Don't Call the Messenger

Special thanks to Becky for the title suggestion.

Lalit's POV

"Why are we here Lalit?" Maya inquired.

"Well Anand said we needed to meet him here. You have been aware of the increasing terrorist tension lately, haven't you?" I inquired.

"Yes there is word they are planning in something in Greece this time," Maya retorted.

I smiled in wonderment. My sister always found a way to state the obviously while not alerting others the true context of what she was saying.

"That is where we are going," Anand stated as he approached us.

"Hi Anand. So they want us in Athens?" Maya inquired.

"Yes my friends. They want us to join the international counter- terrorism unit in Athens until we catch the terrorists attempting to destroy the beautiful country of Greece," Anand stated.

"So we three where chosen from the Indian branch?" I inquired.

"Yes my good friend. We shall leave tomorrow evening itself. We need to get packing

and meet a representative of the unit twenty- four hours after we land in Greece," Anand stated.

"You know Anand you chose a great place to meet today. India Gate. It's a great symbol of our nation," Maya stated.

"Yes, I agree it's a great national symbol," I quipped.

"Well friends I shall meet you at the airport tomorrow," Anand said before walking away

I turned to Maya. Two years ago Maya had been stuck in the laundry room of our apartment building, when a lunatic had decided to hold her and four others down there for six hours. My sister never told Anand the whole story. He had been away for training.

I knew the story because I had arrived there at the beginning of the fourth hour and awaited news. They wouldn't let me negotiate with him because I was her brother. I was so relieved to see her all right; I never pressed her for details or to tell others about it.

"You think you can handle this?" I inquired.

Maya nodded.

"I have realized no place is safe. I have to be able to fend off danger on my own at times," Maya stated.

Maya's Pov

I always wanted to go to Greece. I hoped after the danger subsided, we could all go and have fun. The headquators was underground of an old abandoned office building. We needed special access coded, therefore the reason we had to wait twenty-four hours before we could enter.

Walking in there with my brother and our best pal Anand, I felt exhilarated. I was really getting into a serious mission. I never felt so confident in my life. Soon I would be astonished with how trouble wouldn't just leave me.

I shared my workstation with several people but the one I actually befriended was Jules Chung from China.

One day the wires must have been crossed for I got a mysterious call.

"Hello. Sector 48 is secured. Number of causalities expected four hundred," a man reported.

I couldn't muster an answer right away. I was stunned. This obviously was from one of the terrorist groups planning to attack Athens.

I hinted to Jules and she started tracking.

I spoke into the phone.

"Messenger has received confirmation," I stated.

"Good to go. We'll meet at Blackthorn Field," the man replied.

"What time?" I inquired.

---

Fear gripped me, I could ruin everything.

"Quarter past noon. You must be the new recruit. Be there," the man replied.

---

After the conversation was over, I sighed with relief. For now we were safe.

I gave Jules a nod of consideration before getting ready to head out. I had to travel forty kilometers.

---

Anand's POV

Maya was trying to rush past us. Lalit and I grabbed her by the arms. "Where do you think you are headed Missy?" I inquired.

"Well I might be the possible messenger for the Blackthorn terrorist group. They want me to meet them at the field," Maya stated.

Lalit and I exchanged puzzled glances.

"How did you talk to the enemy?" Lalit exclaimed.

"What are you up to by yourself?" I said crossing my arms around my chest.

Maya looked at us wide eyed.

"Guys I am just testing the waters here. You know checking out a lead. If their wires are crossed with my station we can track their moves," Maya insisted.

"You are not going!" Lalit declared.

"Yes I am!" Maya said before rushing off.

"No you are not!" we yelled after her.

A light bulb formed in my head. I stopped Lalit.

"What are you doing man?" Lalit inquired.

I rubbed my hands together in anticipation.

"I got a plan my friend," I stated.

"It better work man, otherwise you'll be toast," Lalit quipped.

"Shouldn't we try to catch up with her? I can explain on the way," I stated before we rushed after Maya.

Lalit's POV

"So this is your plan. We watch my sister go into the line of danger and inform our boss later if anything goes wrong?" I exclaimed.

Anand gave me a solemn look. "Relax man! We make her think she is alone. She grabs us and requests we watch her back. For now what she doesn't know won't hurt her," Anand quipped.

I shake my head in dismay. Seriously if Maya got hurt, I was going to get ready to strangle Anand. He may be our mutual friend but neither of know what happened the last time her life was in grave danger.

In the distance, Maya was standing outside a phone booth.

The phone rang and it looked like she was getting instructions.

Moments later an unknown man approached her. He handed her a letter and walked away.

I had my hand on my gun the whole time. I sighed with relief as Maya got back into her car.

Anand and I followed her a moment later.

An hour later at headquators our boss called us in and relayed to us that there was to be a secret mission. Maya would be the main uncover agent. She would assume the role of the Messenger; the Blackthorn group believed she was. We were assigned to watch her back along with Jules running surveillance.

I was relieved with the proceedings. At least time around I could take care of my sister.

Maya's Pov

"So when do you meet with these guys again?" Lalit inquired.

