֍ Sametime in Iraq ֍
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"I am exhausted…
Seriously… what the hell am I doing? I'm supposed to be relaxing in Thailand but no… still gotta trek through the goddamn desert!"
Anton was stuck dealing with the misery of travelling alone on camel back through the Iraqi desert while trying to reach a hidden military compound.
It was his last stop before leaving for Thailand and resting with that little time he had left to enjoy the luxuries his boss had bought the new recruits and their families before training started.
His own wife and children were already there and enjoying themselves as he would hear from them during his evening calls every so often.
It all made Anton jealous and furious that he had to be out in the desert alone on a camel, but he more thought about the rewards and benefits his work would bring the company as a whole.
He knew he would be leading the private military company as the face in the future, so Anton wanted to find the best to work under him, racing all over the globe to recruit the deadliest soldiers.
Those he'd gone out to find in the Iraqi desert were another serious problem…
He wondered if he would be shot on sight or greeted with grunts and a vicious beating.
But it wouldn't matter if he could get their help…
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There were some broken structures up ahead that Anton picked out through the gushing sand winds that felt harsh on the skin.
Slowly cutting through the winds, Anton arrived with his trusty camel he named Tesco, and secured him at the water trough before he started to explore the broken buildings for some sign.
The buildings were clearly damaged by warfare, predominantly the American armies invading Iraq during their quest to stop Saddam Hussein from building his own nukes, but it came out much later that there was more to it.
Anton saw the markings on one of the structurally sound buildings.
It was exactly what he was trying to find as it meant the location of the entrance.
But just as he got near it, someone called from behind, catching Anton off guard but also happy that the voice was of an old friend.
"You shouldn't be here…"
"Ayy… *sigh* I've been doing swell Aamir…
Hows Master been?"
The sound of blades unsheathing could be heard over the whistling of the wind…
"You were forbidden from coming back!"
Aamir was furious that the person he called his brother so long ago was back after betraying their secret order.
Going against their master and bringing harm to their brethren, all for his own greed…
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"Aamir, take this…"
Anton could be bothered fighting against his old friend, nor did he have the energy to do so.
He through out the small case he was carrying with him that contained a letter and a small cell phone that needed to be handed over to his old master.
Aamir didn't want to listen to Anton, but seeing the sincerity in his old friends' eyes, he begrudgingly sheathed his blades and walked over to retrieve the box.
Daring not to open it, Aamir ran his hands over the intricate design that was carved into the small wooden box.
Admiring the design of the small box, he was surprised to learn from Anton that there were people seeking their master's guidance.
"You know better than me to ask him to return into such a deadly game of strategy and warfare…"
Aamir didn't hold back the disgust in his voice, as he never expected anything less from his exiled brother, however…
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"Aamir…
Remember what master would say to us as children… his dream for this world as the ancestors before him and us had for the people…
Well, I found someone that can make it happen… and I don't want master to watch from the side as his dream becomes reality."
Aamir had a questioning look as he stared at Anton with disbelief in his eyes, but he sound hid his face and put the small box away before opening the small gate that led underground.
Anton followed behind closely, as Aamir raced through the narrow caves and holes deep below the ground until they finally reached an open clearing that looked like a small city built underground with spots of gold and marble all around.
Seeing the sight of the underground city where he grew up, Antons fond memories of the past resurfaced in his mind, as well as the night of his escape much later on…
Aamir called some guards to escort Anton away, while he met with their Master first.
The guards, who were dressed similar to the Middle Ages and wore plated armour made using modern techniques which gave it great strength and durability, it still lacked the important immunity against bullets.
Anton didn't mind the guards and followed all of their instructions, happily waiting for his master to call for him.
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Nonetheless, as Anton waited, his master listened to Aamirs report in his study chambers.
"…Is this all he has sent?"
The older man sat in his plush throne that made him float in the air, but it was done to reduce the strain on his old body.
He stroked his long white beard as he read through the letter in his hand with the phone still in the wooden case, resting beside him on a small tray of golden and silver.
