September 6, 2017
8.20 am, Andrews AFB, USA
The stairs of the G-IV private jet open outwards onto the tarmac. A man in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie sticks his head out to look around. The sun has risen and the air is fresh, abuzz with airport activity. A mix of people and vehicles occupy the tarmac below.
A man and woman stand out. They stare at the doorway of the aircraft with eagerness in their eyes. The suited man steps back in. Two young women step out. They recognize the couple below and race down the stairs. Within seconds, they embrace.
For a moment, time is frozen as the family reunites in a four-way tight embrace. What words cannot convey, hugs and tears do. Love.
6 Secret Service Agents and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Erika Diaz-Iglesias descend from the private jet. She makes her way past the family to FBI Director Don Bridges, who is standing outside a standard black government SUV.
"Job well done, Special Agent Diaz." Director Don says while extending a handshake.
"They were already saved by the time I arrived, Sir." Special Agent Diaz says while accepting the handshake, "I just brought the gals back home."
"You did more than wrap the bow." Director Don says while releasing the handshake.
"I also helped the girls straighten out their rescue story." Special Agent Diaz says.
"Excellent." Director Don says, "I look forward to reading your report."
"Thank you, Sir." Special Agent Diaz says with a knowing nod, "I will keep it... concise."
"This car will get you back to HQ." Director Don says with a smile as he opens the door.
Special Agent Diaz climbs in, Director Don shuts the door behind her, and the car rolls away. Don looks away from the departing car to the family who are only now parting. Walking towards them is President Gertrude Pond. Don watches as President Gertrude gets enveloped in a massive hug by her granddaughters. His phone suddenly interrupts...
"Oh Big Mommy! Thank you!" Serena says in a tight embrace.
"Thank you so much, Big Mommy!" Mariah says.
"You are my babies. I am so sorry you had to go through that." Gertrude says.
"It wasn't your fault, Big Mommy." Serena says.
"We don't blame you at all, Big Mommy." Mariah says.
"I love you both so much." Gertrude says with a tight squeeze.
"Thank you for sending that team." Serena whispers.
"We know we can't tell anyone about it but it's our fault they came in." Mariah whispers.
"And got hurt." Serena adds.
"Now listen you two." Gertrude whispers, "You must stick with the official cover story."
"Yeah, National Security and all." Mariah says.
"But one of them got hurt really bad and they were all poisoned." Serena says.
"It's all being taken care of." Gertrude says, "Believe in Big Mommy!"
Serena and Mariah split from the hug then nod.
"We know what we want to do in the future." Serena and Mariah announce in unison.
"Oh?" Dr. Muhammud Ali says as he walks forward.
"Do not you want to finish your degrees?" Dr. Linda asks as she steps in.
"Yes, we do!" Serena says.
"But, we want to help refugees." Mariah says.
"Refugees?" Dr. Linda and Dr. Muhammud ask in confusion.
"I see." Gertrude says, "Well, those refugees are getting a lot of help from the Nova Lotus Foundation. And when they get to our border, I'll expedite their cases."
"Thanks, Big Mommy!" Mariah and Serena shout in unison.
"Let's continue this on the chopper." Gertrude says pointing to Marine One, "We have to do a quick press conference for your safe return. The entire country came together worried."
As the group makes their way to Marine One, Director Don intercepts.
"Ma'am, an update." Director Don says.
"Go on, I'll catch up." President Gertrude says jokingly, "It's only called Marine One when I'm on it so you can't leave without me."
The family moves ahead smiling, leaving Director Don with President Gertrude.
"Report." President Gertrude says dismissing her jovial manner.
"Director Jones reports that a fire of unknown origin surrounds Fire's room." Director Don says.
"How soon till it's under control?" President Gertrude asks.
"They have it contained so hopefully soon, Ma'am." Director Don says.
"Alright." President Gertrude says then asks, "Any news on what they were poisoned with?"
"Doctor Wong's findings are inconclusive so we will send blood samples to secure labs for further analysis." Director Don answers, "But they remain stable albeit unconscious."
"Even with 3rd-degree burns all over his body, Fire lives." President Gertrude says.
"It's a miracle, Ma'am." Director Don says.
"Even if his life will never be the same, I pray to God that he pulls through. That they all pull through." President Gertrude says pensively then sighs, "Alright, let's get that press conference over with quickly."
"Yes, Ma'am." Director Don says.
President Gertrude walks towards Marine One. Two sharply dressed US Marines stand at attention beside the front stairs leading up into the helicopter, right hands on their temples in salute. They stand as sentinels for the iconic green and white executive helicopter transport of the President of the United States.
President Gertrude returns their salute then ducks into the helicopter with Director Don in tow. Secret Service agents load into Marine One through both its front and rear stairs. Then, the US Marine on the left steps forward then turns left, beginning a steady march across the helicopter's body length. He turns left when he arrives at the rear door, proceeding to secure the rear stairs by lifting it shut. He then returns upon his path with a march, soon arriving at the front stairs. He ascends smartly then pulls the stairs up, enclosing Marine One.
