Russia

It was a cold winter night. Constantine was at home sitting by the fire place. He had a book in his hand which he was reading with great interest. Constantine had always liked reading, especially the books of Fyodor Dostoevsky. He had read many works from the library of Leo Tolstoy and took a liking to it, in his earlier years. As a youth you could see Constantine walking around the plant with Tolstoy in his hands. As he got older he shifted to Dostoevsky and never dropped his work from his hands. That particular night was very cold indeed and so the Director chose to sit by the fire and was covered in a few sweaters to say the least. It was well past dinner time and both his daughters and his wife had gone to sleep. So he read without any disturbance as the fire was being stroked to keep the living room warm. The living room was majestic with chandeliers hanging from the sky. There were ornaments and great paintings that adored the walls of the palace. It would certainly look like Constantine had done quite well for himself. However the dark embers of the furnace would remind him now and then that the luxury things he and his family dwell cannot last forever. Just like the fire that could be smoked out, their luxuries can be too taken away from him. When it was his time to retire and pass the mantle on to the next Director, he would away from this palace that he so adored. The government would look after him well, but certainly not as good as he is currently living right now.

Constantine decided it was time for him to take a small walk around the living room and also help himself to a small cup of a beverage. He went poured himself a beverage that was sat beside a sofa. So he seated himself and poured himself a beverage and looked over at the chess set that adorned an old Russian table. The table was said to be made from one of the rarest timbers to be found in all of Russia. But Constantine's eyes peered towards the chess set rather than the timber right now. He was always fascinated by the game of chess. How each and every move had a consequence small or big. And how the king was being protected by everyone else around and the queen was the most powerful piece on the board. And it made sense to him as well, that the queen was the most powerful piece. He looked at the staircase that led to the bedrooms where his family were sleeping. And he was more than aware of the power they commanded. Not in the outside world but certainly in his world. They were the most important people in his life. That he would certainly pick up a sword to protect them even if it costs him is life. Well knowing that his wife too would do the same for the family. And she would eventually be the most fierce of the two, laughed Constantine in certain comfort as he took a sip of his beverage. Any danger was certainly far away from him and his family. Constantine was almost done with his warm beverage. He kept it aside and reached for the chess board. He moved the horse to an attacking position. He played the other side of the table as well. And the bishop now went for the horse and took it out of the board. He went back to the original side where he had first moved the horse and castled the king. Now the rook protected the king.

Interesting, he said

Meanwhile at Andora,

Plato was seated at the cell, as Sergey at the other side of the bar trying to talk to him. But Plato was in no mood to talk to the man who was once his friend.Plato , said Sergey in a rough yet concerned voice. We are leaving back to earth and I strongly recommend you to come with us. Zeno was listening to everything and yet chose not to speak anything. Plato , listen to me, said Sergey. We are going back to our planet Earth. I urge you , as he was about to finish his sentence. Plato got up and faced the Russian. Then what? He asked the Russian back . Then what ? What do you mean by that ? Sergey was confused as he felt he was quite straightforward with his suggestion. He left a bemused face which did not surprise Plato at all. What will you do after returning back to earth ? He asked the Russian with a smirk on his face. Raise a family I guess, joked Sergey. What do you think I will do after we return back to Earth? He asked Plato back.

Will you not run to another planet or another Galaxy where there is more for you to steal, replied Plato. Sergey was angry with the statement from Plato, he held the iron bars so tight that he was about to bend it. You are a moron, said Sergey. You always were, back on earth and here too. Just a moron , he emphasised on the word again. Zeno who was keeping quiet decided it was time for him to speak up. "Pillagers" he said. That is what you all are. A group with no morality . And now he got up and stood facing straight up to the Russian. It is better to be a moron than to be a Pillager, he directed his wrath at Sergey. And then Zeno looked at Plato . He is right, he said to him. It is better you return beach to your home planet. You have done a lot for us son , it is time for you to go back to your Planet. And try to raise a family. Sergey loosened his grip on the iron bars "The man is right,Plato" said Sergey "we might be thugs,you don't have to be. You can lead a normal life like the rest of the people". Plato looked at Sergey and realised that the friendship shared between them could never be lost. Even after all the bad that has happened between them. And then he was reminded of Andrea. Could it still be a possibility that she was still not married.That she was still waiting for him to return one day. But in a second he realised that it was foolish of him to even entertain such a thought. Sergey, said Plato "You might have forgotten the promise that you have made to Romanov, but I surely haven't". I have made no promises to that old fool, replied Sergey. He surely was a strange person and it is seeming more and more likely that you too are, said Sergey and walked way. As he left he was heard saying "if it's your destiny to die here on this planet, then who am I to stop you".