Chapter 207: My Father Is Darth Vader!

Chapter 207: My Father Is Darth Vader!

If the reality of my situation wasn't critical, I would laugh it off. What kind of cosmic joke was this horrible soap opera drama only a bad Hollywood movie writer would come up with?

I was horribly wrong when I said it was only Mary and I suffering from this revelation. Mercy, Mei, and definitely Linda at her home, are suffering from seeing the dead man looking like a world villain.

I somehow feel I understand Luke Skywalker, who was hanging on a thread from Cloud City, and choosing to let it all go. No, I am not mentally collapsing in my mind or heart, but I am mostly just confused.

Did Lucy know? Judging by Mei kneeling on the ground with tears, I think Lucy may not know, but my damn grandfather did. Did he hide my father's death like he did Lucy? That seems about right.

Seeing my father standing there with indifference and his act, I now understand his mission back in China when I was five years old had something to do with his position. But why does it seem like he is the one in charge?

The Emperor in the background is only sitting there, like what my family is doing is just a boring work day. I am holding Mary tightly because she is a bit shaken, rubbing her shoulder to ground her.

Seeing a dead man will do this to you. She and I know that our mother died due to her head being shot, leaving no way to fake that.

But why did he never contact me, or us? Why did Mei, who works for him, not know?

I reached over with my other arm and pulled Mei into my right side, resting my chin against her hair until she finally noticed and looked into my eyes. She could tell that I also did not know, her fingers digging desperately into my shirt as she asked, "Why Rick, why did he not tell us?" through a cracked, breaking voice.

I hugged her tight, squeezing her shoulder as I leaned down and kissed her forehead while explaining, "Seems he is a real spy, and he lives a life of deceit," noting that he had completely fooled his own family. I rubbed her back to soothe her tremors, whispering against her hair, "I think you being sent to me was his machination."

Mei trembled against my ribs, her wide eyes reflecting sheer panic as she looked up to ask, "Rick, what are we going to do?" before grasping my wrists tightly. She was visibly spinning out, her breaths catching as she pleaded, "I am afraid of what the Central Government might do... Should we run, hide, activate our emergency plans?!"

I shook my head and stayed calm, looking around the room to address everyone with a firm, steadying voice, "Ladies, for now for a bit, please just stay home if it is not important to be out, but if you need to go out, Masters will be with you... Hinata?"

Hinata stepped out from the shadows, bowing her head instantly as her hand rested on her weapon while she answered, "Yes Sensei?" with absolute readiness.

I gave her a firm nod, maintaining eye contact as I commanded, "For the time being, please protect our home," before outlining the rest of the defensive assignments. I checked the logistics on my tablet, projecting confidence to the room as I added, "With you here, the Lee won't be able to easily make a rash move. Mercy, please accompany Hana at work, the Hospital will need her. Jenifer, I need you to work remotely from home to be my eyes and ears for the Fire Birds. Kim, work from home. My wife Kate, I will have extra security to take you to work. Does anyone have any questions for me?"

Mary gripped my face with both hands, staring into my eyes with a bit of desperation as she cried out, "Rick, I cannot lose you, what will we do, and why did he leave us?" while pulling my face down to hers.

I held her trembling hands tightly, trying to rub some warmth into her fingers as I told everyone my guess, "That bank robbery was a plot to kill my father." I kept my voice measured to ground the household, continuing, "I am not sure how he survived his injuries, because he should have died from blood loss, but that is not important now. We were being watched by the Lee back then, so if father or grandfather said anything, they would know he was alive. As for not telling us? I think he felt guilty for not being able to save mother... How could he face us, being the only survivor?"

I let out a heavy breath, pulling both girls closer to steady the rest of the room as I admitted, "Well, this is only my guess." I stood up slowly, gently releasing them as I walked over to the desk to add, "But I have bigger things to deal with for now. I now have to contact Central to find out what they will do, so just in-case, pack one emergency bag, because I do have an escape plan. I have a ship out at international waters just in case. The Victoria..."

The twins looked at one another with sharp, knowing glances before Nadia stepped toward me, gesturing with her fingers as she confidently asserted, "Ricky, I will be with you when you talk to Central." She tapped the cover of her heavy legal volume, assuring me, "I am sure they cannot touch us for this, so let me get my international criminal law book and make sure. I am confident they cannot hold your father's crimes against us because you are an adult, and you are a part of all four main clans, so touching you is taboo, meaning they would literally have to eliminate the backbone of the nation to touch us. The fact you are married to all 4 clans is a layer of shielding greater than the threat of war. Just give me an hour before you call."

Nadia and Nichole turned on their heels, rushing off to our personal library with the swift use of Valentine.

Currently our phones are starting to ring off the hook, vibrating wildly against the desk. Sadly many callers will have to go to voicemail.

