After Mitra and the rebels escape, a fresh unit of Imperial soldiers arrives in the Ghost City and halts at the entry gate. The Admiral stands there, feeling the full weight of the years of betrayal he committed—turning rebels over to the Imperials, many of whom were once his own people.
Guilt crushes him; frustration gnaws at his bones. Seeing Gayatri fight for the rebellion stabbed him like a dagger in the heart.
He thinks of his children… of his wife… and feels utterly hopeless.
As the troops approach, he shouts in a weak voice, "You're so late!"
Stella comes up behind him.
"I saw them… heading toward the Neutral Territory!"
"We can't catch them now!"
"Why?"
"We need the aircraft!"
He turns to the incoming troops.
"Where is the bloody aircraft?"
The captain of the Imperial unit answers, "It will arrive in an hour, Sir."
The Admiral mutters, "I don't like this at all."
"I'm sorry, Sir… there's nothing we can do."
Arjun's communicator blinks. A message flashes: "The Governor is waiting."
Stella notices the change in her husband's expression.
"Please… be careful."
"Bring them to the building. Ask Preston to come."
The Admiral enters his vehicle and drives toward the Imperial Building. After reaching, he gets down, enters, and takes the lift to the top floor.
He opens the door to his office, shuts it behind him, walks to the table, presses a switch—and the screen glows to life.
The Governor's face appears. Arjun bows.
"Arjun."
"Governor… why did you delay? All my men are dead—except a few!"
"The rebels succeeded in transmitting their message. There is unrest… provocation."
"It's all because of you! If you had sent troops earlier—or if we had the aircraft—we could have crushed them!"
"Where is Mitra?"
Realising the Governor doesn't care about his frustration, Arjun answers, "He escaped with the rebels."
"He knows, then."
"Yes."
"I've seen the report. Judy is still alive?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Disappointing."
Arjun finally snaps.
"You bastard! Every single thing is a disappointment to you! Why don't you just let me live in peace, Governor?"
The Governor's eyes turn cold.
"Admiral… is this how you repay the Imperial Regime? With anger and lack of discipline?"
Arjun avoids eye contact.
"Where is Gayatri?"
The Admiral takes a long breath, swallowing the grief strangling his throat.
"Preston shot her."
"I see… that explains the odd behavior. Regardless, the board will be pleased. You finally have something in your forte to be praised for. Use the new troops to find Mitra and Judy—dead or alive. And then we will proceed with your retirement plan."
The transmission ends.
***
An hour after the escape, Mitra follows the Imperial jeep stolen by the rebels. His mind spirals—everything about his parents, his father's rebellion, Arjun's betrayal… it all crashes inside him.
Suddenly, he stops the Interceptor.
"Why are you stopping here?" Judy asks.
The Imperial jeep halts as well. Shankar steps down and walks toward them.
Mitra speaks through his grief, "I'm confused… I don't know… it's lies and betrayal… I—"
"Shall I drive?", Judy asks gently.
Mitra looks at her, "Yes. I don't… I'm confused."
Shankar knocks on the left window, "Is everything alright?"
Judy lowers the glass, coughing as the foul desert air irritates her throat—and Mitra's.
"I'll drive," she replies.
"Shall I come with you?", Shankar asks.
"Sure."
Mary steps out of the jeep.
"Is Judy alright?"
"Everything's fine," Judy replies.
"I'm coming with you," Mary says, walking toward the Interceptor. She climbs in.
"This is one heck of a scrap," Shankar mutters.
Mitra and Judy cover their faces with extra cloth. They step out, switch seats, and Judy starts the vehicle. Mitra stares out the window; Mary and Shankar ready their weapons. No one is chasing them—yet.
It's almost midnight.
"What's the plan?" Shankar asks.
"We'll go back to our base," Judy replies. "After that… we split up."
"Split up? Why?"
"I'm going in pursuit of the Lost Paradise."
Both Shankar and Mary stare at her.
"Are you sure it exists?" Mary asks.
"Gayatri solved the puzzle."
"From the data drives?"
"Yes."
Mary glances at Mitra, but he doesn't notice.
"Why is he coming with us? We should kill him right here! He has captured many of ours!" Mary fumes.
"He is Gayatri and Krishna's son."
"What?", Shankar and Mary shout together, shocked.
Judy switches on the high beam; the rocky, skidding paths need it.
"How can this be?", Shankar asks.
"It's frustrating to believe this disgusting person is her son," Mary spits.
"She always kept secrets," Judy says. "Even I—who was closest to her—never knew. She told me she had a husband, a child, but never revealed who. And here he is."
"Can we trust him?", Shankar demands.
