The Necklace of Elements [Book one]

-- Chapter eleven --

Chapter eleven: A Well Deserved Rest, Yet Danger Awaits Beyond

"I see," Kokoci murmured after reading the given report by Kaizo, there was an unreadable expression on his face—not that the two pairs of sunglasses were any help in any matter. "And Ochobot? You said he's currently missing, is that correct?"

"Yes," Kaizo confirmed. "And that is one reason why it took us a while to return."

The commander nodded his head, turning his back to the captain. "Take a break, there is currently no mission so all of you can rest. I'll let you all know about any mission that will be coming up later or so." Kokoci paused slightly, glancing over his shoulder. "Kaizo, I need you to come with me for a bit, I believe I need even more details about the mission, hopefully you'll be able to fill it in for me."

Kaizo nodded.

Turning to the other, he added. "I'll be back in a bit, try not to cause any trouble while I'm gone."

"Yes, Captain!"

Kaizo glanced at them a little longer before he followed Kokoci out of the control room and into a private room, where there would be no risk of someone eavesdropping on their later conversation.

Once the door closed, Kokoci wasted no time asking his questions, demanding answers from the Captain. "Well? Aside from that, what actually happened back then? You were supposed to be back estimated about five hours ago, even without using Ochobot's teleportation power, you were estimated to return about two hours ago, mind explaining?"

"Something went wrong apparently," Kaizo said, looking rather exhausted. "And we were being tested by the hostages."

"Tested? A test you say?" Kokoci repeated. "So they were never a hostage then, I believe?"

"Unfortunately, we only realised it after we passed them, somehow, that is."

Kokoci eyed the man, observing him carefully before continuing with their conversation. "And what happened to Boboiboy? He doesn't seem well, the total opposite of how he was before leaving for the mission earlier. Not to mention, worse than the return of the last mission."

Kaizo frowned at the mention of it. "Regrettably, I don't know what happened to him either. Even if I do, I'm unsure if that's even the answer to his sudden change of condition. The only thing I can report about him is for us to watch and wait."

"I see," Kokoci looked rather thoughtful of his words, as if considering something, thought ran in his mind before he froze slightly. Turning to the Captain, he asked, his voice filled with suspicion. "... Something doesn't seem to add up."

He reached toward the report that he had placed aside earlier, looking through it again. Once, twice, thrice. Over and over and over again, then only did the Commander stop at a certain page that finally caught his attention, one that gave him a strange feeling about.

"Here," Kokoci held it out to Kaizo. "Read it for me and tell me what you think about it."

Confused, the man took over the report and read it for himself. His brow first furrowed before they raised higher and higher the more he read.

"'Of six members, two went missing, location unheard; Of a kind child, filled with mysteries, unknown to many,'" Kaizo repeated, a frown appeared on his face as soon as he finished. "What is this? What do they even mean?! I don't remember writing this in the report before!"

"That's what I want to know about too," Kokoci said. "And with the way those words were written, it seemed to be talking about someone, in a way or so. Like the first one, 'of six members, two went missing, location unheard.' This one talked about a group. And as for the other one, 'Of a kind child, filled with mysteries, unknown to many.' This one seemed to be specifically talking about someone."