Chapter 16


Mark had just been driven out of one of LEXA Corp's warehouses after taking possession the device send to them by David and William Thorne, brothers and very extraordinarily brilliant gentlemen who brains were one of the few that match scientist on Zoltron and give them a run for their money.

The device in question was part of component of the propulsion engine of a secret a extra orbital defence weaponry system that was being created for Earth's protection against extraterrestrial threats and aggression. It was backed by funds of twenty super power countries on earth and managed by LEXA Corp.

The Extra orbital defence weaponry system or EODEWS was part of a defence program started two decades ago. When the excesses of the Aronzian contingents were secretly leaked to the human government; by no other than the Alexanders themselves. They also strategically positioned themselves through proxies to take charge of building the EODEWS

The EODEWS consisted of four phases which included surface to air combat protocols which served as the last line of defense. Should all other pre - defence system, aerial combat with the aid of specialized crafts fitted with weapons systems salvage from wreckages of crash landed or shot down crafts of extraterrestrials who had the unfortunate luck of been seen, their tech, salvaged and reversed engineered by human scientist and engineers for reuse to their benefits. Hand held weapons were also crafted to specifically suit each solider's need.

Shield cloak generator and off world offensive regimen, which was the current phase they were in and hoped to complete and launch very soon. It involved harnessing the power of the sun through the use specialized solar panels to power up generator specifically made to generate a powerful shield enough to deflect Aronzian grade, class three proton exgenis canons . Of course, that part was secretly added without the humans knowing. The moon also housed over a hundred strategically placed cannons that shot high powered proton exgenis suitable for taking out lighter attack crafts. Creating heavier armoury capability would raise suspicions of the origins of such tech and how they came about it. And the Alexanders very much wanted very much to remain at the background. For now, the lesser the humans knew their involvement and true origin, the more better they couod effectively and efficiently work from the background
Then finally, there was the exploration and cultural assimilation and exchange program. It involved developing and building space crafts, using combination of materials from both human as well as other sentient Beings technology. These crafts would be capable of inter-galatical space travel and armed to defend itself against aggressors. The program, whichever decade it would be ready,would be funded by the Alexanders and guided indirectly by Zoltron and it's allies to explore new world and open the humans to diverse races, other life forms and cultures difference. All these had to be introduced gradually to the humans else they became spooked and felt threatened.

As Mark drove home, his mind also wandered to the two brothers Katherine had earlier gone to conclude the business of the device with. She had told him that they had wanted to back out in the last minute and sell to external client when she had to spring out the "LET" card on them. It was either that or she had them "blighted", a fancy word for killing them right there and then for their flagrant betrayal of trust and breech of contract. She had said the she was feeling rather forgiving so she let them walk away unharmed despite their disrespect.

He snorted within himself. It was truly hilarious to think that Kath would say such. To even act it out was even much more unbelievable.

The LET program, short for Life Enhancement Therapy, that Kath had threatened with, was one of the programs running secretly under Hitler's reign of terror. It was no secret that the "late dictator", during his reign, dabbled into a lot of things which included fringe science, demonology, the occult to name but few but what saw him smile most often and eager to fight more and push harder was the division of his fringe science team that dabbled into the immortality craze.

Hitler wanted to rule the world and he also wanted to live forever and shire a perfect race of men and women who transcended death and illness, perfect in his likeness. For all intents and purpose, He wanted to become God. And for all intents and purposes, thanks to the Aronzian tacit interference and secret meddling by supplying him with their DNA to work with, he had almost succeeded.

The allied forces had come about the information by chance when one of the Nazi convoys transporting an almost successful test subject to a more secured location to avoid interference and discovery by the then pressing allied forces. Unfortunately, the test subject died in the attack along with the scientist accompanying her Fortunately, the scientist documents and documentary on the work was by his side.

News had reach Kathrine, who, either by coincidence or act of providence, by that time had come to Earth on her routine visit to access their assets stationed all-over the planet, their wellbeing and to also escort a cargo of food and goods meant for Zoltron, safely, through one of their insider within the allied ranks. She had promptly moved into action, activating all sleeper agents within the Nazi camp to find out the stage of work so far on project LET. The news had been nauseating as all indicators pointed to them already perfecting the serum, finalising with test subjects was on the way. She concluded that all needed to be done to make sure Hitler never succeeded

On the day set for live demonstrations, in which Hitler himself along with major sponsors, donors, high ranking personnel within his inner circle that were in the know, graced, ten subjects were selected for the demonstrations.

All test subjects were captured civilians from various works of life before the war that didn't bow to a crazy man's ideology. Out of them stood two brothers Mikael and Gregor Schindler who had promised each other a vow to live and not fall to the threats of a dictator.

After about an hour after the serum administration, Of the ten subjects, only five survived the tests, out of the five, one became pychotic, one lobotomized, and remaining three were responding to the serum positively. Of the three, one was a male negro who was a capture prisoner from the allied camp and the two brothers. Once the three perfectly stable test subjects were stabilised, the lab was in joyous mode for the successful trials, as their principal had issued the green light for a breeding program to begin for further expansion to meet the primary objective - world domination with perfect soliders.

Their joy was cut short when the secret lab was hit with a series of explosions. Zoltan soliders had breeched the security and were taking out the Nazi soliders and scientists. Their orders were simple, save all prisoners, kill every other person, scorch the entire area. Their participating in the war must never be discovered. Hitler and his inner circle barely made it out alive. They had seen certain victory but couldn't attain it. It was a big blow to their years and years of work as all the scientists in the know of the project were all present that day and all were killed with no exceptions.

Not long after, the war was lost and the relics of Nazis empire crumbled but the remnants never forgot the failure and betrayal. A special secret unit was sent to hunt down their priced achievement but never succeeded. Till this day, that unit still existed and were actively searching.

Meanwhile, Mikael and Gregor Schindler were now transformed to David and William Thorne. New lives and identies were created for them to live out long natural lives. Thanks to their new ageless feature, they knew well to avoid public eyes and also keep any of their offsprings of public records to avoid drawing attention. One of the draw backs of the serum was that, since it was not part of their original biological makeup, they could not transfer their agelessness gene to their offspring..... thankfully. The only advantage children from their bloodline shared was quick tissue regeneration, heightened sense and an acute sense of precognition. They had only known of these because they more or less kept tabs on them without even they knowing

Mark sighed out loud as he neared the LEX manor. He had been a bit stressed of late and was beginning to delegate some of his workload to Kath and Kevan. If his suspicions were right then Kath would currently be having a meeting with their Arab partners on their proposed Smart City joint venture project. A meeting he himself was meant to hosted some days back but had pushed it forward due a minor industrial problem that needed his attention. Secondly, those Arabs were snubs, they felt they had money wealth and power and that alone could take them places. Forgetting that all financial wealth with no brains was a recipe for failure. Had it not been that the project in question was not cover front for introducing new technology to the humans without drawing too much attention to themselves, they would have solely funded the project.

He heaved loudly again when he thought of the argument he was envisioning to have with Kath over the workload his was shifting more and more to her end. The car parked in front of the foyer and he got out without waiting for his security detail to open it for him and marched into the house not sparing a break to answer greetings sent towards him. Normally , Mark and Kathrine were laid back, easily approachable and didn't let power control them but on few occasions like today, every one working under them knew to give them space. As the load they bore sometimes overwhelmed them

Just as he predicted, as he entered their home office, he could hear Kath fire a slew of Arabic at the princes who, he knew were taking her for granted, a sour mistake on their part as Kath would never go to a meeting unprepared. She would tear them to pieces and roast their balls over a cup of hot chocolate while pretending to be an angel.

She knew he was watching her but gave no indication of acknowledging his presence
" Definitely mad" he thought to himself
The Arab princes were finding it had to believe that they were being roasted by a female, whom their culture program them to think , were inferior to them. One of them even went ahead and threatened to pull out of the joint venture partnership if she didn't know her place and accord the appropriate respect when discussing with them, after all his family were one of the majority shareholders in the partnership.

Kathy paused, inhaled and exhaled quietly. At this point, Mark sat across her but hidden from the screen that held the other participants, he legs raised on the table and crossed. He gave his sister a sly smile has he knew that prince just about skewered himself

" Fawad Abdul Rahman-" she switched to perfect English, skipped his title as a sign of disrespect and went in for the kill


" - I have given you the respect that is accorded you despite the fact that you have accorded me none. You think your money, family name and connections are what makes the world tick?" You think your Harvard education and your miserable fifteen years experience in sheperding overhyped downgraded consortium whose existence is directly or indirectly dependent on the smell of our fart, gives you the balls to insult me?

Since you so rightly decided to threaten me with withdrawal, here let me give a helping hand. As the majority shareholder of the CARAT SMART CITY DEVELOPMENT, I veto HORIZON SYNERGIES removal. All legal frame work and documentations will be communicated to you and your party. All funds you have committed so far will be paid back to you in three tranches on or before the final quarter of the year .......-".

" ......... Bitch you can't do this. I'll have your head. My family will fry you and your company to pieces. We will make you wish never made this decision..... I pull out other will"

" ...... - be rest assured that you will be hearing from LEXA Corp... personally and tell Karim that I'll be expecting his call" she pressed a button that ended his side of the call.
She looked to the others still online and who were still shocked at the what just took place.
" Anyone else who wants to pull out should do so now. I am tired of these continued Cloak, Dagger and backdoor sabotage we play, on this project that would see our wealth triple.

" But you know there will be a backlash from this fallout with HORIZON. Will it in anyway affect our investment" asked Mustapha, a Russian based Arab investor

" I give you my word, and if that's not enough, that of LEXA Corp's assurance that your funds are protected to the last dime" that seem to placard the man as well as the others whose thought line lingered on the hard earned wealth
" - and as for HORIZON, Karim knows better than to pick a fight with us. Horizon is still in the game with us just not with that snubish fool who think the world revolves around him." She guaranteed.
The rest of the discussion was light and thirty minutes later, the virtual meeting came to a close. She sighed out loud only to hear Mark chuckle. She sent him a glare that had him raise his hands in mock surrender
" I forsaw the trio of Fawad, Malik and Amir giving you a hard time but to see the other two back down and watch their co-conspirator take a whopping....you must have really had an impression on the two of them."

