Chapter: 19
The night air chilled around Ria as she stepped away from the command center, her anger still simmering but soon overtaken by a gnawing sense of urgency. She needed allies, but more importantly, she had to gather information, secrets buried deep within the fragmented web that was Singh’s empire.
Flashing lights and distant sounds of military drills filled the air, a peculiar contrast to the ominous silence settling within her mind. Every footstep echoed her resolve. Her heart beat wildly, as though it knew more about the imminent danger stalking them than she did.
As she walked briskly through the base toward the intelligence office, her thoughts raced. Each time she recalled the air of derision that Pratap had cast her way, she felt a renewed sense of defiance. "You think I’ll just sit back and wait?" she whispered to herself. "You’ve underestimated me, Major. So has Singh."
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the frantic pace of her thoughts. Ria withdrew it to find a text from her old mentor, Inspector Karan Malik—a name that both soothed and troubled her. He was a seasoned officer with a nose for trouble and a mind sharp as a blade, the kind of man who had seen the shadows shift in the underbelly of society.
Karan Malik: Got wind of unrest in the city. Trust nothing. Not even your own shadow.
Ria felt the urgency in his words. There was always a sense of unpredictability in the streets, but this was different. She could sense a looming storm—a disturbance that resonated in her bones, much like the tension back in the command center.
Ria: I need your help. Can we meet?
Without waiting for his reply, she hit ‘send’ and quickened her pace, desperation clawing at her insides. She had an inkling that Malik had been tracking Singh's operations long before any of this unfolded, and if anyone had a lead on his whereabouts or connections, it was him.
In the shadows of the night, she suddenly heard footsteps echoing off the concrete. Ria turned to see a figure cloaked in darkness, standing under a flickering streetlamp. Her instincts flared; the hair on the back of her neck stood up as she edged closer, drawing her weapon.
“Who’s there?” she demanded, voice steely yet cautious.
“Easy there, Ria. It’s just me.” The figure stepped into the light, revealing the scruffy, familiar face of Karan Malik. His appearance was as rugged as she remembered—dark eyes deep with concern, an unshaven face that spoke of sleepless nights spent running through cases.
“Do you always sneak around like a ghost?” she teased, trying to ease the tension.
Malik cast a glance around before responding. “When the city is on edge, you learn to keep your head down. Come on, let’s talk away from prying eyes.”
They moved into a narrow alley, where the air was thick with damp asphalt and iron. Shadows danced around them as Malik leaned against a wall, eyes roving cautiously. “What’s going on? I hear whispers of unrest that go beyond petty criminality.”
Ria took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts as she calculated how much to reveal. “I think Singh is connected to something much larger. We’ve uncovered financial ties between him and a series of international players—people dealing in arms, drugs… everything that wreaks havoc.”
Malik’s brow furrowed. “And how do you plan to stop him? You’re already at odds with the Air Force. They’ll work against you if you let them.”
“What choice do I have? Singh is a shadow—always a step ahead. If we’re going to have any hope of catching him, we need every lead available. The Air Force’s pride won’t save us if he strikes again.”
“A bold plan, but risky,” he said, tone grave. “I’ve heard rumors that Singh has eyes everywhere. Teaming up with you could put me in his crosshairs, and I can’t afford that risk.”
Ria felt frustration bubbling beneath her surface. “You can't just abandon this fight because you’re afraid of getting dirty! You know better than that.”
“I’m not afraid—I’m realistic! Trust is a currency in this game, and you’re dangerously close to spending all yours,” Malik countered.
Ria paused, thoughts spinning. “I can’t see it any other way. If we don’t do something—”
A sudden explosion of sound echoed from a nearby street, shattering their conversation. The ground trembled beneath their feet as plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, painting the night with dread.
“What the hell was that?” Ria shouted above the roar, adrenaline surging through her veins.
