As Tisane dashed past the door, he had the sensation of being on a rollercoaster. He tried to steady himself when a worker came across his path, but it was too late...
~Crash!~
Tisane ran full speed into a man in suit and tie carrying a carton full of files. The sudden collision drew the attention of almost everyone on the first floor of the office.
"Whoa!"
"Did you see that?"
"Is he drunk?"
Everyone stopped what they were doing to observe the unexpected break of orderliness.
"Hey man what the hell is wrong with you!" The worker that was knocked down became embarrassed and angry.
"Am sorry, am sorry, am sorry" Tisane was scared shitless at what just happened. Trying to help the man get up.....
"Hey you!" The security guard from before rushed into the building and seeing the scene before him, became more convinced that Tisane was up to no good.
Tisane's fear doubled as he saw the wrathful eyes of the security guard.
"Stop right there!" The security guard roared as he pointed a stiff finger at Tisane. Of course what he said was interpreted to Tisane as 'run', for Tisane left the worker that he pushed down and took to his heels. He had to because he knew that if he was to be apprehended by the security, it might involve the police. For it could be rightly said that he committed two offenses against the number one company in the country. Firstly, he trespassed into the company premises without authorization. Secondly, he unintentionally assaulted a company worker.
Many people have been jailed for less!
Only by meeting Mr Fadeyemi would he be able to save himself right now. Rushing into a nearby elevator, Tisane just randomly and urgently pushed numbers. As the elevator closed, Tisane saw the security guard running towards him and shouting at him to stop.
While he was in the elevator as it began to move, Tisane felt a suppressing and heavy weight of emotions press down on him.
What the hell was he doing?!
He just came to report for the job he was graciously given but then he responds by ungraciously invading the company where he is supposed to work?!
Tisane at this point felt like surrendering but then a resolute goal or purpose stood firm in his mind; Mr Fadeyemi is the CEO of this company and the person who gave him a job employment. If he is able to meet with Mr Fadeyemi and explain himself, all will be well.
With that thought in mind, Tisane affirmed that he must meet with Mr Fadeyemi at all cost.
Meanwhile...
"Damn it!" As the elevator closed on him, the security guard swore greatly as he turned to see his colleague rushing towards him.
"Call it in!" The security guard quickly instructed. "We have an intruder in the building!"
--------------------------
Tisane cautiously peeped his head out of the open elevator as he saw a group of men and women in corporate wears walking past, barely sparing a glance at him. He was not sure if he would see Mr Fadeyemi on this floor. Besides, he was not sure how many floors were in the building altogether. Nervously walking around, not knowing what to do, he saw two men staring at him curiously. Taking this as a welcoming sign, Tisane summoned courage and walked towards the two men.
"Good day sirs" Tisane began. "Do you know where I can find Mr Fadeyemi?"
"Who?" One of the men asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Mr Fadeyemi" Tisane repeated. "I think he is the CEO of this company"
"You want to see the CEO?" The second man asked with a slight surprise.
"Yes" Tisane nodded as he began to explain. "You see, I was given a job here and----"
Tisane paused as his eyes caught two security guards listening to their walkie talkies. Few seconds later, they stopped and started looking around until their gazes landed on him. Tisane shook as he knew he had been sighted.
He had to run!
As if to confirm his theory, the security guards started walking towards his direction. When they saw him retreating, they did the very thing all security personnel are known for.
"Hey you, stop right there!"
Tisane's speed increased as he raced past a group of shocked men and women. As he ran forward, he noticed some office personnel stepping into an elevator.
"Hey please wait!" Tisane called out as he rushed towards them. Stepping into the elevator, Tisane quickly started pushing buttons.
"Hey who are you?!"
"What do you think you are doing?!"
The office personnel reacted immediately because of Tisane's rude and strange behavior.
"Hey hold that elevator!" The security guards called out as they rushed towards the closing elevator.
"No don't!" Tisane quickly objected as he saw one of the office personnel about to stop the elevator doors from closing.
"Huh? Hey kid what the hell?!" The office personnel was surprised by Tisane's suspicious behavior. Tisane grabbed him and drew him into the elevator causing the doors to close before the security guards could get there.
"Are you the one those security guards are after?" One of the men in the elevator asked with a look of suspicion in his eyes.
