The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 48 : A Quick Trip to Ci'gazze

On the previous night, A Duo-Pax hover-bike left the gates of one of the smaller palaces, joining a routine patrol of the Internal Security Militia of Regis City. The group of 15 Duo-Pax hover-bikes started their patrol, swept past various quarters, looking out for any problem that may have occurred anywhere. In half an hour, it reached the Airport. One man got off, waved to the others and walked into the security parameter of the airport, while the rest of the Patrol continued.

He walked to one of the hangers, where some work was being done by the maintenance team. An Imperial Security Officer checked his identity and allowed him into the hanger. He climbed into a battered and old fighter jet that belonged to the Bravadian Armed Forces. The fighter had been kept ready for departure. It pulled out of the hanger, got clearance and took off towards the east at an exceptionally high speed. A set of 8 fighter jets shadowed it from a safe distance.

If defence experts had seen that fighter, they would wonder how such an old fighter was able to travel so fast.

It landed at Ci'gazze airport and rolled into a hanger in a secluded area, where 6 Duo-pax were waiting.

"Welcome back ..." Rusks bowed low. "I am happy to see you back here. Between your 'Luke' and 'Julien' antics, I had enough problem as it is and now 'Dusk', I am tired of baby-sitting all of you reluctant protectees..."

"You will have to baby-sit for a little longer, my friend." He replied. "I am here for a very short trip. Where is she?"

"She is at Tech Morning Star Building, Sir. By the way, why don't you marry her and then let the Imperial Security take care of her ... You are taking a big risk. Someone is bound to notice 8 fighter planes flying across the country for no reason. And then this arrangement to pick you up in secret and other stuff. If someone figures it out, how do I stop them? How do I protect her without being seen?"

The pilot scowled at Rusks as he took off his flying suit. He was now in the uniform of the Regis Internal Security Militia.

"You think she will just drop everything and marry me, huh? She will probably run away if I propose to her right now. Forget that, she will refuse to see me again if I tell her she needs to be under 24-hour security cover. She does not want this all."

"Any more than you do, huh? Sir, I think the moment you tell her who you actually are, she will instantly agree. I mean, anyone in this kingdom will."

But he shook his head and said, "Not everyone is like that. I have a feeling that she will not be happy about that. She is not hungering for a luxurious life. She does not really like the Royalty or the Nobility. And I don't really blame her. We are not exactly known for contributions to society and we are all arrogant bullies. I fear she will simply walk off when she knows who I am. And forcing her at gunpoint is not my idea..."

"Not my decision, but as someone who has been your companion for long, let me ask you, what do you think will happen if she falls for you as a commoner and then discovers you are someone else, someone important. Will she recover from the shock? Will she then be happy about it?"

The man did not reply. It was a debate done a number of times, but no conclusion could be reached. Instead, he asked Rusks, "Have you made all the arrangements?"

Rusks nodded. The pilot then replied, "Ok, fine. Now drop me off at Tech Morning Star..."

... ...

Both Dusk and Susco were surprised to see Luke walk into the office. Dusk squealed and ran over to him, giving him a hug before she could stop herself. Everyone else in the office looked at her and smiled but pretended not to have noticed. They had seen Luke for the first time and had no idea who he was. But they felt happy that their hard-working 'Boss' had a handsome boyfriend.