SS: The Mark of Innocence II - Ch 9 Pg 109 COMPLETED - Page 62

Chapter 7

Being pushed into a small room we looked one another and then waited for the men to leave. As soon as they did Ayesha walked to the other end of the room, she leaned against the wall and started to motion her hands I was just about to ask her what she was doing when her hands came free, she quickly removed the tape around her mouth and then came to free Zack and myself.

'How did you kn...Zoya...she told you didn't she?' Zack asked her. Ayesha's eyes started to moisten 'Yes...Zack, Asad she is innocent'. I stood up and removed what Zoya had left in my mouth 'What is that?' Zack asked 'A key...when she kissed me she inserted this into my mouth' 'Asad what did she whisper in your ear she...she said Bhopal Station Locker 401...and then...then said that she loves me...Ayesha what did she lip to you' 'When she came in she said I am sorry I didn't mean to hurt you...please trust me...and then...then she told me that Commando is still alive'

Zack and I looked at her in disbelief 'Wh...what...he is still alive...where...is he behind this all?' 'I don't think so Zack...form what Zoya was doing and saying I think he is in danger...look we need to get out of here, whatever we are looking for we will find in locker 401'

The three of them ran out and then made their way to the station, as they entered they went in search for the lockers 'there are no lockers here Asad...are you sure she said Bhopal station?' 'Yes, that is what she said...wait let me go and check'

I walked to a station officer 'Excuse me sir, would it be possible to get a locker here?' 'Locker...I am sorry sir we do not have any lockers' 'Oh...thank you' I didn't understand, why would Zoya give me a key and then name a place where there was nothing, as I started to walk off the officer called after me 'Sir, my apologies, I believe there is a locker room just on the opposite side of the station, it is not used very often so I had totally forgotten about it...but I am not sure if there would be any available' 'Thank you, I will check'

Taking Zack and Ayesha we headed towards the locker room. it was a large room that looked like it had not been used for a long time 'locker 401...find it' I said, we all went in different directions in search for it. 'Got it' Ayesha called out. I ran towards her as did Zack, pulling out the key I opened the locker.

Inside we found three guns, a folder and an envelope that was addressed to all three of us. Zack took hold of the folder, Ayesha hid her gun in the rim of her jeans under her jacket and then held out one to me and Zack, we did the same.

'Asad, open the letter' Ayesha said. I quickly opened the letter, it was from Zoya.

If you are reading this, it means I have been succeeded in keeping you alive. It also means that you have a million questions that need answering. Firstly, I am sorry for deceiving you, for hurting you and putting you in danger, it was never my intention.

I never wanted to be found, and when I was I knew that your safety would be compromised, I never wanted the same fate for you all as what the others did.

Up until now I have managed to convince Tariq and his men to keep you alive but I know as soon as what they have what they want they will come after you...but before then they will kill me.

Commando is alive and is being held captive by Tariq and his new found army, an army that is dangerous and lethal. On my last mission I stumbled across some of Tariq's men, in their drunken states they told me that Commando was alive and being held in the basement of the old fort.

When I got there I saw Commando in a state that I will never forget, he had been beaten and tortured mercilessly. Commando told me that Tariq was a traitor, he was working hand in hand with corrupt politicians and other leaders as well as business men. Their aim was to create a war between the countries that were ready to let bygones be bygones and become friends. Tariq wanted the blue print of their nuclear weapons programme. The file, it is the original copy, the file alone is worth millions and in any wrong hand will cause destruction beyond anything.

I was caught by Tariq, subjected to abuse...I had no choice, if I wanted to keep Commando alive I had to do what Tariq wanted...or at least make him believe I was doing as he wanted. Humera and Haider are not dead, I didn't kill them...I just made out that I did. They have gone into hiding. To this day my hands have only taken the life that was evil...it's what the Dark Angels were trained for, right? To take away the life that threatened our people, our society, our world

Tariq has all the papers he needs, he will be marketing the blue prints to every terrorist organisation you can think of. The bidding will take place in the black bazaar...Tariq promised to let Commando and me go, but I know as soon as he has his buyers he will kill both of us and then come after you. Take this file and keep it safe, trust no one. I am sorry for hurting you.

