Pride of Lions

Two days ago in a concealed facility somewhere in Xia country.

A doleful howl reverberated within the secret headquarters creeping every soul within. The underground base, which is already devoid of natural sunlight and perpetually imbued with a cold atmosphere, has turned into a spooky place thanks to the mournful wailings echoing every now and then.

" If I didn't know that dismal sound was coming from Sir Tang, I would assume this area is truly haunted." A man in black attire bemoaned. The odd man was already eccentric enough, now he even decided to play as a lingering ghost.

" It's been going on for weeks now. Should we send a physician? What if he has some illness making him behave like that?" Another man responded. He had just been transferred a while back and thus still retained the mentality of a decent person.

" Peh! What illness. That codger is just malingering as always. " A third man spouted.

" Sir!"

" Sir!"

The two gossiping men instantly stood straight and gave a salute. They were flustered for failing to notice his presence.

" At ease. Take this document to Lionel and see what he has to say. " He passed a folder containing new information about the militant they've been hunting.

" Yes, Sir." The newbie took the file and went away while the other stood still and guarded the door as usual. The third man returned to his office and waited.

***

Roy composed himself as he approached the heavily guarded part of the base. If one isn't informed, one will assume this section is where they imprison their captives instead. The number of fully armed sentries standing by the entryway only nodded at his approach.

* Knock

The door opened a second later, and a middle-aged man emerged from the other side.

" I came to deliver a file under the orders of the Director."

" Come in." The man swiftly glanced at the envelope in his hand and made way.

A forlorn heavy sigh sounded from inside the room.

[ Ah. It's the ghost himself.] Roy mused. It took him all his remaining self-control not to examine the person who continually heaves a mournful cry.

" Master." The attendant spoke after guiding the visitor towards the good-looking elder. The man behind the desk, who was burying his face onto his mobile, interrupted his following words.

" I heard. " Lionel grumpily uttered.

The newbie wanted to greet but was hindered too.

" No need. You're Roy, aren't you? The one that came from logistics?" He mounted his phone on the table and turned to the visitor.

Roy only had a glimpse of a young lady's picture before the screen turned dark.

" Yes, Sir." He was curious when did he become famous?

" Tell me, does that ras-, Alex, orders you to make him coffee?"

" Yes, Sir." He doesn't know why he asks of that. Is it forbidden to do so? Though it's not his duty per se, he sometimes volunteers to do small things here and there. He even contemplated the vagueness of responsibilities in his new workplace since he was only ordered to remain on guard until further instructions.

For a while, his thoughts had revolved around figuring out his new station. They said it was a military division that aims to collect and assess various information regarding the hostile forces hiding in the civilian population. He finds it peculiar since their country has been enjoying peacetime for almost a century and its citizens never once knew of a dangerous group's existence. He applauds them for doing a job perfectly, which resulted in an unshakable tranquil status. Nonetheless, he was given word that there was a particular group whom they've been tracking for ages. He's been itching to know but is afraid to ask.

He can only lament in frustration.

In all honesty, he doesn't even know why he was transferred to this facility in the first place. His former boss only said to treat it as a promotion. Promotion for what? He is totally clueless.

" Ohohoho." Lionel stood up, took the folder from his hand, and passed it on to the man who opened the door for him. He didn't even bother reading the contents.

" Young man, today is your lucky day." He hooked his arm on his neck and whispered, acting as if they were buddies off to have a fantastic drinking session. Roy's entire body turned stiff but he swallowed his protest.

" See this?" The elder raised a packet of white powder to his face.

" This is a special sugar. I want you to add this on that bastard, I mean, Alex's coffee."

Roy examined the substance, dubious of its contents.

" Sir, the Director likes his coffee black with no sugar added."

" You don't have to say no more. It's even tasteless. He won't notice this special sugar-free sugar thing. You just add it, I'll take care of the rest." His tone was like an old uncle trying to pyramid scheme an innocent man.

Seeing his suspicious expression, Lionel spoke again.

" Come on, Roy. This is simply like MSG for coffee. No need to worry."

Now Roy is certain the shady white powder is a dangerous thing.

[ Come to think of it. ] Roy's consciousness went back to the day he heard gossip of the Director being poisoned before. His righteousness was ignited with that enlightenment, and he directly opposed the man beside him.

" Sir, with all due respect, I could never poison the Director." Both his hands were already trembling, but he refuses to cower back.

" Ackk! What poison!" Lionel snorted like a kid. He returned back to his chair while spouting,

" It's only meant to make him shat his pants for a week." He even rolled his eyes.

[ Huh? ] The newbie became more disturbed by his words. This man openly admitted to scheming against the head, but the men around him didn't even bat an eye. They were even audacious enough to display a look of expectation.

