Mr. Desai struggled to sit up, leaning against a rusted crate.
"The solar eclipse is tomorrow afternoon," Desai said, his voice urgent. "According to the ancient texts, the alignment of Rahu and Ketu with the sun spikes the local dark photon density. That is when the Core will reach maximum capacity."
"If Devendra activates the Core during the eclipse," Rhea said, "the electromagnetic field will become permanent. Mumbai will be cut off from the rest of the world, ruled by Malhotra's shadow network."
"How do we stop it, Mr. Desai?" Rohan asked, standing up.
"You must go to the Gateway of India," Desai said, looking at Vikram. "The Core's primary capacitor is housed directly beneath the stone arch. During the peak of the eclipse, the reactor will be at its most vulnerable."
"I have to short-circuit it," Vikram said.
"Yes," Desai nodded. "But it will require a massive discharge of Prana. You will have to channel your own energy directly into the capacitor. Vikram... the feedback will be immense. It could destroy your nervous system, just like it would a normal human."
"My father died to stop this," Vikram said, his face hardening. "I won't let his sacrifice be for nothing. I'm going."