Chapter 476 Tartarus Invasion (3)
Chapter 476 Tartarus Invasion (3)
While Alina savoured the flavour of taste-filled food, Anna and Ashton were busy having a discussion of their own. Anna was worried about Alina joining them as they didn't know her, nor was she under Ashton's influence like Viper was.
Moreover, her unpredictable nature could lead to unnecessary complications throughout the operation. But the thing he was concerned about the most was Alina's intelligence.
Even though she looked like a goof while eating, there was no denying she was a capable individual. After all, not only did Alina fool her, as the latter tailed her, she turned the tables on Anna, following her back to the club undetected.
Had it not been for Ashton, Anna would have never known Alina was sitting beside them the whole time they discussed her. For these reasons, Anna was sceptical about allowing Alina to join them.
"I know how you feel, and your reasons are all valid," Ashton gently grabbed her face, "However, she's the only one who successfully managed to escape Tartarus. She's the only one who can get us inside that prison fortress."
"I know, but I'm having a bad feeling about this-"
"Do you trust me?"
"With my life."
"Then don't worry about me," Ashton whispered as he kissed her forehead, "You know me, don't you? She might not know this, but she'll forfeit her life as soon as the thought of betraying us crosses her mind."
Although Ashton didn't explicitly tell her what he meant by that, Anna understood the meaning behind his words. One of his shadow lieutenants had already been placed inside Alina's shadow, waiting to execute the target on their master's command.
Having this information certainly took some weight off Anna's mind. Despite Ashton's preventive measures, she had decided to keep close tabs on Alina.
At that moment, someone rhythmically rapped on the door. Alina immediately jumped off the bed, refusing to let go of the heavenly chicken drumstick.
Anna positioned herself between Alina and Ashton as the latter approached the door.
"Your knocking sequence was off; I could have killed you for that." Ashton joked before letting Viper in, quickly introducing everyone, "The lady in red is Anna, and the goof on the bed is Alina. This is-"
"Viper!" Alina exclaimed before rushing in for a hug.
Ashton looked at Anna, who happened to be staring right at him. Viper and Alina knew each other? What a fortunate turn of events!
"Hey, little one. So you're the one who escaped the prison." Viper smiled, "Can't say I'm surprised, honestly."
After a moment, Ashton asked the obvious question, "Let me guess, you met her during your stay in Tartarus?"
"Sure did!" Alina replied with a beaming smile, her arms still wrapped around Viper's torso, "He was my instructor back in the facility and the only one who treated us more than test subjects."
"Who would've thought the big bad assassin is a softie?" Ashton teased them before everyone finally settled down.
Since Viper knew Alina, Ashton's complicated feelings about Alina diminished a bit. Moreover, since Viper was under his authority, Alina wouldn't dare try double-crossing them.
Still, he didn't order Celeste out of her shadow as a guarantee of Alina's 'goodwill' towards them. That said, Ashton wanted to know more about Alina to put Anna at ease and immediately pushed the topic towards them. Viper understood Ashton's intentions and helped him along.
But one thing bothered Anna, and she had no desire to sit on it even for a moment.
"I find it weird that she escaped from the facility, and you had no idea about it?" Anna questioned the duo, "Considering how close you two are; I think you'd be the first one to find her. After all, you certainly have the skills to do so."
The stern look on Alina's face made it clear she wasn't all too happy with the accusatory question thrown her way. But Viper was more than glad to quell Anna's 'thoughts' on the matter.
"I have already informed Ashton about my circumstances. Even though I might not look like it, I was nothing more than a puppet working under the President's orders. Since finding or capturing Alina wasn't a task assigned to me, there was nothing I could have done to find her.
"The entire reason why I'm even here at the moment is all thanks to him," Viper turned to Ashton with a smile, "Had he not destroyed the chip embedded in me, I would still be getting my hands dirty for the sake of man I haven't even met. I hope that clears your doubt?"
Anna nodded, "As long as you don't give me a reason to raise my blade against you, we'll get along just fine."
This wasn't how Ashton wanted his 'team' to have their first meet and greet, but in hindsight, it could have gotten way worse. With hostilities out of the way, Viper continued his story.
In the gist of it, before Viper was forced into becoming an assassin, he was assigned the job of an instructor to train potential 'assets'. The arrangement didn't last for long, as a couple of months later, Viper was chipped and didn't return to Tartarus.
It happened six years ago when Alina was thirteen. After his departure, things changed within the facility, forcing Alina to risk fleeing, a feat even Viper failed to achieve.
"That reminds me, where's Jay? For as long as I remember, you were inseparable." Viper asked, and all the happiness on Alina's face disappeared instantly.
"I wasn't the only one attempting to escape, but I was the only one who did it." Alina sniffled, "Everyone else got captured."
"That's why you want to return, to free them?" Ashton realised the pieces were finally getting together.
Alina nodded.
Had the situation been any different, Ashton would have praised her resolve. However, the news she gave them would put a stint on their plans.
Rescuing someone in a regular prison cell was easy, but since these people had been caught trying to escape, they'd be placed in high security. Which meant his quick in-and-out strategy was out of consideration.
[An all-out war, just the way I like it.]
'Got any ideas?'
[I can come up with a few things.]