RIV's POV, 6:40 p.m.
An abandoned factory warehouse, Riv dressed up in a uniform like dress made of bulletproof material, face covered with a mask and a voice changer device near her throat which seemed more like a collar. That uniform, not even a bit, made Riv appear feminine. Riv goes up to the door and knocks. A biometric scanner appears. She got scanned and entered.
What looked like a shabby godown was a spacious, clean area from inside. Several similar masked people. None knew each other, neither each other's real names nor even their gender. They were identified by their ID numbers. Riv had the ID number 7248. The one who called everyone here (number 7842 as displayed on their chest batch) spoke in a robotic voice (due to the voice changing device) from the front of the room .
7842 (serious) : You all have been called here by the Boss for two important announcements.
The room was dark, only an area was lit where the people stood. Boss appeared from behind a black door. His outfit was somewhat different from others (fully black); his shoulders and chest area were red and his mask had stripes of gold and red. Moreover his chest batch showed "BOSS" rather than a number. His voice was not much robotic rather heavy and more human
Boss (serious) : The first one, 5437, I'm just getting a lot of complaints against you. You need to lay low for a while. Second, 7248 now you'll work under 7842.
7842 was the right hand man of the boss who made plans for every expedition and working under him meant leading all the on-field expeditions.
None spoke a word. The meeting was continued for a few discussions on recent expeditions. After the meeting,
Everyone (together) : WHEN CHAOS KNOCKS, SILENCE RULES THE ROOM.
Everyone left as soon as everything was over. After that 7842 gestured 7248 to stay.
7842 AND 7248 POV
7842 (serious) : The Dark Vipers need a lesson on peace and harmony. For the next expedition, you represent us and dare you disappoint BOSS.
7248 aka Riv knew how dangerous the DARK VIPERS were, but the trust BOSS showed. She nodded and left.
RIV's POV, FLASHBACK, 3 YEARS BEFORE
Riv learnt self defence and martial arts from Vihaan ever since her childhood. She never knew something more than protection for herself awaited her. One day, she saw a message from an unknown number. That person assured riv and made clear all of her suspicions of him being dangerous to her. He even promised to tell about her real parents' identity.
He texted her the place, the same warehouse she was in the present time. She followed the instructions on the message sent by the person. As soon as she entered, she saw 7842, with the same uniform and appearance.
7842 (serious) : It was me who texted you. (handing over her uniform to her) Here, wear it every time you come here.
He explains the need and usage of every entity and stands outside the room waiting for Riv. Riv was introduced to a whole new world then and till today it persists.
Back to present,
Riv takes a deep breath and leaves for home.
7842 AND BOSS's POV
7842 and BOSS sat inside a silent cabin-like room in the warehouse. 7842 takes off his mask and voice changing device and sighs.
Ravien (serious yet worry can still be heard in his voice : Papa…, don't you think it's too early to let Riv be in the lead. It's not that she can't but…. against The Dark Vipers… Not going to be easy…
BOSS takes off his mask and voice changing device and releases a long sigh.
Vihaan (pretending not to worry) : she'll be fine. Years of training and refining have brought the best out of her and you know this better than anyone else. Quit worrying for your sister. And did you investigate what I told you?
Ravien : Yeah, here….. (handing over the file) This is gonna be life changing for a lot of us….
Vihaan (looking at the file) : I'm sure it'll pretty much be. Prepare the legal documents accordingly and don't let any of this slip even to any of the family members until I want to.
5437 POV
5437 on his way back home. Shera, in his mind, frustrated.
Shera (furious) : Lay low they say….. Who the heck in the underworld remains a total saint, huh?! A little bribery and money laundering was just what I did. I guess I'll just have to extract money out of that slut, Shalini for the time being. The blackmailing doesn't have much effect on her nowadays though. Dipole, he has a protective boyfriend, so noo….. Maybe Riva. Let's see…..
Shera stares at his phone, a video played, it showed Vihaan and Shalini involved in intimacy.
Shera : (sighs) I wish I could blackmail Vihaan Boss but he's too rich to do so….
But I won't let this opportunity go off just like that (gives himself a crooked smile) let's see what can be done.