[ D day - 3 ] [ 2 H : 01 M : 03 S ] [ State capital H ]
Vikram rushed to the penthouse on the other side of the city through air. He had to put some effort towards escaping radars. Not that there were many.
The Indian military is out in full force with all equipment, but most of it is concentrated on the other side of the country across borders, as it should.
The borders were not just in trouble due to neighboring countries, but also due to the kind of species they attributed to the dungeons over there.
The kashmiri dungeons were evolved to have the extinct mountain lion, or saber toothed cat.
On the other side, the seven sisters at the foothills of Himalaya are predicted to have gigantic white tigers, which have become almost extinct.
At the border with Bangladesh, where the delta creates a strange sort of brackish delta, they fear they would have an invasion of saltwater crocodiles.
Saltwater crocs are going to be hard to kill, even with modern weapons. The current houses are no match to these crocodile's strength. Worse yet, they predict the extinct turtle megafauna will emerge out of at least one dungeon in the states that surround this rainforest delta.
The point is, as dangerous as state capital H is, it is alright to station only infantry here.
The navy, air and other forces, with all of the army's most powerful equipment are moved to these suspected redzones.
What remained in the state capital are more of hot weapons and strongmen, rather than surveillance machines.
Thus, for the time being, in this particular place, Vikram could get around any which way, as long as he kept track of the two radars which surveyed the city. One of these precious radars monitored the airport.
The other radar, he is sure, safe-guarded the senate building. After all, in times of crisis, there is nothing worse than losing effective leadership, no matter how awful that said leadership was. It will always be better than anarchy.
Vikram reached the said building.
He did not land immediately, but searched the entire scene thoroughly.
The place is neither far, nor near any of the military camps. There are a set of men inside, who oozed danger from their very own bodies, exactly like those die-hard military commandos of the Indian army.
Vikram frowned.
This does not look like an ambush. Yet, at the same time, it is not looking like a simple situation. Who is this guy ? a businessman ? or an Organized crime parading as a businessman ?
All the same, he had accepted the deal, so he had to sell the goods.
Vikram landed, took back his wings first, but kept the rest of the camouflage.
" Hello. Are you ZhaoMing ? " Vikram asked.
The man in front of him did not respond for a moment as if he did not understand the question at all. After exactly three seconds, the man answered, with his poker face still just as expressionless as before.
" Yes, I am. " … a lie.
Vikram's senses had been strengthened all around with gene modifications. It's all too easy to see this is a lie, even if the man in front of him was an expert at lying.
Was the client detained inside the building ? Is that why this entire situation feels weird ?
He doesn't mind selling a gene modification to this guy, but the client must prove he was not going to cause trouble in this city.
" What are you going to use the gene modification for ? " Vikram asked, looking the man up and down.
" For self protection of course ! As you can see, I am not a citizen of this country. " The man in front of him exclaimed.
Not a lie.
" Then why are you lying about your name ? " Vikram asked directly.
The man looked at him in shock.
This guy must be an expert in lying, if he was this surprised he's caught.
"How.. h..oww? " the man stuttered. Vikram thought the stutter was more of pretending than real.
The moment he called out the man's lie, the entire body language of the guy changed. His limbs are tense and relaxed, as if he is readying himself for a fight any minute. His eyes became guarded. He caressed the ring on his finger.
The entire picture had changed from the neighborhood brother to the top boss.
Vikram reeled back in surprise at how fast the change was. As expected ! None of the guys who could gather this much cash was a pushover.
More importantly, Vikram felt this guy could pay even if he increased the price ten times more. Definitely not a small fry.
Yet, he was young. Too young to be a politician who gets sent to other countries. However, it's hard to guess the age of orientals, so it could very well be this guy is in fifties, yet looks like he just turned thirty yesterday.
Vikram stayed silent.
"I can pay. " The man insisted.
After all, this is an illegal transaction. Sure, not forbidden by the law, but not approved of either. The most important point in such an exchange is for the parties to be able to deliver the promises on their side.
