"I'm the court. And this is my decision. Fermins stick to their words so don't make me remind you of this ever again." Commander said pulling Neil's statement back, tore it into pieces and threw it all in the dustbin.

************************************

"You'll serve as Head Chef at KMA till your retirement age. Based on your yearly feedback reports, it will be decided whether you deserve to be free at the end or not. KMA's commander will be your commander too and you will follow every order he passes to you, be whatever restriction or freedom." General Warren warned Neil.

"That's worse than Jail!" Neil said and General looked at me smirking. "You know him too well, Major."

"He will do it, sir." I said on Neil's behalf earning a murderous look from him. We were in no state to negotiate here.

"One more thing, Neil. You are no more a part of this organisation. You'll work as a civil employee with no favour from your past image. Your dedication to the service will be respected till your last mission. But you shall never take name of the reputed officer who worked for this country selflessly."

Neil's head was bent low now. Dan was losing his mind with every word Commander spoke, but he had no option but to listen him.

"You will report to Culinary School and work there for six months. Learn all that you can, which I'm sure you will, then report at KMA for taking up the job. Remember, one bad review from the commander of KMA, and you'll be stuck there. So take your job seriously, and pay for your mistake."

I was stunned as to how fluently General filled all the gaps.

"I want to make a request, sir." Neil spoke after taking a deep breath. Oh now he wants to talk?

"Last time, major." "I've been Loyal to this organisation all these years. This one particular person I killed - I had waited to do that for years, but never even once I planned to stab your back. I'm sorry to break your trust. Major Neil was ever loyal to you. Please don't break the deal with the Fermins because of my act. They need your armed support and you need their location. I won't be able to forgive myself if that deal is broken. I had kept this for the moment they ask for my last wish. But as I can see it's not happening soon.."

Commander thought for a few moments and then spoke "I was very angry at you, Neil. I wanted to strip off your ranks, rip off all the Medals on it and push you behind bars myself. But I realised your cause is more important than your life. You've always been a disciplined officer and a good leader, you've led so many impossible missions and came out with no casualty. I'm yet to believe that you screwed up this one. I want to help you, but not at the cost of letting you continue as a Class-I. Fine I'll consider your request. This is the maximum I can do for you, credit goes to your partner. But now you'll live a different life. I don't want any Cadet or any officer to look at you and think that it is okay to do whatever Major Neil did. I don't want them to think that they'll be let free just like you if they don't follow orders."

There was complete silence for a few seconds. Commander then broke the silence "Think of a different name, Chef. You are no more Neil Fermin."

I was stunned and so were the other two men. "Sir?" Neil asked.

"You heard me. People know what Neil did. I don't want them to look at you and say 'Oh. So it was you?' Get yourself a new name and go out from this place with your dignity intact, in your head. Become unidentifiable to everyone who knows you, in next six months. I want Neil's face to disappear from this earth for ever. Dismissed." Neil was not in uniform. Yet he saluted commander - this might be the last time he ever salutes anyone. Turning around, he left with moist eyes.

"Major Dan, get all these paperwork destroyed and get his new documentation done. I don't want a single letter to escape out of this room." Commander said dismissing the whole ruff.

"What shall be the disposal, sir?" "MIA."

And that was the next one in my series of surprises.

"I'm sorry, Sir? He is walking around right amongst us! Anything less than a CM will have serious-" Dan had lost it completely.

"No Court Martial, Major Daniel. He was found Missing In Action. He didn't die. He never reported back. He disappeared. Nobody knows where he went or where is he right now."

"What about the statements of these men, sir?" "Make them write a new one. Major James will narrate what happened. And if anyone here has a problem with it, tell them to meet me. As far as I know, nobody outside CCTC knows about it. If this is heard by anyone at the HQ, you'll be responsible."

It was my turn to keep the shock off my face.