'Well they gave me a location, I just need to determine the right distance," I retorted.

I knew my brother was very concerned. If it were up to him, I would have someone with me at all times when we are working.

"Lalit I know you are worried about me. However the situation that happened two years ago will help me stay focused on this mission. I know the stakes and what could possibly happen," I insisted.

Lalit nodded.

"You cannot blame me if I get bit protective," Lalit reminded me.

I smiled slightly.

"Yeah I understand, just remember last time it wasn't your fault that I was in trouble," I stated.

"What trouble?" Anand inquired.

Lalit and I exchanged glances.

"Maybe someday I'll tell you. However right now we need to coordinate with Jules and inform her of the new developments," I insisted.

We went over to Jules and we started to get ready for my trip to Acadia, it was a Greek restaurant, where they were planning to meet. I discovered the location was twenty kilometers from headquators. Perhaps I could discover when the raids were taking place and then we could find a way to stop them.

Anand's POV

Before Maya was due to leave, I took her aside.

"So what is that you are hiding from me? Maya no one is immune from danger. That exactly what you are going to face right now," I stated.

Maya gave me a firm look.

"Anand when one has already been caught by surprise, there is no fear remaining. I have seen the worst. I can deal with anything that comes my way," Maya insisted.

"I believe in you Maya, I'm just trying to be a good friend," I stated.

Maya nodded solemnly.

"I just need you to watch my back and make sure my brother doesn't do anything stupid to save me," Maya stated.

"Don't worry. I can handle everything," I assured her.

"Great. Well I should be going then," Maya stated.

"Be careful. After this whole thing is over, I'm treating everyone to dinner at this really posh restaurant near our hotel," I said with a grin.

Maya smiled back at me.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't miss that for the world," Maya retorted.

"So her alias is Becky Tate?" Lalit inquired astonished.

"Yes. She'll tell them she was adopted. Don't worry buddy. This should work if Maya is a convincing liar," I stated.

"Okay, let's hope she can convince them," Lalit said.

---

Lalit's Pov

I listened as Maya spoke.

They asked for her name.

"My name is Becky Tate," Maya stated.

The man and woman looked at her precariously for a moment.

"I was adopted," Maya quickly added.

They nodded and allowed her to enter the room.

I let out the breath; I didn't know I was holding until that moment.

"How long until we go in?" I inquired.

Anand looked at me solemnly.

"If everything goes to plan, as soon as she has the remote in her hands," Anand replied.

I turned my gaze back at the monitor. Hoping this time I could help my sister.

"Don't worry man. The team will go crashing in, as soon as the time comes," Anand said assurlingly.

"Even if they don't, I'll break down that door myself," I responded.

---

Maya's Pov

They began discussing final arrangements for the attacks. Suddenly they turned to me.

"Becky we will need you to antagonize the authorities, lead them astray until our strike has been completed," the leader of the group stated.

I nodded.

"There is something you all should see before you proceed any further," I stated as I took the remote from one of the beds.

I flipped on the television and there was the bomb squad diffusing and confiscating all bomb making materials. Next the scene switched to the agents and officers entering the building. They stared at me astonished.

I smiled at them.

"I am the messenger. However you called the wrong one. I am from IATU, otherwise known as International Anti-Terrorist Unit. Your game is over," I stated firmly.

They became frantic and in their struggle to get out one of them knocked me unconscious.

I awakened in the stretcher.

I saw Lalit and Anand by my side.

"So is the mission accomplished?" I inquired.

Anand nodded.

"Yes we did it. I guess you are holding me to that free dinner after you get out." Anand quipped.

Lalit smiled at me warmly.

"So glad my little sister is all right. Okay I'm riding to the hospital with you, and then this sucker gets to treat us," Lalit stated with a chuckle.

I smiled in return.

I was glad we stopped them.

---

Anand's POV

Maya was released two days later.

"I guess I still owe you that dinner right?" I inquired.

"Sure do. Jules is coming too," Maya stated with a grin.

"Why not, the more the merrier!" I exclaimed.

Maya turned solemn.

"You know the thing I am supposed to tell you about?" Maya inquired.

"Yeah I do. You can tell me whenever you are ready," I responded.

"Well I will tell on the flight back to Delhi. I consider Jules a good friend. However I am much closer to you and Lalit. I want to tell you guys about what happened two years ago in my own time and way," Maya stated.

I nodded.

I offered her my arm.

"Well milady, it's time for dinner. We shouldn't keep the others waiting," I said.

Maya flashed me a smile and took my arm.

"Let's proceed," Maya responded.

The three of us had been offered contracts to remain here and travel the world at times. However we have chosen to go back to India. After all we need to help protect our Motherland as well. Everything had worked out great. We would enjoy a few hours in Greece then head back to where we knew we should be.

The End

Don't Call the Messenger.

If you don't know who it is

Then why do you trust them

Look what happens when you call

The wrong messenger

Your game is over.

They stopped a terrorist raid

All because somebody called

The wrong number

In the end it all worked out.

The bad guys are in custody

The world is a bit safer