Alrighty.
@hirumasena and @WhoSeeksShallFind snatched away my breathing and sleeping time by doing that deadly countdown.

Also, topper93 helped me in finishing and framing this chapter, so thanks a lot dude!

And lastly, a few awesome readers actually took the initiative to help me by asking a few questions that Nick should ask, so this one goes out to them too.

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Since this update is coming after almost 2 months, a little Recap is needed-

Colonel James, Major Louis, Major Wills, Major Nick and Jane came back from Prescott (Kadner)'s place.
Louis has got his next posting so he has gone back to HQ.

Nick is still angry at Wills, and because of that, they are not at talking terms. Colonel has promised them that he'll arrange a QnA session for Nick to clear all his doubts and return back to normal.

Uncle James lost a bet to Renee wherein both of them, along with Jane, are going to have a mini party at the bar.

That's it.
You are welcome for this update -

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Ren was waiting outside my room while I got ready.

No, we were not going to the bar. The plan got postponed for a few days because a meeting squeezed in.

And I couldn't understand why was I being called for this meeting.

I followed Ren to the main block of KMA. This block had all the important offices - Uncle's room, locker room, Nick's and other instructors' offices, conference hall, etc etc. But there was one room, in the corner of the block. I never walked till there, nor did I ever see it open.

Today, I followed Ren to that room. We entered, I took a few steps towards the center and was taken aback. It was not a room, it was an empty hall, scarily quiet. A chair with a table kept in the far corner of the room, meant for a single person to sit and speak.

On the sides there were two benches, which I assume were for the audience.

It was dimly lit. A light source hanging from the roof in the middle of the hall. The silence was scary, I felt like I could hear my heartbeats. It was nowhere pleasant.

But what surprised me the most was the wall behind me. Unlike other three, this one looked like it would fall off any moment- because it had hundreds of things hanging from it.

They were in rows from top to bottom - ropes, chains, canes, handcuffs, knives, and a lot other things that I had never seen.

I turned to look at Ren who was looking blankly at my shocked expression.
"What is this place? And what on earth are these things for?"

"This is the interrogation room of KMA." she said moving around with her arms open.

"And those things, are for interrogation." she said when she completed one full circle and pointed towards the wall.

I blinked for a few moments.
"And why are we here?" I was starting to get scared.

"Wills is getting interrogated tonight." she whispered.

What the freak?
"I want you to tell me everything, IN DETAIL, because I'm getting crazy now! This looks more like a torture room of movies! Why is Killer... Just tell me!"

She held my hand, took me to a bench, and had me settled there. Then she moved a few steps back and started off.

"You guessed it right. The purpose of this hall is exactly what you thought. There are a lot of secret missions which the HQ asks us to carry out. Since this is a training academy and no agents are officially posted here, this place was chosen to carry out the interrogation of all those people secretly who can't be tried at other official sites. This includes suspected traitors, prisoners of the missions, suspected enemy agents and everyone who the HQ thinks carries an information which might be of importance. The suspects are brought here, where they are tried in steps. The interrogation begins with direct question answers and goes on to use of these items if the information is not retrieved."

"And who carries out this interrogation?"

"Mostly an experienced senior officer is appointed by the HQ. But in cases of strong resistance or difficult subjects, Colonel James and his team of other senior officers are called. It rarely reaches that stage."

"Then why is Killer the subject today? And I'm sure none other than uncle is going to do the job. Will he be tortured too?"

I was worried about that ass now. He recently came back alive after undergoing such a trauma. Will he be made to go through it again? But why? What is the need?

"Don't worry Jane. It won't be that serious. He will just be asked a few questions, without any physical involvement."
I took a deep breath. Thank goodness.

"You scared me. I hope it all goes well." I tell her while I settle peacefully on my seat.
We waited patiently for a few minutes. Ren was walking across the hall with her hands behind her back.

Just then Nick entered - in his UCPs - covered in mud and dried leaves from neck to shoes. There was no doubt that he had been crawling for a good amount of time. His face looked dirty too.

He looked around, as if looking for someone.
"Dad?" he asked Ren.

