"I need details, Anika. How and when?""They're mobilizing now. You don't have much time. You need to get out of there," Anika warned, her voice urgent.Arjun's eyes darted to the security monitors in his office. He could see the familiar sight of the Maratha Industries building, bathed in the glow of the city lights. But now, it felt more like a fortress under siege."Thank you, Anika. I'll take care of it," Arjun said, his voice calm despite the storm brewing inside him.He ended the call and immediately activated the building's highest security protocols. Alarms blared as the emergency lockdown sequence began.Arjun grabbed his jacket and headed for the door, but just as he reached it, a deafening explosion rocked the building. The floor beneath him shook, and the lights flickered before plunging into darkness."Arjun, what's happening?" Kavita's voice crackled through the intercom, panic evident."We're under attack. Evacuate the building now," Arjun ordered, his mind racing as he
Arjun laid among the ruins and his consciousness wavered in and out. From the explosion, his ears rang, and each breath he took caused waves of anguish across his body. His thoughts clinging to the meagre chance of rescue, he battled to stay awake.Distinctive and muted, voices floated across the veil. He attempted to identify one of the words—Meera's—from among others She sounded enraged, desperation tumbling through her voice."Search him! He cannot have gone far," Meera said with a tone that suggested no debate. "And guard the boundary. Nobody leaves this building till we have him.Arjun realised he had to relocate. Pulling every last bit of power, he raised himself and felt agony run throughout his limbs. Looking about the area, he found a partially collapsed doorway leading to a maintenance corridor. His only opportunity was this.He staggered forward, sloppily and unstable slipping through the opening. The tiny and poorly lighted maintenance hallway hummed with machines. He supp
Just the weak moonlight filtered through the heavy canopy above, the jungle was gloomy and dense. Their senses sharpened by the threat still hovering above them, Arjun, Anika, and Kavita moved fast yet deliberately.Although the explosion and tunnel collapse had given them some time, they knew Meera and her colleagues would be tenacious in their search.Arjun's voice almost above a whisper: "We need to find a safe place to regroup and plan our next move."Anita nodded. "I am aware of a place. an elderly safe residence on the outskirts of the city. Not far away here is There we may relax and plot.Glancing behind them, Kavita made sure they were not being trailed. " Lead the way, Anika. We must proceed rapidly.The noises of the night surrounded them as they negotiated the forest: rustling leaves, far-off animal calls, twigs underfoot crunching. It was shockingly calm, a far cry from the anarchy they had just fled.They arrived to the edge of the forest, after what seemed like a lifeti
Arjun lay among the cabin's ruins, his body pulsing with agony and his ears ringing as the planet whirled furiously about him. Blood tasted like food, and each breath was a fight. Fighting the darkness threatening to engulf him, he opened his eyes.He saw Kavita whirling close through the blur, her face covered in blood and filth. Anika was already on her feet, her eyes sharply focused on the surrounds. Rohan vanished not at all.Can you hear me, Arjun? Anika's voice sharp and forceful broke through the mist.Weakly nodding, he tried to push himself up. "I'm... I'm fine."Kavita crawled over to him, worry huge in her eyes. "We have to relocate. They are still out there."Arjun's senses started to sharpen, his survival instincts rekindling immediately threatened. Leaning mostly on Kavita for support, he battled to his feet. With twisted metal and splinters of wood all around, the cottage was a scene of total disaster.Arjun replied, his voice strained: "We have to find Rohan." "He know
Tension and smoke permeated the night air as the scene was lit by the smouldering remnants of the safe house. Arjun and his group were on the margins, gathering their breath and surveilling the damage. The terrible picture of their present situation is painted by the illumination of the fire creating ghostly shadows."Are you all OK?" Arjun questioned, looking for injuries on his squad.Anika nodded, soot smearing her face. "We are good; nevertheless, we must keep on moving. Meera won't stop till she runs across us once more."Kavita couched and covered her lips with her sleeve. "We need a fresh strategy. Somewhere better for re-strategizing and gathering.Still healing from the explosion, Rohan turned back and saw determination mixed with anxiety. "We can utilise another safe home, but it's farther out in the country. To get there will take time.Arjun pondered their choices. "We have not much option here. We have to leave the city and lie quiet until we know where to go next."Movin
As Arjun came slowly to, the planet was a whirl of suffering and anarchy. His body hurt from the blast, and his ears rang from it. Blinking to try to see clearly, Small fires ablaze around the room, the communication centre was in ruins and garbage all around.kavita! Arjun cried out, his voice rough.There was a moan close. Arjun sloppily crawled towards the sound. Kavita was pinned behind a big piece of trash, trying to get free.Arjun shouted, "Hold on," drawing all his might to clear the trash off her. Kavita slid out, wincing, but she managed to get to her feet though not very steadily."We have to move," Kavita remarked, her voice strained. "Meera will not stop until we are all dead."Arjun nodded, guiding Kavita across the ruins. They had to flee the imminent risk first, then reorganize with Anika and Rohan. Meera's agents would be swarming the region shortly; the communication hub was a top goal.The scene they saw in the streets when they left the structure was pure anarchy.
Arjun woke up to cold, hard ground under him and the faint sound of dripping water. His body hurt from the fall; it took time for his vision to change to fit the low light. He was in an underground chamber with hard, damp walls lighted just by a few tiny fractures allowing dim light from above.He forced himself, wriggling at the agony shooting across his side. His gaze went around the room looking for Meera. The silence was spooky, disturbed only by the sporadic drip of water over the cavern.Arjun said, "Meera," his voice resonating off the walls. "Show Yourself."From the shadows, a low, mocking laugh responded. Meera entered the weak light, her face contorted in a triumphant smile despite her messy look. She grasped a little gadget, the one she had set off the explosions with."Surrised to see me?" Meera jeered, her eyes shining with hate.Arjun closed his hands, every muscle in his body stiffened. "This ends here, Meera."Meera's smile broadened. "Oh, Arjun, you really are rather
There was great tension in the interrogation room's air. Slung to the metal chair, Ravi angrily pointed at his captors. Around him stood Anika, Rohan, and Kavita, their features austere and determined.Through the speaker in the room's corner Arjun's voice emerged. "Ravi, we could find use for your knowledge. Talk and find this simpler for yourself.Ravi turned his back on him. "You think you might frighten me? I am not imparting knowledge to you here.Anika moved forward, gaze icy and deliberate. "You might wish to give it more thought. You are on the losing side; the Shadow Council is disintegrating. Work cooperatively; maybe we might find something."Ravi laughed angrily. " Work something out? You have no idea what you are opposing. Others will climb to replace the Council even if it is taken down."Kavita leaned forward, her voice cool yet forceful. "We're not only challenging the Council here. We represent Castle City's residents in our battle. Either you could go down with the r