" You really are unbelievable Mark, you know that right. You were supposed to have had a meeting with them prior this one to smooth out egoistic idiots like Fawad and Co. I was just to have a routine chat and laughs with them, possibly have one or two dirty minded bastards flirt at me. Not sound the Battle horns and dance the dance of brutish business world of wits and minds. I don't do egoistic chauvinist males who feel it their right to display their stupidity in the open" Kath chided Mark for purposefully setting her up to host their Arab partners

" Oh Cut me some slack Kath. You and I both know what has been holding me up these few days and they were just as important as those over pampered-money-mistakes who call themselves prince's . If you can help me on one or two occasions, then you know that I appreciate it more than you think" Mark chided back at Kath, abit angry but decided to let it go and make the conversation a bit lighter

" And besides, Karim had that coming when he decided to put in his snub of a son called Fawad on an important project such as this. I would pick his daughter Ameera any day over that overprice tag suit wearing nonetity.

Kath knew she had lost the battle with Mark and had to huff to hide the smile threatening to grace her face and turned away from him

" You owe me big time for this" she finally said

" I know, I know. But that's why you love me" he said cheekily.
" Keep it up idiot and I just might disown you" she playfully threatened
" Now she cusses and threatens me too"
" Drama queen"
" I'll have you know that I am a prince and a crowned one at. So show some respect and add my recognized title.... Drama Prince" he faked an authoritative voice for added effect
" You sound like a girl" she tauted
" Bitch" he replied
" Asshole"
" Bloody feminist"
" Manwhore"
" Really Kath, manwhore? You could have at least funkify it. I'll have you that I am a billionaire playboy. I take offense to that name manwhore" Mark whined she shrugged and whispered in his ears
" It suits you" and walk away from him towards his wine cabinet, smiling while he glared daggers at her. She poured herself a drink a sat down on the couch and relaxed

" I take it that Don and Will came through with the delivery?" She asked.

" As a matter of fact, they did. Thanks to you and whatever you said, they had suddenly come to the light of their wrong and apologized profusely. The device is currently enroute to our facility at NASA. It will join the next shipment for onward delivery to International Space Station for fitting. " He informed while also pouring himselfa drink.

" At least, we are one step closer to to having weapons system capable of protecting earth and it's inhabitants from a possible attack from Aronzians and their allies"

" Talking about allies, how was date slash dinner slash business meeting with Zach go"
" HALI-MAK ALI-ECK-SAN-DEK..... GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON I SHOULDN'T CASTRATE YOU NOW AND STRANGLE KEVAN AND FEED PHANTOM VOMIT." HER CHEEKS WENT ROSEY PINK at Mark's discovery of her date. She had prided her self as a very private person when it came to her personal relationships but with the trio of Mark, Kevan and Phantom in the mix, her privacy went out the back door. The gangster trio was what she called them when it came to them snooping into private live that she'd very much like to be kept private.

" First off, I love my balls intact or how else would I please the ladies" this earned him a death glare from Kath but he ignored her and continue
" Secondly, the gangster trio are happy that you are dating again. And what better choice than Zach himself and besides, I was hoping of being an uncle soon" he teased and smirked at his sister's discomfort as she was blushing all shades of red at the mention of Zach's name.

" Mark-" she warned "- one more word out of you.........." She paused when she felt a slight tremor. Both of them paused and looked at each other to confirm that they both felt was they felt

* What was that?" She tentatively asked

" I don't know" came a confused response from Mark. Then after some seconds, a bright light illuminated one of the back rooms of the home office. It was then realization struck them both as both of them made way for the room that the light illuminated from.

A they both entered the room, which so happened to be were they kept all the phenapinalia of their royal titles safe, they were met with a sore sight of disarray. Amour suits were thrown all-round haphazardly. Blades, once carefully and painstakingly packed in sheaths and crates were scattered any and everywhere. The medallions they wore on official Zoltan occasions, that served as a symbol of authority, an identification as to which house one belonged to and the crest of Zoltron and which also served to amplify their powers, was upturned.

At the center of it all stood a levitating medallion, one whose insignia commanded authority, whose crest spoke of power its owner wielded. It stood majestically at the center, different hues of color burned round it. It move slowly out of the store room into the main office and stopped Infront of a Atlas displaying the entire world. Like a magnet drawn to iron, it suddenly flew and attached itself to a portion of the map, branding itself on it then it suddenly dropped to the floor like it didn't just creat a commotion some minutes earlier.
Both Mark and Kathy looked at point in the atlas that was branded

" Is that...." Afraid to complete the sentence for fear it might not a what she was thinking

" Yes, it. Kath"

" O My God"

"Yes Kath. O my God. Call it in with who needs to know. We've found him. We've found him"

" I'm on it" she said just as she brought out her phone to start calling as Mark instructed just as he took a pen and paper from the nearby table and wrote down some numbers which happened to be coordinated of were the latitude and longitude met with the medallion's brand on the map.

He hurriedly typed the coordinates into his laptop. He waited some seconds till when the results came out

" Lagos Nigeria here we come" he smiled a satisfying smile

CHAPTER 17

GRÜHERSTEIN MUNICIPAL,
FRANKFURT.
GERMANY.


Two men stood anxiously waiting, their business partner was yet to arrive and the location they currently stood, which happened to be an abandoned factory made them feel very exposed despite having a team of security detail currently flanking their sides. Two snipers were also station above them to also shadowed their movements to them Aerial superiority ensure that they were highly covered in case there was hostilities involved and their Men needed to get away quickly.

Ten minutes later than expected , a black Mecedes Benz Mach Bach slowly drove into the factory and parked. It flashed it's head lights four times then remained on idle. The back passengers door opened and out came a younger Ebony skinned man. From his facial appearance, the two men deducted that the male was in his early to middle twenties. This disappointed and anger them because they felt their business partner sent them a rookie to do a man's job.

The man walk casually towards them like he had no care in the world and all the. When he got within ten feet of his business partners stopped and greeted them with a single word and his voice held confidence.

" Gentlemen" and slightly tipped his head in acknowledgment

" You're late" voiced one of the two men standing opposite the young man. His bald hair and slightly wrinkled face placed him in his early fifties. His irritation was visible

" Apologies" the young man replied, tipping his head slightly again with no more words added to address his tardiness
"I can't believe this. First, he is late, second, he sends us his rookie. And now, instead of having the decency to apologize properly, he issues us a one word syllable like we're beneath him" snarled the younger companion of the older man. His hair was given a buzz cut, his jaw spotted a scar probably from a fight. His physique underneath his fine taliored suit showed a male who was athletic and took training seriously.

" Are we here to do business or are here to nag each other to death." The ebony skinned man ignored the other male's snide remarks while also taking a verbal swipe at him

The older man clear his throat so that tension could at least dissipate a little
" About that. Our superiors rejected your offer. We cannot in good conscience hand one of our super agent's identity who is deeply imbedded over to you irrespective of whatever ill he caused you. But we are willing to make any other trade with your agency and whatever sovereignity you represent in exchange for you incriminating evidence against us" the Old male explained. Now it was the waiting game to see how this gambit played out
The young male smile but there was nothing humorous about it.
" So.... You already had your decision and seeing that it was not the right one, you came prepared in anticipation of things not going your way. I'm not talking about the body guards standing here,they are just your body shields which shows you are higher up in the food chain. I talking about the two falcons on my nine and twelve o'clock, let's not forget the eagle at my six o'clock. Oh.. I almost forgot to add two tac teams on standby to take me out the moment I leave here. You really did come prepared" both men were shocked to their marrow of the compromised position their men were. Words failed him. The older male took his time to really assess the young man in front of him. His arrogance was not unfounded, his confidence stance was sure, his relaxed demeanor spoke superiority. It was then he came to the summation that they were way out of his league and in way over their heads

" What would your have us do? You come from nowhere claiming a non existent agency that is answerable to no one and threatened us with incriminating evidence that could tear the very fabrics of our institution to shreds. You asked for the identity of an agent that is deeply undercover and serving our father land wholeheartedly so pardon me if our first instinct was to protect ourselves and assets in and out the Field"the old man tried to reason with the young man

" You failed to take into cognisance that I also came prepared" he casually continued
" For each of your falcons, I have three of best marks men shadowing them.....they don't stand a chance. Your eagle eyes is currently been trailed by KillShot.... Baddest sniper in town. I'm sure you know who he is. A raptor drone currently circles tac team need I spell out its capabilities. For avoidance of doubt...." His paused and touched his ear to issue a command
" Take them out.."
" Nooo..." Shouted the older man but he was too late a series of loud shots could be heard inthe distance, then an explosion followed. Still dazed from the needless death of his men the young man continued about more agitated
" So that you don't feel very creative, the exact position you stand is currently rigged with explosives..." just then, red lights blinked on encasing them in a circle except the old man "... Step out of the circle and die, pull your gun out and die. I also got very creative and rigged the entire building with secondary explosives just for fun. I can very much guarantee you that I and my people will walk out of here unharm and unscathed but much won't be said of you " the old man couldnt take it any more and implored
" What do you want"
" Out of the magnanimous heart of mine, I'll give you a live line you have thirty seconds to give me what I want.. oh and tell your eagle eyes that if he doesn't want his daughters to recieve a piece of him every year for the rest of their lives, he will stand down along with the others." He smiled again. The old man touched his ears and spoke and order for his men to stand down
" You time is ticking" the young man reminded the older fellow
The old man hesitated before gingerly opening his suit carefully taking out small envelope from his inner pocket a handing it over the younger man. The young man tore the envelope and saw picture, took out his phone, snapped the picture and sent it.
He touched his earpiece again and asked
" Simmons have you got it"
" Yes I have. Cross referencing it now with our archives. Just give me a sec"
" I'm waiting"
Some seconds later the Simmons replied him but with a pause
" We have a match P..... Its Zalzoc, "
" Got that" he didn't smile, he didn't snarl, his face remained neutral but within him , he was boiling. That fucking terrorist was a government sanctioned, agency backed asset of Zoltan descent. What made his blood boil the more was the fact that Zalzoc was direct sire of the former Grand Overlord of the House of Lords that led the revolt which almost sent them to extinction.
He also suspected that Langley would go to such unsanctioned extremes just to satisfy the greed of their masters pocket and their own personal vendetta of profiteering off wars and instabilities.