All the while, the second US Marine that had stood on the right side of the front stairs had marched to a forward spot beyond Marine One and now stands in salute. The rest of the people have gotten into vehicles and are already leaving. Marine One's engines roar to life and its propellers begin to spin.
The US Marine bows forward while gripping his cap as Marine One gradually rises into the air. Two duplicate helicopters join in. As they ascend, they perform a special aerial maneuver, confusing spectators to which is the real Marine One. Destination, the White House.
Hello, Ruthless Snopes! It's your host, Ruth, and this is a special edition of the Ruthless Report.
This morning, the nation can finally breathe in relief as President Gertrude Pond's twin granddaughters were safely rescued and reunited with their family. The White House just concluded the press conference regarding the rescue operation with FBI Director Don Bridges giving a lot of the details regarding the rescue operation, code-named Valkyrie Rescue, performed by the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT).
Before jumping in, I must address my silence regarding this matter until now. I became an independent reporter to get out of the sinister world of corporate journalism where the dollar trumps the truth. I left to seek the truth and distill it honestly to you. The last 48 hours have been a real test of that resolve, with many of you Ruthless Snopes rightfully asking why I wasn't jumping on the hot potato in the news cycle. It is because I fundamentally believe that an abduction should not be politicized. Doing so could further endanger the abductees.
Now that the rescue operation is complete and everyone is safe, we can ask questions. The FBI says the abduction was carried out by a group, calling themselves Yao, that splintered from the cartel known as New Aztec. An obvious question, why target the President's granddaughters? What ends would such provocation serve? What was their plan?
So Yao was running a human trafficking ring, and it seems the New Aztec cartel did not agree with that. When Yao abducted the President's granddaughters, the FBI speculates that that led to even more infighting which the HRT took advantage of to rescue the young women and save refugees. That's right, refugees who were fleeing violence got swept into this mess.
The Nova Lotus Foundation has taken the lead on getting those refugees to the US border to help them seek asylum in the US. President Gertrude Pond has said that their cases will be expedited. I will be having an exclusive interview with Shahab Feroz, Mother Staringale herself. She is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Nova Lotus Foundation and we will discuss her organization's role in this crisis and fighting human trafficking around the globe.
You can bet that I will be speaking with the refugees as well to get their side of the story and get another angle to this bizarre event. In the meantime, Serena and Mariah are safe. Both the FBI and the Mexican Federales are heralding this joint operation as a sign of new life in the US-Mexico relations. Yet questions remain. What's the fallout? What truths aren't we being told?
Remember, when seeking the truth, be ruthless.
Darkness.
"Where am I?" Fire shouts.
He floats in a sea of nothingness.
"Wherever you go, there I am." A voice answers.
"Who's there?" Fire shouts as he looks around.
"An old friend." The voice answers, "You are early."
"What? Show yourself!" Fire says.
Another object materializes right in front of Fire. An egg.
"Do not be afraid." The voice says, "This was always going to happen."
"You are... an egg?" Fire shouts.
"I am everywhere. This egg is merely an anchor." The voice says.
"Explain." Fire says.
"Soon but right now there is something far more pressing." The voice says.
"I… was burned alive." Fire says groggily as he remembers what happened before now.
"Your metamorphosis will have to start now." The voice says.
"Metamorphosis?" Fire asks.
"The seven of you will have to be ready." The voice says.
"Seven?" Fire asks.
"My Guides." The voice says, "Time to shine."
September 6, 2017
8.20 am, Naval Air Station Key West, USA
Sunlight dances through the window into blazing hell. Thick smoke smothers the room, transforming it into a smoky abyss. Flames roar, burning the medical apparatus in the room. The heat licks the figure of a male, kissing him with scorching intensity. Sweat droplets drip down his face onto his naked torso. The man lays on a bed, twisting left and right as if in a nightmare while fire leaps all around. Suddenly, his eyelids fly open. His vision flickers as he scans the entire room.
'Where am I?' The man wonders.
Everything is in flames. Somehow, his bed had been spared but not for long. The man surveys his surroundings.
'Am I dead or still... unconscious?' The man ponders.
In every angle he observes, flames erupt uncontrollably. If there is a hell, this would be it. The inferno rages on. The scent of burnt metalwork, like offerings, fills the air. Black smoke files out of the window.
The window! That's it, there's a window. The man has never heard of hell having a window.
'Time to move!' he says to himself.
He jumps down from his bed and speeds to the window. He gazes down, performing quick mental calculations. The jump is too high.
'Dang!' Another route then. He turns back to the door. The path ahead is obstructed with flaming debris. He needs a path through. He runs forward, navigating the deadly sea with each step. He jumps above some debris.
'That felt... different.' He thinks.
He pushes away some parts of the ceiling that have fallen in. He is now face-to-face with the door. He reaches for the handle but it gets crushed like a soda can.
'Damn!'
The man walks backward a little, stops, then sprints at the door. The metal door gives way like cardboard. Flames burst forth from the impact zone. Bright light flashes into his eyes.
BANG!