Asad, I love you, I have always loved you. I am sorry that you found me and got caught up in my web...keeping you with me was a way of keeping you all safe...but it also meant that you would face and encounter a side of me that you would come to hate. And that is what I saw in your eyes Asad. I couldn't tell you anything as they knew of my every move, they knew exactly what I was doing...if you get this on time and make it to the black bazaar the code word for the event is black magic, ask anyone who wears a red scarf around their neck, they are Tariq's men they will guide you to the venue.

May Allah keep you all safe

If I don't make it or see you again please believe me, I love you.

Allah Hafiz.

Ayesha leaned into Zack as she cried painfully and me, there was no describing what I felt. Every part of me exploded excruciatingly, the anger I felt towards myself for doubting her made me loath myself 'we need to get to the black bazaar...Asad...we need to go' Zack said as he pulled at my arm. I looked at him with anguish 'I know how you feel...what you are thinking but this is no time to stop and think...we need to stop Tariq and get Commando and Zoya out of there' 'We can't do this by ourselves Zack, we need to inform the authorities...this is big, a potential terror threat, we need RAW, CIA, the police...we need to get this information out to them' 'Zack, I agree with Ayesha, this is bigger than the three of us...but before they come in I want Commando and Zoya out'

We made our move, as we headed for the black bazaar Ayesha made anonymous calls to the various law enforcement agencies. With just 24 hours in hand she even called the media, she needed to get everyone there to cause enough commotion to free Zoya and Commando without being seen.

The black bazaar was the most filthiest place known to man, just to think that's where Zoya was made my skin crawl. I had dressed up to conceal my identity, I was going to go in as a potential buyer. Zack and Ayesha followed be behind, Zack dressed to look like a drug dealer and Ayesha as what she felt most comfortable in and that was her old woman's attire, with the flesh of young women being sold on every corner Zack was not prepared for her to put herself at such risk.

I looked around for any guy wearing a red scarf but I saw no one, my patience was running thin, all I wanted was to get Zoya out of here and to empty the entire contents of my gun into Tariq head.

'Asad...Asad, can you hear me?' I head Zack's voice. I pressed on the little chip that Ayesha gave us 'yes...I can hear you' 'look to your left, by the stairs...a man with a red scarf' 'I see him...thanks...stay close' 'I will...please be careful and don't jump in Asad I know what you can get like' 'I won't, I know the slightest wrong move and we will never see her or Commando again'

I walked up to the guy and stood next to him facing the other way 'Black Magic' I whispered 'follow me' he said and that's exactly what I did.

I had no idea where he was going he walked through one alley after another, one door after another, it almost felt like I was walking through a labrynth.'Through those doors, you will be searched, once you have been cleared you will be taken to the main meeting room. The bidding will not commence until 4' I looked at him 'at 4, who hold a meeting at 4 in the morning' 'with what we have to offer, it's the only time'.

I walked through the doors where I found another two men standing, I held out my hands and let them search me. Thankfully I had given my gun to Zack earlier.

As I stepped into a large room I found a number of people gathered, no doubt all belonging to some kind of underworld or terrorist organisation. Each sat in their seats looking around with scrutiny, no one was allowed to disclose their names or where they were from, each seat had a number and that is what you were identified as.

As I sat down I slowly raised my hand and tapped on the chip twice, that was my code to let Zack and Ayesha know that I was in and safe.

My eyes searched the room, every corner looking for her, just a glimpse so I could see that she was ok. As I waited the room filled up, it was slowly approaching 4 and the meeting would start any time soon.

A loud bang made all out heads turn, through two blacked out doors came out Tariq with four other men and following them came out Zoya. My heart started to pulsate as I saw her, she walked in full of confidence, and I wouldn't have expected anything less from her.

