Barbed Lives ☑️

21. A Royal?

"Isn't that a huge thing? You expected commander to agree to it?"
"I was sure he'll do it."
He said confidently.

"Then why are you scared now? What has changed?"
"You've come."
He said looking up at me.

"And I won't step back till you stand in my pack."
His voice didn't quiver.

For a moment, I felt so strong and proud.
I was nothing yet, literally nothing.
And his team must be too efficient to go for top class missions already.
Instead he is ready to risk it all for me.

"I.. I don't know if I even deserve that, Neil. You've made a strong group, picking each man carefully. You can't risk all that for me."
Each word came from my heart.

"I picked you up applying the same rules, James. I need your qualities in my team. You may be the weakest link right now, but I know how to make you better. And I can't do that in fifteen days. You have to clear the tests and train with me and my men. They need to see you putting efforts and working hard. They need to trust you as much as they trust me."
He said sounding confident.

"All this for what?"
"All this because I said so. I don't want to hear any more word from you."
He said suddenly becoming stern.

Okay man!
I just nodded.

"Guess I need to accept that I went a little careless with our dear Commander."
He took a deep breath and said "It's show time."
And then he left.

He left.
Who does that?

****

Two hours.
Neil was with him for past two hours!
What the hell was going on inside?

What's there to talk so much about?
Neil please don't dump your future.
I don't know what was going on inside his head.

Suddenly the door opened and Neil walked out pissed. He was sweating from head to toe. Saying that he was angry and was barely keeping up doesn't cut it.
He was about to lose his shit.
He looked around and his gaze fixed on me, as if he came out looking just for me.

"Get in."
He turned around and I followed him inside.

As soon as the door closed, he bent down and started doing Pushups.
That's why all the sweat.
Shit.

My eyes hovered over my report book kept on Warren's table.

"Were you a part of his planning?"
Commander asked me sternly.

"What planning.. Sir..?"
I didn't have to put any effort in faking because I wasn't lying. I had no clue what exactly he meant.

"He doesn't know anyth-"
Neil started answering on my behalf.

"I told you to keep your mouth shut!"
Commander said getting up and thumping his hands on the table.
That's not a good sign.

Neil complied and kept pushing quietly.
"It's a yes or a no, officer."
Commander looked back at me.

"No sir."
I said confidently despite the shiver in my body.

"And do you have any of your own agenda, too?"
He accused me with harsh tone. I know that was supposed to sting Neil and I prayed that he behaved, which he did.

"Negative, Sir."
I replied.

"You have one chance, James. Your test after fifteen days will decide whether a team forms and works as one or every member plotting for the plan goes back home without a screech."
Wha - What?

"Neil, tell your men to keep their bags ready. I don't want them to stay for an extra second on my land."
"Sir -"
Neil shut up!

"Am I clear?"
He shouted this time.
Neil stayed shut. Don't offend the commander, jackass!