“No idea, but it can’t be good.” Malik’s voice carried a sharp edge, the urgency evident in his demeanor. They exchanged a look, and without a second thought, they dashed toward the commotion, instinct propelling them forward.
As they emerged from the alleyway, the scene before them was chaotic. Civilians fled, their screams mingling with the wailing sirens of approaching emergency vehicles. Cars lay overturned; debris littered the street, casting shadows deeper than the night itself.
“Stay close!” Ria instructed, driving them through the throng of panic-stricken pedestrians, instinctually aware that danger often thrived in chaos.
“Is this a distraction?” Malik questioned, scanning the crowd for any sign of unusual movement. “Or a message?”
Before Ria could respond, she spotted a lone figure standing eerily still amidst the chaos. Tall and broad-shouldered, his face obscured by the volatile smoke swirling around him. She could feel the pull of his presence—an instinctive recognition clawing at her gut.
“Ria…” Malik warned, leaning in closer. “Don’t engage unless you’re certain. It could be one of Singh’s men.”
But as she took another step forward, she saw the figure’s eyes—piercing and calculating. They locked onto hers, a moment of tension hanging heavy between them.
“Ria… it’s me,” the figure said, a voice familiar yet layered with something more menacing. “I’ve got information, but the time is short. You must act quickly.”
“Who are you?” she demanded, weapon raised again with aggression—her heart racing with the suspicion thrumming in her veins.
The figure stepped closer, shifting into the fractured light, revealing himself—none other than Karan’s old associate, Rajiv. “You’re running out of time! Singh has something planned, and it’s happening tonight!”
“Rajiv? What the hell are you doing here?” Malik exclaimed, confusion rippling through him.
“Don’t you get it?” Rajiv’s voice trembled with urgency. “We don’t have time for pleasantries. Singh is preparing for something big—something that could change everything, and not just for us. Others are involved—international forces that could disrupt the entire region!”
Ria felt her heart stall. “What do you mean? What kind of forces?”
As the chaos escalated around them, Rajiv dropped his voice to a near whisper. “He’s about to initiate a deal—one that involves arms and military forces from across the globe. The implications? Unfathomable chaos.”
“Where?” Malik pressed, shaking his head in disbelief. “We need to intercept it before it happens!”
“Near the old port warehouses—addresses are here,” Rajiv said, sliding a small flash drive into Ria’s palm. “But you won’t be alone. Singh has his best men on alert. If you plan to act, you have to do it now.”
Ria looked at Malik, feeling the weight of their choices pressing down. “We need to find a way. We have to warn the others and move!”
As the distant sound of sirens grew closer, Ria’s mind raced, the pieces of their puzzle speeding up in a whirlwind of urgency. Singh was poised to make his move, and if they didn’t stop it now, the repercussions could spell disaster not just for her and Malik, but for countless innocent lives intertwined in this chaotic nightmare.
“Go now!” Rajiv urged, stepping back into the fog, leaving them in a haze of uncertainty.
Ria grabbed Malik’s arm, the adrenaline coursing through her veins like wildfire. “There’s no time to waste. We move, now.”
Turning toward the rise and fall of the city on the horizon, she felt fear and determination mingle within her—a sense of impending doom piecing itself together in her mind. An ominous shadow stretched longer, and Singh’s name resonated in the depths of her resolve.
Tonight would either become their greatest act of courage or lead them into the abyss—where shadows danced and secrets whispered in the dark.
Chapter: 20
The tension in the air was palpable as Ria and Malik navigated the smoke-laden streets near the port warehouses. The report Rajiv had given them buzzed in her mind like a swarm of angry bees—singing out warnings of what could potentially unravel in the coming moments.
“Ria, think about this,” Malik said, his voice low as they crouched behind a row of stacked crates just outside the main warehouse. “If Singh is really setting something drastic into motion, we could be walking right into a hornet's nest.”