" Gentlemen " the young man turned to excuse himself from the meeting seeing that his work there was done but was stopped when the older man inquired about their deal.
" You haven't fulfilled your end of the bargain"
He stopped but didn't turn back only just answered
" In two hours from now, a file will be sent to your phone. You have exactly six hours to download it and delete the file from your phone. For your sake, I pray Langley doesn't cross paths with VERITAS again 'cos we are not very forgiving and most especially, we never forget" he walked away, entered his car and it zoomed off

" Simmons" P called into his ear piece
" I'm here P."
" Do we have Zalzoc's current location?" He asked waiting for a reply
" We do" replied Simmons
"Will there be collateral damage" he asked again
' minimal"
" Good. Tell the Pella and Dean that I am issuing an Open Season "
" Are these your final orders P?" Asked Simmons
" Yes they are" P replied back at him without hesitation. There was a pause for some seconds before Simmons replied him back
" An Open Season order has been issued"
" Thanks" he appreciated Simmons and cut the connection. His thoughts were just about to wander when his phone rang. He picked the phone up and looked at the screen and was suprised at the caller. She never called unless it was something very important. He pick up on the sixth ring and greeted
" Hello darling" he sassed
" Cut the crap Phantom"
" What's got your panties all twisted Kath"
" We've found him" those three words only we enough for to pause for a sec or two assess the significance of those three words, panic then calm himself down before informing Kath his next line of action

". I'll be on the next flight out." Was his reply

" Oh and P, file your flight plan for Lagos Nigeria." The call ended

Chapter 18

The Wolf Den,
Santa Domingo DeAngelo,
Spain.

The Wolf Den was like any other restaurant and bar mix common to the suburbs. It's patrons were drawn from all works of life enjoying customers from both the ever busy lunch breaks of the start-ups employee class horde and the never ending multitude of night crawlers. The entire building of the Wolf Den housed two areas. Were the larger hall, located at the front of the main building played host to the restaurant, its kitchen and storages, the inner room hosted the bar, a karaoke machine , a dartboard as well as a pool board. It was a nice meet up joint for handsome, adult bachelor, males to wile way time and burn away the stress of the day. And pretty looking, sharp minded females looking to catch a casual fling to burn off steam knowing that no strings were attached
It ran a three shifts, twenty four hours service that saw to customers needs no matter the time they entered. It also had a policy of no wasteage as excess foods were donated to an orphanage located not far from it as well as other shelters.

To the ordinary individuals patronizing it, the Wolf Den upstanding establishment that cartered for all their needs and "excesses". To the supernatural world, it was a neutral ground, were humans, rogues, wolves and all could meet without fear or caution of the other species. It was were peace deals were brokered, wars quelled even before they started and treaties were signed. It was also used a conduit to ferry abused mates from their abusers and ensuring those undeserving of the mate bond were weaned off it. Settle mate related issues and on one or two occasions saw to the "reeducation " of some alphas who felt like pompous pricks and decided to play God with their pack.
The arms of the Wolf Den also stretched outside the borders of the Wolfing world but chose not to interfere with their internal squabbles unless called upon. Even at that , they kept their part as minimal as possible.

The Wolf Den had been the brain child of the missing queen of their current alpha King. She hadn't had it easy with acceptance in the Wolf kin due to the fact that she wasn't of wolf kin. It wasnt as though mating with other kind was frowned upon but she was hard headed, strong willed, crazy, independent outspoken, defiant and all the bad names that could be given to her for she not been submissive. But she made the best out of it while she held sway and sook to influence the younger generation against their prejudice against the female wolf kin, seeing that the older ones were so set in their ways to change.
She had built the Wolf Den as a last act of defiance to both the King and his kin as it was frowned upon back then in the 1800's for a woman to step into a man's world. And even more a taboo for a woman to own a pub.
At the initial stage of her mateship with Fernandez, she had made it seem as though she was just an ordinary witch but as tension grew over the Wolf Den, she had to change that notion and make her stance known and that include unraveling more of herself and who she truly was, first to the king , her husband, then to his people - for they had not earned the right to be her people. For long as they wanted to see her as a submissive wife that waited on her husband for all and sundry then she made herself ready to fight them at every turn.

Fernandez didn't have it easy either as countless times, she had left his side to be on her own. Where he demanded, she gave him defiance. Where he ordered submission she threw spite at him and left him. Only when he came begging did she returns. And when he finally wanted to enforce control and dominance, she outrightly told him to choose very carefully his next actions..... Let just say that Fernandez finally saw the light and retraced his steps....

Which fool wouldn't. When faced with a very angry, determined and overprotective mother, there was one thing he learned in live, was never let a push become a shove when dealing with them even when the said female was your mate who bore your son and heir.

The Wolf Den had also faced it's own fair share of trouble as it had been burned down twice, vandalized numerous times, ransacked, closed down housed the injured in battle. And each time it came out stronger earning a name amongst wolves and humans alike as a beacon of hope. It was currently runned by Filipe, maintaining its original aesthetic value with an added touch of modernity

Before the Queen could make any meaningful changes that favored the female wolf kin, she was abducted while still caring for her youngest son and was never heard from again. Till date, no one knew what happened to her.

As with mates, the king was enraged with grief and dispair and nearly gave in to his wolf's lust. The will to fight on for filipe and Andre's sake aided him in keeping his sanity intact. Searches were sent everywhere to find their queen even though some saw her absence as a blessing in disguise while others had secretly come to love the queen in a strange kind of way. There were also those preening to have their King bonded to their daughters so that they too could be have a taste of power. But Fernandez swore that he would never rebond until he found Anabel or he died trying.

A man that looked to be in his early fifties, who's raven black hair had started to sprout out greys and face though sharp and well defined had started to take on the early process of aging, sat across the table, arguing with his companion,who looked twice younger than him. The scene, to the normal looked like that of a Father scolding his young adult son but

" I still can't really believe this Steven. You of all people know not to cross any them, yet you did." The younger male chided the older male known as Steven over his wrong"

" What was I supposed to do Kev. She's my crave. I have every right to to stake a claim on her. Had it not been because of you, I should be going after her and making sure she is pumped full of my seed and ready to birth my shires by the year's end" the young male who the older man addressed as Kev looked as Steven like he was from another universe..... which of course he was

" Are you serious. Are you really SERIOUS. ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS. DO YOU EVEN HAVE AN IDEA WHO THE FEMALE IS. DO YOU BLOODY UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATION OF YOUR STUPIDITY, THE RAMIFICATIONS OF WHAT YOUR UNCONTROLLABLE RAGING HOMONES JUST CAUSE. " Kev was outrightly shouting at Steven for his stupidity. Thank God, Filipe's office was to an extent, sound proof so the shouting didn't get to disturb normal flow of activities in the Wolf Den
Kev was currently seething with briming anger and just one wrong word would send him over. He was sure Steven would be the recipient of the brutal force. He squeezed his eyes shut, fisted his hand tight and took deep breaths to calm himself. When he was a bit calmer, he looked to the older man who had wisely choose to keep silent and spoke calmly but each word enunciated held a threat
" Pray to the heavens Filipe's father can come through for us else I will kill you before the female has time to play with her meal and if she offers a decraving - " he paused when Steven wanted to protest but a narrowed throw his way shut him up.
" - then you take it like a man you so call yourself. Is that clear." Steven hesitation made Kev repeat his order a lot more firmer

" Is. That. Clear. ?" Steven had no choice but to answer in affirmative.
Minutes later, Filipe walked into the office with an older version of himself. Kev stood up to greet both new entrants just as Steven stood up but remained were he was. When a hand was stretched out to great him, he quickly grabbed it with both his hand and shook it vigoroui with nervous excitement. Here he was standing before the Wolf kin ruler and his heir.
He felt out of place, under dressed and ill prepared all at once as it was not every day, one got to stand before a myth.
After all pleasantries were said and everyone took their respective seat, it was Fernandez that vioced out his curiosity as to their visit.

" Kevan not that I'm not happy to see you and all, but a rabbit doesn't go sprinting through the forest except it is being chased by a predator. So, are you the predator or the prey" Kevan schooled his features to business like as he replied
" Oh Fez, I will always remain the apex predator, it's just that wannabes aren't willing to take guidance and so they fall from grace and the huntsman now becomes the hunted" Kev gave a side glace to the other male.

" And how did the hunted fall from grace" asked Fez, the question thrown at Steven. He squirm in the chair, pause for some seconds before replying
"As you know,just as your species have soul mate and bonded mate, we have what you might call a crave. Same dynamics and all. So I met this lady and recognized her as my crave and immediately staked my claim on her." Steven said in a matter of fact tone that showed he wasn't sorry for his actions and that angered Kev more. Steven's nonchalance was getting to him but he just had to endure it to the end. If Steven was asking for a beating then when this meeting was over Kev promised himself to make sure he go it.
" The fun part of it all is that his crave was no other than Linda Delacroix" Kev butt in. It took Filipe and his father some seconds for the message to sing and when it finally did, both burst out in unbridled laughter as though and inside joke was just said. Filipe was the first to ahold of himself and tried to school his face but was failing woefully. Fernandez on the other hand was still outrightly laughing shamelessly. It took him more seconds to control himself
Steven and Kev both looked at them varily before hissing in annoyance at both of them. Before he could speak his mind out , Fernandez finally spoke, traces of mirthful cheers still in his voice

" So let me get this straight. You saw a woman, she was your crave. Instead on doing the right thing by make your intentions known, and court her properly, you go all cave man on her and do your own version of imprinting on her without her permission. O and the best part is that it's Linda fucking Delacroix-" all traces of mirth was gone. Face stoic as stone "- so forgive me if I am not utterly very enthusiastic in helping you in your love life with " The Crazy One". And so that you don't have ask me why we call her the Crazy One let me explain why.
There are three sisters, The Spitfire, who happens to be my missing mate and mother of my sons. She gives as good as she gets, stomp all-over you while drinking a cup of tea, all the while smiling. You mess with her or any under her protection and you're dead.