What does it matter as long as they could pay ?
" I need a promise from all your men they will not cause trouble in this country. " Vikram added.
The man looked shocked at the demand. Then he burst out laughing.
" HAAHAAHAAA! hA! HA! HA AHA! " Then all of a sudden, his laughter turned into tears.
He wiped off the tears forcefully, as if he was embarrassed that he was doing such a thing at all.
Vikram wondered what the hell was the man's problem, as he watched him tone down a mental breakdown.
Vikram is sure it's a mental breakdown.
He did not prod the man as he got his emotions under control.
" I thought all Indians hated their government ! " he said, looking at Vikram in interest.
Vikram frowned at the words.
" Government is not a country ! people are ! " Vikram said nonchalantly, while his head was going haywire internally.
What the fuck ? Why is this guy suddenly talking about the government ? did he really run into some kind of terrorist group ?
The vibe of this guy did not look like he is a terrorist, not even remotely. If anything, he looked like a white collar worker.
" Indeed ! Indeed ! How in the world did I forget such a simple thing ? " The man mumbled to himself sadly.
Vikram only thought whatever funk the man was in, he would get over it soon.
"So, the oath from you and your men ! " he reminded the man.
The man smiled brightly up at him.
" First, let me introduce myself. I am Song Ziyu, ambassador of C country. " the man said.
That is a surprise. Why is he here ? Aren't all ambassadors supposed to be in Delhi ? Although some offices existed in other metros, C country doesn't seem to be one of those options for their state capital.
Or.. wait.. The medical students ! Vikram remembered all of a sudden. Many lazy students who want to study medicine go to other countries! Such student numbers are greatest from their state, more widely, from south india.
Never mind ! This is not the time for a general knowledge test. All he wants is that oath before he gives out his gene modification. C country's gold is also gold. As long as he receives his payment, he will sell the gene mods.
" Confirm goods first. " Song Ziyu insisted.
Vikram put his hand out, bringing out a light. He changed his defense from golden skin to silver skin.
Then he snuffed it out, gave an iron knife to Ziyu, offering his hand. After a moment of thought, Ziyu returned the knife, bringing out one of his own.
He slashed Vikram's extended hand.
The knife made a scratching sound, but did not cut the skin.
After a moment, Ziyu brought out another knife, and cut across Vikram's skin before he could take the hand back.
The skin split, but only slightly. Blood oozed out for just a bit before the wound closed.
Ziyu looked up at Vikram in shock.
" That is another gene modification. Not for sale. " Vikram told him, frowning at Ziyu's action.
Ziyu, despite the greed in his eyes, stood down. After all, it's clear that Vikram had faith in his healing ability, that is why he came out so confidently to sell the gene modifications. He could not be killed with their current strength. Not that he would play foul.
It's better to maintain a good relationship with him.
" My apologies. I needed to ascertain the limits. " Ziyu spoke, offering the knife that cut him to Vikram, hilt first.
Vikram accepted it.
Then, Ziyu retrieved his phone, and made a call.
Soon, the men started flooding upstairs, a lot of military men, and a few families.
" This young master ! I wonder if you accept any form of payment other than gold and cash ? " Ziyu asked, as he looked back at Vikram.
" Oath first. " Vikram insisted.
Ziyu smiled, and explained the deal to the men following him.
Suddenly, the mood of the men and community changed, as their gaze changed from 'Looking at a dirty insect ' to ' a good man '.
Even the military men who were ready to spring into action in a single moment to split Vikram's throat loosened their guard.
Song ziyu said the oath in their language, while Vikram turned on google translate to make sure that what they are speaking is the correct oath.
That familiar geeky action brought a smile to few of the youth's faces.
They took the oath in all earnestness in this lighthearted mood. Fortunately, no one was lying when they took the oath. Vikram breathed a sigh of relief. He did not want to cause an international event so early in the game.
" So, what form of payment are we talking about ? " Vikram asked, looking curiously at Song Ziyu.