"He hasn't come yet. Must be on his way."
"Thank god! I'll meet him outside then." Nick turned around and ran out.

Me and Ren exchanged looks.
"He should be in a clean uniform. And for changing, he needs Sir's permission."
That cleared my doubt as to why he ran away.

Next to enter was Killer. He was in a similar state as Nick.

As soon as his eyes met mine, he stopped in his path. "What the hell is she doing here?" he asked angrily, pointing his index finger towards me, leaving no doubt that he meant to be offensive.

"You want to decide who sits here and who does not?" Uncle entered right behind him, in a scary voice.

Killer moved to one side, stood in attention, letting him pass.

But instead of crossing him, he stood right in front of him. "Aren't you supposed to enter interrogation hall in clean uniform, officer?" he asked without looking into his eyes.

"I- I.. came to ask for your permission, sir."
Uncle looked at his watch and spoke "By arriving three minutes late, by entering the hall in dirty clothes, and by bothering who all are present here? Is that how you ask for a permission? Who taught you that?"

Killer stood quiet, with his eyes on the floor.

"Out!" uncle shouted and Killer was out of the hall in a moment.

My heart beats were touching sky.
"Permission to change uniform and report, sir."

I heard Killer's voice from outside.
"You have six minutes. Try not to dig your grave deeper. Off you go." Uncle said turning around.

Sound of his feet stamping and then running was heard.

"Are you ok? You look scared." uncle asked me.
"This place.. is scary..." I said the truth.

He laughed and stood leaning against the table.

"Major Nick reporting sir." Nick shouted loudly from outside.

Uncle looked at his watch, nodded to himself and replied "Enter."

He came in, saluted and stood in one corner.

We waited for the last person, and I was sure that six minutes got over long back.

"Major Wills reporting sir."

"I had given you six minutes to go and come back, not six minutes for each. Now go complete six rounds of the ground first. Off."
Uncle said without even looking at the door. He took off to pay for the extra time.

Major Killer you need to stop inviting troubles. Uncle doesn't look in a good mood, and the night has just started.

We were all sitting quietly except Nick who was standing in attention in the middle of the hall.

"Major Wills reporting sir!" a loud breathless voice came from outside.

"Come in."

He came in, saluted and stood next to Nick, while uncle went and sat on the chair.

Ren kept standing till he finally sat down.

"I hope both of you know which of your mistakes should not be repeated ever again."

"They won't be repeated sir." a synced answer was heard.

"They better not."
That was scary. Uncle in that tone with that expression on his face is intimidating.

"Nick, don't you dare think that you have paid near enough for touching my confidants. But right now, you have my clearance. Wills, however, has a long way to go. And your trial today will decide how worse it will get for him."
I looked at Killer who was again looking at the ground. I think he is going to face firing from all sides.

With this, uncle stood and motioned Nick to go and sit on the chair.

He went and stood behind it instead of sitting on it. And on this side, uncle came and stood right next to Killer, at ease.

"He will answer most of the questions. But I know there are a few, which only I have answers to. You have the right to ask anyone anything. You may begin."

He turned a little to Killer and said "You do not speak till you are asked something. And you will answer whatever you are asked. Clear?"
"Yes sir."

Uncle then nodded and gave Nick the green signal.

"Why was I not informed about the mission?"
Nick asked in a straight tone.

Uncle chuckled a little "Good. Get the angry ones out first."

Killer took from there "I request you to answer your own question. Just tell me what would you have done, had you come to know about this secret mission? Forget the suicidal part."

"I would have joined you, anyhow."

"But the HQ wanted a solo mission. Then?" Killer asked calmly.

"I don't care. I would have gone along with you." Nick was getting irritated.

"Now the suicidal part. What if you hear that such a mission has been planned?"

"I would have stopped you."

Killer didn't say anything for a few moments. Uncle took off from there.

"He didn't want to. That's a different story, we'll have him for that one. Nevertheless, he wanted to go ahead, alone. Now?"

"I would have informed you and asked you to stop him."

"I knew, and I had no choice. I couldn't have done anything, which is the reality. Now?"

"I would have reported the mission myself." Nick said sternly.

