"Hey asshole!" He was too happy to meet me after so many years.

"Yeah. Hi, Tail." I was happy too, but exhausted. Back to back Missions, non stop tracing of suspects for months, planning their traps and finding all the escapes - it drained me. I have no clue how Neil used to successfully manage all this AND be fucking drunk. Definitely he had more birds outside Red Sparrows. And may be I'm unlucky that Charles's wisdom was not in my fate.

"You don't seem fine." "That's because I'm not. I need a break. Have you gotten the book I told you at KMA to give me once you finish? You're such a slow reader, tail." I tried to keep the conversation casual. The last thing I wanted was someone to eavesdrop on us and bust my plan before I even start.

"Yeah yeah. Keep it! It's boring anyways. Who reads murder mysteries now!" "I get a lot of ideas to kill." I reply winking taking the book from him and feeling for something between the pages.

There! He's done a fine job.

"So? How are you doing Red sparrow's new Boss?" He mocked me.

"Barely holding up. I miss Chief though." I said sulking. I really did miss Neil.

"Where's he?" Tally asked and I was about to let it slip down my tongue.

"As if you don't know. Fucker ran away right after killing Zahra. Didn't even give me a chance to ask him why. I really want to punch him." I saved it just in time.

Warren really took care of Neil's matter once he left CCTC. Nobody - means nobody - except him, Dan, me and my team knew where he went - not a single man other than us. Even if someone came to know that he was seen at CCTC after that mission, we all stuck to this same story and didn't let anyone know the truth.

Because one becomes two and that becomes four in no time. We tell one person and before you know it, the whole army knows what happened. There was no scope for slip ups. So we promised each other that we'll never tell anyone anything no matter how trustworthy the listener is. I, for that matter, didn't even tell Boss, Dog or even Merlen.

"I hope he turns up and apologises for his deeds. You guys went through a lot because of him." Stuart said spitefully and I just swallowed the truth quietly.

What he said hurt but was true. We have not been the same, though we try our best. Me as the Chief - looking after all my men, working extra hard to keep the results top notch, trying new men and getting a few additions to our team, staying in our best shape thanks to Kelly - it required more efforts than I had imagined. It gets tougher each day and the only thing that gives me some solace was results. It was a hard lesson to learn as a leader, but an important one.

"Yeah he's gone for good. Anyways how's Hannah doing? When is she due?" "Three more months. Man she has become so much more beautiful! Either it's double the female hormones combined or I've been away from her for far too long." He replied still swooning.

"You're talking like the teenager who just proposed and got accepted. Which reminds me that you're this close to breaking the promise you made to me and I'm equally close to telling Hannah what a chicken-liver she married." I pull his tail.

"I'm not coward okay." He flushed in a moment. He turned all red and I was suddenly scared for him.

"Hey hey. I'm just joking, man. I didn't mean to make you sweat over it. Calm down." I apologised in my way.

"I know. But.. these days I'm not taking such jokes well. Let's just say I'm pretty serious when it comes to Hannah and our baby. I just.. I won't-" "Tell me clearly you don't want to name her James you rascal." I tried to lighten the mood.

"James its a baby girl! I can't name her James! Suck it up" He rolled his eyes.

"It's a gender neutral name. But your kid, your choice right. Don't come crying to me when Hannah kicks you out of the house." I say uninterested but deep down I was so happy. He was going to be father of a girl and she'll be named after or atleast similar to me. I know Stuart. He'll keep his promise. I love her so much already! I'm sure both our kids will become thick friends just like us.

We spent some more time updating each other about matters of the world and I came back knowing I have a heap of work to do now that I had info on my next enemy - Yazan. This guy was Zahra's elder son. We had very little info about this man as he had become more cautious since Zahra's death. I had requested Commander to involve the Fermin King because I was sure they had something important for us, but that was turned down. I couldn't push him because of what Neil did. I knew it's just me and my men who will have to plan everything. And I couldn't afford to fuck this mission up at any cost. We had verified info that Yazan was present physically at this base and there are high chances that we can catch him. It was important not just professionally, but also at personal level for the Red Sparrows.

