Late afternoon light streamed through the windows of Grand North's governmental building and bathed an auditorium in a warm luminescence.
On the grand elevated stage, President Alex Anderson commanded the attention of over a hundred individuals in front of her. She was impeccably dressed in a formal tailored outfit that emphasized her lean frame, even in her late thirties. Her long sapphire-blue hair swayed with every controlled movement, and an aura of unwavering confidence emanated from her every word.
"The SkyEye project. A symbol of security and safety around the country. A dream that began with my grandfather, was built by my father, and will now be finished by us," the young Lady explained with a subtle British accent while gliding across the stage, "Today, I come with great news. We are just a few days away from finishing the project and launching the SkyEye for its first test flight in Area 23, just at the western edge of the country, where we will inspect its efficiency in air travel and defense."
As she spoke, her eyes swept across the audience, and intricate holographic images of the construction glowed into existence behind her.
There was no need to look at them at all. She knew them from memory, thus her focus shifted to the crowd's pleased expressions. Yet, that's when she found him in between the people: Rod Winger.
He stood all the way in the back, leaning casually against the main entrance door and looking at her with a serious expression. It was clear they needed to talk, and she knew it.
This little interaction caused her to pause for a brief second.
"After those trials, we will have another layer of security against international and intercontinental threats, not to mention another station for magic research and experimentation. Everyone working on this is very excited and proud of what they've done. It's only a matter of time until we make this country safer and make our ancestors proud of the heights we've reached!" she finished with conviction as the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause.
The president gracefully began to answer questions from the press and journalists that came from around the continent to see.
"President Alex, will this defense help us against another catastrophe like the Helix War from long ago?" one reporter asked with professional curiosity.
"Yes. The SkyEye will help keep control of the air and map out the changing situation from the skies. It will be a valuable asset if anything like the old war began in today's age," Alex responded smoothly and pointed to another eager reporter.
"How do you plan to fight against the "Grandiose" magical terrorist group with the SkyEye? A lot of people are worried that their attacks are becoming larger in scale."
That question gave her a moment's pause until responding with confidence.
"The SkyEye is designed to protect civilians from all kinds of threats. I would personally discourage any terrorist group from attempting another attack. Once the project takes flight, I guarantee we will be living in a new age of peace."
With the presentation concluded, Alex descended from the stage. Fluid movements carried her through the wide hallways of the building, aiming for the usual route towards her office. However, it was blocked by Rod and Alf.
"We gotta talk," the Gun Hero stated and crossed his arms.
"You finally decided to show up for work, huh?" Alex retorted with a playful smile, nonchalantly beginning to walk past them.
"This is serious," Rod cut through her lighthearted dismissal.
Both of them fell into step behind her.
"It really must be for you to come all the way up here in the cold of winter. I assume it has nothing to do with what Alf told you?"
The machine intervened after sensing the rising tension.
"It is serious, Miss Alex."
The president stopped, turned around, and assessed both of them. She saw it then—frustration radiating from Rod's eyes… This was not the detached hero she knew at all.
"Alright, follow me."
They walked through labyrinthine hallways, up an elevator, and through more paths until they reached the ornate doors of her main office.
As they entered, Rod's eyes widened. The expansive room was a battlefield of paper and digital data, with stacks of urgent documents scattered across every surface.
Alex moved directly to her large desk and sank into her leather office chair. Rod took one of the seats in front of her.
"What's the situation?" she asked, her focus switching between them.
A few taut seconds stretched.
"Yesterday I received a package that came from here."
"The governmental building?"
"The capital," Alf clarified.
"Inside that box was the head of Elena."
The president's eyes widened. Her features contorted with confusion, then horror.
"That… can't be possible," she whispered.
"I assure you, it is. You can look at my video feed camera if you would like," Alf stated factually.
Rod surged from his seat and walked towards the desk, but the machine swiftly moved his metallic arm to form an unwavering barrier.
"You need to calm down, Rod, or you might accidentally blow up the building," the robot said.
He subtly signaled the Gun Hero to step down, knowing that any further uncontrolled surge of power could lead to a misunderstanding.
"Did you have anything to do with this?" Rod demanded.
The woman stared back, her mind struggling to comprehend the monstrous implication.
"No. You know I would never do that to you."
Accusing her was something he would never do under normal circumstances. This was different. Even still, the confusion in her face and her sincere tone made him believe her words.
"Maybe an information leak?"
"Don't belittle me with that comment. You know I am incapable of making a mistake!" Alf exclaimed with a rare offense in his tone.
"Alright, calm down, you two. We need more information to determine a concrete solution," the president interjected, crossing her arms.
"I need your help," Rod said, "After getting here, I went straight to the cemetery site, and it looked as if nothing happened. The grave was still there, untouched… I don't know how it was possible for this to happen but… I don't want Catra to see or know any of it. If my gut is right, and the individual who sent the package has it out for me, then we need to find him before he does anything worse…"
Alex looked at the Gun Hero, then Alf, and back to him.
"I'll help you… only if you help me," she said and slowly got up from her chair.
He knew what those words meant… He knew the price. The man had long abandoned his heroic past, and now he was being pulled back into the fray. There was nothing he could do about it.
"I'll take care of the Ice Giant…" he conceded in resignation.
"Good. While you do that, I'll have a team see if there was a leak-"
"No. It needs to be you, Alex. There can't be anyone else. You're the only person I can trust with this… please…"
Alex's expression softened with sympathy at the pleading desperation in his eyes.