"There. And do you know the consequences of reporting?"

"What could have happened? I would have been punished severely? Or thrown out of army? Atleast he would have been saved from weeks of torture!"

"It wasn't just about him. You would have risked a lot more lives with just one phone call."

"What lives? Who else were concerned?"

"Firstly, All my agents working on missions abroad, off the paper, without a permission from HQ, and Secondly, this academy. They were all under risk. I was against this mission, just like you. I warned them with reporting, just like you. But they threatened me with lives of all these people and promised to shut down KMA. It was hard for me to gulp this down. But trust me, I had no other option."
Uncle said bending down a little.

Nick looked at both of them furiously at first. Then his expression changed into a painful one.

"Then what could have avoided it?"

There was silence for a minute.
Uncle turned a little and gestured Killer to speak up.

"Only if I had turned down the offer." he spoke in a very low tone.

"Then why the heck didn't you?!" Nick shouted, banging his hand on the table, shaking Killer a little.

"Because I didn't want to miss this chance of taking revenge for both of you, without risking your lives." he answered.

"Stop treating yourself like an outsider, you fuckin-... You idiot! I lost my mom years ago. This man would have lost me too, had you not arrived in time. You did a big deed back then, risking your life without even knowing us. And you still want to risk your life for us, knowing very well how much you mean to us? Why don't you stop keeping us above you? When will you start considering yourself equally important?"

He was breathing fast with flared nostrils. Uncle was quiet, despite Nick almost uttering the 'bad words'. Either he is too worked up to care about his words right now, or Nick will get his share after things are settled. Whatever it is, both are bad signs.

Killer stood straight, still looking down.
"Probably never." he whispered.

Nick and Uncle sighed, expressing their disliking at his reply.

"There's no point explaining him something he already knows but doesn't accept, son. I must have failed in expressing my love for him to feel like an outsider." Uncle spoke making me want to argue against his statement.

"Father, please, it is.." Killer spoke for the first time looking in Uncle's eyes. Now, I'm scared of him. I have never heard anything other than 'Sir' from Killer's mouth for Colonel.

"Was that a question for you, Major Wills?"

"No, sir." His eyes were back on the floor and next words were spoken hastily, "It won't happen again, sir."

"Don't worry, son. I won't fail there. You have a long list of lessons to learn- failing me in that fumes when I had specifically said that you represent me in that meeting with Prescott and lying to me about the interrogation. Right before asking you, I spoke that you are the only one who speaks the truth around here and yet, you had the audacity to make me a fool and lie to my face. Endangering your recovery means nothing to you. Well, your life in the first place too." He sighs rubbing his forehead, "We shall add one more to it. It all feels like teaching to a lifeless wall" I need to find a spade and dig Killer's grave. Nick and Uncle are going to kill him for sure.

When nothing was said for a minute, Uncle spoke to break the awkward silence, "You have anything else to ask?"

"Who was the guy in blue jacket?"
Wait, that's the question Nick asked back then in the bar. And Killer took a shot to avoid answering.

But today, he answered without wasting a moment "He was Aarham's brother - the man behind your accident years ago . I remembered his face all these years. I saw him the first day I was caught, and decided to kill him along with his brother. But he didn't turn up for next two weeks, and when he did, he brought the message of my disposal. I knew my end wasn't far, so I didn't wait for another chance, and shot him down while Kadner sir rescued me."

Nick's eyes were red and about to pop a tear.

"You sure he is dead?" he asked with clenched teeth.

"Two bullets through his head, three through his heart. If not dead, he's not at peace either." Killer replied now looking into his brother's eyes.

Nick nodded and rubbed his face while saying "Thanks brother.. You took our revenge."
He took a few minutes to let the pain disappear from his face.

"How did Kadner sir find you?" he asked alternating between uncle and Killer.

"I had a tracker surgically placed in my hand which would send my location."

"Then why did it take so long to trace you?"

"Because I kept the tracker off. There was a risk of getting caught if it's switched on."

"Tell him the real reason boy." Uncle pressed.

