruel despot! For our freedom, for our future, for our children, we will fight! Long live the resistance!"
The red dot disappeared. Al took off the mask, and smiled openly. And from somewhere far away… he was sure that he could hear the sound of teeth grinding against each other, while rage burned like an inferno.