Chapter 148 - Jack Godspeed (2/2)

”Jack attacked Walter after recognizing him?” asked Winston. He felt that Walter would have been seriously injured under such circ.u.mstances.

”No. Jack didn't do anything of that sort, but we are not sure about his aims for now. Actually, Walter and Rupert got caught by Jack's men, but they didn't kill as Walter informed that they were responsible for the explosions and weren't with the Nirbaadh pirates. He gave the locations of the unarmed explosive, before they believed him. Then, Jack recognized his face in the video and ordered his men to let him and Rupert leave quickly, but there were quite some odd behavior from him which is very confusing,” said Daniel.

”When the armada attacked ShouryaPrasad, it was with extreme prejudice. They apparently bombarded his ship to tiny pieces. Except for the escape shuttle containing about 10 members, everyone else would have been killed. That consisted of about a thousand members. Jack personally went after the escape shuttle moving towards the unhindered to attack and kill ShouryaPrasad. He was apparently in complete control and his men managed to capture him, but Jack beheaded the man as soon as he confirmed his identity,” said Daniel.

”What that is ridiculous. We could have learned a lot from someone like him about his activities,” said Arthur. Such a thing would definitely make anyone aware of the pursuers. It didn't follow common sense.

”I agree. After that Jack apparently took a lot of effort and even at the cost of one of his battalions having severe injuries and being incapacitated, he got hold of Ranapratap, the current captain of the Nirbaadh pirates. He was knocked out and taken prisoner. The only scenario that we can think of is that, he might be working for the knights. Then, he would be privy to all information known to ShouryaPrasad and would need RanaPratap to be alive instead,” explained Daniel.

”That is indeed extremely suspicious, but in that case, he wouldn't have let Walter escape safely,” said Vargrave.

”Indeed, it was like his entire behavior was inconsistent. The more surprising thing that Walter informed me is that even his lieutanents behaved like that was the expected and most efficient thing to do. So, we are expecting them to have some contact with the knights. Thus, it will be a very....” said Daniel. ”Honestly, I don't know what to expect,” he said shaking his head. He had been thinking of a lot of scenarios, but every one of them had a flaw or two or expected Jack or Walter to behave foolishly. So, he couldn't decide on anything.

”It is indeed very peculiar. I will keep on lookout for any other peculiar behavior. Will contact Quentin if he managed to hear something similar underworld,” said Arthur. Quentin was his contact in the underworld. He was a broker who dealt in shady deals and murderous contracts. But he was mainly an information broker who had been of help to the table of Ouroboros in the past. He would hear most things that others wouldn't and kept meticulous records.

”Hmm, you do that. Just don't let the reason be leaked. He always had tied to gather information from us too,” said Daniel.

”He wouldn't dare. He had been under the operating table once and I had someone plant something in his head. He knows not to leak anything pertaining to us,” said Arthur. Arthur never trusted Quentin completely. Quentin was the kind who would always provide his services to the one who offered better compensation. So, he had long since put him under his control.

”Also, will give you the location for the wreckage of the unhindered. Have Harvey hold back the armed forces. Let Evelyn check it out first from a distance and let them confiscate it only after the Godspeed troops leave. Tell her that we already have a trail on the new troops and we don't want her to interfere. Tell her it is an order from above,” said Daniel. ”I better contact her uncle too just in case she tries to defy orders. She is an ambitious one and would most probably try to follow them,” thought Daniel

”Ok. I will see to that,” said Winston glad that his brother wasn't in any danger currently. With Jack Godspeed currently on the Nirbaadh pirates' tail, he doubted that they would try to retaliate. Daniel opened the door to the main conference hall and the four of them returned to it.

”Winston,” called Daniel as they were about to leave. ”Keep them safe. I already sent one of my peers for Bolena but hearing the stories about the events of the citadel, I doubt that the boy would be able to discover anyone trailing him. I went over the details and the evidence, but there are so many gaps in his story. He was definitely hiding the real reason he managed to find them out. So, it is best if he isn't followed by anyone that he doesn't know. He might consider them an enemy,” suggested Daniel before they left to their work.

Arthur and Winston left together to inform of the situation to Lucius and tell him to maintain a closer distance to them than the usually allowed. They didn't want to take any chances. Winston also called Salazar to be on standby on a stealth shuttle at the planet.

”Do you think that he had really kept his capabilities and tricks secret from us?” Winston asked Arthur.

”Daniel is right. Most of the achievement was pushed by him on a dead lieutenant colonel and he even used the same excuse to avoid informing anyone of the traitors. It was an ask from him to trust us, but he still didn't manage to clear tell us how he knew their plans in such detail. The Nirbaadh pirates were anything but sloppy in their previous attacks. They would have a lot of contingencies and agents planted there. Even after the blast, Salazar found three trying to kill the kid. I can say that he needs to have a certain level of awareness of his surroundings, if he managed to do all that before the unexpected blast,” explained Arthur.

”Don't plan on grooming him as your successor. He is meant for the table. It had been quite some time that we had one at a high position in the border forces. Under the present circ.u.mstances and after hearing Daniel's secrets, it is only a matter of time that he joins as a proper member,” added Arthur patting his old friend on his back.

”Yes. I know. I have known it for quite some time, but I still tried to change him. Now, I am sure of it. That ship has sailed. With the Godspeeds back, I don't know how things would change,” said Winston in a tired voice.