I wanted Yazan's neck at the tip of my knife - puking everything he knows about Neil and Zahra's enmity.

Stuart had just been posted back from the city where we suspected Yazan's latest base establishment.

My tail had been successful to gather some photos and maps of the base and I couldn't be more thankful to him for passing that to me safely. But still he had not earned the right to know the whereabouts of Neil.

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

"Alright Sparrows. We've got one chance, JUST ONE, to catch this man. If he manages to outrun me, you shoot him on his arms or legs I don't give a fuck. But no bullet will go through his head, chest or torso. WE NEED HIM ALIVE. Copy?" I promised myself more than ordering them.

"Yes Chief." My six men replied in unison.

"Let's get this son of a Bi-" "Language." Marks reminded me and I scoffed.

We had surrounded the base from all sides and Nelson had done a great job hacking in their communication. We got a total of 28 men pinned on the map with their precise location. Five sparrows in two groups took hold of the two areas and covered most of the targets. I took the sole responsibility to catch Yazan.

With a 'Go!' we started off.

My men were smooth in diffusing the targets one by one as I kept stepping closer to Yazan. I was right outside the door waiting for Nelson's signal that I'm clear.

"He's got two men with him on that floor, chief. Rest everyone downstairs is diffused. You're clear here. All the best!" I looked at his photo kept in my pocket for the last time to ensure that I don't kill him accidentally.

I kicked the door and threw a dummy to one corner before I entered from the opposite side. Two dumb men pointed their guns at the bag and I took not more than a second to fill their empty skulls with one bullet each.

Before I could look around for Yazan, I heard someone clapping from behind the door. My guts were not giving me good vibes and I prayed to god that I didn't fuck up.

"I have to agree you're a sharp shooter indeed. I heard about it but couldn't accept that one can be THAT good. Five stars for the aim." Yazan walked out from the side. That swine was smiling as I pointed my gun at his head. Ofcourse I had no plan to shoot his brains out.

"I'd be careful if I were you." He said mocking me.

"Palms open. Hands behind your head. On your knees. Now." I ordered him. And he laughed. The fucker had the audacity to laugh!

"You wouldn't want to repeat the mistake your dang partner did six months ago, right?" He said after a long pause.

"Ofcourse I won't. But it won't be a pleasant feeling to lose one or both hands or legs. So shut up and do as I say." I replied angrily. Not even a minute with him and he's already on my nerves.

"Oh you wouldn't do that either." He said calmly walking upto me.

I moved my pistol again to show that he's still on my aim but his confidence didn't go down one bit.

I was about to shoot his leg when he stopped walking and looked at me in all seriousness.

"Before doing anything to me, prepare yourself to lose your brothers." He said crossing his arms on his chest.

This warning was not fake. I could see the confidence in his eyes. I noticed an earpiece in his left ear. He definitely was getting all our conversation. And at that moment I realised that we're doomed.

"Only if you stay in a state to even touch them." I replied angrily.

"Oh I'll be standing right here as they die one by one alright. You can have the pleasure of hearing their last words. You want to know how?" He asked me confidently and then stood quietly waiting for me to ask. What I got instead had me stunned. My men started talking to me on my earpiece.

"Chief. We're trapped." That was Kelly. He was with Garry and Blundell.

"We're locked in the room too. There's no other exit!" Waldo and Marks were next.

"I'm still waiting for you to ask how." Yazan spoke after few painful moments of silence.

Five of my men were trapped and he knew how. I'd do anything he says to keep them safe.

I lowered my pistol and did as he said. "How."

"Can you boys see a red blink above the door you just entered through?" He asked loudly knowing my men can hear him.

I got yes from both my teams and my heart was beating faster with each passing moment.

"Good. Now that's your light to heaven." he laughed and I controlled my fist. "That is the laser outlet for the room that they're locked in. If you so much as touch me, it will activate and everything in the room will burn down. Including your men." He looked into my eyes and warned me.

"And if they try to fiddle with the door, they'll activate the laser themselves. You should thank your boss Neil to gift me this and so many more weapons to kill." Obviously these fuckers must have stolen or tricked Neil into getting these weapons. No wonder his father is in hell himself.

