At the Verlice mansion Andre and Daniel are talking inside his office.

“It’s hard to believe.” replied a shocked Daniel. “You are not joking with me, are you?”

“I am dead serious. Project Z wasn’t some welfare project; it was a way to acquire unsurmountable wealth for the corrupt.” said Andre disgusted.

“If that is the case then it changes everything.” continued Daniel. “Now I understand why do you want to enter into politics. But how are you even alive if you know everything about their wrongdoings and even has proof on top of that?”

“The government didn’t notice me earlier. For them I was just another survivor of the Project Z accident. But since I rose to power through violence I have been gaining unwanted attention by some people.”

“But how did they found out that you have a proof?” questioned Daniel.

“There have been many assassination attempts since I established the gang but it wasn’t like this in my earlier days. After losing everything in Project Z, I decided to start afresh. I was young and naïve. Due to my skills a private military company hired me.”

“Yeah sure. And how many batches did you earn lieutenant?” Daniel said sarcastically. “Oh sorry I missed the broadcast of you receiving the award from the president.”

“Very funny.” replied Andre irritated. “But there are many tasks other than field work. My job was to manage the servers and the technical devices which helped during an operation. On one such occasion I was assigned to delete the archives of the department. There I discovered a file with a unique logo. I recognized it immediately since I was one of the workers working in Project Z. I often saw that sign on worksite.”

“You didn’t delete that file, did you?”

“If I did that then there would have been no problem for me. I stole that file thinking that nobody would know since all the data was already being deleted. I thought that the company was hired to provide some type of protection but after analyzing the files I came to know this horrifying truth.” said Andre in a depressing tone.

“And they found out that you stole it.”

“Yeah.” Andre continued. “Even after working for them for so many times I never realized that the main party which was responsible for managing everything in the department was the government itself. They knew what was wrong and assassins were dispatched. Luckily I survived, somehow, but I also realized that I will not be able to survive for much long. Hence I gathered some guys who were in a similar situation as mine and here we are today as the scorpion gang.”

“So now you want to expose the truth to the public so that the government could not target you anymore.” said Daniel.

“Exactly. Currently the government is after my life because other than them only I know the truth. If I expose it then it can lead to their downfall but if everyone were to know then they can’t just murder everyone. Even if they did it will attract too much attention from international counterparts. People will not believe me if I were to tell the truth right now because I don’t have a good image. But if I were to become a minister and have some trust of people by doing some welfare work then they might listen to me. That’s why I need to act good in front of those corrupt officials.”

“That’s a nice plan.” said Daniel impressed. “But you are trying to impress the same people who tried to get rid of you. One way or another they all are responsible for Project Z and once you don’t benefit them anymore they will try to get rid of you again.”

“That’s true.” replied Andre worryingly. “But I don’t have an option. I cannot win people’s trust overnight. I have to let go the hatred inside me in order to proceed in life. It will be temporary of course. Once I achieve what I want then I will be the one to kill all of them. In order to stop me from entering politics the government will put extra efforts.”

“Don’t worry about that. I will increase your security.”

“I am not talking about myself. I am talking about Robert.”

“Robert? Why will they harm him?” asked a startled Daniel.

“It’s not about harming him. It’s about choosing sides.” replied Andre.

“I don’t understand.”

“As you already know that Robert will be handling the finance for the gang. If he wishes he can destroy us by deliberately making wrong investments. He is helping us because he wants to save his mother.”

“What can he do anyway? He is weak and gives up easily.” replied Daniel.

“Don’t underestimate him. He is certainly not weak and gives up easily because he hasn’t found any motivation yet. Believing him completely will be a mistake.”

“What do you want me to do then?”

“From now on follow his actions. I have already told him that his every activity will be analyzed by you. If anything looks suspicious then you will inform me immediately. And also see that no strange element approaches him.”

“I will do that.”

“Where is he by the way?” questioned Andre.

“Since you told him about his mother’s condition he has been with her. I don’t think he will ever leaver her side now.” Daniel said mockingly.

Robert was preparing medicine for Luna while talking to her.

“Is this much okay or should I pour more?” questioned a tensed Robert. His hands were shaking while mixing the contents.