This was a huge step! Doing a Court Martial is in itself a big deal. In this case, CM was a justified disposal. But this man singlehandedly decided to change it. Calling Neil MIA was equal to trusting him enough to not come out and reveal his real identity ever in his life. And then made Dan responsible to fill all the loopholes. Brilliant!

Dan pressed his lips tight and looked at me with utter hate for a brief second.

"Now you - Class-I Agent Major James." My spine was straight now as Warren started in his warning tone.

"I would have bet my life before this mission that none of you would go Rogue. But the one I expected the least, did. If during my command any of you remaining guys fix me up again, I'll throw all of you in the black of no return. You took responsibility of one person and I heard you. Now you are responsible for the rest 7 of you and you bloody ensure that this doesn't repeat. Ever. Got it?"

"Yes sir." Dammit! Keeping hold of 6 more people? Though I know each of them very closely, but so I did with Neil. It will be a big promise to keep.

"Any questions?" So kind of him.

"Am I allowed to meet Neil at KMA?" I already knew the answer. I asked him just to make a deal.

"Do I need to say it? No." "Not as a friend, sir. As an officer, an alumnus of KMA?" I asked politely.

"Fine. But should it raise any suspicion, he'll be prohibited to meet anyone from outside." "Right sir. Thank you so much." I saluted him for all that he did for us. He was godsent.

I came out to find Neil standing there with red and watery eyes.

I knew he was angry at me and at the same time emotional that he's leaving this organisation for good.

"You bloody! You trapped me!" He came rushing towards me. Before he could get his hands on my neck and choke me, I said one sentence to shut him down.

"They're calling you MIA."

He stopped in his tracks and looked at me stunned.

"No court martial?" "No."

He was about to burst when I added "Keep your Medals and uniform. In your bag, of course."

He laughed with tears flowing out of his eyes now. This must be the first time I saw him crying. "You bugger! You wouldn't let me rot in jail peacefully. You can't see me at peace at all, can you?"

"No. After all you've done for me, I won't." "I don't know which one you're talking about - times when I saved you, or times when I nearly killed you?" He laughed with a red nose.

"Count both." I replied.

"You have no clue how good I feel right now, James. Before entering the conference hall, I was feeling terrible that all my hardwork all these years was about to steam off into the sky and I was completely helpless. I couldn't say it to anyone because I had to be the person everyone hates. You've saved me from that misery. At least I'll live quietly with my head held up." He said with gleaming eyes. And I felt accomplished.

"And still you won't tell me what's wrong." "One day I shall, when it won't affect me anymore. But till then, I'm shut." He promised.

"I'm waiting for that to happen soon. Anyways what about the name now? Did you think about it?" "If I was going through a court martial, I would have had no such problem. But now that I have my dignity intact, I'll keep a piece of my real name." He said looking up.

"Neil Fermin. What are you going to keep? Commander clearly said you can't use it."

"How about reverse?" Before I could make a proper word, he spoke up 'Flyn.'

Flyn. Mm. Nice name.

"Too short." I said and he chuckled. "Then let's add another N."

"Cadets will hate you in name Pushups." I blurted out and immediately regretted.

"I lost that right, James." He said with his face getting serious.

"Earn it back there." He nodded quietly.

I still can't believe that Neil has escaped all the misery he had nicely planned for himself. I hope he stays at KMA comfortably and get a life he deserves. Hopefully one day I'll get all his forbidden information - why did he leave his kingdom, why did he kill Zahra, how does he fucking arrange his birds everywhere he goes. Who knows I might actually use his birds one day.

I felt positive about this whole CM turned into MIA thing. It was for Neil's good. Its going to take him some time to accept his new role. For me, he'll always be the only friend who was there for me at my lowest.

"I need you guys to come with me. Quick." Marks came running and my heartbeats were through the roof! Marks and Kelly hadn't left Charles's side since we came back. And if he had THIS to say, I was afraid to imagine what he had to show us.

"Charles...?" Neil could only say one word as we started walking behind Marks with quick steps.

