CHAPTER 64
GEARING UP
Faizi smiled at them. "Tum logon ki weapons training hum shuru karenge thode dinon mein", he announced. Excited smiles spread on their faces. "Aap logon ko guns handle karna sikhaaya jaayega. Par usse pehle, aap logon ko guns ke baare mein jaanna padega." He crossed his arms. "Tum logon ko guns ke baare mein kya pata hai?"
"Phew Phew", Bala said, shooting an invisible gun, a big grin on his face. Faizi chuckled. That wasn't usually how guns sounded, but they would know that soon enough.
Koel slapped his head. "Guns ke baare mein puchh rahe hain. Sound effects dene ko nahi kaha", she scolded. He pointed it to her, pretending to shoot her.
Faizi hit the table lightly, and their attention turned back to him. "Chalo", he said. "Sabse pehle tum log hume yeh batao ki tumhe pata hai ki handgun kya hota hai?" His gaze paused at Monami, who hesitantly raised a hand. "Monami ke alaawa?"
Chitra held up a hand and he nodded. "Jo guns ek #hand mein hold kar sako jab #fire karo."
He nodded. "Very good, Chitra." She grinned. "Humaare kaam mein har type ki gun use hoti hai- rifles, shotguns, handguns. Par tum logon ko ek service weapon issue kara jaayega eventually. That is what you will use 99 percent of time unless tum log aage jaakar weapons ko apni speciality karoge. Then it's down to about 90 percent." He took out his own gun. "Aisi hi ek gun aapko issue hogi. This is a Glock. Sab khade ho jaao aur yahan aao."
He moved behind the table and the cadets gathered around. He placed the gun on the table, opening it up slowly. They all watched carefully, and he laid the parts out.
"Sabse pehle you need to ensure ki tumhaari gun unloaded ho", he said. "Kyunki jab hum glock ko disassemble karte hain, toh hume trigger dabaana hota hai. Agar loaded hai gun, toh tum kisi ko goli bhi maar sakte ho." They all nodded seriously.
He nodded, beginning to explain the parts to them and what each one did. He assembled it again, putting it back into his holster. He dismissed them back to their seats and they sat down obediently.
"Glock ek semiautomatic pistol hai", he said. "Semiautomatic guns ka matlab hota hai ki jab hum trigger to press karenge, toh ek bullet niklegi and the next bullet will be automatically loaded into the chamber. Automatic guns mein jab tak aap trigger chodhte nahi ho, bullets release hoti rahengi."
"Jaise filmon mein hota hai", Bala said cheerfully, mimicking working a machine gun.
He tilted his head in agreement. "Par filmon se koi style mat copy karne lag jaana", he warned. "There is a stance to shooting, safety precautions aur kuchh gun ke etiquettes jo films ignore karti hain. Woh sab tumhe practical class mein pata chal jaayega. Abhi ke liye, tum logon ko hum gun ka mechanisms samjhaate hain. You should know how a gun works."
"Physics?" Sid asked, making a face. The excitement died down as Faizi started to explain the working, but they listened attentively nonetheless.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Sid lifted his hand for the 10th time, his knuckles a few centimeters from the door. He took a deep breath, finally letting them rap against it in a knock. The sound echoed in the empty hallway and he wanted to run away already. The door opened before he could follow through and his gaze lifted to meet the man's.
Param.
"Aa jaa", he said, pulling it open wider. He closed it behind Sid, grabbing his laptop. "Baith jaa, Sid."
His jaw clenched. "Siddharth", he said quietly. Param looked up. "It's Siddharth for you, Sir."
Param stared at him for a few, unwavering seconds. "Siddharth", he acknowledged quietly, his gaze falling away. "Baitho." He reluctantly sat down on the chair. "Karan ka ek informer tha, Laxman. He was murdered thode time pehle."
"I know."
"Uske phone ko jab humne trace kara, woh Delhi mein mila", he continued. "Humaare techies ne hume bataaya ki the original signal was deflected a lot of times, and it was only made to appear jaise woh signal Delhi mein hai taaki woh hume mislead kar sake."
He nodded. "Signal deflection", he said. "Kabhi kabhi networks better karne ke liye use hota hai. But rarely. Too elaborate."
"Sanket, humaara IT head, he's working on back tracing ki original signal kahan se aaya. We want you to work on that. Tum kar paaoge?"
"Unke saath?"
Param shook his head. "Alag se", he said. "The spy's involved. We don't know hum kise trust kar sakte hain. Jo bhi progress Sanket ne kari hai, you'll get all that and then you're on your own."
Sid nodded slowly. "It'll be hard, but I can try", he said. "Kaafi mushkil hota hai back trace karna."