"I don't know… I really don't. But she told me to put faith in him."
"Faith? This is madness!", Shankar snaps.
"Do we have any other choice?" Judy answers.
Both fall silent.
Mitra avoids the conversation completely. He knows he will never belong among them. Secrets and lies have broken him.
Judy's thoughts spiral: How can I trust him? I don't know him. Mother… why would you put me in this position? You always spoke of your son, but never his name. Never his father's name. And he… he is a mercenary who kills for money.
Mitra thinks: Who am I then? How can Gayatri be my mother? Oh, Father… what am I going to do? I caught rebels… I locked them away… I don't know what to do. Maybe this gun…
Remorse burns through him. He looks at Judy's holster—its strap loose. A spare gun. Easy to grab.
He quietly takes it out.
Mary notices from behind.
"Mitra!" she screams.
He presses the barrel to his head as Judy slams the brakes. The vehicle jerks to a halt. The gun drops under the seat.
"What the hell are you doing?" Judy shouts.
"I'm doing what's right! You should have killed me!"
"I can't!"
"Then let me do it!" he yells.
He grabs the gun again and places it inside his mouth.
Judy lunges, wrests the weapon away, and slaps him.
She switches on the cabin light, speaks softly: "Come to your senses, Mitra… please."
Mitra looks into her eyes—and she sees Gayatri's eyes reflected in him.
"You can change. You can be better."
"I…"
"Will you help me find Paradise?"
Mitra turns away, silent for a long moment.
Finally: "I will."
"This is insane! How can you trust him?", Shankar snaps.
Judy looks at Mitra, removes his face cloth, stares deep into his eyes.
"Mitra… are you certain?"
He nods and extends his hand. She places hers over it. A firm handshake seals their fragile trust.
Mary shakes her head, "Don't you see this could be an Imperial trick?"
Judy asks Mitra, "How well do you remember your father?"
"He was all I had. I knew nothing of my mother except fragments. He praised the rebels. He kept old-world things… and he—"
"Stop, Mitra. I understand," Judy says quietly.
"I never opened up before."
"I still don't trust him," Shankar says.
"Neither do I," Mary adds.
Judy restarts the engine.
"How did you meet my mother?" Mitra asks.
"In the labour camp. I was a child. She and others escaped with me. She taught me everything—combat, survival… everything."
"You knew her then…" Mitra whispers. "I wish… I wish I had known her earlier."
"I wish she was with us too," Judy replies.
***
Hours later, they reach Neutral Territory before dawn. Judy is exhausted—the past 24 hours have reshaped her life. They reach the mining caves. All four step out.
They spot the Imperial jeep Toshiro had driven.
"What took you so long?" Toshiro asks—then sees Mitra.
"What is he doing here?"
Ahmed's eyes widen. "Why is he with us?"
Judy explains everything about Gayatri being Mitra's mother. Their reactions mirror Shankar and Mary's.
Ahmed glares at Mitra, remembering their previous fight.
"Don't trick us."
"I know you want me dead. If you want, kill me," Mitra says flatly.
Ahmed raises his gun to Mitra's head, but Judy stops him.
"Enough!"
Ahmed steps closer, "We're trusting a dead woman's word, Judy!"
"Leave him. He's coming with me. All of you will split up. Shankar and Mary to the northern base. You and Toshiro to the east. We can't take chances."
"Why is he with you?" Ahmed demands.
"Because he wants to be."
"I don't trust him."
"I do… for now."
"You're making a mistake!"
Judy turns to Mitra, "Give us a minute."
"Yeah… I'll wait near the Interceptor."
Toshiro stops him, "What if you pull a weapon and shoot us?"
"He has none. We checked," Judy replies.
Mitra walks toward the vehicles. He looks at the rising sun and adjusts his face cloth.
Judy scratches her eyes; the air irritates even through the mask.
"Why?" Toshiro asks.
"We have to take chances."
"So, we split up?"
"Yes. Let's go inside."
The five enter the cave. Judy opens a safe and takes out three mini data drives.
She keeps one, gives the others to Shankar, Mary, Toshiro, and Ahmed.
"These contain the map to the Lost Paradise. Two are backups. If you don't hear from me after six months—search for it on your own."
"You don't trust him then?" Shankar asks.
"That will take time."
"What if he kills you?"
"You have six months."
"It's a huge risk," Mary says.
"Better I take it than any of you. We need forces. Just gather them.
If I fail…"
"What about our mother's transmission?" Shankar asks.
"We wait. It will shake the Imperials. If it reached our allies… we may have hope."
"It's a dead end if it didn't," Ahmed insists, "We should've taken control of Ghost City..."
