Underground Base, Mumba
This location was located in a place that was impossible to find. Even if one was aware of the existence, they wouldn't be able to find it. Only those who have been to the place with a guide are able to come back. Such security was something to marvel at.
The lift to the Underground Base stopped from above. Out came 5 rookie officers and 1 Captain. Surprisingly, the captain was unconscious, still in shock and the officer was tired.
As the doors of the lift opened, Roy's eyes met with an old man's. He looked into those eyes which seemed like a bottomless chasm before immediately looking down.
Once, the door of the lift was completely open. They lay their captain on a comfortable couch. Then bowed down to show respect to the old man.
The old man waved his hand trying to stop them," C'mon, how am I supposed to talk with all of you with your head always bowed down?"
The officer couldn't raise their head because of the shame they felt after failing the mission. However, the rookie officer 'Roy' did.
"We failed the mission."
"I see. This is rough on all of you. After all, RAW gives a lot of emphasis on success. You will be getting some kind of punishment, however as protectors of the nation will you not move on or just stay in the past forever? If the mission is a failure, then all of you should be planning your next plan of action to make the mission successful.
The fact that the mission was a failure doesn't anger me but that all of you seemed to have given up just after a single failure."
All the officers stood erect with their shoulders high. The old man's words had hit them very deeply, they couldn't mop around after such a scolding. "Yes, Commander Sir."
"Now, that's much better." The commander pointed at the Captain, " What happened to him?"
Roy spoke," The Captain was ambushed by an EMP attack. He faced the brunt of the attack and became unconscious."
"Nice trick used by the preparator(Shani). Do you have videos of the incident?"
"Yes, Commander. The bank's camera caught a glimpse of the preparator. But, we believe he has disguised himself well enough and managed to avoid the camera. It's making the search very difficult."
"A skilled person. Hmm, send me all the details gathered related to this case."
Roy had a giddy expression, "Sir, will you help us in the mission."
"That can only be answered with time, boy."
Commander was just about to leave when he suddenly stopped, "I almost forgot. Your punishment is 5000 pushups for the next 1 month, climbing and scaling Paradise Mountain every morning for the next month and swimming to and fro the Sagar Mathi Lake 5 times a week which will continue for a month."
The strength of the officer's legs gave out and they inwardly cried at the unfairness of the punishment. At the end of this month, they would be nothing left but to pick up their bones. The Commander may look harmless but he was a predator always waiting for his chance to attack.
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Hours later, the commander sighed lightly. He got up and walked to a nearby hologram caller. The line was picked and the boss of the commander and the real head of the Mumbai Raw branch spoke, "What's the status of the mission? Is the preparator captured?"
"No sir, something unexpected happened."
The head's expression changed subtly, "Ohh, tell me about it."
After Commander Ready was done explaining the situation to the head.
"The preparatory disguised himself so well we haven't caught a glimpse of him yet even after using the CCTV camera footage."
"Yes, Sir."
"I didn't know, the Mumbai branch RAW members were incompetent."
Commander Reddy's expression was as calm as water in the face of insult, "Sir, the preparator got the lucky slip on us. This is not going to happen again, I will make sure of it."
The head's expression eases, " I will believe your words since it's you. If the officers are not able to complete the mission, I want you to take action."
Commander Reddy paused due to the surprise but collected himself quickly, "Yes, Sir. Your order is my command."
"Just in case, I will send more officers to the Mumbai branch."
Commander Reddy shook his hands vigorously, " Sir, there is no need for that. The next mission will be a success."
"It's actually not for your sake but mine. I would feel more reassured after sending them. Otherwise, not helping would start to haunt me."
Commander Reddy couldn't refute the Head's words and complied, "Yes, Sir."
"The next time you call, I will be hope for the good news." The line was cut.
Commander Reddy plopped down on a chair his old eyes gaining bloodlust and killer instincts, "I must find the killers of Vignesh. My son .." Reddy wanted to bawl and cry at the top of his lungs but he controlled himself.
"Until I am certain who was behind it, I have to keep following the orders."
His phone rang diverting his attention.
"Hello."
The person on the other line responded, " Honey, when will you be home? There is a barbeque night planned. You will come, right?"
The fierce light in Reddy's eyes was replaced by love and gentleness, "Yes, I will be home in 30 min."
"Oh, then I will be waiting for you."
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