VINCENT MILES: AND THE FIST OF FIRE

BOOK 3 CHAPTER 16: THE REQUEST

The next day, Vincent is now outside the prison and is on his way back to work. He trained for 3 more days with Jonathan, but duty calls him now. A limousine came to pick him up and he is now on his way to the airport where a private jet is ready for him.

As usual, the hype is on as he arrived at the airport. He signed a lot of autographs since he didn’t want to—a scream then echoed throughout the airport. Vincent closed his eyes and felt the vibrations all over the place, that’s when he detected it. He simply stomped his foot and rocks suddenly incapacitated this man running out of the airport. It seems that this man just robbed a couple. And now, the couple are barraging him with kicks.

“Ma’am, let them take care of this. Sir, please take this man to the police, thank you. I’m late for my flight.” Vincent says as he then walks away and boarded his jet.

He arrived at the central continent once more and is entering his sister’s headquarters.

“Unacceptable! Totally unacceptable. For days you’ve been missing when we are in an important mission! How reckless can you be, Vincent Miles?” Violet yelled as she scolded her brother in her office with Jessica laughing.

“I think you should leave him off the hook, captain. My guess is that his visit in that prison comes with great benefits for him.” Jessica assured as she stood up.

“Oh, shut up, Jessica! Stop covering up for him! Anyway, since you’re stupid, the operation got delayed. Consider this as a warning, but, Angela is far more—”

“Stupid brother!” someone screamed as the door flung open.

Vincent turned around after sensing the familiar vibration. And it was his other sibling, Angela, and she is now flying towards him. A kick to the face is what welcomed Vincent after his travels.

“I’ve prepared everything that day, and you went and left me! Stupid brother!” Angela then angrily shook Vincent as she held him by the throat.

“Okay, that’s enough. What matters is that he is finally here. Now, let’s get into the conference room so we can discuss the developments.”

All of them went out as they all went to have a meeting with everyone. The developments are big. First is that everything went sideways. The people in that gambling center have heard all about the operation, so there are some modifications. Infiltration will still happen as it is one of those that remained in the original plan, but this time, Jessica won’t just be there at the sidelines watching everything unfold. Vincent and Jessica will be the one to disguise themselves and go in and pretend to be a couple.

“Uh-uh, I did not approve of this, Captain. I can’t just—”

“The majority have spoken, Jessica. It’s either you accept the role or be kicked out of this operation. We have no choice; you are the only one suitable for this mission.”

Jessica sighed. She didn’t get to choose this time, however, if it’s for the sake of the success of the mission, she’ll do it. She’s a hero after all.

“Now that everything is concluded, Fred, your squad members are at your designated office, waiting for you.” Says Violet as the meeting is now over.

Vincent went straight to his office, and as soon as he opened the door, more scolding welcomed him.

“How reckless can you be? You’re a commander now, Four-eyes, you have bigger responsibilities. You can’t just disappear like that and go to another continent. As far as I’ve heard, the captain is also furious about your actions. And because of that, you have tons of paperwork to do, get to it!” Trevor scolded as he went to report Vincent’s return to their captain.

Vincent sat on his chair and immediately went to work. The paperwork is about the budget and complaints, again. However, there’s this paper that piqued his attention.

“A request for protection? Well, that’s new.” Vincent thought to himself as he read the letter.

Dear Mr. Four-Eyes,

I am the town’s chief, and I am writing to you today to ask for your squad/division’s protection. I lead a town not so far north of Rockmington, it’s not under any jurisdiction and has our existence continuously ignored by the government. So, we ask for your kindness and protect us from the monsters that lurks within our town’s forests.

We are to wait for your confirmation. Thank you.

Phineas Garin

TOWN’S CHIEF

Trevor went back carrying another load of papers in his arms,

“Trev, this request letter? Any updates about it?” Vincent asked.

“Well, I tried sending it to the office of the President, but they say that they can’t just give a small town permission to have hero protection. The request has been denied by the President. So, that might end up in the shredding—”

“No, let me speak to the—”

A hologram then appeared in front of the two,

“Captain!” Vincent then stood up and saluted at his captain.

Trevor went out so that the two can have their conversation,

“How are you doing, Four-Eyes? It seems that you have been acting reckless these past few days.” The captain pointed out.

Vincent scratched his head as he is guilty about it,

“Well, let’s not dwell in the past. I think you’ve read all about the request letter?” asked the captain.

“About that. What should we do? If the townsfolk are truly being surrounded by monsters, we can’t just let them—”

“The President’s office have spoken. We need to take legal actions to get them under our protection.”

“The President. But you haven’t. Captain, we can’t just let them be at the mercy of monsters, we’re heroes. What is it we do that doesn’t involve protecting civilians? Our job is to keep them safe. How can we do that if we are to ask for permission. Lives of people is what we are talking about, we don’t need permission!” Vincent argued.

Anthony then explained to Vincent the consequences of acting on their accord and not listening to the orders of the President.

Article 7A section 2 also known as the Territorial Rights of Squads of the Revised Heroes’ Accord:

Thou shall not take in any city/town/municipality/village under one’s protection and extend their territory unless the Royal President of the world approves of it.

The severity of the consequences is something that everyone would be afraid of. 2 years in the Maximum-Security Prison and the heroes who would break the law shall have their titles as heroes stripped off and a serum of Incapacitation fluid would be injected into them, preventing them to use their powers forever and it’s also to avoid a protest by using those powers.

“Not only that, you will also be a part of the Black List of the Pillars and they would keep you on check. Vincent, I can’t risk my division to be given this punishment. Sorry for not being able to---”

“I’ll use my nobility. I’m a noble and we nobles have the half of the authority of the President as we are said to be his relatives. Besides, nobles have the right to own a territory, as long as I am the one to request it from the President myself.” Vincent says.

Anthony sighed,

“Are you sure that you want to use your family name for them?” Anthony asked.

“Yes, Cap. I’m a hero. It’s my duty to use all means to save people. Thank you.”

The call then ended and Vincent created a new request letter with the seal of a noble so that it would go straight to the President’s office. He asked Trevor to send it to the office of the President and left him with one more order,

“Tell our 16^th division members to put a post at the small town. Hunt down monsters that are threatening the townsfolk, now.” Vincent ordered.

Trevor saluted at him and left. Vincent is pissed off. They are heroes, and yet, they are prohibited from helping people as they need permission from it first. It’s wrong. The system is wrong. This is exactly why he hates politics.