Chapter 4_2

“thank you again for being here rod mason.”

Rod was invited by a different show for an interview in manila where the same as always, he just wears tshirt and jeans.

“I can at least accept this kind of offer though.”

“hmm.. I see your still with your bodyguards. Why is that really?”

“you can never tell what kind of idiot would just barge in just so that they can have what I know.”

“oh.. so your still keeping secrets to the public. Can you ever tell us those—“

“nope. Never. I have already given the public so many clues just for them to figure out. So many warnings, wisdom, and even helped them with some research.”

“why just give them clues when you can just help them like everyone else?”

“do you really think I gain all this just like that?” rod then made a gesture “no! I earned all of it! So they all should also earn their way through the trials that they will face.”

“but you have already accomplished those trials, why cant others do it as well?”

“like I said before. Do you think nature is really that forgiving? I already showed all of you all the clues on what lies in there. If you still think that nature is doing some kind of favoritism, that is definitely not it.”

“so what really makes you special then rod mason?”

“there is really nothing special about me since im just a human like everyone else.”

“then why were you granted access to those places when others were being thrown away from the challenge?”

“you also think it’s a challenge huh. A trial is very different from a challenge. A challenge is where you can compete against others which are more or equal to you. A trial is where you are tested to you limits in order to earn you way through that life and death experience.”

“then what really makes you special? That’s on everybodys minds right now. ever since you have shown videos of your adventures, everyone is just aching to try it.”

“hmm.. if they want to try it, then they can always go for it, whats stopping you?! I have already warned you all about twice already. I gave you a clue to the warnings in my book and the second time are my videos. If you have seen my videos, you should have been afraid whereas fools would take warnings as a challenge.”

“r-really? That was really shown in there?”

“yes. even camellia had also declared a clear warning when she did an MC on the videos.”

“so only those who didn’t get the warnings in the book—“

“and in the videos are the real idiots here.”

“you know, I really think no one is an idiot. They are just misguided souls.”

“yes, true. If they know, then they are not idiots. Do you get what I mean?”

“u-um.. like seriously? Its just that simple?”

“yes. naturally, wisdom is really simple in form. Since it only entails both common sense and knowledge all together.”

“you know, that just enlightened me. So if they would have the knowledge, they would be wise enough to do what is right.”

“I see. but considering the situation right now, aren’t you concerned for your family?”

“yes im concerned. There was even once that my family was being threatened so that I could give the designs for project iron heart.”

“w-we haven’t heard of this before!”

“it was never brought up in the news after all. And since then, they are all with bodyguards granted by the president himself.”

“since if your family would get caught by some idiots if we would call them, then the whole world would be at stake right?”

“its already way past that. Although I cant tell you the current balance of power of the world right now, I can definitely tell you that its headed for destruction all because of those men who really wants everything for themselves.”

“what do you mean by that?”

“you know, during the last month that I stayed in japan..”

“you stayed in japan? Why?”

“just listen… ehem.. during that time, japan was being slowly invaded by many foreign rich guys who might have heard rumors that I was there. Threatening their industry from the inside all just to maybe search for the secrets that I have.”

“j-just what kind of secrets do you have rod? cant you just tell us so that it will be over with?”

“yes I can tell, but I have a responsibility to keep in guarding those secrets. and didn’t I tell you? I already left clues in both my book and in my videos. Its now up to you guys to earn you way to prove that im wrong or right.”

“I see. so you’re a very responsible guy, I like that.”

“thank you.”

“currently, the Philippines is at a very dangerous spot right now.”

“yes, I know. Men with dangerous ideals came to ruin the country and has gotten hold of energy weapons.”

“what?! We didn’t know that?!”

“yes, normally you wouldn’t. I bet president dutuer is pissed right now but im telling this so that the public will be warned. The senate probably thought that in order to keep the peace, they must never know. But its quite the opposite actually, because they don’t know which is why more people gets killed everyday just so they could go back there.”

“h-how dreadful the situation is right now. what would you do about the situation there?”

“the president has already asked for my services before but as we are only a rescue team, we don’t do battle in the front lines. Anyways, you can always ask the details from the president himself.”

“that’s the problem rod, we just couldn’t get hold of the president right now and he keeps rejecting our offer right now.”

“hes just busy, that’s all. And how would he spend time when he has already warned everyone and done everything possible in his power. Yet some doesn’t even listen.” Rod said as he made a gesture

“a-alright then. But as a rescue unit, how can you contribute to the situation right now?”

“we have already done our part actually. We have already helped evacuate about 90% of the total population in all of south Mindanao.”

“then what is left for you to contribute?”

“if you will ask the president, he might tell you. Since we have already talked about it over the phone one time.”

“really? Cant you just tell it now?”

