The apocalypse nearly ended with a bedlam. The Zombie corpses produced a new type of disease produced from the decomposed torso. Scientists have named it Dermatoxia and till now no inoculation methods been invented. Consequences were catastrophic. Symptoms were hyperactive at regions where corpses get decomposed. The apocalypse mitigated in the past 4 years but still some zombies been sighted across the world. To get rid off the carcasses, hundreds and thousand gallons of petroleum were wasted to extirpate the corpses and for this Antarctica was turned into Dumpster of radioactive materials and zombie corpses. For this the inhabitants of Antarctica had been shifted to Asia Pacific regions. Half of the countries are indebted to UAE, Kazakhstan, Dubai and its sub territories. For this Petroleum prices exceeds the price of diamond and fuels cease to exist these days. Unearthing of fossil fuels have exacerbated. Electric cars, hover-carriers, shuttle trains couldn’t be of that much help instead, only affluents could afford them now. Wall Street collapsed, stock market was decimated, Acid rains and smog permeates most tropical countries. In brief, it is a dystopian world to thrive on.
“Yes, Sam, are you in position? Don’t attract people’s attention.”
“I am not getting signal of his cell from my position, I’m in a public toilet beside the hotel.”
“Okay. Disrupt the power and share the frequency of Dylans cell.”
“Copy that.” Sam was palpitating. He initiates a cryptographic frequency analyser to trace the phone. “The signals getting jammed! What shall I do now!”
“Disrupt the ground floor first!” Navan yelled! He was sneaking from a mile away opposite to hotel ‘EU GRANOI’ from a balcony.
“I…I can’t! Oh god! Someone is jamming the signal!” Sam shuddered. “From inside! Bloody freak! He’s about to unleash an EMP!”
He didn’t finish his sentence, the lampposts vibrated, and the glasses shattered, the cars crashed to each other, the wires sparked and ripped.
“Scums! I’m so dead! Mr Navan I’m all out now!”
“Time to test myself, sport!” Navan took a leap from balcony and rushed.
12 Years ago…
“Always remember Van, fear is just a state of mind. It’s not your inability, it’s the contender’s capability you get stupor of. It’s just a bug that tests your conscience.”
“But dad, Garund was so strong. He punched my nose and made me bleed, and I fled away.”
“Absconding from the situation is sometimes, not the right option. Face your fear.”
Those words still jingle in his ear. How his father protected him and inspired him would be an éclaircissement of his fortitude and conscientiousness. After Navan’s mom died, dad was his world, his pal, his best friend in the world. From bedtime stories to practicing self defense, his dad was his Sensei, Mentor and Guru. “Van, be a good person first, then be good at what you want to be. Stand by people’s side, those who are in need, protect selflessly and you will find the true sense of contentment. Think from the heart first and then process to your brain.”
“CITIUS-ALTIUS-FORTIUS” This mantra, Navan always believed in.
Navan’s father was his role model. His dad couldn’t stop his tears when he got distinction marks in his graduation. “I won’t object what path you would like to choose. But be the best version of yourself, my little Van. And always work for the betterment of this world. One man can bring a difference.” The words of this 52-year-old founder and chairman of a reputed company touched his heart.
Navan has this immense disposition towards the Army and their intensive trainings as a child. His longing to become a protector, by vanquishing outlaw. He kept himself fit by abiding to fitness and regime and regularly kept himself updated about the boot camp trainings. Beside studies , Navan had a keen knack on arms and ammunitions, and his father inspired him totally in his journey. Navan’s mom died when he was 3,in cardiac arrest and he has some blurry visions about the mother-son moment.
That day Navan went to an exhibition. Returning home, he called his father.
“Hello Dad, still busy at office?”
“Van, I remember what I promised you!”
“So you’re coming around, like 7?”
“I’ll meet you around 8:45. Then well go to watch movie, and then we’ll have dinner outside.”
“You’re, the best dad in the world!”
Navan waited for him till 7 and called him. The phone rang continuously, no answer came from the other side. Navan went jittery. He continued to connect and after some hours, the phone service went unavailable. Where would be he now? Did he forgot the promise he made? Navan was astonished and called the manager of the company.
“Hello! Hello! Mr. Kane? could you please tell me where my dad is! He has not returned home till last night; his phones network is unavailable! Is he still at the office!”
That ghastly night still makes him deranged. Every time he recalls he gets anguished. For what illicit activity, his father had to die in devils gaze?
“But he left for home yesterday at 11, Van. We had a contractual agreement yesterday, so he got late. Don’t worry, lemme…”
Navan went out of home that night to search his father but got no signs of him. He was anguished about his disappearance and returned home, anguished, with dilated pupils.
The car was found crashed next morning and it took 6 days to recover his bloodshed corpse from a derelict junkyard at the office’s vicinity. His throat was slashed multiple times, and the fragments of his glasses pierced his eyes. After investigation it was found out the Corporates last night demanded an exorbitant price for a vaccine to brand and market, but the scientist denied, and this resulted into an altercation. It was alleged that on that night that very person murdered his father; however, no proof could be sought out from and the killer is still at large. No fingerprints or footprints assessed too. Navan wanted the investigation to proceed, but even from CCTV footages and other whereabouts, neither the laboratory or the scientist could be found, nor his any relatives could be assessed.
