Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"What kind of plan do you—"

"When they kidnap you," He interrupted, scanning around.

"They'll need to send proof."

"Yes. They were asked to send a video." Thaddeus cut in,

"What then?"

"What other orders?"

"To transport her here with a prepared helicopter."

"Good." Trent nodded at Theo.

"Have Tyson and the team intercept and eliminate them when they get to the helipad."

"Trent!" Marie yelled,

"It's such a risky—"

"Gramps," Trent walked behind Theo as they followed Eduardo,

"Tell Stanper to send as many soldiers along. Make sure no harm comes to her."

"Alright." Thaddeus exhaled,

"Anneliese has a car ready."

"Trust me, mo chéri." Trent exhaled,

"No harm will come to you."

She stayed silent for a while and sighed,

"Take care of yourself."

"You need to move." Thaddeus cut in,

"They've got some things prepared to publish. I'll delete—"

"Let them post it." Trent chuckled.

"Let them have their fun."

He tucked the phone into his pocket as it disconnected and they followed Eduardo, bypassing the guards and leaving through the back.

_____

"It's good to see you, Trent." Anneliese laughed softly as they walked into the room.

"Thank you for your help." Trent scanned around,

"I won't forget this favor."

"You've become quite popular." She mused, walking towards them with her phone in hand.

"Spy for a covert program called the Handler's Program and attempting to murder the Prince..."

"It's a beautiful tale." Trent chuckled, hugging her as she spread her arms out.

"This is—"

"Theo Arkov." Anneliese looked at Theo, interrupting Trent's introduction,

"The accomplice assassin."

Theo smiled and stretched his hands,

"Thank you for helping us, Madam."

"This is Anneliese Walter." Trent introduced,

"We owe her a great—"

"Eduardo..." Anneliese turned to Eduardo,

"Your sister's treatment will be taken care of."

"T–Thank you, ma'am." Eduardo stuttered,

"You do not owe me anything, Trent." She turned to Trent.

"This is my duty."

Theo looked at them confused,

"What are we going to do now?"

"The others should arrive soon." Anneliese chuckled, walking towards Trent.

"What do you have in mind?"

"I—" He turned to the door as Duke Dumroe and Cara Croft entered

"I'm glad you're safe." Cara laughed softly, spreading her arms apart.

"You look lovely too." Trent walked to her and embraced her.

"You too, Duke Dumroe..." He looked at Dumroe

"I know I look lovely..." Dumroe scoffed,

"That's not the issue. That little shit really crossed the line this time."

"With the help of Morlov Sanchez." Trent huffed,

"We need to have a meeting." Anneliese said, glancing at Theo.

Theo stared at Trent, Cara and Dumroe in awe.

Seeing such powerful people in person... What a—

"Theo..." Trent called, snapping him back to reality.

"Y–Yes?"

"We're going to be talking about really sensitive things." Trent walked towards him.

"It's your choice to—"

"I'll wait outside, Cap..." Theo shook his head,

"Promise me something." He looked at Cara and Dumroe.

"What is it?" Trent asked,

"Make the choice you find best for everyone."

Trent stared at him for a while and laughed,

"Definitely. I'm sure you're going to be happy with it."

"Am I late?" Ferinni cut in, walking in.

"We've reached the crossroads now."

"You're just in time." Trent looked at him.

"Eduardo..." Anneliese called,

"Tell the guards outside to make sure Mr. Arkov is well taken care of."

"Yes, Ma'am." Eduardo bowed, looking at Theo.

"Let's get this started." Ferinni exhaled, walking closer.

"I need to make a call." Trent looked at Ferinni.

It's come down to this.

The best solution to this problem.

"Harvey Verathin," He paused,

"I need to call my Uncle."

_____

"I'm going to be alright..." He chuckled, taking his seat.

"You better be." Wanda's voice cut through from the phone.

"Don't worry about Marie. The old man has it handled."

He looked at the phone's screen as the call ended. Another call was coming in.

Morlov Sanchez.

"They're calling." He looked at everyone,

"This place masks your calls and—"

"I already have that covered." He smiled, interrupting Anneliese.

"If it isn't my dear Father-in-law." He mused as he answered the call, turning the speaker on.

"I take it you're still pissed about the meeting situation."

"You fucker..." Morlov scoffed,

"I have you by the neck now."

"Oh, do you?"

"There's no way you'll escape from Kraven." Morlov growled,

"Westeron won't be of any—"

"Joe will do whatever I tell him to. You don't have to worry about Westeron."

"You think you're real smart, huh?" Morlov snapped,

"I'm going to kill her if you don't—"

"Kill who?"

"Oh..." Morlov snickered,

"You don't know yet. Check the news."

