Chapter 4: Father and Son
The S.O.U.L headquarters buzzed with quiet energy. Inside the steel walls and high-tech chambers, Commander Vikram stood by the window, hands behind his back.
The doors opened with a hiss. Officer Ram entered and tossed a folder on the desk.
"All done. No loose ends," he said.
Vikram didn't turn. "You never follow rules. You never take orders."
"I get results," Ram replied, smirking.
"You're reckless," Vikram said, now turning to face him. "But unfortunately for the rest of us... you're good."
"You mean fortunately," Ram corrected.
Vikram's eyes narrowed. "I only tolerate your behavior because you're my son. My adopted son. The others? They're ready to throw you out."
Ram chuckled. "They're scared of me, not angry. Scared because I go into cases they won't touch with a pole. I don't need their approval. I just need a case."
He turned and walked to the door.
"Oh, and the heater in the war room is busted," he said, pausing. "Call the repair guy. It's freezing."
Vikram looked at him leave. A mix of anger, pride... and something deeper. The past. The truth about why he adopted Ram. A secret even Ram didn't fully know.
And now, a darker mission was about to begin.