As the doors were locked everyone turned to face Tariq but it wasn't him who spoke it was Zoya. Zoya stepped forward to address everyone sitting there

'You are all here for one reason, and that reason is the blue print of the next best thing in nuclear design. A weapon that has the capability to destroy not only a city but a whole country within minutes. This one weapon would class anyone who owns it as the most powerful man in the world, with this you would have every great country fall at your feet. A design that has taken months, years for us to put together...of course with it came a number of sacrifices, ones that you all will pay with your good money. You all have a piece of paper in front of you, on one side is your number and the other side is blank. The bidding starts at $100 million, make your bid, we will take the three highest bids, the rest of you will be asked to leave, there will be no second chances'

I took the piece of paper and put the most ridiculous sum I could think of, I need to be one of the three that were short listed.

After everyone had filled in their bids Tariq came around with a bowl and asked everyone to put them in.

Zoya read through the bids and started to pile them up, occasionally looking up to see the face that matched the number. As she held up number six and read my bid she looked up at me, I couldn't read her expression, I need her to know it was me, I was going to wink but with everyone else looking in the same direction it was going to be difficult. So I did the only think I could, I moved my lips hoping she would be able to read them.

'Zoya it's me, Asad'

Zoya's eyes started to widen, first with shock and then with a sense of relief.

Without showing any hesitations she carried on looking at the bids. Once the piles were made Zoya walked towards the back with Tariq, I couldn't see her something that started to bother me instantly.

'Tariq, we have 4 bids, two are a match, maybe we can see both of them' 'that's fine with me...you are calling all the shots remember' 'of course...so no one else can be implicated...and seeing you are going to kill me anyway I guess it doesn't make a difference' Tariq started to grin, he lifted his hand and stoked the side of her face 'oh that I will Zoya...but not after I have my fun with you...and then those friends of yours...it will be a treat' Zoya let out a chuckle 'I am sure it will be...good luck' she said and then walked off back outside.

As she came back I sighed in relief, she looked directly at me as if to say I am ok' I slowly nodded my head in response.

'Numbers 2, 6, 13 and 19, you stay the rest can leave' the men were escorted out, once they left Zoya turned to the four off us still sitting 'please follow me'.

We were taken through a series of door that finally led us to a smaller room, a table with chairs and a laptop set up at the end was all that there was.

Taking our seats we looked towards her

'You were the highest bidders, you are one step closer to getting your hands on what is the worlds most advanced most powerful and most destructive weapon of all, there is one bid here that outbids you all, this is your last chance to make any changes, you have a key pad in front of you, punch in your final bid'

The four of us there punched in our final bids, I knew mine had to be the highest, so all I did was change a digit. Zoya looked at her laptop screen, the small smile that played on her lips indicated that I was the highest.

'Ok gentlemen, we have a winner...numbers 2, 13, and 19 you may leave'

As they stood up they all looked at me with darkened eyes, one of the men looked back at Zoya 'you bidding system is pathetic, who bids like this, we are not given permission to negotiate or talk...what rubbish is this?' 'It's my rubbish...I don't like to talk much...I like to cut to the chase...no middle bullshit...you lost, number 6 won...so out'

I had to really bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing, the way she stood there so fearless, all I wanted to do was hold her in my arms and kiss her senseless.

Just as the men were about to walk out Tariq and his men came running in Zoya, we have been compromised...lets go' the other men looked back around 'a set up...this was a set up'

Tariq pulled out his gun and pointed it towards me 'you get up and join them now' he shouted, I did as I was told 'leave through the back door, we haven't got long' Zoya looked at me and then walked out 'am sorry guys...not everything always goes to plan, you have seen too much...time to say bye bye'

Pointing his gun at the first guy he pulled the trigger and shot him point blank. With nowhere to run or hide each man took his bullet and fell to his death. And then there was me, his gun pointed to my head 'sorry dude...would have loved to do business with you' after his last words all I heard was the pulling of his trigger