DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains content that might be troubling to some readers, including, and not limited to, violence, use of illegal drugs, PTSD, strong language, sex, death, and grief. Readers discretion is strongly advised. Read responsibly.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

To tell you frankly, I’ve been thinking to create this kind of story in detailed. If you have noticed the obvious in some of my novels, you will realize that I’m into men in uniform ever since. I always have a soft spot for Military men.

I am not sure if I can write this the way I see it or the way I think of it. It’s just that, I know to myself that I have to do this. Because this might lead us to what really happened in the past before Territorial Men Series was created.

This story might be the answer to all your questions about this controversial and iconic male character of mine.

I didn’t expect his character will leave a poignant memory to my readers. Like what I have said a few years back, he was a mystery to me. But when I thought about creating Potentia Invicta, I thought about him simultaneously.

I don’t wanna drop any promises right now. I just wanna explore this kind of genre and see which route this story would take me.

Furthermore, characters here may have their own POV using the third person’s voice. Especially, the main protagonists; a male persona.

I will try my best to give all of you a glimpse of the history why Potentia Invicta was built, the good and the dark side of it, the details of the members, and the men behind the unconquered power.

Still, I am not certain if I can smoothly pull this off, but I’d like to find out where this would lead me.

— MISSGRAINNE

THE ROYLE VANDERS

POTENTIA INVICTA

Dum vita est, spes est.

Established in the Philippines in 1991.

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Founder:

Thalmus Royle Vanders III

Widely recognized as “Headhunter”. Known as the deadliest sniper in Southeast Asia & Middle East.

Confirmed killed: 209

Most Famous Target: A fatal headshot to the International Mafia Boss.

• A bounty of $100,000 was put on Royle Vanders III’s head during his prime. *

Identity: Unknown Location: Unknown

• The legendary sniper is believed to be alive and still living in a shadow. *

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Family Members

Wife: Lucille Royle Vanders (Deceased)

Children: Traveon Thalmus Royle Vanders IV (Death was never confirmed)

Theodore Royle Vanders (Deceased)

Tabitha Royle Vanders (Deceased)

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Thalmus’ Children’s Background

Traveon Thalmus Royle Vanders IV

Known as “Ghost of Diablo” in Military. Highly-trained Marksman & Sniper

Confirmed killed: 138

Longest recorded kills: 3,500 m (3,828y)

• It was confirmed that Royle Vanders IV is still the holder of the longest recorded sniper kills until this moment. *

Target: Unnamed

Tours: Local & International Countries: Confidential

Other Skills: Close Combat & Underwater Combat

• A bounty of $200,000 was put on the lethal marksman’s head during his prime. *

Last Mission: Successful Identity: Unknown Location: Unknown

Theodore Royle Vanders

Member of the elite forces of the Philippine Army; Scout Ranger

Special Skills: Warfare, Mixed Martial Arts & Survival Skills

Tabitha Royle Vanders

Undercover Agent / Spy

Special Skills: Taekwondo, Eskrima & Computer geek

Last Mission: Failed

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Royle Vanders’ Issues & News:

• Traveon Royle Vanders IV’s last mission was reportedly blown up that left a stain on his safety and identity when the highly-trained marksman was condemned for allegedly assassinating the Prime Minister; who was back then very controversial due to his injustice system and cruel leadership.

The assassination was broadcast worldwide and it became part of the world’s history.

But there’s only one question that left answered; “Who was the assassin behind the rifle scope and bullet?”

“Only the “Ghost of Diablo” has that very special skill  to executed a moving target with that long range shot without leaving a trace.“

It was the main reason why suddenly, the blame was put on the eldest son of Thalmus.

• Royle Vanders family members were brutally massacred a year after the confirmed death of the Prime Minister.

Lucille’s lifeless body was found tied on the bed covered by her own blood.

Tabitha was twenty eight weeks pregnant when she died with her unborn child.

Theodore’s wife and his five year-old son found dead together with him.

That ferocious mishap terrified the whole nation and even after three long decades, Royle Vanders never got the justice. Their case was just one of the hard truth that justice does not always prevail.

