“Yeah, I forgot you love to put people to work and be the leader of the pack. You want everyone to listen to you and to be the leader who everyone sees as the great person who shows them a very unbelievable future. Right” Ishaan says sarcastically and that hurt me.
An awkward silence intensifies the gravity of the situation as we look away from each other while walking together. I take a deep breath and turn towards him.
“I serve someone, I am not eager to be above everyone okay” I reply in a very even and blank tone.
“OH yeah, you serve some lord right. It must be pissing you, listening to someone’s orders.” Ishaan savagely humiliates me.
I hold my composure and loosens up to let go of the anger brewing inside and instead say “I don’t serve him because he told me to, I serve him because I want to. His name is Dark Lord by the way and he is the ruler and Keeper of Hell”
Ishaan doesn’t answer back and the awkward silence embarks its presence again but this time it stays.
We arrive in the conference room where everyone seems delighted by the sight that I am actually home. Everyone turns their attention towards me. Unable to understand the feelings of everyone around me, I smile and turn my attention towards Mirana. Raiken moves and stands right next to me while others gather around a round table.
“Hey everyone, all seems well?” I break the tension with a soft question and everyone replies immediately in a totally unsynchronised way as the words get mixed up.
“So, Aniket must have given you a brief info on us, without any further ado, let’s begin”
Half an hour later…
“Let me start, just an hour ago our mission was compromised as the UN made their move before we could do anything. Lucky enough, I got a few glimpses at their movements and their squad. I ran some scans and found out the UN’s new division SDC is indeed after the same thing which was in Mauritius and so are Zunzar and Raiken, right” Chang says.
“Yeah, we need to get it out of there” Raiken says and I immediately hold him from behind. Raiken understands the gesture and stops after saying it.
“Chang, do you have any information about this SDC division?” I ask
“Well I did dig into it and the results are not so appealing.”
“What are you wasting time on then, tell us. It doesn’t matter if they are appealing or not.” Aniket confronts
“The division is controlled by two heads, one who handles everything and one head scientist whose sole purpose is to research on extra-terrestrials. The head of this division is non-other than Taksh, Zunzar’s elder brother.” Chang says while his gaze fixates at me.
Everyone in the room starts calculating the facts put in front by Chang.
“The head scientist must be Pran then” I deduce.
“Yeah, how do you know?” Chang asks “Pran is his best friend since childhood, no wonder they would be together.” I say sarcastically.
“Focus everyone, with Taksh as the head we might have a chance at negotiating with the UN” I suggest.
“No, we can’t let them know about us, if the UN finds out about us, we could actually get charged for breaking international laws and violating human rights.” Aniket counters my suggestion.
Everyone starts suggesting and the room becomes chaotic. In this chaos Raiken takes out his sword and slams it straight in the table splitting it in half and everyone gets taken back by this. Girls hold each other in despair as Raiken lifts his sword and keeps it back.
“What are you doing?!” I yell at him in shock
“I am sick of your little chitter box. Now I will speak and everyone here will listen to me, whoever has a question will raise their hand and anyone dares interrupt me, I will not go easy on them” Raiken says as he looks agitatedly towards everyone who are still recovering from the trauma. I guess there are more than one pissed people in the room.
“Okay Boss, you lead” I comply as usual
“First of all, we need a chain of Command” Raiken expresses his opinion. Although everyone seems to be traumatised, they nod their head in agreement.
“We already have one” Ishaan answers with all his might.
“Your chain of command is garbage. I will sanction the correct one with better management” Raiken slaps Ishaan’s opinion to trash.
He continues, “Firstly, the system needs to be divided in such a way that they can work separately as an individual organisation. Second, each division will have a head. Third, each head will report to the main command unit. The main command unit will then report to the leader.”
Raiken’s opinion is implemented and everyone is back at their respective work. The meeting went for an hour and I was appointed the Leader officially. Minal is the PA. Ishaan is reinstated as the Operation’s head while Aniket has been appointed as the Management Head. Mirana is positioned as the in charge of the main command and Tyler as the Squad leader.
At the Training Arena, Exodus Base,
Everyone is preparing for their training session. Raiken and I are on a team against the entire Exodus Squad. Raiken swings his sword to get in the game while I stretch my arms.
“Are you guys sure?” I question Ishaan. He looks at me with doubt.
“Yeah, if our squad practices with you guys, we will be able to improve a lot in short time. Besides, we are already behind schedule.” Ishaan says optimistically.
“You better be prepared because we may not have the numbers but our power difference can’t even be compared.” I warn Ishaan who gives me a wry smile.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to actually go against them without knowing how they fight.” Mirana says to Aniket who is standing beside her in the podium watching the entire Arena.
“Well, we won’t know unless we try. Let’s see.” Tyler says cocking his gun.
“Commence training Regime” Mirana Orders.
Tyler Moves in with his squad, Rupal takes the other squad to flank us. Raiken and I put on our hoods and suddenly a jolt of energy is released from both of us. Everyone in the Arena gets taken back for a moment.