Then there's the Avenger, trust me when I say she is everything that word means. She will move heaven and scatter the earth just to get a justice for her loved ones. She keeps the other two in check when they feel like going wild. She is their eldest and she is well respected by them both but trust me when I say this, even the devil is jealous the lady's calculative and manipulative wit. It is rumored that she once outwitted a cross roads demon to save a damned soul from it's grip.
And finally of course, there's the Crazy One. Linda is every bit of the word. Were Arabelle smiles while stabbing you, Linda , when you incurr her wrath, will literally kill you, bring you back only to kill you again, all the while letting you know it's her doing it. Challenge her and woe betide you, don't challenge her and you'll have hell to pay. As the middle child, She is spontaneous and has a knack for stirring trouble up just out of boredom. But bring trouble to her doorstep and you would wish you hadn't crossed her. And best part, try to instill dominance on her or force her into something she doesn't want- like what you just did, then I pray for your soul in advance.
There is no helping your way out of this mess you created, you made your bed so lie on it. If I were you, I'd suggest you find a way to break your bond and when you do you have exactly twenty four hours to disappear from this earth else you become Open Season. Those three females aren't very forgiving to arrogant,cocky male who think and I qoute" the world revolves around them".
I honestly feel for you. I honestly do but I, in no way want to invoke her wrath on me nor will Filipe. Your best bet is to find their eldest and pray to the heavens that for your stupidity, you don't incur her wrath also."
Both men look at the king dumbfounded as he explained to the the mess that Steven had created. He didn't know his mouth was opened wide until he was prompted by Fez to close it
" Keep it opened long enough and you'll catch a fly." To which he promptly did.
Kev composed himself and went on further to ask
" How do we find the eldest.?"
" She is already on her way here" Filipe promptly replied. It was the first time he said anything since the meeting started.
" Good thanks a lot for helping us. We appreciate it"Kev thanked both men and Steven followed suit.
Kev took a deep breath and let it out releasing the tension in his body. Had it not been that Steven held a significant importance in his team, he wouldn't have been sticking his neck out for the foolish male who couldn't control his raging hormones.
He looked to Steven who looked liked he had significantly aged more than century on hearing his crave's demeanor of handling matters. He looked back to alpha King to implore one more time
" Is there no way for you to help us out like contacting their eldest so that I can plea on his behave"

" You don't get it do you. These ladies hunt demons and chew demigods to pass time. They make gods like Zeus and Aries seem like child's play. So Kev, even if I do help to contact Agnes, it is ultimately left to her to decide if to answer my summon or not." That was the final bombshell that nailed the coffin. Steven was going to have to endure the crave fever. A sickness the affected companions that hadn't finished the bonding and were separated for a long interval. The sickness itself was not deadly, it was the hallucinations, insecurities and anger issues that that drove the sufferer to suicidal craze, there in laid the danger. It took sheer will to survive it and not be lost to its madness that often times led to death.
Already it had began affecting Steven in his mental rational. He just had to endure a whole month of more drama to weather through the fever.

They both discussed further before calling it a day and left the office. Kev took out his phone to make some calls when he saw about five missed calls from Kath. Kath never called his mobile unless it was very urgent. To have five missed calls from her meant it was life threatening. He quickly pressed the number to call her back, she picked on the third ring
" Whassup sis"
" Kevan Ali-eck-san-dek, please remind me the functions of a mobile phone" Kath blasted from the other side. He smiled at Kath's rage knowing that if he was in front of her, he probably would have received a beating of his life.
" Don't be like that sis. I was in a very important meeting" he said and proceeded to explain the situation to her. She listened through it all, silent and when he was through, she also proceeded to instruct him on how to manage the situation for Steven to successfully weather the fever since she had countless of experience on the crave fever.

" Thank sis, I very greatful for your insight. I'll be sending Steven over Denver with Carlos as his guard so that he gets there safely without constituting a nuisance" the last part was said with a sneer thrown to his side to the subject of their discussion. But the dofuss didn't care as his mind was else where.

" One more thing Kevan, we've found him" those three words were enough to jolt him to a stop in his strides. He didn't need to ask who she was talking about. He already knew

Chakre

" I'll be on the next flight out just give me a location and time of meet"

" Lagos, Nigeria. We'll meet up in two days from today."

" Got that" he replied before terminating the call. All his thought was now focused now on his lost both found cousin. That idiot had a lot of explain to do even if it was after a receiving a few punches and jabs. But he was a patient man as they first needed to get him to safety first.

Wow I just love your work. I don't have much to say now but just one word"breathtaking"
Keep it up bro

Chapter 19


" They've found the Prince reincarnate" informed one of the Aronzian official sitting on the conference like table. He was informing the others also sitted, of the latest development that their spies within the Zoltan network had found out.
" Do we have his current location? " Another not far off from the man that spoke
" Lagos, Nigeria. All other details are being kept secret to avoid leakage of information. I have placed our people to track their movements the moment they touch down on the country's soil in other to ascertain he final location." The first man informed again.

" You have to give us more than that Vrila" complained the head of the table. He was not so happy about the incomplete info of the Prince reincarnate location

" So sir. That was the much our people could glean out without fear of exposure" Vrila explained somberly to avoid his boss's wrath

" Understand this, no matter what, we must fail this mission as the entire fate of subduing the Zoltan home world rests on our success" the head of the table declared

" Yes sir" Vrila replied
" Good. Now, on to other business"

" Were are we on the........"


########¥¥¥¥¥¥¥€

" So that slimming slippery smaug has finally made an appearance ?" asked the hooded figure who's holographic feature glitched from time to time due to the distance covered for this very call to be made possible.

" Yes my Lord Lucian, he has. What are my orders Sir?"
Lucian pondered for a while before issuing instructions to his man within the Zoltan camp
" Remain as an observer, do not intervene or interfere. If any other new changes, you contact me immediately"
" Yes my Lord Lucian" the man replied and cut the call.

¥¥¥¥¥^^^^¥^¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Anabelle having a hard time readjusting to her new old skin and new old environment. Everything felt foreign and strange to her. The air felt different, more lighter, the water tasted less denser, the atmosphere a bit heavier. Infact she felt like a stranger in her own skin, living in a strange environment. It had taken the combined effort of her sisters and niece to help her acclimatize and reintegrate back into living on earth

For the first few weeks after her return, she had panic attacks and night terrors with terrible episodes that brought Linda and Alva to tears. She had to work up her psychque to fight off her night terrors and stave off her panic attacks because she knew well that none could save her from them other than herself.

Next it was she reintegrating into the new rave that had suddenly overtaken the earth while she was away. She just kept been shocked at the new innovations that flooded the streets. From high speed cars that took up various funny shapes and sizes to handheld telephones that didn't need wires connections to work. They even had features that could help you see who you were talking to as though they were right there with you. Though the video feature was a common thing back on Zoltron, yet to see it on Earth made her marvel.

Her greatest cultural shock was the fashion. Gone were the dreaded parachute ball gowns, tight fitted corsets that drained your breath while smiled in silent suffering and shoes that barely fit you but you still force it on just to bend to society's wants. In its place were cloths that barely covered one body for both male and female in the name of swimming. Clothing itself had take a new esscentric turn for good or bad, that was fashion. Shoes that had more functionality than aesthetic. There were even more female working than in her time.

It seem society had moved on while she was still stuck in a loop that was why two years after her return she was not fully caught up to the twenty first century. Along the line she had taken up a job as a clerical assistant in an accounting firm to gradually ease her into social upheaval of the day. Since she had always been good with numbers and at a certain point in time, worked with one of the foremost bank in London, it came easy to her.

Forging her academic documents had been easy. A little magic here, a little Truth there, a white lie in the middle and a whole lot of convincing later, she was clocking in nine months in her current place of employment and it had really been an eye opener for her.

Today just like any other day, she had woken up excited for weekend to finally come, after all, it was Friday and she had promised herself to rock it till the sun went down on Sunday when all of a sudden she felt a foreboding come over her. She felt off put but she pushed it away as one of those " bad days" and readied herself for work. At work, the feeling didn't ease up, so she made a quick call to her family to ensure that they were okay. When she got a positive response, she proceeded to tell them about her foreboding and how tensed up she was earlier in the morning and how she currently felt. They calmed her down and Linda promised to check up on her in the evening when she was back from work since she also was in town and was already planning on paying her a visit. She thanked them and hung up.

After work, she went home straight and any earlier plans of rocking the weekend till the sun dropped was throw out the window. It wasn't as though she couldn't protect herself from any harm because woe betided the fool that chose to harass her but her self preservation instincts kicked in and spoke otherwise

Her phone and door bell rang at the same time. She wasn't expecting anyone except Linda and she was currently calling her on the phone. She thought Linda's impatience had gotten to her and decided to call her while ringing her up.

She picked up the call while simultaneously opening the door to startle her. She ended up starling herself when the person at the door was not Linda. Infact Linda was currently screaming her name through the phone to answer her. Arabelle remained silent, lips glued shut out of fear, excitement, anxiety, longing. She was currently in an emotional turmoil as male starred her back in the face. His currently wore his emotion on the face and it seemed to mirror her own turmoil

" Hello Bella" his greeted, his voice hadn't changed and it still did things to her that were not humanly possible - of course nothing about both of them was humanly possible.

She closed her eyes and steeled herself from the emotional turmoil that raged on within her. She open her eyes and smiled, a tentative one, not genuinity in it and greeted back

" Hello Fez"

Chapter 20


Lagos, Nigeria

" Kene!! " A voice called. He stirred from his sleep
" Kene!!" The voice called louder. He stirred once again, the momentary haze of sleep clearing from his brain.
" Kenechukwu!!" The voice called out even louder...and sterner. He grumbled awake and pushed himself to sitting position clearing the remnant fog of sleep from his eyes
" Kenechukwu!!" His mother called out louder and this time he answer in a mix of grumble and groan dragging his answer to his mother's call to show that her disturbance was not appreciated

" Ma..........aaaaa"
His mother came into his room on his reply
" Were you sleeping" she asked faking concern for waking him up from sleep when him the re sense she was telling him that he had had enough nap for the afternoon.
Kene look at his mother and her stupid question and answered within his mind " no I was playing guitar and singing hallelujah" but as a good boy that was taught to respect his parents his replied out loud.
" No ma, I no fit sleep. Sun too hot, I just dey roll for bed"

" Abeg I take God name beg come go market for me. I just discover say nothing dey house for weekend to cook soup and stew." She informed her son who was not too happy about his new torture his mother was about to inflicted on him.
" Under this hot Sun. Ha! Mummy ooo I no gree at. " He argued back

" I didn't say go now. Sha just come collect money and list of things you wan buy for me for market." She said and exited the room. Kene grimbled more but stood up and entered the bathroom connected to his room, eased himself, washed his face to have a brighter demeanor, changed his clothes to one that befitted his dash to the market then exited his room to go meet his mother in the sitting room.

When he drew closer to her, she handed over the list to him to scrutinize. When he saw what was on the list along with the amount placed for transportation, he look at his mother then back at the list then back at his mother.
" Mummy ooo, were you expecting me to trek back home or fly banana in broad daylight!? Haba how can you put only five hundred naira for transport.
" And for heavens sake, garri is four fifty not three fifty" Kene frowned more as he saw some prices of things his mother wrote on the list.
"Wait mummy, what is your budget for this things" he asked 00
" Six thousand naira" she replied she always somehow love the way they bickered of prices of things when she had to send him to the market. It was amazing how time flew and he was about to leave her and go to the university. Her last born was all grown up and couldn't but dread the coming days that would see the house empty of his presence while he was at school learning
" Mummy oya give me the list let us redo it. I am not ready to dorne on the spirit of Israelite and trek ile-epo road for six hours in with load."that earned him a hearty laugh from mother while they both reworked on the list

Kene was standing on the road two hours later waiting to board a Keke napape going to the market. While he stood waiting for the next vehicle to come his thoughts carried him elsewhere. To possibilities of him studying abroad if his father was still alive. Of what live would have looked like if he was finally grown enough to also partake in caring for their mother. To him, he felt like a burden to his brother and sister who also had families to care for as he naturally hated being depent on others.

