Chapter 22 - The Seizure

Balthazar and Robert returned from the forbidden zone and decided to go to the herbarium to carry on with their assignments.

"We have repeated the process for more times than needed. He is repeating the assignments if we finish prior to the deadlines. I am really bored by this," said Robert complaining about the assignments.

"I agree. We need to have better assignments than these. Why don't we just look over the V.R. lectures instead."

"We can also fight each other," suggested Robert.

"Yeah. That is a good idea," agreed Balthazar. "But I am thinking of checking my cyber cafe. It did open today. It wouldn't be good if I as the owner didn't even visit it."

"I will come with you."

"Sure. Let's go."

As they reached the cyber cafe. They noticed that the cyber cafe was filled with people. People were even waiting in line outside it, to try out the new somnium V.R. technology.

"It looks like the opening was quite popular."

"Well, we did do it on the same day as the somnium tech was released. That did boost it up a bit."

As they went inside, they saw Slaine at the manager counter, handing out tokens to the customers. It was crowded inside. They had to put in a couple of benches and tables near the manager counter for the waiting customers.

"Hi. You guys want to try it out too. I think I can squeeze you in next," said Slaine.

"I already have the somnium V.R. capsule at home, dude. I just came to have a look around," said Balthazar.

"Got a headgear, myself," said Robert.

"Well, that's good. We had a good amount of people showing up today. The cyber drome also didn't interfere. We are going well. We have also earned quite an amount in these 8 hours."

"Well, I expected so. I have taken care of the cyber drome's interference. They wouldn't go troubling us directly from now on."

"I notice that the price of usage is more than triple the one in cyber drome. Wouldn't that effect our business?" asked Robert looking at the leaflets Slaine was giving out.

"Oh! No. You don't need to be worried about that. The prices have been raised due to the new somnium tech even at the cyber drome. Also, these new headgears require more bandwidth and use more memory and power than the previous ones. We need to keep the price at least 1.5 times the ones for normal ones to maintain the costs."

"Oh! But would the customers really agree for threefold the price?" wondered Balthazar.

"Of course, they would. It is a new product and very exciting. Also, you know time flows three time slower when the somnium tech is being used and also it is very immersive. Some might consider the prices here to be very reasonable," said Slaine.

"OK. That kind of makes sense," agreed Robert.

"Oh! That isn't even the best part of today. Most of the customers who are used to one hour are so spend less than 20 minutes and leave spending the amount for half-an-hour. Some are even just trying it out, making an account and setting their thought passwords to their accounts. That hardly takes 5 minutes."

"I guess, it will slow down from tomorrow then," said Robert.

"Yeah. But I still expect it to be better than the usual profits we had at cyber drome. And once vita-nova is released, the traffic will increase by a lot."

"Ya that will be very popular. And I believe that most of the customers will opt for normal V.R. headgear till vita-nova is released," added Balthazar.

"Yes. I think that slow down the profits from tomorrow. But they did release a software that would modify normal V.R. apps and games to somnium V.R. apps and games."

"Some of the simpler V.R. games and V.R video players have already announced the release of somnium compatible versions in this week."

"Yeah, I personally am thinking that the console connected V.R. headgear would soon become obsolete due to it," said Slaine.

"SLAINE! THERE IS SOMETHING UP WITH THE NETWORK IN LANE C." came a voice from within.

"I think we need to upgrade our internet plan and the get better fiber optics, apparently the last upgrade seems to be insufficient. Once, the vita-nova is released it will become worse. Talk to you, later," said Slaine running off to lane C.

"Looks like your decision to start the cyber cafe was at a really good time. This somnium tech would definitely boost up your business," complimented Robert.

"I think it was a good idea too. Actually, ever since Slaine mentioned about the software, Samsara, I have been getting better ideas like using it to start a small V.R. fighting platform or arena. We can even create a small fighting arena for practicing our weapons."

"You can do that?" asked Robert.

"Well I did have some experience in creating small games at college. A fighting platform would just require creating a few weapon objects and a closed arena. I think it is would be a bit hard to imitate the V.R. testing and evaluation of the app, that Leon sent."

"Even if that is not possible, there is an inherent advantage of the somnium tech of triple the time to practice. If you are not sure, there would be someone who created the app that Leon sent. He would be able to help you."

"I don't think he would be helping me. That guy could possibly create it without my help and probably would already be working on it. But I am sure I can create an arena to fight against one another," said Balthazar.

"Oh! Balthazar, you are here," said a voice calling out to Balthazar. "Manjunath is at the hotel Ambrosia. He wanted to talk to me about some stuff related to the cyber cafe. Care to join us?" asked Rudra.

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At the same time in the forbidden region in a dark passage, Arthur was furious and running like his life depended on it. He just heard that a couple of Max's bodyguards who they were monitoring had gone missing. They suspected them to be moving towards the centre of elysium towards the planet BR-64 where Bolena was working at the apropos labs.

As soon as the warning came on his wrist band, he had arranged to send reinforcements for the security watching over Bolena. He also arranged for kidnapping of the remaining bodyguards covertly.

