We stood facing each other, our chests slightly in contact, touching and not touching at the same time. Our eyes were locked in a deadly combat, where his were a deep forest green, much darker than mine, and they burned with anger, dislike and an emotion difficult to decipher. I guess he was not used to someone taking his authority so lightly but it wasn't like I was going to be working under him. I was here on Mother's authority, or atleast the person I impersonated was, so why should I act like his subordinate or be afraid of him in any way? The bronzed skin of his face and the light stubble along his sharp jawline and chin came up to my eyes while his lips almost brushed my forehead due to our close proximity. I hated the fact that I had to look up to meet his eye, allowing him to assert dominance without even trying.
I think he realized that, because the next thing he did was give me an annoying smirk, hinting at a dimple on his cheek.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a new pet, crew," he said it loud enough so that the people nearby could hear it clearly.
Pet? He was kidding, wasn't he? It sounded like he was a Dom and he just found a lost sub at the BDSM club.
We'll see who's really lost pretty soon, hot stuff.
I was intrigued with his personality in this short encounter and made me want to learn more about him. However, that is not what I was here for and I needed to remind my little buddy of that.
I raised an eyebrow at him and he took a few steps back, tucked his hands in his pockets and started walking in the direction of the corridor on the left side of the room.
He gestured me to follow him into the corridor which was rather narrow and ended quickly, but led to various compartments, most of them were closed while some were left open. This I presumed was the security section, where all the activities of the base were monitored. Hopefully, this included prisoners and hostages so I could get a glimpse of where they were keeping Amira's father.
He opened the door to a studio-like chamber with a few LEDs, but bright enough screens to make up for it.
"The security system was set up by renowned IT professionals and software, some of the best in the world."
I wondered if they knew they were providing security for one of the leading terrorist groups in the world.
"Not the best," I murmured proceeding into the room, gazing at the interior.
Three men and two women were already present in the room, seated in front of their computers.
"Don't think you are the only smartass we have around here," he told me as we walked through the passageway. I smirked as I get reminded of the similar insult I got back at Ali's house for denying the reality, the dream imposed so clearly in front of me. "There are plenty around here who will give you a tough time proving your skill."
"You'll be working from here, along with the rest of these guys on the security team. You can ask them if you want any details regarding the set up and how things work here. Get them on board with your ideas, tell them how you plan to proceed with them, and guide them on the instructions in order to put the new plan into action.
"And remember, I've got my eyes on you," he pointed two fingers at his eyes and then back at me, before exiting the room, putting me in a state of stupor. I was left wondering why did God have to make evil so tempting? ?
The crew got up and came to me, shaking hands while introducing themselves. They must have been informed about a new recruit into their team, who will be acting as their head. Real or fake, leadership wasn't really a skill that I excelled at. Ali and Amira were much better at that. Perhaps it was because of their background or upbringing, in which they were trusted enough to assign them authority on important matters that gave them confidence of taking decisions and trained them into the good leaders they were today. This is something I lacked unquestionably, not because I wasn't given the freedom to make decisions for myself, but because I wasn't with decisions that concerned others. Jala, however, was never given a choice.
Once they briefed me about their current scheme of works and shared all the integral data, I settled myself down on a swivel chair in the corner of the room and set up my laptop on the desk beside the monitor placed on the desk before me.
The room reminded me of my very first work experience in an office based job as a software engineer, which had similar interior and environment, but was way more crowded and had other departments working in the place.
I had to start working on retrieving the data from files they had on their network. The information I had got until now mostly concerned the security of the area. There was no mention of who worked for them, nor any information on their staff or outside parties they were linked with. Rescuing Suleiman Khan was only part of why we were here. The real mission was to bring the downfall of the Mother, and it had to begin with me intruding the network system and getting hold of the databases.
I began taking a look at the files the men had just shared with me, and started navigating through the footages being played in front of me. If I could sync the security cameras, I could get an overall layout of the place and share it with the team back in Pakistan. This will make it easier for them to find their way through the base once they reach here, resulting in a more efficient onset strategy for their attack. I would also have to sync the two devices in order to retrieve data, however doing so will make my computer part of the network which means the data in my computer may also become accessible for them to view. I will have to strengthen the security of my device and put up firewalls to protect it against any such breaches.
After a while of working on the setup script of the proxy server of my laptop, I grabbed my stuff and wandered off in search of something to eat, maybe even get a better look at the place. It was late afternoon, close to sunset, judging by the golden rays of the sun cascading down the edges of the building. The hallway I entered through was much less crowded now, where I could hear the fall of my heavy footsteps echoing through the hall as I walked towards its exit and into the courtyard it opened into. I grabbed a sandwich and my second cup of coffee since I got here, at the cafeteria and spotted some of Khan's soldiers sitting at the tables, having lunch with their inmates. We made no move to greet one another, since the behavior would be regarded as suspicious and leave the onlookers to wonder whether we belong to similar origins, but we gave discreet nods to acknowledge the other's presence. The ones who saw me will tell the others of our arrival, an important development in the proceedings of our plan.
The rest of the people present there didn't pay me much attention save for a few glances and guarded whispers, as is the custom to greet new kids. I finished my lunch and drained the last drops of coffee into my mouth, and walked out the cafeteria. I had no intention of returning to the office right now, so I began pacing around the courtyard with my backpack slung around my shoulders. I noticed there was a small passageway, along the boundary walls of the courtyard besides the only small patch of greenery in the surroundings.
It probably wasn't a good idea to go that way, judging by the way my gut wrenched and every ounce of sense pleaded to stop and turn back. Nevertheless, I proceeded in the direction with nothing except for the grating of receding footsteps on the stone floor and my backpack to keep me company. I didn't really expect to find anyone along the way, because it was unusual to be wandering in this part of the place, if not suspicious and against the rule books.
I turned left at the end of the passageway which was the only way to go. It reached a dead end a few meters away but had a metal staircase leading to a door, just before that. The door was left slightly ajar with no lights to follow, and felt like a road leading to darkness. My hand hesitated on the door's surface, for just a moment before I pushed it and entered.
Despite being the most furnished part of the base I have witnessed until now, it felt the most daunting. The lights were harsh and in abrupt places, while the air smelled of antiseptic and had a metallic tinge to it. The doors in the hallway had special locks, which required a code to be opened. Passersby were little more than shadows, wearing scrubs in blue and orange, while some wore uniforms, giving the impression of a hospital or jail.
I figured that is exactly what it must be. I need to get out of here.