15:00 – Dapunia, Beside Pabna-Ishwardi Highway
Sohel sat in the driver's seat of the rented Honda, eyes fixed on the display inside his smart glasses. Aria was feeding him surveillance data: unusual movement around a decaying two-story house on the edge of Dapunia. For weeks, people had been slipping in and out at night. Just last night, a truck had unloaded dozens of jute bags there.
He replayed the satellite feed twice more, studying every detail, then ordered, "Aria, wipe the footage."
A moment later, he called Naomi.
"Naomi, get to Dapunia. Now. Bring the Whisper-Wing."
"Right now?" she asked.
"Yes. And leave Jacob with my friends so they don't suspect anything."
"Yes, sir."
"And stop calling me sir."
"You outrank me."
"Not in age. We're the same age, Naomi. Just drop it when it's not official."
"Ok… sir."
The line went dead before Sohel could respond.
---
15:28
Naomi arrived and spotted Sohel waving from inside the Honda. She slipped into the passenger seat, setting a slim black briefcase on her lap.
He gave her a nod. She popped it open, revealing a rugged tablet and several insect-sized drones disguised as flies. Her fingers moved quickly over the screen. Moments later, the drones zipped toward the house, streaming grainy but clear footage back to them.
Room by room, they found nothing but layers of dust and rotting furniture—until one drone's ultrasound scan picked up a hidden pocket behind a closet. Maneuvering into the gap, the feed revealed a staircase descending into the dark.
Naomi's brow furrowed. The basement was stacked with jute bags, but that wasn't what caught their attention—four armed men lounged nearby, chatting casually, rifles slung over their shoulders.
Sohel's expression hardened. "Bring the drone back. Gear up."
"Gear up with what?"
He was already out of the car, popping the trunk. Naomi followed and froze. Inside was their full combat kit.
"I had a feeling," he said. "Suit up."
In minutes, they were wearing plate carriers over civilian clothes, helmets locked in place.
"Aria, you copy?"
"Solid copy, boss."
"Night vision on. Launch a UAV—scan the area for more hostiles while we clear the house."
"On it."
He keyed his comm. "Ghost to Medusa, how copy?"
"Loud and clear, LT," Naomi replied.
"Good. Move out."
---
They crept to the porch. Sohel carried his M17 pistol; Naomi's hands gripped an MP5. The front door was locked, so Sohel motioned her to the back. A shattered kitchen window offered an opening.
"UAV is airborne," Aria reported.
"Sitrep?"
"Four tangos in the basement. No other movement in the area—for now."
Slipping inside, Sohel swept the kitchen, then quietly unlocked the back door for Naomi. He pointed to the switchbox, and she moved toward it while he shifted the heavy closet aside to reveal the basement stairs.
He descended partway, then whispered, "Cut the power."
The basement dropped into darkness. From below came muffled voices—no alarm, just confusion. One man announced he was going upstairs for a lamp.
Sohel slipped down the rest of the steps, night vision flicking on. The remaining three men were fumbling with their phones, trying to get flashlight apps to work. Sohel moved fast—three sharp strikes with his pistol butt, and they were on the floor groaning.
The fourth man had barely turned when Sohel's shot dropped him, a bullet in the leg.
"Lights," he called up. Naomi restored the power and joined him.
They dragged the wounded man to a chair. Minutes of interrogation passed before the prisoner finally talked—and with every word, Sohel's and Naomi's faces shifted from anger to dread.
---
19:45
"Aria, patch me through to Dhaka HQ," Sohel ordered.
"Securing connection. Contacting…"
A clipped voice came over the comms. "This is Seven Nation Army regional command. Identify."
"Bravo squad leader, call sign Bravo 2-1, alias Ghost. Requesting secure connection to General Overlord."
"ID?"
"SCBD19."
Seconds later, a deep, gravelly voice filled Sohel's ear. "Ghost. Sitrep."
"Sir, Medusa and I found a safe house in Dapunia. Interrogation revealed that Lu Shen is planning to steal uranium from Rooppur tomorrow—and blow the plant to cover it up."
"You have proof?"
"No, sir. The prisoner claims the job came from an anonymous call. But Lu Shen's sudden appearance in Pabna after years of lying low—it's him."
Overlord paused. "Stay low. Tomorrow, get to the power plant. Gather proof. Stop the heist. Overlord out."
"Ghost out."
Naomi asked, "Orders?"
"We wait, then stop them tomorrow."
Aria's voice cut in urgently. "Boss, three vehicles inbound—fifteen hostiles total."
Sohel's head snapped up. "Why didn't you warn me sooner?"
"They just popped on the scan."
They bolted for the car. As the engine roared, the first of the incoming goons spilled into the compound.
"Shit!" Sohel slammed the gas pedal to the floor.