A few hours later
9 PM
Rafael's personal gym
Rafael's gym was quite large, designed solely for him, as most of the equipment exceeded the lifting capacity of an average person. His father had purchased it all from Atlas, and it was completely soundproofed.
"47… 48… 49… 50," Rafael counted while doing pull-ups, a 50-kilo weight strapped around his waist. He had relentlessly tested his body's limits, trying everything. Scientists had concluded that his body was undergoing a form of accelerated evolution, and the number of people with his level of superhuman strength was only in the hundreds worldwide.
Rafael performed multiple exercises within that single hour, consistently improving his strength. However, his outward physique remained relatively unchanged, ensuring he never developed bulky muscles. Scientists had developed a special drug for him; its effects maintained his enhanced strength, but it required a normal exercise routine to remain effective. He embraced this as a challenge and also mastered various weapons.
"Young master, your father is calling you," Ben said through a coms device Rafael wore. Hearing this, Rafael kicked his right leg forward. A rope was wrapped around it, connected to a heavy weight. The kick immediately tugged the weight forward, stopping just before it reached its maximum extension.
"Fucking bullshit, do I have to go down this path?" Rafael chuckled to himself as he tried to devise a way to handle the impending situation.
'I think it's better to offer them a favor within my authority, equivalent to breaking off the engagement altogether,' he thought, standing up after a brief rest.
Dining hall
"Son, I've decided that once you meet your fiancées, you will be staying in a different residence," Hector announced.
"Why?" Rafael questioned.
"In order for you all to get along privately. The other parties agreed with this idea and are awaiting your confirmation," he said, as this was one of the times he wanted his son to make a decision.
"How about I give my decision when I meet them?" Rafael said, finishing his meal quickly.
"Sure, but your mother and little brother send their greetings," Hector said with a small smile. Rafael's younger brother was currently with his mother. Rafael had missed his brother's birth and didn't even know his name, as the child had been sent to the United States for protection after Rafael's disappearance.
"I see. Tell them to keep on their toes," Rafael replied, leaving the dining hall and returning to his room. He opened a separate computer connected to the secure Atlas networks and saw an update from the separate Atlas email used by higher-ups. Atlas had covertly bought half of Google's shares and developed its own email app used by the higher echelons on separate servers, distinct from the server used by the council and the Administrator himself.
'They were almost impossible to find. Currently, there are three women under different names but arriving on the same day next week. After talking to the council, they can delay them by two weeks.'
After reading the report, Rafael decided to expedite the deployment orders. After reviewing other reports, he nodded satisfactorily and went to bed.
Such was the life of a president of a global corporation who focused on development rather than hoarding.
Michael's POV
"Like I said, the Administrator wishes to expedite the deployment of his forces within a week," I told the people on the video call displayed on the flatscreen TV. This meeting was being held in my room in my own mansion. Outside the room were four fully armed Atlas soldiers, part of my personal security detail, as I was a bit protective of my secrets.
"And I'm telling you, it's logistically impossible. Plus, we need to deal with redeployment orders, and this hasty order will be noticed," one of the council members said in a serious voice.
"Just make it a week and a half so we can deal with the scrutiny of others," another said, his position dealing with internal affairs.
"Sure, I will tell the Administrator, but he will be stuck with you guys when he is not happy with the results," I said, as the council managed Atlas Corps on Rafael's behalf, and everyone was informed that their duty was to maintain, govern, and grow Atlas for Rafael.
"Fine, in a week, no more than that. And for the request for increased weapons and ammunition, they will be sent separately and covertly to the security forces in Tanauan. Reconvene after an internal clean-up, and tell Emir to keep the security level as it is but increase it in case a problem arises again," the man I recognized, Canute, spoke.
"Sure, Canute, I will tell him. But do an overall internal check if anyone is under any influence, as the Administrator will be disappointed if anything stops the progress, since he wants Atlas to move forward," I said, and the meeting ended with each coat of arms of the overseer seat disappearing from the screen.
A week later
The residents of the city noticed an increased number of armed police and surprise checkpoints, as well as military personnel patrolling a 5km radius from their base north of the city. They were informed that a recent training exercise was being held, so they shrugged it off.
