Demon of War

Strauss Family

Robert was not wanting to deal with what he knew was coming, as his sister had ensured the paper was in the front seat if the car, and that the entire incident was being investigated and handled by JAG. What the entire family had hoped would get them attention had worked, for all of the wrong reasons. He knew the entire family was going to be furious, as this union between them and the St John family was supposed to propel them to the top of the social ladder here in Huntington.

Now they would be lucky to not be the laughing stock, as it had adversely effected nearly every prominent family in one way or another. And Robert had a sneaking suspicion, that it all happened because Octavia had slapped Levi as soon as she had seen him. That however would matter little if they couldn't get ahead of it as he schemed his response to this. He knew it would mean giving up his cushy job in her fathers company, but as they entered the gates of the family mansion he was determined it would have to be.

"I hope you have a plan." Sharon said as she pulled up to the door and parked the car.

"It will be a small setback." he said with a smile. "We have bigger fish to fry than her."

Sharon shook her head not knowing what he was planning, as he knew he had his own role to play in what was to come. They both walked in the house, and she lead him tonthe dining room where the entire family had gathered.

The Strauss Family had not always been rich and powerful, but their family had been becoming both over the last 50 years as they fought and worked together. Everything they had done had been with single minded goals, to join the Elites of the Imperial Society. Huntington was one small, crucial step in that long process.

"Explain." his Grandfather Bruce Strauss demanded quietly from the head of the table.

"Apologies Grandfather, members of the family. As far as I am aware, this incident befalls us because of the actions of my Fiancee Octavia St John. The significance of it, I am not sure, but after she slapped and humiliated Levi this incident befell us. I will own my own role in what has happened, in so far as I filed the false report saying I had told Levi to stay away from the Kinsington Hotel. I also will be making a statement shortly disallowing what she had done, and terminating our engagement immediately." Robert said as the family began looking at each other.

"You are certain this is the cause?" Bruce asked him with a piercing gaze.

"Most certain grand father." he said with a hint of a smile. "However bad this may effect us, I believe there is another issue with far greater consequences for our family should we ignore it." he finished quickly before he put the file on the table, and had them pass it down to him.

Bruce took the envelope and opened it after looking at the contents thereof. He read it thoroughly as he nodded, before handing it to Micah to read. "It seems Levi Strauss is severing all bonds and ties to this family since the day he was arrested and sentenced to prison 10 years ago." he stated plainly as Micah opened his eyes in shock.

"What is he demanding in severance?" Priscilla demanded from across the table. Micah was her husband, and together they had adopted the brat into the family.

"Nothing." Micah said as he sat it down and quickly signed the paperwork.

"That is not entirely true father." Robert said as he took a deep breath and every one was now focused squarely on him. "Levi is demanding an apology from us within 30 days, or he will make it his mission in life to destroy this family." he said to a round of laughter from most of the family.

Bruce and Robert however were not laughing, as Priscilla grabbed the papers and signed the quickly as well before passing the back to Bruce for his signature. He looked down at them again, and frowned as he tried to determine what exactly was going on. He saw the contact information on the paperwork, and knew this would be a conversation he needed to have.

"I am not so prepared to throw away a gifted ally because of how you three betrayed him those years ago. I warned you than it would be a mistake to make an enemy of him, and it seems it is now time for me to attempt to correct your mistakes once again." he said looking right at his son Micah. "Let us hope he sees reason in once again working with us, or you may find yourselves uttering words you never dreamed of. You," he said pointing right at Robert. "Announce this seperation within the hour, denouncing what she has done. It had best be believable when I see it later." he said as he waved them all away.

As soon as the room was empty, he pulled out his own phone, and dialed the number on the form he had read.

"Hello Grandfather." came the response as soon as the line was answered.

"Levi, it appears we need to speak." Bruce replied evenly.

"If you answer one question first." he replied before Bruce grunted in the affirmative. "How long did it take Micah and Priscilla too sign them?"

Bruce almost choked at the question, knowing Levi had seen the picture clearly. "Less than two minutes." he replied honestly.

"Meet me at the Waldorf, one hour." Levi replied before the line went dead and Bruce summoned his driver.

An hour later Bruce was taken to a very private, very exclusive booth in the restaurant where his grandson was waiting for him. he was well aware of the cost, knowing it had a 25,000 credit sitting fee.

"I am not paying for this." Bruce said making Levi chuckle as his grandfather sat down.

"If I needed you to pay for anything, we would not be having this conversation. Order whatever you wish Grandfather, it is the least I could do for you." he responded with a smile as Bruce was slightly surprised as the waitress approached.