“What was that?” Aniket wonders
“Wow, their bodies are actually emitting energy, raw energy, unlike anything I have seen before” Chang says as he looks at his screen. Chang’s face lights up like a Christmas tree.
Tyler’s squad is in position for assault and Tyler signals his hand to open fire on us. Raiken looks at me and Runs towards their position. He is too quick and moves swiftly dodging their entire fire. Rupal’s squad moves in to flank but I am already standing in their way. Rupal’s squad takes cover and shoots at me. I swiftly dodge them and jump high up in the sky giving me a superior advantage over them. I jump high enough to see them behind the cover. I throw my battle axe towards their position and Rupal fails to react against it and BOOM goes the squad. Meanwhile, Raiken swiftly takes down Tyler’s squad. Aniket watches in awe as the entire team falls in mere seconds of attack. Everyone is taken back by the difference in power level that Raiken and I displayed.
“Told you” I say sarcastically. A huge smile clearly visible on face, and I am proud of myself.
“Ok, that went quick.” Ishaan says as he powers down the computer of the Arena.
I walk up to Rupal to give him a hand. “Nice try, buddy.”
“Nice try? We didn’t even stand a chance. No wonder you guys took down the entire defences of the Area 51.” Rupal says breathing heavily as I pick him up.
“Chang, take reports” Aniket orders
“Already done, although there isn’t much but still its valuable.” Chang replies.
“Is this how you guys fight every time?” Tyler questions
“Yeah, still we held back because it was training” Raiken replies pridefully.
Thud! A bullet is fired and everyone crouches on their position to take cover. Mirana is holding her gun pointed straight at me. I look at her startled by the gun shot while tilting my head a little to the left. Mirana smirks,
“I knew you wo
uld dodge, Chang record this too” She says quite cheerfully
“That shot was straight for my brain.” I Reply
“Babe you don’t seem that startled, did you notice me?” a genuine curiosity with playfulness in the mix.
“No, just the reflex, Ms. MI9”
Mirana gets startled by my statement. “You knew?” Mirana questions
“Yeah, do you really think you can hide that from me, darling” I reply giving her a ‘I know you’ look.
We both smile at each other. “If you two love birds are done, we need to clear the field” Ishaan interrupts. We still keep eye contact and stand still.
“God, these two. Rupal!” Ishaan exclaims
Rupal pats on my shoulder and distracts us.
“Bro?” I yell
“Clear the field” Rupal phrases emphasising
Everyone walks out of the arena and rounds up in the area beside.
“Everyone has settled. Good. They both clearly have the upper hand on us in every way so from now on we have decided that they both will train all of us in combat training. Tyler will explain our shortcomings and training regime.” Ishaan says and steps away.
Tyler walks up “You guys surely lack team work and coordination between each other….”
On the other end of the room, Aniket and I are discussing something with Chang when Mirana walks to us.
“Darling, can I have a word? Alone?” Mirana says
“Yeah, I expected it. You can join the briefing till I talk” I point to Aniket and Chang. Aniket signals Chang to walk with him.
“Since when did you know?” Mirana questions with a troubled look
“Since the start, I am sorry I didn’t tell you” I answer sadly
“It’s ok, I should have told you and trusted you” Mirana consoles
“I thought confronting you might out you in a bad position, that’s why I kept in within me.”
“Always concerned about others” She gently smiles
“I missed you. I thought I would never see you again” She continues
“There was not a single day when he didn’t mention you or thought about you. To be fair it actually annoyed me.” Raiken jumps in between the conversation.
Mirana blushes and I stand there embarrassed. Raiken looks at both of us with a smile.
“I have to say miss. You are very lucky to have such a loving boyfriend.” Raiken adds
“Well to be fair I am lucky to have her.” I say.
“Fun apart, what are you two really here for?” She asks
“We are here to make sure problems don’t arise on earth.” Raiken answers
“What problems?”
“We have reports that someone on earth has harboured Relic Gears and is using its power. This can’t be allowed to happen and thus we are here to find it and put a stop to it.” Raiken explains.
“Do you have any idea who that might be?” She continues to question.
“No but we will surely find them now that we have exodus to help” I reply with a gentle smile.
“So, you will go back once this mission is done?” Mirana question’s again
“I don’t know…” I say faintly. I really don’t know if I will be able to stay here. The atmosphere around us saddens a bit.
“Mission’s not done yet, so he is not going anywhere. We are here” Raiken says to cheer up the mood and puts his hand around my shoulder
We all share a smile. Suddenly I start feeling dizzy as I try to control myself but my eyes give in and I fall to the ground.
“Hey?” Raiken yells as he tries to save me from falling.
Babe?!” Mirana yells with a disbelief on the face.
I barely keep my eyes open. I look at Mirana and try hard to say something. I guess it’s too late and I faze out.
“Someone, call Rose quickly!” Mirana orders loudly as everyone from the briefing come running towards them.
“I will pick him up” Raiken says and moves his hands to pick Zunzar. Rupal and Will arrive with a stretcher and all of them pick up Zunzar and put him on the stretcher. Mirana holds Zunzar’s hand and tries to wake him up. Everyone rushes towards the medical division inside the facility.