His vision plunges into a slurry of red. The man suddenly gains a 359 degrees view of everything. His vision spans for what feels like ten meters in every direction and he is lost in it. Which way is forward? How can he navigate his way to safety?
'Must focus!' He closes his eyelids but to no avail, his vision persists. 'Need my bearings.'
He spread his arms in front of him by instinct then walks forward cautiously. All the while, alarms blare and people run away in confusion. The water sprinklers release rain but it is helpless against the fire. The man shouts for help but no one replies. He tries to approach what he believes is a person. The person jumps out of the way as if the man is a wild beast.
"Fire! That boy is on fire!" The person shouts.
'Boy? What's happening?' He thinks to himself.
Soon, three figures approach the mysterious man. These figures are different, two of them run towards him with some sort of darkly colored substance in their hands. Their next action gives the man a huge surprise. The figures spray a white cloud over him. However, it dissipates with no effect.
'Fire extinguisher?' He thinks to himself.
The man raises his hands to examine them and, to his own amazement, he glows a bright white. A peculiar white aura radiates from his center. He is dumbfounded. What exactly is going on? Is he the originator of the flame? It makes no sense. More figures come and surround him. The man freezes, contemplating his options. He couldn't see any identifying attributes which could allow him to classify the figures as friends or foes. All he knows is that guns are pointed at him and he needs to act. He enters into a combat pose.
Suddenly, another figure arrives hands waving in the air and shouting, "Hold your fire!"
The figure steps in front of the gun pointing figures with his hands raised.
"Aidan, it's me, Dr. Wong." Dr. Wong says, "Please calm down!"
"Where am I?" Aidan AKA Fire says.
"Currently at Naval Air Station Key West." Dr. Wong says.
"What's happening to me, doc?" Fire says.
"I don't know but we can figure it out together. I just need you to relax." Dr. Wong says.
"I can't see properly, doc." Fire says.
"Trust me and calm down. Focus, you can do this." Dr. Wong says, "Take a deep breath."
Fire relaxes. He is amongst allies. He holds the key to ending this confrontation as long as he takes control of himself.
'Breathe!' Fire tells himself.
"It's working, keep going." Dr. Wong said, urging Fire on.
"My vision is returning to normal doc." replies Fire as he opens his eyes.
Fire stares at his hands, which are now normal and free of burns. He stands steaming and naked in the scorched hallway.
"Cover him up before he catches a cold." Dr. Wong orders. One of the firefighters, who snaps out of surprise first, moves to Fire and wraps a blanket around him.
"What is going on with me, doc?" Fire asks.
"I am as lost as you are. But, we can figure it out together." Dr. Wong says, "How do you feel?"
"I feel... strange." Fire says.
"Have you looked in a mirror yet?" Dr. Wong asks.
"No... why?" Fire says.
"Follow me." Dr. Wong says.
"Doctor, he should come with us." One of the MP officers finally says as he snaps out of shock.
"He comes with me." Dr. Wong says as he flashes a badge on his lab coat, "National Security."
The MP officers share a look amongst themselves then step out of the way. Fire walks alongside Dr. Wong, who leads him down a hallway. Firefighters are stamping out the remaining fires. Few pay attention to the pair who proceed through the wet floor even though the young man is barefoot. Those who notice are struck by the charm of the unsmiling younger man.
A mirror reflects all in its grasp. An old man, with brown skin and silver-dark hair in a white lab coat, accompanies a young man wrapped in a gray blanket as they pass by this shining lake. Fire stops then retrace his steps to the body length mirror. There in full view stands a reflection that has not been his for decades. A younger body stares back at him. He stands transfixed.
'What?' Fire thinks. Fire pulls away the blanket to scrutinize his naked torso. The clock has turned back time from his 60s to his 20s. His once scarred body is now scarless. And his aging short dark-brown hair is now jet black with orange tips. His once gray-blue eyes now glisten amber. He remains well-built but with a leaner, taller body.
Fire marvels at his own reflection. He touches his face. 'Is this all a dream?' He wonders. Scarless? He quickly reaches for his left arm to confirm his theory. It is gone.
"Doc..." Fire begins to ask.
"I know, a truly magnificent phenomenon." Dr. Wong says, as he examined Fire's reflection.
"But, my face? My body?" Fire asks, his once deep voice now mellower.
"I could only watch as you, somehow, reverted back to your mid-twenties." Dr. Wong says, "I ran out to grab Director Jones but then reports of a fire drew me back."
"What?" Fire asks.
"My best guess is that whatever occurred was around the process of transdifferentiation. Long story short, you regenerated." Dr. Wong says, "Call it a rebirth of sorts. Like the phoenix!"
"But how? Why?" Fire asks.
"We will find out more as we go along." Dr. Wong says.
They leave the mirror, finally arriving at the elevator. Dr. Wong presses the button, which pings.
"What about the rest of the team?" Fire asks as the elevator doors open.
"They all suddenly fell unconscious on the flight back." Dr. Wong says, "Similar to your state."
"Take me to see them first." Fire says in concern while stepping into the elevator.
"They are on the way." Dr. Wong says as he steps in then presses a button that lights up. The elevator doors close.
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