The abandoned industrial complex loomed ahead, its skeletal remains bathed in the dim glow of a fading sun. Rusted metal structures stretched toward the sky, their jagged edges resembling the claws of a predator. The air smelled of decay and oil, a fitting backdrop for the danger that awaited beneath.
Abhay and Ash stood at the edge of the complex, their breaths visible in the cold evening air. Between them, the EMP device rested securely in Ash's pack, its presence a silent promise of their intent.
"This place looks like it's been dead for decades," Abhay said, scanning the area.
"Don't let the outside fool you," Ash replied, her voice low. "Rajan thrives on deception. If Kabir's intel is right, we're walking into a trap, not an empty building."
Abhay's grip tightened on the compact stun baton he'd built earlier. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. "We'll handle it. We have to."
Ash gave him a sideways glance, her expression unreadable. Then, without another word, she led the way toward the entrance Kabir had marked on the map.
They moved in silence, every step measured and cautious. The complex's massive doors hung ajar, allowing just enough space for them to slip inside. The interior was a maze of rusted machinery, broken conveyor belts, and stacks of abandoned crates.
Ash crouched behind one of the crates, motioning for Abhay to do the same. She scanned the area, her sharp eyes catching details Abhay would've missed—fresh footprints in the dust, faint scuff marks on the floor.
"They've been here recently," she whispered.
Abhay nodded, his pulse quickening. He could feel the weight of unseen eyes, the suffocating sense of being watched.
As they moved deeper into the complex, they came to a narrow corridor lined with flickering overhead lights. At the end of the hallway, a reinforced hatch stood out against the decayed surroundings.
"That's it," Ash murmured. "The entrance to the tunnels."
Abhay reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device he'd built to disable electronic locks. He approached the hatch, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Within moments, the lock clicked, and the hatch creaked open.
The tunnel below was a stark contrast to the dilapidated complex above. The walls were lined with smooth concrete, illuminated by faint, recessed lighting. The air was cool and damp, carrying a faint metallic scent.
"Stay close," Ash said, descending the ladder first.
Abhay followed, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the confined space. The tension was palpable, every shadow a potential threat.
They moved cautiously, following the path Kabir had marked on the map. Abhay couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The tunnel was too quiet, too empty.
As they rounded a corner, Ash froze, her hand shooting out to stop Abhay. She pointed to a thin, almost invisible wire stretched across the floor.
"Tripwire," she whispered.
Abhay swallowed hard, his heart pounding. "Can you disarm it?"
Ash smirked faintly. "Amateur stuff."
She knelt beside the wire, her fingers moving with practiced precision. Within seconds, she had it disabled. But the moment she stood, the faint sound of footsteps echoed from deeper in the tunnel.
They exchanged a glance, their unspoken understanding clear: they weren't alone.
Ash motioned for Abhay to stay back as she moved forward, her movements silent and predatory. She slipped into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the dim surroundings.
Abhay waited, his grip on the stun baton tightening. The footsteps grew louder, and his breathing quickened. Then, a figure appeared—a guard, armed and scanning the tunnel with a flashlight.
Before the guard could react, Ash struck, her movements swift and lethal. She disarmed him with a single fluid motion, her knife pressed against his throat.
"Talk," she hissed, her voice cold. "How many of you are down here?"
The guard struggled, his voice trembling. "F-four. We're just patrolling!"
"Where's the prisoner?" Ash pressed, her knife digging slightly into his skin.
"I—I don't know! She's supposed to be in the lower levels, but I don't have access!"
Ash knocked him out with a precise strike to the head, letting him slump to the ground. She turned to Abhay, her expression grim. "We need to move. Quickly."
They continued deeper into the tunnel, the tension growing with every step. The faint hum of machinery grew louder, a reminder of the advanced systems Rajan had in place.
Finally, they reached a large metal door. A keypad glowed faintly beside it, its surface smeared with fingerprints.
"This is it," Ash said, pulling out the EMP device. "Once we trigger this, we'll have a small window before the backup systems come online. Be ready."
Abhay nodded, his heart racing. Ash activated the device, and a wave of static energy pulsed through the air. The lights flickered, then went out, plunging the tunnel into darkness.
The door hissed open, revealing a vast chamber beyond. Rows of cells lined the walls, their occupants barely visible in the dim emergency lighting.
"Start looking," Ash whispered, her voice urgent.
Abhay moved quickly, his eyes scanning each cell. The prisoners stared back at him, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion.
"Over here!" Ash called.
Abhay hurried to her side, his breath catching as he saw the figure inside the cell. A woman sat against the wall, her face pale and gaunt but unmistakably alive.
"Dr. Mishra," Abhay whispered.
The woman's eyes flicked to him, her expression a mixture of recognition and disbelief. "You... you're his son."
Abhay's chest tightened. "Yes. I'm here to get you out."
Before he could say more, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the chamber.
Ash swore under her breath. "We've got company."
Abhay turned to face the oncoming threat, his determination hardening. They had found Dr. Mishra—but getting out alive would be a whole new battle.