But he had left no room for escape and my men got the message loud and clear.

So this mission wasn't ours. It was his. All his. He knew we're coming. That's why he stayed back. He got 28 of his men getting killed just for trapping five of my men. Fucking heartless!

"We're here now, Yazan. Exactly where and how you planned. Now what do you want from us?" I asked confidently not giving up on the slightest hope of escape.

Throwing him behind bars was last on my to do list now. The topmost job was to fucking run. With my brothers alive and breathing. I won't do what Neil did. Intentionally or unintentionally.

"You're the smarter one, aren't you? I want answers." He pointed a finger at me. I understood his warning.

"Where is he?" Yazan asked and I had to control my expressions. I should have known this! Fucker will avenge his father's death. How could I be so blind?!

"You know it. He's gone for his own good." I replied without a change in my tone.

"That's the crap you've been serving others. Tell me the truth. Where is he? Where did you send him?" He walked close to me and looked at me angrily.

Frankly speaking I was not prepared for this and fucker caught me off guard. I had to cook some lie quickly before he starts giving me a demo as to how his laser works. And I have to be smooth. His heart did not beat for letting 28 of HIS men die. He won't even flinch to do that to all of mine, forget sparing anyone. And I'd rather die than let this happen.

"Why? Why do you want him now? Haven't you done enough?" I tried steering the wheel just a bit.

"Haven't I done enough? Oh I've done enough but it's never enough. He's the reason why it's never enough! He's taking everyone from me expecting me to just sit and watch all that. I want my family back! I want him to fucking confess that he is keeping the one person away from me that I can do anything for! I want him to suffer in pain for snatching my happiness away from me!" He was giving bits and pieces in anger and thank fuck I could cook a three course meal with that. What exactly is he saying? I'll analyse that once we get back. Alive.

"You and your father did whatever wrong you know to him and he avenged. You're equal. Fucking demons in my eyes. None the better. What's left? Isn't it over?" I said knowing I'm only making it worse.

But guess the one thing that Neil taught me in the toughest way possible? Reverse interrogation. "It sure isn't over. And who are you? His lawyer? Do I look like I give a fuck as to what are we in your eyes? I want him dead. In front of my eyes. It's not over till I do that." He replied pissed.

A dangerous thought clicked my brain and I shivered just thinking about the repercussions if it failed. The whole ship will sink and won't come up ever.

I started off slow and built up the pace letting myself lose my shit. "If I was his lawyer, I would have known what happened, what exactly did you guys do to him. If I was his lawyer, I would have saved him from all the misery he invited for himself just to make it equal to you. If I was his lawyer, he'd be fucking alive today! If I was-" "What?"

He interrupted me as I had expected and I acted caught. I did a good job because I heard the same question on my earpiece.

"What the heck, Chief?" That was Waldo.

"I... it.." I fumbled.

"What the fuck do you mean by 'he'd be alive today'?" Yazan was right where I wanted him and the plan took off successfully.

"I.. I don't know. He.. he ran away. I don't know where he is - dead or alive. I don't care either." I looked at the wall behind him as I said avoiding his eye contact just like a liar would.

Suddenly Yazan's pistol was up and pointed at me. Fuck that came from nowhere!

"You are going to tell me what did you do to him before I do anything to your men." He warned me.

"Why do you sound like his lawyer now? Why does it matter to you if he's dead? You should be happy!" I barked angrily.

"So you killed him?" Kelly spoke into the earpiece. By now they had caught up with my act and thank goodness for that.

"I didn't expect this from you, James. You kept us all in the dark. I had no heart for that man after what he did to us, but the last thing I wanted from you was lie. You're no better than him." Marks said.

I closed my eyes and hung my head down. By now Yazan had lost it completely. The fact that even my team members were not aware topped with their reactions now made it sound even more realistic to him.