"I did when I had no chance left. I waited for Aarham and his brother to turn up, to complete the mission. I mean, HQ's mission of gathering intel. But he refused to appear in front of me. They had decided to kill me instead. I didn't want to waste my life without killing him. So I asked for help."

"There still is something that I don't know here. Something that even Kadner sir knows but is scared to tell me." Nick said, looking into Uncle's eyes.

"Nick..." uncle tried to stop him. But Nick was nowhere near stopping.

"You've been ordered to tell everything, Wills. Answer my question."

Nick surely knew how to change tone to get his work done. His authority was clear in his voice.

Damn, uncle was in a dilemma too, but finally he nodded a yes and Killer spoke up.

"The tracker had two functions - voice recording and location. It was on recording mode all the time, but sending location was under my control. HQ doesn't know about it. The important information that was recorded, has been passed to them, without a hint of the audio."

"What is so serious about - oh wait. It has recorded everything? Including what happened to you... all that.."

"Torture. Yes. It had everything." Killer said heartless.

"Dad?" Nick's tone had come down again.

"I heard it just once, Nick. And it was too much to bear. I couldn't sleep for next few nights. I didn't want you to go through that suffering, so I kept that away from you. He was supposed to turn on the location latest by 48 hours. I had instructed him clearly. But you see somebody had too much courage." Uncle said, literally complaining about one of his sons to another.

"I only thought you were crazy. But you really are. You let them torture you for days straight just because you were waiting for someone. Are you for real?" Nick asked surprised.

"He just wanted to be a hero." Uncle said irritated, rolling his eyes. He clearly is not yet over this act.

Killer momentarily smiled at his words, but got too late in hiding it. I wonder if even one of the three is sane.

"And you think this is funny?" Uncle asked angrily.

"No, sir." he flushed his smile in a moment.

"Then kindly drop and answer from down there." he said pointing towards the ground. Looks like colonel is not in a good mood tonight.

Killer dropped in a swift motion and started doing Pushups.

"Is there anything else you are hiding from us?"

Shit! Nick knows that Killer and Ren have a secret. Thank God he didn't take her name.

"No." Killer lost his balance at his question and answered before he could fall.

"Hold on there." uncle said.

Killer stopped himself in the middle, in an uncomfortable position.

"When did you last have a 6 hour sleep, officer?"

"Four days ago sir."

"And how much did you sleep day before, at Kadner's place?"

"Three hours sir."

"So either three hours are not enough to get your brain to work properly, or your are clearly defying me here."

"No such intentions sir. Apolog-"

"I don't remember teaching you to give one word answers. Or your ego has grown too much that you think a yes or a no works just fine. Is it so?"

"No sir."

"Then answer him with all due respect. Do not forget where you are. The least I expect from you is to maintain the sanctity of this hall and that chair." uncle said more annoyed than before.

Killer was still hanging mid air.

"I am not hiding anything, coach." he replied to Nick's question again.

"I have one last question before I decide the outcome - What would have I done with Aarham's deadbody if yours was lying besides him?"
Nick asked with utter seriousness.

Killer answered without missing one beat, "You would be proud and happy knowing that I completed the mission and martyred for you and my country." Is he for real? Killer clearly is not hearing himself. Nick's open mouth was the proof of surprise. He took a few moments returning back to normal and start talking again.

"I got answers to most of my questions, and my conclusion is that you didn't put just yourself through tough times, but also us. And it could have been avoided, but you let emotions take over your brain and do next to impossible things. Anybody will forgive you Wills, but me." Nick spoke furiously.

Dammit. I thought this meeting or whatever it is, will solve everything. But it only complicated the whole situation further. Nick is more pissed now.

"Officers, this meeting was supposed to clear the clouds been you two. We are not leaving this place till you two get back to talking terms."

Nick does the unexpected. He stands before Killer and gives him a formal nod "We are good, Major Wills. The clouds are cleared. You won't hear a peep from me about this, Sir"

While the words sound like an agreement to peace, they are anything but that. His clenched teeth and posture tells you what he means is "We will be brother in arms. Co-coaches. But not Willy and Nick, the duo."

He walked away and came to stand next to me.
Uncle gestured him to sit down.

Killer was shaking now trying not to fall.

"Continue."

