EXT. INDIAN OCEAN - AFTERNOON
The storm had finally passed, leaving the freighter to slice through calmer waters under a cloudy sky. The crew, though weary and bruised, attended to their injuries and assessed the damage to the ship. Despite the relief that they had survived the pirate attack, the tension on board remained thick. They had defended their lives and the precious cargo, but the dangers were far from over.
Kabir stood on the deck, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. His green-striped badge, a symbol of his mid-rank status within The Demons, was slightly tarnished from the storm, but it still gleamed with the authority it represented. Kabir was deep in thought, aware that the successful defense against the pirates was only a small victory in the larger, ongoing battle. Greater challenges awaited them.
INT. BRIDGE - AFTERNOON
Below deck, the Engineer—wearing his purple-striped badge—approached Kabir, wiping grease from his hands.
"The cargo's secure. Everything's in place," he reported.
Kabir nodded, acknowledging the Engineer's efficiency. Despite being lower-ranked, the Engineer was a valuable asset to The Demons, his technical expertise essential for missions like this.
"Good," Kabir replied, his voice firm. "We'll reach the rendezvous point in a few hours. Make sure everyone's ready. We can't afford any more surprises."
The Engineer nodded but hesitated before speaking again. He glanced around to ensure no one else was listening.
"Word is, there's more than just pirates out here," the Engineer said quietly. "The whispers… they say someone's been tracking us."
Kabir's expression darkened slightly. The Engineer's information wasn't surprising, but it was troubling. If someone was tracking them, it could mean that their organization's movements were being watched, or worse, that a rival faction was making its move.
"We'll deal with it," Kabir said calmly, dismissing the Engineer back to his station. The threat of being watched would have to wait—first, they needed to complete this mission.
EXT. REMOTE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF INDIA - LATE AFTERNOON
The freighter neared a remote island hidden from the usual shipping lanes, one of The Demons's many secret outposts. This island, like many others, was used for transferring smuggled goods without attracting attention. As the freighter approached the shore, a group of men stood waiting on the dock. Their badges, marked with various colored stripes, reflected the hierarchy within The Demons, ranging from green to purple.
Kabir stood at the bow, his eyes fixed on the dock. Among the men, he spotted a leader wearing a golden-striped badge—an indication that this man outranked him. The golden-striped leader was in charge of this operation.
"Kabir," the golden-striped leader greeted with a nod as Kabir disembarked. "I heard you ran into some trouble."
Kabir's expression remained calm. "Nothing we couldn't handle. The cargo's intact."
The leader nodded, clearly pleased with the outcome. He signaled for his men to begin unloading the cargo. As the crew worked, Kabir noticed Simon standing on the dock, his posture tense. Simon had witnessed the violence of the pirate attack and was still trying to process the brutal reality of his new life.
The golden-striped leader glanced at Simon, then turned to Kabir. "Who's the new guy?"
Kabir followed the leader's gaze before replying dismissively, "Simon. He's green. Still has a lot to learn."
The leader chuckled, but his eyes remained sharp as he scrutinized Simon. "Better learn fast, kid. This life doesn't have room for mistakes."
Simon nodded, his anxiety evident despite his attempts to appear confident. Kabir watched Simon for a moment, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention back to the unloading process.
EXT. REMOTE ISLAND DOCK - EVENING
As the sun began to set, the last of the gold was transferred from the freighter to smaller boats that would transport the cargo to hidden locations on the island. The operation had gone smoothly, but Kabir's instincts told him that something was off.
His suspicions were confirmed when one of the crew members, who had been acting strangely, suddenly drew a weapon and aimed it at the golden-striped leader. The atmosphere on the dock shifted instantly as everyone reached for their weapons, but Kabir was the quickest.
"Drop it!" Kabir commanded sharply, his voice cutting through the tension.
The traitor hesitated, realizing too late that he was outnumbered. Before he could make another move, Kabir fired a single, precise shot. The man fell to the ground, the sound of the gunshot echoing across the water. For a moment, everything was silent.
Simon, standing nearby, stared in shock. He had never seen someone killed so quickly, so decisively. The reality of life in The Demons was sinking in for him—there was no room for hesitation, no mercy for betrayal.
The golden-striped leader remained calm, unfazed by the sudden violence. "Get rid of him," he ordered the other men. "We don't need any more delays."
The men moved swiftly, disposing of the body with practiced efficiency. Kabir holstered his weapon, his expression unchanging. For him, this was just another day in the life of The Demons. But for Simon, it was a harsh lesson in the unforgiving world he had entered.
The golden-striped leader approached Kabir, nodding in approval. "You handled that well. Keep this up, and you might move up the ranks sooner than you think."
Kabir nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing. His mind was already on the next challenge. The freighter was safe for now, but he knew this was only the beginning. The enemies of The Demons were many, and they would need to stay sharp to remain on top.
INT. FREIGHTER'S CABIN - NIGHT
Later that night, Kabir sat alone in his cabin, his green-striped badge resting on the table before him. He stared at it, lost in thought. The events of the day replayed in his mind—the storm, the pirates, the traitor. It was all part of the life he had chosen, but it came at a cost.
A quiet knock on the doorframe interrupted his thoughts. Kabir looked up to see Simon standing there, hesitant.
"Come in," Kabir said, his voice steady.
Simon entered the cabin, his nervousness evident. "I just… I wanted to thank you. For earlier."
Kabir studied him for a moment, then nodded. "If you want to survive in this world, Simon, you need to be ready for anything. Hesitation will get you killed."
Simon nodded, taking the words to heart. He looked at Kabir, seeing not just a mentor but a man who had made hard choices to stay alive in a world full of danger and betrayal.
"I'll learn. I won't let you down," Simon promised.
Kabir gave a slight nod of approval, but his expression remained hard. He knew the path Simon had chosen was not easy, and it would only get tougher from here.
As Simon left the cabin, Kabir picked up his badge, the green stripe catching the dim light. He knew that in The Demons, power was everything, and only the strong survived. He intended to be one of the survivors.
The chapter ended with Kabir placing the badge back on his chest, a symbol of his rank and his resolve. The night was quiet, but Kabir knew it wouldn't last. The storm may have passed, but darker clouds were always on the horizon.