Yearnings Of Amber: 6

Senthil took out his scooter from the garage. The Bajaj Chetak. In many ways, the scooter was a personification of Senthil himself. Old and grumpy but dependable and somehow still powerful. The Bully, inside a canvas-cover was strapped on his back. He checked himself once more to make sure that all the equipment were positioned properly. An old soldier’s habit. The scooter started on one kick, which was not surprising. Senthil always kept his tools in top condition. The journey to the mall usually took 40 minutes but Senthil planned to cover it in 20. 

Sheryl watched Senthil speed away on the scooter. The Scooter was among the few things Senthil had brought over when he had come over as the caretaker of Sheryl’s estate. Although called an estate, it was just a palatial house surrounded by an acre or two of roughly grown gardens and undisciplined forest. The garden was the last thing she had of her parents apart from the house itself. She had an uncle in a village about 100 km from Kochi but she had not talked to him since her parent’s funeral. Her uncle told everybody that she was responsible for the death of her parents and hence did not even want to look at her face. Sheryl knew the real reason was her relationship with Mala. She had sensed her uncle’s disapproval the first time he had seen her with Mala. It was the day when Makranda had docked at Kochi.

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The Makranda docked at Kochi 7 days after the incident with the pirates. Sheryl knew some pirates had been killed but it did not bother her. She was just happy to be back on solid land. Although, the welcome seemed a little damp. She had hoped for a bit of fanfare, especially after the fight with the pirates. Some flowers, press and camera but there was nothing of that sort. They were quietly husked away in a minibus with blackened windows. Dr Shastri refused to answer any of their questions and just asked them to be patient. What troubled Sheryl the most was that the windows were blackened from both sides. People on the outside could not see who or what was inside the van and the people on the inside could not see where they were going.

After about 20 minutes, they entered a space, which seemed like a big hall but the only illumination was a projector with a screen and some seats scattered around it. The Major was already there. He was alone but Sheryl was certain there were other soldiers standing in the dark.

‘Everybody, please be seated,’ the Major requested but it still came out as an order. Everybody sat but Dr Shastri who approached the projector. He looked towards the Major, who nodded and started the Projector. The first slide was a number.

‘Everybody, please memorize this number’ Dr Shastri ordered. He flicked his finger as if turning a page and the slide changed to a schematic design, like a flower with a long thick stalk jutting out.

‘This’ Dr Shastri continued ‘is the design of the lab where we would continue further research and analysis of the samples'.

‘Let me finish, before any questions. As you would have realized by now that this was no ordinary mission. We have found a nuclear entity that seems powerful enough to propel India’s progress in the fields of Medicine, clean energy and the Arms race.

Everybody nodded.

‘We are still under sanctions due to the Pokhran tests. As such we cannot carry on our research in the open. So, we have built this lab’, he pointed towards the schematics, ‘right here in Kochi. Under the city mall. I have mailed you copies of the floor plan. Access is tagged to your retina. Further work details will be shared at the lab itself’.

Sheryl’s hand was already up while the others were still digesting this information.

‘Yes, Sheryl’? Dr Shastri asked.

‘Won't the DAE know? I mean they paid for it. How about the Captain?’

‘As far as the DAE is concerned, nothing was found on the mission’ Dr Shastri answered. ‘The Captain’s mouth is stuffed with cash’.

‘What about, the Navy’ Parikshit asked pointing towards the Major.

Dr Shastri also looked at the Major who stepped forward blocking the projector's light.

‘This operation never happened, we never met. That number is to be only used in an emergency pertaining to this mission only. The world can’t know what we are doing. That means keeping our own and also Vanuatun government in dark. Outside of this meeting, only a handful of people know what occurred. I can’t even tell you the full number. Always remember, this is a Black Ops. What that means is that I am authorized to use any and all means to stop anyone who tries to undermine the integrity of this operation. There would be trigger happy guards at the labs’. The Major finished by mimicking a gunshot with his hands.

‘We will have a separate entrance for the lab from the underground parking level-4. The lab itself is not a secret. It will function as an exhibition centre. The actual work area would be restricted. The Major droned on as if explaining school assembly rules to a child.

Dr Shastri looked at them and smiled,’ No need to worry, we are not prisoners. Just follow our instructions and work. We anyhow maintain the secrecy of our work. The next meeting will be at the mall. Till then take your well-deserved rest. Now we will be taken back to the Makranda, which will actually dock in the morning for the public and media'. Dr Shastri laughed and winked.

Everybody got up but Dr Shastri spoke again.

