CHAPTER 143 — THE WHITE HOUSE AUDIENCE
The White House felt smaller than it ever had before.
Not because the walls had moved, or the halls had narrowed, but because everyone inside knew something they had never known before.
They were not in control.
Soldiers lined the main entrance hall, forming clear paths through the space. Their rifles were held low. Not aimed. Not raised. Fingers rested away from triggers, exactly as ordered. Every man and woman stood straight, eyes forward, discipline held together by effort alone.
No one spoke unless they had to.
The heavy doors opened.
Titus entered first.
He moved with calm steps that echoed through the hall. Each footfall carried weight, not just from his armor, but from what he represented. Behind him came three Bladeguard Veterans, shields held with quiet strength. Metaurus was among them, his red helm marked and worn, the Iron Halo behind his head dark and still.
Naruto followed a few steps behind.
He looked out of place.
No armor. No weapon raised. Hands loose at his sides. He looked more like someone who had wandered into the wrong building than someone who belonged with the giant armored soldiers. If anything, that made the soldiers even more uneasy.
At the far end of the hall stood the President.
He had prepared himself. At least, he thought he had.
He stood straight, shoulders back, forcing his breathing to slow. His suit was neat, but the effort showed. Sweat dotted his brow despite the cool air. His hands trembled slightly before he clasped them together, hiding it as best he could.
This was not how meetings were supposed to go.
He stepped forward.
A smile appeared on his face. It was careful. Practiced. Pulled from years of standing in front of cameras and crowds. But it did not hide the fear in his eyes.
"Welcome to the White House," he said, his voice steady by force of will. "Esteemed guests. What can we help you with?"
The word guests hung in the air.
Soldiers along the walls shifted their weight. No one moved their weapon. Every eye stayed locked on the armored figures.
Titus stopped several steps away from the President.
He raised his hand.
The motion was slow. Controlled. Deliberate.
The President flinched.
It was small, barely noticeable, but it was there. His breath caught. His shoulders tightened. For a split second, his mind raced through images he did not want to imagine.
Around them, soldiers tensed as one. Muscles tightened. Spines straightened. Training screamed at them to react.
They did not.
Titus' hand did not strike.
It moved to his own helmet instead.
The gesture was calm, measured. Not a threat, not a signal of violence, just certainty.
A soft hiss filled the hall.
Seals released.
Titus lifted his helmet and removed it.
The face beneath was not what the President had expected.
Rugged. Weathered. Lines carved deep by time and war. A square jaw set in calm certainty. Four metal studs embedded in his skull caught the light.
Not rage.
Not madness.
Control.
The President found himself studying the face closely, as if trying to understand what kind of man stood before him.
Titus spoke.
"Our mission," he said, voice clear and even, "given by Captain Gaius, was to capture all of you."
The word capture hit the room like a dropped weight.
Soldiers stiffened. Advisors froze. A few people inhaled sharply.
Fear surged, raw and immediate.
Titus did not pause long enough for it to grow.
"As long as you remain here," he continued, "do not attempt to escape, and comply with the orders given by Captain Gaius, there will be no problem."
Silence followed.
The meaning settled in.
No cages.
No chains.
Presence was enough.
The President exhaled.
It was slow. Shaky. Relief mixed with dread. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand, then did it again, trying to steady himself.
"No problem," he said quickly. "No problem at all."
He nodded, perhaps too fast.
"We are already complying with Captain Gaius' orders."
He used the title exactly as Titus had.
"Captain."
Titus gave a small nod.
The tension eased.
They moved.
The group proceeded deeper into the White House, into rooms where power normally lived quietly behind closed doors, generals, politicians, advisors, people accustomed to being obeyed.
They all moved faster when the Ultramarines entered.
Papers were set down. Voices dropped. Eyes followed every step.
The Bladeguard Veterans spread slightly, taking positions near walls and doorways. They did not block exits. They did not raise shields.
They did not need to.
Everyone understood.
They were not being protected.
They were being watched.
~~~
The road to Metropolis was quiet.
Saeko sat in the back seat, hands folded in her lap, watching the city pass by through the window. Mindy leaned back beside her, arms crossed loosely, eyes sharp and alert.
Alfred drove.
His hands were steady on the wheel. His posture was perfect, as always. But the route was long, filled with detours and roadblocks. Many roads were closed. Others were damaged.
There had been fighting in the city, forcing all civilians to evacuate.
No civilian drivers were willing to take them to Metropolis.
Alfred stepped in without hesitation.
The sky was still dark when they finally arrived.
LexCorp Tower rose ahead of them, scarred but standing. Cracks marked its surface. Windows were damaged, but intact. Lights still glowed within.
The car came to a smooth stop.
Alfred stepped out first, his movements precise and controlled. He walked to the back passenger door and opened it with practiced ease, bowing his head slightly in a gesture of respect.
"We have arrived, Miss Saeko and Miss Mindy," he said, his voice calm and measured.
Saeko stepped out and nodded. "Thank you."
Mindy followed, her smile faint but genuine. "Thanks, Alfred, for driving us."
"It is my pleasure," Alfred replied, bowing again before stepping aside.
They began to walk toward the entrance.
"Miss Saeko. Miss Mindy."
They stopped and turned.
Alfred's voice remained calm, but there was a weight beneath it now, a subtle tension that made them pause.
"Please," he said carefully, "tell Master Gaius to forgive Master Bruce for any offense."
Saeko and Mindy exchanged a quick, questioning look, understanding the gravity behind the request.
"We'll say it to Gaius," Saeko replied softly, her tone respectful.
"Thank you," Alfred said, a hint of relief in his posture.
He returned to the car.
The engine started.
The vehicle disappeared down the road.
They continued on foot. The entrance loomed ahead.
A massive shape shifted.
"Stop," a deep voice boomed. "Identify yourselves."
The dreadnought stood guard, towering and imposing. Its weapons remained silent, but the sheer presence radiated authority.
Saeko stepped forward without fear.
"We are friends of Gaius," she said. "Mr. Valerius."
The dreadnought paused.
Processing.
No weapons detected.
After all, Saeko's and Mindy's weapons were hidden inside the parcel, so the Dreadnought was unable to scan them.
Its own name spoken.
For a long moment, silence filled the space. Then, almost imperceptibly, it stepped aside.
They entered.
~~~
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