“nope. I maybe pressuring the president right now, but only he has the power to make that decision and never me. I just gave him a suggestion, that’s all.”

“so your close friends with the president?”

“were friends, yes. I don’t know if were close because we haven’t invited each other to private dinners and stuff or talk about personal feelings and something like that.”

“o-oh.. I see. so how can you explain the current situation of the world right now?”

“now that’s a broad question there filled with both confidential material and facts.”

“o-okay then. Lets just narrow it down shall we? Ehem.. umm..” the interviewer was almost running out of questions to ask rod

“hahh.. isn’t my team invincible and stuff?”

“t-that’s it! Hey.. don’t just state the question. Its as if were reading a script here.” The interviewer pouted

“sorry about that. Though I just wanted to help. Anyways, they are not. Even though the armor is tough, the person inside it are still human after all.”

“so why didn’t you design it for full protection then?”

“if we did that, it would decrease maneuverability by a lot. I need my rescue team to be as flexible as possible.”

“that wont matter in a fight if the armor cant—“

“as I have said, we are a rescue unit or team so we cant and wont go to any battlefield.” Rod said massaging his eyebrows

“o-okay. Hmm.. since you have posted videos online, lets also see their questions as well.”

“okay.”

The interviewer then viewed her tablet to see the questions posted by the people.

“here is one. You’re a hero right? so its your job to save everyone when there is trouble. how can you answer that?”

“actually, who said im a hero? Im a human just like you and everybody else. And a heros job is to save what they can save and never to do the bidding of the people. Heroes are also people you know. And a hero is one who is recognized by the people or a group of persons as one who saved lives am I right?”

“hmm.. that’s actually a good answer. But to them, you’re a hero right? so why don’t you just save more lives? That’s the job you wanted right?”

“nope, not at all. But since everyone is just requesting many things from my company which is why I made the security and rescue agencies. I can always quit all this if I wanted to.”

“wait.. so your saying that the people pushed you to this job?”

“no. I chose to include this rescue job as it was in demand. But if the outcome would be like this all the time, might as well cancel my license for the rescue and security agencies. And do you also remember my message for those who does rescue work? Do you really think that im the only hero there is? There are many. And don’t you all also get tired of the peoples nagging to do your job when they aren’t even in your position?”

“o-okay, that’s enough rod.. we get it.. now onto the next one.. my family has been sending multiple requests already to find my missing boy. He was suddenly lost somehow and were still trying to find him.”

“now that request is where the police comes in. I have already rerouted those requests to the police where they are still searching for those lost souls.”

“but don’t you have a security agency?”

“yes. but its job is only to guard and protect the country including to help other guards be hired in other companies or firms.”

“I see. so why cant you help them instead?”

“you see, a lost persons case is most of the time, a cold case with a very very few evidences to go through. And its also not our job which is why we gave it all to the police.”

“so if its your job, you would accept it right?”

“depending on the request.”

“so if they have enough evidence—“

“hahh.. its never like that. And even if you might have evidences for that case, most of the time its always pure speculation.”

“hmm.. I see. how would you know?”

“because the police and detectives said so. You know, the police is also considered a rescue team because they also save lives. If you wont count on them, the professionals , then who would you count on? Its even written in my book.”

“really? Its there?”

“from your reaction, you haven’t read my book yet. Hahh..”

“its because im not that much of a book reader and reading books is like tiring.”

“fine.. ignorance is bliss anyways.. and FYI, my book is an E-book so it can always be downloaded anytime.”

“fine then, I will read your stupid book! That what I have to do right?!” the interviewer was pissed off

“hahh.. I will also have you know that there was a fool who recently tried to get in to my companys research facility.”

“really?”

“yes. the culprits faces were even shown on CCTV camera.”

“then even though the police will know who stole it, it would already be too late!” the interviewer said wide eyed

“nope. All that’s left are just infinished projects and all the projects left inside the facility wouldn’t have a power source in it.”

“so if they might have a power source for it, they can use those other finished projects right?”

“yes, but only for a limited amount of time maybe. Since most of the finished projects required tremendous energy. And all of them are just too big to fit in the door.”

“meaning?”

“I have a secret base.”

“wow! Now that’s a surprise! But are you sure to tell this here?”

“yes. by now, most of the corporations all over the globe would know I have a secret base. Anyways, that doesn’t mean that they can just get away with my stuff.”

“that’s where your security system kicks in right?”

“nope. This is where the president comes in. I tell him and the police whats going on and he does a complete search on whoever would steal my projects.”

“you know, that’s highly irresponsible coming from you.”

“yes it is. But what can I really do? The world is already headed towards destruction at the moment that project iron heart was introduced to the world.”

“now tell us.. oh yeah, it was already explained why you have shown project iron heart right?”

“yes. because sooner or later, my company will suffer tremendous damage thanks to some people who just cant get their heads off of my company.”