Cara opened the news on her phone.

"Marie Ackerman, wife of Westeron spy Trent Ackerman, has been captured at the border with the terrorist group Ferrimo—"

"What's this about, Morlov?" Trent asked

"A little gift." Morlov chuckled.

"She's going to be executed for being associated with you... and terrorism."

"You're going to do this to your own daughter?"

"I've done worse." Morlov scoffed,

"You can't fathom the things—"

"Like killing your family for that insurance money?" Trent interrupted.

"That's certainly worse."

"How do—"

"It's done." Thaddeus' voice cut through from Trent's phone.

"She's safe."

"Who's—"

"Hear that?" Trent laughed softly, interrupting Morlov.

"She's safe."

"That's impossible. She's—"

"Send him a video." Trent sighed.

Morlov stayed silent as a notification entered his phone.

"You see that?" Trent chuckled,

"Isn't it beautiful? I guess it's your turn to check the news."

"H–How is—"

"What's happening?" Aerwin's voice interrupted from Morlov's end.

"Oh? Your Prince is there..." Trent chuckled,

"Did you promise him a daughter too?"

"Trent Ackerman..." Aerwin growled as he collected the phone from Morlov.

"I'm going to find you and—"

"New mission initializing." Ave's voice cut in,

"Sign-in to Wallen Palace. Time limit, twenty-four hours."

"I guess it's decided." Trent muttered, looking at everyone.

"You stupid fucking—"

"You've got a lot of filth on your mouth." Trent interrupted Aerwin,

"I'm going to say this once... Listen."

"What are—"

"You started this, Aerwin." He laughed in a dry tone,

"I am not merciful."

"I will crush you to—"

"Tell dear Father-in-law to watch out." He chuckled,

"Marie is not merciful either."

He cut the call and closed his eyes.

"Gramps..."

"What's up?"

"Tell Marie to proceed with her revenge." He opened his eyes,

"As wild as she wants."

"What's the plan?" Dumroe asked, leaning forward.

"Gramps will release every little secrets Aerwin, Morlov and all their allies have from birth."

"You need to do something about their allies." Cara cut in,

"I'm going to take away all their funds."

"Like the Sinclairs." Ferinni cut in.

"Yes." Trent nodded.

"How much did we get from them?"

"Four hundred and Sixty-Three billion." Thaddeus answered.

"With the sweep of all the cartels I hit following that, there's Four Hundred and Eighty billion dollars."

Anneliese whistled.

"It should reach five hundred with Aerwin's allies."

"Hold on." Thaddeus said, turning silent for a few seconds.

"Five hundred and Nine billion dollars."

"Morlov's for—"

"Marie is about to take care of her business."

Ferinni pulled his phone out as it buzzed,

"Harvey's taken care of the Temple." He raised his head,

"What's the next step."

"It's been a fascinating thought," Trent chuckled, standing up.

"What if we leak the public the real history?" He looked at Cara.

"Just enough truth to show Verathin's part?"

"It'll create a dynamic reaction from the Citizens of Kraven and Westeron." Anneliese muttered,

"They'll revolt against Kravenberch."

"Not if we tell his story." Cara shook her head, pointing to Trent.

"The descendant of Berchen and Verathin." She mused,

"Verathin's true heir."

"It's perfect." Dumroe cut in,

"We can turn this into a glorious battle for succession."

"It'll change the dynasty." Ferinni chuckled,

"Just what we wanted."

"Yes." Trent nodded,

"And with the backing of your families— Verathin's loyal subordinates..." He laughed softly,

"It's the perfect story."

"What will we do about the Kravenberchs?" Anneliese asked,

"The Sinclairs committed suicide to escape their sins." Thaddeus chuckled, cutting in.

"I will take out the trashes from the bloodline."

"Not all of—"

"I know." Thaddeus scoffed, interrupting Trent.

"Diana and Elise are in your care."

"Then..." Anneliese mused,

"You mean—"

"Different misfortune will befall the others." Thaddeus said in a fierce tone.

"We should get to work." Dumroe exhaled, standing up.

"Tonight... We will release a version of the hidden history to the public and our statements." He looked at Trent.

"We are glad you've made a choice, Trent."

"It will be convenient," Trent paused,

"If all the country leaders are advised to stay out of it."

"They won't do anything." Cara chuckled, standing up.

"This is our fight. They dare not interfere."

"I will invite them when everything is complete." Trent exhaled.

"You do not tell the Sun when to rise." Thaddeus laughed softly.

"You hungry?" Anneliese asked, looking at Trent.

"I'll have the chef prepare something fitting for an Emperor."

Trent scoffed and looked at them.

It has come to this.

The rising of the Sun.