"May I you a glass of the 2092 Vermouth that was ordered for the table?" she asked holding a very specialized glass for the potent liquor. It cost 200,000 credits per measure, and she was holding a two measure glass.

It took Bruce a moment, so Levi nodded for him, and his grandfather suddenly knew that Levi had not been joking about needing the Strauss family. The bottle contained 15 measures, and at 200,000 per measure it was a 3 million credit bottle. The establishment would require even him to purchase it before they would open it.

"Thank you, I am not so sure I deserve such a fine gift from you." Bruce managed to say before he tried it and immensely enjoyed the flavor and aroma.

"You have done nothing to me, nor has most of the family. Despite what that buffoon likely told you, I only expect an apology from 3 of you." Levi said as the first appetizer came out. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering for us." he said as the waitress put a tasting tray on the table for them to share.

Bruce immediately recognized it as what he had taught his grandson, and knew this menu would cost him an additional million credits before the chef would even dream of making it. The ingredients alone were expensive, not to mention the preparation of some of it. "Your message is well received, may we discuss what this is actually about?" he asked before taking one of his own samples and eating it.

"Retribution, just as you taught me grandfather." Levi said with a sly smile. "Unfortunately for the rest of the family, to destroy those responsible, everyone must fall."

Bruce swallowed hard as he knew exactly what his adopted grandson was referring too. Bruce Strauss was many things, but weak in business was not one of them. Levi had learned well from him as well, only to be betrayed by his own adopted parents. Bruce had been unable to stop it, and forced to decide between his adopted grandson, and his son and other children. "It is truly regrettable what they did to you. We both know however there is more to it than just them, and other ways they can be made to pay." He said cautiously.

Levi smiled as he looked at his grandfather. "I wonder, what exactly would you be prepared to allow. How far you would be willing to go to save the rest of them. If you truly knew what they did to me grandfather." he said as he threw a file on the table and stood up. "Maybe if you knew you would never have dared come to see just how little they mean to me. If you wish to save your family, I want a detailed apology from those responsible before they turn themselves in. Don't worry, everything was paid for already. Enjoy your meal, I have more important things to do."

With that Bruce watched his grandson walk away from over 4 million credits worth of food and drink, as the bottle had exactly 4 measures removed from it. When he opened the file however, Bruce Strauss list his appetite, as he saw pictures of how he had been found.

The list of surgeries was 87 procedures over the course of 4 months, 12 of them just to save his life on the day he was arrested. No matter how good the food smelled as the waitress brought it out, he was not enticed to eat a swallow of it as he realized what had happened when he got to the back of it. Two words stood out to him, as he had gone through the same thing 60 years before. Project Freedom.

60 years before, Bruce Strauss had been a nothing, and swept up in a crime ring that ended up.doing hard time. After a year in an intense prison, the Army came through with an offer. Anyone willing to serve their sentence on the front line, would have there record cleared and name changed. It had been known as Project Freedom, and 10 years in the Army was better than dead he assumed.

So he had jumped at the opportunity, and survived what became known as Hell Squadron. They were always on the front lines, first in and last out. To survive a year was amazing, 10 was a miracle. Bruce had been one of four Miracles as they became called.

He had a sinking suspicion with how well his grandson moved that he had survived his own hell as Bruce tried to remember the stories of the military over the last few years.

He drove home faster than prudence suggested, and used credential long dormant to login to a database that was kept current by the most powerful intelligence service there was.

He typed the name in, and waited for the response as his computer loaded the file he had already read. This time the last lage however was not cutoff, and another single word caught his attention. It was small enough he doubted most people would have noticed it. Demon.

He typed Demon into the Military Search Bar, and his worst nightmare pulled up on the screen. He had not only survived Hell Squadron, he had improved it so much, that they became the most powerful squad in the entire military. Their identities were classified need to know, and no camera would ever again be able to take a clear photo of the 5 man squad.

Their exploits over the last 9 years spanned three continents, 2,000 engagements, and had received more medals than even the computer could easily count. The one battle alone General Demon alone was cited 39 times with medals, not to mention the actions of the other 4.

Bruce Strauss knew he had but one choice left, and that was surrender. He sighed as he picked up the phone, and dialed the number one more time.

"So, how was lunch?" Levi asked knowing full well already his grandfather hadn't taken a bite once he had opened the file.

"We will have to try again sometime in the near future. You asked if I would protect them if I had known what they did. The answer is no, I wouldn't. What do I need to do to protect myself from whatever you are about to do?" Bruce asked.

"Retire grandfather. It is far beyond time you let the younger generation take over." Levi said as he smiled. "I assure you will be well taken care of."