The day felt heavier than ever, weighed down by the relentless chaos swirling around them. But Ria felt a spark of resolve igniting within as she prepared for the next phase in their mission—to expose Singh for what he truly was. They had gathered enough fragments of information over the past few days, but now it was time to piece them together into a story that demanded attention, something that would rattle the cages of those who had too long ignored the threat lurking in the shadows.
Shifting through the command center, she spotted a stack of reports haphazardly strewn across the table—a series of intel dossiers that hinted at Singh’s connections to underground syndicates across not just India, but also overseas. He was a formidable opponent, a puppet master with his fingers deeply entwined in international affairs. Every name mentioned in this dossier felt like a puzzle piece snapping into place, not just against the backdrop of their immediate conflict, but against a web of deceit ensnaring nations, families, and lives.
“Kael,” she called out, her voice steady but urgent. “You need to see this.”
Kael joined her at the table, scanning the pages with a frown etching deeper into his brow. “We’ve underestimated him,” he said, realization dawning in his eyes as he flipped through the reports. “Singh’s got connections well beyond our borders.”
“That’s why we need to get the Air Force involved,” Ria urged, her voice rising with fervor. “They can pull in support from the American Army. We need a united front to tackle this.”
Kael opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted by the abrupt entrance of Air Force officials, donned in crisp uniforms, their expression a blend of authority and skepticism. At the front was a bespectacled man with a gleaming major insignia on his shoulder—Major Pratap. A faded patch representing their sheer commitment blazed from his chest, a harsh reminder of the burden they all bore.
“I assume you’re the ones stirring the pot,” Major Pratap sneered, his eyes narrowing in condescension as he glanced between Ria and Kael. “What’s the matter? Had to go digging around in the dirt to find intel?”
Ria bristled, indignation surging through her. “This is serious, Major. Singh isn’t playing games, and neither should we. He’s maneuvering toward a larger scale operation. We need your support.”
Pratap’s disdainful laugh echoed in the command center, drawing the attention of others. “Support? From us? You two aren’t even properly trained for this kind of engagement! What do you think you can accomplish with your half-baked plans? If anything, you're just a distraction!”
Ria felt her cheeks redden with fury. How dare he belittle them at a time like this? She stepped forward, defiance hammering in her chest. “Do you think I care about your outdated notions of rank and—”
“Enough!” Pratap barked, cutting her off harshly. “You’re out of your depth here. You want the American Army, go beg at their doorstep. We don’t need your—”
The last thread of Ria’s restraint snapped. Her hand shot down to her belt, fingers deftly wrapping around her sidearm. The metallic click of the safety disengaging echoed in the room, causing the air to still like a taut wire ready to snap. “You better watch your mouth, Major,” she warned, her voice low and dangerous. “I’m not here to play games. I’m here to protect lives.”
Before she could even contemplate the fallout, the sudden frenzy of activity erupted around her. The armed Air Force personnel zeroed in on her, weapons raised. Tension crackled like electricity, the atmosphere thick with the smell of gunpowder in the air.
“Lower your weapons!” Kael commanded, stepping forward, his voice a booming, authoritative presence that filled the room. He felt the tension rise like a tempest, his heart pounding in response. “If you so much as think about going for your triggers, do know that we can bring the might of the United States into this. They would level this entire base if I give the word.”
Pratap’s expression twisted with incredulity. A half-hearted laugh escaped him, cold and spiteful. “And what if we choose to take our chances? Go fuck yourself, Army brat. We can handle our own from here.”
Ria felt vinegar sting her throat, rage bubbling to the surface as she held her gun steady, pointing it unwaveringly at the Major. “Then let the two presidents deal with this—yours and mine. Because I don’t need your permission or your help!” She stepped closer, the weapon like a beacon of her fury. “Kael, we’re better off without these motherfuckers!”
Kael’s eyes were sharp, scanning the faces around them—those too young to fully comprehend the weight of their actions, the shreds of fear glinting in their uniforms like recycled metal. He could feel Ria’s anger radiating off her, a fiery comet aimed squarely at a black hole of disdain. “Ria, let’s… let’s just step back,” he urged, aiming for diplomacy while his heart raced. “We don’t want to escalate this.”
“Escalate?” Pratap echoed, incredulity seeping into his voice. “You really think you can just stroll in here, waving your gun around like some zombie movie hero, and we’ll all shake in our boots? You’re in way over your heads, and I will not tolerate this—”
“Then do something about it, Major!” Ria shot back, her voice cracking like thunder. “Because I refuse to let you stand in our way while lives are at stake. Singh is out there, mocking us, planning his next move, and all you care about is your stinking pride!”
“Enough of this sh—” Pratap began, but Kael interrupted, stepping between them, deliberately putting his body in front of Ria’s with palms raised. “I suggest we all take a breath,” he said slowly, carefully choosing his words. “The threats we face are much larger than personal squabbles. You’ll be no good to anyone if this continues to spiral.”
As tension hung thick in the air, Ria lowered her weapon slightly but held it firmly by her side, fists clenched, breathing heavily as a firestorm of rage brewed within. Major Pratap’s expression shifted, his bravado faltering as he weighed the risk presented before him—one woman unyielding and a man resolute beside her, both of them symbols of an unexpected alliance against mounting threats.
“Fine,” Pratap said through gritted teeth, a tempest of resentment roiling in his voice. “But this is your last chance. You mess up again, this is the last you'll see of any support from us.”
Ria snorted at the suggestion, a bitter laugh bubbling up. “Like I needed your help in the first place!” She turned to Kael, igniting the embers of purpose within once more. “Let’s go. We have bigger things to chase than these egos.”
As Ria and Kael stepped away, a chorus of guards lowered their weapons, uncertainty lingering in their eyes. The confrontation marked a fracture—a crack within the fragile relationships they were trying to build. But Ria felt a sense of vindication; she would not be silenced or constrained by antiquated hierarchies. If Singh was indeed the powerful enemy they had uncovered, then it would take more than tradition to fight him.
Outside, the sun hung low, casting an amber glow over the base, and as they walked into the encroaching twilight, Ria felt a flicker of hope igniting once more. They would find Singh, do whatever it took, and forge their own alliances if the institutions fell short.
But even in her new resolve, a question lingered on the edge of her thoughts: Were they moving closer to danger, or standing on the precipice of disaster?
Only time would tell.
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