On normal cases, Tisane would have ignored him. But glancing at everyone in the elevator, Tisane could see that they all had the same look in their eyes as the man earlier.
'Uh oh' Tisane knew he shouldn't have entered this elevator.
******************
"What?! You have a tracker implanted in you?" Agent Tolu exclaimed.
"....." boss Ajasa remained silent.
"The underworld gangs always plant trackers in their surbordinates" Tobi said as he glanced at Tolu and James with accusing eyes. "Didn't you guys know this?"
"How did you expect us to know?!" Tolu lashed out while pointing at Tobi. "And if you knew, why didn't you say anything?"
"I just told you" Tobi said.
"I meant earlier!" Tolu shouted.
"Enough!" James commanded. Glancing at everyone in the room. "You all don't have to worry about any tracker"
"What do you mean captain?" Tolu asked.
"Because I deactivated them" James simply explained.
"What do you mean by 'deactivated?" Ajasa asked as he tried to scan his body with his eyes. "Did you do something to me?"
"The flash bombs I released earlier to capture you both have other functions, such as EMP(Electro magnetic pulse)" James said. "Once the energy inside is released, it neutralizes any low level device within a 10 meter radius"
"Captain so you are saying they can't be tracked?" Tolu asked in relief.
"Yes" James replied.
"Um...excuse me" Tobi said with a look of comprehension in his eyes. "You keep referring to both of us, does that mean....."
"Yes" James nodded to confirm Tobi's suspicion. "You also had a tracker implant"
"...." Tobi was shocked speechless.
"Didn't you know that?" Tolu addressed Tobi with mockery in his eyes.
"So you---" Ajasa was shook.
*Sigh* seeming to understand the situation, he sighed deeply as he nodded. "It seems you're more capable than I thought captain James"
"Now, Ajasa I need answers" James quickly said.
"On what?" Ajasa asked.
"On the next shipment of illegal goods that will be hitting the factions main port" James said.
"Y--you know about the factions main port?" Ajasa asked with great shock visible in his eyes.
Every departmental level in the underworld, be it the factions, the estates or the kingdoms all share a level of autonomy. Being able to conduct some of their own affairs without directives from the empire HQ. One of this features of their autonomy are the ports.
There are ports all over the underworld which are categorized by three main types namely: the airports, seaports and the land ports. These ports help to supply resources and goods needed for maintenance and operations.
Every departmental level in the underworld have their main ports which supply general goods and services. As for the individual factions, estates and kingdoms, they have their private ports. But the goods received from these private ports are nothing to compare with the main ports.
"Yes I do" James nodded. "What I want to know is when the next shipment is coming in"
"...."
Seeing Ajasa stay silent, James pointed to the huge computer screen that was displaying the faces of men, women and children.
"I told you that I can protect your family and I meant it" James said. "But that won't be possible if you don't give me the information I need"
"The factions are expecting a shipment in three days time by noon" Ajasa said after some time.
James nodded as he asked "what do the shipments contain?"
"High grade weapons, drugs and some secret information" Ajasa said.
"Information on what?" James asked.
"I don't know" Ajasa shook his head.
"Very well" James nodded.
"Wait; what are you planning to do?" Tobi suddenly asked.
"To sabotage that shipment" James said simply.
"What?!" Ajasa stared wide eyed. "You plan to take on the entire underworld factions by yourself?"
"Well not technically----" James began.
"You can't possibly be serious" Ajasa was not finished. "That's an act of courting death!"
"Calm down Ajasa" James said. "I know what am doing"
"But I thought you were going to protect our family" Tobi said.
"Yes I am" James said firmly.
"How? By killing yourself?" Ajasa said. "Cos that's what this plan of yours sounds like"
"Listen to me both of you" James said. "The best way to save your family is to take the factions attention away from you both. If by anyway, the factions precious shipment gets highjacked or destroyed in some way; what do you think is gonna happen Ajasa?"
Ajasa stared at James with confusion and surprise etched on his face. On seeing everyone stare at him waiting for an answer, he could only swallow his surprise and speak.
"Losing their main shipment would cause disruption among the factions" Ajasa said thoughtfully.
"Exactly" James affirmed. " Big news takes over small news right? The hunt for the both of you is just based on some little conflict. As for the loss of the shipment, that would cause a major conflict"