Shadows in Goa
Scene 1: Confusion in Communication
Setting: ISI Headquarters, Pakistan
Aaliya leaned back in her chair, exhausted yet alert, when her computer pinged with a message. She opened it cautiously. The content was encrypted, as usual—but the sender address looked eerily familiar.
Her heart raced. "Zayan?" she whispered, fingers moving rapidly over the keys to decode the message.
It read: "Captured in Israel."
Aaliya immediately typed a message to Hamza. "Sir, I've just received another update on Zayan's location—Israel. But… something feels off. The last intel had us in Lebanon, and now this?"
Before she could finish, a second message appeared on her screen: "RAW has him. He's in Goa, India."
She sucked in a sharp breath. "Two locations within seconds? This has to be a setup… But what if…?"
Hamza responded quickly to her first message. "Another location? Alright. Aaliya, consolidate your information, and we'll decide."
Then she received his follow-up after her second message: "Team, change of plans. Zayan could be in Goa under RAW cover. We can't ignore this. Pack up, and meet in the mission room."
Aaliya sat back, trying to steady her nerves. She couldn't shake the unease creeping over her.
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Scene 2: The Briefing
Setting: Mission Room, ISI Headquarters
Hamza stood in front of the assembled team, his expression grim. "We're heading to Goa. This is a highly sensitive area for RAW operations, and if Zayan is there, he's in more danger than we imagined."
Rizwan, who had been observing from the back, spoke up. "We'll deploy you near the coast via submarine. It's a silent drop; we can't afford to be detected. Aaliya, Irfan, Ubaid, and Kashif—you're all in."
Kashif raised an eyebrow. "Goa, huh? Didn't think our mission would take us to a place known for beaches and tourists."
Hamza shot him a look. "This isn't a vacation, Kashif. RAW agents blend into the crowd there, especially near the tourist spots. You'll need to stay undercover. The moment we've got Zayan, get out. Understood?"
The team nodded, their resolve steeling.
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Scene 3: The Silent Drop
Setting: Arabian Sea, Near Goa's Coast
The submarine hummed quietly as it glided beneath the waters, and the team prepared for their deployment. Rizwan, adjusting the final navigation for the drop-off, gave each team member a quick nod.
"Alright, team," he said over the radio. "You're ten minutes out. Once we surface, you'll have to be swift and silent. Goa is crawling with RAW surveillance."
Aaliya, donning her gear, looked at Ubaid. "This will be a night to remember, won't it?"
Ubaid grinned. "Just another day, Aaliya. Let's do what we're trained for."
The hatch opened, and one by one, the team slipped silently into the water, surfacing close to the shore under the cover of night. They moved quickly, blending in with the shadows until they reached the designated safe house, where they could regroup.
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Scene 4: Scouting for Intel
Setting: A Secluded Café, Goa
Posing as tourists, the team split up, combing Goa's busy streets for any sign of RAW agents or potential leads on Zayan's location. Aaliya and Irfan settled at a café, watching the crowded beach while pretending to take in the sights.
Irfan leaned forward, his voice low. "I can see at least three undercover agents across the street. They're watching the crowd, probably expecting us."
Aaliya sipped her drink, scanning the area. "Then we'll need to be even more discreet. No sudden movements. Let's see if they're monitoring the entrances and exits."
As they sat in silence, their earpieces crackled with Ubaid's voice. "Found a lead. There's an abandoned villa on the outskirts. Locals say RAW agents have been frequenting the area recently, and no one knows why."
Hamza's voice came through next. "Head there tonight. Be careful; if RAW knows you're looking for Zayan, they'll be waiting."
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Scene 5: The Villa
Setting: Abandoned Villa, Outskirts of Goa
Under the cover of night, the team arrived at the villa, an eerie building surrounded by tall grass and heavy foliage. Aaliya and Ubaid approached the perimeter, scanning for any signs of guards.
Aaliya whispered, "See anything?"
Ubaid nodded. "A few guards at the entrance. Let's keep it quiet. Irfan, take the left; Kashif, cover the back."
They advanced with military precision, taking out guards silently until they reached the villa's dimly lit interior. The place was deserted except for a single locked room at the far end.
Aaliya's heartbeat quickened. "He has to be in there."
Kashif pried the door open, revealing a small, dark room…empty. On the wall, scrawled in chalk, were the words: "You're too late."
Aaliya stared at the message, frustration boiling in her veins. "They've moved him. This was all a setup."
Just then, the room erupted in sirens, and lights flooded the area. Ubaid grabbed Aaliya's arm. "Move! It's a trap!"
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Scene 6: The Escape
Setting: Villa Grounds
As they sprinted out of the villa, bullets whizzed past them. RAW agents poured into the area, blocking exits. Irfan fired back, creating a temporary shield while the others navigated through the villa's maze-like corridors.
Kashif yelled, "The beach is our only way out!"
The team ran for the shore, zigzagging through the brush. Aaliya turned back, firing at their pursuers, slowing them just enough to reach the beach, where Rizwan's submarine surfaced to extract them.
The team dove into the water, reaching the hatch as the submarine submerged.
Inside, breathless and soaked, Aaliya looked at Hamza on the submarine's communication line. "They knew we were coming. They're toying with us, Hamza."
Hamza's voice was calm but firm. "Then we'll keep going. I'll review the intel to see how they've been tracking us. Stay alert. This is far from over."
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Scene 7: A Message from the Shadows
Setting: Submarine En Route Back to Base
As they settled into the quiet of the submarine, Aaliya's device beeped once more. Another message appeared on her screen.
This time, it was a live video feed. The grainy image showed Zayan, bound and blindfolded, sitting in a dark room with an unmistakable RAW insignia on the wall behind him. A low voice echoed from the device: "You'll never find him. Give up, or next time, we won't be so merciful."
The screen went dark.
Aaliya clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. "They think they can scare us off? We're just getting started."
Hamza's voice cut through, low and determined. "Then let's make them regret it."
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End of Chapter