[Raccoon News Station, Interview Set]

[March 13, 2022]

I found myself enjoying the conversation. The questions so far were on point, and I knew this was all designed to lull me into a false sense of security.

So I relaxed. No reason to give up the fact that I knew more then they expected.

“Supreme Leader, is it true that Val Verde has had its first public acknowledged mutant?” Anchor Virginia Rodriguez asked as she turned towards me.

I stared at the woman, and frowned. Her posture tensed, ready for a harsh rebuttal.

“I prefer the term Meta Human, Mrs. Rodriguez,” my frown turned into a smile. “It doesn’t matter if the meta gene is present or not, they are as human as anyone else is.”

Luis snorted as he sat facing me. His political stances on ‘Mutants’ was well known.

“In answer to your question, yes. We have acknowledged our first meta human. I also hope more are willing to be open about their gifts,” I answered as I leaned back into my chair.

“Are you not afraid of the dangers they pose?”

I blinked at her question. Then laughed as the first deviation from the vetted list revealed itself. “You must be aware of Val Verde’s proud military traditions, yes?”

Mrs. Rodriguez nodded. Val Verde was very proud of its military history. It was the backbone of the country.

“Unless the meta in question possesses more power then a ready power armored soldier. I do not find them fearful at all. Please keep in mind that we are a military nation,” I broke my gaze with Mrs. Rodriguez.

I turned and stared into the wide lens of the camera.

“From the moment you start secondary school, you are to carry a sidearm. A simple pistol. In Val Verde, a family pistol is often used for this period. At eleven years old, you will begin to learn, and respect, firearms,” my eyes unfocused. Memories of my father’s prized Smith and Wesson Victory Model.

That old revolver was something that my great-grandfather owned. A relic from his military service in the African Front. Then it got handed down the family as an heirloom.

While I got the Victory, Carmen had used mother’s inherited pistol. A spurless, snub nosed M206 revolver.

“Children get taught how to care, hold, and use pistols. During this 5 year period, they will learn to use a variety of pistols, and rifles,” my eyes refocused onto the camera. The camera man was most likely zoomed onto my face.

“We learn to respect these basic weapons. Military service is mandatory, and all citizens free to carry weapons. We respect the power of these tools, and as a result, meta humans are not more dangerous then any citizen of Val Verde,”

“Doesn’t that just empower the ability of criminals?” Luis drawled out.

For Luis Gonzalez, I saw a man who was the politician at heart. He cared more about his own personal gains then anything else. I had learned something important as a captain of the Jade Falcons.

A man could indeed be mighty but he would never compare to a group. A team or family could generate far more power then any single mortal.

“Statistics, raw statics, says no,” I stared at the man and smiled. “Though it is understandable why. It is much harder to rob a person when everyone is carrying, and trained to use, a firearm. Please understand, that after Val Verde has a mandatory two year service. Which means have been carrying a pistol for about seven years when are you start life as an adult.”

It was habit at that point. To carry and understand how to use your personal firearm. Though military service standardized your sidearm to the SIG Sauer P320.

A little dated, but a very reliable weapon.

What I also left out was the fact that anyone in mandatory ‘First Service’ you also had your primary rifle with you. Youthful impatience meant you saw young people toting them around everywhere. Beach, malls, and bars.

They couldn't deal with wasted time like stowing the weapon on base's armory. The wait lines were always long.

Everyone remembered their first time stowing, and retrieving their guns. So it was a common site to see young adults with their guns slung over shoulder as they went to restaurants or clubs.

Though woe was the person caught drunk and had their firearms on them.

“You speak as if mutants are so easy to control. That like a gun, they can be set to safety. Mutants, as you say, are humans. They are fallible to corruption of their powers,” Luis sneered as he straightened in his chair.

“From the first day of school, the children of Val Verde are taught basic truths. One of these truths is that their most important tool is self discipline. It is the hardest trait to understand. It is also very powerful in our everyday lives,” I rebutted from my relaxed position.

If nothing else, I wanted to show them that they would not succeed with their tactics. My will to stay calm would prevail. Though wills could weaken with hunger, and with stress.

Luis did not look impressed with my answer. He didn’t follow up with another statement. My subtle jab had poked him back for now.

“Do you not feel that it is this mindset that resulted in your tragic take over by Hydra. Then invaded by the US and the Avengers?” Mrs. Rodriguez asked.

I blinked at the questions. Both people were staring at me, and all the cameras were now focused on me again.

I closed my eyes, and took in a breath.