I asked Jenifer and Hana to talk to all of the wives in Harem-Chat to give them live updates on what is going on. The first person I call is not Lucy, but Linda.

I pressed the dial button, holding the phone to my ear as I paced the floor and asked, "Linda, are you alright?" with an anxious grip on the receiver.

The speaker crackled instantly as Linda cried out from her noisy living room, [No, I think I am dreaming... Rick, please tell me what to do... I am confused?]

I nodded to the empty room, keeping my tone steady to soothe her panic as I gave her clear instructions, "Yes, I too was unaware of this... I am sending Mercy to pick you up with Hinata for protection, so get a bag for you and our daughter. I will bring you to my side for our protection. Do you understand my wife?"

Her heavy sigh of relief came through the line, her voice dropping to a low whisper as she promised, [Yes husband, I will pack us up quickly. Please just stay safe for me... I love you.]

As I ended the call, looking over at Hinata to signal her departure with a brief, crisp statement, "Okay, they are leaving now."

After hanging up, I called my outside wives one by one, and gave them the option of coming home, and all of them wanted to be with me here. So I had Mercy and Hinata pick them all up.

Well, Tina and Ana are staying put because she needs access to the Phoenix building, and we have Masters there to protect them in the Jefferson tower. I even called Lan to warn them, pointing at the map on my screen as I spoke. I told them about taking shelter in our secure location in the deeper mountain for the weekend, till I find out more. Lastly it was time to make one more call before I deal with Central.

I tapped the screen, listening to the single ring before Lucy answered through a heavy wave of tears, sobbing out, [Sniff, Rick, I was never told... Father kept this from me... I-I never knew, please believe me...]

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, sighing deeply at the sheer mess of it all as I urged her, "Calm down, I know you didn't know, that is why he ghosted you." I leaned against the desk to rest my tired legs, muttering, "The two idiots must have their reasons for not telling us. He did not even tell you he was alive, and grandfather is just an insensitive asshole anyway, sigh."

She gasped for air on the other end, her voice rising with sudden hope as she pleaded, [Rick, c-can I be at your side now? I do not want to be alone?]

I smiled faintly, tracing my thumb over the phone casing while reminding her, "You can be at my side forever... Just please calm down and be your mature and focused self. You're a super spy, so school your emotions for a bit. I need my strong rock to lean on. If you crumble, what can I rely on?"

A soft, watery chuckle echoed from the device, Lucy laughing softly as she acknowledged, [Ufufu, Rick when did the tables turn? I have always supported you, and here you are holding up my sky... Sigh, I am too lucky to have you.]

I checked the time on my watch, checking the window for any signs of trouble as I commanded, "Alright already, pack a bag, then have the Velvet Security team escort you here." I watched the security monitors flicker in the corner, warning her, "I am guessing the media will start to crowd around, so bring the largest team to get you here, then my Fire Birds will clear the way."

Her tone sharpened back into her professional demeanor as she agreed, [I will be at your side soon, my love.]

Soon, the largest set of breasts press against my back in a tight hug, anchoring me as Kate asked, "Rick, I know you are acting tough for us, so if you need me to let it out, please just cry into my chest," with genuine warmth.

I do not need to cry, but I can tell Kate feels like she does not know how to help here. I pull her in my lap and listen to her heartbeat through her chest, wrapping my arms completely around her waist while reassuring her, "Kate Tang, please just stay incredible, and I will let you comfort me whenever you also need it."

Kate with her red eyes smiled seeing through her insecurity, leaning up to kiss me before suggesting, "I think out of everyone in the house, I should go spend time with Kim, right?" She patted my cheek gently, adding, "I will go make sure she is calm and help her with the two babies, so I will see you later, husband." And there she is, the airhead who unexpectedly knows what I would want her to do before I asked.

She slipped away just as Nadia and Nichole both came in with books and a phone book with numbers for Central. Soon, my lawyer wives told me the do's and don't of what to expect when calling the Central Government, and who to avoid talking to.

To my and the twins' shock, the moment I called the main Government building, not only was there no red-tape or attitude problem, but I was instantly transferred to the leader of the Country, Prime-minister Lee, of the Political clan of the Li family.

I set the device firmly in the center of the desk, watching the line connect as Prime-minister Lee spoke first through the loud speaker, greeting me with,

[Mr Lee-Tang, this was a pleasant and unexpected surprise to have you call me. My group here was just wondering how to contact you in the near future. Please, tell me why you called first, you are on speaker phone with my advisors.]

