Chapter 186: At The Headquarters VI

Words : 1581 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Chapter 186: At The Headquarters VI Pressing issues? What was the damn nuthead talking about? Athena wondered, welcoming the tense silence that ensued after the director’s declaration. She exchanged a confusing glance with Aiden. Was there any other pressing issue she was not aware of? Maybe a bomb threatening to wipe out a whole country or even the world? Or maybe some other disease ravaging the nation that she wasn’t aware of? What was that pressing issue? Aiden, sensing Athena’s line of thought, shook his head subtly to indicate there was really no issue more weighty than what the Grey disease represented. Athena inhaled deeply for control before speaking, because this man was still above her in rank after all. "Pressing issues? Isn’t it the gang that is giving us the headache here? Isn’t that your life mission? Or has that changed? One of the mottos for this organization, is the preservation of lives first—lives that the government doesn’t care about—before anything else. So what is more pressing than the Grey disease sacking people out of their homes and cities?" "Athena..." The director called, in a warning tone. But Athena wasn’t one to be deterred on issues like this. "This matter should be on your radar, Director," She pressed, her heart racing. "Because the gang is sponsoring it! They are sharing the disease from one city to another! From the intel we just got, they are infecting those who have been cured already. And having treated these unfortunate ones, they are highly resistant to the drug I created as a cure!" Athena didn’t add that she had found a remedy for that, for she believed that would pave a way for the director to slack around as usual, so she fired on. "This could escalate quickly to a worldwide pandemic, and we can’t waste any time, Director. We need to tackle this now, or will you be able to take it if your family gets infected? Will your conscience push you to do something then?" Alvarez furrowed his brow, not happy with Athena’s statements, but he had no choice but to consider her words carefully. "Athena, I’ll need more than just speculation to justify diverting our attention to this. It’s obvious a lot of things are going to be involved in this. A lot of secrets. A lot of ass-goring. A lot of back bending..." "Speculation?" Athena shot back, recovering speedily before Aiden, from the director’s stupid statement, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "We just had two criminals admit it! If we don’t take action now, it could be too late." She said, flinging her arms in frustration. "And what is this about ass-goring and back-bending? When has that mattered to you before? What happened to you, Director Alvarez?!" Director Alvarez hit his palm on the table then in anger. "You don’t talk to me like that, Athena! You seem to have forgetten your place." He said, getting to his feet. Athena held back a snort. "And what place is that?" Aiden’s jaw slackened at the sharp insubordination, while Director Alvarez’s mouth dropped open in shock. He recovered swiftly, though, nodding his head, staring at her with a thin smile on his lips. But as the tension crackled in the air, Athena held his gaze, each second heightening the stakes. The fate of the world hung in the balance, and Athena knew they had to act fast. "I’m still waiting for your answer, Doctor Alvarez..." She said, impatient with the passing seconds. "Do you think you are indispensable, Athena Caddels? Do you think because you are now a popular doctor, I wouldn’t have cause to fire you?" Athena scoffed, tired of playing the submissive subject. Aiden was no longer surprised; the director had finally crossed Athena’s tolerance level. "And why would you fire me, Alvarez? Have you forgetten who put you in the chair?" She placed her hand on the desk and leaned forward, looking deeply into the man’s eyes. "We all left the CIA at the same time with the others. And we elected you to manage the organization because of your leadership abilities, not because of your age or that you are better than us. If you are tired of doing your job, let us know so I can call another meeting. I will see what the others have to say about the matter at hand: why you will ignore the lives of people because of... ’a lot of ass-goring, a lot of back-bending.’" She said, imitating the director’s voice at the latter end as she threw his words back at him. Director Alvarez was boiling with anger, his fists curled by his side, hating his authority being questioned. But with Aiden beside Athena, he could almost do nothing. Almost. "Athena, you don’t have to talk to me like that if you want to make your point," He said in a gentler voice that belied the fury brewing in his eyes. Athena rolled her eyes. "I tried the calm way, Director, but you wouldn’t listen. Imagine talking about ass—" "Please don’t say that again," The director said, stopping her with his outstretched hand, managing to smile through the anger he was feeling. Luckily, it fooled his two old partners. Athena laughed and jabbed his shoulder from across the table. "Welcome back. Now, what are we going to do about this matter?" She asked, finally taking a seat, seeing as the tension had been dissolved. Aiden followed suit, pulling his chair forward as the three put their heads together. "Honestly, I don’t know. I think you should make the calls now. You are the one in the same vicinity with the gang; what do you think should be done?" Alvarez spoke thoughtfully. Athena paused, her lips drawn tight. "There is a shareholders meeting that will be held tomorrow or next. After that, we will attack the hideout. So, keep the attack team ready and prepared with all the protection masks. The virus might be there..." Athena paused again, as she mentioned the virus. Attacking head-on, even with masks, without preparation on what to do about the virus, might cause more harm than good. What to do? "You know what... just keep them on standby. I will send a spy into their zone. We need to get the remaining boxes of the virus out of their location and attack before the next shipment comes. We also need all the research teams’ hands on deck. We need the identity of who is sponsoring this madness. I’m sure if we can get the person and nab him for good, all this nonsense would stop." Alvarez nodded his head slowly. "That’s a good one. I’ll get the research team to do the job. But what spy would you send in?" "I am not sure yet," Athena said slowly, taking her lower lip in. "And what if the person behind this is greater than we are..." Alvarez raised his hands in surrender when Athena glared at him. "Sure, our first priority is saving lives." Ten minutes later, Athena and Aiden were bidding their goodbye to the director after some more planning was done on the subject matter. "And please make sure the audio is on in Safe Containment Two. Who knows? Those two might divulge important information," Athena spoke when she opened the door to leave the office. "Of course, I will do that. Have a safe flight back home; I hope to see you soon." "The same here, Director," She said, and left the office with Aiden. "You really went wacko in there, Athena..." Aiden started as they made their way to the elevator that would take them out of here. They had spent much more time than they had bargained for. "I needed to. The man was just spitting gibberish about ass-goring..." Aiden laughed, shaking his head. "You are really something, but I am proud of you nonetheless." He spoke, ruffling her hair. Athena glared at him in return. "Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for earlier today." Aiden’s laughter was caught short. He sputtered and then shut his mouth, taking his hand down from her hair. "I’ve apologized countless times, Athena," He spoke finally as they walked past the armory room. Athena ignored him, taking in the sights of the guns. She paused when she spotted a sleek gun. "Wait," She said, retracing her steps and walking into the room. She met an agent at the desk. "My name is Athena; I want that gun." She said, pointing at the gun in question. The agent, familiar with the name related to exploits, immediately stood to his feet and hurried to retrieve the gun. "What do you need a gun for?" Aiden asked from beside her. "I already have one." Athena twitched her lips. "I don’t know, really. I just feel like it." Aiden let the matter lie low. Another mad thing about Athena was her ever-true instincts. If she felt like getting a gun, then get it she shall. The agent arrived with the gun and its documents in record time. "Here it is. It is a SIG P226, a recent version," He said. Athena nodded and took the gun while Aiden collected the documents from the waiting hand of the agent. Athena flexed the gun, practicing shooting and catching. So far, so good, she mused, putting the gun in the inner pocket of her coat. She couldn’t wait to find out why her guts wanted her to get this baby.

Chapter 186: At The Headquarters VI

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