‘And one more thing. Everyone welcome to Project Amber!’

The next morning they off boarded the Makranda to the fanfare Sheryl had expected. After a few group photos, Sheryl ran over to her parents and Uncle standing on one side. The next few minutes were laughter and joy and tears and hugs.

Mala watched Sheryl from afar with a sad smile. Her father had strictly barred any family members from seeing him off or receiving him on his voyages. Mala still wondered how he had agreed to take her on this trip. Just then a man in grey Safari and dark aviator approached his father.

‘Welcome Captain’ he said and extended his hands. Her father’s frown only deepened. When he did not answer the man snatched his hands and shook them enthusiastically. ‘Hello, Beta’ he added looking towards Mala. Mala gave him a strained smile.

‘Can we talk Captain, Please’ he pleaded and pulled her father out of earshot? Just then Sheryl waved her over.

‘How was the trip Captain?' the man asked again. His head kept bobbing towards the side like a bobcat tracking a mouse.

‘There were a few problems’ the Captain exhaled. ‘We had to throw your goods overboard’.

The man removed his aviator to reveal small beady eyes. He just smiled some more.

‘Really, tell me more' he said as if anticipating a joke.

The Captain went on to reveal the whole piracy incident. Although he was smart enough to leave out any details about the scientific expedition.

‘That means we have a problem, Captain’. The man smiled again but it did not reach his eyes.

‘Look, Vincent, I will pay you back'. The Captain pleaded.

The man, Vincent laughed as if the Captain had just told a randy joke.

‘Captain, Captain’ Vincent just shook his head. ‘Keep the money and maybe next trip you can bring some other goods for me’.

The Captain did not answer.

‘Please’ Vincent again pleaded with both hands up in supplication, only this time his voice was loud and harsher. This jolted the Captain and he replied ‘Yes, Yes, Sure!

‘See, no problem there’ Vincent thumped him on the back. ‘Let’s get Mala and I will drop you home. He added pointing towards his white Padmini car.

Sheryl introduced Mala to her family and uncle, telling them how she took care of her; Mala turned increasing shades of pink.

Just then Parikshit came over screaming ‘Uncle and Aunty’. He saw Sheryl’s uncle and moved forward as if to embrace him, shouting ‘Anna’. Her uncle moved back shaking his finger towards Parikshit. Sheryl’s uncle was not a bad man but very set in his ways. Anything that did not conform to his beliefs and way of life was to be tread over or ignored. Parikshit was one of those things. Sheryl kept on talking about Mala with obvious affection in her eyes and gestures. A caress here, a sly smile there. Her uncle became increasingly agitated and finally pulled Sheryl’s father aside. They talked in hushed tones. Finally, her uncle threw out his hands in exasperation. Her father returned and said in clipped tone that they should head back home.

Mala and the Captain got seated in the car but Vincent refused to drive. The Captain looked over to Vincent who laughed and flicked his head towards the rear mirror. It showed Sheryl waving and hurrying towards them.

‘Can we talk’ panted Sheryl?

As Mala tried to open the door of the car,  the Captain caught her hand. 

He said in a strained voice ‘No’ as Mala struggled to free his grip. Just then Vincent turned around casually. He did not look at anyone in particular just stared straight ahead. Behind his dark aviators, it was difficult to see his eyes. After a few tense seconds, the Captain let go and Mala got out. Vincent then looked straight at the Captain and locked all the doors. The Captain just looked away.  

‘See, no problem there’ Vincent said and turned towards the steering wheel.

Sheryl and Mala kept talking slowly. Sheryl visibly upset and Mala in tears. Finally, Sheryl hugged Mala and led her back to the car.

Vincent unlocked the doors as Mala got in. She was still holding Sheryl’s hand. The Captain sat fuming. Vincent just sat there refusing to start the car. After a few moments, Mala let go. Sheryl stepped back.

The Captain grunted, ‘Let’s go’. Vincent ignored him and kept on looking straight ahead but he fooled nobody. They all knew he was looking into the passenger mirror.

The Captain directed his ire towards Sheryl. His eyes burning daggers. Sheryl stared straight into them and then looked at Mala and said, ‘We will make it work.’

She looked at Vincent and mouthed a silent thank you. Vincent dipped his head a little started the car and they sped away.

Sheryl returned towards her parents. Her father’s brow was furrowed and she could practically feel the angry heat radiating from her uncle. Her mother, as always, was calm. They filed into their Omni.

Sheryl knew it would be a torturous ride and a torturous few days. She drew in a deep breath and repeated to herself, ‘We will make it work.’