"I had to! He went off after the mission. I had to answer everyone and try saving his absent ass. Then he had the balls to come to me asking for more help, said he needs to clear few more enemies who ruined his life. When I asked just how he expected me to do that he told me to get our team to work for him secretly. He was out of his fucking mind, Marks! I pleaded him to stop! He won't listen. He kept arguing. He said if I don't help him, he'll harm our families. The audacity! I realised that the Neil we knew was no more. This was a selfish wolf hungry for revenge and there was no stopping him. I had to. I hated it but I had to." I was in real tears ashamed of how much I had to lie just to get my men out and safe. I had to hate Neil so much in that moment just to make it look real. And I hate to agree that at some point, I really did hate him for doing whatever he did.

"That fucker." Marks replied angrily.

All this while I wasn't even looking at Yazan. But I could feel his gaze burring a hole in my skull. He was not expecting this. But I could feel that he still hadn't completely bought it.

I jerked towards him and continued. "So none of you are better than the other in my eyes. You wanted him dead? I did it for you. I became one of you too. Are you happy? Or is there something else that you fucking want now?" I say with absolute despise.

He stood stunned for a few moments processing everything that happened in front of him.

"Neil's dead." He told himself and then said once more.

"For fuck's sake yes. Are we done playing games now?" I asked him restlessly.

"Well you and your men are still no good for me. I can kill you all for all I care." He said without a flinch.

"Yeah. And have atleast six people avenging for the same act the same way one man avenged six months back. You can walk out and leave us all here. No harm no attacks - you have my word. Go live your life without bothering anyone now that he's out of question." I said coming to the point.

"So you accept that you are at my mercy." He scoffed.

It was getting enough for me. "For someone who's not even human in my dictionary, I would disagree with you."

"You have a big mouth, James. It will get you ruined." "Thanks for an advice I didn't ask you for."

He laughed at my response. "But I like your guts. Your boys are literally one step away from being dead and here you are - arguing with me like a ten year old."

I knew he was happy accepting that Neil is dead. I wanted to use it for my favour - the exact plan I had laid out.

"We can end this argument by letting my boys free and we can call it a day." I replied silently begging for truce.

"That won't be fun. I came here prepared to see some pain. I don't want to go without witnessing some." He said and I cursed him in my mind.

Absolutely fucking nothing is working right now! Think James think!

"I'm all up for a one on one fight if that game interests you. A fair one." I challenge him.

He pressed a button on his earpiece and said "Two minutes." then he took the earpiece off and threw it out of the window.

"You think I'm as stupid as my father?" He smirked. Before I could make out what he meant, I heard two peeps go off in my earpiece. "Chief..." "The light is blinking."

I just looked at him unbelievably. He just did not -

"I'd rather watch you run." He winked.

Fuck! "We'll meet again, Yazan. This is not over!" I said as I ran out of the room with him laughing behind my back. I knew I'm not meeting him again today.

"Nelson!" I shouted hoping he had found a way out. "Not even a window chief! Fucker led both the teams to a single exit hall! I'm trying to get in the wiring system. But two minutes isn't enough. You guys have to find a way out there!" He replied.

"Damnit!" I picked up my speed.

I heard some rustling. "Don't touch the door!" I panicked.

"The edges are covered in wire, chief. Door is wooden. We're trying to slice through it." I felt relief wash over me as I flew down the stairs.

"Second team!" "Copy!"

All five of my men slipped out by creating slits through the door. Nelson was quick in cutting off the electric supply. Once done, I got both the sources shot down. Little price for Yazan to slip out of my hands. Though it's not going to cost him a penny. But for us? This was our first successfully failed mission. But the only thing I'm grateful for is that all my sparrows are breathing. That's not an explanation for Warren who's going to chop my tongue off for this blunder.

I don't even know what to write in the mission minutes after going back. May be that I was too blind to see the other side of this mission. Or too scared to take a chance to tackle down my enemy. Either way, I failed and nothing else matters.

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

I know I've been MIA myself 😁. It's been a crazy year (yeah almost 8 months gone and I have no clue where did all the time go.) I'm sure I'm not the only person whining for this.

So. This chapter turns the sail towards a shore. Most of you know what's coming up later. But I promise I still have a few moves up my sleeve that you don't want to miss 😎.

Having said that, enjoy this. Make your theories and let me know what have you 'cooked'. I'll be back with the next chapter soon, hopefully.

Votes and comments are most welcome so keep them coming. ❤️