"So, what do you think you're doing?"
Mitali rubbed her forehead, looking both flustered and guilty as she stood up.
Naomi and Jacob rose as well, stepping behind Sohel protectively.
Jacob eyed Mitali with a curious glint. "You talked about a traitor among your friends. Is she the traitor?"
Sohel chuckled softly. "No, she's just a curious cat."
Jacob pulled out a Beretta, twirling it lightly in his hand. "As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. May I, sir?"
Mitali's eyes widened, and she instinctively took a few steps back.
Sohel quickly placed his hand over Jacob's weapon, lowering the barrel. "No need. She's the recruit."
Jacob looked mildly disappointed, muttering, "Hmm. Another woman. Okay, I guess."
Sohel turned back to Mitali with a gentle smile. "So, why were you eavesdropping on us?"
Taking a deep breath, Mitali steadied herself. "I'm sorry. I was eavesdropping, but first… you tell me—where were you two this afternoon?"
"What do you mean?" Sohel asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I heard you talking about raiding a house and getting chased. What exactly are you guys?"
Naomi and Jacob exchanged glances. Sohel stayed quiet for a moment before finally saying, "It's a bit early to explain, but I guess it's okay. Both of you, tell our recruit about our mission. I'll be back shortly."
"Understood, boss," Jacob said as Sohel left the room.
Jacob locked the door behind Sohel and turned to Mitali.
"Alright, let's get started. What do you want to know?"
"Everything," Mitali replied, her eyes searching. "Who are you really? How do you know Sohel? What does he have to do with the highway shooting?"
Jacob sighed deeply. "We're part of the Seven Nation Army. Me, Naomi, Sohel—we're all Bravo squad. The SNA members who saved you this evening were Naomi and Sohel. And, uh… sorry for putting you in danger. Our original mission was to collect evidence against a Chinese businessman named Lu Shen. We suspected he had ties to a group called the New World Order."
Mitali blinked, confused. "Wait… what's the New World Order?"
Naomi stepped forward. "They're a secret society—victims of the last world war, ultranationalists, and greedy power players. They're unhappy with the SNA's role in ending that war and want to abolish the SNA and restart the conflict to finish it once and for all. They're ruthless, and their members are everywhere."
"So what do the SNA and NWO have to do with the shooting this afternoon?"
Naomi's eyes darkened. "NWO was importing weapons through that safehouse. We found the stash, which they didn't like, so they attacked us."
"So… what happens now?"
Jacob looked serious. "Sorry, I can't say more than this. If we told you everything, we'd have to silence you. I don't think Sohel would like that."
Mitali nodded. "Okay. I understand."
Naomi shrugged. "But if you really want to know, we could tell you—on one condition. You join the SNA and help us with this mission."
Mitali blinked, hesitating. "Uh… I'll have to decline. I'm just a medic. I can't help you."
Naomi sighed dramatically. "Well, that's a loss." She stood and stretched. "Anyway, let's cool it until Sohel returns."
Jacob smirked and whispered, "You seem happy she declined."
Naomi shot back quietly, "Shut up."
Naomi moved to open a wall cabinet but froze when loud banging came from the door.
Ovi's frantic voice called out, "Mitali, come out! There's police here—they're taking Naser away!"
Mitali's face went pale. She bolted toward the reception with Ovi's voice echoing behind her. Naomi and Jacob exchanged a look and quickly followed.