The Storm (Two)

Somewhere in the reservoir borderline… a loud sound of sirens broke out into the air. It was a warning that the gates in the canals would be closed. Therefore, those guests who went canoeing must leave and stay away before being trapped inside the channels.

Meanwhile, in the deepest part of the forest...

"What's going on?" One guest wondered. She is currently at the bottom of the forest; birds suddenly were in a panic. Thus, she looked up and found out the sky was covered with dark clouds.

Back at the monitoring tower room…

"Flora sent out a message to our guests. Notify them that there might be limited access to our internet."

[Notification sent out.]

"Alright. Let's close the gates."

[East canals preparation to close is 90% complete. A few guests have not evacuated yet.]

"Give me an aerial view of the east channels," Violet requested.

Soon, the east canals came into view. She frowned upon seeing that some guests were not leaving the water yet.

Violet whirled her swivel chair and searched for Mike. She called out, "Mike, bring half of my bodyguards and lead them for a forced evacuation procedure. Brought them toward the Lakeside Park."

"Copy, Miss." Mike saluted and left the control room immediately.

"Alright." Violet heaved a sigh. She reached for her temple and kneaded around her forehead. Oftentimes, many guests give her a headache during their visits. Thus, she sent them a first offense letter to warn them not to make trouble on their next visit; otherwise, they were banned from entering the premises on the second offense. "Now, let's continue. What's the situation with the west gate?"

[West gate preparation complete.]

"Then began the countdown."

[Initiating the countdown… 5… 4… 3... 2... 1... Gate 1 and Gate 2 successfully locked.]

"Great job, Flora. Standby. Let's wait for Mike's report."

After ten minutes, Mike gave his report. He successfully persuaded those guests who went boating in the east canals.

[Miss Violet, East canal is clear out. Gates are ready to lock.]

"Then, please do so, Flora."

[Gate 1 and Gate 2 locked successfully. Gate 3 and Gate 4 are closed.]

Violet studied the data that appeared on the screen. After a thorough contemplation, she gives out another order.

"Flora, open the north canal."

[North canal Gate 1 and Gare 2 are now open.]

"Good job, Flora."

~

The Canal System

It was built initially to protect the lake around the White House Garden…

During the storm, these canals were closed but purposely opened particular gates to control the flash floods. It will deliver the stormwater straight to the town's reservoir. It was a dam owned by the Shangs and managed by Violet.

This dam is the primary water source for Violet's Flower Farm, supplying Mainland City's high-end flower shops and hotels.

The Shang Reservoir also mainly supplies safe drinking water to the White House Garden and the entire Remy Town.

Anyone who had a massive project in the region must go through Violet.

Over the years, Violet perfectly controlled the development of the entire town and its neighbors. Many attempted to persuade her, like HL Real Estate, to make a cooperation.

HL Real Estate is a construction firm that wants to develop the neighboring towns into modern cities. But Violet deliberately rejected them. As an environmentalist, she would never allow these companies to destroy the rich rainforest in her neighborhood.

She doesn't care how powerful the enemies she made from rejecting all cooperation proposals with her Shang Reservoir.

In other words, Violet was in control of this region. These companies will kneel before her, even like Allen, because Shang Reservoir is not only supplied with clear water, but at the same time, it produces hydroelectricity: the primary source of the Remy Town electricity and the White House Garden shield's power.

"Flora, start generating the Shield Reactor. Let's bring her up."

[Power reactor activated. Shield Progress… 5%... 10%...]

~

Mainland Observatory Center

Allen was notified that the storm they observed these past few days suddenly changed its course.

"It will land, taking its path straight to us." Blaise Lawrence reported over a video call.

Blaise Lawrence is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and was assigned as the new chief director of the Mainland Observatory Center.

"I thought it's not a threat? What happened?" asked Allen.

"I'm actually puzzled. It would not develop this strong within a short time."

In the observatory control room, Blaise sent Allen all the data he recorded in the passing days. To compare, there is no way the storm would intensify tremendously.

"In my conclusion, this storm was fueled by artificial matter." Allen's opinion.

"Like what? I didn't detect any suspicious elements that would generate the storm."

"Exactly. Our advanced equipment cannot explain it because it was done through supernatural activity."

"Do you mean it was fueled by magic?"

"The only thing that would explain this."

Blaise is aware that this is possible; still, he was astounded to witness one. "Are you saying that it was Howard's doing?"

"Absolutely. This is Howard's work. He probably learned I was out of the country, so he took this chance to provoke me. The more problems I face, the more I will struggle to invest more time to find a way to kill him."

"Damn. How could we stop this storm? I'm just a mere human." Blaise complained. The brows on his forehead knitted together. He was upset, thinking how no match they were against Howard.

"We don't have a choice," said Allen glumly. Like Blaise, he was infuriated, too, but nothing he could do much at the moment. "Let's save as much as we can. I'll phone your dad to evacuate the people living outside Walls and bring them inside the city to take shelter. Blaise, light her up soon."

"Roger that. I'll start powering up the shield reactors ."

"Great. Bye." After Allen hung up the call, he shortly phoned David Lawrence, a once SWAT hero who is now the Director-General of M Country's Police Department. "Hello, Uncle David?"

Allen only spoke briefly to David as he needed to make another phone call to his Security Agency.

"Go and assist the SWAT Team." Allen gives out the order.

It took a while before he finished making several calls to different government agencies. He dropped his bottom to his seat and stretched his arms and legs. He reached for his neck and massaged his shoulders.

Riku Isagawa, who silently observed his friend and, at the same time, his boss, felt so sorry for him. Allen was worn out, not only finding ways to save his mother, but he also had to protect as many people as he could because of the silent war he had against Howard.

"If I am given an opportunity, I will not waver to kill Howard," said Riku with determination in his eyes.

Allen looked at his dear friend and smiled wearily. "We all wished to do that."

Howard is only treated them like ants. As long as it will entertain him, he doesn't care about killing innocent people. And it's the reason he was working hard to find a way to end his dear cousin's life.

Allen sneered smugly in his heart, thinking about Howard. He narrowed his gaze and clenched both fists, vowing to heaven, 'Even if I am dead, I won't stop until I send Howard to hell.'