2024-03-29 16:34:34Darren Hart was attending a press conference in the international trade center with several world leaders and other renowned medical practitioners.
They were addressing the issue of Omnipox and how to bring its spread to an end, especially in this part of the world where it was becoming prevalent with high mortality rates.
Darren had spent the past six months working tirelessly on a cure and he was certain that he had finally come up with the perfect drug.
“Welcome, Dr. Hart, this way please,” a young woman wearing an olive suit said.
Darren had just taken his seat when the sound of the door slamming against the wall resonated in the meeting room.
The buzz from chattering reporters and executives hushed down as heads turned to the source of the sound.
Some officers dressed in all black and holding weapons trooped into the room. It was the Dreadland legionnaires, their uniform was hard to miss.
Pin drop silence fell upon the room, everyone was too scared to speak but they were all wondering one thing; what were the Dreadland legionaries doing here?
One of the men stepped forward. “All journalists are advised to turn off their cameras and recording devices, the Legion commander will be joining us shortly but he does not want publicity.”
His instructions were clear and all the journalists immediately put their cameras and microphones down. They couldn't afford to cross the legion commander, their careers would be over before they could even blink.
The Legion commander had a reputation that preceded him, he was said to be strict and ruthless and very powerful. He rarely showed up on media outlets as he was a man that wasn't really a fan of paparazzi.
And even the few times that he did, he was dressed in full regalia.
The legion commander strode into the room, the silence only broken by the purposeful clinking of his boots.
Midnight blueclad, a single starburst medal gleaming on his chest, he exuded a quiet authority that silenced the room.
A crimson-lined cloak, unseen until it flickered with movement, hinted at the deadliness of his Legion. This was a man forged in war, and it was none other than Ethan Vanguard.
His officers threw salutes at him as he neared Dr. Darren, who stared at him with wide eyes.
Darren immediately jumped on his feet, being careful not to offend the Legion commander.
“Dr. Darren Hart, graduated from West Coast university correct? Ethan spoke.
The doctor nodded nervously. “Yes, you're right.”
“I've done some extensive research and I'm here because I need you.”
Ethan's words echoed around the room. Dr. Hart already had a very good reputation, but for one of the most powerful men in the country to come personally and ask for his services? That was a game changer in his career.
Darren quickly wiped off the sweat that was forming on his forehead. “Anything you need, Legion commander.”
“You said you've found a cure for omnipox, correct? Well there's someone who needs it, urgently.”
“B-but I'm not hundred percent sure if it's ready, I've not even-”
“I’ll provide you with whatever you may need, I don't have time to spare,” Ethan said with finality in his tone.
Darren picked his bag and then followed behind Ethan. And just like that, the dreadland legionaries were gone along with Dr. Darren Hart. The buzz in the room resumed instantly.
****
By now it had reached almost every news outlet both local and international that the Legion commander was in town, it was even making waves on social media.
Even without any pictures being taken, he was trending more than the press conference with several world leaders that were discussing omnipox.
Elizabeth raised her head when she saw her son walk in. “Have you seen the news?” She asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.
“The legion commander is in town, right here in Newcrest.”
A small smile plastered on his face, he suddenly remembered that she was not aware that he was the legion commander.
He wanted to tell her now, but wanted it to come as a surprise much later, with the family complete. That meant that Skyler should have recovered by then.
“But why do you sound so excited about this news, have you met him before?” He questioned, leaning against the wall.
“No not at all, but I've heard lots of tales about him. How he always protects his men on the battlefield, if not for him Armoria might have lost the war, he's a public hero.”
She paused and then made eye contact with him, “more Importantly, when you were away and I was told you died in that explosion, I always wished that someone like this legion commander was there to look out for you.”
She pulled him into a small side hug and he gave her shoulders a light squeeze. “It's okay mom, I'm back now and I'm not leaving anytime soon,” he muttered.
“When are we going to visit Skyler?” She asked, gently pulling away from him. “I want to go see her, I feel.so guilty,” she continued.
His mom looked away. “I tried to take my own life and leave her line a coward. I should have been by her side till the very end, I'm sure Howard is disappointed in me.”
“Shh, don't say that mom, for years you've been her support system, even you have a breaking point and that's fine.”
She wiped the small tear that had begun to form beneath her eyes and then left to go get ready.
Ethan turned around and was making his way to the bedroom when the sound of heels clinking against the floor met his ears.
It was Natasha. She was clutching her tablet against her chest. “Sir, something just came up,” she informed in a serious tone and he paused.
“What is it?”
She slid her fingers across the screen of her tablet, “it's Sterling enterprise, their stocks are plummeting, item better if you see for yourself,” she said and then extended her hand.
He collected the device and began to scroll through the business data charts. It was published by a big news company, one of the biggest in the country.
“The sudden drop, it's not normal, it's obviously sabotage. Prepare the car, I'm going to sterling enterprise right now.”
Natasha nodded and then left. Ethan would see his sister later, now he had to attend to business.
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