Intertwined ०२

NAMELESS RAILWAY STATION, NEXT DAY-

The next day, a train pulled into the station, resembling more of an armored caravan of mechanized soldiers, loaded with tanks and anti-aircraft guns. As the soldiers disembarked, some began patrolling the station while others stood guard at specific spots. It was immediately clear that their military uniforms were far more advanced and high-tech than those of ordinary soldiers, with helmets, jet-packs, and an array of different guns.

Following them was a woman, wearing a military uniform underneath a white lab coat. She stepped off the train and surveyed the station, inspecting every corner for any potential threats. After a thorough scan, she turned to the commanding officer of the soldiers and received a report that everything was secure.

"Good job, Major," she said, "but let's not get too complacent. We have to stay vigilant."

"Of course, Commander," replied the Major. "We take our duties seriously."

As she made her way towards the crossover bridge, she noticed a faint smell and wrinkled her nose. The Major noticed her expression and asked, "Is everything okay, Commander?"

"No, I smell something," she replied. "Something unusual."

The Major's eyes widened. "Should we call for backup?"

"No, it's probably nothing," she said, trying to place the scent. "Just keep an eye out and let me know if anything else seems off."

As they walked, the Commander couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"You know, Major," she said, "we may have advanced goggles, different types of flying jetpacks, and guns that could blow up a mountain in seconds, but we lack the most basic of human senses – the ability to smell."

She said while moving towards the stairs of the crossover bridge.

"With all due respect ma'am, our well trained dogs are able to notice even the samllest amount of smell." The Major, who was in the command of the soldiers there replied with a proud face.

With all due respect, Major, our well-trained dogs are impressive, but they still have their limitations," said the woman in the lab coat, her eyes scanning the area.

The Major's proud expression wavered, and he furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, ma'am? Our dogs are trained to detect even the smallest scent. They've never let us down before."

"I don't doubt their abilities, Major," she replied. "But what if we could expand our own capabilities beyond what nature has given us? What if we could surpass the limitations of our own bodies?"

The Major was intrigued. "What are you suggesting, ma'am?"

"I have an idea," she said with a determined glint in her eye. "But for now, let's focus on the task at hand."

As they crossed the bridge, the woman directed the Major to call for backup and put the soldiers on high alert. Soon they were joined by a group of ten soldiers, all geared up and ready for action.

The Major couldn't help but wonder what was going on. "May I ask why we're on high alert, ma'am?"

"You'll find out soon enough," she replied cryptically. "Just stay sharp and don't let your guard down."

They made their way down the stairs on the other side of the station, and the woman led them into the forest. The sun was already high in the sky, but the dense canopy of the trees kept the forest dimly lit.

The soldiers took to their jetpacks and followed the woman, who was leaping from tree to tree with an inhuman speed and grace. The Major was in awe as he watched her move effortlessly through the treetops.

"Where are we going, ma'am?" he asked, struggling to keep up.

"Patience, Major," she replied. "All will be revealed soon enough."

As she descended onto the forest floor, the woman in the lab coat gestured for the Major and the soldiers to halt. Pointing in the direction of some bushes, she asked the Major, "What is your opinion on that?"

"It appears that someone was killed here, and quite brutally at that," replied the Major, examining the signs of the struggle before them.

"It seems to have been a fight to the death, but a particularly brutal one. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this," added the woman in the lab coat, nodding in agreement with the Major's assessment. The Major was taken aback.

"Really?" he asked incredulously. "Indeed," she confirmed with a nod. They quickly sealed off the area and began collecting any significant evidence.

An hour later, the woman sat in her tent near the crime scene, sipping her chai while the Major stood before her, presenting their findings.

"We have also discovered something unique, unlike anything we've seen before. It's a green liquid with--" he began, only to be interrupted by his superior.

"Is it a color-changing liquid?" she interjected. "Exactly, but--" the Major began, cut off by a sudden hiccup and a gasp of surprise from the woman in the lab coat.

"I'll be damned if I'm not surprised," she exclaimed. "But the truly shocking part is that he was right all along."

"Who was right, ma'am?" the Major inquired, confused.

Ignoring his question, she lifted her phone and declared, "I'll call him myself."

WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH- SAME DAY;

Nestled deep in the heart of a dense forest, a peculiar village called Karana stood on both sides of a road that cut straight through the woods. With around fifty houses made of concrete and a handful of thatched huts, Karana was an isolated village that had little contact with the outside world. The closest village was five kilometers to the east, while the nearest market was seven kilometers to the north.

To the south of the village, there was a single lake, and to the west, two more lakes glistened in the sunlight. The tranquil atmosphere of the village was seldom interrupted by visitors, which is why the arrival of someone new had the whole village buzzing with excitement.

One evening, with the sky covered in a blanket of clouds, a man could be seen approaching the village from the north. Some children playing outside their houses spotted the mysterious figure and ran to their homes.

Within minutes, the news of the visitor had spread throughout the village, and residents flocked to the village road to catch a glimpse of the stranger.

As the man drew closer, it became apparent that he was accompanied by another person who was carrying heavy luggage. The first man, in his twenties, was wearing a saffron kurta and a white dhoti, with a turban of yellow color.

He was so engrossed in a book that he did not seem to notice the curious gazes of the villagers. The second man, who looked to be in his thirties, was about 6 feet tall with a muscular build, one side of his head shaved, and was dressed in a blue t-shirt and black jeans. He did not return the villagers' stares with a friendly expression.

As they neared the abandoned house at the eastern end of the village, the man carrying the luggage set it down and opened the door. He went inside and emerged with a chair, gesturing for the other man to sit down. Just as the book reading man was about to sit down, his phone rang. He answered the call, saying, "Oh, I see. So, you finally found one of his victims?"

The person on the other end of the line was inaudible, but the bookworm's voice could be heard clearly. It was solid, loud, and soft at the same time.

"Nah, I don't need to come there myself. I got what I needed. Wait, what are you saying? He did it on the station? That's pretty bold of him, but I guess he didn't know about the facility nearby.... No, it's hard to reach any conclusion without eliminating all other possibilities. ...Either way, I think we should keep all our options open," he concluded before ending the call.

Meanwhile, at the station where a lady in a lab coat was investigating a crime scene, she hung up her phone and muttered to herself, "Can you believe it? He said he got what he needed. What did I even tell him?"

Looking at the major, she said, "Secure the facility and keep it on high alert. I don't want anything bad happening there." The major nodded in agreement.

Across the forest, the villagers in Ajay's hometown were still reeling from the news that he had suddenly sold all his property and left town.

Some whispered that he had lost his mind, while others whispered of something far more sinister. But no one knew the truth of what had really happened on that fateful night.