"He is awake..." Marks said and both of us sighed in relief. Thank fucking God he's back! He hadn't got up all these days and my hopes had started thinning down.

"..for now. He wants to talk to all of us... One last time.." "The fuck you mean last time?"

"He has severe pain in his chest, can barely take a deep breath. Surgeons want to start him on heavy dose of analgesics to relieve the pain but he wants to speak to all of us before he gets that." Marks continued.

"Why the hell he wants to stay in pain?" Neil was as irritated as I was.

"Because we'll have to give him sedatives. He'll be sleeping. And... We can't assure that he'll heal enough for us to stop the sedatives.... With his condition worsening... He might end up in... ventilator.... And once he's there..." Marks didn't complete but we understood. Now my nerves on fire.

"And he knows this. That's why he's not letting you guys touch him." Neil said knowing Charles too well. His face had become absolutely pale. I knew he was on the road to worst regret ever.

"Yes." Marks whispered as we entered the ICU.

"Why are you hell bent on making my guilt trip worse with each passing day?" Neil said as he sat next to him and took Charles's hand in both of his. Neil didn't look him in the eye and that was huge because he never hesitated this way.

Kelly was sitting on the opposite side with a red face. The men in this room have cried and were going to cry with no boundaries and I was scared to stay there for even a single moment. I couldn't see him in this state.

Charles smiled. He would have laughed if possible.

"Why Instructor Charles? Why couldn't you let me die?" Neil asked with a stuffy nose now.

"I asked Ansel.. he told me.. you're going to.." Charles breathed heavily and I was shocked at the mention of Neil's Valazire. How the fuck did Charles know Ansel? Neil had mentioned once that Ansel helped him reach Charles but I still had no clue how both men knew each other.

"Why?" Neil was almost whispering now.

"I owed you.. life.. you saved mine.. I-" "You owed me nothing! I saved you because I needed you! There was no need of paying me back with your life, Charles!"

"We're... equal now..." Charles said smiling satisfied.

"No we're not! We are no way equal! I'm walking, talking, breathing. And you.... I hate you for saving me,Charles! I could have died a villain. But you wanted to be the hero who... I hate you! I'll never forgive myself... I can never..." Neil was sobbing on Charles's hand. Kelly was looking away and wiping his tears.

I just looked around at all my men looking at the floor to hide their tears.

"Kelly.." Charles called his boy who held his other hand the very next moment.

"He deserved.. to live... I decided that.. not him.. Don't be angry... Promise me son.. Stay loyal.. to all.." Kelly just nodded a yes without a word.

"You got.. One more chance.. Dont waste.." Charles told Neil who continued sniffing up his tears.

"Jamessir..." I stepped ahead holding my breath.

"Take care... of everyone.. Be a.. good.. leader.." He said and I choked up.

"I will, Instructor Charles.. I will. I promise." I said somehow holding my tears back.

"That's enough stress. Let us start now, please." The senior doctor entered and stood in front of Charles who nodded a painful yes.

"It was.. an honour.. working with.. you all... Until.. until.. we meet... next..." His voice faded as the medicine entered his veins but his words were loud enough for our hearts to hear forever.

We all stood up and saw Charles drifting into sleep, into a painfree state. Except Neil.

Kelly stepped ahead and kept a hand on Neil's shoulder who was still holding Charles's other hand and repeating 'I'm sorry' over and over again.

************************************ "You know what? You should probably keep your mouth shut." I hissed trying to keep myself in control.

"Says the one who's a part of the crime." Dan taunted and it was getting hard for me to keep calm.

"You don't now shit. Stop assuming things and giving an opinion nobody asked for." I seethed back.

"Oh? And you know everything? Do you know why he did it? Do you know who he did it for? Do you even know what else he wanted or still wants to do? What if he's betraying all of us?" He asked me getting serious.

I moved a step towards him angrily. "He. Did. Not. Betray. Anyone. Not me in the very least." I deadpanned.

"Ofcourse that's because you're his favourite kid. Just like always." He scoffed and that ticked me.

