Night draped Karachi in restless silence. The streets glistened under scattered rain as Mehmood, Farzana, Farooq, Rehman, and the Shoki Detectives moved through the narrow back alleys near the docks. Their breaths came out in faint mist, every step echoing off the wet concrete.
The old dockyard loomed ahead—massive cranes, rusted containers, and the smell of salt and oil. The only lights came from a flickering lamppost and the distant hum of patrol drones sweeping the horizon.
Rehman crouched near a fence, scanning the area through binoculars. "Two guards by the gate. Probably mercs. Jeeral's men, not local."
Aftab peered over his shoulder. "Mercs? Great. I was hoping for bored security guards."
Mehmood tapped his wrist display. "The stealth craft is stored beneath Hangar 9. Dad's blueprints show an underground entry hatch. We get in quiet, power it up, and leave before anyone notices."
Farzana looked unconvinced. "And if they do notice?"
Mehmood's tone was flat. "Then we improvise."
Rehman smirked. "Spoken like a Khan."
They slipped along the fence until they reached a broken section hidden by crates. One by one, they crawled through. Shoki took point, signaling them to stay low as they crossed the open yard.
Halfway there, the faint whir of a drone made them freeze. The light beam swept dangerously close.
"Stay down," Shoki whispered.
But Farooq, crouched behind a barrel, shifted slightly—and the drone caught the motion. A red light blinked.
"Run!" Mehmood shouted.
Gunfire erupted. Bullets tore through the air, sparks dancing off metal containers. Rehman fired back, covering their retreat. "Move! Hangar 9—go!"
They sprinted through the maze of crates, ducking as bullets whizzed past. Farzana tripped, but Farhat grabbed her arm, pulling her back to her feet.
Inside the hangar, the sound of the storm drowned out the gunfire. The air smelled of rust and machinery. In the center stood what looked like an abandoned cargo truck—until Mehmood tore off a dusty tarp to reveal a sleek, black vehicle shaped like a submarine with folded rotor fins.
"The Seraph-01," Mehmood whispered. "Dad actually built it."
Aftab let out a low whistle. "Remind me to question your family's definition of 'hobby projects.'"
Farzana climbed inside, flipping switches as Mehmood connected his laptop to the console. "Power cells are intact," she said. "Hydrogen-fusion core at 60% capacity."
Rehman glanced toward the door. "We don't have time for a systems check."
"Then skip it," Mehmood replied. "Just get in."
They piled inside as gunfire rattled against the hangar walls. Mehmood hit the ignition. The vehicle hummed to life, glowing lines tracing along its frame like veins of light.
"Hold tight," he said. "This thing was built for speed, not comfort."
The Seraph-01 roared forward, smashing through the side gate and plunging into the dark waters below. The impact sent waves crashing, but the craft stabilized almost instantly, diving beneath the surface.
Inside, the noise faded to a low hum. Blue light filled the cabin. Everyone sat in silence, catching their breath.
Farhat finally spoke. "So, where exactly are we going?"
Mehmood stared at the radar display. "Toward the source of Jeeral's signal. The underwater facility."
Rehman looked skeptical. "And what happens when we find it?"
Mehmood's gaze hardened. "Then we finish what Dad started."
---
Meanwhile, far above, inside a penthouse overlooking Karachi's skyline, Jeeral watched the escape footage replay on a holographic screen. His fingers traced the frozen image of Mehmood Khan, zooming in slowly.
"So, the son takes up the father's mission," he said, his voice calm, almost thoughtful.
A woman in black armor stepped forward. "Orders, sir?"
Jeeral turned toward her, eyes like storm clouds. "Deploy the Phantoms. No noise, no witnesses. Bring me the Khan siblings alive. The others—erase them."
She bowed slightly. "As you wish."
Jeeral turned back to the window, the city lights reflecting across his cold features. "They're following the path I left for them," he murmured. "And they don't even see where it leads."
---
Back in the Seraph-01, the radar pinged softly. Mehmood leaned closer. "We're approaching the signal."
Farzana peered out through the small viewport. In the distance, faint lights shimmered deep beneath the sea—a hidden city of machines.
Farooq whispered, "What is that?"
Mehmood's voice was barely audible. "Jeeral's fortress."
Rehman loaded his rifle. "Then let's pay him a visit."
Outside, the ocean swallowed the last light of day as the craft descended into darkness. Somewhere within that abyss, the true war was about to begin.