11:12 am…

Phrixus enters his lair with a bag filled with mechanical components for his gizmos.

“Phrixus,” Valeria calls. “Come quickly, there’s something on T.V.”

He leaves the bag behind and goes to the main hall.

Valeria relates the most relevant part of the news. “Many continents are a now war zones, worse yet, the Red Confederacy have gone nuts: they are getting more aggressive and maintain a policy of ‘Join us or die’, the United Nations’ plea for peace is being ignored like it is nothing, this conflict is slowly escalating…”

“We should expect war here…” Phrixus says.

“It won’t be nuclear weapons but I’m sure they will make something worse. Will we fight with stones and sticks if there’s a Fourth War?” Roberth says.

“Never doubt it.”

***

5 days later…

The radio chirps, and he picks it up. “Yes?”

“Phrixus, this is Eve Grant, you need to go to your base, you have a call from the President of the United States.”

“Right away.”

***

2 minutes later…

“Phrixus here, do you copy, Mr. President?

“I hear you, it was time we got to know each other. Let’s get to the point, I have contacted you for a simple reason… you have shown competence, resourcefulness, expertise, and accomplishment with your tasks, only roughly 6.98% of all our superhuman soldiers have this kind of capacity. Officer Eve Grant personally gave me good references about your performance. In the name of the Vanguard of the Atlantic I ask you to offer your support against the rising storm, that means fighting on the frontlines.”

“With all due respect, Mr. President but I don’t think I’m ready for something like this…” Phrixus says.

“I understand you perfectly, I can’t directly knock your door, grab you by the arm and throw you to the trenches, but I must inform you that the Red Confederacy were in your country for two reasons: the Bellusaxum and the Omicron Stars. And I have more somber news; they are making vile experiments to try to unlock their potential, even if they must take many lives to achieve their ultimate goal of improving their soldiers to make them unstoppable. There is no doubt Venezuela will be a priority target in the future and by then they won’t come peacefully.”

He is silent, not sure how to proceed. “I just need five minutes to think about it.”

“Take your time son, I know it is a hard decision,” says the President.

“Great… how am I gonna tell my friends, and especially my family…” Phrixus mutters.

“I’m not surprised, they need everyone capable for the war,” Roberth says.

“A one-way trip to Hell, what are you gonna do?” says Valeria.

“What can I say… if what the U.S. President says is true then this country will burn next year.” says Phrixus.

“And what? How many soldiers with powers are there? You really gonna go off and die in--” Valeria is agitated.

Phrixus interrupts her. “I know! I won’t participate in the war just for the interests of the VOA, I will do it to protect my friends, family and my country, the Red Confederacy will come again soon, and this time bring destruction.” With a sigh, he calms down. “There’s nothing worse than sitting here and doing nothing, I will be damned if they get away with it.”

“Then you know what to do,” Roberth says.

“Siding with the lesser evil, no other choice.” Phrixus says.

Valeria stays silent but still disagrees with Phrixus.

“Mr. President do you copy?”

“Loud and clear, tell me what is your decision?”

“Where do I sign?”

***

Outside of Phrixus’s Lair…

“Your family will return to Venezuela in three days, what do you want us to tell them in your absence?” Eve asks.

“Anything that doesn’t involve me being stuck in a pillbox or trench,” says Phrixus.

“Right, anything you have to do before we depart?”

“Let me say goodbye to my friends.”

“If something bad happens to you, I swear…” Valeria slaps him, then hugs him. “You better return, promise me.” Valeria holds back her tears.

“I promise it with my life,” says Phrixus.

“You better survive, or all your powers and training were a total waste,” Roberth says.

“How encouraging, this cruel life has given me the best friend.” Phrixus gives him a pound-hug. “I’ll see you soon, take care of my fort.”

Eve and Phrixus get in the helicopter, disappearing from the sky with its cloaking system. The trip will last four hours, a time he uses for meditation. He wonders what kind of challenges and horrors await him in the dark days ahead…