Justice does not come by riddance. If you kill a killer, the number of killers in this world will be the same. Protect the country stand by allies and against foes, no compromisation can be done with justice.
The next 9 years was not a bed of roses. But he managed to tolerate the pricks along with the beauty of its petals. Adik was with him from his initial days, how nostalgic their bonding was! Both had served countless mission, achieved gallantry medals and laurels in their mantle. He was senior than Navan but haven’t let it felt for a single day. Their harmonious relationship and compassion was truly adorable. In every moment Navan got constant support and motivation from Adik. Unlike others he possessed a haul of knowledge and benevolence that no one else knows except him. From a Cadet to Elite rank both of them constantly dedicated themselves to save humanity from adversaries. Everyone does not work to gain financial independence. Their enthusiasm, their unflinching passion dominates to persist and work with fervour, nibbled the fruit of success with nimble steps. He still remembers the day when Colonel Tricas Alkin conferred the gallantry award to Adik.
“Good work soldier. But don’t get success reach your head.!”
“Permission to speak, Sarge?” Adik stood in attention.
“Yes, soldier!”
“I won’t drive my way back home, in spite of success. I will fight till I die.”
“Your courage impressed me, soldier.” Colonel Tricas smirked. Adik’s strategies and operations was the best of all. Another soldier was there in his troop, Hudson. A bulky appearance with a clear voice, Hudson also carried out impossible terrorist camp infiltration and hostage rescue plans and gained success. But an impromptu action, not impromptu though; to save the civilians, Hudson failed to capture the head of oil smuggler. In a disguise among the civilians in Afghanistan market Hudson’s blank fire allowed the fugitive to escape. Adik also tried to stop Hudson from getting expelled from troops, but it did not result in such way. It was honorary, but still everyon
e was despondent.
Navan had got no idea about Adik’s background. Where he lived, where is his parents now, nothing could have known from him. Whenever he raised the topic, Adik diverted and started talking about something else. But Adik maintained a diary, he saw, and he used to sit in a pensive mood every night, holding the diary in his arms. During sabbaticals, Adik used to visit the golden temple of India and brings Karah Prasad for Navan. He said he had many friends in India, and thus he grew inclination towards the peace and dharma of Indian culture.
Run Navan, Run!!!
Location: Pavia, Italy
Time: 10:25 am
Head starting from his position, Navan jumped and started running. Felt like hes flying, his body is defying the momentum, the gravity was completely ethereal. Slithering and dodging the street and obstacles, Navan understood how his limbs seamlessly intensifying his stamina and respiration. 10 times faster his motions were, Navan’s objective was to subdue Dylan. Dashing towards the hotel, he saw the pedestrians were panicking and agitated as continuous gunshots were heard from inside the hotel. Sam came out of that public toilet and he shuddered “What now, sir?”
“Im not taking the front door. Lemme see if I could access to the second floor somehow. Keep me posted once you are online”. Navan went to the back of the hotel and grabbed a ledge, stepped on the ridges. He didn’t debilitate a bit, his limbs were perfectly balancing his physicals. Sneaking into the inside alley from a window, he saw guests and butlers were scared, panting and running here and there.
“What happened here?” Navan asked a butler shivering in shock.
“Mon Dieu, Mon dieu! he shot one of us and locked himself in his room…that one monsieur…” he was pale. “Appeler la Polizia, maintenant! Polizia! Feu,meutre,voleurs!” he pointed the suite. He cowered himself at one corner.
In no time Navan dashed and broke the room. The room was filthy with piles of old boxes and beer bottles. The window was left open. His eyes located the EMP at the corner of the room. Without hesitating he jumped out from the window and landed on his feet on ground, without flinching.
“Now, how could I?” Navan questioned himself. At the other end of the road a pedestrian was continuously yelling and was fussy about something. He ran towards him as he assumed somethings fishy.
“Son of a bitch stole my bike, headed that way! Mother****er there he is!!!” the teenager squealed.
Navan sprinted like a galloping horse. Overtaking the vehicles, sliding under them, jumped and sprang the hurdles. He kept his eyes on the bike far away. He realised he must keep in par with the speed or else Dylan will fade away. There is a construction work going on ahead and the bike did a cartwheel stunt and evading them, took the road left to it. Navans instinctive action allowed him to climb up a scaffolding, attached his belt hook to a wire and ziplined diagonally. Landing on his feet he was about to touch Dylan on bike.
“YEE HEE HEE!!! Catch me if you can punk! Eat this!” Dylan pulled out his SMG and started shooting aimlessly backwards with one hand on bike handle.