He took a breath of relief and continued pushing with uncle's permission.

"What are you hiding Wills?"
Freak! Uncle is still on that. He won't let him off the hook so easily.
"I.. I am not hiding any.. anything sir." Killer tried to say normally but if I could make out the fear, there's no doubt Uncle missed it.

"I didn't ask whether you are hiding something or not. I asked what it is."
There you go Killer. There's no escape now.
He stayed shut.
I asked myself - isn't he supposed to answer all the questions?

"I see. You are not going to answer. Who will do it on your behalf then?"
Uncle looked at me and Nick. We both had our eyes on Ren. Without turning around or looking at her, he caught the culprit.
"Captain Renee get up and join him. You-"
"She is not guilty." Killer spoke in between, stopping him, while Ren was half standing with horror dripping from her face.

What the heck is going on? Killer cutting in Uncle's statement?
"That's it Wills. I have run out of my patience with you. Up, spot jog."

What is wrong with this man today? He's breaking all the rules.

"I thought I'll let you have some sleep. But now I don't think you deserve that. You will stay up till either you learn to open your mouth at the right time, or I'm satisfied that you actually are left with nothing to speak. Am I clear?"

Uncle has definitely lost his patience.

"Permission to speak freely sir."
Killer said.
Please say something sensible and end this ordeal before it begins.

"Go ahead." Uncle challenged him to say something bold and make his life more miserable.

"With your permission, can I simultaneously request Major Nick to give me a chance to earn an apology?" Killer asked still jogging, now breathless.

Uncle and Nick looked at each other.

"Do you even understand what you're saying?"
Nick asked him in a serious tone.

"I'm probably going to die soon. Might as well try proving to you that I'm sorry?"

He is just escalating things. He has gone crazy. He is sleep deprived. Somebody give him some sleeping pills and get that shit out of his head.

"This is just another example of your hero stunt." Uncle sighs but continues in a challenging tone, "How long you think you can survive under both of us combined? How long you think you can keep your little mouth shut. How many days you think you should get to earn an apology? How many, Wills?"

"Two days, Sir..?"
He hesitated while answering.
Obviously it's not an easy question.
According to me, asking two days of hell is a heroic task in itself. Stupid Killer doesn't understand that it's his heroism which is causing him all this trouble!

"Three it is. You will spend 14 hours under my supervision, and 10 under Nick. For every minute I find you slacking, I'll add another hour. And in next three days, I'll make sure you never dare to go against my decisions, hide any secret or try and become a hero unnecessarily."

He turned towards Nick and said "Use all means to make him realise that he was wrong. And what awaits him if he thinks of doing this again. He starts his 72 hours with you. You have the authority of this hall till then."

"Yes sir."

Uncle left and I turned to Nick in some hope "Nick. He is-"

"You heard him. Didn't you?"

"Oh come on Nick! He's you brother! He did it for you guys!" I pleaded while Killer was still spot jogging.

"It wasn't needed. There was no point in taking revenge for something that happened decades ago, by losing a brother today. Now Ren take her out before I include you with him."

No way is Ren going to face Nick now, all of us knowing that they both are hiding something together. I unwillingly moved my feet to the door to save Ren.

I jogged a few paces to Uncle "Aren't you going a little harsh there?"

I tried saving Killer's ass, since in this mood, nobody is going to stop Uncle or Nick.

"He needs to be brought down to ground. He shall pay for his needless valor. If I don't break him now, he will have the strength to get up and do all of this again. And I'm not sure whether he will come back alive or not. If three days of pain at my end can stop him from blowing his life again in future, I'm happy to do it. And that's exactly what I'm going to do."
With this, uncle nodded at Ren.

"Honey, you need to calm down. Let's go to mess. We can talk there." Ren carefully handled me and took me out of Uncle's sight before I said something I would regret.

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As always, I'll thank you all for being patient and appreciating my work.

I beg you to keep doing it, and also add one little thing to your habit - vote.
This will drive me to write more and better.

Thank you @dragonfly02 for tapping on the 1000th vote for this book.

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If anyone thinks I have missed something, please feel free to tell me. I'll update it here.