I leaned forward toward the microphone, gesturing for Nadia to take notes as I countered, "Hello Prime-minister, I too have you on speaker with my lawyer wives Nadia and Nichole Tang." I cleared my throat to project absolute strength, continuing, "The reason I called was to denounce the actions of my father and grandfather, who I was unaware had not been dead. I also have a recording from a Traditionalist Lee that told me just on Tuesday about my Grandfather who I have not seen or spoken with in almost 10 years. The last time I contacted my father was the exact morning he supposedly died. I have called to affirm my loyalty to Eurasia and have no connection with the China Empire."

The Prime-minister cleared his throat, his paper shuffling loudly over the line as he declared, [Hearing your words pleases us and reassures us that you are on the side of Eurasia. Now to what our first concern is... We know of the Star Wars unit stolen by the China Empire, which was leaked by the Traditionalist Lee. And with this new known threat of a weapon of mass destruction, we need protection. Your company is the only one who produces it, and to be blunt, Eurasia needs it.]

I tapped my fingers rhythmically against the mahogany wood, narrowing my eyes as I explained, "I have researched that kind of weapon before, but never wanted to test or make one, it is called a Nuclear warhead, and the video you saw was real." I leaned back slightly to look at my notes, adding, "The worst part about that bomb... You cannot live in the area for at least 50 years due to radiation poisoning and environmental damage, as everything is irradiated. I do have the Star Wars unit you are asking about, but what assurance do I have that the Traditionalist will not come after me or my family?"

A heavy murmur of agreement rippled through his advisors before Prime-minister Lee clarified the terms, stating, [To protect you from the Lee who have been and are targeting you as we speak, we the Central Government are willing to offer you and your family a blanket pardon of all past-possible-crimes, so the Traditionalist have no legal leg for anything. This pardon only applies so long as you live and support the Central Government as you have been. We understand your actions are not at all tied to your estranged family. We also know the Lee are currently observing you. We have not let them touch you, and now we need your help.]

I let out a slow, controlled breath, leaning back into my leather chair as I bargained, "Thank you for being a reasonable Leader Prime-minister Lee. I will gladly send you a donated tax deductible Star Wars unit for your gracious blanket pardon. I want to protect Eurasia, my home as much as you, so please let's work together to keep terror from landing. Also, we need Star Wars to help prevent a 2nd World War. Please sir, count on me and my family to support your efforts for peace."

The Prime-minister let out a satisfied grunt, standard diplomatic tones returning as he requested, [Then, on Monday, we will send our military plane and group to procure the unit, and I will publicly announce our agreement. If you are willing to make an appearance and denounce your family's broadcast, this will help calm our nervous ally, North America.]

I nodded toward the twins, crossing my legs confidently as I replied, "I will send Star Wars to the tarmac on Monday morning for your pickup, and I will gladly make a public speech to calm the world." I tapped my pen against the desk calendar, suggesting, "I have family here and want them protected, just let me know when and where we will do this news conference."

He calculated the broadcast schedule out loud, stating, [Sunday Morning, we can do it at your SEG Entertainment studio you own, I will let you set it up, and I and my group will arrive for a live world wide announcement, and publicly hand over your pardon, how is that?]

I smiled faintly, keeping my focus locked on the blinking call indicator while probing, "Thank you very much Prime-minister Lee, and please make sure to keep an eye out for the Traditionalist activities these two days, but if they attack me, that pardon will cover it, right?"

He gave a dry, hesitant cough before his warning turned sharp, warning me, [Cough, Only if it is self defense, not provoked attacks. Please Mr Tang, do not take advantage and put me in a tough spot, see you on Sunday morning Mr Tang and thanks.]

Even though I appeased the Political Lee, they are at a slight disadvantage with the Traditionalists. One runs the country while the other controls foreign affairs, and soon, the Self Defense Forces. So my best strategy is to side with the Political faction as long as possible, till I can snuff out the leadership of the traditionalists.

Nadia came over sitting in my lap with her law book, pointing directly at a highlighted clause as she detailed, "This Blanket Pardon he is offering is the best we could ask for. Even any crimes covered by Mei in her past, any-woman pregnant with your children, or married to you is forgiven." She flipped the page to show me the exceptions, adding, "Even crimes that were not discovered. It however will not cover future crimes at all. And if you are no longer a citizen of Eurasia, all past crimes become usable against you once again to keep you out."

Nichole looked up from her screen, waving her device toward me as she announced, "I am telling the women in Harem-Chat now about our deal."

I nodded to her as my wives outside the home had arrived. Now after I am done greeting my family, I will start calling my businesses. I will have to use my burner phone to call Jill as well, since her plan is now underway to make Greg's life a bit less comfortable. Plus she can find out what the Lee siblings are planning for me.

As I looked at my phone list, I was about to cancel on the birthday party tomorrow... But when I thought about Gretta's daughter being sad, I stopped my fingers.

No, I will not hide from my enemies if they come, as long as my family is safe, I will proudly walk in the open.