• During the investigation in 1990, photos from the crime scene were leaked to the media, local and international tabloids that breaks the hearts of the people.

• The heart-wrecking photograph of Theodore Royle Vanders; embracing his wife and son while shedding blood, was a sign that he used his body as a shield to protect his beloved family from the bullets and sharp knives. And that image left the public in tears.

• The only daughter of Thalmus, Tabitha was found in the bathtub, naked, and bathed by her own blood.

• Later on, rumors about Tabitha Royle Vanders being an undercover spy escalated. The father of her unborn child reputedly betrayed her that exposed her cover.

The rumors were never confirmed by the authorities.

• Traveon Royle Vanders IV’s face and even his shadow was never seen in public. No photos. No records of his existence. Nothing. His identity was never disclosed.

Eventually, he was tagged as “Ghost”.

• The legendary sniper; Thalmus Royle Vanders III was the only person that survived from that barbaric massacre. A year after the tragedy his dear family had to face, the “Headhunter” built Potentia Invicta; a blue blooded brotherhood.

NOTABLE MEMBERS

POTENTIA INVICTA

Dum vita est, spes est.

Established in the Philippines in 1991.

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Notable Members:

Ret. LTGEN Claudio Alejandro Carvajal

Former Commanding General of the Philippine Army

Senator Matthew Stewart

Former Vice President of the Philippines

MSgt. Davis Xavier Villamor

Former Master Sergeant US Air-force Business Tycoon President of Villamor Air CEO of Villamor Hotels

Rutherfurd Edvarsen

Chairman of Edvarsen Universal Bank (EUB) COO of Connected Telecom Company

Senator Leonardo Fuentes

Lawyer, Politician, Philanthropist & Entrepreneur President of Los Querido Chairman of Zyra Eulalia Foundation (ZEF)

1st LT. Alessio Sebastian Grande

Former First Class Lieutenant Italian Marine Shipping Magnate President of Grande Cruises & El Grande Shipping Lines

Atty. Rupert Eustace Monastrell V

Media Mogul President of Monastrell Media Network (MMN) Chairman of Monastrell Media Landscape & Entertainment

Luther Gervacio Monserrate II

Real Estate Baron Chairman of Monserrate Empire Group of Companies

Patricio Yamir Guerrera

Lawyer, Patron & Businessman President of Guerrera Coconut Plantation (GCP) Vice President of Guerrera Scholarships Foundation (GSF)

Eng. Zorion Donovan Chevalliers IV

Cement Magnate Chairman & CEO of Chevalliers Cement Inc.

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Senior Advisor:

Judge Gustavo Formentera

Ret. Chief Justice of the Philippines

General Maricio Torrelavega

Ret. NBI Directior

HEADHUNTER: THALMUS ROYLE VANDERS III

HEADHUNTER:

THALMUS ROYLE VANDERS III

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Thalmus Royle Vanders III known as “HeadHunter” is the only living legend that is hiding in a shadow of darkness. He was widely recognized as the deadliest sniper and became part of war history. He was a patriot. A husband and a father.

On his last mission before his early retirement, he was ordered to assassinate the notorious high-profile Mafia boss that led him to be the target of an international gang and put a bounty on his head.

Despite of the danger he had to face everyday by living peacefully with his precious family, Thalmus always made sure they are safe from any risk.

After his children have learned who he was, they decided to follow his footprints with heavy determination and a different skills that he taught them. They took an oath to protect the country from its enemies. Like him, patriotism runs on his children’s blood.

But when the excruciating mishap occurred that ended his entire family’s lives, he swore only one thing… he will never ever leave this world without putting a bullet on the heads of slaughterers.

That’s why Potentia Invicta–a blue blooded brotherhood was built.

I - INTEL

CAPITULA I

“DAD, I made a mistake.” Tabitha told him with a wry smile.

Just by staring at his only daughter, Thalmus knew that something is up with her. She won’t just go back home without a reason.

