Chapter 6: THE FILE

Chapter 6: The file

In the middle of the night, commander Fabio was having a surreptitious colloquy with one of his trusted soldiers. They were deliberating on how to implant a bug inside Mr.henderson's office in order to find out where he had hidden the secret file.

"This could be our last chance of success in this army. Or would you prefer being a lieutenant for the rest of your life? Won't you prefer being by my side as my personal assistant, and you know what that means, more promotion more in your salary."

Commander Fabio was improvising by all means to make him yield to his quest for power. He knew that out of many,he is the only reticent soldier who can keep any secret and by any means accomplish a task assigned to him.

"Yes sir, I would love to be promoted as your P.A. but you know quite well how risky the task could be. And the person who we are discussing here is not a careless person that can't detect when he's been bugged sir".

There is no other soldier, all you have to do for me is to take this bug device and implant it in the flower vase that is always on his desk. Once this is accomplished, be reassured that we are going to be listening to all his conversations and with that we can learn of its hidden place. As simple as that".

"Take these gold bars and keep them to yourself. Rest assured that more of these are yours once you pledge your loyalty to me."

Intuitively, without hesitation, he collected the box along with the bug and left the office. Ikenna, who was about delivering the clothes which he picked up from the laundry unit to commander Fabio's room. He paused immediately when he heard the brigadier's name mentioned in their conversation. So intuitively, he suspected something fishy and decided to eavesdrop on them.

Ikenna, in his room, tried so hard to make head of the whole conversation between the commander and the lieutenant. He could hardly understand all they said since they were too fast in speaking. But he heard the commander saying something about stealing some files in the brigadier's office, but the rest of the controversy was not quite clear to him.

He wanted to report the whole act to Mr.henderson but on second thought, he withdrew back. "What if what I heard is not what I thought? That will definitely make me a liar." He thought.

So he decided to surreptitiously follow up the case.

Two days passed. The task about implanting a bug in Mr.henderson's office was accomplished. They were chuckling accompanied by laughter inside commander Fabio's tent. Their laughter was indeed a contagious one. It began slowly as a silent chuckle,then transformed into a mirthful chortle. Inside his tent, near the inner chamber of his room, seated an employed engineer. Who was through some connected wire tapping device was meticulously listening over Mr.henderson's conversation through the aid of the bug planted in his office.

"Sir.I found something." The employed engineer asserted clearly to Fabio.

Immediately the chuckling and laughter which filled the atmosphere in his room ceased.

"What did you find"?

"I think the file is hidden inside a safe in a drilled hole made by him in his office. I overheard him telling his P.A to remove his picture and put back the file there." The engineer explained.

"A framed picture? A safe too? In order words, behind the framed picture, he stored the file in a safe which he hid behind the walls." Commander Fabio asserted.

"Sir, I think so too. The safe must be hidden there."

"Yes. That's what it seems like. I can sense luck on our side. We shouldn't waste anymore time over this again. Get yourself ready lieutenant, you shall be going to his office by 1pm today to complete this task. Don't worry about being caught by him, because he will be leaving for a meeting by 12:45am today which will last for 3hours. So you have to act very fast and get this job done before it's too late.

"Okay sir".

About an hour later. Ikenna was returning from the laundry unit to deliver some washed clothes to mr.henderson.

Coincidentally, it was about that same time the lieutenant was sent to go and steal the secret file in Henderson's office. Unconsciously, Ikenna opened the door that led into the office. Lo and behold, both of them made brief eye contact with each other. Without a warning, the lieutenant lunged at Ikenna but Ikenna nimbly stepped back causing the lieutenant whose face was not covered with any mask to stagger forward and nearly lose his balance. Swiftly, as Ikenna tried to grab him from behind, the lieutenant whirled round and both were face to face again. Succinctly, Ikenna took out a penknife in his trouser and stabbed him on his left leg. Reacting quickly, the lieutenant twisted his left foot round Ikenna's right, causing Ikenna to fall down. Realising that Ikenna has already wasted his time, he picked up one of the flower vases and smashed it on Ikenna's head and he fell down unconsciously.

The lieutenant brought out his gun in an attempt to kill him as to leave no traces.

Fortunately for Ikenna, one of the soldiers ran quickly into the office as he heard the sound of a broken vase. But he was unable to identify the face of the second party who ran off immediately when he entered the office.

"Hey boy! Wake up. Can you hear me,wake up." The soldier tried to make Ikenna regain his consciousness but Ikenna had already passed out. So he called out for help instantly. Meanwhile, the file was still intact,just that the safe handle was half broken and almost open just before Ikenna stepped in.

Few hours passed. Mr.henderson has already been informed about what transpired in his absence. He had this feeling earlier that the file might be stolen, but he waved off the thought. But deep inside of him, he was indeed glad that someone came on time to prevent it from happening. "But who could these traitors be? How on earth did he know that there is a safe hidden behind that framed picture? Or could it be that there is a spy among us? As all these thoughts were going on in his mind, the doctor came into his office.

"Sir, it's about Ikenna ."

Without hesitation**

"Yes, what about him? Will he be alright? When will that be? He asked curiously.