“Not if we’re prepared,” Ria replied, her heart pounding with adrenaline and fear, the drive to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves fueling her resolve. “We need to find evidence. If we gain access to the right intel, we can expose him.”
“You’re being reckless!” Malik snapped, peering around their narrow hiding spot to scan the warehouse entrances. “This is not just an operation—this is war! We can’t face Singh’s men without backup!”
Ria felt a gnawing hesitation in her gut. “What do you propose? We wait and let this happen without trying to stop it?”
Before he could answer, her instincts kicked in. A group of armed men exited the warehouse, clearly on high alert. Their low voices mingled with the sounds of the bustling city beyond, but all she could hear was the distant, foreboding echo of their decisions becoming lethal.
“Malik, they’re here!” she whispered urgently. “We need to find out what they’re planning.”
“Then we’ll do it quietly,” he replied, pulling out his sidearm as they prepared to slip through the shadows. “Stick close, and whatever you do, don’t engage unless we have to.”
Through the haze of adrenaline and tension, Ria felt the weight of their mission—a crushing responsibility that weighed heavy on her shoulders. As they crept nearer, voices began to rise, filled with laughter but underlined with a chilling sense of menace.
“He has the shipment ready, but I want to make sure this deal goes down without a hitch,” one of the men said, a smirk playing across his face. “With the amount we’re moving, there’s no telling how long until we expand into other markets.”
Ria’s blood ran cold. “They’re talking about arms. This is worse than we thought. Malik, we need to alert The Bureau immediately. If they catch the wind—”
“Ria, stay focused!” Malik interrupted, his tone sharp. “If we get spotted, this whole operation is over.”
Suddenly, a loud bang interrupted the conversation—an explosion erupted near the entrance of the warehouse. The sound reverberated through the concrete, sending vibrations through Ria’s bones and making her heart race.
“What was that?” a man shouted, his panic growing evident.
“Stay alert!” another roared, scanning the perimeter.
“Malik, we’ve got to get in before they leave!” Ria exclaimed, adrenaline kicking in.
But before they could move, the chaos erupted. Singh’s men burst from the shadows, and gunfire began tearing through the air like lightning. Ria ducked, instinct taking over as bullets ricocheted off nearby crates.
“Get down!” Malik shouted, dragging her behind cover just as a bullet whizzed past her head.
“Where’s Rajiv?” Ria shouted over the din, frantically looking around.
“I don’t know! Just focus!” Malik replied, crouching lower, steadied his weapon, and took aim at a figure moving toward them.
“Take this!” Ria handed Malik an extra magazine, fingers trembling. Just then, from the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Rajiv darting around. He seemed out of place, confident, like he was moving toward something, someone.
“What’s he doing?” Ria wondered aloud.
“Forget him!” Malik shouted, eyes focused ahead. “We need to move now!”
But Rajiv wasn’t finished. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek device—grinning as he pressed a button and flames erupted from it, a volley of fire spewing toward Malik and Ria, igniting the ground just a few feet away from them.
“Rajiv, no!” Malik screamed, suddenly realizing the betrayal.
“It’s too late!” Rajiv laughed, a dark, twisted triumph plastered across his face. “If Singh wants the port, he gets the port. And you two aren’t worth the trouble.”
“What are you—” Malik yelled, but Rajiv wasn’t listening. He was already disappearing into the chaos, abandoning them to fight for their lives.
“Move!” Ria shouted, pulling at Malik as she concealed them behind another stack of crates, but chaos erupted around them. Gunmen stormed closer, firing indiscriminately. “We can’t stay here!”
Just as they shifted, attempting to find a way out, a bullet struck Malik in the shoulder, forcing him to stumble back.
“Malik!” Ria screamed, rushing to his side, but before she could reach him, several armed men closed in.
“Let him go!” Ria said, adrenaline surging and fear clawing at her insides. “He’s done nothing!”
“Your friend’s dead, and you’re next,” one of the goons sneered, pointing his gun at Malik.