Katulad ni Thalmus, mas pinili ng kanyang mga anak na mag trabaho sa ilalim ng gobyerno kahit pa ang kapalit niyon ay kaligtasan ng mga ito. He can’t blame his children for choosing the path that he had chosen before.

His early retirement gave him the opportunity to spend the rest of his time with his family. Lucille, his wife, was very patient and understanding. Sa pagbabalik ni Thalmus sa buhay ng pamilya niya, ang nais niya ay magkaroon sila ng normal na pamumuhay kahit pa batid niyang mahirap na gawin iyon dahil sa klase ng trabahong iniwan niya.

He’s a retired sniper of the Philippine Army. He’s widely recognized as one of the deadliest snipers of Southeast Asia and Middle East. He’s dubbed as the “HeadHunter” of the Pearl of the Orient.

Despite of his spine-chilling profile, he can’t change the fact that he’s also a husband and a father to his three children. He’s a family man.

To live in a secluded island in Batanes is one the way to keep him and his family away from the eyes of enemies. Even until that moment, Thalmus knew that he’s still has a bounty on his head. He couldn’t just go and roam around in public.

Thalmus puffed his tabaco while he’s sitting at the wooden chair in front of their house. The sounds of the waves weren’t enough to calm him down. He knew by then, that his daughter fucked up her job.

“I can explain.” Tabitha’s nervous.

He continued to puff his tabaco. He’s now thinking on how he could help her escape from her mistake.

Naupo sa katabing upuan niya ang anak na babae. They are both facing the bluish sea water.

“I met a guy abroad to get the information that I need before I go back here,” she sounds really worried.

Thalmus didn’t want to mutter any word because his mind started a plan to hide Tabitha. He doesn’t care about her reasons why she made that mistake. Isa lang ang gusto niya, ilayo na agad ang anak niya bago pa malaman ng iba ang pagkakamaling nagawa nito.

“I got the intelligence that I need. And you know my job, I will do everything for the information.”

Ramdam na ramdam niya ang sobrang kaba ng anak na babae.

“But I get…” she paused and heaved a sigh.

Thalmus glanced at her daughter because she’s making the conversation slow and intriguing.

“I am pregnant,” she whispered and closed her eyes tightly.

Doon ay napapikit siya. If that’s the only mistake his daughter was talking about, then it’s easy to fix it.

“What is your plan now, Tabitha?”

“I want to continue my pregnancy.”

“Then, it’s time to leave your job.”

“But I have a problem.”

Thalmus puffed his cigarette. “Dear, don’t play riddles on me.”

“I discovered that the father of my baby is undercover agent like me.”

He murmured a sharp cursed.

“Dad, he has my information. I am worried he would expose me.”

Hindi niya kayang magalit sa pagkakamali ng anak niya. Kung papairalin at uunahin niya ang nararamdaman, hindi siya makakapag isip ng maayos kung paano kumawala sa problemang kinakaharap ni Tabitha.

“I trust the agency but something is not right here, dad. The intelligence that I got was put on-hold by my superiors.”

“How did you say that?”

“I should know but they didn’t inform me. Dad, that intelligence was alarming. Any moment, if the government won’t take action, this country would be a battlefield by two big countries!”

Tabitha was abroad for months to gather more intelligence about the scheme of a terror attack in the Philippines.

“The underlying secret of that terror attack is for them to colonize our country. This is disturbing and a threat that they should focus on.”

“What else do you know?”

“You still have a bounty on your head.” She answered miserably.

“Tell me something that I don’t know, Tabitha.”

“Aren’t you scared, dad? Because if I were you, I won’t sleep soundly at night knowing that there are people out there who wanted me dead.”

“Just be grateful that you were not me.”

“About kuya Traveon, I unintentionally uncovered his new assignment abroad.”

“And?”

“He was ordered to assassinate the Prime Minister, dad. But he shouldn’t do that.”

Thalmus should relaxed. His children’s passion is risky and dangerous as his. He should have get used to it. But this time, his eldest son’s new job is hazardous and it could end his life once he was captured.