"Yes sir, I already had him scanned through the x-rays, no broken bones or nerves were found. Just that he sustains a little head injury as a result of the blow he received from his opponent during their fight. But there is no cause for alarm, for in no time ,he will recuperate".

"Oh! That's a big relief. Please make sure that this boy recovers as quickly as possible. Cause right now, he is the only evidence that will guarantee us how to indict these traitors.

Less i forget, two of my soldiers will be here to guide this room and keep an eye on him. My instincts tell me that those traitors might be looking for a chance to get rid of him in order to cover up their treachery."

"You're right sir. thanks."

"Keep me updated." The brigadier said.

"Ok sir ".

Mr and Mrs Chibuokem were in their car heading to the bridge after they had dropped off their son Ikenna, whom they asked to wait at the nearby Shoprite.

Soon they approached the bridge and there was heavy traffic for more than an hour before the vehicles now started moving smoothly.

Ikenna, who was staring steadily to the spot where his parents car packed on the bridge, observed that the more his parents advanced with their car lurching on the bridge, the faster and more the structure of the bridge began to crack underneath.

He opened his mouth to shout a warning to his father who was on the wheel, but no sound came out. He attempted to raise his hands and wave him quickly on but his hands, heavy as lead, refused to respond to the stimuli from his brain.

Suddenly, the bridge structure broke into two and all the vehicles which were still on it including his parent's car fell off straight into the river. Ikenna let out a scream which reverberated all around him. His eyes snapped open and he woke up from sleep.

He sat in his bed, his heart thumping wildly in his ribcage, sweat pouring down his face and body. He sat listening to the loud noise of his heartbeat in his ears and willing his terror-stricken heart to regain it's calm.

"Are you ok?". The doctor asked Ikenna.

"Yes sir. Just then I heard a terrific dream concerning my parents".

"Your parents? Wow, you remember them now? Can you recall anything about them? I mean your last encounter with them".

"Ehhh. My father...yes i remember. He was murdered and my mother too was shot by some assassins. And ..."

"Please where am i? I want to see my siblings. I promised them that I will come and find them".

"Please calm down. It's a good thing that you have your memories back now, so let's take things one step at a time okay".

The doctor reassured him.

"Now, I want to know your name please".

"My name is Ikenna".

"Ecna? Please come again." The doctor asked.

"Ikenna sir".

"Ok. I'm sorry,I can't pronounce that very well. Do you have any other English names apart from this one? "

"Yes sir, it's Edward." Ikenna answered.

" Brilliant! That's one thing. I will call you Edward from now henceforth. Be reassured that you will be fine".

It wasn't long after Ikenna regained his consciousness. Mr.henderson has been informed already about the good news as he already made his way to see the Ikenna.

"My boy ....I'm so delighted that you have recovered. How are you feeling now?"

Ikenna could recall instantly how he knew the man who was asking him a question. So he doesn't need any more explanation on that.

" I am fine now sir".

"I heard you have recalled all that transpired in your past".

"Yes sir." Answered Ikenna.

"Wow! That's good news. Can you still recognize the face of that traitor that tried to steal the files?" Mr.henderson asked impatiently.

"Yes sir". Ikenna answered.

As soon as he heard the positive response from Ikenna ,he heaved a sigh of relief.

"Oh! Thank God...at last, we can fish out these traitors among us".

"He said his name is Edward sir". The doctor obliged.

"Ohh! Really. Edward, I love that name. So your name is edward. Don't worry, tomorrow morning, come to my office so we can talk things out about your past".

"Ok sir. Thanks"

Weeks later. After the traitors have been indicted and charged with treason and conspiracy. Mr.henderson was having a heart to heart talk with Ikenna in his quarters.

"Edward. You really don't know the significance of what you did for me. You didn't just save me as a brigadier general but also saved every single soul in this camp, even my country". That file, which they tried to steal, contains all the plans on how to win our rivalry. So it could have been a cataclysmic if it was eventually stolen. But all thanks to you".

"Yes sir, all thanks to God almighty".

Both chuckled.

"From what I learnt from your story concerning the tragedy that transpired in your past; One greedy man killed your father in order to take over his position in the office. And also went as far as killing your mom too and with an attempt to eliminate you and your siblings in order to cover up his mess right? "

"Absolutely sir, you are not far from the fact sir." Ikenna obliged with an answer.

"Ok then. I will see how I can bring this wicked man to face the law".

"How sir?" But we don't have any evidence sir."

"Yes we have one." Henderson declared.

"Where is it sir?"

"You are the only rigid evidence we have here. For the fact that you saw the man that killed your father and you even know him in person, that's enough evidence. I have a friend over there in your country, who is a judge currently. I will contact him as soon as possible to take up this case in court. And trust me on this, he will surely deliver".

"Thanks sir. To be sincere, if this man were to be brought to justice, I would be the most fulfilled person on earth sir".

"Of course he must face justice. Rely on me this time. If this is the best way for me to show my appreciation, I will never disappoint you". Mr.henderson confessed.

"Thank you sir, i really appreciate sir".