21st March, 2028
Early morning, Tenzin was sprawled on the sofa, lost in a world of anime. The TV screen glowed with the iconic subtitles, "Kaizoku Ou ni, Ore wa naru!" (I'll be the pirate king!) as the episode drew to a close.
"That was epic," Tenzin mumbled, yawning and stretching. The day was young, and sleep beckoned irresistibly. Just as he was about to drift off, the sharp ring of the doorbell shattered the peaceful tranquility.
Startled, Tenzin's eyes snapped open. Who could it be at this ungodly hour? With a groan, he hauled himself off the couch and trudged to the door, praying it wasn't someone intent on ruining his precious slumber.
As he opened the door, a woman in a sharp suit stood on the doorstep. "Are you Tenzin?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah, but..." Tenzin replied, his voice laced with confusion. Before he could finish, four or five burly men stormed past her, their hands clutching pistols and knives. A surge of adrenaline coursed through Tenzin as a bullet whizzed past his head.
Ducking back into his apartment, he narrowly avoided becoming a victim. One of the intruders lunged at him with a wicked-looking combat knife. With a swift kick to the face, Tenzin sent the attacker crashing to the ground.
Confusion reigned supreme. Who were these people? And why were they attacking him? But there was no time for questions. Adrenaline fueled his actions as he charged the man who had just risen to his feet. A powerful punch connected and the attacker was sent flying into the wall.
The woman's eyes widened in astonishment. "Whoa, that was brutal!"
Another gunshot echoed through the apartment. Tenzin dodged the bullet and disarmed the attacker with a well-aimed kick.
The woman stepped forward, her demeanor changing from a surprised observer to an active participant. "He's good. Let me have a go."
With surprising agility, she lunged at Tenzin, a tactical rod glinting in her hand. "Try to dodge this," she taunted as she swung the rod.
Tenzin grunted as the rod connected with his gut. "Ow! That hurt!" he managed to gasp.
Determined, he stood tall and demanded to know who these people were and what they wanted. The woman ignored his question, opting instead to attack with a swift kick. Tenzin grabbed her ankle and pulled her to the ground. She landed with a surprised yelp, her face flushing with a mix of shock and something that resembled... pride?
The men stood awkwardly, their faces as red as fire engines.
Suddenly, the sound of rushing footsteps echoed in the hallway. "Ma'am Eris, the NYPD will be here in five minutes!" a man shouted.
Eris's expression hardened. "Alright, let's wrap this up." She turned to Tenzin. "Your application to join the Revolutionaries is approved."
Tenzin blinked, stunned by the unexpected offer. "Okay, what's next?"
It was clear now. These people were testing him.
Eris gave him a curt order. "Pack your essentials. You won't be coming back here."
Tenzin rushed to his room, grabbing his pistol, laptop, a worn-out diary, and a pen drive. He stuffed them into a bag. "Ready," he announced.
The distant wail of sirens grew louder. "Hurry up!" Eris urged.
Tenzin sprinted out of the apartment and jumped into a waiting car. "Let's go!" he shouted.
The engine roared to life as the police sirens grew closer. Eris distributed masks to everyone, obscuring their identities.
With masks in place, they transformed into a firing squad, unleashing a barrage of bullets at the pursuing police cars. "Bang!" Tenzin's shot found its mark, puncturing a tire. "One down," he said with satisfaction.
The damaged car slowed, giving them a precious head start. As they approached a junction, two police cars blocked their path.
"Floor it!" Eris yelled to the driver.
The car screeched around the corner, heading towards the Manhattan Bridge. Tenzin managed to disable two more police vehicles with his accurate shots.
Eris's expression turned grim as she spotted a familiar face among the pursuing officers. "No, not Jericho Deacon!" she exclaimed.
But it was too late. Police cars were closing in from all sides, trapping them on the bridge.
Tenzin had a plan. "Let's jump into the East River," he said. He knew a way out.
Murmurs of disbelief swept through the group.
Eris's voice cut through the chaos. "He's right. It's our only chance."
"Follow me!" Tenzin shouted, leading the charge towards the guardrail.
Without hesitation, they plunged into the icy waters, the sound of gunfire echoing behind them. They swam furiously towards the west side of the river, hoping to escape the relentless pursuit.
Emerging from the water, they collapsed onto the shore, gasping for breath. Tenzin told the others to wait as he retrieved his SUV from a nearby parking lot.
