Sincere Apologies 5

Tora released her breath and passed her hands through her hair, exhaustion marring her face. Tussling with snakes was quite tiring. She kept her eyes on the door, her mind wandering elsewhere.

Tora looked at the check and the documents before she looked at her phone screen.

"I will bury." The words echoed in her mind. She meant every word she said to him. She took his money and told him she would not speak to the media. She would keep her promise as she had nothing to say to the press. Even if she said anything, Rouen would only deny it as they did every negative news about them and their company.

"Mom, I'll need the recordings. I'll have to make hard copies."

Tora would do her own research into Rouen. She will use all the resources at her disposal to make a case against Rouen. Whether or not the company and their Supers changed their ways, she would collect the evidence she would need. If no one gets hurt due to Rouen and the Super 7, the evidence would simply remain on her computer. If they did not change their way of doing business and another life is threatened, she will send the proof she gathers to the Attorney General and the FBI.

"Etora."

Tora turned to face her mother, who had sat through the meeting without saying a word. "Huh?" she asked, her eyes glazed over.

"You threatened him," she said. Miriam sighed as she clasped her hands on the table. She looked into Tora's eyes. "You know he and his company won't let it go. Darren will be alright. Why are you going so far?"

"I warned him," she clarified, her eyes still fixed on the door. "And I don't expect him to let it go. They'll run a background check on us. They won't act recklessly when dealing with us as they do when dealing with other victim's families. They won't touch you. You're not only a US Army veteran, but you're also the widow of a decorated US Air Force general. They'd be stupid to make a move on you. You're also a famous doctor and the chairman of a hospital. You're too high profile. I, on the other hand, am just a civilian. They won't do anything that can be traced back to them. Big companies like Rouen with their government contracts always think they're invincible. I want to show them they're not." She paused for a long while. She slouched on the chair and let her hair fall back.

"It was horrible, mom," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Seeing that lightning strike him, seeing his burns, feeling his heart stop. I couldn't breathe." She looked down at her hands that trembled uncontrollably. Tora closed her eyes as she inhaled shakily. She wrapped her arms around herself to keep from shaking. Although she could control her limbs, her chin and lips trembled. "How many people, how many families, have felt this… hopelessness because their loved ones have been hurt. And yet they have never been able to do anything about it. No closure, just grief, and a piece of paper. Those families need justice." She shook her head. "I can't let these people get away with that. You and I both know this can't have been the first time this has happened. It certainly won't be the last. If they keep hurting people then, I'll do whatever I can to stop them."

Miriam looked at her adopted daughter for a few moments, her eyes blazing with determination. Knowing Tora, the way she spoke so formally to Morrisson, spoke volumes. The chill in her tone was similar to when she spoke brought back memories from two years ago.

[I don't care what the military, the government, or even what the president says. I'm going to get dad back.] She was determined.

Tora's adoptive father, Miriam's husband, Jordan, was taken prisoner by enemies in East Africa. The US military received a ransom for her father and the other hostages who were ambushed on the road. They could not go rescue them, nor could they pay the payment.

The US Military does not negotiate with terrorists.

Jordan would die. He was a soldier, and soldiers die in wars. Jordan's friends, colleagues, and superiors could not send a team to rescue him. Miriam was devastated when she heard the news.

Tora was shocked and disappointed. Although the military was fighting not far from where her father had been taken prisoner, they would not spare a single man to rescue him. The US government did not wish to risk an international incident. They were not allied with the country where the terrorists held the hostages.

Tora could not let her father die when she could save him. She would walk through hell and back for her loved ones.

With the help of some friends, she was able to infiltrate the area where she knew her father was being held. Weapons were delivered to her when she was near her destination. Alone, she infiltrated the complex, killed the terrorist, and freed her father and the other hostages.

She used every skill at her disposal, from mixed martial arts she learned as a child to combat shooting and stealth she learned in the military special training courses. Although she was an engineer and pilot during most of her time in the Air Force, her skills had not waned due to her constant training and muscle memory.

Most of the hostages were military, like her father, and picked up weapons from the dead enemies to escape the compounds. They fled in a prototype jet capable of vertical take-off, stolen from the Chinese by the terrorists. Tora, Jordan, and the hostages flew to the nearest US active base.

Miriam was relieved when Jordan returned to her.

Although the situation with Darren was very different, Tora's response was the same. Her family --a loved one-- was in danger, and she would do whatever it takes to protect him.

Jacob Morrison was not a friend or a forgettable enemy. He and Rouen would be formidable opponents with the vast resources they possess. So Tora would also bring all her skills and weapons to face them.

Miriam could see that Tora was resolute in her decision, without any care for the consequences. Miriam nodded. "Alright. Tell me if you need anything. I still have contacts in Washington and the DOD." Miriam placed her palm on Tora's arm, comforting her as she slowly stopped crying. "But, be cautious. Don't let anything get traced back to you. If they go down, they will try to take you with them."

Tora braided her hair into a large braid before she stood up. She wiped her tears before looking up at Miriam and nodding her head. "Okay. Thanks, Mom. I'll see you later." Tora leaned down and placed a kiss on Miriam's cheek.

"Etora."

Tora turned to face her mother. "Yes?"

"Happy Birthday, Baby."

"Thank you."

Miriam remained in her seat as she watched her daughter walk out the door. She's changed so much.

It was almost eighteen years ago when they first met. December 12022, for the holidays, her husband called and told her that he was bringing home a gift for Christmas. To her surprise, he brought home an orphan girl who barely talked.

Miriam was perturbed by Jordan's unexpected surprise, but she humored her husband. Although she is a surgeon, Miriam's college major was psychology. Her husband wanted her to profile Tora and try to connect with the aloof young woman.

Tora was the top student in her class at USAFA, but she was introverted and distant from her classmates. He needed her to open up a little, or else she could fail simply due to her inability to work with a squad. Of course, since it was her beloved, Jor, who asked, Miriam willingly opened her arms to Etora.

It was a strange winter holiday with awkward dinners and conversations. Miriam took it upon herself to make Tora open up even a little. She dragged her out shopping and forced Tora to accompany her in the kitchen to prepare their meals.

Miriam often found that she had no need to cook. Not only did Tora enjoy cooking, but she was surprisingly an excellent chef. Tora would smile happily while cooking cooked and readily accepted compliments about her food.

Tora was most talkative during mealtimes if Miriam and Jordan would ask her questions related to the food she cooked or questions related to her past connected to cuisine.

That was the first time Tora talked about Darren, the orphan boy who was her best friend, the one person she trusted and cared for the most. She had learned to cook for him because he was terrible at cooking or taking care of himself.

Although small, it was significant progress from the first few days. Tora refused to speak of her family and her early life in the orphanage. She never spoke of anything unrelated to Darren. At times, she would whisper words of yearning for her family, her father, and brother, but never elaborated further.

Christmas and the New Year came and went, and the break came to an end. Jordan was happy with the progress they made over the break.

[She's spoken more over two weeks than she has over her 18 months at the academy,] he told Miriam. As Tora and Jordan were leaving for the academy, Miriam gave Tora a big hug and told her to come again next year.