[ Isn't this treason?] He began to ponder what mess he dived into. Will he die now that he knew their secret? He doesn't want to. He hasn't even deleted his browser history.

" Master, I'm afraid even if you drug him, that man already has an antidote."

The same trick they pulled months ago was successful, but the repercussion included additional guards watching their every move and their cronies to be transferred. They even managed to anticipate and counter his latest plan due to the intensive monitoring.

" Ugh. I'm afraid you're right, Urriene."

The frustrated Lionel flailed his arms, started pulling his hair, and howled once again. He's dying to go out. That bastard Alex confined him here, calling it punishment or whatnot. Like he cares? What's the matter with issuing a minor order and borrowing a small platoon to go rescue his granddaughter. That bastard even said he almost got court-martialed for unauthorized mobilization of the army.

The first time he borrowed several men, he got a warning. Now, he got probation.

Though he did, what of it? His precious granddaughter was kidnapped twice, alright! Despite the latest ending as an attempt, in his eyes, it's still abduction! Was he supposed to let them get away? The answer was NO. His every cell screamed, "To hell with it." He just wanted to pummel them to death.

[ Those fuckers.] He roared in his mind.

[ I shouldn't have rescinded my authority.]

Lionel was akin to an ant on a hot pan since getting word of his beloved granddaughter almost being kidnapped in that foreign land. That day, he wreaked havoc as he tried to escape and fly to where she is.

He only wanted to skin those scoundrels who attempted to hurt Evangeline.

Above all, he craved to grill that little devil who tempted his angelic princess to elope with him. That sprout can't even protect her; what insolence he has to keep her there? He was furious. On that faithful day, he planned the perfect escape, but alas, he was only a mortal who even succumbs to a human pit called tranquilizer.

In the end, he could only order his crooked son, Syl, to do the honors, but was rejected instead. He said that Evangeline pleaded for her friend. Despite catching the crunch as he uttered the word "friend", he vowed he will not move him. For the first time in a long time, Syl even complained to him. He whined how frustrated he was when he took back his word of crushing the little bastard's business before even starting.

Lionel contended that he should comply with Evangeline's request on the surface but let that weasel taste hell secretly.

Nevertheless, his brilliant idea was rebuked instead.

Sylvius discussed the possibility of Evangeline finding out their hidden moves. After all, she is too keen on similar matters.

What if she discovered they lied to her? Wouldn't she feel unhappy? What if she refused to go home by then? The doting father doesn't want to take any chances, thus disagreed with his father's suggestion.

Lionel was disappointed in his spineless son that he refused to talk to him after. Of course, the latter whole-heartedly appreciates the once-in-a-lifetime chance of peace.

***

Roy, whose frightened spirit has just recovered, watches Lionel and his men unreservedly design on how to deal with the insolent man called Alex. He felt his lifespan shortening by the minute. He swore never to return to this office again.

Still, his sight can't help but land on the unruly man, whose appearance has been graced by the flow of time.

[ Who exactly is he?]

They said he is a consul, but he had an inkling that he is not as simple as that. And this secretive Military Intelligence Division, which was brought to light not long ago, is very unusual. They seem to solely concentrate on one purpose, finding and eliminating that group. Furthermore, the Director behaving like a guardian for Lionel Tang, is the strangest of all.

Roy didn't know how he came back after that tormenting encounter. However, that night, he cleared his browser history and erased all his xxx files.

***

In a vast office located on Tang's topmost floor, a man busied himself with a pile of documents. His hand never stopped writing while he continued to scan the file on hand.

His desk is the only part with light, making him appear to be enclosed in a solitary bubble within the darkroom.

Sylvius pinched the bridge of his nose and glanced at his watch, pointing at eleven in the evening.

[ I should head home.]

Nevertheless, returning to an empty house made him hesitate. He'd rather drown in work than be in a deserted place.

His fingers went to his forehead to massage.

How he wishes his daughter to come home already, he sighed.

Remembering the situation a few days ago, his brows furrowed.

[ It seems like my daughter is genuinely fascinated with beautiful appearances.]

The silhouettes of two young men who have excellent looks and impressive backgrounds flashed in his mind, causing him to almost break his fountain pen.

He made up his mind to teach his daughter about the dangers of the opposite gender. Also, educate her about the birds and the bees.

* Ring

Sylvius' wandering thoughts were summoned back by the sound of ringing. He put down his pen to answer his phone, which was flashing an unknown number.

" Who?"

" It's been a while, brother-in-law." A calm voice responded on the other side. There were no ups and downs in his sentence that it's hard to fathom what the other felt.

Sylvius' eyes momentarily shook when he recognized a familiar voice.

" Lucian, it's been a while indeed."