He opened a door and walked into a group of people monitoring the remaining bodyguards.

"Are they still at the hotel Ambrosia?" he asked entering the room.

"Yes. They have been quite non-nonchalant about the other two leaving the planet. It looks like they don't even know that their teammates have left the planet," said a person looking over a screen.

"Identities of the remaining two?"

"One is Abel Santiago. He is quite renown as a bodyguard and has been the leader of the group in the Orthrus Guardian Group. He is acquainted with Salazar and Elaine's groups. They were in hostile situations before. The other is Roger Quirk. He had been along with Abel for more than ten years in the same unit."

"Who are involved in capturing them?"

"Team B4 is handling the seizure while team B5 is serving as backup. As I have said they are both already aware of their capabilities and we quite confident in their capture."

"They are already in position near the restaurant. Abel and Roger are having lunch. Salazar, Don and Marie are in position. Showing camera view from Marie's viewpoint."

A second later, a large screen started to display the restaurant mainly focusing on Abel and Roger sitting at a table. A couple of tables behind Abel, Salazar was sitting dressed in weird pink dress like a tourist with a large hat on his head and a pair of pink goggles.

"Confirm that no external support is present. Rotate the camera around so we can let the computer check for matches," said Arthur.

The camera slowly began checking the personnel at the restaurant. As Marie was almost done with the check. The check suddenly issued an alert of an army colonel on the floor.

"Alliance Military? Who is it?" asked Arthur as soon as the alert popped up. The screen zoomed onto Balthazar's face who was sitting facing Abel. They had another table between them. But were observing each other since Balthazar entered the floor along with Rudra and Robert. Balthazar had immediately recognized Abel as one of Max's bodyguards.

Arthur immediately contacted Salazar to inform that Balthazar was in the room.

"We continue with the plan. I doubt he would stop or make a fuss once we inform them. Time is running out. We can't have any delays," said Salazar as he sent Robert and Salazar messages that they were planning to capture Abel and Roger and asking them not to interfere.

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Balthazar had just joined Rudra for a meal with Manjunath along with Robert. Rudra told him on the way that his father intended to sponsor his team and the deal he had made with his father. He invited Balthazar as he was the owner of the cyber cafe and workshop and wanted Balthazar to represent the workshop in his deal.

Rudra had walked out on his father once and told him that he didn't want his help. So, his pride couldn't allow him to directly talk sponsor ship with his father. Moreover, as the owner of the establishment, he thought that it would be best for Balthazar to directly discuss it with his father.

Manjunath had been trying to get through to his son but was never successful till now. Yesterday, he finally managed to convince his son to consider that succeeding his business after him. He also managed to connect to him after 5 years after he considered the advice of his son's friend. He was even willing to sponsor him and had decided to help Balthazar too. For this reason, he called Rudra to bring Balthazar for lunch at the Ambrosia Restaurant.

Manjunath was a candid person. As soon as Balthazar, Rudra and Robert joined him. He began talking about his thought for the cyber cafe. He also insisted on developing a franchise of cyber cafes if they were successful and that he would sponsor them, if Rudra owned atleast 30% of the shares of the cyber cafe.

"That is ridiculous father. He provided for all the capital, the infrastructure and also handled the pressure we got from cyber drome in the city. We can't ask that much off him," said Rudra shocked. He felt that his father had crossed some sort of line.

"I don't mind at all," said Balthazar. "I intended to have the same talk with Rudra but in all the excitement of the establishing a new cyber cafe and new somnium V.R. tech and mess made by the cyber drome owner at my home, I forgot. It is best that we discuss this and reach an agreement as soon as possible."

"Let me put my thoughts open on the table. Though I provided the initial capital and will be investing in the further development of the workshop and cyber cafe, I have a different career on which I will be focusing. I will leave all the management of the workshop to Rudra and his team. So, I need to have 50% of the shares in my name. The remaining I will let Rudra and his team decide the shares among themselves."

"Are you kidding?" said Rudra surprised. "Even if you are willing, we are not. We can't just accept such a thing. FIFTY PERCENT!! It is like you are giving it away on charity. How the hell did you think, we could accept it? Even if we work ourselves to bring up the workshop, you can't directly give 50% to us. The most we can consider the entire team to have is 30% of the cyber cafe."

"Even I can't believe that you are willing to give up 50% shares of the cyber cafe. Can you at least inform us why you are being so generous?" asked Manjunath. It was very odd for a businessman to give away shares to friends however close they might be. In his experience, such a person would either have an ulterior agenda or was a fool.

"I'm not that generous. I am telling this that under no circ.u.mstances the 50% shares would be sold to any other organization or personal. I am letting Rudra manage the remaining 50% shares. Not asking him to own them. There will be times when we would need to collaborate with other or might end up acquiring other partners or such things which might result in the exchange of shares. I am leaving it to Rudra to manage it all. I want him to evaluate his team and decide on who owns how much in the entire team. I am not doing any favours to him. Rather I am pushing my burden and work onto him," said Balthazar answering Manjunath

"Rudra, you are good team leader. But now you are going to lead a workshop. It involves dealing with the business more than the game. I am just allowing you full control over the management with this. Nothing else. I just trust you to do it in my place. I doubt I can participate much in the workshop once I get back to the frontier."

