Chapter 47: Taking Over
"General, the command center is secure. We're moving to the office of Sudhir Patel," a field officer reported, his voice tense with the weight of the operation.
General Negi nodded. "Proceed with caution. Patel and his associates are likely to be heavily guarded."
The soldiers moved swiftly through the building's labyrinthine halls. They reached Sudhir Patel's office, where the air was thick with tension. The door burst open, revealing Patel, Anil Deshmukh, Priya Rao, and Arjun Mehta huddled together, their faces a mix of anxiety and defiance.
"Stay where you are!" one of the officers barked, aiming his weapon at the group.
Sudhir Patel, his face pale, stood up from his desk. "You can't do this. We're within our rights!"
General Negi stepped forward, his voice cold and authoritative. "You are under arrest for conspiring against the state. Any resistance will be met with force."
As the soldiers advanced, Patel and his allies exchanged worried glances. They were quickly handcuffed and escorted out, their protests drowned out by the sounds of the ongoing operation.
Priya tried to assert herself. "This is a mistake! You can't do this to us!"
One of the soldiers, his expression resolute, replied firmly, "It's too late for protests. The nation's future is at stake."
The conspirators were led through the corridors, their faces reflecting their shock and disbelief. The sight of their once-secure stronghold being taken over was a bitter realization of their defeat.
Meanwhile, K.N. Rao, with a grim determination in his eyes, was making his way to the office of Rajesh Sharma, the former IB Chief. Rao had received word that Sharma was attempting to escape through a network of secret passages.
As Rao and his team reached Sharma's office, they found the room eerily quiet. The door was slightly ajar, and Rao could see shadows moving inside. He signaled his team to move in quietly.
"Sharma!" Rao called out, his voice cutting through the silence. "It's over. Surrender now, and you won't face further consequences."
Rajesh Sharma, startled, turned around from his desk, his face contorted with anger and desperation. "Rao! How dare you! This is a betrayal!"
Rao's gaze was steely. "Betrayal? I think you've mistaken your actions for patriotism. RAW is not so easily subdued."
With a decisive motion, Rao's team moved in and apprehended Sharma. As they restrained him, Rao spoke with unyielding authority. "You thought you could undermine the government without repercussions. Consider this a lesson. The security of this nation is not a playground for your ambitions."
Sharma struggled against his restraints. "You think you've won? This is far from over!"
Rao's expression remained stern. "We'll see about that. For now, you're coming with us."
Sharma was led out, his protests echoing down the corridors. Rao's eyes followed him with a mixture of relief and resolve. The operation was moving forward, and the conspirators were being brought to justice.
As the third hour of the operation unfolded, the struggle continued. The remnants of General Vikram's loyalists fought back fiercely. The streets were littered with debris, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke and gunpowder.
"Keep pushing forward!" General Negi's voice boomed over the radio. "We need to clear these areas and secure the remaining strongholds."
In the midst of the chaos, one of General Negi's commanders relayed a critical update. "Sir, we've encountered heavy resistance at the East Gate. The loyalists are using improvised explosives and barricades."
Negi's face tightened. "Deploy additional troops. Use tear gas if necessary. We need to break their lines."
The battle intensified as soldiers advanced, pushing through barricades and countering attacks with disciplined precision. The loyalists, though determined, were no match for the well-coordinated assault of the military and police forces.
By the fourth hour, the outcome of the conflict was becoming clear. The last strongholds of the loyalist forces were being systematically dismantled. The final confrontation was nearing its climax.
General Vikram Singh, cornered and realizing the futility of his resistance, was found dead. The sight of his lifeless body was a grim reminder of the high stakes of this struggle.
General Negi, who had been overseeing the operation, addressed his men. "We've lost a powerful adversary today. Let this remind us that no matter how deep the conflict, the strength of our resolve will prevail."
The troops, though weary, acknowledged the General's words. The intense battle had tested their endurance, but they had emerged victorious.
As dawn fully broke, Rohan Varma landed in Delhi, his military plane touching down with a sense of finality. The city, now under control, awaited his return.
Rohan stepped out of the aircraft and looked over the cityscape with a mix of exhaustion and determination. The chaos of the past hours had been replaced by a semblance of order, and the path to restoring stability was now within reach.
Inside the central command center, General Negi, DGP Amar, and K.N. Rao awaited Rohan's arrival. The tension in the room was palpable, but it was tempered by a shared sense of accomplishment.
Rohan addressed them, his voice steady but filled with the weight of recent events. "Thank you for your swift and decisive actions. Delhi is now secure, and we can begin the process of rebuilding."
General Negi nodded. "We've done what needed to be done. The city is under control, and the traitors have been dealt with."
Rohan's gaze swept over the city. "The path ahead will not be easy, but we must move forward with resolve. Let this be a testament to our strength and unity. India's future is at stake, and we will not falter."