The military base, which usually housed only two companies of militarized personnel, began to accommodate the increasing number of arriving soldiers. Thanks to the hidden underground base expansion, they were able to house them. Secretly, a company of Alpha-1 operatives, also known as the Red Right Hand, were airdropped at night, wearing their prototype exoskeleton combat suits capable of breaking thick concrete walls and lifting cars.
"Sir, it's nice to see you again," Damian Graves saluted Rafael, who was standing not far from their landing zone.
"Same here. Good thing you were first to arrive. I have a house for myself to move into, and that's the place where my fiancées are going to stay," Rafael said, having made his decision after much thought during the week, deciding to go through with it.
"Sir, about the fiancées, should I call some of my guys to begin investigating?" he asked.
"No need. I've read the information from Michael. Only three will be arriving, and I think more will be arriving next year onwards," Rafael replied, handing Graves three folders containing more in-depth information on the developing situation.
"We're taking this more seriously, since it's almost like a kettle about to release a war," he said.
"And most of them are a mystery, the most disturbing bunch. I've ordered Glory and the High Table to do a sweep across the countries they control, and if they find some dirt, I might see different facts," he said, already having some guesses but unable to finalize or confirm them yet.
RING RING RING
"Yes, hello… Michael… yes, what do you need?" Rafael asked, entering the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
[The Dean is still silent, but we noticed his bodyguards are far different from the usual bunch. A stakeout operation and our infiltrators weren't able to listen to any of the conversation or talks of the Dean. What should we do?] Michael asked on the other end, gripping a bulky Frenchman by the neck, pressing certain nerves that could cause severe pain, like having surgery without anesthesia.
"Begin replacing the guards. Make sure it's slow but enough to have guys that can eliminate him, and also make sure it's not noticed," Rafael said, and a second later, he heard an audible crack.
"Seems like he's French, and oh? Digging into his history, he seems like part of the Foreign Legion," Michael replied.
"Okay, why did he jump on you?" Rafael asked.
"He was asking questions but got too handsy, so I disabled him. I better do a deeper search; this might get out of hand," he said, as many things were happening above and underground.
"Okay, deploy the Atlas Strategic Intelligence Bureau and request our unit in Mossad to keep an eye on our guys in Europe. And how could I forget the MI6 unit? Tell them also, since we need eyes in the Middle East and Europe, while the ASIB will confirm if the Dean is a lost cause. If he does something out of line, replace him," Rafael said coldly.
"Roger that," Michael replied before Rafael ended the call.
Ten minutes later, the vehicle arrived in front of thick iron gates. Spike holes were deployed on the ground, ready for use. The gate swung open, revealing a paved stone road leading towards the main residence located at the center of the estate. Its walls were protected by 10-inch steel-reinforced concrete.
The glass was blast-proof, and the house had a three-floor underground parking lot and a personal workshop for Rafael. Furthermore, there was an underground firing range and combat simulation room accessible via a reinforced elevator.
"Good day, sir, I'm your guide today," a man in a business suit said, offering a handshake to Rafael, which he accepted after arriving near the entrance of the house.
Coming out of the car, he saw a five-story mansion with a left wing, east wing, and a large balcony on the right wing's fourth floor.
"Is everything fully furnished?" Rafael asked.
"Yes, sir. All rooms, including yours from the list, and most of the items you had in your house are in your room, mainly the master bedroom," he said and pushed open large oak doors, which formed the main entrance. Inside these doors were 2-inch steel plates and hydraulic locks in case an enemy tried to breach inside.
Upon entering the house, they were greeted by a lavish, spacious entrance with a set of U-shaped couches in the middle acting as a waiting area with a polished coffee table. Beyond that, a grand twin curved staircase arched gracefully upward, leading to the second floor. However, doors leading further inside the second floor were blocked by doors of the same material as the main entrance, obscuring what lay beyond.
"The floor is tiled with marble, but below that is very thick concrete reinforced with steel plating, making sure it's not easily drilled through from below. There are also stabilizers in case an earthquake hits," the man explained and turned to the defenses.
"There are hidden and prepped machine gun nests and ambush points in case we're under attack," he said, pointing to different locations in the mansion and showing a detailed map on a tablet.
"It's got good bones. At least this will be enough to defend the mansion," Graves whistled, looking around.
To be continued…