"Try your best", he said. "Maybe hume koi lead mile sake usse. You'll be issued another laptop. Don't search anything related to this on your cadet laptop. Tumhe kuchh specific requirements ya equipment chahiye, toh send me the list in the next 1 hour. I'll get that done. Any questions?" Sid shook his head. "Tum jaa sakte ho."
He stood up, wasting no time in leaving the room. Param looked at the closed door, heaving a sigh. He shook his head, looking back at the file. He had forgotten how boring paperwork was.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Silence was all that was in store for them in the old building. No people, no traps. The warehouse was definitely abandoned.
Faizi looked around the rooms, checking the cupboards and the bathrooms. Nope. No people. "Sanju?" He called, walking back to the front door. "Koi nahi hai."
"Yahan bhi naa, Sir ji", she called back.
"Dhoondo aas paas", he said, pulling his gloves on. "Shayad kuchh clue mil jaaye."
He walked around, opening the drawers. Empty. It was thoroughly cleaned up. They hadn't left in haste. It was abandoned long before Rahul was caught, probably.
There weren't even fingerprints. They were cautious. He inspected the cups. Not even on the glass ones. Not even partials. Either they had been abandoned for a significant time. Or it had been wiped clean.
If it had been wiped clean, then that could mean someone significant, and also, someone they know was here. Were old leaders resurfacing again? Could the spy have come here? He shook his head. It had been abandoned for way too long. That was probably it.
"Sir ji!" Sanju called out. He quickly walked around, finding her in the bathroom. She pointed to the mirror. He tilted his head. A fingerprint. "Utha lein kaa?"
He nodded. Who knew what could turn into a lead? Perhaps it will lead to someone.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Karan's eyes snapped open. A knock. Someone had knocked on the door. He pushed himself up, wincing at his sore muscles. His arm, where Monami administered his injections, was especially sore. He opened the door nonetheless, leaning against it. Koel.
"Hi", she said.
He wordlessly let her in, sitting back down on the bed. "Faizi nahi hai", he muttered, rubbing his face. "Par baith jao."
She eyed him. "Oh shit. Aap so rahe the kya?" He nodded. "I am so sorry."
"Koi baat nahi", he said. "Main so sokar bore ho gaya tha waise bhi. Monami ne mujhe room confinement mein daal rakha hai. No classes, no drills."
"Aur kya? Aapko aur bimaar hona hai? Rest karo." She held up a finger when he opened his mouth. "Don't you dare say time nahi hai. Aapke bina bhi kaam ho sakta hai. Learn to lay back and rest."
He closed his mouth, sighing. He really didn't want another lecture. "Tumhaara aur Faizi ka sab sort ho gaya?" He changed the topic. "Kaafi khush lag raha tha."
She smiled, nodding. "Haan", she said. "I am happy too. Thoda... stressed lag raha tha par."
"Work", he said. "Bas uss hi ko lekar hai." She raised an eyebrow. The spy? He nodded to her silent question.
"Aap theek ho ab? Kahin pain ho raha hai?"
"Muscle soreness", he said.
She chuckled, pointing to him. "This is called Karma", she said, laughing. "You are the sole reason hum log pata nahi kitne hafton tak pain mein roye hain."
He narrowed his eyes. "Koel... I can hang you upside down with these sore muscles, toh zyaada haso mat mujhpar." She chuckled. "Ek tum aur ek Monami. Woh taunt karna nahi band karegi aur tum hasna nahi. Tum health professionals ko bedside manner nahi sikhaate kya?"
"Sikhaate hain par aap jaise logon ke liye applicable nahi hota", she commented. "And I am not treating you. This is pure revenge." She let out a evil laugh.
He stared at her. "Tum kisi horror film mein jaa sakti ho. You'll fit in with the ghosts."
She grinned. "Hai, na?"
"Compliment nahi tha. Chudail bula raha hoon main tumhe." He shook his head. "Pata nahi kya dekh liya Faizi ne tum mein."
She chuckled. She crossed her legs underneath her. "I'll be sure to ask the girl you'll end up with the same thing."
He raised an eyebrow. "Mujhe shaadi karne mein koi interest nahi hai. I don't have the time. I like being busy in my work."
A small smile spread on her face. "Maybe you'll fall in love", she said. "Tab naa hote hue bhi time, aap time nikaal loge. That's what you do for the important things." He opened his mouth before closing it. He was never going to fall in love. No point in arguing.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Sid watched the ice swish around the glass. He sipped the whiskey, closing his eyes. A noise made him look up and he opened his eyes. Faizi.