“Hydra helped form our faith of the Greater Good, but it does not dictate it. We have separated beliefs after Hydra went into hiding after world war two. As a nation, we learn and evolve with every event. Val Verde today is very different from the nation a decade ago,” I looked to the camera. Then turned to stare at the anchorwoman sitting between Luis and myself.

“Different, as in your are using subtle methods such as voter manipulation? Using tactics like flooding our nation with questionable goods?” Mrs. Rodriguez said as she powered onto the next question.

This was one steady, and dedicated woman. I could only respect that.

“I supplied food to various places that requested aid. Other then that, I have not involved myself into this country’s affair. Val Verde has little interest in expanding its borders. Or spread its influences,” I replied with a chuckle. “My nomination for president was a greater surprise then your own.”

The memory of those requests filled my mind. I had read them of them after Sofia had left. Each was a plea for help.

It was the reason I had flooded this country with our excess food stock. I doubt I will ever forget the feeling of wasting away.

“Then are you denying involvement to influence our elections? To sway the people of Venezuela with ‘food’,” Mrs. Rodriguez used air quotes.

I chuckled at the sight of her wiggling her fingers.

Who was she trying to convince? The people? Those who trusted me, trusted me. Those who valued Luis’s governance would need more then ‘food’ to change.

“That's right. I am not interested in influencing Venezuela. As Luis can tell you, the paperwork is endless. Doubling that volume would kill me,” I drawled out.

This elected the first genuine laugh out of the man all night.

“What about the fact that you are harboring the wanted scientist, Doctor Akagi Ritsuko. Former UN researcher on the run after it got revealed she was apart of ‘Gehirn’. A group dedicated to illegal human research?”Mrs. Rodriguez asked with a grim face.

She held up the last known photo of a blond woman. A wonderful twist in questioning. A shock that I was not prepared for.

I maintained my relaxed attitude as I studied the photo.

Sue looked the same. Despite the fact that photo was from ten years ago. Damn Asian genes. I knew my face was definitely worse off from even a year ago.

“I am sure she looks familiar to anyone. Bottled blond, with sharp cheekbones. You do understand that Val Verde a nation of only immigrants correct? We have people from all walks of life, and I am sure I can find a hundred of this Doctor with a single talent search,” I replied. I could find a thousand to be honest.

Bottle blonds were not rare in any country.

Mrs. Rodriguez gave me that look. That humorless face, like a parent watching their child trying to lie.

“Mrs. Rodriguez, you must understand. The nation of Val Verde is also a country of fugitives. Our 2000s was when Baron Zemo declared the country as the land of Hydra. Then Zemo fled, and the US pulled leaving us with a devastated nation. We are only now on schedule to pay off our bonds. Which will be this year,” I said as I looked at her.

I tried to emulate her. A person judging another person whom was blaming a child over nothing.

Val Verde was lucky in that we had nothing of value to the US. So they had left, allowing us rebuild from the ruin of Hydra’s brief rule. Though sanctions were fierce and ruthless, keeping us down.

Richard Jackson was many things. A selfish fool, and a careless leader, but he did keep the country floating during those rough times. Sure Val Verde was broke, but it was broke with influxes of vital goods.

That man was the band-aid until my ascendancy. Val Verde today was a much stronger nation.

“In response to your fun facts, I also have one,” I held up a nice, extra wide photo sheet. Two photos were on display. They had the same face, though different hair styles and names.

Andrea Hernandez, aid to President Luis Gonzalez.

Anastasia Cisarovna / Anastasia DeCobray, Cobra Lieutenant.

“Lies and slander!” Luis jumped up and started to scream. “Harboring villains, now accusing others! How like you-” he got cut off as something louder hit.

[BOOOM!]

The building rocked. The faint screams of people outside of the room filled the halls.

In an instant, Candice and Kori were by my side.

Kara was most likely investigating that explosion.

[Booom] [Bom] [Pop]

Smaller bursts of sounds drowned out the panicked screams of the people in the room.

I looked over and saw Luis. The camera was still pointed to me, and Mrs. Rodriguez was yelling to someone.

Luis looked bored as he stared at his watch. Then he stood up and faced the camera. He scrubbed at his hair to fray it out. This prompted the cameraman to reorientate the camera.

“We have been betrayed! Val Verde shows their true colors!” Luis screamed into the live stream.

Shit. That was a good move.

I smiled as I stood up, and dusted off my clothes. I had one last surprise in store for dear Luis.

————

Chapter 33: Showtime!