Convenient Truths

Right in the corner of New Birth City, was the military base New Birth Fort. It looked like a huge modernized castle which overlooked the city and towered by the seas. New Birth Fort was one of the most sophisticated bases that the world has ever seen.

During the Continental Wars which nearly destroyed the nation of Australia, New Birth Fort proved to be an unconquerable fort. Its anti-missile, anti-mortar, and anti-stellar systems were unquestionable. No jet managed to drop a bomb on this fort, no missile ever penetrated through its sophisticated system and even the rain of mortar bombardments from the seas could not damage it.

New Birth City felt safe with this goliath nearby. But tonight, terror and chaos reigned like never before.

Deep within the confines behind the thick walls of this fort, a tall and black soldier paced the walls and had an angry look on his face. He wore a black bulletproof vest and had several men following him.

All the soldiers who he would pass by would stop and salute. A deep sense of respect filled their eyes.

The soldier soon reached a room which had tighter security. Several soldiers guarded the entrance and even a military gate pass was required to undo the electrical fields which barred the entrance.

Unlike others, however, the soldiers guarding this gate immediately turned the electrical field off and gave a respectful salute as the soldier responded and continued to walk towards the main door.

"General Garland." The soldier saluted as he addressed the man who sat in the middle of the room.

The room was a command center which acted as the heart and soul of the New Birth Fort. Only the highest ranking officials could enter this room. It was because of the soldier's special traits and status that he could freely enter this room despite his Lieutenant rank.

"To what pleasure do I owe the visit from the Hero of Helion's Tragedy?" The General smiled.

The General was a man in his late 30's. He wore a standard Australian General's outfit but was too lazy to button the coat of his jacket to the very top. He looked undignified, lazy and even had facial hairs that made him like a slob. Yet despite this appearance, he was one of Australia's youngest and most terrifying General.

"Send me out there, General. I feel that something's up. It wouldn't be this simple. Not with Lowengren."

"I know. That little punk's beaten our country so many times that even when I was secretly playing against him, our country still lost. I already sent out several teams. Don't worry. I won't treat him like the other General's." Garland laughed as he kept on scratching the back of his head.

"Still, with respect, I would like to request to have my platoon do a full sweep on the city."

"Alright. I know when not to argue with the insistent Hero of Helion's Tragedy." The General gaze a lazy stretch and sat down on the General's View.

"Take whatever you need."

"Thank you, General." The soldier gave a respectful salute.

"And Lieutenant Lander… Try to catch Lowengren alive."

"I understand General."

The city was now in chaos. The police were scrambling across the city. There was an emergency broadcast which requested that the people were to evacuate malls and all prominent buildings were also asked to ensure their security.

Various office buildings conducted a quick sweep through the building to ensure that no bomb has been planted in the building.

The Octagon Square was now a busy place full of people. The offices of many skyscrapers near the area had to do their security protocols to ensure that the bomb wasn't planted in their building.

On the roadside stood several limousines. There were a group of armed men protecting several important persons of the various company which towered around the Octagon Square.

"This is stupid! Why should we evacuate over some threat coming from an angry nineteen-year-old?" A tall businessman complained to his guards.

"We can never be too safe Sir. After all, that's Lowengren. Who knows what he could do. Despite being a kid, he's a genius with one of the highest IQ in this world. And he is the son of a Pangean Nation's president… He could be serious with his threats."

"If you ask me he's just bluffing! Where the hell would that kid get a bomb anyway? He's just making us panic."

"The security team will confirm if there is a bomb in the building and we can safely return, Sir."

"Of all the days for this to happen." The man grunted and gripped his fist in anger.

"I can't believe Gary's dead."

The surrounding bodyguards stood silently. They knew that the moods of their bosses were terrible at the death of their boss's friend.

Not too far away from the cars, were water fountains. The water fountain was surrounded with marble tiles which the people usually used as benches. On one of its sides, sat Alean and Cliff.

"Well? Your reaction seems nice." Alean smirked.

"Yes, Miss. It's confirmed. He is associated with Gary Corner." Cliff shook his head still in disbelief.

"I can't believe that Arthur's simple hypothesis would actually be correct. If Gary Corner is associated with that guy, and that guy owns most of the buildings here, then the good thing is that what we are about to do is aimed towards the Aragarian's or their supporters." Alean did her best to smile.

Cliff sat silent.

"I don't think I'd be able to sleep on the next days. This is just… too many people."

"I know. Even for me." Alean shook her head.

"I've killed quite a few you know? But they weren't innocent or helpless. But this will be the first time. It's funny. I finally am doing something that I know will help the future, and I should be happy. Instead, I've never been more uncertain of something in my life."

"I can go first if you want," Cliff suggested.

"It's alright. I should be the one taking care of you guys. You still are my students, after all."

"I wonder how Meryl felt."

"I'm sure even Arthur felt this pain. Honestly, you seemed awfully calm for a student who is about to massacre and kill people. What are you thinking at this time?" Alean laughed.

