" Watcher George... Watcher Rozelle... "
Their headsets went off at the same time, bringing both George and Rozelle back to consciousness.
" Reporting... "
" Reporting... "
They answered in a chorus, dusting off the debris that covered both of them.
" We lost them. " George looked around before helping his sister up. " They were nothing like normal Chemorians or any other extraterrestrial we have encountered this far... It seemed like they possessed nobody... "
" What about the students? " Asked the voice from the other side.
" They were allies. It seemed like they were the targets these creatures were pursuing... " George reported
" Hmmm....The encounter at the foothills now makes sense...Both of you should come back to safety and report the development...We will need to work with new strategies..."
" Yes sir. "
George looked at Rozelle who did not look convinced.
George quickly switched off his headset and then bent down,coming closer to his sister and asked, " What's on your mind? "
" We cannot go back. We have nothing on our hands. We don't even have enough information about what we are working on. Especially those kids. Who are they? Why are they so desperately chasing them? "
George silently nodded at her words.
" I don't think they were chasing after 'them'. "
" What do you mean? " Rozelle jumped up, dusting her thighs with her hands.
" I think they were particularly after Mira." George suggested.
" The girl? Are you sure or are you just guessing because you are infatuated with her? "
Rozelle arched her eyebrows, her tone accusative.
" What? No... What do you mean infatuated... I noticed their movements. Their eyes were fixated over her. "
Rozelle gently hit the back of George's head and remarked, " So were yours. Does it mean you were after her as well? Stop assuming things. We need proof and evidence to back our claims. Now get up and get offline. We need to do some more digging before heading back to the headquarters. "
George obediently followed orders. He severed all connectivity with the Watchers Headquarters.
***
" We are unable to reach Watchers Rozelle and George. They were meant to head right back but it's been almost a day. We have no news. We cannot reach them through any server. "
One of the Watchers tried searching through the screens, paranoid when Robert silently walked in from the back.
" Where was their last location? " His voice was very calm and composed.
" Here... Right in the middle of this street. " He zoomed in. Robert did not waste another moment. " I am going after them. " He announced before leaving.
His phone rang as he hurried towards his rover.
" Hi, Robert. It's me, Layla. I have a very important development in your case... "
" Not now Layla. I am off to a mission. I will give you a call when I get back. "
Robert hung up on Layla before she could utter another word.
Just then, his screen flashed with details about the mission he had embarked on. And it lit up his eyes as much as it lit up his screen.
He had to strain his eyes to make sure he wasn't mistaken.
He was staring at Braze's picture, his mind racing with the flashbacks from their first encounter.
" No way, this is the same boy... "
He immediately called Layla.
" Oh, Hi Robert! I thought you were off to a mission... "
" Do you know a boy called Braze? A teenager, student..."
Robert went straight to the point.
" Umm, huh? Well... I may... I will need to check... "
Layla fumbled, trying to look for words.
" Well, in that case, please look it up thoroughly... I am on my way to your office. "
Robert hung up , leaving Layla in a fix.
She knew something like that might eventually be coming. She usually never divulged patient details, but Robert and Braze were different.
She picked up her phone and dialed Quill's number.
***
" Is this a pleasant surprise, or is the world coming to an end? "
Quill answered with his usual nonchalance.
" I need your help. Can you please come to my place immediately? "
She asked.
" Now? Like right now? It's the middle of the night. You want me at your place in the middle of the night? I am in. I don't complain... " He chuckled but Layla frowned and cut back.
" It's about your brother. I need your help. Hurry up if you will please. "
She was close to barking at Quill.
" Oh, I see... " The drop in his enthusiasm was very visible. "What did he get himself into this time? "
" Umm, well... I can't explain it to you over the phone. Please come at once. He will be here any moment. I need you by my side to face him this time. I can't handle him alone. "
Quill did not need to hear the rest of it. All he heard was " I need you... ".
" I will be right there. Don't worry. "
He was off on the streets, headed straight where his heart was, towards his Layla's place, quite unaware about the reality of the situation.
Meanwhile Layla jumped out of her bed and headed straight for her files and systems.
She could not risk Robert getting hold of all her work.
It was a strange world they lived in.
They all had their own stories and motivations.
They all worked towards what they thought was for their best interest. Layla was no exception.
She got herself ready for the task at hand.
One after another, the vials went down a secret chamber, followed by a few folders and drives. After making sure she locked and camouflaged the hiding spot well, she deliberately messed her hair and jumped back in her bed with a book.
" Robert, Braze... I am sorry for what I am about to do. Both of you seem like good guys. At Least, I never felt any malice from you directly like your people. But it doesn't change the fact that you come from a long line of murderers. This is nothing personal. It's just a fight for survival. "
She muttered under her breath.