"And then get crushed by reinforcements?" Judy answers.
"I don't understand your leadership. Nor our mother's!"
Judy closes her eyes briefly.
Mother… I'm not ready. Please help me…
"Please, Ahmed."
He breathes out heavily, "Fine. Where will you go?"
"To the Shadow Tribes. Then to the mountain."
"It's close. We can come."
"No. We can't risk so many. That's why we're splitting and copying the plan."
"What if the Imperials chase you?"
"They will. That's why I'm taking Mitra. He might help stop them."
"And the Shadow Tribes?"
"They'll fight alongside us."
"Will they even agree?"
"I don't know," Judy admits. "I really don't."
She picks up a medical kit and a spare mask.
"Let's split up."
Ahmed steps closer, "Good luck. Six months. If we hear nothing—we strike."
They share brief, painful hugs—knowing they may never meet again.
Shankar, Ahmed, Mary, and Toshiro board the Imperial jeep and leave.
As the sun climbs, Judy approaches Mitra, who is sitting on the Interceptor's bonnet.
She hands him the mask.
"Here," she says softly.
"Take this."
Mitra takes the mask, removes the cloth from his face, and puts it on.
"They're leaving then?" he asks.
"Yes. They don't trust you at all."
"Isn't that too much to ask?"
"I don't have any choice except to keep my faith in you."
"Well… thanks.", Mitra shows a hint of gratitude.
"Don't thank me."
"Where are we going first?"
"First, we'll pick up some guns from the abandoned city, about an hour's journey from here."
"Don't you have anything here?"
"I gave everything to them. But we'll need more—for the Shadow Tribes."
"They're savages."
"No, they're not! They're our allies."
"Are they?" Mitra asks.
Judy explains: "The Shadow Tribes want to unify people without discrimination. Their leader, Shafiq, is young but wise. He believes in educating children and preserving everything Mother Nature has given us, even in harsh conditions. They live like monks—with families—teaching children about nature, habitats, and responsible consumption.
"That's why they allied with Gayatri and the rebels. But the Imperials don't want such development. They believe controlling people—and shooting them—keeps their regime alive. That's where the ideologies clash."
After hearing this, Mitra asks, "What about the Islanders?"
Judy continues: "The Islanders share similar beliefs, but they're more combat-focused. They're one of the major suppliers of resources to the rebels. I've never met any personally, but Gayatri worked with them often."
Mitra nods slowly, "Nurturing nature will help the world restore itself. But the Imperials don't want that."
Judy opens the trunk of the vehicle, loads food and a few weapons, and shuts it.
"The simplest solution was never a solution to the Imperials. They only know how to create problems—and overconsume resources—for their own people."
"True," Mitra says, realizing the hidden agenda. "Imperial Industries provide the best resources only to Imperial workers… not to everyone."
Judy replies, "Creating divisions gives them control. When you control resources—oversupply one side and starve the other—you create hunger, death, and dependence."
"I never thought of it before," Mitra admits. "I saw them kill innocents. I regretted it. But this vengeance… it ruined me. I'm sorry, Judy. I really am."
"Mitra, your vengeance destroyed you. Look at your actions—how they manipulated you for so long…"
"I should have joined the rebels earlier. I never realized rebellion was in my blood."
"Aren't we all rebels in some way?"
"I guess so. What after we reach the Shadow Tribes?"
"We'll request a few tribesmen to join us on our journey into the mountain—to find Paradise."
"That's it?"
"Yes, Mitra."
"I thought the mountain was filled with toxic plants."
"No. We get our herbs from there—with the tribes' help," Judy clarifies. She stops for a moment and adds, "That's the Imperial trick. They want you to believe lies by spreading misinformation."
"You know the place then."
"Yes."
"I thought the path to Paradise was long."
"No. Our base is here for a reason. We know Paradise is nearby—just not the exact spot."
"Because of the stolen data?"
"Yes. And if you betray me, the Governor will chase us and destroy us."
"Trust me—I won't. I was running for too long. I know what I am now. I'll help you."
"Yeah, yeah…" Judy replies absently, lost in thoughts of Gayatri.
"So, who drives? You or me?"
Judy shakes her head, "May I?"
"Sure."
They board the Interceptor. Judy starts the engine.
"I see you enjoy driving," Mitra says.
Judy presses the accelerator, increasing speed, "Yes. The feeling of escape makes me enjoy it even more."
"What are you trying to escape from?"
She exhales deeply but doesn't answer.
Mitra looks at her—then shifts the topic.
"Arjun told me about Abendsen… that the rebels shot him."
She takes a moment before replying, "He formed the rebel alliance. He was the first leader to act against the Imperial formation."
