Her act of preparation entailed sitting amid a lounge room and surrounding herself with several female hair and makeup stylists, each responsible for Ada’s beautification.
Of course the stylists who crowded her were not Ada’s only company, as her loyal subordinates took residence in the lounge room as well.
“You never needed the stylists, miss,” Leon, who observed Ada, remarked. “Your natural beauty is far more than a gift to the eyes.”
“Thanks, Leon, but I’m not exactly doing it for others. I take pride in how I look, you know,” Keeping her body perfectly still for the diligent stylists, Ada responded. “I can’t start the day without doing this. Today’s events just align with my usual activities.”
“Everyone’s in love with ya. Look how many people are tuning in for the scheduled conference!” Frank remarked as he surfed throughout the internet on his phone. “There are also posts speculating on what ideas the ‘best president’ could have for the country’s future.”
“Everyone adoring Ms.Ada is obvious, brother. Considering what she’s done and the plans she devised to bring the pitiful civilians of both England and the States out of their own plagues, they should be grateful,” Charlotte stated. “Ms. Ada did what the previous president, John Walker and his super soldiers couldn’t accomplish.”
Fufu, it never gets old hearing the daily praises they give me. Ada pondered as a small smirk appeared on her face.
“The thing is, people realize they can put all their trust in me to help them regain comfort in their lives. I’m the god that delivered them from sickos like Jack, and I’m also the god that will create a better and more comfortable future than what they had before,” Ada explained. “There are many people without homes and other necessities. As long as they depend on their god…I will always stretch my hand out to them!”
“Alright, we should let Ms.Ada focus on getting ready,” Nolan stated. “The journalists and reporters are gonna pester her with questions, after all.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Charlotte agreed. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk with her later.”
“Fufu, it’s not like I’ll get overwhelmed by any questions, but thanks for the consideration.”
- * * *
While Ada’s conference drew close, Zack sparred with his fellow colleagues on Blueblood land. The roaring, cacophonous series of noises had garnered the attention of many Blueblood associates. They stood in witness to Zack, Octavius and Rose in a free for all.
The rapid growth of previously miniscule roots into large blades of grass, the splashes of chartreuse green slimy projectiles littering the area and the flickering lights of explosions provided a shocking spectacle for the audience.
They could not perceive beyond the flashiness, but the trio weren’t simply throwing out attacks indiscriminately.
As Zack witnessed lengthy spiked stems elongating from the ground and carrying themselves towards him, he reacted quickly by generating a powerful explosion with the swipe of his hand. Of course, Zack never created this out of nowhere, but manifested the blast from the gloves the developer gifted him.
The spiky stems were reduced to ash from the explosion, but Rose came rushing through the cloud of smoke generated, shocking Zack.
“Huh–”
BAM!
Holding an oversized club of wood, Rose whacked Zack and blasted him across the training grounds. The roaring yell of the impact was comparable to the noise of a gunshot, or a sonic boom.
“Urgh, owww…” Zack groaned as he slowly stood back up. Rose had turned her attention to Octavius with the intention of attacking him.
“Damn, did you have to hit Zack so hard?” Octavius questioned as he launched several mounds of slime at Rose. “This is just a spar, after all.”
“Shut it! You got Zack addicted to those damn pills, didn’t you!?” Rose retorted as she weaved the slime attacks while closing the distance on Octavius. “We aren’t going to finish sparring until I give you a good whack too!”
“...How scary.”
SQUISH!
Rose didn’t just spout empty words, in fact she immediately showed her integrity in her threats with the swing of her oversized club. Octavius never resolved himself as a sitting duck for Rose, as he defended with a large and sudden secretion of slime, producing a squishy sound.
“You’re not taking me down that easily!” Hastily charging towards his opponents, Zack yelled. “I ain’t stopping anytime soon!”
Zack was filled with determination and vigor, right up until a certain individual caught his attention. Like a rain on his parade, or a disruption in his flow, Zack witnessed the director himself approaching the battlegrounds in his peripheral vision.
“Huh? What is he doing here–” Zack questioned. Zack’s shift in attention proved to be a seriously poor judgment, as the director was not what greeted his eyes, but a slime projectile which splashed all over his face.
“Gah!” In a muffled moan, Zack yelled as he desperately scratched at his face.
“Seems you three are really going at it in the morning!” Standing by the trio's training grounds, the director remarked.
“Huh? Why are you here, director?” Rose questioned.
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“Well, I woke up to some rather interesting news,” The director responded. “Apparently our president is about to be in a conference soon…about the future of the country.”
“Hmm, she’s been quiet ,” Octavius stated. “I wonder what she’s going to say.”
“I’m glad you’re curious, because I want you two to hear this as my chiefs,” The director replied before shifting his gaze to Zack. “Oh, I suppose Zack can also come.”
“Huh?”
- * * *
The commencement of Ada’s oh so awaited conference had arrived, and it rapidly climbed the virtual charts to become one of the most viral pieces of media currently. In fact, even the director himself along with his chiefs…and Zack had taken the time to watch the conference.
“Hey, Zack. You heard of the reports stating Ada previously was forced into colluding with you and the S-Class criminals, right?” The director questioned, raising nervousness from Zack. “It’s clear the experience left a deep scar in her, since she’s been persecuting you guys, starting with Jack the Ripper. What do you think she’s going to do next?”
“I…am not sure,” Zack muttered as he shifted his gaze to the side.
“Tch, she says she was forced, but she’s done some bad shit with the group. She’s got no right to screw with Zack,” Rose remarked. “I wanna see what that bitch says, actually!”
They rekindled their focus, just in time for the woman of the hour to be shown on screen.