“Get away from him!” Ria yelled, raising her own weapon defiantly as tears of rage pooled in her eyes.
But before she could squeeze the trigger, the crack of gunfire erupted from a sudden movement behind the warehouse. Heads turned, the tension thickening like a noose.
Out of nowhere, a military jeep roared into view, lights blazing and tires screeching. The vehicle surged forward, and Ria’s heart leaped. One officer was driving with a tight grip on the wheel, while another stood upright in the back, machine gun at the ready.
“U.S. Army! Get down!” the driver shouted, plowing through enemies scattering in confusion.
Ria ducked instinctively as the soldier fired indiscriminately, bullets ripping through Singh’s men like paper. Chaos erupted in front of her, gunfire and shouts mixing into a cacophony of sound.
“Ria!” Malik gasped, fighting through pain, but the strength behind his voice faltered as another goon charged at them.
“Malik, stay down!” Ria yelled, scrambling to shield him, but it was too late.
In one swift motion, Malik instinctively lunged at her side, pushing her aside as bullets flew; he took the brunt of the assault directly. The world seemed to pause as he staggered back, weapon slipping from his grasp, eyes wide in disbelief before he crumpled to the ground.
“Malik! No!” Ria howled, the sheer horror of the moment choking her.
But the machine gunner continued to unleash hell upon their enemies. With every pull of the trigger, bodies dropped. The firepower from the jeep was overwhelming.
“Get in, now!” the standing officer yelled, motioning toward Ria.
Bitter rage and grief warred in her heart, but she had to move. With her heart in her throat, Ria bolted for the jeep.
“Come on!” the driver urged, his eyes scanning the chaos.
Without thinking, Ria leaped aboard, her gaze lingering on Malik’s fallen form, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The soldier in the back fired another round, covering her retreat. “Drive!” he called, and the driver slammed on the gas, tearing through the remnants of chaos where Singh’s men had been.
“Get us out of here!” Ria shouted, still in disbelief. The jeep sped forward, leaving debris and death in its wake.
“What was that all about?” the standing officer asked, glancing back at her.
“Singh’s men—Rajiv was working for him,” Ria panted, breathless from shock and the weight of grief wrapping around her heart like iron shackles.
The driver grits his teeth as they careen through the streets. “We need to regroup. Fast! The port is compromised, and this whole city is about to go up in flames!”
“Malik—he’s—” Ria stammered, unable to finish that painful thought.
“Focus, just focus on what’s next. We need to find safety and get you two somewhere secure.” The soldier in the back gripped his weapon tightly, scanning for further threats. “There’s still too much at stake.”
As they sped away from the chaos, Ria’s mind whirled, thoughts a dark storm raging within her. Malik, Rajiv's betrayal, and the fire of Singh’s impending chaos swallowed her whole. She could feel the intensity of the fight sneaking up her spine, but above all, she never felt more determined.
“Ria, listen!” the driver said urgently as they turned down a less populated street. “We need answers. What do you know about Singh?”
“I know he will not stop until he gets what he wants,” she responded, her voice straining under the weight of everything she had just lost.
With renewed focus, she made a promise to herself; that Malik's sacrifice would not be in vain. Whatever darkness lay ahead, she would find a way to turn it into light—she would take on Singh and his empire, one piece at a time.
Chapter: 21
Ria sat in the back of the military jeep, her mind racing as the driver sped down the narrow streets. The chaos of the port incident churned in her thoughts, but beneath it all simmered a slow-burning anger that refused to be quelled. Certainly, she had expected opposition upon her return to military territory, but nothing could prepare her for the impending confrontation—nothing could erase Malik’s sacrifice from her heart.
As they rounded a corner, the road widened into a clearing, revealing a blockade of military vehicles. Three armed forces jeeps stood resolute, adorned with insignias from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. A small contingent of officers stood nearby, their expressions set in grim determination, eyes locked on Ria and her companions.