He mind was still reeling In what-ifs that he didn't take cognisance of a convoy of three tinted SUV's that drove past him in slow drive neither did he bother to see that the three cars stopped abruptly in the middle of the road 'cos at that moment, the vehicle he was waiting for came and he boarded it with other passengers and it zoomed off.

Mark and Kath were too engrossed in an argument that was currently driving Phantom crazy
" Are you sure this the right coordinate ?" Kath asked again for the hundredth time earning her her an eye roll from Phantom and a snort from Mark
" Of course this is the right coordinate it's just that we don't were to start looking."

" Or who we're looking for" Phantom added
" Why did he have to chose such a neighborhood to grow in. It looks rough" Mark aired his thoughts out as he watched the area they drove past, assess the treat and danger level of the area in the case of trouble for he knew that the Aronzians were not far behind them.
Kath picked up on Mark's posture as he had entered warrior mode in assessment of their current environment
" Any word from the Aronzian camp of their movement, P?"
" Yes. They arrived the country yesterday. But lost them in traffic. It seems they are pigging back on us. How? I don't know. But I strongly suspect insider information. They are Waiting for us to find him so that.......-" he shook his head to get the thought off. "- let's just find him quickly. The quickest we do that they fastest we can get out of here without any confrontation" he informed Kath then took a deep breath and asked the question that had been bothering him for a while since he heard the news of Chakre been found

" Do you think he would remember me and my not so pleasant actions against him" the car slowed down to snail pace as they branched into a deah road. So did the other two cars behind them.

" P, you and I have done unquestionable things to Chakre that I knowif it were to be one of us we would never be forgiven. So I don't expect forgiveness from him. As a matter of fact, I expect aggression and hatred a hundred folds over towards me as rightly deserved and you should expect the same. I just hope that he can look past us and our many blunders and help Zoltron "

They were so engrossed in their discussion that they failed to notice the youth that walked past their vehicle neither did they take note of the medallions softly glowing in it's case. It was only after the light started fading that Kath noticed it and ordered

" P, stop the car" he drove to the side of the curb as not to disrupt traffic and parked quickly though haphazardly. Kath quick got out of the car followed by Mark and Phantom. The other two cars emptied of it occupants and they stood by their cars waiting further instructions from their principal.

Kath held the case holder of the medallion in her hand and watched as the light deem to nothing. She looked to her left and then to her right frantically in hopes of catching a glimpse of anyone that stood out as a possible Chakre reincarnate.

There was none as the street was busy with passers by and street hawkers displaying their wares in tight fitting lock up stalls. The only attention been drawn was to themselves as they stood out like a sore thumb with their fancy clothes and expensive jewelry.
Kath was visibly frustrated at their failed attempt to locate Chakre

" He was here in Mark. He was bloody here. He bloody fucking was here and we lost him again. Does that make me a bad person. Did I fail him again. I can't believe this. He was ....... " Her words died in her mouth as she was pressed into a hard chest. And a strong arm wrapped round her as she cried. Mark hugged her tight as she cried, in the open, her tears stained his dress but he ignored it and just held her tight as she kept crying. He of all people new how hard it was for her to lose Chakre back on Zoltron but she hid it very expertly behind anger and disdain for the entire ruling house. But to see her, the strong, ruthless, nonsense iron lady, break down in tears. He promised himself there and then that he would rewrite the wrongs of the past against Chakre even if it was the last thing he did.

He directed her back into the car and they zoomed off back to their hotel. He instructed Phantom to come back later and scope the area. He was to set up camp in the vicinity and finding Chakre was his top most priority.
One thing was certain, If they lost him again, he was sure the Fates would not be giving them a third chance

This is getting more interesting but it seems the aronzians and zoltans are been confused in the write up.

ashatoda:
This is getting more interesting but it seems the aronzians and zoltans are been confused in the write up.

Please qoute the paragraph that confuses you. If it's a mistake on my part I would correct, if it's my use their adjectives I will be willing to explain

well done @Emempaul,nice update and I guess the adventure is about to start,
but for this your long absence is killing the mood of the story,I know you're tied up with other things, but please don't let it take this long again,

More inspiration to your mind,and keeps up the good work

dawno2008:
well done @Emempaul,nice update and I guess the adventure is about to start,
but for this your long absence is killing the mood of the story,I know you're tied up with other things, but please don't let it take this long again,

More inspiration to your mind,and keeps up the good work

Hello fans

Sorry about that. Were my farm is located is close to the border so most times I have no network for day even weeks when In the farm. So most of my posting is done when I am back to civilization. So please bare with me.

Chapter 21


One week, five near meeting, two tantrum and ten near confrontations with Aronzians later, Kene couldn't help but feel like he was been followed or watched coupled with the fact that the nightmares had intensified didn't help his case

He strode down the street hoping to purchase a WAEC scratch card from a popular business center in the area. He had hoped to check his examination grades, a pleasant distraction from his current restless mind. He was in no way, a dull mind in his academic but the nervous excitement and uncertainty in knowing how one performed in ones regional exams push all the nerves and anxiety to the forefront. As those grades determined if the choice of course In which one chose to pursue was were in tandem. He still felt like he was being watched and constantly looked over his shoulder as if to see if anyone was indeed following or watching him.

" Get a grip of yourself Kene" he chided himself. What could he possibly have that would get people on his case.

Just as he was about to walk into the business center, he bumped into someone and raised his face to utter an apology but stood frozen in his spot. It could not be possible. Could it? For some seconds his breath failed him as he struggled to get a grip of himself.

After was felt like eons but probably seconds of awkwardly gawking at the fellow he bumped into, he muttered an profound apology and entered the shop, got what he wanted and left again
Phantom couldn't get the image of the boy he bumped into out of his head. The way he looked at him with fear rubbed wrongly on him. Yes people feared him as the aura he depicted in the kind of business they ran warranted him to do so, yet here he was, not projecting yet the young teen still feared him as though he was. It didn't fell right and wanted to assure the lad that he didn't do anything wrong.

He watched the teen carefully as the boy was all nerves when he purchased a card and paid for it. For the few seconds he starred at the boy, the striking feature were his eyes, not its color 'cos there were nothing spectacular about brown eyes. But it was the way those eyes spoke volume without voicing a word. It spoke innocence yet unhinged anger that was caged. It reminded him of someone he'd wish he'd the power to turn back the hands of time and rewrite his wrongs
Those eyes reminded him of ........ Chakre
..... Chakre
His eyes widened at his realization. He had just turned his back on the teen when it occurred to him and quickly turned back to see the boy exit the shop hurriedly. It seemed the initial incident had spooked the young lad and it had made him in uncomfortable.

Phantom hurried after the boy abandoning what business he had initially come to transact. His intuition were screaming at him to grab hold of the boy hug him and protect him from every evil the the world three his way. His mind was thinking possibilities. While his brain was plotting tactics onhow best to brooch the matter. He aligned his thoughts to one until he came up with a definite course of action, first he needed to confirm his suspicions

The young teen was about to cross the road when Phantom seized the opportunity and called out after him
" Hali-chak!"
The teen frozen in his steps and looked back cautiously but not fully. That was enough to confirm his suspicions. He hightailed it the moment he saw the opportunity to scramble away from the stranger. But Phantom was wiser and instead of following him physically, whispered an enchantment that secretly followed him while he, Phantom, walked calmly to were he parked his SUV, unlocked it, entered and closed it back. He closed his eyes, cleared his mind of everything and linked up his mind to his bird view enchantment.

Since the enchantment was person specific, he pictured the image of the young teen and immediately, his was transported to see a figure walking swiftly through connecting lanes, street and closely attached buildings

The young teen had been smart to avoid his home for quite a while until he felt it safe and he was not being followed. He had to give it to the kid, he surely wouldn't have been able to keep up with the boy's Swift but calmly maneuvering and meandering through Appian ways and in-between buildings to shake off his tail. He definitely would have a career undercover police work.
The young teen, after about an hour of rigmaroling through crowed houses finally returned home, earning Phantom a smile. He zoomed his enchantment in on the teen who was resting his body on the gate wary from the adrenaline rush. He was repeating words lowly to himself which Phantom could easily make out to be
" It can't be. It's impossible. This can't be happening. It's not real. It's just a dream" the last part got Phantom to smile. It was all the confirmation he needed as he immediately recalled his bird eye enchantment whispered some word to cause it to dissipate.
He picked up his phone placed a call. He knew that the people on the other side of the phone call were eager to hear from him. Mark picked up on the third ring
"Give me good news P." The grumpy voice of Mark ordered
" Good afternoon P. How was your day. Oh it was fine thank you. And yours" Phantom sassed which earned him a grumble
" Oh Cut the crap P- "
" I found him" Phantom cut Mark off. There was silence on the other end for a bit, Mark probably stunned the news. The a reply came but not from Mark but from Kath.
" Is it true? You found him?" A despirate edge to her voice
" Yes Kath, I can confirm that."
" We are on our way." She replied.
" No Kath don't, I am coming back. We need to plan our approach so as not to spook the poor kid more than he alreadyhis." He advised to which she grudgingly accepted. After a few more seconds of conversation with Mark, he hung up and started his car. He destination was the hotel they were using as a base in a city call Ikeja.
Now that they had a leverage of Chakre's identity, it was time to swing into action without delay. This was definitely going to be a rough but fun extraction. He smiled because he knew he was up for the challenge.