“Good morning, my wonderful citizens of America! I hope the brilliant sun and the beautiful chirping birds will bring forth a wonderful day for you all,” Standing behind a podium that was designed with the colors of the nation, Ada happily greeted. “Though, I can understand the difficulty of experiencing a positive day, especially for those who lost their livelihood in the destruction we experienced, so I at least hope my presence will bring some level of happiness to you.”
“As always, the president never fails to keep up appearances, even in a formal setting,” The director remarked.
“You say her experience with the S-Class criminals left a scar on her, but I never get that feeling when watching her put on a show on TV,” Rose said. “The mindless sheep loves her though…”
“Yeah, mindless…sheep,” Zack muttered.
“Just like many of you, I witnessed firsthand the era of darkness these savage criminals brought. The fear and trauma…was debilitating, but I refuse to stand by and watch our country turn to ruin. The US motto is ‘In God we trust,’ which means you need not be fearful but place your faith in the one delivering you,” Ada continued. The intermittent, flashing lights brightened the conference room like a disco. The ones responsible for this light were none other than press reporters and journalists, as they stood by like an audience. “The criminals are nearly done for now, and once you continue looking to God, a bright future will arrive. That is why I am here…to bring that bright future to you all.”
“She does have a way with words though,” Octavius said.
“Doesn’t it sound like she’s got hidden meanings behind her words though?” The director questioned. “Hmph, she truly is a woman that puts herself in high standards.”
“
“Good afternoon, miss president. With regard to your proposal of creating a bright future, I believe that is difficult,” A news reporter remarked. “Although it has been several months since then, the destruction brought by the S-Class criminals, especially Jack Knight, Charles Warner and Zack Isaac, left countless long term damages to the country both infrastructure and economic wise. How will you return the nation to its former glory, let alone make it better?”
“Great question! On my roster are several individuals possessing blessings that could aid in terrain replenishment and infrastructure reinforcement. Their blessings would drastically shorten the time needed for reconstruction, and would give civilians increased safety due to the stronger material,” Ada explained. “Not to mention, our recent collaboration with England established very close ties with them. Our relationship with them will certainly benefit our economy.”
Her response unsurprisingly garnered favorable expressions from the press as they whispered among each other. What else would one expect after listening to a woman like Ada.
“I’ve got a question, Miss President,” A female reporter said.
“Great, let’s hear it!”
“Ever since the rise of the S-Class criminals took place, crime rates have drastically increased. Criminals followed suit and caused more of a nuisance in the country,” The reporter explained. “Since you’ve stepped into the president’s role, crime rates have been controlled but still a problem. What will you do to ensure another threat like Jack and his group won’t rise up?”
“Fufu, you sound pretty fearful. I thought I said you should have faith in the one delivering you. From numerous powerful blessed humans and the anti-blessed malefactor corps being revived to powerful blessed soldiers in England and even the enlightened woman, Amber Hoss, there’s no need to worry about any future threats…you have my word,” Ada replied. “If you still have doubts, the super soldier Rebecca White, has almost finished the brutal Project Zero experiment. She’ll become a formidable soldier on the level of Amber.”
“Regarding the current issue of crimes, you stated the S-Class criminals were ‘nearly done for’ earlier,” A journalist remarked. “We’ve witnessed the work you’ve done to return peace to the land, but do you have an idea who and what still poses a threat in this country?”
“Another great question! The S-Class criminals’ recent attack likely rendered Nathan Hayes disabled due to the attacks he sustained at the hands of super soldiers. Charles Warner too received injuries, but he’s projected to still be a problem in the future,” Ada explained. “The definite threats are the bomb terrorist, Zack Isaac, the poisoner, Olivia Gray…and a woman who’s been helping Nathan, Lilith Ashley. There’s also certain pesky crime organizations, but I’m planning on dealing with them as soon as possible…all the threats.”
The Blueblood compatriots had seldom given any reactions to Ada’s responses, however like a light bulb being switched on, they became rather expressive as Ada spoke about the current criminal threats.
“Pesky crime organizations…I don’t suppose she’s referring to the Bluebloods?” The director wondered with a raised eyebrow. “How the hell…?”
“Tsk, this’ll be bad if she knows we exist,” Octavius replied. “It’ll be annoying if we have to go up against Ada Foster and her forces. Damn, if only Jack never died and kept everyone’s attention on him.”
“Eitherway, it doesn’t matter. Not only does she likely have her eyes on us, Ada still plans on persecuting Zack,” Rose said. “He’s a valued member of this organization…we gotta act accordingly.”
While they conversed, Zack had internally seethed with his anger.
No…not again. Ada…she’s trying to take more from me! Zack pondered. I couldn’t do anything to prevent Jack’s death…or Nathan and Lilith’s suffering…but there’s no goddamned way I’m letting her win again!
Zack was not the only game character who paid heed to the presidential conference, and neither was he the most affected by it.
Also watching the live broadcast was Olivia Gray, in the comfort of her own home. From empty, narcissistic words masked behind encouraging and compassionate words to the ambitious goals of the country’s future and the promise of fully eliminating criminal activity, including herself, Olivia watched with sorrow from her couch.
“She’s always getting what…she wants…never experiencing any…consequences…” Olivia muttered to herself as she listened. “She worked with us and killed numerous people…then betrayed us after ruining my life and tossing me aside. Now everyone adores and accepts her as president.”
Life…never seems fair. I’ve lost any meaning…in my life…because of her. But the others forgave me…even after I helped Ada. They’re suffering cause…of me. Olivia pondered. Especially Lilith. I understand what it's like to feel pain…after seeing the person you love in such a state. I want to help…but all I have are my poisons.