Cliff sighed.

"I… I just imagine myself as Seeker. How he would feel, or how I think he feels. I just kind of like- imagine his face. His expressions. How he would look when he's shooting these guys. I try to imitate that. Somehow it helps. I really think I'm doing something for the future."

Alean was silent.

"Well… Our future is doomed to war. So I guess, you can't say that karma will get to us." Alean then pulled out a mask from her pockets.

"Get ready."

A small metallic ball rolled from the ground and went directly to the center of the Octagon Square.

A bright light blasted on the middle which shocked everyone. The sudden blast caught every one of guarded and panic ensued.

People were stumbling down while others were screaming. In the middle of this chaos, Alean sprinted towards the limousines and unloaded a magazine of bullets.

Upon hearing the gunshots the blinded crowd started panicking and started blindly rushing and stampeding against each other.

Cliff was already standing on the other end of the square. His guns were aimed at another group of businessmen.

The bodyguards could only shoot blindly. Many were blinded at the flashbang and the remaining few who were able to turn their backs on the bright light were the first to die.

As the shouts and scream continued, Alean gave a curious look at the main streets which connected to Octagon Square.

"That was fast." Alean readied her gun as the first set of police officers approached.

Arthur and Meryl continued to wait and check the news.

"Strange. Alean and Cliff should be starting now." Arthur frowned as he noticed several cops rushing outside.

"Did you notice?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. Those police officers looked more worried than the other officers who rushed out of there." Meryl wondered.

"Something's wrong. Even the bomb threat didn't make them panic."

"Maybe they found the bomb?"

"Unlikely. But that's none of our concern. We'll take this shot."

Arthur and Meryl finally entered the police station.

People were screaming and fighting, demanding things from the police.

"Wow. I didn't expect it would be this chaotic."

"It's not just because of us. Remember, we have a battalion of soldiers in this city. Lowengren assigned them special tasks for each squad. Most of which involve breaking the law." Arthur smiled.

"I have to ask. Between him and you, who's smarter?"

"I'm smarter, but Lowengren's wiser." Arthur then strode towards the hallways connected to the deeper parts of the police station.

As the pair walked deeper into the police station they witnessed more complaints and unruly people screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Shouldn't we supposed to be massacring are way in by now?"

"No. Something's wrong. It would be unwise to proceed with haste and recklessness." Arthur then found the door which led to the restricted section.

Arthur approached nearby police.

"I am Arthur Humphrey of the Covenant of the Strongest. I have important information regarding the whereabouts of Lowengren. I will only talk to the highest official present." Arthur spoke softly to which only the officer he spoke to could hear. But there a strict demand in Arthur's tone.

The police stared in shock. But the familiar face of Arthur prompted him to act quickly.

"Follow me."

The police officer immediately opened the door which led to the restricted area.

The officer walked in haste and led the pair directly towards the commissioner's office.

"Commissioner!" the officer barged in without even knocking.

The Commissioner was in the middle of a heated discussion with several other officers.

"What now?" The Commissioner roared.

Arthur quickly closed the door and immediately dashed towards the middle of the table and started beheading people.

Meryl quickly followed suit and started aiming for the throats and necks of everyone inside. In a manner of seconds, eight officers were dead.

Arthur carefully positioned the last officer in a slanting position before killing the officer with a thrust through the skull.

"What are we doing here?" Meryl frowned.

"We just killed the leaders of the police force. This should give us more time to cause chaos. But the main reason why I had him lead us here is that this should be the only room that is not under surveillance. Let's go." Arthur quickly removed the coat of the officer and checked to see if there was any blood on it.

Arthur walked out of the room while holding Meryl by the hand as if he was an officer who was leading a prisoner or criminal.

"Make sure not to damage anything in the Comm room," Arthur warned.

The pair walked towards the Communication's office without garnering attention from the rest of the officers on the floor.

Arthur strode in and the exact moment the doors were closed, Meryl and Arthur started killing the officers watching the room.

Meryl glanced at the various screens being displayed in a huge monitor.

The screens displayed various places in the city. Some were residential mansions while others were corporate offices. But the one that caught attention is a live stream of the Octagon Square. Alean and Cliff could be seen shooting everyone around the area.

"I don't understand." Meryl was confused. Was this why they witnessed panicked police officers who sprinted out of the station earlier? They immediately found out about the shoot-out?

"I do. That screen over there. That one, and these screens here." Arthur pointed to several parts of the monitor.

"Those are businesses that are known to be in association with Gary Corner's and Feltrick Ung-glaive. And those are the known residences of the CEO of these companies and organizations."

"What do you…?"

"No wonder Seeker didn't show any remorse when he planned on attacking Australia. He probably already knew about it."

"About what?"

"This country has already sold itself to the Aragarians." Arthur declared. A hint of joy surfaced on Arthur's once gloomy eyes.