Back at the hotel Kath was pacing the floor as Phantom gave them a run down of events that made Him believe he had found Chakre.
" So what are we waiting for ?" Asked an inpatient Kath
" Well I don't know. We can't just walk up to him and his family and say hey kid you're a reincarnation of our brother Chakre who is made for great thing so come with us if you want to live. That would make a good first impression don't you think. And from what P explained, it seems his getting glimpse of his past life what's to say he isn't getting a Chunk of all the good stuff he went through." Kevan explained with a bit sarcasm. That got the remaining males in the room somber up. Kevan had meant for his words to have the said effect on them. It was no news that he and his eldest cousin have not been on the best of terms since the evacuation those many years ago back on Zoltron. It had only been recently when Kath had acted like a mediator between both of them that the frost had somewhat thawed to be able to tolerate each other. Did they just think years and years of verbal and emotional insults and abuse would be forgiven by Chakre because they came to his rescue. If they thought so then they truely didn't know Chakre well enough and they were in for a very very rude shock.
Secondly, they were also getting cocky and arrogant and he needed them to have a reality check that extracting the teen might not be as easy as they thought but then again Chakre was full of surprises so let see how this new version faired

" Actually, we will be going through the front door and explain who we really are to him and what he means to us, Kevan. We are going to make him understand the benefits of coming with us and the demerits of him staying behind. That, not being an option. We are going to ensure he come with us with or without his consent. If what P says is true then there's no need hiding anything from him. He also needs to understand that the moment we did set our radar on him, so did the enemy and the life as he knew it, ended that very moment. I fear that we just about turned his life upsidedown and inside out for god and for bad. But it's either that or we return empty handed and gamble our lives to the hands of the Fates, a gamble I am in no way ready to make." Kath spoke fiercely with a final resolve and her resolve was not going to be shakened in getting him into safety and safely in her arms again, call her selfish but she would defy all for her family's safety.
" Let's not forget the Aronzians. They were fishing extremely close for comfort. Their spies were spotted five streets from Chakre's home. It's only a matter of time before they connect the dots and find him. With the rate at which they are progressing nearer to find Chakre, I wouldn't put it past them that they had an oracle or two tag along with them, which also means our time frame for extraction just dwindled to less than twenty four hours guys. Whatever the plan is, we only have till mid day tomorrow to finish this and get the Bleep out of here." It was Kevan that sounded the warning to them to also factor in the Aronzians.
" Shit. We almost forgot about them.
Kev, prepare modalities for extraction that includes his mother, and elder siblings along with their families. We don't need anyone that can be used against him left behind.

P, I need you to work with Simmons in getting a map out of the area. All possible nooks and crannies, points and loop holes in our route that can serve as a weak point or blind spots to take us out or weaken our defense. They Simmons that the map out should also cover both air and water. Also, push all previous predetermined routes that had been setup prior to an hour ago, off the table. If what Kevan say is right then it can be assumed that they already know our get away route.

He should find multiple routes out of the area safely and keep it revolving in his mind but nothing concrete should seed his mind. Let him know that oracles just entered the playing field so that he can take precautions to guard his mind also." He turned to Kath and asked,

" What time is it "

"11:32am. Why did you ask?" She queried her brother, slightly confused as to why he asked her for the time. He smirked at her confused state then asked

" What's the best way to confuse an all seeing Oracle?" Still confused as to why she was asked such a stupid question seeing that was one of the basic training all ruling houses trained their younglings on, she answered

" To act at random, running your thoughts on pure instinct, while your heart truly formulates a plan on the go. Why do you.... Oh" then she broke out a huge grin when she grasped what he was pointing out at.

" Well why didn't you say so" she said turning Phantom and Kevan who were still confused at Mark's word. She rolled her eyes and proceeded to pick her purse while walking to the door. She paused to look at Phantom

"It means, you P, will be leading us to were Chakre stays. So come on. Chop chop. We haven't got all day."

Phantom grumbled under his breath as he picked the car keys and walked past Kath to go out. Mark paused to give Kevan further instructions as he would not be following them then followed Kath out the door.

hmmm it's about to start, Weldon @emempaul ,keep it coming

Chapter 22

Kene was seriously fumbling with his phone on whether or not to check his just national examination board grades. After the events of earlier in the day, his nerves had gone haywire. He couldn't believe that one of the subjects of his nightmares and sleepless nights was actually an actual person in real live and he was also addressed by the said person by a name he also heard in his nightmares, confirming his month long argument with himself that what he was living through in his nightmares were in fact memories. Memories of the one called Hali-chak.

And that man called him Hali-chak

And he responded to the name as though it was he that was been called.

'cos deep down his subconsciousness, he knew that that was his name

He shook his head to clear his thoughts as he denied the summation of his subconsciousness. It was clearly impossible.

"Yet the events of the day said otherwise" his subconsciousness argued back.

He shook his head again. He was not going to go crazy. He was not going to lose his mind to impossiblities. He had his whole life to live. A normal life of ASSU strike he was bound to face in the university when he got his admission, girl problems, boring lectures, nagging but doting mother, siblings rivalry, that kind of life. Not one pegged to chaos and destruction, conniving and scheming bastards, bullies and fake allies, death and gore.

No way that wasn't a life for him. There must have been a strong reason for him to have fled that life. And must have possibly died while trying to, which meant that they were talking reincarnation. Another impossiblity.
" Yet here you stand, a living proof" his subconsciousness reared up again
" Ahaa!!! I said shut up" Kene scream at himself and immediately picked up his phone and busied himself with finally checking his examination grades that would see him start a new life as an undergraduate.

He was in no way a dull boy but something about checking your grades always made one nervous. He scratched the security foil off the card and inputed the pin on the scratch card into the box allotted for it and waited for the page to load. After some seconds of waiting, the page opened, revealing his grades.
What he saw caused him to jump up in celebration. He had enough B's and C's that would enable him proceed to the next stage of applying for admission. He was still in a joyous mode when he heard the gate being banged on. In his excitement, he rushed out of the house to open the gate without asking who it was that was at the gate as he thought it to be his mother. He hurriedly opened the gate his smile still on his face but when he saw who the occupiers of his front gate were, his happy demeanor slowly fell and a frown marred his face.

He couldn't believe who his eyes were seeing. His stomach churned and felt like he was going to throw up. His face paled at the sight of those standing before him.
His subconsciousness was mocking
" And yet, here they stand in, in flesh and blood also. Now, do you believe?"
" Good day kid, can we come in?" Asked the male he had seen earlier in the day. He nodded his head not know if he was answering his subconsciousness or the strangers and made way for them to enter. He closed the gate behind them and turned to see them assessing the entire compound. If he wasn't so much in panic and conflict with his brains, self preservation would have first let him interrogate them before letting them in but right now, his self preservation were none existent. Along with the fact that deep down, his subconscious mind told him he could trust them. Their attention turn back to him when they seem satisfied of whatever they were looking for. He still rested his back to the gate assessing them assess him.
" Not up to your taste and approval?" He asked a snarl hidden in his statement.
" Why quite on the contrary kiddo. I find it quite normal that you would chose such. And I don't mean it in a mocking way. Please pardon my manners and allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Kathrine Alexander,
"Katriva"
That guy over there is my twin, Mark Alexander-" he smiled warmly at him
"Makrona"
The crazy idiot by my side is our cousin, Phantom" he also smiled kindly
"Phasaul"
Yet Kene did not buy any of the warmth they were exuding
" I am sure you are wondering wh- "
" I know why you are here, Makrona" he rudely cut off the guy known as Mark . " You all have no right, none so ever to intrude on what peaceful existence I had created for myself in this world. " Mark noticed that the voice of the boy was a few octaves deeper than normal. His facial appearance had gone darker with unhinged anger. And for him to address him by his azulian name..... This wasn't the boy speaking, it was Chakre speaking so he switched to azulian to test his theory
" I am not worthy blood of my blood to ask forgiveness for my transgressions but I beg you reconsider and tamper anger with mercy" he went in his knees to plead his case before the boy but what he got was a cruel laugh and a response filled with bitterness
" A little too late for that now don't you think... Blood of my blood" he snarled back in perfect azulian. And immediately, his features returned to normal and continued to speak as though nothing just transpired

" - I sure am. Because dreams are meant to be dreams and not materialize into the reality standing before me. So yes, I sure am wondering" Kene noticed the tensed posture the three strangers, with one of them on his knees. He narrowed his eyes on the other male standing but he was looking everywhere but at Kene. He pushed the scene before him aside and turned to the female amongst them
" Please.... explain. Before I convince myself that I am now schizophrenic and am seeing things that are not there. Before I take a trip to Yaba left and commit myself to the madman hospital." Kene implored because even he , couldn't explain this current situation. It was the lady- Kath- as she had called herself that spoke this time around, stepping closer to the teen just as the kneeling stood on his feet

" Kiddo, I would love nothing more than to tell you about us, you and what you mean to us but right now we are time constrained to get out here and get you to safety" Kath tried to sooth the conscious teen who still didn't seem to believe her

" Lady, first off, my name is Kenechukwu, or Kene or Ken for short not kiddo, not kid not child. I will be addressed as my age and name demands. Secondly, you don't just waltz into somebody's compound ,demand to be heard then decide to change his living arrangements against that person will, it doesn't work that way. You ask politely and then wait for replying. If it's positive, then you can spill whatever Grammer you fell like spilling to your hearts fill, if it's negative then you turn back and go the way you came" Kene said dramatising his annoyance with furious hand movements.
Thirdly, I was very safe before you came and messed up my life, tucked in blissfully in ignorance. So whatever danger came long, means it followed you here making my safe haven unsafe for me and my family. So pardon me if I don't feel really feel secure around you three. So you have no right to demand anything from. Now get out of my house before i scream to the high heavens and alert the entire neighborhood that you are killing me" Kene ended his triad, impressed with himself that he wasn't out of breath. But fear was already sipping into his bones as the reality of his current situation dawned on him. If what they said was truth, according to his dreams cum memories, their archenemy were known as Aronzians, a brutal race of aliens humanoids who were more militarized than them. From the bots and pieces he picked from his dreams cum memories, he was also a pain in their behind, which meant that their coming here was not to sing praises and worship. His mind began mulling possible scenarios on how to get his family to safety and began taking stock of their location at that particular point in time. His mother was still in the the shop, probably in the thick of haggling, his brother and wife were still at work while their kids, still in school. The trouble was his sister and her husband, the business sometimes took them to clients home for home service as they retained quite a few money bags in their catering business. Their children were also likely in school.
So inventory done, how did he get them out to run or he himself run without dragging them along or drawing danger to them as he would never forgive himself if anything happened to any of them.

He look to his side to see that the people he had ordered out hadn't moved an inch from their previous position.
" If I remember Chakre well enough, I would say the looks in yours eyes are already plotting possible truths and lies, fails and outcomes of the fallout of our meeting in respect to the safety of your family. So we'll help you out. Give us the names, phone numbers and possible location to of your family and we'll pick them up and take them along with you. But I must warn, the moment we get back to the States, they can't be seen with you as it puts them at increased risks of harm from our enemies. They will be resettled and taken care of." The lady said trying to reassure him

" I don't do trust you lady, neither of you for that matter. What's to say you wouldn't go back on your words the moment I go with you three. I find myself too trusting of you for my own sanity to even trust my own decision I need assurance Miss." Kene argued back, he wasn't going to back down unless he had an assurance of no back stabbing from their own end.

