City D – Industrial District – 10:15 A.M.
Devraj's operatives made their first coordinated strike. Three vehicles, each with a masked occupant, sped toward a distribution hub in City D's industrial district. Their plan: disable operations, force panic, and distract the Upadhyay field teams.
Shivam's team was ready. Tactical units converged silently from multiple directions, each operative communicating in whispers through secure earpieces.
"Vehicles approaching from east, north, and west," Shivam reported. "Coordinates confirmed. Lockdown initiated."
As the first vehicle neared, field teams deployed spike strips. Tires screeched, metal screamed against metal, and the lead vehicle skidded to a halt. The occupants scrambled, but they were met by tactical operatives who had already encircled the area.
Shivam moved through the scene with precision. "Secure them. Bags, devices, everything. No item leaves this perimeter."
Inside the abandoned vehicle, Shivam's team found blueprints, detonators, and lists of personnel. Each document was photographed and scanned into HQ systems for immediate analysis.
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – Operations Room – 11:00 A.M.
Rishika reviewed every detail coming in from the field. "The attackers were confident. They expected gaps. But we closed them. This is a calculated warning. Devraj wants to test our defenses, and identify weak points."
Mahima added, "Financial trace shows an attempted transfer—five million units routed overseas to Country S. The insider tried to mask it through several shell accounts, but we intercepted in time. This confirms our mole hypothesis. The money trail is clear."
Rishika's jaw tightened. "We cut the mole off from every channel. Freeze all external communications tied to accounts accessed in the last 48 hours. And trace the network. Whoever is feeding him information will be revealed."
The room fell silent as each member processed the magnitude. The threat was no longer abstract—it was tangible, sophisticated, and relentless.
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – Briefing Room – 12:30 P.M.
Harshvardhan Upadhyay entered quietly, observing the operations room buzzing with activity. He stood behind Rishika, eyes sharp and measured.
"Your coordination is impressive," he said. "But do not underestimate him. D. Singh's patience is as dangerous as his aggression. Every move will be deliberate."
Rishika turned. "We've already identified the first strike patterns, father. The money trail, the insider, and the failed operational attempts—all neutralized. But we expect escalation. Phase two, phase three—they're coming."
Harshvardhan nodded. "Good. Prepare contingency plans. Security protocols, financial backups, media response. And above all, keep Veer stable. He is the symbol—and the target. But we strike only when necessary. Precision over panic."
City D – Rooftop Surveillance – 1:00 P.M.
From a vantage point overlooking City D, Mahima monitored drone feeds. Red pins dotted the map—points of interest, potential strike zones, and transportation hubs.
"Another vehicle convoy moving from the northern district," she reported. "Coordinates suggest attempted infiltration at the logistics hub. Likely a decoy. I've alerted Shivam."
Rishika watched quietly. "Then we follow their plan, but on our terms. Every decoy is an opportunity. Every move reveals intent."
City D – Logistics Hub – 2:00 P.M.
The afternoon sun glinted off the glass and steel of the logistics hub. Trucks lined up in neat rows, crates stacked like silent sentinels. On the rooftop, field operatives scanned for any unusual movement.
"Traffic patterns are normal," reported one operative, binoculars pressed to his eyes. "But drone feed shows an anomaly—a small group of figures near the northern dock. Possibly delivery personnel… but masks, unusual timing."
Shivam's hand tightened around the tablet. "Could be Devraj testing our perimeter again. Keep positions. Do not engage unless necessary."
Rishika's voice came over secure comms, crisp and commanding: "Shivam, I want a full sweep. Thermal, night-vision, drone overlay. Any deviation triggers immediate lockdown. We do not chase shadows; we anticipate them."
"Understood," Shivam responded.
Moments later, three black SUVs approached from the east. Inside, Devraj's operatives communicated through encrypted channels, unaware that every move was being monitored.
"Remember, we only create chaos for the HQ. If field units engage, abort secondary targets," one operative murmured.
The SUVs stopped abruptly. Spike strips—strategically positioned—screeching against tires. Panic ensued as operatives scrambled, only to be met by Shivam's encircling tactical team. One by one, they were subdued.
Rishika observed from HQ monitors. "Good. Contain them. Collect devices. Record everything. Devraj is probing our defenses, not just attacking. Every action tells us intent."
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – Operations Room – 3:15 P.M.
Back at HQ, Mahima fed intercepted communications through advanced decryption software. The room hummed with quiet tension as analysts combed through lines of coded messages.
"Patterns indicate multiple operatives trying to infiltrate City D's financial records simultaneously," she said. "They're synchronizing attacks with logistics operations. Someone is coordinating timing to split our focus."