“You don’t have to do this. I have a nurse.” replied Luna.

“Yeah I know. Now you believe your nurse more than you believe me.”

“It’s not like that. She knows more than you in medicine. Neither you nor I know what are you even pouring in water.”

“Oh yeah.” Robert shrieked.

It took a while for Robert to realize that his mother is right.

“Calm yourself down. You are currently not yourself. You become stupid when you let your emotions take control over you.”

Robert sat beside his mother on the bed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because there is nothing you can do about it.”

“I used to tell you about my bad tests in school.” replied Robert. “Even though only I could make things right I still told you.”

“You told me about the bad tests because you knew that it will not harm me. I will just scold you or punish you and next time you will improve. But if I told you about my condition then you would have become depressed, like you are now. And you are more vulnerable when you are emotionally unstable.”

“I am not so sure. I might have studied about your problem and must have developed a cure by now. They call me a genius at school.”

“Oh Mr. Genius, I am your mother. I know more about you than yourself.” said Luna with a smirk on her face. “The most you would have done is to cry in a spot where no one would have find you.”

“Shut up. I don’t cry.” replied an irritated Robert.

“Listen Robert I am going to tell you something important.” Luna said in a serious tone.

“Why? What happened?”

“The doctors told me that I have a rare disease. Because of it there is no treatment. They are researching for past two years and still there is no progress.”

“So what do you want me to do? Are you asking me to help them in their research? Don’t worry. They will create a cure in a day if I were to help.”

Luna punched Robert on the shoulder. “Take this seriously. I am trying so hard to tell you something deep. This is my first time talking so seriously.”

“Okay, okay.” replied Robert giggling.

“If they are not able to make a cure before I die…”.

“They will.” Robert interrupted in a serious tone. “They have been trying for the past two years. I am sure that they will make it.”

“Ah…” screamed an irritated Luna. “Will you let me finish what I have to say? Don’t speak.”

After a moment of silence Luna spoke again. “I want you to promise me something.”

“What?”

“If I didn’t make it then promise me that you will take care of yourself.”

“What are you talking about? I am not a kid.”

“Yeah, I know. You are worse than a kid. Just promise me that you will eat three meals a day, go out with your friends and socialize. You have to move on in life with or without me. And always remember to not take action or even think while you are angry. You will only regret it later.”

“You forgot something.” said Robert.

“What?” asked Luna.

“There was also a line where you were supposed to tell me to burn your research papers. I watched that movie with you.”

“Um… I don’t know what are you talking about.” hesitated Luna.

“Stop acting so serious and get well soon. We will watch some science fiction together again.”

“I will pick. It must have a little bit romance later because then I will get bored.”

As they were laughing the nurse knocked on the door. “Sorry to disturb you, but now she has to take her medicine and sleep.”

“Okay. I am going now.”

“Goodnight. Take care. Remember my wise saying which I totally didn’t copy from any movie.” Luna said jokingly.

Robert left the room with a smile. As he started walking in the hall his smile vanished.

She was serious, Robert told himself. She wasn’t joking about promising her. Is it worse than I anticipated? I must do something about it.

Instead of going to his room Robert decided to go to the lab where the cure is getting developed.

“Young master, where are you going?” asked an old butler.

“I was thinking about going for a walk.” replied Robert.

“I am afraid to tell you that Master Andre has instructed everyone to stay inside just for tonight.”

“Okay. Thanks for informing me. Good night.”

“If you need anything young master you can call me. Good night to you too.”

Robert entered his room and turned off the lights. As he was laying on his bed he remembered an incident. Two years ago his mother was supposed to visit him in order for a surprise gift. On that day he was told that his mother has failed to come and now he was instructed to stay in his room for the rest of the day.

By talking to her I know that she got unhealthy from that day onwards, Robert thought. So someone injured her two years ago. Servants never stop me from doing anything unless and until they are ordered to do so. This condition is similar as that of two years ago. I will not interfere since she is not included this time. But they are hiding something from me and I must ensure that she is safe.

Back at Luna’s room, as nurse was preparing the bed for Luna she saw her teary eyes.

“What happened ma’am? Is there any problem?” asked the nurse.

“That stupid child. He didn’t promise me.” replied a crying Luna.