He sat down next to him, taking the bottle and keeping it out of his reach. "Gham mein peene se aadat ho jaati hai", Faizi said quietly. "Phir gham chaahe chala bhi jaaye, aadat nahi jaati." Sid sipped the whiskey, nodding a little. "Kya hua? Sanju ke saath jhagdha ho gaya?"
"Nahi", he said quietly.
"Param Bhaiya then?"
He scoffed slightly. "Yeh public knowledge hai?"
"Tumhaari nafrat dikhti hai", he said simply. Sid looked away, his jaw clenching. "Baat karni padh gayi unse?" He jerked his head down.
Sid looked at him. "Aapko pata hai kya hua tha?" Faizi shook his head. Sid nodded, sipping the last of his whiskey. He sighed, looking at the bottle.
"No, Siddharth", Faizi warned. "Aur nahi." He nodded, keeping the glass aside.
"Aap... Aap aur Karan Sir bahut close ho, na?" He asked. "Like brothers?" Faizi nodded. "Kisi din agar... agar aapko Sir ki zaroorat ho and woh naa ho, woh aapko... aapko chhodkar chale jaaye, aapko gussa nahi aayega?"
"Bilkul aayega", he said. "Gussa aayega ki kyun nahi tha woh. Rona aayega ki itni kareebi dosti khatam ho gayi. Par..." He closed his eyes. "Kabhi kabhi jo log zindagi ban jaate hain, woh hi zindagi se chale jaate hain. Aur woh accept karna padta hai."
'Abu kya kabhi waapas nahi aayenge, Ammi?'
He opened his eyes, looking at Sid. "Tum ek commando banne ki training le rahe ho, Siddharth. Toh do baatein seekhni bahut zaroori hain tumhaare liye. Pehli, tumhaara sahi sahi hai, iska yeh matlab nahi ki saamne waala ka sahi galat hai. Log apni samajh, apne haalat aur apna faida dekhkar kaam karte hain."
Sid looked down, fiddling with his bracelet. He jerked his head down in a nod. Perspective. "Doosri?" He asked quietly after a couple of minutes.
"Saamne waale ne kuchh galat kara, toh maafi ki umeed mat rakho usse. Zindagi nikal jaayegi par woh maafi sunne ko nahi milegi. Humaare kaam mein tum aise logon ko dekhoge jo aise aise kaam karenge ki samajh nahi aayega ki nafrat karein ya darein. Naa unhe afsos hoga aur naa koi sharam. Aur aisa bhi hoga jab aise hi logon ke saath tumhe kaam karna padega."
"But... logon ko apni galtiyon ka ehsaas hona chahiye, na?" He muttered.
"Hona chahiye par hota nahi hai. Kya karoge tum iss baare mein?" He asked. Sid looked at him. "Chilaoge? Saamne waale ke liye shor hai bas woh. Daantoge? Jo apne gunahon ko undekha kar de, uske liye tumhaare shabdon ko unsuna karna kya hai? Gussa hoge? Tumhaare shabd jinhe samajh nahi aa rahe, unhe tumhaari khamoshi dikhegi bhi nahi. Farak padhna toh bahut door ki baat hai. End mein, thak haar ke tumhe hi baithna padega."
Sid stared at the ground. He wasn't... wrong. But that wasn't fair! He leaned his head back. But... that sounded like life.
"Agar tum cheezen ko bhoolna aur chhodna nahi seekhoge toh yeh kaam, jo tum dekhoge, jo tumhe samajh aayega iss duniya ke baare mein, woh maar dega tumhe. Jeete jee mar jaaoge tum", he said quietly.
"You say it like letting go is easy", he said.
"Nahi. Bahut mushkil hota hai", Faizi said. "Par naa chhodna bhi toh dard hi deta hai, na?" He looked at him. "Everyone has things jo woh chhod nahi paate hain. Humaare paas bhi hain. Hum bas itna kehna chahte hain... cheezen paas rakhkar baithne ko apni nature mat bana lena."
He stared at him quietly. "Aap... Aap kya nahi chhod paa rahe?"
He smiled humorlessly. He looked at him. "Kisi aur din bataate hain", he said. He glanced at his watch. "Sanju free ho gayi hogi. Jaakar uske saath reh lo. Achha lagega tumhe. Use tumhaara intezaar hoga." He grabbed the bottle, standing up. "Isse toh behtar hi option hai."
Sid stood up. "Thank you."
Faizi gently patted his head, smiling at him. "Anytime. Hume gyaan dena bahut pasand hai." Sid chuckled.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Chitra bit her nail absentmindedly, scrolling through the courses offered by the academy. She clicked on one, opening it up. It highlighted some techniques that helped in catching inconsistencies related to social media. She clicked on another. Patterns and manipulation. She needed to study these. She sighed, opening one up and grabbing a notebook.
