"Until this point on, you are to be his chief of security," Michael said in a tone that announced his faith, and Graves heard it loud and clear, nodding solemnly.
"Rafael, the council has been alerted and convened online in an emergency session. The Wardens were mobilized, and those behind me will begin a sweeping operation with the SWAT teams of our police, military police, and SAF troopers. They request that you should wear your exoskeleton all the time," Michael said, only hoping that Rafael would follow through with it.
"Michael, have the scientific department develop me some eyeglasses that can give me extra information through Atlas networks, connect through cameras, and self-destruct by my thought," Rafael said, and Michael, understanding, nodded in agreement.
"I will contact them later," Michael replied.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I want field agents to keep an eye on a family that I asked Graves to send people to investigate. I want results soon, and a squad of Wardens to be stationed near the Philippines permanently," Rafael said, and Michael just nodded in understanding.
"Oh, lastly, I want to get out of here. I'm already missing the pub!" Rafael said, trying to move the wheelchair. The adrenaline that had pumped him up was wearing off, and he felt a bit weak, needing a few days to recover.
2 Hours Later
A C-130 carrying Rafael and his detail landed at the military base in Tacloban. The entire city was now under martial law, and police presence was increased. Rafael boarded a vehicle with an armed convoy, and the convoy departed.
On the streets, Rafael looked out the window and saw a line of police cars. Along the streets, people were tied and lined up against the wall; some were of different nationalities and connected to Chinese Triads, Italian Mafia, Thai Mafia, and Yakuza. Most were cuffed at the ankles.
When one tried to escape, rubber bullets designed for an M4 carbine prevented him from running further. He was then tasered before being cuffed again.
"Operation Royal Flush is currently 50% complete, and the majority of their manpower and supporters have been arrested. Now we're looking for their lieutenants and branch leaders. All their escape routes have been closed off, and all roads entering and exiting the cities are under checkpoints. We coordinated with the government, and the Philippine Navy deployed BRP Rizal near the coast of Leyte to patrol any ships entering, creating a first exclusion zone. We also deployed the only battleship we have to create a second exclusion zone, and lastly, we deployed a signal intelligence aircraft to monitor any information that is released," Michael reported.
"Good. I want an after-action report, including the previous battle, and make sure the media is informed about the purpose of this temporary martial law. As for my father's organization, since their operations are in Manila, which is officially out of my jurisdiction, they will only snoop around but not make any arrests," Rafael said, closing his eyelids and taking a nap.
Unknown Location
In a hidden building in the urban districts, a meeting of different branches of organized crime groups was taking place. In a rectangular room, various branch leaders sat while their guards stood behind them. All of them had sweat on their foreheads; some looked tired, and others were holding down their anger.
"I have received word that our escape is no longer guaranteed since Rafael Villanueva has returned, and Atlas has redoubled their efforts," a Chinese man spoke first, breaking the silent atmosphere.
"Indeed, I heard Atlas deployed their battleship as a second line, and the first one is one of the latest ships in the Philippine Navy's arsenal," an Italian man said, leaning back into his leather seat.
"Our plan worked in the first phase. But when he was in custody, instead of opting for compliance, he broke free and scared our lady, as it was caught on camera that he jumped off a three-story building and survived. And when we tried to kidnap him, he fought back and killed a few of our people," a Yakuza man said, looking at the person next to him.
"We already expected that he would resist, that's why we armed the Yakuza counterpart with tasers and tranquilizers. But we never expected his small connection with the mercenaries, and he was able to kill a few of your people. We know that our actions will have consequences," a Japanese man said. He was one of the branch managers of the Arima Corporation's intel department.
BOOM BOOM!
A moment later, they heard two explosions on the floor above them. Soon after, a guard came running, covered in dust and debris.
"It's the Atlas special forces! We don't know what unit they are, but they are advancing inside the building. We need to leave!" he shouted, and the entire room armed themselves. The people seated at the table stood up.
"Let's go," a Russian man said with his accent, equipped with an AK-47. As they headed in the other direction, they saw white smoke slowly seep into the room from where the guard had come running.
It's the Phantom Wardens!
"Activate gas masks," the squad leader of the 10-man team spoke, holding a smoke grenade marked as sleeping gas. Their mission was to capture them alive, and the gas was designed to knock them out within seconds. After throwing it inside, they waited for a minute to let the smoke cover the entire room, then stormed it and saw a trail of unconscious bodies.
"Seems like it works, boys. Cuff them from their hands to their legs," he ordered, and the Wardens began cuffing them.
Each one was carried to an armored transport that was parked with a convoy outside. Although their chain of command was broken, several remnants were still moving around the city like rats hiding from the exterminator.
At the same time, different news teams covered the entire situation across the city, reporting the mass arrests and shootouts. Many citizens were requested to steer clear of areas where the police were conducting their operation.
At Rafael's estate, he was currently being treated by Sylvia and Ruby. The three had a mutual understanding as Sylvia changed his bandages while Ruby interrogated him. The most worried was Ruby, which made Rafael suspicious.
Outside, armored vehicles were parked inside buildings bought by Atlas and would reveal themselves if the estate came under attack. Attack helicopters patrolled nearby, and two patrol gunboats patrolled near the estate despite being far from the sea.
A few hours passed, and Rafael was already recreating the events of the kidnapping, improving every move he made and the escape scenario, confident it was winnable.
A Day Later
Rafael was at his home, chilling as he did his regular routine. The operation was completed, and news of it was only spread through the province. He requested Glory for an interrogation team, and one of their disciples was ordered to patrol Tacloban for a few weeks.
Rafael received a report on the progress of the investigations in Japan, stating that two families had pitched in together, while other captured families offered other forms of support through intel and transportation.
Two families were involved: the Ido Clan and the Arima Family. It could be said that these two were the most influential families in Japan—one in the underworld community and one in the general public.
The Ido Clan is well-known for being a bringer of order and peace, with territory covering 60% of Japan. Their base of operations is in Tokyo, while the rest of the factions are small groups or Glory-affiliated.
The Arima Group is the number one industrial giant in Japan, with Atlas following second. They are one of the reigning Zaibatsu and control many companies. They have a private army that acts as guards and a QRF in case a family member is in danger; these are former JSDF soldiers and special operators.
They also have significant influence in the Japanese government and other branches across the world, but Atlas was their greatest rival and the leading competitor in Japan. It deeply wounded their pride when Atlas secured a position on the UN Security Council. However, unlike Atlas, which is an international corporation, the Arima Group is based in Japan.
For the list of fiancées in Japan, we start with the Ido Clan, with a girl named Rika. She is also the hardest to get rid of, as a ritual pact was made to formalize and seal the engagement. From very deep research, there is no available method to cancel it other than killing her.
As for the Arima Group, there is a contract, but the hard part is that there is no confirmed location of the document; there isn't even a digital picture. The agency estimated that it would take five years before they find it.
'So, in turn, Atlas has given a strict warning to the underworld of Japan and the Philippines, and all Atlas-controlled cities are off-limits. If they try, a bullet will be fired at their head.' This quote Rafael read from Canute's report. After reading the report, he got out of the car. His current location was school, where the last exams for the first semester were taking place, after which there would be a two-week semestral break.
"Rafe, there you are!" Rafael heard Michael's voice not far away and saw him getting off the pickup truck. The two headed towards the classroom, where he saw a few of Ruby and Sylvia's guards moving around, making sure they were not in danger after the mass arrest. Both Rafael and Ruby agreed that some of her members would be in temporary custody and released after a week.
'Well, let's start purgatory,' Rafael thought, as he hated exams despite having great grades.
To be continued.