"You can do this when you are going to the frontier. Why so early?" asked Rudra.

"It is best we get used to this from now onward. It would also allow you to obtain the authority and maintain it with ease once he leaves," said Robert understanding Balthazar's way of thinking.

"Yes. This is something new to you. I just want to make sure you have some experience, so that I won't have to search for someone with experience later."

As Rudra, Balthazar and Manjunath were continuing with their discussion, Robert receive a message from Salazar regarding Abel and Roger.

"It looks like a couple of Max's bodyguards are on the floor," whispered Robert leaning to his left.

"I know. I recognized them and had my eye on them ever since I entered," replied Balthazar in a whisper. "You recognize any of our family here?"

"To the left, two tables behind I can see Marie and Donatello who are disguised as tourists," he told Balthazar.

Balthazar quickly messaged Salazar, "I could see Marie and Donatello to my left. I also know where Roger and Abel are sitting. Where are you?"

"The tourist behind Abel with the large black hat," came the reply.

"Why are you suddenly attacking Max's bodyguards. That too when only two of them are here. It would alert them. Unless something happened that already alerted them. What happened?" he messaged back.

"You deduced the situation well. But let us handle the situation. Just stay put and get ready in case, they make any attempt at you."

"All right. Just inform me of it once you captured them. We will be on guard."

A few minutes later, Roger was finished with his lunch went to the washroom. He was followed by Donatello. A few seconds later, Balthazar and Robert saw Salazar move to the washroom as they received a message from Salazar informing that Roger was being taken care of. At the same time, Marie walked towards the door and exited the hotel, so that she would be able to follow Abel in case he directly left the restaurant without Roger.

More than a minute had passed since Roger went to the washroom but hadn't returned yet. Abel was a very observant person. The washrooms were soundproof so that the noises wouldn't make the customers uncomfortable. He had noticed Donatello entering the washroom behind Roger and also the position Donatello's tourist partner, Marie took at the door.

He had no allies on the planet other than the one that entered the washroom. Just as he was wondering whether, he needs to escape or help Roger, he received an emergency help request from Roger on his wrist band.

He quickly made his way to washroom. On entering, the washroom he saw Roger holding frightened tourist wearing a black hat and threatening another person with his life. He looked back at Abel and said "Now that you have come, we can take care of this sc.u.m. They have been quite courageous to attempt such a thing at the Ambrosia hotel."

Suddenly the hat wearing tourist, hit Roger in the face with his elbow and put some think into his mouth when Roger cried in pain. "We control the entire planet. Why would we worry?" said Salazar sneering at Roger. Roger immediately felt his muscles weaken as he slumped down to the floor. Marie suddenly appeared from the left side of Abel and struck him on the back of his head.

A couple of minutes later there came a loud noise from the washroom and the door rattled as if someone fell on the door. Balthazar worried as he immediately went to the washroom. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Don lying on the floor by the door with pieces of a broken washbasin by his side.

Abel held Marie by her throat in one hand and was parrying Salazar's punches with the other. He also had injuries. He had a deep cut above his left eye with blood dripping into his left eye. His clothes were wet and had few cuts on his legs. He quickly threw a punch at Balthazar with his free hand.

"Get out," said Salazar immediately trying to catch Abel's hand. Balthazar quickly evaded the punch by rolling forwards and came in front of Abel. Salazar quickly held Abel's other hand. Nevertheless, before Balthazar could stand up, Abel managed to kick towards him.

Balthazar jumped back at the right time reducing the force he felt though not by much. Abel saw that his kick that hurt Balthazar only grazed him but felt uneasy as he thought that his kick shouldn't have hit. It was then he noticed Salazar smiling widely. Marie also started to struggle with renewed vigor.

He felt the strength in his arms lessening. It was then that he realized the reason his kick connected with Balthazar. Balthazar threw a couple of knives into his armpits. The knives would cut in deeper if he moved his arms without proper thought.

But Salazar and Marie were also held to his arms and weren't allowing him free movement of his arms. Within a minute, they managed to subdue and knock out Abel. Marie immediately sent the message that both the targets and also Donatello were down.

A couple of people dressed as attendants entered the washroom. They quickly took Don out on a stretcher. Marie opened a trapdoor at the end of the washroom and carried out the unconscious Abel and Roger through it.

The door of the washroom also immediately put up a sign indicating that it is currently under maintenance. A few minutes later Salazar came out of the washroom dressed as a hotel attendant from the washroom. He walked towards the table Abel was sitting to check if anything was left by them and walked out of the hotel.

Soon Balthazar followed Salazar out of the washroom. He and Robert excused themselves that they were being summoned by their family and quickly caught up with Salazar.