A Dangerous Decision Made

The next day after the events of the previous chapter

It’s late evening and Vikram is in a black t-shirt and blue jeans just like in the pic given below.

Vikram is having a meeting with Dheena, Harish, Roy.

DHEENA: Tell us, Comrade Vikram. Why did you very badly want us to arrange a meeting at this very hour?

Vikram looks determined and speaks in a confident tone.

VIKRAM: Comrade Dheena, I just received an intel from Jaidev, one of our comrades, that the Blizzard is currently recruiting a male housekeeper. They’re desperate after a few of their previous staff disappeared. This… this is our crack in their ice wall. I’ll go there and pose as a housekeeper while working as a spy.

Dheena stands with his arms crossed over his chest and is worried but keeps his calm.

DHEENA: Infiltrating the Blizzard HQ is suicide, Comrade Vikram. They don’t just freeze their enemies. They torture spies. You’re not just walking into the storm. You’re becoming a part of it.

Vikram chuckles softly with a determined gaze.

VIKRAM: Then I’ll freeze with a smile and melt them from the inside.

Harish is proud and worried at the same time.

HARISH: If anyone can do this, it’s you. But I don’t want to bury another comrade.

Vikram nods his head.

VIKRAM: Which is why I need someone to hold the fort. Roy’s got the discipline. The Flower Storm respects him.

Vikram now turns his attention towards Roy.

VIKRAM: Roy, the training yard is yours now. Get them ready… for whatever comes after the storm.

Roy places his hand on Vikram’s shoulder.

ROY: I won’t let you down, Vikram. I’ll train the Flower Storm in your absence. But you better come back with intel… and your head intact.

Vikram nods his head.

VIKRAM: I’ll try my best.

Dheena sighs and nods his head.

DHEENA: Alright, comrade Vikram. You can go tomorrow in the early morning. Now go get some sleep.

VIKRAM: Of course, comrade Dheena. Goodnight.

DHEENA: Goodnight.

The meeting ends and all the members of the Flower Storm go to sleep as the sky gets darker.

The next day

All the members of the Flower Storm wake up in the early morning. Everyone exercises for about 2 hours and then they have shower. Everyone is in Flower Storm uniform while Vikram is in another set of civilian clothes just like in the pic given below.

(Note:- Please ignore the glasses.)

Vikram informs the other members of the Flower Storm, including Dheena, Harish, and Roy, who anxiously wish him a good luck. Vikram says “Thank you” to all of them and then he leaves the Flower Storm headquarters, embarking his journey to the Blizzard headquarters.

During the journey, Vikram reminds himself that he has to control himself so that the chances of exposing himself to possible dangers could be mitigated.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) One wrong glance. One exposed word. One heartbeat too loud. That’s all it’ll take. But I’ve trained for silence… for deception… for war within a war. I have to control my emotions and preventing it from overpowering my intelligence as I have to survive days of living in an enemy zone.

An hour later

Vikram finally reaches the Blizzard headquarters. He, with a false identity, stands in a line with other candidates. Udhayagiri eyes them cruelly and then points his finger towards Vikram.

UDHAYAGIRI: Hey!!!!!!! You there!!!!!! Speak. What makes you think you’re cut out to serve the righteous cold?

Vikram keeps his calm and speaks in a humble tone.

VIKRAM: I don’t ask questions. I clean what’s dirty. Scrub what’s stained. And vanish when not needed.

Udhayagiri sneers but waves him forward. Vikram steps in… silently scanning the layout.

VIKRAM: (mind voice only) So cold… and yet it reeks of fear. Let’s see how long this iceberg lasts under the fire I bring.

Vikram doesn’t lose his calm. He instead speaks in a teasing tone.

VIKRAM: You could count on me, Sir.

Udhayagiri nods his head.

UDHAYAGIRI: I see!!!!!!!! What’s your name by the way?

Vikram lies to Udhayagiri that his name is Praveen.

UDHAYAGIRI: Nice name. You are appointed as our housekeeper.

Vikram gets excited but manages to control his excitement and continues to keep his calm.

VIKRAM: Thank you, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: Are you okay staying here?

Vikram smiles and replies calmly.

VIKRAM: Absolutely okay, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: You have brought all your basic materials for staying here, right?

VIKRAM: Yes, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: Good. Now we will provide you a cleaning gear. Wear it and start cleaning. Then we will make arrangements for you to stay here. Is that clear?

VIKRAM: Yes, sir.

UDHAYAGIRI: Good. Go now. And start your duties.

VIKRAM: Yes, sir.

Vikram then changes to a housekeeper gear and starts cleaning the Blizzard bases from top to bottom. While cleaning, he secretly does a thorough research of what’s going on inside.

Vikram has to make sure that he doesn’t succumb to the Blizzard principles and rather stays true to his word.

In the next chapter, we will see how Vikram manages to contain his emotions on seeing various activities inside the Blizzard headquarters.