"You happen to be the only living man in this earth to have blamed the most important people in my life. Don't make me do anything I regret. And don't forget it's you who came crying to join his team in the first place." I may have wanted to intentionally hurt him with my words because the way he tightened his jaw gave me some pleasure.

"I wanted to join him because I respected him. Now I'm held responsible for cleaning all the filth you all spread! " He replied with clinched jaw.

"And suddenly you lost all respect because we continue to stand with him as his men?" I was back to defence.

"I respected and still respect the man who followed orders and tried me fairly. I don't respect scammers." He said getting into my face and that did it. I rushed and held his collar tight.

"James stop it." Warren had come in. I should have stopped but I didn't.

"Mind your words now. I'll not think twice before making you pay for each wrong one." I warned him not wanting to let go without a single punch.

"And you mind your business being the lawyer that nobody appointed. Defending a criminal-" The crack sounded like a music to my ears.

"Stop it James! Step back! He's right! I'm not who I was anymore! Stop fighting." This was Neil.

But it was too late. He was just as furious as I was and he punched my face back harder.

I ran and tackled him on the ground and was about to start raining punches on his face. Going by his face, he was prepared to aim a nasty one on my face. It wasn't going to end nicely for both of us. We'd be going home with broken noses and a few missing teeth.

"If you two don't stop now, I'm going to hand this guy over back to security and the whole damn plan is kicked out the door." Warren said calmly but sternly.

He knew that'll stop me but I was expecting Dan to punch me as soon as I put my guards down. He just looked into my eyes painfully then kicked me away from top of him and stood up.

I got up too and looked at him. "I don't want to see your thankless face, ever." I muttered one last time. I meant every word I said.

"I don't want to spoil mine by talking to a benefitted kid, either." He replied and walked to Neil.

I couldn't make out what he said because fucker stood with his back to me and his voice lower than a whisper but whatever he said, made Neil look down in shame. I wanted to grab him by the collar and punch him senseless.

"I'm sorry." Is all Neil said before Dan nodded at him and left. Warren glared me one last time and left soon afterwards.

What the fuck? I was about to go out and get it even with Dan when Neil stopped me.

"He's right, James. He trusted me and I broke that. I did that with everyone. He's not the wrong one, I am. Stop spoiling your relationship with everybody by choosing the wrong side." Neil was talking softly now.

"I know you have a reason for doing all this. And I know that you knew it was going to end up exactly like this. That's why you didn't allow Dan to be a part of your team and instead worked on making me the leader. You knew we won't stand together once you do all this. You had a reason for everything, Neil. I know you have one for this too. You're not going to tell me, no matter how much I beg you. So I won't push you. But have no right to tell me to just fuck off because it's not my business. It bloody is. You are important to me. You might be nothing for anyone else, I don't give two shits. So suck it up because I'm not leaving." I said never realising that Neil was not looking at me. His eyes were pointing at the floor as he turned around and walked out.

And just like that he left CCTC - without meeting his men, without talking to anyone. He just slid out ensuring that Major Neil Fermin was indeed gone for ever.

************************************

Over next few days, condition of Charles's lungs worsened. He was shifted to ventilator and doctors tried their best to keep him breathing. But he had other plans. He did not wake up.

Six bullets killed Charles but couldn't break his spirit. He made all of us promise something to him. But it was all for our own good. He fulfilled his role of instructor till his last breath.

I had never lost anyone close till that day. And fuck if I knew how much that hurt!

All members of Red Sparrows, without it's real chief, gave a respectful farewell to him as per formal military drill.

Charles may not be there to kick our ass anymore. But we could definitely hear him cursing over our faults.

************************************

I'm sure you guys understand why I took so long to publish this chapter. I did not want to write what would hurt me to read and I was delaying it like a coward.

But now it is here..

I'll appreciate if you keep the hate comments and aggressive reviews away.

I'll try getting back on the track soon. Votes and comments are most welcome.