Beside Aamir and his master, there were the servants and guards within the room, all protecting and listening patiently for their master orders.
Having read the message within the letter, he continued to think again and again about the subject it contained.
He gestured for Aamir to step for have a read himself, retrieving it from a servant of his master.
Once Aamir read through the message, he didn't know how to express himself without being disrespectful before his master.
What the letter asked for was allegiance and servitude to help bring order to a society that will far beyond the closest star.
Aamir was furious someone had dare asked for his master's servitude and allegiance, already thinking of ways to find out from Anton who sent him to ask such things.
The old man noticed Aamirs anger, just by looking at his disciple he knew the fire that burned within him.
"Aamir, what did you gather from that message…?"
"That they wish to ask for your servitude!
Master, I beg you, let me know and deal with these scoundrels that dare squander your name!"
"Aamir… *Sigh* I feel like we both read two different messages…
Child, did you not see what the other part of the message said?"
Aamir knew his temper who get the best of him at times, which typically angered his master, but he always thought it was best to act and beg for forgiveness later.
Unfortunately, his way of thinking and brought him much strife and problems that he always neglected to see.
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"Let me tell you then, what it says…
He talks about order, but not for the current society, instead about one that will come…
One that will go beyond the closest star… our sun…
Do you understand now?
This person is asking us to help insert the power of our order, child, into the very foundation of the future society that will live among the stars and travel to various planets…"
"Master… I can see how you might have got some of that from the message, having read over it the second time… but the other half of your explanation sounds… unplausible…"
The old man smiled at Aamir who looked frightened for voicing his opinion on his master thoughts, having never done such a thing in the past.
"Aamir, you might think with age I do not keep up with the times, but child, this order is about information and knowledge…
Do not forget on what foundations we are built from…
Now bring me Anton… I wish to see that child…"
Aamir didn't move, as the guards left and went to retrieve Anton instead.
Within a minute, Anton was already within the Oldmans' study chambers, kneeling before his first master.
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"Anton… child, it's been too long.
How have you been, playing with the Americans?"
"Meh, they can be fun and enjoyable to deal with until they throw you aside like shit…
Much like what I did to you master… seems much too similar doesn't it?"
Anton eyed his master curiously, as if saying 'I know you had a hand in my burning' but he couldn't say it allowed unless he wanted to be beaten to death by Aamir, who was already furious Anton even dared to look up from the ground.
"Karma… child, is a bitch…"
A gasp, nobody in their right mind would ever hear such words from their master, but here they were, listening to him curse so freely.
"Listen Anton, I do not mind, this boss of yours' proposal… what I do wish to confirm though, will it truly be done within your lifetime?"
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The reason the old man asked Anton this important question was the problematic issue of the order right now.
They were facing internal problems with his health declining and people were preparing their own branches to seize power, while training students was getting harder as well with human traffickers focused on sex industry, increasing costs and problems with acquiring talent.
The ways of their order were being affected and struggling to keep operation without the internal problems cascading and affecting everyone.
More than anything, the old man just wanted the order to survive through the chaos his own people were causing within and externally until they could at least ensure their survival into the future.
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"Master… I think it's best if you just call using the phone within the wooden case.
The person on the otherside would be best able to answer-"
"Anton…
I asked for your opinion, child, not someone I do not know or understand…
So, tell me, child…?"
Anton looked up and stared towards his master, trying to express his honesty best through his eyes, "I… don't know… however he is the most promising, especially carrying news of times ahead…"
Anton didn't go into it to deeply, but he just wanted to let his master know a little about the time he learned of future political and major geographical events.
At the time he was sceptical, but with the current trends and news he'd just seen in the last month, some of what Esmond told him sounded like a true possibility.
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"For now, everyone… leave…"
The guards saw everyone out, including Aamir and Anton, leaving only the old man and his trusted butler by his side.
The old man gestured for his butler to retrieve the phone and call the number saved in the contacts.
The only number…
{Mr Mars}