“Stop the vehicle!” barked a tall officer with piercing eyes, his bearing exuding authority. Major Pratap, she recognized. His presence was as unwelcome as the memories of their last encounter.
The jeep screeched to a halt, and the two U.S. Army officers exchanged wary glances. “What’s going on?” the driver murmured under his breath.
Ria’s heart sank. “The Indian armed forces,” she whispered. “They’ve been briefed about this. They won’t let us pass.”
Without waiting for instructions, Major Pratap strode over, flanked by a couple of his men. “What do we have here?” he sneered as he inspected the soldiers. “Two American lackeys and a rogue, I see.”
“Pratap, this isn’t the time!” Ria blurted, desperation clawing at her throat. “Singh and his people are still out there. They’re planning something huge, and we need to stop it!”
His gaze narrowed, and he took a step closer, invading her personal space. “You have no authority here, Ria. This is our operation,” he spat. “You are a guest in this country, and it’s prohibited for you to interfere.”
“Prohibited?” Ria challenged, fists clenching at her sides. “I just witnessed a massacre! Men were dying, and you want to sit on your hands? This isn’t about protocols anymore!”
“Enough!” Pratap’s voice boomed, a blend of condescension and rage. “You’re acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum. You will follow orders.”
With a sudden, fierce surge of anger, Ria stepped forward, her body acting on impulse. “You think you can just dismiss what happened back there? You don’t understand! Singh is a threat...”
In her fury, she grabbed Pratap’s collar, pulling him down to her level. “You’ll listen to me!”
Shock flickered across Pratap’s face before a look of contempt washed over it. His fist shot out, connecting with her jaw in a brutal, cold calculation that sent her reeling back.
The two U.S. Army soldiers sprang into action immediately. “What the hell?” one shouted, lunging forward, ready to shield Ria. “You don’t hit her!”
They closed ranks around her, but before they could retaliate, Pratap’s men surged forward, weapons drawn.
“Back off, Americans!” Pratap barked, regaining his composure. “This is not your battle!”
Ria’s anger ignited, fueling her spirit as the sting of Pratap’s hit resonated through her. “You think you can bully us?” She straightened, ignoring the pain radiating from her jaw. “I won’t back down.”
Just then, a cacophony of engines roared from a distance, disrupting the standoff. Heads turned in unison as more than ten jeeps, black and imposing, blazed down the road, the insignia of the U.S. Army emblazoned on their sides. A squad of special forces officers clad in tactical black gear poured out, their demeanor fierce and professional.
“What’s your situation here?” one of the new arrivals, a captain with a taut expression, barked as he scanned the scene, weapon drawn.
Pratap’s men tightened their grips on their weapons, confusion written across their faces. “We’re in control!” Pratap shouted, but doubt was creeping into his voice.
“You were warned to cease any hostilities. Stand down,” the captain commanded, eyes locking on Ria, hesitant to process the tension. “We’ll handle this.”
Ria seized the moment, gratitude flickering in her chest. “They won’t listen to reason. Singh is a threat—”
“Enough!” the captain cut her off, stepping forward. “You both have no idea what is unfolding, but we are here to ensure those threats don’t escalate.”
Pratap visibly fumed, teeth-gritting in indignation. “You have no authority to disrupt our chain of command! This is an Indian operation!”
“Not anymore,” the captain stated flatly. “We have intel that supersedes your local jurisdiction. If you do not stand down immediately, we will take full control.”
The tension thickened, the air growing heavy with barely restrained conflict. “What do you mean by that?” Pratap demanded, the bravado of his earlier bravado faltering. “You can’t just dictate terms like this!”
In response, the captain raised a hand, signaling a pair of commandos to approach. “We just did. Stand your men down.”
As the two U.S. Army officers moved strategically, other Indian officers stood their ground, fear rippling through them. Tensions escalated—Pratap’s men shifting, muscles coiling in anticipation of conflict.