Back at the rendezvous point, Eris was briefing the group. "Get in," Tenzin ordered.
They piled into the SUV, ready for the next leg of their escape. Eris gave Tenzin directions to her apartment.
The car was a silent cocoon, insulating them from the world outside. Tenzin and Eris sat side by side, a chasm of unspoken words separating them. The city's nocturnal glow painted the windows in streaks of orange and blue, a stark contrast to the darkness within the vehicle.
Eris broke the silence first, her voice a sharp edge cutting through the quiet. "You're quite the fighter," she stated, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.
Tenzin shrugged, a self-deprecating laugh escaping his lips. "Just a guy who knows his way around a fight," he replied, trying to keep the conversation light.
Her lips curved into a small smile, revealing a flash of sharp teeth. "More than that," she countered, her voice laced with something that resembled admiration. "You've got instincts, a raw talent."
A surge of warmth spread through Tenzin. Recognition. It was a foreign sensation, one he wasn't accustomed to. He nodded, his gaze dropping to his hands. "I guess I do," he mumbled.
They lapsed back into silence, the rhythmic hum of the tires the only sound in the car. Tenzin studied Eris, her profile stark against the city lights. There was an intensity about her, a purposefulness that was both intimidating and alluring.
A sudden, inexplicable urge to share something personal propelled him forward. "My grandfather was a revolutionary," he blurted out, his voice barely audible over the car's engine.
Eris's head snapped in his direction, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Oh?"
He took a deep breath, the weight of the words heavy on his chest. "He fought during the Emergency. Died trying to protect people."
Respect flickered in her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of his grandfather's sacrifice. "That takes courage," she said softly.
Tenzin nodded, the memory of his grandfather a bittersweet one. "He left behind a diary," he continued, his voice low. "Filled with his struggles, his hopes, his dreams for a different India."
Eris leaned forward, her interest piqued. "And you?"
He hesitated, the question catching him off guard. He'd never really considered his place in the grand scheme of things. "I don't know," he admitted honestly. "I've always felt a pull, a sense of duty. Something unfinished."
They reached Eris's apartment, a sleek, modern building that seemed out of place in the city's gritty underbelly. As they stepped inside, she handed him a duffle bag. "Supplies, and information. You'll need it."
Tenzin rummaged through the duffle bag, his fingers brushing against the cold metal of the weapons, and finally, he pulled out a sealed envelope. It was thick, with a crispness that hinted at its importance. His heart pounded as he tore open the envelope. Inside, a single sheet of paper unfolded, revealing typed instructions.
His eyes scanned the page, absorbing the details. A mission. His first mission. A chill ran down his spine. The target was Sarvagya Sharma, an enigmatic figure from the old guard of revolutionaries, a man who had vanished from the public eye decades ago. The objective was simple: contact him, reactivate his dormant spirit, and convince him to rejoin the fight.
Tenzin looked up at Eris, his mind racing. "Sarvagya Sharma," he murmured, the name echoing in the quiet room. "An old-timer, they say. Disappeared without a trace."
Eris nodded, her expression grave. "He was a legend in his time. A brilliant strategist, and a fearless leader. But something happened. He withdrew from the world."
Tenzin felt a surge of apprehension. He was a novice, thrown into the deep end. "How do I even find him?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Eris leaned forward, her eyes intense. "That's where your skills come in. You're resourceful, Tenzin. You'll find a way. And remember, this isn't just about recruiting him. It's about rekindling a flame. A flame that could ignite a revolution."
A heavy silence settled between them. The weight of the mission pressed down on Tenzin, a crushing burden. He felt a surge of doubt. Could he really do this? Was he ready for this?
Tenzin ran a hand through his hair, trying to clear his head. "What about the others? Can they help?"
Eris shook her head. "This is a solo mission. You need to prove yourself. And besides, there's something about you, Tenzin. A spark. We believe you're the right person for this."
A wave of determination washed over him. He would do it. For his grandfather, for the cause, and for himself. He had to.
As if sensing his resolve, Eris handed him another envelope. "This is your joining letter," she said, her voice low.
Curiosity piqued, Tenzin opened the envelope. Inside was a single card, black with silver lettering. His eyes widened as he read the words: "CODENAME: INDIA"
A shiver ran down his spine. It was more than just a code name. It was a mantle, a responsibility. A promise to the nation.
The weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders. Tenzin looked at Eris, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. This was just the beginning.