"I guess the Imperials shot him, then."
"Yes. Only he knew the exact location. Just before the World Conference, the Imperial Commandos killed him and framed the rebels."
"A lie people believed for ages."
"After his death, the nations panicked and formed a new world order. Forests were over-harvested. Then came the Great Fire—air filled with toxic pollutants. Control of the world went to a handful of board members. The Governor is just a mediator. There have been many before him—each following a centuries-old protocol."
"This authority," Mitra says, "forces common people into labour camps… restricts their access to natural resources… and tortures them in electric chambers."
Judy glances at him but says nothing.
***
As the aircraft lands in Ghost City, Preston and the captain of the new battalion oversee its arrival. The Admiral calls for a meeting with the new troops, along with Preston, Stella, and Captain Kingsley.
By the time they reach the conference room, the soldiers—men and women—are already seated. The Admiral displays pictures of Mitra and Judy. Preston and Captain Kingsley—tall, slender, with a neat moustache—take their seats. Stella stands beside her husband.
The Admiral begins, "Ladies and gentlemen, these are the rebels we must capture alive. According to satellite imagery, their last known location was the mining caves near Neutral Territory. They've split up, but we detected Mitra's vehicle moving toward the Shadow Tribes."
"Is Judy with them?" Preston asks.
"Most likely, yes."
"How are you so sure?" Kingsley asks.
"Mitra was working for us," Preston replies, "but he switched sides at the end."
"So it's treason," Kingsley mutters.
"We must stop them before they reach the Mountain Forest," the Admiral continues.
"But isn't the mountain full of toxic plants?" Kingsley asks.
"It is."
"Then why would they want to go there?"
"It's believed among the rebels that Paradise exists underground in the mountain."
"Is that true?"
"No. A lie spread by Gayatri."
Kingsley leans forward, "What if the rebels are right? Finding Paradise could end everything."
"They are wrong," the Admiral snaps. "They only want to create unrest."
"We already have enough conflicts with them and their allies," Kingsley says, "Why create new ones? We could talk to them—resolve this."
The Admiral's voice sharpens, "Are you questioning authority?"
"No." Kingsley taps his fingers on the table, "Just thinking reasonably. This conflict could end."
"You are questioning authority," the Admiral repeats angrily.
Kingsley raises his voice, "No. I don't want to risk my soldiers' lives."
"It is the Governor's order."
"We decline the order."
Preston steps in support, "Kingsley is right. We cannot take unnecessary risks."
"You BOTH cannot decline my order," Arjun growls.
"We burn the mountain then!" Kingsley fires back.
"We can't burn the forest," Arjun replies. "Forest Protection Act forbids it."
"Then we stay firm. That's final," Kingsley says.
Stella looks at her husband, distressed, and quietly leaves the room. Preston turns away from Arjun. The troopers glance nervously at Kingsley.
***
Arjun contacts the Governor.
Within seconds, the Governor appears on screen. Arjun bows.
"They refused, I assume."
"Yes, Governor."
"Our dignity is at stake, Arjun."
"How can I force them to take the risk?"
"Maintain the order."
"They want to burn the mountain."
"You know the penalty for that."
"Then tell me what to do! They won't enter the forest—even if necessary."
"Do what is necessary."
***
The Admiral returns to the conference room. The troopers sit. Preston and Kingsley stand firm.
"Kingsley, I do not tolerate insubordination," Arjun says.
"Admiral, I cannot lead my people into death. It's a request—please don't push us any further. There will be consequences."
"If you request…" Arjun says, raising his hand.
A mini-gun ejects from the cuff of his uniform. Before anyone can react, he shoots Kingsley through the heart.
The captain collapses to the floor.
Everyone freezes—horrified.
Arjun points the gun at Preston, "You?"
Preston bows instantly, "We obey you, Sir. We obey what is necessary."
***
Arjun drags himself back to his office. He stares into the mirror—then hurls the mini-gun at it. The glass shatters.
He slams his fists on the desk. The years of betrayal, guilt, and fear crush him. He falls to his knees, screaming in hatred.
Stella rushes in, sees the shattered mirror, and quickly closes the door.
She kneels and holds him tightly against her chest.
"I'm sorry, Stella… this madness… Oh Stella… help me. Help me escape this madness."
She kisses his head, trying to calm him.
He trembles like a broken man.
"We have no choice," she whispers. "But we must find a way."
"I shouldn't have betrayed the rebels… I shouldn't have… This is all my fault. I am a monster… A bloody, miserable fucked-up monster to my own children…"
To be Continued: Chapter 9: The Shadow Tribes