“If he put a bullet on that Prime Minister, the war would begin. I tell you dad, the intelligence that I have is frightening me.”

“Oh, Tabitha, anak, you’re here.” That was Lucille behind them.

Thalmus’ wife embraced their daughter.

“Mom, I missed your pork adobo.”

Lucille laughed softly. “I’ll cook for you.”

“Oh, how about me?” Thalmus arched his brows.

His wife leered at him. “You know what, sweetheart, hindi bagay sayo ang mag lambing. You’re too stoic.”

Their laughters echoed together with the sounds of the waves.

Because of the information that he got from Tabitha, Thalmus needed to contact Traveon to talk to his son about it.

His eldest son looked so much like him. Traveon is even colder, callous and cold-blooded.

“What is this urgent meeting all about?” He asked calculatedly as he found his chair on that long table of the library room.

Sa salamin na bintana ay tanaw ang dagat na binabalot ng dilim.

“Tabitha is in trouble. She’s pregnant and the father is an agent of the foe. She’s worried he would expose her cover.”

“I better take him down before he compromised Tabitha’s safety.”

Thalmus gave his son a sharp glare. “Ask a permission to Tabitha about it.”

“He’s an enemy and a threat to her cover. I don’t need her permission.”

“Traveon, you have to cool down.”

“Dad, I am not like you. I am not calm as you. Tabitha made a mistake and this is the consequences.”

Bumuntonghininga si Thalmus.

“Once her cover got exposed by that bastard, the agency won’t help her. They would deny it to death and we are all aware about that shady part.”

The door suddenly opened and Tabitha came in. She’s holding a plate of sliced mango.

Thalmus motioned his daughter to sit next to Traveon.

“Kuya, I’m sorry for the urgency of this meeting. You really need to know what I know.”

“Aside from you’re pregnant, what else it is that I need to know?”

“I know your next job. You were given an order to assassinate the Prime Minister, but I suggest you to refuse that assignment.”

“Why would I do that?” Traveon inquired coldly, then eyed the mango and sighed impatiently.

“Because if you do that, the terror attack would happen. We don’t want our country to be the battleground.”

“That information is highly confidential. How would I know that you got the right intel?”

“That intel was from me! And I am sure about it! This is going to be a war if you accept that job.”

“Are you really sure about this, Tabitha?” Traveon’s eyes squinted.

“Yes!”

The silence stretched.

Thalmus is silently listening and watching his children. Tabitha is the one who always showed emotion. That’s why it amazed him how his daughter doing the espionage if she’s this too showy yet innocent looking. Probably, she’s using that angelic face to get intel.

“I’ll think about this.”

“Even though you refused the job, the agency will hire another assassin to take down the Prime Minister.”

“Affirmative.”

“But at least, you’re not the one who would put the bullet on him. You are not the one who would cause a war.”

“Tabitha, I said, I will think about it.”

“But kuya-”

“You have your intel, we have ours. Why would you interfere with my job? You have yours.”

“Because I know where this assassination would lead us.”

“And do you think the agency didn’t know that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe your intel is not enough or your superiors are greedy with the power that they would get once you take out the Prime Minister from the guild. Kuya, we don’t know who we should trust. My agency is being suspicious na rin.”

“Tabitha, don’t you dare interfere with my job. Keep your information with you.”

“But kuya-”

“What if I listened to you and realized that your intel was fucked up? What do you think would happen, huh?!” Traveon was impatient and already ballistic.

“Sweetheart, you need to rest.” Thalmus gave his daughter a small smile and motioned her to leave them alone.

“I can’t keep this information with me, dad…” she swallowed hard. “If there are people that I trust with all my heart, that’s my family. This intel that I have is the one that could end my life.”

“I won’t let that happen.” Thalmus assured his only daughter. “Before they could lay a finger on you, I’d make sure my bullet would hit their heads first.”

Tabitha nodded her head. She’s calmed now that she knows her father would do his best to protect her. That matters so much to her.

“You trusted the father of your child.” Traveon said menacingly.

Tabitha shut her eyes tightly.