“If you think you can come here and act like criminals—you’re sorely mistaken,” one of Pratap’s lieutenants growled, trying to rally his team.
“Enough!” the captain roared, his voice cutting through the rising panic. “We’re not here to fight you. We’re here to prevent a war. Now step aside.”
Ria clenched her fists, ready to act if needed. The realization curled within her—the collaboration with U.S. forces had become essential, yet the multi-national collaboration now felt tenuous.
“I won’t let you jeopardize what's left of this mission,” Ria said, her voice steady. “Singh has leverage over every single one of us.”
Pratap narrowed his eyes. “And why should we trust you? You’re a shadow chasing after nothing but chaos.”
“Because right now, you don’t have a choice,” the captain challenged, stepping right into Pratap’s space. “Your men were just involved in a bloody skirmish, and as of now, we’ve reserved the right to take control of any further operations. I won’t say this again.”
Ria could feel the tension about to boil over, knowing that all it would take was one wrong move. As the officers held their weapons tight, the heaviness of the moment seemed caught in the air, like the calm before a storm.
“Hands raised!” shouted a commando beside her, taking charge of the situation. “You can negotiate, or you can fight. The decision is yours.”
Sensing imminent chaos, Major Pratap stepped back, realizing he might be outmatched. “You haven’t won yet,” he spat, his voice flickering between anger and reason.
“Check your ego,” Ria said, feeling the heat burning in her eyes. “Our mission isn’t tied to national pride anymore. It’s about saving lives.”
The standoff lingered in the air as neither side moved, tensions electrifying their surroundings. But in that intense silence, a fleeting glimmer of understanding passed between the American captain and Ria.
“Do you believe in something greater than orders?” Ria questioned, her voice steady. “Because if you don’t, Singh will be the end of us all.”
With his back against the wall, Pratap creased his brow as he weighed his options. Uncertain, he glanced at his lieutenant, then back at Ria, driven by desperation, conflict raging behind the facade of authority.
The soldiers around them shared wary glances, tension crackling like electricity, guns still leveled but now teetering on the brink of a ceasefire.
“Enough!” the captain asserted, taking Ria's side as he faced Pratap. “We have to work together. Now, will you cooperate, or will you face the consequences of your arrogance?”
The decision loomed heavy as the potential for violence hung in the balance, and Ria swallowed hard. Her heart raced not with fear, but the conviction of a truth that everyone needed to face. Whether colleague or enemy, they were all fighting against the same impending darkness.
To Be Continued....
Chapter 18: https://storylinespectrum.blogspot.com/2025/03/web-novel-reason-chapter-18-sci-fi.html
📜 Copyright Notice & Caution to Readers 📜
© 2025 Abrar Nayeem Chowdhury. All Rights Reserved.
This Web Novel, "The Reason", including its title, storyline, characters, settings, dialogues, and original content, is protected under the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, U.S. Code) and international copyright laws.
⚠️ Unauthorized Use is Strictly Prohibited
Any unauthorized copying, reproduction, distribution, adaptation, or resale of this work—whether in print, digital, audio, or film format—without written permission from the author/publisher is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action under U.S. copyright law and DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) provisions.
⚠️ No AI, Fanfiction, or Commercial Use Without Permission
- This work may not be used for AI training, machine learning datasets, or automated text generation without express written consent from the copyright holder.
- Creating derivative works, including fanfiction, adaptations, scripts, or spin-offs, requires legal authorization.
- Commercial use, including paid promotions, film rights, merchandising, or translations, is strictly prohibited without a licensing agreement.
📩 For Permissions & Licensing
For inquiries regarding film rights, adaptations, audiobook production, or other permissions, contact:
📧 motivationbeast74@gmail.com
⚠️ Plagiarism is a Crime. Respect Intellectual Property.
Thank you for supporting original storytelling. 🙌📖🔥
Comments
Post a Comment