The door opened and she glanced up. Monami. She dragged herself in, curling up beside Sid almost immediately. "Kya hua?" Sid asked gently, running a hand through her hair.
Monami looked up miserably. "I-Itne s-saare logon se b-baat k-karni padhi." She shuddered, burying her face in Sid's arm.
"New mail par information aayi hai", Parikshit announced.
Everyone straightened up, grabbing the new laptops they had been provided. The ones who didn't have any use for laptops- Monami, Koel, Suman ji, Bala- peeked into the others', reading the mail.
Chitra read through, Bala peeking in, pausing at the list of the special agents they especially had to monitor. She frowned, her eye catching a name. Special Agent Lieutenant Abhishek Sawant. "Abhi Sir?" She said, looking up.
"Woah", Koel said quietly. "That's... disturbing. Mujhe laga tha sab unknown log honge."
"Raghav Singh", Bala said, pointing to the screen. "Yeh toh woh hi hain, na? Chalti phirti beizzati ki dukaan?"
Monami stared at Sid's laptop, swallowing a little. Abhi was... suspicious? Could he be the spy? Or was there just not enough ground to rule him out? Could he be a... terrorist?
She shook her head, grabbing her textbook and staring at the words till they made sense. There was no way Abhi would be the spy. He seemed so... not like a terrorist. He couldn't be a terrorist. Right?
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
"Kahan khoyi hui hogo tu?" Sanju asked. Monami glanced up, blinking. "Kaa hogo? Kuchh dikkat? Pareshaani?"
She shook her head. She sat up, crossing her legs underneath her and looking at her. "Ma'am... jo s-spy w-waali baat thi... aa-aap logon ne j-jo l-list bheji... it had Abhi Sir k-ka n-naam bhi. D-Do you th-think he c-could be the s-spy?"
Sanju nodded. "Haan", she said. "Woh deputy head hogo. IT ka. Hume lagto hai ki head ya deputy head mein se hi koi spy hogo."
"Is th-that the o-only r-reason he's s-suspicious?"
She eyed her. "Monami... yeh baat apne dimaag mein mat aane de ki Abhi spy naa ho sakto hai. Tujhe yeh lagne lago toh tu dhang se use judge naa kar paayegi." Monami looked away. Sanju sighed. "Dekh... hume pato hai yeh baat sochna tujhe achha naa lagega. Par tu yeh sab mat soch. Tu bas yeh dekh ki kaun ajeeb lag raho hai aur kaun naa."
Monami nodded. "Haan."
"Tujhe kuchh ajeeb laga uss mein?"
"Woh th-thode time se th-thoda... s-stressed hain. M-Main puchhon t-toh kehte hain k-kaam bas. But... he l-looks disturbed. Kaafi z-zyaada. Par... a-aise kuchh aj-ajeeb nahi. N-Not that I c-can r-remember abhi."
Sanju nodded. That didn't mean a whole lot. Some days were more stressful than others. That was probably it.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Faizi sighed, scribbling his signature at the bottom of the page before keeping it aside. A ping on his phone distracted him, and he grabbed it, unlocking it. A mail. Forensic head. He straightened up. The report.
"Kya ho gaya?" Karan asked, looking up from his own set of paperwork.
"Mail dekho apni", Faizi said, opening his laptop and clicking the report open.
"Fingerprint matched", he read aloud, glancing up. Faizi looked at him and then back at the report, scrolling down to the details.
Name: Hamza
Age: 45 (as of 2015)
Associate of: Eastern Force of Rebels (EFR)
Status: Deceased
What the hell? Deceased? Was this a mistake? He looked up at Karan, finding him staring at it just as quizzically. "Hamza?" Karan looked up at him. "Yeh toh mar chuka hai."
"Kuchh... galti ho gayi hai kya?" Faizi asked quizzically. "Iska fingerprint kaise aa sakta hai?"
"Ek baar bol de dobara check karne ko", he said. He looked down. "Warna yaa toh yeh hume mislead kar rahe hain ya yeh mara nahi hai."
Faizi shot a text to the forensics head before scrolling down and reading the complete file on Hamza. He was a prominent leader. A high leader. Apparently deceased in 2015 in a bomb blast. Body never recovered.
If Hamza was alive, then that was concerning. Why had he resurfaced now after 7 years? Faizi took a deep breath. They were planning something big. The bomb blasts, maybe? Was that what they were gearing for?
And if yes, when and where?
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