Rishika leaned forward, finger tracing over a live map. "We anticipated this. Shivam, dual lockdown for logistics and HQ. No movement without clearance. Every entry, every exit, timestamped and verified."
Harshvardhan stepped forward, his presence commanding the room. "Rishika, good work. But consider Devraj's psychological approach. He wants to make us react. Our moves are predictable only if we allow panic to guide us. We need controlled responses, layered redundancy."
Rishika nodded. "We've created contingencies for every department. Regional offices, finance, logistics, even internal communications. If he escalates, every pathway he uses will hit a dead end."
Mahima added, "Financial routes intercepted. Any further unauthorized transfers are automatically flagged and frozen. The mole's identity is still masked, but his activity is becoming sloppy. Pressure is working."
Harshvardhan's gaze was sharp. "Good. But keep Veer stable. No one outside this room sees weakness. Symbolic strength is critical."
City D – Northern Transit Point – 4:00 P.M.
Devraj, pacing in a dimly lit warehouse, tapped his fingers on a steel table. Screens showed multiple City D locations. His face was calm but eyes cold, calculating.
"Phase three begins," he muttered. "We escalate… test their resilience, sow uncertainty, and exploit the insider further. Rishika thinks she can control the board. Let's show her unpredictability."
He gestured to two operatives. "Deploy the decoys at logistics hub, finance route, and City D's southern corridor. Make them feel pressure, but not enough to hit the HQ directly. We want them stretched thin, reacting, not acting."
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – Operations Room – 4:30 P.M.
Rishika was already several steps ahead. "Dual monitoring on logistics and finance routes. Any anomalies trigger remote lockdown of secondary hubs. Mahima, coordinate with regional and international leads. Notify every office—no protocol deviation is allowed."
"Copy that," Mahima replied. Fingers flew across keyboards, firewalls heightened, encrypted channels monitored in real-time.
Shivam updated, "Northern and southern corridors under observation. No movement has breached perimeter yet. Decoy vehicles identified, GPS trackers planted. They're predictable."
Rishika's expression remained unreadable. "That's our advantage. Let them think chaos reigns. Our calm is our weapon."
City D – Media Headquarters – 5:15 P.M.
Devraj attempted a new strategy: media manipulation. Using an anonymous press channel, he broadcast a selective narrative.
"…while the Upadhyay Group maintains its image of invulnerability, internal turmoil continues. City D's citizens should remain alert. Financial instability may follow if oversight fails. Justice delayed is justice denied…"
The segment was broadcast subtly, designed to appear independent. Social media amplified it, creating an undercurrent of doubt among the public.
Back at HQ, Mahima intercepted the feed instantly. "Rishika Mam, Devraj's attempting media influence. Multiple channels pushing false narratives about our financial stability. Public sentiment could be manipulated."
Rishika's eyes flared with determination. "We counter with factual, controlled updates. Nothing more, nothing less. Transparency without panic. Harshvardhan, you'll guide the public response."
Harshvardhan nodded, calm and resolute. "Prepare a statement confirming operational integrity. Reassure stakeholders and employees. Let the market and the people know the Upadhyay Group's control is intact. Do not feed the chaos."
City D – Southern Distribution Hub – 6:00 P.M.
As sunset painted the city amber, another attempt unfolded. Devraj's team aimed to infiltrate the southern hub. Shivam's tactical units, reinforced with drone surveillance, were waiting.
The operatives, confident, approached a side gate. Suddenly, an alarm blared. Floodlights switched on. Tactical operatives emerged from concealed positions.
"Stop! Hands in the air!" Shivam commanded.
Panic erupted. The operatives tried diversionary tactics—smoke grenades and sudden movement—but Shivam's unit maintained discipline. One by one, they were captured or neutralized. Devices, laptops, and communication gear were confiscated.
Rishika, monitoring the scene remotely, spoke calmly into her headset. "Excellent. Let them think they can evade us. Every failed attempt teaches us their playbook. Record every pattern, timestamp, and deviation. Devraj is predictable under pressure."
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – War Room – 7:00 P.M.
Rishika convened a strategic briefing. The operations room was filled with regional and international leads, analysts, field officers, and security heads.
"Today, we intercepted three coordinated attacks," she began. "Each failed due to proactive countermeasures, intelligence, and operational discipline. Devraj is testing our limits. He wants chaos and distraction."
Harshvardhan stepped forward, voice measured, "He's escalating methodically. Observe the pattern: distraction, decoy, financial probing, then psychological warfare. Our response is layered and measured. That is our strength."
A Southeast Asia operations lead added, "We also intercepted encrypted communication attempting to bribe an external contractor. It failed, but the method shows he's willing to leverage third parties."
