"Warrior Three to Prometheus One, are we cleared for undocking?"

"Prometheus One to Warrior Three, green light for undocking. "

"Warrior Three to Beta Four, how is everything looking?" 

"Beta Four to Warrior Three, the Prometheus Airspace is clear. Just look out for Charlie Ten's mines."

"Roger that. Undocking." 

***

Soon, we were on our way back to Beta One. We agreed to take HPF's Second in command, Aditya Patel, back with us to Beta One. Holder informed us that Beta One ordered an air strike on the Kenjah's Palace again now knowing that Prometheus was no longer in danger. Beta One also agreed to send two additional squadrons to the Prometheus ships for additional safety. Holder informed us that Beta One did not give any more updates about how the fight was ensuing. 

Soon, Reneesh and I were sound asleep. There was nothing we could do on our journey back to the battleground. We could only speculate about the condition of the armies. "How do you think Konrad and Anna are holding up?" Reneesh asked me. "No clue. We would have to wait till we get back to Beta One. The first thing we do would be to check on them." I replied. "I just hope this nightmare ends soon, man." Reneesh sighed. "It will." I replied, looking out of the window to see nothing but darkness.

***

"Welcome back!" Bolius said as he greeted us at the door. He had a wide smile on his face and his arms were extended. Holder gave him a handshake instead. "It wouldn't have been possible without your support." Holder said. "Nah. It was your bravery which saved the day." He replied, looking at all of us. "Aditya Patel, the second in command of the Human Peacekeeping Force." I introduced him to Bolius. "Welcome to Beta One." Bolius greeted Aditya. "Thank you." He replied. "How are Anna and Konrad holding up?" I asked Bolius. Suddenly, the smile vanished off his face. "About that... We need to talk." Bolius replied, not meeting my eyes. "What do you mean by we need to talk?" I asked him, feeling anxious. "Montwik wanted you in his quarters as soon as you arrived." Bolius said. "You too." He said, referring to Reneesh and Souvik. "Answer the question, Bolius. Where are Anna and Konrad?" I asked him, raising my voice and walking towards him. "What is happening?" Holder intervened. "Rithvik. We need to talk. I cannot tell you anymore." Bolius replied. "Well then, take me to Montwik." I said, fear rising inside me. "This way." Bolius said as we made our way to Montwik's quarters. 

"It is good to have you back, Rithvik." Montwik greeted me as soon as we entered his room. "Cut the crap. What happened to Anna and Konrad?" I asked him. "Rithvik, take a seat. Reneesh and Souvik, you too." Montwik said. "Montwik, just tell me what the hell is happening here. What is wrong with them? What happened to them? Did the Kenjah's men manage to abduct them again?" I asked him. "No, Rithvik. They are right here on this ship." He replied. "Are they alive?" I asked him. "Yes." He replied. "Then what is wrong with them?" I asked him. "I'm sorry, Rithvik. Gofr and his team could not get the nanochips out of them in time." Montwik said. "That means..." Reneesh started to say, but Montwik interrupted him. "That means they are taken." Montwik replied, confirming my worst fears. There was a moment of silence all around the room. Bolius stood at one corner, looking down at the ground and Montwik was looking at me, trying to find some emotions on my face. "When did this happen?" I asked, gritting my teeth. "Two days ago." Montwik replied. "And you decide to tell us this now?" I asked him, rising up. "I did not want to distract you from the mission on hand." He replied. "MY CREW ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN THIS GODDAMN MISSION." I yelled at him. "There would be no crew if we fail." Montwik replied, maintaining his calm. "YOU KEPT THIS FROM ME! HOW COULD YOU?" I screamed as I held Montwik by the collar, and when I looked into his eyes, they were bare of emotions. Bolius lunged forward and forced my hand off his collar. Montwik straightened his collar and looked at me, waiting for me to say something. "Can I go see them now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even. "I don't think that's a good idea right now, Rithvik. They're mentally unstable. We do not know what their reaction would be. We are trying to keep them isolated." Montwik replied. "Where are you holding them?" I asked him. "Down at the laboratory. We had two makeshift rooms built in Gofr's laboratory to hold them. They are being catered to all day long my men. They are being taken care of, Rithvik. And I promise you, Gofr and his team are working hard to find a way to reverse these effects." Montwik said. "Thank you for not throwing them down in the holding cells." I told him. "Don't mention it, Rithvik." He replied. "While I am grateful for your actions and respect your concerns, I would still like to see them." I said firmly. "Rithvik, can we not go through this again?" He said, exasperated. "We are absolutely going to go through this again. I need to see my men." I replied. Montwik threw his hands in frustation. "Bolius, take Rithvik down to Gofr's laboratory. Only Rithvik, nobody else. Five minutes, no more than that. Anything goes wrong, pull the plug." Montwik ordered. 

***

I walked into the laboratory following Bolius. On our way down, he told me that the airstrike they ordered was partly successful and that the Vortex and the Crux army had control over the skies. On the ground, he told me that it was too close to comment. He told me that for the time being, the battles were being fought not in cities but near military installations. He told me that while the Vortex and Crux armies were forced to retreat, the Kenjah's men took back control of the Capitol City and concentrated most of their forces there. "We are compiling resources for another major airstrike on their second largest military installation after the Palace and trying to find ways to get there without any casualties. Intel suggests that they still have a couple of jets in the air. Black Thunder jets they are. We are not taking any chances." Bolius said. "What about the Flying Warriors?" I asked him. "Still flying. But not so high." He replied. 

As soon as I entered the room, Gofr greeted me. "Heard you did a pretty good job back on Prometheus." Gofr said. "Where are they?" I asked him, wanting to meet Anna and Konrad as soon as possible. "This way." He said as he walked towards a door. He placed his palm over the reader and the door hissed open. On the far end of the room, Konrad and Anna sat in their respective cells and six guards were present in the room. Both Anna and Konrad had their backs towards me. I slowly walked over towards Anna's cell and put my hand on the glass which separated the both of us. "Anna." I called out. She turned around and immediately let out a shriek. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" She yelled and started pounding the glass. "Don't worry, it won't shatter." One of the guards said. Konrad, who turned around due to the commotion, started blankly at me, his face void of emotions. He did not respond to any of my questions. "What is happening to them?" I asked Gofr. "We are trying to get them back, Rithvik. But it will take some time." He replied. I shot one last glace at Anna, who still was pounding the glass inspite of her fists bleeding. "We have to get out of here." Gofr said and I followed him out of the door with tears in my eyes. 

________

It's been almost 2 months since I updated, I guess. Sorry for the delay, guys! Hope I will be able to put out more chapters over a shorter span of time. Thanks for your support!

-Rithvik/LPS21.