The researcher, Dr. Kunal Mehra, stood near the coffee dispenser in the Medical Research Wing, calm as ever, scrolling through data on his tablet. No rush. No nerves.
Like nothing in the world was wrong.
Arjun felt his heartbeat quicken but forced himself to walk normally.
Be seen, Captain Rudra had said.
He approached.
"Sir?"
Arjun said.
The researcher looked up, surprised—then smiled.
"You're the survivor," he said. "From the university."
Arjun nodded. "You gave a guest lecture there last semester. Biochem."
"I did," the man replied warmly. "Strange time for coincidences, isn't it?"
They stood in silence for a moment.
Arjun activated the recorder in his pocket.
"You work down here now?"
Arjun asked casually.
"Yes," the researcher said. "Transferred just before the outbreak. Lucky timing."
Arjun watched his eyes carefully.
"You ever hear about the tunnel near the campus?" he asked.
The researcher chuckled lightly. "Urban legends never die."
"But you knew where it was," Arjun said.
The smile didn't fade—but it tightened.
"Careful," the researcher said gently. "You're crossing into areas you don't understand."
Arjun swallowed. "My friends died down there."
"I know," the researcher replied softly.
That answer landed like a punch.
Arjun's breath caught. "How?"
The researcher leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Because curiosity always leaves fingerprints," he said. "Especially when people believe something is harmless."
Arjun felt cold. "You told them."
The researcher didn't deny it.
"I gave them a direction," he said calmly. "They chose to walk."
"You knew it was dangerous," Arjun said.
"I knew it was unknown," the researcher replied. "Those are not the same thing."
Arjun's hands trembled. "You used them."
The researcher straightened, expression hardening for the first time.
"I used information," he said. "The same thing SHIELD pretends to protect."
Arjun shook his head. "People turned into monsters."
"Yes," the researcher said. "And now the world finally sees what hidden chemistry can do when it's ignored."
"You let it happen," Arjun whispered.
The researcher met his eyes.
"I let truth surface," he said. "Messy truths are still truths."
Footsteps echoed nearby.
The researcher stepped back, smile returning.
"You should stop digging," he said quietly. "You're not ready for the consequences."
Then he turned and walked away.
Arjun stood frozen.
His recorder was still running.
His hands were shaking.
Captain Rudra's voice whispered through the Bluetooth.
"Did you get it?"
Arjun swallowed.
"Yes," he said.
But deep down, he knew something worse.
The researcher hadn't threatened him.
He had warned him.
And that meant this wasn't over—
It was only beginning.
They didn't confront him in the open.
That would've been reckless.
Captain Rudra waited until night shift—when corridors were quieter and movements drew less attention.
The researcher was leaving the Medical Research Wing when two guards stepped into his path.
"Sir," one of them said calmly. "We need you to come with us."
The researcher stopped.
Slowly, he looked at them, then at Captain Rudra standing behind.
For a brief moment, his expression changed.
Not fear.
Calculation.
"I assume this is about the schematics," he said evenly.
"Yes," Captain Rudra replied. "You're coming with us."
The researcher nodded once. "Very well."
No resistance.
That was the first warning sign.
The holding room was temporary—plain walls, no furniture except a single chair. Arjun watched through the glass as guards conducted a surface search.
Wallet. Tablet. Keys.
Nothing suspicious.
"Clear," one of the guards said.
Captain Rudra frowned slightly. "Bring him in."
Arjun exhaled. "He looks too calm."
Captain Rudra didn't disagree.
The interrogation room lights turned on.
The researcher was seated at the table, hands resting in front of him. Captain Rudra stood to one side. Arjun sat opposite, recorder ready.
"This is being recorded," Captain Rudra said. "You're in custody pending investigation."
The researcher smiled faintly. "Of course I am."
"You shared the tunnel's location," Captain Rudra said. "You accessed restricted data."
"I accessed information," the researcher replied calmly. "People misuse information all the time."
Arjun leaned forward. "You told my friends where to go."
The researcher looked at him—really looked at him.
"They asked," he said. "I answered."
Arjun's fists clenched. "You knew it was dangerous."
"I knew it was unknown," the researcher replied. "There's a difference."
As he spoke, his hand moved slightly—almost unnoticeable.
Arjun saw it.
"Officer—" he began.
The researcher brought his fingers to his mouth.
Bit down.
A sharp crack echoed in the room.
"NO—" Captain Rudra shouted, lunging forward.
The researcher convulsed violently, chair scraping backward as he collapsed to the floor. Foam gathered at his lips, his breathing turning erratic and shallow.
"Medic!" someone yelled.
Guards rushed in, forcing his mouth open—but it was already too late.
Within seconds, his body went still.
Silence.
A medic checked his pulse, then slowly shook his head.
"He's dead."
Arjun stood frozen.
"He hid it," he whispered. "He knew we'd search him."
Captain Rudra's jaw tightened. "Old trick. False tooth. Microcapsule."
Arjun stared at the lifeless body.
"He never planned to talk."
"No," Captain Rudra said grimly. "He planned to disappear."
The recorder was still running.
Captain Rudra shut it off.
"All we have now," he said quietly,
"is what he didn't say."
Arjun felt the weight of it settle in his chest.
"This wasn't just him," he said.
Captain Rudra met his eyes.
"No," he replied. "This was a link."
And somewhere beyond SHIELD's walls, the chain was still intact.
The rain hadn't stopped since they relocated.