Rishika's gaze swept across the room. "Every department must maintain discipline. No external engagement without protocol. Insider must be monitored continuously. Financial controls locked. Field operations in high alert. Media narrative controlled. And remember—Veer is still incapacitated. Any public perception of vulnerability can be exploited."
Harshvardhan placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "You're handling this exceptionally. Keep coordination tight, and trust your team. Devraj may control the shadows, but we control the light."
City D – Rooftop Surveillance – 8:00 P.M.
Mahima monitored drone feeds as dusk settled into night. Red pins dotted the city—points of interest, logistical hubs, transit corridors.
"Another convoy moving toward the western sector," she reported. "Coordinates suggest an attempted diversion. GPS and heat signatures confirm decoy vehicles, multiple occupants."
Rishika's voice was steady. "Engage only if they cross perimeters. Let them move for now. Every deviation recorded. Every interaction noted. This is the final rehearsal before their main operation."
Shivam, observing the tactical overlay on his tablet, added, "We're predicting the route. Phase four could involve coordinated strikes across at least four locations simultaneously. Preparations must be airtight."
Rishika nodded. "We'll be ready. Devraj thinks he can overwhelm us. But we've turned his strategy against him—predictable, calculable, contained. Tonight, he learns our discipline exceeds his chaos."
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – Strategic War Room – 9:30 P.M.
Harshvardhan addressed the team with quiet authority. "Every failed attempt has revealed operational patterns, weaknesses, and psychological tendencies. Devraj underestimates Rishika's ability to anticipate moves. Tonight, we consolidate. Tomorrow, we counter-strike strategically—not reactively."
Rishika responded, eyes unwavering. "All units remain in heightened alert. Insider is monitored. Financials are secured. Media narrative is controlled. Field units deployed and ready. Devraj will attempt escalation—we predict it, we neutralize it, and we use it to trap him."
The room was silent for a beat, each member absorbing the magnitude. Outside, City D thrummed with life—traffic, neon lights, distant sirens—but inside the war room, a silent storm of strategy, intelligence, and discipline had taken command.
Upadhyay Group Headquarters – Cyber Operations Room – 10:00 P.M.
The glow of monitors cast a bluish hue across Mahima's face. Fingers flying across the keyboard, she muttered under her breath, "No… this isn't just a transaction anomaly. Someone's inside our network. Full infiltration. Using insider credentials."
Rishika stepped up behind her, eyes narrowing at the cascade of code on the screen. "Explain. Clearly."
Mahima didn't pause, eyes scanning alerts. "D. Singh-22 isn't just sending money overseas. He's accessing restricted files—project designs, employee schedules, security protocols. Someone on our end—someone we trusted—is feeding him operational data. It's coordinated, real-time, and layered. He's not just striking physically; he's eroding our foundation from the inside."
Shivam leaned in, arms crossed. "So the insider isn't just financial. They're logistics, security, maybe even communications. Every department is compromised in some way."
Rishika's lips pressed into a thin line. "Who has access to all that information at this hour?"
Mahima tapped rapidly. "Cross-referencing logs… only a handful. Former officers whose credentials should have been deactivated. But one account—logistics department head—has been reactivated in a hidden backdoor. I'm tracing every session in real-time."
Shivam's hand rested on the table, tension visible. "He's watching us as we watch him. That's why the last three attacks were coordinated so well. Every move we made, he had a response ready. This… this is obsession, not strategy."
Rishika's eyes hardened. "Obsession with revenge. Every move, every failure, every death threat has a personal motive. We stop him from inside first. Cyber control is priority. Field units follow."
Upadhyay Group – Logistics Department – 10:30 P.M.
In the logistics hub, monitors flashed red, alerting security to unusual network activity. Shivam and a small tactical team arrived quietly.
"Who's online right now?" Shivam asked the on-site IT officer.
"Department head, sir. Logged in from workstation five, but… something's off," the officer replied, voice tense.
Shivam signaled two operatives. They approached workstation five cautiously. The screen displayed encrypted folders, recently accessed project files, and suspicious routing logs.
"This is it," Shivam whispered into comms. "Mahima, can you verify live?"
Back at HQ, Mahima's voice crackled over the secure line. "Confirmed. Insider activity matches the timeline of Devraj's attempted infiltrations. He's feeding operational data, including vehicle schedules, security patrols, and shipment routes. Freeze access immediately."
Rishika's tone was decisive. "Mahima, initiate counter-hacking. Trace the digital footprint back to the source. Block the mole, isolate the compromised credentials, and set a digital trap. Shivam, secure the workstation. We need evidence, not just neutralization."