Arith : The Undiscovered Planet
CHAPTER 16

Malik was in an underground , hiding. He had heard of the order to kill him. He he told the person he was working with. But this person wasn’t impressed with his activities that exposed all their dealing. They had a plan, to escape. It would have been me in Lincoln’s place. I must be cautious, he thought. What would become of Lincoln? He knew there was no escape route for him, as long as Kennedy was involved.

“How can people be this blind to see the real Kennedy ? He asked himself.

When he first told his associate what Kennedy had done to him. He had passed it off as jealousy.

“How can I be jealous of that murderer”? Malik had asked his associate. In no distant time, the associate realized that Kennedy was the exact definition of evil.

Malik had met Lincoln about two weeks ago through some incident. He had recognized Lincoln as his in-law; his daughter was married to his cousin. But Lincoln didn’t know him facially, only by name until that day. They became acquainted. He was so glad when Lincoln was looking into the complexities of Derek’s life. He needed people on his side to take down Kennedy. He gave Lincoln the videos of some of their meeting (Kennedy’s crew).

Malik told Lincoln that Kennedy’s crew watched Derek and Eric through the cameras they had somehow installed secretly in their house. And now Lincoln who knew all these like him, was in the hospital.

“I have them deep now, he thought. Well … he would have, if not that the meeting videos he had, were only of Kennedy and his son. The others were not always present when he took the videos. He’d always heard Josh and Kennedy call on someone who they took as the executioner.

“Who’s this person”? He asked quietly. Nothing went by him unsolved. That reminds me … I have to call my associate, he thought . And he did just that. They had few words with each other. After their talk, he went back to his thoughts.

He would definitely settle this … yes he would … that is , if he made it out … alive.

*************

When it was time for their travel, Eric, Kelvin and the others went into the spacecraft. They were strapped by some of the people (of Arith) , who had a bit of knowledge on astronomy. Eric stood beside Jesse in the craft. She had followed him , didn’t want him to leave without her. They were always together, their love for each other was genuine . As for Kelvin, Bryan was with him. The were always together, so it would have been very shocking if Bryan had not followed him to Earth.

Their commander was Declan. He ensured everyone was securely strapped in the craft. Some of the C.S.R crew members, stayed behind. They didn’t want to leave Arith just yet. They felt very comfortable in it. Although it had been known to them about the scorching seasons of Arith, they stayed back, not ready to leave yet. The scorching seasons was something the crew members considered as an adventure , they hoped to look for. Some people of Arith, were to travel with them back to Earth.

Declan and his second in command, Ella had something pressing they had to attend to. According to Ella, she wanted fighting Declan’s enemies too. She felt that whosoever was against her commander, was against her as well. It felt so easy for Eric, because Kennedy had already lost seeing the multitudes that were against him. If only Eric knew. It would have been easy as Eric thought, if not that the man was heavily guarded. His people were ready to die for him.

When everyone was securely strapped, the engines rumbled in preparation to take-off and … boom! The spacecraft was shot into air.

**************

The crew arrived Earth, they landed in Australia and took Declan’s private jet to America. All these was done secretly. Eric wanted calling his dad. But had to do so they got to their destination (America). Eric felt he should deal with the depraved man already. But Ella decided they stall for time, their arrival might be known by all, they had to wait before they acted. Taking their enemies unawares, was the best way to win a fight. So they had to plan. Declan, Kelvin and the others accepted except Eric. He didn’t see the need to stall, he just wanted to act fast, his adrenaline was high. His uncle had to talk to him seriously and he reluctantly agreed. Kennedy was heavily guarded hence, they had to be watchful.

Everyone did as they were told; they stayed quiet and relaxed. Eric who had been dying to call his dad , did just that. His dad’s phone rang and picked upon the last ring.

“Hello” his dad’s voice sounded drained and husky. Eric felt same too.

“Hi Dad”.

There was a Sharp intake of breath and silence followed.

“Dad, it’s me Eric, I’m real dad”.

“E…ri…c”? his dad stammered, with lots of emotions ; shock , happiness, uncertainty. The emotions were high.

Eric who hadn’t sobbed before , did now.

“Oh baby” his dad wept “Please tell me it’s not my dreams again”.

“No dad, it’s me” Eric said softly.

“Baby … how …? Where are you”? His dad asked still thinking he was dreaming.

“I’m in San Diego, there are lots of things to talk about dad”.

“Baby, seeing you is enough for me” his dad said. “Let me see my son”.

“Sure dad, but it has to be secret” Eric pointed out.

“I know that my son, we’re up against 'snakes'. Of course I know the incident were staged . And I know you must not let them have any idea of your survival”.

Eric smiled through tears , hearing his dad’s voice was enough for him and hence, he couldn’t wait to see him.

“Do not come to the house baby, the incidents occuring shows that I have been bugged somehow. They are aware of all my activities. They even know the ones I’m planning on doing. We shall meet in a secluded area . So let’s see close to the bridge at night, okay”?

Eric thought it a good idea and agreed.

“That’s way cool dad”.

He didn’t want to tell his dad about Kelvin. Eric decided that Kelvin and Jesse would be going with him. He remembered Brann who was never letting Kelvin out of his sight. This meant that the four of them would see his dad.

“Old wounds would be reopened when dad meets Kelvin, he would definitely remember mum” he said quietly.

“Son what was that”?

“Nothing dad, just anticipating our meeting”.

“I can’t wait to see you son”.

“Likewise dad”.

There was silence, each of them overcome with emotions.

“Son, are you there”?

“I’m here dad”.

“I feel you will just disappear anytime”.

“Dad I’m here, and here to stay”.

*********

A dark figure , who had had their ears to the door of Eric’s room, went away quickly. The figure had been eavesdropping on the conversation. This person quickly walked to the back of the hotel, in which they were lodged and called a number.

“Hello” a voice said. It was the executioner.

“Hi, it’s me …” the figure identified their name.

“Deliver this message to boss for me”.

It was only the executioner that was allowed to call the boss. Every other person other than Josh, conveyed the message to the boss through the executioner.

“I’m all ears”.

“Our assumed dead target is meeting with his dad …”.

The figure stated the time and venue.

The executioner heard all this in silence but with rapt concentration.

“Also, they are plotting to attack soon but want to lie low first to take you unawares” the figure added.

“All good” the executioner said. “We will definitely see about that”.

They reached a conclusion.