The room was thick with fear. The other captives sat frozen, their eyes wide with terror. The only sounds were shallow breaths and the faint hum of the control panel. Suddenly, ARIA's voice cut through the silence.
"It's ready, sir."
Sohel's gaze sharpened. He leaned closer and whispered, "Show me the simulation."
Across the room, Naser rose from his chair, his movements deliberate and calm. But before he could settle back, Sohel's voice rang out, loud and full of emotion.
"Naser!"
The name echoed, forcing Naser to turn and meet Sohel's eyes.
"So, you know," Sohel said, voice trembling slightly, "I was really happy when I saw you at the airport the day before yesterday. For a moment, I thought you were the brother I never had. Why did you have to become like this?"
Naser's face darkened, his smile twisting into a sneer. "Oh really? Then where were you when I needed you the most? You weren't there. When I was struggling to get back on my feet, you showed up just to tear me down. To be honest, I always hated you. You had it all from the start — a loving family, a sharp brain, a body you could use to your advantage with just a little training. I was always jealous of you."
He spun around, slamming down into the chair as if the weight of years pressed on his shoulders.
"But it's all right now," Naser continued, voice low and venomous. "In a few hours, I'll be the happiest man alive. I'll have millions. And you? You'll be gone."
Sohel swallowed hard. "Is there no way you'll leave all this behind? Go back to being my best friend?"
Naser's laughter was sharp, cutting through the tension. "Hah! You really think I'd even consider that?"
A deep sigh escaped Sohel. "You leave me no choice then."
---
With practiced ease, Sohel slid the small knife from his belt—the one he'd hidden carefully—and whispered, "Naomi, go!"
Naomi's eyes flared with determination. Sohel rose and dashed toward a guard, covering his face with his hands. Naomi moved in sync, sprinting to a second guard.
Bullets tore through the air—but bounced harmlessly off their Kevlar suits.
With swift, brutal efficiency, they disarmed and incapacitated the two guards. Naser's voice barked from behind them, "Get them!"
Suddenly, eight to ten guards swarmed in, guns blazing.
Sohel and Naomi sprinted, diving behind a control panel for cover. Naomi glanced down at the AK-47 in her hand, then flung it aside. She locked eyes with Sohel.
"Do you still have the knife?"
Sohel grinned, handing it over. "You wanna get close? Perfect. I'll cover you."
Naomi flipped the blade expertly, a lethal smile crossing her face. As Sohel popped up from cover, spraying bullets toward their attackers, Naomi slipped from the shadows, moving fast and silent.
One guard swung his AK's butt at her, but she twisted away, ducking low. In a heartbeat, she was behind him, gripping his collar.
"Good night," she whispered, and slit his throat.
Like a storm, she took down three more guards while Sohel dispatched six others with deadly precision. The gunfire stopped. Silence fell.
Naomi rushed to Jacob and Mitali, slicing their ropes with shaky hands. Sohel scanned the empty chair where Naser had been.
"ARIA, where's backup?"
"Sir, the signal's been sent. They'll arrive in five minutes."
Sohel's face tightened. "Fuck, that's not soon enough. Show me the UAV feed."
A holographic projection shimmered to life. Sohel watched five figures moving fast toward the yard. "That has to be Naser."
He turned to find Naomi pacing anxiously. Jacob lay unconscious on the floor, Mitali kneeling beside him, checking his condition.
"So, what's his status?" Sohel asked quietly.
Mitali looked up, worry etched in her face. "Internal bleeding. Thanks to the medical gear you gave me, I've administered TXA intravenously. It's temporary though—he needs ER attention immediately."
Sohel nodded sharply. "You stay here and look after Jacob. Naomi, you're with me. The army will be here any minute. We stall Naser until they arrive."
Naomi flipped the knife in her hand, smirking. "I've got what I need right here."
Sohel laughed, relief and affection shining through. "Of course you do."
Together, they slipped out of the control room and sprinted toward the front yard—ready to face whatever was coming.