“i-I see. though no one could have anticipated this kind of change right?”

“wrong. Some of them have already predicted the damage project iron heart would do to the world. And of course, as other companies would already know this, they still want my companys inventions for themselves. Well, if you really want to destroy the world, be my guest. Like we said before, its really easy to destroy those companies or people who brings harm to the whole country, but that would just be inhumane and irresponsible.”

“so why did you invent them—“

“please go on with the other questions. Your just repeating those other questions already been said.” Rod said with a gesture while massaging his eyebrows

“s-sorry about that. But don’t you want to repeat yourself just for the public?”

“I hate repeating myself when I have already said it. Now on to the next question please.”

“y-yes sir! It says here.. if others will use your inventions for evil, why don’t you just save the day again like last time?”

“last time? Are they crazy? The world was just lucky enough that I was there. Who knows on the next time if I will be able to save the world on time.”

“but you will break the hearts of kids with that answer. Are you sure?”

“yes. its better to give them the truth rather than false hopes which would someday lead to their demise. Im a father too after all so I understand that much.”

“really?!”

“yes. but as for the details, its highly confidential.” Rod said with a wink

“a-alright then. I will have your word on that one. The next one is..” she then scrolls down her tablet. “crap.. crap.. crap.. oh, here we go.. do you ever regret not ever taking the treasure for yourself? You have earned it after all.”

“well.. I would be lying if I don’t regret it. But my job comes first over a pile of treasure. I value life over gold any day.” Rod said with a smile

“oh.. what a heroic answer we have.. which makes me wonder if your either a good hero or a bad guy.”

“I kinda get that a lot.. indirectly..” rod said with a gesture

“hmm..” she scrolls down again “here is another one. as a security agency, why wont you let them help with the situation in Mindanao?”

“to tell you the truth, were already helping with the peace and order of the city. The security agency is still a small firm after all.”

“oh.. I see. but didn’t you also said earlier that you wouldn’t dare send your team to the front lines?”

“yes, that’s what we did. Having the team stationed throughout the whole city to help guard it along with the police.”

“i see.. and here is another one.. can you give back my son please?”

“well.. we are not imprisoning your children in my company you know. They are always free to go home if they want to. Though in our last night im proud to say that they are all willing to go with me into the distance.”

“is this really true?”

“why don’t you tell her..” rod then speaks to the 2 bodyguards behind him smiling

“yes sir! We all decided to side with rod mason with his rescue missions.”

“hes a good boss after all. So we all agreed to help him whenever we can!”

“we were all with him through ever impossible rescue mission he has ever faced! And we have never been proud to call him captain!”

“wow! Why is this? your men thinks highly of you while the people all thinks your evil.” Interviewer

“no he isn’t at all, in fact, he stays true to his word that no man gets left behind.” One of them said while the other nodded

“and we aren’t hypnotized or anything you know. And if that is true, he would have left us dead a long time ago.”

“hmm.. I guess my opinion of you is wrong after all rod mason. But I don’t know about the public.” Interviewer

The staff was very quiet as the conversation was very serious. During the whole interview, none of them dared to say a word as all their questions and doubts were somewhat cleared. Cause ever since the start of the show, many of them were very frightened when rod got to the studio and there were even others taking a sneak peak by the door.

“so.. is this all of my interview?”

“y-yes. probably.. since I saw no more comments worth questioning you.” The interviewer laid down her tablet. “thank you for this opportunity rod mason. I hope the people will understand your concerns.” She then shook hands with him as they stood

“nope. As long as there are doubts in them, they will never stop watching or questioning or criticizing what we do.” Rod then faces the camera and lets go of her hand “remember this folks.. I already warned you all.. now its your turn to think clearly whats the right thing.. and remember.. pride is nothing compared to doing the right thing.” Rod said with a smile

With that, rod walks out of the set and into the people taking a peek at the door. He didn’t say anything more as he waved at them. Then at the exit of the station, there were also people waiting just to see rod mason where some of them protested against rod. rod just walked past the crowd being protected by his bodyguards before they flew up once they were in a clear area back to the origami which was just floating high above the station.

“so, how did they take your interview?” Sheryl

They are now on the bridge of the origami where the girls are all now in their positions.

“just great, I hope. At least it went well enough than the last one.”

“I hope so too.” Sheryl

“I do really hate those people always rallying in front of our house.” Maria

“so, where do we go to now?” flores

“lets just see the list of request we have piled up over the months.”

“got it. And I pick this one.” Yukiko then displayed the contents of the request on the screen.

“hmm.. what do you think Stacey?”

“well.. its up to you, you’re the captain. Though I think we should go and check it.”

“hahh.. were stuck here anyways so lets just respond to their requests.” Sheryl

“alright then.. to new Zealand!”