Kath never thought she would have to wit it out with seventeen probably eighteen year old boy, but this boy Kene, just seem to know how to bargain his way out of a tight fix when he knew the opponent had the upper hand. She looked to Mark and Phantom who was relatively quiet for help but both declined to interfere with shrugs and head shakes in the negatives. She turned back to Kene who had a look that said he wasn't bulging on his resolve unless he had what he wanted. She took a deep breath before doing what she knew she must

" My word my oath, my oath my bond. My bond my soul. You have my word, we shall never betray you Kene." A deem light lit up their skins and the two men seem to grimace while the last stood stoic, a sign that it was atleast painful then the light dispersed just as it came. Because she wore a short sleeve blouse, she showed off the tattoo to Kene to which he craned his neck to look

" We are taught from a little age never to give oaths out so easily and if possible find a way round it because it can be a way of chaining us to servitude for the rest of our lives. You young man, have succeeded in giving us our very first tattoo of Oath of Service. Now you have your assurance, please do as we say so that you can get all your family to safety." She instructed
" Well lady, that brings us to the fourth problem, convincing my family. I wish you good luck doing that" and walked into the house
*You are free to enter if you like" he called out from inside the house. Mark walked closed to her and whispered to her side

" The Velder Oath, really Kath. A heads up would have sufficed you know." And walked passed her to enter the house. Phantom didn't say anything but his face showed he disapproved of she joining him in the oath she initiated. And walked passed her to also enter the house.
Did she really give a rat ass of their brooding? Naa. And she too enter the house

#############№№########
"Commander Guraka Sir, news just reaching us from the area marked B quadrant says the oracles on their team are seeing conflict visions. All previous predetermined plans have been scrambled and visions of new plans keep emerging each minute, sir." The man in grey t-shirt and military combat attire report to his boss.
Eyes darted back to the map, searching for the area labeled B quadrant and looked back to his subordinate and inquired

' Has there been any reports of strange activities of the zolts in that axis?"
" Yes sir. Some minutes ago, it was reported that the entrance to a particular street was condoned off on both exits by the security personnel of the royal family.

" And when was this news supposed to be reported to me? After they left?!" an irked Guraka bellowed as he glared murderously at the young lieutenant

" Sorry sir." The lieutenant was visibly shaking, fearing for his life as it was a know fact that commander Guraka breezed through lieutenants like dirty underwear. Guraka saw this and hissed his distaste at the shiveling male in front of him. It was true that he had no patience for redundant assistants and didn't waste time to do away with them but to seeing the young promising lieutenant shaking over mere shouting, it meant he needed to work on his attitude. His unbridled anger didn't get him this far in the king's elite table and if news of his untamed anger reached their home world, he was done for.
So he cleared his throat and leveled his voice to a neutral tone when he spoke again

" Do we have eyes on the street? SAT or drone coverage?" He asked

" No sir, the area has a blanket shielding over it and drone flight is automatically disabled sir. We think that is were they are royal family are meeting with the prince." The lieutenant said, still careful round his boss.
" It's just to easy. And anything with the zolts is never easy. It's a decoy. Tell the men in B quadrant to inform their oracles to expand their search to the minds of random individuals and filter their mind eyes on not more than an hour ago. Anything that stands out should be reported to me yesterday. Is that understood"
" Yes sir commander."
" Now get out of my sight"
The lieutenant scurried off, tail tucked behind his leg. Guraka smirked at the lousy fool of a lieutenant. How he got to his position, only hell hounds of damnation knew. Probably a snobbish son of a noble that had everything done for him.

He turned his eyes back to the map and smiled at the circled portion very soon, he would have the bastard prince, their savior, in his grasp and Zoltron would bow to him or he would crush them to nothing. He smiled as he mulled over his already working plan to overthrow their old and senile King and his brat of an heir. But first things first as he brought his mind to the present

&&&&&----&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Two hours of annoyance, frustration and intense bickering between Kene and his siblings, between he and his mother and finally between he and three of them later, there seemed to be no head way in successfully extract the family. It first it was the man they had sent to find his mother shop. He kept missing his way round Oshodi market and spent an hour and half to find his mother's shop since he was not allowed to leave his home due to security reasons. The guy found Kene's mother's shop located in a very hidden shop lane in market. It would have saved them the stress if they had just allowed him talk to his mother before the guy got there. But insisted that their man get there before he made the call so that she wouldn't bail on them and inform the police thereby drawing attention to them and also giving the Aronzians, a window of opportunity to wreck disaster on them.
When he finally found the stout woman who was currently answering a customer, he kindly stated his name and his mission as not to alarm her to think something had happened to her son. He then handed a phone to Kene's mother.

A frustrated Kene was pacing the room with the phone to his left as he listened to his mother tell him that there was no one after him. That he had watched to many Oyinbo films ti the extent that it was now affecting him mentally ill Kene was known to patient and enduring. Never to speak harshly to his elders, worst of, hismother, but this occasion, his mother was driving his patience to the brink. Just tethering on the edge

" Mommy o, I just told you that very bad people are after me. That the man standing in front of you will take you to safety. Brother Ugo and Sister Nkiruka have already packing up to leave. It's just you left"

" And they are very stupid. Infact what kind of stupid children do I have. Do they know who these people are that they are putting my grandchildren at risk with strangers they don't know. Instead of you to be reading your books and prepare for your admission, you are shouting very bad people are after you up and down. Bad people kor good people ni. Abi you done go join all those children cult cause casala, come wan put am for my head. Let them come, I dey gidi gbam for them, they will know who Mama Ugo is. I no go anywhere
Kenechukwu, if you know whats good for you, the same mouth you use take tell Ugo and Nkiruka say bad people dey porshu you ,use am take tell them say make them bring my children come give me for house before I look you two times. Nonsense" Mama Ugo hissed and cut the call and handed the phone back to the man none too carefully.

The young man just stared at the woman dumbfounded.from the little his was able to Garner from the discussion with her son, as they spoke in vurgular english, she didn't believe him in and even went as far as descrediting him. If only he had permission, he would have slapped some sense into the woman's head.
This woman was frustratingly annoying' thought Kath as he watch Kene put the phone on his forehead hoping to calm his nerves. His eyes closed shut. It was taking everything in his will power not to fling the phone to the wall as he tightly griped the phone. He took deep breaths to calm down his anger. When he was sure that he was calm enough to think rationally, his mind played out all possible scenarios should his mother stay- of which he knew she had already made up her mind. Mama Ugo was a tough nut when it came to trust issues as she hadly trusted anyone, even her children. Now add that to the fact that when she made up her mind over something, she became an immovable mountain. But this character of hers was going to get her kill and the blame would be heaped on him that he, Kene, brought death and destruction to their family. He didn't even want to think of what they would do her if they caught her or any of his family for that matter.

He never thought he would be force to a position making at such a young age, worse off was it being a life and death one. It brought back strange memories of the one they claimed to be him before this current body he possessed. He too was forced to the decision making table as a youngling when his brother was yet gallivanting around and was yet to know the ropes of royal politics. Often times seen with his father, the King to as they talked politics, shared opinion on pressing issues bordering on the wellbeing of Zoltron...... He quickly shook his head to clear it from pit of thought he was digging into. He was here, he was present, and he needed to make a decision now

It was bad enough that this three idiots standing, and sitting in his parlour came and caused an upheaval to his life, bringing along with their enemies to be his enemies but to cause him to choose sides..... He was going to have the last laugh in this, no matter what.

It was very wise of them to stay quiet while he set his thoughts in line else he would have lashed out on them for the predicament they had forced on him. From the corner of his vision, He had seen the lady called Kath wanting to say something but was stopped by the male known as Phantom with the shake of his head. She saw this and wisely kept shut

He unlocked his phone again and redailed the number it rang once before the person on the other side picked the call. He didn't wait for pleasantries, he just went straight e ordered

" Give her the phone" the young man handed the phone back to his mother and she greeted not too pleasantly in with his full name

" Kenechukwu" as sign of displeasure in her tone

" Mommy please listen to me and don't hang up" he implored but with a firm tone. Mark heard this and he sure as hell knew the rest heard it. Nothing good ever came from that tone.

" I dey hear you oga"

" Bad people are coming for me, very "wicked" and "bad" people. Who will torture you, mutilate you, and not minding your age, defile you in more ways than one, "just" to get to me. They will dangle you " literally" as a " bait" just to get to me. Because they will know that I " love you" enough not to let anything happen to you.

You refusing to go with that man put you in harm's way. Put Ugo, Nkiruka, and all your grandchildren at harm's ways. And ultimately, me. Will you willing do that to them? To us? To me? Put us all in harm's way willfully? ' cos if you still remain adamant on staying then I will have no option, though painful and heart wrenching because of the rift I already foresee between me and Ugo and Nkiruka, than to leave without you. But your blood will be on your head and your head only because you were warned." He cut the call on her and out of anger that was tethering on madness flung the phone the nearest wall missing Phantom by the inches and screamed in agony of the decision he just made.

His hands shaking as sobs wracked his body but he kept it within him and walked out of them to his room to go pack. He wouldn't willingly let them see his tears again.

It was in the security of his room that he finally let it out scattering and throwing everything that he came in contact with, unleashing his anger and frustration on his room. When he was through with his little tantrum, he went into his wardrobe and began stuffing his little vitals of clothing and necessities into a duffel bag he had bought only just recent from his savings. He dressed into comfortable wears and got ready he didn't even bat an eye to his room a second glance when grabbed his bag and left the room not knowing when he would return to it.

When he got to the sitting room, he met them speaking lowly but heatedly amongst themselves but he ignored them and walked right to them. He wasn't going to hide his anger at them but for now, he was going to be civil as his mind allowed him to be.

" How are you going to get me and my family out of the country seeing that we didn't have passport at hand, stamped with visas.?" He asked, geniuely curious to know how they intended to get him passed immigration at the airport.

" Let's worry about that. For now we need to get you out as our priority. I wouldn't lie to you the current situation we are in makes it less than ideal for moving considering your conversation with your mother but I promise, we will do everything in our power to get her out securely" Kath tried to placard Kene with her words hoping to make him understand that they would never be that heartless as to separate family from one another. He was about to reply her when Phantom's phone rang interrupting them.
He picked the called and everyone waited with baited breath to hear what the call was about. After a few more seconds of tense silence, Phantom heaved and cut the call

" We have good news and pretty bad news which do you want to hear first" he declared looking at Kene, hoping to pique his interest after all the good news concerned him. Kath answered.

" Phantom spit it out"

" Very bad news it is. We've been made and need to get out of here like last year. It's going to be a hard ride getting to the airport but with the Aronzians even that is no guarantee that they would have a drone shadowing us to bring it down. I had thought of this before I left Germany and had told Simmons to have three planes in the fleet arrive after me like decoys.

The plan is to make them believe that we are leaving through the nation's airport but not we will be leaving through the neighboring country's airport"

" My family?"

" Already wheels up. They are safe. As of right now only five people know your identity. We'd love to keep it that way until we get out of here." P explained which earned him a nod in appreciation from Kene.