"Okay. I promise I'll begin looking for information, but just… whatever happens up in the north, please try to help everyone. This Ice Giant is infected with a sort of magical parasite. We don't know the origin… and if that thing reaches Naya City, everyone will be in danger. If it comes down to it… do anything in your power to stop him, even if it means killing."
"Alright… I'll get it done, just… don't let Catra know about this. It was only supposed to be known by the three of us… so let's keep it that way," Rod responded and walked towards the door.
Just when his hand reached the exit, it opened to reveal a person on the other side: The man was slightly overweight and impeccably dressed in a brown suit. His most striking features were the glint of his glasses and the subtle shine of his bald head.
"My bad, I was just about to knock," the man's voice was smooth and jovial as he politely moved aside.
"Oh, no problem. Sorry about that," Rod responded with a polite dismissal.
He glanced back at Alex with a silent nod. She returned it. After Rod left, the mysterious man entered and quietly closed the door behind him.
"What happened that's so bad the legendary Rod Winger had to come?" he asked with playful curiosity.
"A small problem that he's gonna fix. But what about you, Oliver? How many donuts have you eaten today? Twelve?" Alex retorted.
"Wow… what a leader you are," Oliver chuckled.
"In all seriousness, how are the engineers doing?"
"They're fine. Some of them were pretty stressed over work, though they did talk about taking a vacation after finishing the SkyEye. The work is going well. You did pick the best of the best after all."
"That's good. Everyone deserves some off-time, especially after fulfilling the hopes and dreams of a whole country. Thank you, Oliver," the president said with genuine warmth.
"Hey, no problem. I'm happy being a part of all of this, even if I'm just a psychologist."
With his optical sensors fixed on Oliver, Alf raised a finger.
"Psychology is a big part of why everyone is fully motivated. I do not require such help, but humans tend to. You are very useful, Doctor Oliver."
The man smiled and thanked him. Afterwards, he turned his focus to Alex.
"Speaking of Rod, I was wondering if I could go on the trip to the north with him."
"You heard all that?" Alex's face subtly hardened as she processed his unexpected request.
"Hear what? Were you three talking about something you don't want me to know?"
"N-no, I just… how did you know Rod was going to the north?"
The doctor laughed.
"Come on, Alex, you and I both know there's an Ice Giant being a pain in our ass. Without the northern harvests, we won't have food for summer's heat and we'll lose frost vegetables for more than 5 years. It's critical that it doesn't happen. And when I saw Rod, I knew exactly why he was here."
The president let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Thank god," she thought, "He doesn't know."
"Yes! Rod is gonna take care of that business… but you… going with him… it's dangerous, Oliver. And you still have a job to do here. We are so close to finishing SkyEye…" the woman finally said.
"I understand, Alex… but please… I've been a big fan of his since I was young, and you know he's the main reason I joined the government. I wanted to meet him… but when I entered, he had already left… Seeing him fight is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially now… plus… I'm curious of how he thinks in battle and his psychological processes after fighting," Oliver pleaded.
Alex was about to give in, knowing his words were true. Yet, Alf spoke first.
"Miss Alex, we will all be inside a "Hawk Walker" under my control. It will be fine. And the engineers will most likely be okay without psychiatric consultation for the last few days. It is reasonable to assume the fact they are so close will inspire them to finish."
Alex weighed his words and looked at Oliver, who was actively making "puppy eyes" at her.
With a resigned sigh and a faint, amused laugh, she relented. She knew it was dangerous. Nevertheless, Alf could be trusted completely, and thus she changed her mind.
"Alright, alright… Stop doing that face before I arrest you for bribing a government officer. You can go, but promise me you'll stay safe. I guess we can send a small group of engineers to monitor that new Walker you designed too, Alf… and maybe the old fart would like a small detour with his grandson."
The robot's optical sensors dimmed slightly in a subtle display of disappointment.
"You do not trust my capabilities?"
"I do, it's just that with Rod in the mix, we don't exactly know what will happen out there."
Oliver's face broke into a wide smile and thanked her.
"You've made my day! I'll make sure to take advantage of this opportunity to the fullest!"
After a cheerful farewell, the doctor left and Alex sighed. She sank back into her chair.
"I'll get started on the paperwork for his trip, and I will send you a list of the engineers selected," Alf said.
"I feel like I just sent an innocent man into a warzone… Maybe I…" she murmured with a flicker of doubt.
"You did the right thing. Oliver has been working with us for years. He deserves our trust. And believe me, he will be safe inside the Hawk Walker, do not worry. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to take this body for cleanup while I also set up the transport vehicle," The machine explained reassuringly and he walked towards the door.
"I'll have trust in you then. Just tell Borok to leave instructions for the remaining workers, at least that way we can still advance the development of the project… Oh, and hey… thanks, Alf… if it weren't for you, I don't know if I would have made it this far," the president softly said when a genuine smile graced her lips.
Alf paused by the door, his synthesized voice taking on a playful tone.
"Of course you wouldn't have. If it weren't for me controlling 90 percent of operational systems, you would surely blow the whole country to kingdom come."
"Get out of here before I dismantle you, you smug bastard," Alex laughed.
"I cannot hear you over me doing your job for you!"
Then he smoothly closed the door.
The president rolled her eyes and stood still for a few seconds. Her gaze drifted to a majestic painting on the wall beside her. It depicted her father and grandfather sitting in the same office she now worked in.
"Soon, we'll finally achieve our dream… I hope you're watching… Father…" she whispered in a saddened tone.
Then, the woman turned back towards her desk with a sigh and continued her work, the immense weight of a nation resting on her capable shoulders.