Chapter 47: chapter 47

The night hung heavy with shadows as Kaushal and Karan immersed themselves in a strategic conversation, plotting the next moves in their high-stakes game against Crimson Dagger."We'll start by reaching out to your contacts in the intelligence community. Keep it vague, mention that you have crucial information regarding a security breach, but don't disclose specifics. We need to test the waters before revealing the full extent of our situation," Kaushal suggested, his eyes glinting with determination.Karan began composing messages to his trusted contacts, carefully selecting words that hinted at the Crimson Dagger news without giving away too much. Each message was crafted in a way that only his trusted ones would understand.After sending the messages, Karan updated Kaushal, "I've reached out to my contacts. A few are willing to help, but we need to ensure our communication remains secure. We can't afford any leaks."Kaushal produced a small device, a secure encrypted phone, and handed it to Karan. "Use this for all communication related to our mission. It's untraceable, and we can change frequencies to stay ahead of any potential eavesdropping."Examining the device, Karan's eyes reflected gratitude mixed with apprehension. "Thanks, Kaushal. I never thought I'd be caught up in something like this. It's like a spy movie, but real."Kaushal chuckled, "Life has a way of surprising us. Now, let's focus on the mission. We need to gather more information and convince your friends to help us with whatever they know."As Karan set up the encrypted phone, Neha, still in Leh, grappled with the uncertainty surrounding their informant. The warning call had heightened her sense of vulnerability. She sent a quick coded message to Kaushal, "Azad is getting restless, and he might be targeting your links too. Keep everything discreet. We can't afford any slip-ups.""Yes, already on it, don't worry!" Kaushal messaged back in code to Neha.Reviewing the accounts he had found during the money trail research, Kaushal spoke to Karan, "These accounts contain the identities and details of Azad's collaborators within the government. If we expose them, we weaken Crimson Dagger's grip on power. Let's share this with your friends one by one, see if they know anything about them!"Karan nodded and discreetly shared some details with his friends.As the night progressed, Kaushal found his body succumbing to fatigue. Though he wished to remain vigilant, exhaustion overcame him. He convinced Karan to sleep at his place, knowing they had another day of challenges ahead.Late into the night, Karan's encrypted phone beeped with a message from a contact, revealing a potential breakthrough. Excitement surged through him, and he woke Kaushal with a nudge. "Kaushal, wake up. I think we have a lead!""Who is it?" Kaushal interrupted from his dreams of nabbing Azad, inquired with curiosity."Major Gulmohar, the disgruntled Crimson Dagger member, is willing to meet," Karan exclaimed."That's a breakthrough, Karan. This is our chance to gain an insider's perspective and expose Crimson Dagger." Kaushal's joy was tempered by caution. "Wait, Karan, who sent you this message? We can't be too trusting. We'll have to set up surveillance to ensure this is safe. It could be a trap too!""You're right. Let me make sure this information is fully trustworthy or not!" Karan, navigating through his intelligence community, sent coded messages to his contacts, discreetly gathering information on Gulmohar. The conversations were cryptic, with words carefully chosen to avoid suspicion.Meanwhile, Kaushal messaged Neha, and they fine-tuned their plan. Neha, ever the strategist, outlined the sequence of events. "First, we expose the collaborators. Then, we approach Gulmohar with the information. If he sees the crumbling foundation of Crimson Dagger, he might be more willing to help us."Neha, typing furiously, responded, "Timing is everything. We need the exposure to hit hard."The next day, Kaushal and Karan maintained a semblance of normalcy at the office, concealing their covert activities. In the meantime, Karan received details about Gulmohar that matched his background, confirming his involvement.Major Gulmohar, stationed in Delhi, worked within the intelligence wing, leading a seemingly ordinary life. He had access to all classified details yet led a very normal life lying low from anyone's suspicion he had been sharing critical information with Azad, he was one of the Crimson Dagger associates. Suspicion arose when, after the Crimson Dagger news broke, he displayed sudden signs of fear. Karan's friend in intelligence noticed this and poked him, leading Gulmohar to admit his involvement.In Leh, Neha released a carefully crafted news article, exposing the organization's connections within the government using the information Kaushal had shared about the accounts of government officials.As the information spread like wildfire, chaos erupted within Crimson Dagger's ranks. The collaborators, caught off guard, scrambled to contain the fallout. Neha's phone buzzed with messages from her trusted media contacts reporting the widespread public reaction.Amid the chaos, Kaushal messaged Karan, "Now, let's approach Gulmohar. He might be more willing to talk with Crimson Dagger in disarray."The following evening, under the cover of darkness, Karan and Kaushal met with Gulmohar. The atmosphere was tense, the shadows playing tricks on their nerves. Gulmohar, a man worn by the weight of secrets, looked around nervously before speaking."I've had enough of Azad's games. I want out, and I want to bring them down. But you need to promise me protection," Gulmohar pleaded.Kaushal, with a solemn nod, assured him, "You have our word, Gulmohar. Now, tell us everything you know about Crimson Dagger and Azad's collaborators."As Gulmohar began to reveal the organization's inner workings, the puzzle pieces started to fall into place and Kaushal heard in awe.When they returned home, Kaushal patted Karan. "Good work, Karan. We'll use this information to our advantage. Let's set the exposure in motion."The Crimson Dagger news had spread like wildfire, and now, government officials were panicking about the legitimacy of this information.Neha received a call from Colonel Rathore, her reporting officer. "Neha, urgent action is required. Come to my office!" Colonel Rathore sounded tense.~~~~~