What took place could only be done by professional athletes. Navan flipped, vaulted, and dodged the bullets holding his speed against. He realised that his consciousness is not into action, he has been controlled by his bionic limbs. His action reached to maximum effort and is manipulating his efforts. Within seconds, he kicked Dylan from his bike, drifted and screeched with balance, he stopped. The bikes engine was still whirring, crashed at a distance. Dylans arms twisted striking on the kerb of the bridge. He was unable to move, spitting blood and trying to get up. Navan approached towards him.
“So Mr. Dylan, care to tell me about the conspiracies?” Navan jerked him, holding his collar.
“How about I tell you in Hell, Sucker?” Dyalns eyes glowed fiery red and got brighter. Showing his bloodshed teeth, he chuckled “Only a warrior chooses pacifism!”
Wasting no time, Navan picked him up and kicked off from the bridge. “GET OUT OF THE CAR AND MOVE OUT! ITS ABOUT TO BLOW!” he cried at car drivers and passengers. In a couple of seconds, the water beneath the bridge undulated and whirled up, a wave swooshes and hits the bridge.Luckily it survived with some chasms and cracks, left some debris and damaged railings.
Who is this?
Location: Pavia, Italy
Time: 10:56 am
“CLINK, CLINK!” Navan found a phone flung at a distance, ringing. Might be Dylans. Navan walked and picked up the phone.
“It’s a fools endeavour to intervene in my objective, Mr.Navan.” a glitched voice mused from the other side. “The world is already dying with inequalities, discrimination and politics isn’t it? Amidst them you found my objective diabolical?”
“Who, is this?”
“It’s the Nemesis, Mr. Navan. Of yours, of everyone committed sin.”
The assumption of COD was correct. Someone is continuing the operation in the absence of Viper. But no names came out ever since.
“Listen whoever the hell you are, you infidel, you won’t survive doing this!”
“What if I say I’m Viper, reincarnated from the ashes?” the voice chortled.
Navan was confounded for a moment. He himself punched bullets in Vipers head that day, It could not be him. Its implausible. “This is madness. I killed you that day, and I’ll kill you again, if it’s really you!!!”
“You are so dumb, Mr Navan. The body dies, soul does not. The soul reincarnates in another body. People dies, legend doesn’t. I’m everywhere Mr,Navan. Im the Alpha and the Omega. A warrior, a Knight. One day every people in the world will have to pay the price for their misdeeds, for their egoistic, self-centred, felonious acts. My endeavours will be nothing, but still the Nemesis will slit their throat, smother in poison they will, AND YOU, the harbingers of law, will just observe and CAN DO NOTHING! Satan cannot be transformed into Lucifer anymore, but a purgatory will prevail ON EARTH!” the phone disconnected.
Navan was clueless. Surely it was someone else paving the path of Viper, but who is he? Someone from that battlefield? Some mastermind reinstated the position of Viper?
“Sir! Sir!” Sam got off from a taxi beckoning to him. Avoiding the commotion, he approached.
“ Mr.Navan ohh god! Finally found you! Couldn’t traced you, my phone fried so i followed you then got lost! Lord save us all, then heard the news of this! Man! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Let us see if I could reach to headquarters! It’s all over the Tv channel now!” Sam was agitated.
“Try to track the callers ID and location from this phone. Quick!” Navan handed over the phone.
“Hold on!” Sam took out his laptop and connected the phone. “Alas! this person is using some analog algorithmic encryption to this device that cannot be percolated through. His location is constantly changing!”
“Predictable. Any names or identification can you sought out?”
“Waiiiit…nahhh…only some fake IP Addresses are appearing at those changing locations. Check out.” Sam showed the screen to Navan.
“Mark those locations and share the intel to headquarters. By the time contact Sidius and Armun through payphone.”
From last night after boarding on plane to Italy Navan blocked the calls from Sidius and Armun. The Headquarters also tried to reach him and Sam, but he mentioned Sam not to attend those calls.
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN! Without any information ,without any strategies, you had the audacity for execution just because you got superpowers?” Sidius was enraged. “Just because Lucy instilled a tracker in you, Hudson kept a constant watch. This was not at all expected from you, Mr.Navan.”
“The conference at Harleem was just a hoax, Sidius. I think you might have captured the agenda of their meeting? Hope you got the news of Ponte Coperto?”
“ We have already departed from Harleem some hours back, Navan. About to reach in 20 minutes. And Navan?”
“Yes, Sidius?”
“Your suspicion was correct. Good job.”
There is one thing tingling continuously i
nside Navan’s head, this identity, deceased 5 years ago in reports is one of Vipers men, what is he up to? Suicide bombers? Altered from plastic explosives? All the henchmen and disciples of Viper are terminated as per the official records but are still operating throughout. Are they some active explosives about to blow? Viper used to deal with nuclear arms and ammunitions, but what was his real mission? Subjugation? Imposing tyranny over the world? There was a news 3 years back that Viper trans-mutated into Zombie and no one could escape his Venom. Turned out, that was a sham. Viper’s upcoming plan must be vicious and needed to be stopped. But why this explosion is different from the last one. This voice over the phone, is this his idea?
The Viper's Successor Page 3