After a month of summer relaxation, Rafael received new intelligence from the ASIB regarding his contracted fiancée. Simultaneously, the city implemented an AI-monitored security update, which kept a watchful eye on individuals with criminal backgrounds. Officers were put on alert to respond to any potential incidents. During this time, the two girls, Ruby and Sylvia, returned to their home countries, giving Rafael the opportunity to prepare his office.
Meanwhile, at the Zandria family estate, Ruby worked tirelessly on her spy network. She continued to aid Michael's investigators in Russia and China, helping them uncover arms trade routes that she hoped to eventually take over. With silent financial backing from the ASIB through Atlas, she also began assisting Marcus in his efforts to regain his position as king. After a confrontation with Rafael, he conceded and Marcus was happy to receive the support. The U.S. government slowly began mobilizing old teams under Marcus's command, careful not to arouse suspicion among the New York mafia families. Sylvia, who had learned of Rafael's true identity from her father, had a cooperative relationship with him, and her country's economy slowly began to improve after her return.
A knock on Ruby's door interrupted her work. "Miss, we have information about Rafael," her bodyguard announced.
"Oh, what is it?" she asked excitedly.
"From the contracts of a certain organization, we've confirmed that your family hired Sir Villanueva to rescue you from danger."
"Great! What was the name of the organization?" Ruby asked.
"They were called the Union of Mercenaries. They've recently become active, focusing on creating a free mercenary state and have been hostile to Atlas since the beginning of their downfall," the bodyguard responded.
Back at Rafael's estate, he finished his routine workout and was met by Michael.
"Sir, your father requests your presence," Michael said.
"Okay, tell him I'll be there in 25 minutes," Rafael responded.
He picked up a newspaper and saw the headline: "Mercenary Union Fully Recognized as a Terror Group by the United Nations." Rafael snorted; he had used that organization himself for contracts on solo missions. He knew it was on the verge of collapse, but the fact that France, pushed by South Korea, was the one to declare it a terror group was a new development.
"Do we have any strike teams ready to eliminate them if requested?" Rafael asked Graves.
"In the Middle East, we have a Kriegsmarine Red Right Hand unit on the island of Cyprus," Graves replied.
"A company?"
"Yes, sir."
"Okay, for now, have the ASIB monitor the situation. Let me know when a task force is created by the UN," Rafael said, handing the newspaper to Graves, who nodded in acknowledgment. Rafael then went to his room to change into a short-sleeved white polo shirt.
Thirty minutes later, Rafael arrived at his family's home in a black SUV. Ben greeted him and guided him to Hector's office. Along the way, he noticed numerous family photos and expensive paintings.
In his office, Hector was signing documents. He stopped as Rafael entered, taking off his glasses. When Rafael sat down, Hector spoke. "I got a call from South Korea. The engaged family wishes for the two of you to meet and get to know each other."
"Then tell me, why now?" Rafael asked, sensing the timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.
"Well, I just got the call that the family feud is getting serious, so she needs a helping hand," Hector said.
An idea clicked in Rafael's head. "Sure, I'll leave for Seoul by midnight."
"Wait, isn't it better to leave tomorrow?" Hector interjected.
"No, time is money. I'll have my men pack up the stuff," Rafael replied, knowing he needed to personally deal with a problem one of the overseer council members was facing. He thought to himself, 'I really need to fix my vassals' own ranks.'
As he left, Rafael got into his car and called Michael.
"Have the movers ready at my house to move everything," he said over the screen in the car.
"Why?" Michael asked.
"We're moving to South Korea to meet one of my fiancées. Pull out the file on her for me to read," Rafael instructed.
Michael responded, and the two talked as Rafael arrived home to find the movers already there. Michael handed him the file, and Rafael began reading it while Michael directed the movers. They brought military crates and started packing Rafael's clothes, weapons, ammunition, combat gear, PC, and laptop. The crates were secured and guarded. This was just the first batch; his Ares car and other armored vehicles would be loaded in the second.
'You've got to be kidding me,' Rafael thought as he saw the name, which surprised him but not too much. After his experiences with Sylvia and Ruby, he could tell this was another one of his old jobs, but the coincidences were starting to pile up.
[File name: Han Seo-yun
Occupation: CEO of Queens Department Subsidiary
Background: Current heir to the Haneul Group after her father died from an incident and currently fights in the darkness to keep her position]
Rafael continued to read, recognizing that her father was a former employer he had been contracted to protect during a humanitarian mission.
"Also, Rafael, there's going to be an important meeting at the UN in two months about Project Defense Atlas," Michael said.
"Okay, have you alerted the pastor?" Rafael asked, knowing he needed to send a message before his arrival.
"Yes, and he already sent a stern message to the Korean underworld. They already know the purpose of your arrival in the capital," Michael said.
After three hours of packing, Michael also sent a message to Gabriel, who slowly began pulling his forces out of the region. Simultaneously, the South Korean president started preparing licenses for Rafael's personal bodyguards, as the government only permitted them to be armed covertly.
"Good," Rafael said, continuing to read the file. At 5 PM, they left for the airport. The Atlas branch in South Korea had already found and purchased a large, defensible mansion with enough rooms. Construction workers were already transforming it into a fortress. Meanwhile, a skeleton crew of guards was left at the house in Tacloban, while the rest were on their way to the new house. U.S. special forces were also alerted.
At the Atlas military base, Rafael waited in a waiting room with ten of his bodyguards, including Graves. Michael entered and nodded, and Rafael stood up. A plane was waiting for him, accompanied by three F-22 Raptors ready for takeoff.
"Sir, the flight will take three and a half hours. When we arrive, we'll lodge in a hotel first," Michael said, having received word that the house was still being furnished and the documents for the bodyguards were not yet complete.
"Good. We'll meet the Han family tomorrow," Rafael said as he boarded the plane. A cold night breeze blew in the background.
A few hours later, Rafael arrived in Seoul and checked into the Spire, an Atlas-built hotel shaped like a spiral tower. Unbeknownst to most, the Spire was a dome that protected the capital from missile attacks, as it had hidden anti-aircraft and missile launchers. Looking out the window, which was made of 10-inch bulletproof glass, Rafael contemplated his situation before going to sleep.
Rafael woke up to the new day. He showered and got dressed in a short-sleeved button-up shirt and long pants. Food was delivered to his hotel room's dining area for him and his guards. Michael had already finished eating and handed him a tablet.
"They will be expecting us," Michael said, referring to the Han family. Their estate was located on a mountain side. After eating, Rafael put on a long coat, and the team left for the Han family estate.
To be continued.