" Which brings us to the good news but we need to be in the car and moving before our window of opportunity close to leave undetected closes."

They quickly rushed out of the house telling Kene that people would be sent to secure the safety and integrity of the house. They walk briskly towards the nearby corner were their car was waiting for them.They had barely gotten into the car when a loud explosion was heard. Kene quickly turned back to see his parents house on fire. Shock and dread filled him as he watch the house he had made a lot of memories be engulfed in high flames

" Go" ordered Mark. That was all the encouragement Phantom needed for the car to lurch forward, burned rubber and raise dust as they raced down the dirt and bumpy road

@@emempaul, I can't seem to get enough of this story,it's like one bad drug that refuses to leave the system.

good job bro,keep it coming

Chapter 23

The car race through the tarred road swerving through the light traffic like a mad man. while the rest seemed unconcerned of his driving, Kene's heart was in his throat as he saw the way P drove.

Rationally, he that he was trying to beat their pursuers who were yet to make themselves visible but who surely were hot on their trail but many time he nearly collided with other mad drivers like him. Or hadn't he heard? Lagos was the home to mad and crazy drivers, who would knowingly hit you and still claim right for hitting you; that is until they met a much more crazier or madder road user.

" Simmons! Status report." Bellowed Phantom

" I'm right here P, you don't need to shout" answered the voice on the other end of the speaker. Phantom had rerouted his call to the car's speaker to serve as a handsfree device.

" We need eyes on the road and possible alternate route out of the traffic I see ahead.

" You'd have to get off that road P. You are currently being shadowed by a predator drone. It was commandeered from one of the US bases in Africa. And before you ask me, I don't know which one.
Our people are trying to get down but it's hacked program is shrouded in encryption common the Aronzians and I don't do Aronzian tech. Kevan is currently working on it to gain full control, but just has the weapons on shut down.

Two armour plated Rangers are currently on your trail. And closing in on you on high speed. E.T. A , twenty minutes behind you guys. This might turn out to become a high speed race

" How did the bastards sneak up on us without us knowing. You are bloody supposed to be our eyes and ears Simmons.

" How am I fucking supposed to know that P. I am good, even go as far as say I am the best at what I do but I am not an omini-know-all. So don't fucking blame me P. However they knew, it was not through natural means." Simmons countered in anger which in turn made P throw an angry fit, and nearly lost control of the car. He parked beside the curb and screeched a halt to calm himself. Kene's heart leaped to his throat again while the other still remained calm.

Mark saw the situation and decided it was time for him to step into the matter before Phantom's let them experience an unfortunate accident that they couldn't afford to have right now.

" P, Sims, sheath your swords. P, drive. " He obeyed and started the car again and drove. He entered a random road and drove

"Sims, from now on all communications is with me. Starting with replotting route and getting those fools off our back. Secondly, if a predator drone is on our asses then we can't leave by air any longer as it isn't save. If they were able to hijack one, what's to say they don't more circling the skies

" What do you suggest sir?" Asked Simmons. He wasn't daft as he already knew were his boss was headed with this talk but he needed it to be said by him

"Teleportation, Sims"

" Sir if I may ask, wouldn't that be drawing more attention to us. As it is, we have too much attention directed our way with the EODEWS this will be stretching out luck too much "

" We don't have a choice Sims. "

" What about your brother sir? He hasn't been chipped yet with a transponder and we also don't know how it's going affect it human body"

" We know Simmons, let us worry about that. Just get the tunnel ready to receive us. We are coming in hot" interrupted Kath, who had been quiet all the while. She was getting very irritated with Simmons continued barraging of questions. It was a known fact that Kath was not very patient when it came to impromptu decisions. No sooner had she interrupted did Phantom shout

" Braze yourselves" their car was hit and sandwiched between two amoured Range Rovers with a third trailing behind them. There was no space to manuever behind them

" Simmons, I thought you said two Rangers, I'm counting three"

" The footage showed two, most likely the third joined up later from another location"

" O groovy" Phantom said just as he managed to wiggle himself out sandwich and shot a bit past them but the space he had gained was slowly eaten up again as they gained on him. He mentally calculated the distance of the third car and what he was about to do, weight the probabilities of succeeding and saw that it favoured him. He shouted again

" Hang on tight" and floored the gas pedal till the car was nearing it's threshold speed.

Here goes nothing' he thought to himself as the two Rangers back at his side again ready to sandwich him again. He pressed the break lightly so that the car didn't jerk and somersault forward before stepping on it hard and just as he also yanked the hand break hard. The side of their own vehicle tilted to the side ramming the Ranger on the left . Because of the speed of the Rangers in hot pursuit, they failed to take into cognisance that due to the size of their SUV, hard break would cause their SUV to tumble forward, just as Phantom had calculated it would.

The force of the Rangers kick to tumble, kicked the Mach Bach's tilt back on its four wheels, while the Ranger behind also fell for the same mistake and follow the fate of its brethren as it rammed into their mach Bach and tumbled over them thrice before coming to a halt. They were left with one Ranger that careened to a stop just beside the first accident

Phantom set the car in reverse and drove crazy for some seconds before doing a three sixty and drove against traffic. Lucky for them, the high way users had seen the commotion and parked safely at a distanced, fearing it was the perennial scorge of armed robbers that plaguued the road. So the road was somewhat free.

Phantom saw an exit to get onto his right lane and took it.

" Sims it's not like we are under pressure but that Pathway is needed anytime now" Mark said trying to let Sims understand the urgency of their need.

" Sir the pathway is on count down, two minutes and counting. The tunnel is also ready and medics are on standby. You need to get the prince preped for the jump, sir." Simmons reported

" Kath handle that" he ordered. Kath had just turned to explain to Kene what they want to do when a red faced, panic striken, hardly breathing Kene starring back at her

All the while when the action had been going on, Kene had sat quietly, not making a sound as fear had paralised him. He was shaking violently and had nearly wet his pants. What he witnessed was only done in the movies and everyone knew Hollywood was as computer and stunts. But to witness it life and live to tell the tale was a whole new ball game to him. He made a promise to himself never to be in a car driven by Phantom.
He felt three stings on his face before he realized he had zoned out of this reality and hidden in his thoughts

He felt the lady's lips move but couldn't hear what she was saying. She was also demonstrating with her hands but he didn't know what she was doing that for. By the time he felt the fourth and harder sting on his face, air rush back into his lungs as he gulped in air greedily

" That's it. Breathe. In. Out. In. Out."

" We have less than one minute. O, and a raptor on our asses" Mark informed

" Shut. It. Mark" she flung back at him and returned to calming Kene from his panic attack. When she was sure that he was calm enough, she proceeded to quick explain and also apologize. See this kind of action in real life must have really overwhelmed him with fear that his life hanged on a thin threaded balance.

" I'm sorry you had to witness that but that aside I need to implant a transponder in so that we can also be picked up when we teleport out of here. Is that okay with you?"

He nodded afraid to use voice so that he wouldn't sound scared but it seemed his eyes betrayed him

" It's alright. Breathe. Don't worry you're not going to die, so trust us"

No that he had any choice

" Katva less than thirty seconds. Put a kick to it" Mark informed trying to make her speed up the act faster

" This will sting a bit" she warned before She hurriedly but with steady hands, got out the chip, inserted it into the. and injected it into the side of the boy's neck. Kene's anxiety didn't let him feel the Sting of the injection
She was about to inform of her success when a voice boomed from speakers

" Left" to which Phantom obeyed and swerved left, hard,, throwing Kath to the door side and banging her head to its side glass, while the others jusled around due to their seatbelt being on. Seconds later, turrets of bullets rained down on the side of the road they'd just swerved from.

" Sims a fair warning would had been good" complained Kath and she looked to Kene to see how he was holding up

" Kene, are you okay"
He first nodded positive then thought better of it and shook his head in the negative.
" It's almost over"
" I hope so" Kene finally replied. The fear could virtually be heard in his voice
" Tunnel is ready to receive and the pathway opens in ten.... Nine.... Eight..... Oh shit. O shit. O shit. Evasive manuever! Evasive manuever, P!! You're locked on target" Simmons scream through the speaker and Phantom responded by zigzagging through traffic through traffic like the hounds of hell were after them, actually the projectile was named the hound as it homed in unto the local radio frequency of it's target.

" Get us out of here now, Simmons"
Phantom was now frantic

The drone released a Hound on its target not caring for the civilian casualties or damage to infrastructure. The projectile hissed its way through air the finding its target that seemed to be running from it. It was mere seconds from releasing it children and bringing hot death its target when it received an alternative radio signal that made it faulter, its rocket propellant burned off and it fell to the ground with a thud without exploding

" Thank me later. Whoever it is manning the controls of that seem to have a vendatta with you guys ' cos its just about ready fire another Hound at you again.....
Transponder Signals uploading..."

Another Hound was released. This time it didn't fail to unleash its children with fiery vengeance

" Hang on tight. It's going to be bumpy " shouted Mark. Light began shining everywhere. Bright white light engulfed the entire vehicle just as the first of the explosion rocked the side of the SUV. Another explosion hit some inches close to the boot of SUV, the force of the explosion pushed the car off balance. it was mid tumble when the white light engulfed it totally before it vanished leaving behind a trail of destruction.


@@@@##########@@####


The phone rang but it didn't get to ring a second time before it was answered.

" Speak" Guraka's authoritative male voice commanded

" It's done" the caller answered

Lord commander Guraka remained quiet, pondering next line of action as the news that reached him wasn't palatable enough to his ear. He needed to know if it worked. If taking out the Pathway had actually succeeded in killing the entire Royal family. He'd hoped so as burning one of his major eyes within the Zoltan camp was a price to steep to pay only to be greeted with failure.

" Clean up and, tie up all lose ends on your side, solider and return to Base for debriefing." The Guraka declared. It was time to fall back and restrategize.

" Yes sir Commander Guraka" replied the man on the other end and he cut the call.

Minutes later news for other sources filtered in. He didn't succeed. By a stroke of providence, a shield was activated over their vehicle and the explosion didn't harm them but prince reincarnate was currently hospitalised. Guraka sighed at his failure, but that didn't put his spirit down as he definitely was going to try again very soon. If taking out the Pathway didn't work, then an all out offensive was definitely going to be in the works. He needed ears inside the Zoltan camp and he knew just who to call. He pressed a button on the intercom and issued an order to the person listening on the other side
' Get me Bruno"

wow,what a ride, keep it flowing

Things are no getting into top gear. I followed the latest update like I was watching a movie. Thanks @Emempaul and waiting for more

Am addicted to this
@Emempaul,
When is the next update coming

@Emempaul hope you're good,missing your story like mad