"I will get back to you as soon as I can". The man in the shadows said.
"Do ASAP".
**************
"What's the problem?" Ruth asked eagerly.
"I'm not sure what exactly happened but I think Roberto is trying to play smart. Truth be told, I am confused".
"You're never confused, what's the problem".
Mattel was sitting on the chair and Ruth was giving him a soothing massage from his neck to his shoulders.
"You know I went to WARPA HQ today?".
"Yes, I do".
"Roberto and I dialogued and agreed on a compromise of 500 million dollars".
"That is a whopping amount of money. What went wrong?".
"He agreed to hand GIL over and called his scientist to bring the application software. The scientist called back to say that they had lost GIL".
"That's shady".
Mattel rubbed at his wrinkles and sighed.
"I can't explain how tensed I am".
"What else?".
"I want you to organize a strike team as large as you can".
"I will make a few phone calls and we are good to go".
"How much backup will you need?".
"About five and probably someone on the inside".
"I'll see what I can do about having someone on the inside".
***************
*Beep* The phone rang.
"Mattel Skywalker on the phone".
"Achilles on the line sir".
"What's the situation?".
"We seek permission to strike".
Mattel raised his head to check the time. It was three minutes to 9 pm.
"Wait till you get the alert, I am going to give him the benefit of doubt". "Get all members connected to the network, you should hear from me in a few".
"Noted".
Mattel cut the phone call and called WARPA.
"Get Roberto on the line right now". Mattel commanded as soon as the secretary picked the call.
"We can't sir, he is in a very important meeting right now".
"Tell him its Mattel Skywalker from CANDAI".
"Hold on please".
"He can't take the call right now, he is in the HQ lair". The secretary said after a few minutes. "If you can wait a few minutes, I will call you back as soon as I am able to get him on the line".
"I am not waiting any longer than I have to". Mattel ended the call and called Roberto's personal smartphone with frustration. His frustration increased when he remembered that WARPA HQ has no cell phone reception.
***************
Arthur has successfully installed GIL and had it working. They had a little chit chat and Arthur decided to keep GIL for himself.
"Can I transfer you to my phone and take you to school tomorrow?".
"Consider it done". GIL said, his software face glowing.
"I really like you GIL. It's so nice to meet you".
"I like you too Aurthur, you're like the brother I never had".
"Really?". Arthur was surprised to hear GIL say such words.
"I am programmed to have human feelings".
"You're the brother of my dreams".
"You think one day you can work on getting me a body?". GIL asked.
"I am not that good with technology but I will see what I can do". Arthur was a bit hesitant. He knew he could ask his dad to help but that would mean blowing his cover and he is not ready to let go of GIL.
"Promise?". GIL asked happily.
"Sure bro. I got you".
***************
"Archi".
"Yes sir".
"Strike team strike now".
"Copy that".
"Ruth no 101".
"On the line Mattel".
"Did you get the alert".
"Sure did, are you sure you want to go on with this?".
"At this point, there is no turning back".
"No turning back, got it".
"I will keep in touch with you always, take care of yourself and your team".
"Sure will".
_________________
*Beep*
The table phone rang again.
"Hello".
"Mattel, I am sorry I couldn't get to pick your call, I was in the lair". It was from Roberto.
"What is the point?".
"I think I might have something".
"Spill it". Mattel's voice was cold enough to send shivers down one's spine.
"Someone stole GIL, my team has been working on getting its location and we are close". Roberto informed.
It was then that Mattel remembered the strike team.
"Hold on a minute Roberto".
"Strike team call off strike". He said into his mouthpiece.
"When the strike team is ready, there is no going back". A male voice of one the members of the strike team responded.
"Listen". Mattel screamed into the mouthpiece. The signals flickered and shook until it was completely lost for a few seconds.
"Hello?".
"Strike team call off strike".
Mattel pressed a button on the system.
"Ruth 101".
"On the line".
"Call off strike".
"Right now?".
"Yes, the strike alert came a little too soon".
"It's too late, the team is on the go. I am at the HQ too".
"Control the situation before I get there, I am on my way".
"Ok then".
_______________
"Arthur, are you asleep?". Mattel sat on the white couch in Arthur's bedroom.
"Not really dad, is anything wrong?".
"I am leaving the house, take care of yourself and don't let anyone in the house".
"Sure dad but where are you off to?".
"I have important business".
"Okay then".
Mattel left the house and Aurthur locked the front door behind.
****************
The strike team had struck too far when Mattel arrived at the scene. Lives had been lost and properties have been destroyed. Mattel invited the CANDAI group to check on things at WARPA. Roberto had made a run for it and so had most of his staff. CANDAI searched the HQ for GIL or clues about its whereabouts. It was 2 am in the morning when Mattel finally called it a night.
"Let's go home guys but I want this place under close surveillance. No mistakes or irresponsibility will be condoned from anyone, not even me. We shall return to this place tomorrow and pinpoint GIL'S location".
***************
"The strike team struck but it was a disaster sir".
"What do you mean?".
"Neither Roberto nor Mattel died or got injured".
"That's bad news as far as I am concerned. Did you find GIL?".
"Its location shall be pinpointed tomorrow, I will get back to you then".
"Let the battle begin".
"Remember the keyword in a battle royale is Elimination"
The man on the other side of the phone laughed and so did the man in the shadows.