Chapter 99: Don't ever set your eyes on India
Neeraj responded without hesitation. "Understood, Prime Minister. I'll have them here within the hour."
Rohan ended the call and began pacing the room, his mind racing through the various scenarios that could unfold in the next few hours.
Both President Naveen and Amar Singh, the Director General of Police, had been compromised by the Shadow.
Their loyalty had been twisted, their actions manipulated by forces beyond their control. But this was the moment where everything had to be brought into the light.
The first to arrive was President Naveen. The man entered with the air of authority that his position demanded, but there was a tension in his steps, a wariness in his eyes.
He knew this wasn't just another meeting. Soon after, Amar Singh walked in, his usual confidence visibly shaken. Atma, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau also walked him behind Amar.
Rohan has given Atma the task to creating a list of possible people involved in this which he has been busy with for the past few days and at last Rao entered. Both of Rohan's most trusted advisor. Neeraj, his aide, were already present, standing ready at the sides.
Rohan didn't waste any time. "Gentlemen, we are at war," he began, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"But this war isn't being fought with soldiers or tanks. It's being fought with influence, corruption, and control. The Shadow has infiltrated our government, our institutions. It is pulling the strings and bending our nation's destiny to its will."
He turned his gaze to President Naveen and Amar Singh, his voice hardening. "Mr. President, Amar, I know you've both been compromised. The Shadow has you on a leash, but it's time to cut those strings."
Naveen, his expression cool and composed, shook his head slightly. "Prime Minister, I think you're mistaken. This sounds like a conspiracy theory, nothing more. I'm not involved in anything of the sort."
Amar Singh, regaining some of his composure, quickly chimed in, "Exactly, Prime Minister. We're both loyal to the country. What you're suggesting is absurd. These are baseless accusations."
Rohan's eyes narrowed, his tone growing colder. "Baseless? I have evidence, meetings, offshore accounts, connections to shell companies linked directly to the Shadow. President do you need me to discuss your mistress and children? This isn't a theory, gentlemen. This is reality.
And it's happening right under our noses."
President Naveen stiffened, his voice growing defensive. "Rohan, you're walking on dangerous ground. Accusing the President of such actions, do you realize the implications? You're risking the stability of the entire nation with these wild allegations."
Rohan didn't back down. "The stability of the nation is already at risk, Mr. President, because of what's been happening behind the scenes. This isn't about accusations it's about the truth. And the truth is that you've both been compromised. The Shadow is using you, manipulating you to serve their agenda."
Amar Singh shook his head, his denial still firm. "I've served this country my entire life, Prime Minister. I've fought against corruption, against criminals. And now you're telling me I'm one of them? I won't accept this."
Rohan leaned forward, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "You don't have to accept it, Amar. But it's the truth, whether you want to face it or not. The Shadow has trapped you, both of you. But there's a way out. If you cooperate with us, if you help dismantle their network, you can still do what's right for the country.
If not then I can assure you the end will be far worse then what you expect"
Atma, who had been silently observing the exchange, spoke up. "Mr. President, Amar, I understand this is difficult to accept. But the evidence is irrefutable. The Shadow's influence is deep, and it's not just you. They've compromised others as well.
We need to act quickly, or we risk losing control of our nation."
President Naveen looked at Rohan, his face a mix of anger and fear. "You're asking me to admit to something I didn't willingly choose, Rohan. You're asking me to destroy my career, my reputation."
"I'm asking you to save your country, Mr. President," Rohan replied, his voice steady. "This is bigger than any one of us. If we don't act now, the Shadow will continue to grow stronger, and we'll lose everything we've worked for."
Amar Singh crossed his arms, still resistant. "And if we do act, what then? We expose ourselves, become targets. The Shadow doesn't forgive or forget."
Rohan nodded, acknowledging the risk. "Yes, you'll be putting yourselves in danger. But the alternative is far worse. If we don't stop them now, they'll control everything, our government, our economy, our people. Is that what you want?"
The room fell into a heavy silence.
After what felt like an eternity, President Naveen sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. "I never wanted any of this, Rohan. I thought I could manage, that I could keep things under control. But I see now that I was wrong. I'll cooperate, but I'm not happy about it."
Amar Singh, still visibly troubled, finally nodded as well. "If the President is in, then I'm in too. But mark my words, Prime Minister, this won't be easy. The Shadow won't go down without a fight."
Rohan nodded, satisfied with their reluctant agreement. "I never expected it to be easy, Amar. But we don't have a choice. We either fight back, or we lose everything. And I'm not willing to let that happen."
He turned to Neeraj. "Get everything ready after we have all we want, We're going to launch a full-scale crackdown, and it's going to be brutal."
Neeraj left the room, the tension still palpable. Rohan faced the others. "This isn't just about making arrests or seizing assets. This is about sending a message, to the Shadow, to their allies, and to the world. India is not a pawn in their game. We will show them that you do not set your sights on this nation without facing the consequences."
Rao spoke next. "We'll need to coordinate with every state, every law enforcement agency. This crackdown needs to be massive. We'll take down everyone connected to the Shadow, no matter how high up or how well-hidden they are."
Rohan nodded, his mind already racing ahead. "I want this operation to hit them hard and fast. We start at dawn, and we don't stop until their network is completely dismantled. No one connected to the Shadow should escape."
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The Rohan's office then became the nerve center of the operation. Maps were laid out, names and connections scribbled across whiteboards, and teams assembled with military precision.
They had a list from Joshi, Naveen and Amar which has names of people involved with Shadow and when Rohan saw the whole list, he was shocked because after this purge half of the politics system and beaurcratic system will be empty.
With list helping out Atma's and Rao intelligence network was activated in full force, identifying the Shadow's operatives, their safe houses, and their financial channels. The mission was clear: leave no stone unturned.
As the first light of dawn broke, the operation began. Across the country, coordinated strikes were launched with ruthless efficiency. High-profile figures, once untouchable, were pulled from their homes, their shocked faces splashed across the news channels.
Businesses linked to the Shadow were raided, their assets seized, their operations shut down. It wasn't just a crackdown, it was an eradication.
Rohan watched from his office as the reports came in, each success a small victory in the larger war.
But he knew this was only the beginning. The Shadow's reach was deep, and despite their efforts, some operatives would inevitably slip through the cracks.
But the message was clear: India would no longer be a playground for their ambitions.
By midday, the media was in a frenzy, struggling to keep up with the scale of the operation.
The crackdown was brutal, relentless, and total. Finally Rohan called for a special session in Lok Sabha to adress the nation and member of parliament and opposition or whatever is left of it.