Chapter 111 - Whatever It Takes

In the base of the Zaro Special Forces, the demo which was the reason why they gathered there was performed successfully. Now, they had a relaxing time and like they often did in the army, drinks were served for everyone there.

Though almost everyone had a glass of alcohol in their hands, Yelena had none. She sat alone in one corner and her eyes observed all the action and expression of Colonel Maverick.

She couldn't be at ease ever since she saw him with the Iselin's. She wondered what kind of story and secret would be hidden in it. Above all, she finds it hard to believe that of all soldiers, Colonel Maverick might be involved in her brother's case! Why him?! She always admired and respect the Colonel!

While her gaze and attention was fixated on the Colonel, she heard a voice from the right which almost made her startled.

"You should hold back yourself, Captain." 

She turned to the right and noticed Lt. Col. Lucas who was approaching her. He was only a step away. "Pardon me?" She was confused at his words.

With two glasses of drinks in his hand, the Lt. Colonel offered one to Yelena. She only accepted it out of courtesy but she had no intention to drink it. She also promised Felix that she won't drink unnecessarily. The man sat beside her.

"I mean you made it too obvious. Do you like Colonel Maverick?" Lt. Col. Lucas asked as he slightly chuckled. He wondered if that was really the case.

"That's nonsense." Yelena simply replied. She realized that she should hold back herself and stop staring at the Colonel! At this rate, false rumours might spread which she didn't want at all.

"Then why did you gawked at him?" Lucas Waren asked playfully which made Yelena frowned.

"Gawk is an overstatement, sir. I didn't even know that I was staring at him." She deliberately lied though she also admitted that it was not convincing.

After spending the whole evening with the Lt. Colonel, she realized that he was quite an easygoing and friendly man like Colonel Arias. Though he still tends to be aloof at times and though he was a superior, he had a way of making people feel comfortable with him. That's why she could talk to him freely.

"Really? That makes no sense, Yelena." Lucas said with a bit of displeasure but when one thing crossed his mind, his lips curved into a smile again. "I already serve as your lock for today. Why won't you just give me one more secret to lock?" He opined with a playful smile.

Yelena scowled at his words. "I'm really telling the truth. Why would I like Colonel Maverick when I have a fiance?" She blurted out without much thought.

"Really? That's so sad then." Only at that time, Lt. Col. Lucas noticed the ring on her finger and knew that she was telling the truth. "Then why won't you drink that?" He narrowed his eyes at the glass of alcohol which he handed her.

The Captain felt like she was caught red handed while she was doing something wrong! She looked at the drink in her hand and then turned to the Lt. Colonel. "I can't drink. I promised to not drink unless it's necessary." She said in a low voice.

"To whom? Your fiance?" Lt. Col. Lucas asked to which she nodded her head.

"Well, that's your loss then. It's great to drink from time to time and especially in this kind of event."

Drinks were often served in the event of the army but no one never drinks too much to the point where they were drunk or passed out. Discipline was always the core of everything, be it a day of joy or sorrow.

Yelena didn't respond but only smiled at the Lt. Colonel words. She was never the type to drink too much and she didn't love drinking that much either. So, it was not that hard for her to stay away from alcohol, unlike Felix who was always tempted at the mention of alcohol.

After the small party was wrapped up, everyone retired to their allotted rooms. The Captain decided that it was time for her to do something. She must confront Colonel Maverick before she ran out of patience.

She sent a message to the Colonel and waited for him in the pavilion which was located in the middle top of the huge training ground. The guests were allowed to go wherever they wished anyway.

After she waited for a few minutes, Colonel Maverick finally appeared in the pavilion. He seemed to be stupefied by Yelena's move but still, he came there without asking any questions.

"Captain Yelena, what is the matter?" He asked as he walked towards the Captain.

"Colonel," Yelena muttered as she felt the pressure inside her. This required so much strength and courage!

When she didn't say any more thing, Colonel Maverick felt uneasy. Calling him out at this time was already out of her behaviour and now that she was at a loss for words, he was more flustered than before!

"What is the matter? You can say whatever you wish to say." He calmly said to the Captain.

Keeping quiet for a while, Yelena braced herself for whatever that comes her way. Lifting her eyes and meeting the Colonel right in the eyes, she finally spoke up. "I saw you today at Greya Old Age Nursing Home." She made a deliberate paused before she added, "With the Iselin's."

The Colonel's face that showed a hint of worry for her just seconds ago was now turning pale! He turned his head away from Yelena and avoided her gaze while the latter observed all his reactions.

Sawing his pale face, she felt like all her energy were drained from her body! Was he really an accomplice in her brother's case?

"Please answer me, Colonel. Why were you there? The Iselin's who suddenly disappeared while they were under my care a month ago; why were they with you? Was it you? The one who transferred Nolan Iselin?" Yelena asked. Her voice remained low the whole time.

Colonel Maverick's fists that were tightly clenched were now slowly loosened. He closed his eyes, trying to calm down the pressure that he felt. When he opened his eyes, he looked at Yelena again. "The Iselin's are under my care and it's for the best." He finally replied.

"How can I trust what you say? Do you want Nolan Iselin to never be sane again? So that your crimes will be buried forever. But I will -"

"Yelena!" Colonel Maverick snapped but his voice sounds much more like pleading. It made the Captain raised a brow.

The Colonel let out a breath and then suddenly.... he dropped to his knees! His actions made Yelena's eyes widened! Did the Colonel just kneel before her, a Captain?

"What do you think you're doing, Colonel?" She asked in a stupefied face.

"It will be hard but please... trust me with this. I know how desperate you are and how you waited for this for many years but... please believe me. I'm trying my best to amend the sins I committed in the past." Colonel Maverick uttered. His knees were still glued to the cold floors and he looked up at the Captain who was still standing before him with an astonished face.

"You know what happened to my brother, Eric Flavian and Nolan Iselin. You are the one who sent me that video and letter." Yelena uttered her assumptions. She was convinced that it was true.

"Yes." Colonel Maverick nodded his head. "That's why I warned you to stay away from this. I plan to reveal everything myself as soon as I can obtain evidence that will be undeniable. You -"

"You have no right to do that! Do you think you're better than the culprit? If you know everything, that means you keep your silence for 6 years!" Yelena started to lose control as her voice became higher and higher.

"I know." Colonel Maverick's voice was still calm though a mere Captain was raising her voice at him. "But Yelena, you don't know what you're up against. You don't know who you are challenging. You will only get hurt if you are that careless. You will be done before you could reveal anything."

"Careless?" She muttered. What made him say that?!

"If I could easily find out where Nolan Iselin was treated, then it will be a piece of cake for the one you're challenging. If he knew about Nolan Iselin, everything will be over. I need to hide him in a place where no one would think of." Colonel Maverick was helpless. Maybe he didn't expect Yelena to find out the location. He was not prepared for this!

"No matter what your excuse is, I cannot trust you. I will retrieve Nolan Iselin. If I need to hide him at the end of the world, I will do that rather than putting him under your care. I'm willing to do anything, whatever it takes." The Captain declared.....