Chapter 27

The Lord of Vermilion’s Test 10

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The 40th floor had only 3 entrance/exit.

First was the helipad on the roof.

The only ones that could use it were the family members or those who had received special clearance to do so.

For some reason, the FNN security had legal privilege to shoot down anyone who didn’t heed their warning.

Why?

Money? Influence? Political pressure?

Who knows.

Second was the emergency fire exit.

Safe, tight and largely impractical in combat conditions.

Those positioned at the top of the stairs could easily shoot down and murder would be attackers.

The third and most used method was the elevator.

It was wide enough to fit a car, thus often used to transport large amounts of items such as food, laundry and other stuff.

And since all the surveillance controls were on the 40th floor, it was easy for the defenders to see where the enemy was coming from.

Before the attackers shot the cameras on the 39th floor, it was obvious that they were going through the elevator.

A wise decision since it provided the most protection.

It would be the opposite if the defenders didn’t distribute their RPGs to the security detail that was wiped out earlier.

They would just destroyed the intruders in one shot.

For now, the defenders had to make do with what they got.

The remnants of the FNN MIBs were 3 people that served as rear commanders.

While their skills were commendable, the odds of them winning against a unit that wiped out 30 of their own was nigh impossible.

The second the door opened, the 3 MIBs opened fire without mercy.

As you’d expect of despicable scumbags, the ones on the elevator used the bodies of the fallen MIBs as meat shields as they returned fire.

Naturally, this made the MIBs angrier and made them fight like lions.

It was quite an intimidating sight indeed.

Blinded by their rage, MIBs failed to realize was that there were only 2 people

Outside the building to the right of the MIBs was an out of placed grappling line extending beyond the 40th floor.

Theo poked his head to see if the MIBs were completely focused on elevator.

Once he was sure that the agro was directed towards the elevator, he stealthily fired at the MIB’s defenseless side and instantly killed all of them.

A cowardly strategy?

Absolute 100% dick move.

But given the large amount of bones he would be breaking on the next fight, no one would blame him for cheesing this fight.

With all the threats silenced, Theo smashed into the glass wall and secured the area with his 2 mooks.

A quick search of the overly fancy mansion-like floor and the 3 were able to capture their target: Howard Fraskith, Jerome Fraskith’s 10 year old son.

There were 3 butlers and 2 maids, but they didn’t really matter so Theo let them go.

Those who insisted of staying with young Howard out of a sense of duty were rewarded for their loyalty with a broken nose or a finger that was bent in the wrong direction.

It was for their own good.

Theo and his merry mercs then took Howard to the helipad on the roof.

“This is Boss. Target Secured. Roof Top” said Theo into his coms

“Dance in 5 minutes” replied the voice synthesized operator

“Dance Partner?”

“Unknown”

“So I have 5 minutes before I get my ass handed to me and there’s no info on who’s going to kick my ass? Great…. Just great…” thought Theo as he stared at the many news helicopter flying about 500 meters away

If any one of them got closer, the Smoke group would lay down some warning shots.

If they refused to take a hint, then Lord’s marksmen stationed in various buildings outside the FNN would perform a non-lethal shot to the shoulders or something.

FYI: Diego has already left the area via air evac with Jenne Fraskith, the 2nd wife of Jerome Fraskith and the biological mother of Howard Fraskith

Those who tried to chase them discovered how scary a hail of bullets can be.

Surprisingly, no one died during the chase.

As Theo envied Diego for being in a safe place, brave young Howard began talking.

“Do you seriously think that you can get away with this? The Superheroes will come and save me, then they’ll kick your ass!” said Howard.

“Pfftt HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh how nice it is to be so young and naïve! Kids are cute when they’re stupid!” replied Theo in a light hearted manner.

Naturally, this didn’t sit well with the kid.

“What are you laughing about?! They’ll come and they’ll send you to prison! I suggest you surrender now and let me go!”

“Tell me kid, why do you think any Superhero will come to save you?” asked Theo in a sarcastic manner.

“That’s because they are the protector of the weak.”

“After what the FNN has done to them, do you seriously believe anyone of note would actually lift a finger to help the ones that put chains on them in the first place?”

“T-that’s…”

Howard faltered.

Lord provided Theo with Howard’s psyche profile prior to the mission.

It stated that Howard was a very smart and mature kid. This was due to his constant exposure to the bullshit of FNN.

As such, he understood the consequences if FNN did a smear piece on anyone.

It was quite ironic since little Howard as a big fan of Superheroes.

He was especially fond of Omegaman for being an absolute badass.

“Don’t worry kid. Superheroes will come. The problem is that the ones that do give a damn about your worthless hide are the ones that I can deal with because they’re not the ones that are under scrutiny.” Said Theo with the confidence he didn’t have. “But enough about that. I’m actually here to offer you something you’d enjoy”

“What do you mean?” asked Howard with great distrust.

“Do you want to watch the Superheroes live in action?”

Howard was taken aback with Theo’s words.

“Just like you, I’m a big fan of Superheroes. But unlike you, I will prove to the world how much they need people like them by doing something about it. Hence the reason why I am here” said Theo, much to the confusion of Howard and the 2 mercs.

“My plan is simple. I’ll cause a ruckus. Naturally, the police will fail to stop us because they are only human and we have hostages. As such, only the Superheroes can stop us.” Said Theo as he explained a plan that he just thought up on the spot.

Amusingly, Howard listened with great interest.

“Naturally, the superheroes that does respond to this mess are the low level ones that aren’t under investigation by the government. I’ll kick the poor slob’s ass, then make a flashy announcement to thank the government for chaining the strongest heroes down. That makes crime a lot easier to commit.” said Theo in the most bullshity confident manner possible.

“Public humiliation tactic huh… Nothing hurts those politicians more than having their names dragged into the mud. This might actually a good idea.” Said Howard in agreement.

“Exactly. That’s why I need your cooperation. Just act like a hostages you see on TV. When the fight starts, run as fast as you can” said Theo as he undid Howard’s bindings.

Howard, though confused, nodded in understanding.

The mercs wanted to voice their complaints, but they didn’t get a chance.

Suddenly, a jet with optical camouflage suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

After unloading 3 people, 2 guys 1 girl, the jet turned invisible and went away.

The 3 people were as follows:

Sheriff- 30+ years old man- Rank C Superhero- No powers- Specializes in guns and whips

Asura – Teenage boy- No Rank HAA Hero course student- Chi Based Martial Arts- Super Powered Karate

Vulture- Teenage girl- No Rank HAA Hero course student- No Powers- One of Crow’s sidekick thus fights like Crow.

“Oh my… I went through all this crap and the best I got were 3 third rates? I’m hurt” said Theo with confidence.

However, in his mind....

“Three Superheroes?! Shit fucking god damn Jaun Claud Van Damn! I’m dead! I am sooooo DEAD!”