At the UN HQ, Brussels
A man opens a door it and keeps a file at the desk. In front of him is the Head of UN sitting in his chair.
“What is this?” He asks
“Progress Report from SDC” The man says
“Hmm… this is indeed good intel. I have to personally thank Taksh for this.” He replies.
“Here Sir” the man hands over a phone to the head.
“Hello Taksh”
“Hello Sir”
“Whatever is written in this document. Is this all verified and true?”
“Yes Sir”
“Good, with this I can approve your project, good job Taksh, I knew I could trust you with this”
“Thanks Sir, I will continue my work here”
The Head keeps the call and smiles with pride as he looks out of the window.
At SDC Base,
Taksh keeps the call. Pran is standing right next to him.
“Well, what we found at Area 51 was indeed spectacular” Pran says
“Yeah, this could benefit the world in many ways but what concerns me is not that, rather the appearance of those mysterious things. I hope that is not trouble. Cause if it is trouble, we need to extinguish it from the face of this planet.” Taksh says
“From what I found in my analysis; those things are indeed some kind of beings.”
“Are you sure, Pran?”
“Not sure but somehow it feels like we might have found something much more worth than the energy devices. Because from what I studied, the energy signature we got from Mauritius and from the Area 51 match the Readings of the two mystery beings by 95%”
“Interesting, let me know if you find something more solid” Taksh says
To Be Continued………
CHAPTER 8
Relic Gear Hunting
Zunzar is unconscious in the medical room. Everyone is waiting outside for the report on Zunzar. Everyone seems to be impatient and serious. Silence gives the seriousness much more depth as Raiken walks around in circles with his heavy footsteps. Rose comes out of the Medical room and takes off her mask. Everyone gathers around her immediately.
“How’s he? Is he going to be ok? Can I see him?” Mirana asks rapidly without taking breath.
“Easy, Mirana, he is fine” Rose replies calmly
“His glucose levels were down. That’s why he lost his consciousness” Rose continues
“Is he awake?” Raiken and Ishaan ask simultaneously. They both look at each other awkwardly
“Yes, he is awake”
“Let’s go see him” Ishaan says
“Wait! I am a doctor and I follow my hospital rules here too. Only two of you are allowed to visit him at once.” Rose orders quickly and puts her hand on the door.
“Okay, I will go with Mirana.” Raiken says
“Others can wait, he will be able to join you guys after some time.” Rose says calmly. Everyone agrees with her
“Let him recover, everyone will return to their respective jobs and We are all continuing with our briefing and training.” Ishaan replies while looking at the squad, Aniket, Rupal and Tyler.
Everyone leaves the area and Raiken points his hands towards the door as Mirana looks at him. Mirana opens the door and walks in, rose starts walking away.
“Rose, I would like you to come in the room with us, there is something I have to tell you” Raiken says
“Umm… Okay. After you” Rose replies politely
Raiken and Rose enter the room. Mirana has taken a seat beside Zunzar who is awake and sitting on the bed. Rose closes the door shut.
[Zunzar]
“So, what is it that you want to tell?” Rose asks Raiken
“Whatever I am going to say now may sound foolish but I need all three of you to trust me and that th
is thing doesn’t leave this room.” Raiken says with a dept in his voice. I straighten up and everyone in the room becomes stiff.
“What is it?” I ask. Still figuring out how I got hospitalised.
At the SDC,
“We have to keep the surveillance of Area 51 intact. I want eyes on every activity. Ever since we attacked them, we can’t let them do anything suspicious” Taksh says
“You seem pretty much on toes, what happened?” Pran asks
“First tell me have you found something on those mysterious beings who destroyed Area 51’s defences?” Taksh counter questions
“Yes and No. I can confirm for sure that there were 2 guys but I can’t get any clear image of them. In fact, no matter which technique I use they are just blur.” Pran answers with curiosity
“Hmm… Keep trying. And yes, I am on my toes because US government denied existence of such base even after showing evidence.” Taksh replied agitatedly
“That can’t be possible, we infiltrated it” Pran says shocked by Taksh’s statement
“Yeah, somehow they managed to convince the world that the documents were false and accusations placed on them are irrelevant.” Taksh says still agitated by the fact.
“Has the media picked up on the story?” Pran asks
“No, it happened discreetly under the name of normal UN Veto meetings” Taksh replies plainly
“Well that is good isn’t it” Pran says trying to motivate Taksh
“But it’s not helping either” Taksh replies in his angry tone and slams on the table.
Haze tech Facility,
“There is traitor in the midst” Raiken says plainly.
“What?” Mirana wonders
“Who?” I ask calmly
“I don’t know, but I am sure that there is one” Raiken says firmly with confidence in his tone. Mirana calms down and Rose holds herself.
“Why do you think that?” Rose questions
“Because Zunzar didn’t collapse due to lack of glucose but due to poison injected inside him by someone.” Raiken answers and everyone looks at him in disbelief.
“You don’t trust me, here take a look at my scan” Raiken continues and opens his holographic projection to display his scans.
Universal War- the New World Page 10
