13.The Day Has Come
1216 Words
# Part 13 The Day Has Come
Captain Noah looked at everyone and said,
"Okay guys, stop panicking. If the infection starts spreading, it should start from the military base because the infected are kept in the laboratory there."
Ethan crossed his arms.
"But as long as we have Dr. Ron and his student Max Cooper, we don't know where it will start. They are up to no good."
"No," Noah replied firmly. "I know Max very well. He is a kind boy. He would never do something that might cost innocent lives."
Then he turned toward Lily.
"Lily, can you try to remember something from your visions concerning the outbreak of the infection? And can you remember the code you mentioned before in front of General Lucas?"
Everyone's attention shifted toward Lily.
She remained silent for a few seconds before shaking her head.
"No. They were fragments of visions. Before, after my death in the future, I used to be there physically. Now I can only see broken fragments, and that too from someone else's memory. I don't know how I'm able to see their memories."
The room became quiet.
Lily continued,
"Actually, even after my death, I saw Lisa once."
Lisa looked at her in surprise.
"You did?"
Lily nodded.
"She couldn't see me, nor was she able to hear me. I tried calling out to her, but she didn't react. I wasn't able to touch her either."
A strange feeling settled over the group.
"It felt as if I didn't exist."
Lily looked down at the floor.
"That was the last time something like that happened. After that, I never experienced it again."
Nobody spoke.
Captain Noah leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. If Lily's visions were becoming fragments of other people's memories, then perhaps the future itself was changing.
Or perhaps something far more dangerous had already begun.
Arjun suddenly stood up.
"Let's kidnap Max."
"What?!" Preet stared at him. "Are you out of your mind? He's not some second-grade kid. And worse, he's the son of one of the highest-ranked military officers. Do you want us all executed or what?"
"Not a bad idea," Noah said calmly.
Everyone turned toward him in disbelief.
Ethan threw his hands in the air.
"I am out of this game. What are you even thinking? Instead of doing something meaningful, you want to kidnap a military officer's son?"
"Yes, it is meaningful," Noah replied.
Ethan almost choked.
"Oh really? And what if he's innocent? Is he just going to forget that we kidn*pped him? He's definitely going to tell his mother about us, and then she'll put a g*n to our foreheads just like Lily had a g*n pointed at hers and—bam! Headshot."
"Ethan..." Ryan sighed.
"No, seriously! Has everyone lost their minds?"
"Relax, guys," Ryan said. "Captain Noah knows what he's doing. He has won over two hundred medals for solving criminal mysteries. He's a thousand steps ahead of the rest of us, so stop judging him and listen."
The room fell silent.
Noah nodded.
"Thank you."
He looked around the room before continuing.
"Listen, I understand your concerns. Max is a nice kid. I know that. But that's exactly why we need answers from him."
"So we're k********g him?" Ethan asked.
"No."
Everyone looked confused.
"We are bringing him in without letting him know why. If Max is innocent, we'll know quickly and we'll let him go."
"And if he's not?" Arjun asked.
Noah's expression hardened.
"Then he may be the only lead we have before the infection spreads."
The room became silent once again.
For the first time, everyone realized that whatever happened next could decide the fate of thousands of lives.
"I've known him for fourteen years," Noah said. "He was basically a little child when I first met him. The General used to bring him along to ceremonies sometimes. He would never do something like this."
He paused.
"But... I don't know if somebody has manipulated him into doing things."
Arjun immediately opened his laptop.
"Then take a look at this."
He placed the laptop in front of Noah and played the footage.
"Don't you think he's acting suspiciously? Look at the way he keeps looking at the cameras."
Noah watched the video carefully.
"Hmm..."
The room waited for his response.
"Even if we bring him here and question him, he won't tell his mother if he understands our intentions."
Arjun grinned.
"Then let's stop wasting time and get him. Come on."
Noah stood up.
"Alright."
Everyone looked at him.
"Arjun, Ryan, and Bright. The three of you have the best physique. You'll help me bring him in."
The three nodded.
"The rest of you keep the back entrance of the bunker open. Let's not involve the elders in this."
He turned toward Ethan.
"Ethan, record everything. If Max knows something, we'll need every detail later. It might help us understand his side of the story."
Ethan reluctantly nodded.
"Fine."
Noah then looked at Preet.
"Can you prepare a sedative injection?"
Preet frowned.
"You really think we'll need it?"
"Max isn't ordinary," Noah replied. "His mother has trained him since childhood. He's strong, skilled, and if things go wrong, he could overpower all of us."
Without arguing further, Preet prepared the injection and carefully explained the dosage.
"Don't exceed this amount," she warned.
Noah took the syringe and placed it inside his jacket.
"Understood."
A few moments later, Noah, Arjun, Ryan, and Bright quietly left the bunker while the others prepared the back entrance.
Noah took out his phone and called Max.
"Hi, Max. How are you?"
"I'm doing good. What about you, big bro?" Max replied cheerfully.
"I'm doing great. Can we meet now? Can I come to your place, or can you come to the café near First Block?"
"Oh, actually, I'm at the hospital. I'm about to leave for lunch. Can you come here? We can have lunch together. I know a nice place."
"Sure. See you there."
"Bye, big bro."
The call ended.
"Okay, let's go," Noah said.
As they drove toward the hospital, Noah suddenly stopped near a restaurant.
A few minutes later, he returned carrying several takeaway bags and a box of ice cream.
Arjun looked at him in confusion.
"Noah, are you hungry? We can have lunch later."
"No. Max just can't stay hungry for long, so I bought five takeouts."
"Five?" Arjun asked.
"One for each of us."
Bright stared at the bags in disbelief.
"Are we going on a picnic or something?"
Nobody answered.
"We are going for k********g!" Bright said dramatically, throwing his hands in the air.
Ryan burst out laughing.
Ryan placed a hand on Bright's shoulder.
"It's okay, Bright. Calm down."
"How can I calm down, bro?" Bright complained. "I'm probably going to die soon, and this guy is buying takeout for my potential killer. He's taking care of him like he's his baby brother."
Bright made an exaggerated crying face.
Even Arjun struggled to hold back his laughter.
Noah simply ignored them and continued driving.
A few minutes later, the hospital came into view.
The laughter slowly faded as the reality of what they were about to do sank in.
The car rolled to a stop near the hospital entrance.
-To Be Continues...
- Writer
