Chương 48: Chapter 12.3
Hours later, at the Robin William's Memorial Hospital, Jason paced outside the operation room with Ken, Alina, and Asami. Nikki, Emily, and Alice were sharing a private room after the latter two came out of surgery, and all three were currently resting. Michelle, on the other hand, was in a military ward separate from this one, where she was getting a replacement prosthetic for her arm.
Alina was trying to convince Jason to get medical help for the gaping wound in his shoulder when several people arrived and approached them. Jason looked away for a moment and swore under his breath before walking up to and greeting them.
First was Ken and Nikki's guardians, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Next was Raphael who was walking behind a tall woman in a military suit with a badge that indicated that she was a Colonel in the EOU, the European Offense Unit. While Raphael looked angry, the older woman was rather calm and she exchanged a nod when her eyes met with Jason's. Behind them was an Asian man dressed in a suit and sunglasses, and lagging further behind him was Silvia who was in a holo-call. [2]
"Sage," the Colonel nodded as she stood straight in front of Jason who felt a natural aura of intimidation emanating from her. The other guardians did not speak up due their respect to her but they nodded to Jason to indicate that they were present.
Jason looked at the colonel, he stared at her blonde hair that was styled in a bun and then at her blue eyes that were curiously studying him. He took a deep breath in, he had a sinking feeling that this was Michelle's mother. What flabbergasted Jason was that she was too young to be Raphael's mother.
"Colonel LeBlanc," Jason saluted her half-heartedly.
"It's Watson," the colonel corrected surprising him. Regardless, her name not being the same as Michelle's was none of his concern so Jason shrugged it off as she continued speaking. "I understand that there was a terrorist attack that harmed my daughter?"
"Not terrorism," Jason clarified while looking down. He took a deep breath and looked back up at everyone, preparing himself for the worst. "It was an assassination attempt, an attempt that was aimed at me. The children were … they were put in danger because of me."
Watson's silence implied that she was already aware of why he would be targeted but Mr. and Mrs. Jones exchanged glances before looking back at Jason.
"Can you clarify what you mean, Mr. Sage?" Robert Jones asked slowly, his voice holding a slew of emotions that he was compressing.
"I-" Jason looked at Silvia who was behind the rest and she discreetly nodded at him; she was permitting him to reveal his identity. "I am a Phantom Operative."
The surrounding crowd had different reactions. Watson and Raphael both were unbothered as they already knew the truth, however, Robert and Susan both took a step back while the man dressed like Agent Smith placed his hand in his jacket. Jason's eyes fell on the latter, whose nervousness was apparent when he realized Jason had noticed that he was reaching for his gun.
"Forgive me for being blunt, but should a Phantom even be teaching?" Robert asked Silvia incredulously, whom the parents' seemed to be acquainted with.
"Jason's … profession is exactly why he is the best combat instructor that the Academy can provide to its students," Silvia answered perfunctorily; it was obvious that she prepared this statement from beforehand.
Before anyone could respond to this a young boy ran into the ward followed by two security guards who tackled him to the ground.
"Lemme go!" the boy yelled. "My sister is in there!"
"Let him go," Silvia ordered the guards who released the boy. The boy turned to look at Jason his eyes wide with worry.
"I'm Jared, Emily's brother," he introduced himself. "Is she okay?"
"Brother?" Jason looked at the kid, who couldn't be older than thirteen. "Where're your parents?"
Various complicated emotions passed through Jared's eyes as he looked away sulkily.
"They- they couldn't make it," he finally answered.
"Hmm," Jason and Silvia both narrowed their eyes as the former grunted. "She'll be fine, I promise."
"I know this won't make things right," after reassuring Jared, Jason turned to look at everyone else and cleared his throat. "But I am willing to use a poultice to heal them. I will also hand each of you an extra set as well."
"Fils de … Do you really think that solves everything? You put children, your students in danger!" Raphael harshly replied while the others were mostly confused.
"Raph," Colonel Watson stopped Raphael with a glare when he wanted to continue. "As Fenrir, he could've shirked this without accepting any responsibility, but he's willing to owe us a favor. That's enough for me, considering his identity."
"Fenrir?" Robert looked aghast as he looked at Jason with a baffled stare of fear and confusion. "You're that Fenrir? The famous Merc?"
Jason nodded as Silvia shot Robert a look of bemusement.
"How does a shop owner know of Fenrir?" she asked Robert with a raised eyebrow.
"I- after my sister died, I was looking into their deaths," Robert looked away from both Ken and Susan, both of whom were surprised. "I considered hiring a mercenary to investigate and my top pick was Fenrir. But, you were too expensive so I hired a private investigator instead."
Mom's death ... Ken thought, his emotions thrown in disarray.
"Then I'll help you look into their deaths," Jason said immediately before looking back at the children. "I should go and administer the poultice, excuse me."
"Ms. Chiba, your parents requested me to escort you back home," the man in a suit and sunglasses bowed towards Asami as he spoke. He had remained silent until Jason left.
"I'm staying," Asami answered. "I don't want to leave my friends like this."
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice, ma'am," the bodyguard replied.
Asami sighed and turned to Alina who nodded at her and they stood up to hug.
"Tell me when they're awake, I'll come as fast as I can," Asami said.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine," Alina replied.
Asami walked away with the bodyguard as Robert turned to Watson.
"If you don't mind me asking, what is this poultice?" Robert asked her.
"As Fenrir, Jason has mentored under many reclusive masters, including a poison master who was well versed in mutated plants," Watson explained slowly while Raphael sighed, unhappy at her for speaking of classified intel. "This master taught him how to heal too and this poultice is one of Jason's creation. It can bring anyone back from the brink of death but it is highly toxic so it needs to be given in small doses."
"Can something so magical exist?" Susan asked stunned. Watson turned to look at her and flashed an enigmatic smile at her.
"You would be surprised at how little we now know of this world," Watson replied in a whisper.
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