“I need to get rid of him before he would do stupid things to expose me, kuya.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Thank you.”

Tabitha left the library room.

Weeks just after Tabitha told them the intel that she got, a terror attack happened in Manila with minor casualty. It was just a warning for the government.

The supposed assassination to the Prime Minister didn’t happen the day they expected it. But still, Traveon accepted the job.

Isang gabi nang umuwi ang panganay na anak ni Thalmus na may dalang impormasyon na ikinabigla ng buong pamilya niya.

“Where the fuck is Tabitha?!”

“What happened, Traveon?” It was Lucille, a bit alarmed because her eldest son is pissed.

Bumaba sa hagdan si Thalmus para harapin ang anak. Gano’n din si Tabitha na halatang naalimpungatan.

“K-kuya? Why-”

“Fuck your intel!” Traveon hissed sharply. “The father of your baby got the most precious information from you and you know what is that?! You fucking compromised our safety!”

“What do you mean, son?” Thalmus was alarmed.

“Dad, let’s leave. Now.”

That night, they left their beach house in Batanes while burning in the middle of the dark surrounding.

At the top of the hill in Eastern Visayas the Royle Vanders found a new home. They just rented a vacation house because they also have plan to move to another secluded area. Hanggat hindi pa nila nasisigurado kung talagang ligtas sila, hindi sila puwedeng mapanatag na manatili sa isang lugar lang.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Tabitha apologized right after they arrived.

Lahat sila ay walang maayos na tulog. Lahat ay pagod. Lahat ay hindi magawang mapanatag.

“I’m sorry for shouting at you.” Traveon walked towards Tabitha and hugged his sister.

Tabitha sobbed escape while hugging back her brother.

“Please, take a rest,” Traveon kissed Tabitha’s forehead. “Mom, please, get some rest too. Please.”

“You too. And Thalmus, sweetheart.”

“Yes. We will.”

Pumanhik sa hagdan ang mag ina.

Sa malayo nakatingin si Thalmus habang nasa barandilya. Mga berdeng puno at mga bundok ang tanging tanawin kung saan nakatayo ang bahay. Malayo sa kabihasnan.

“I know that I can’t escape from this, son. This is the consequences that I need to face.”

After all these years of living in a shadow, Thalmus was still aware with the aftermath of the path that he had chose before. There was no way to escape from it especially that the enemies are still breathing like him.

“Before I go back to Manila, I will find a better place for you, for mom and for Tabitha to stay.”

“I can’t leave the country. They could trace me.”

“You don’t have to, dad. I will find ways to keep this family safe and secure again.”

“Please, inform Theodore where we are. Maybe he could pay a visit with his family.”

“I’ll contact him.”

Katahikan ang muling bumalot sa paligid. Tanging simoy ng hangin lang ang tanging ingay na sinabayan ng huni ng mga ibon.

“Are you really going to accept the job?”

“I have to. It would be my last job before I retire.”

Thalmus looked at his eldest son.

“The agency knew that you are going to retire?”

“Yes.”

“That’s why they give you the most dangerous mission.”

“I can do it.”

“I have no doubt about your skills, Traveon. You are lethal, but your target this time is high-powered. This could end your life too. I am warning you, son.”

Traveon just nodded his head but didn’t say any words.

“My last assignment was to assassinate the mafia boss. That also caused me my life, my peace of mind and my freedom. That even until now I am still paying for it. My family is paying for it as well.”

“Dad, you just did what you had to do.”

“I know. I had no regrets. I am not worried for my safety. I am not afraid to die. I am more terrified for my family’s security. Your mom and Tabitha are my main concern. They are my only weakness.”

That put a smirk on Traveon’s lips. “You’re indeed my father. We have the same weakness.”

Nagtawanan ang mag ama kaya medyo gumaan ang mabigat na paligid.

“I always pray to die first before them.”

“Oh come on, stop that.” Traveon chuckled. “This is going to be dramatic. You better get some sleep and hug mom instead.”

Thalmus let out a short laugh. “I better do it.” Then he patted his son’s shoulder before he went to his wife.