09:25 AM – Estate Security Center
The alarms inside the estate control room were still flashing red.
Large digital screens showed multiple live feeds across the city.
Srikant stood in front of the central display, watching the movement patterns carefully.
Beside him, Rudra Sen analyzed the incoming data.
One of the security officers spoke quickly.
"Sir, three suspicious vehicles detected within a five-kilometer radius. All signals are masked."
Srikant didn't look surprised.
"They're here already."
Across the room, Sasmita crossed her arms calmly.
"They're not coming for you," she said.
"They're coming for me."
The room fell silent.
Rudra slowly nodded.
"That's exactly what Sovereign wants."
Meanwhile – Moving Van
Inside a black surveillance van, three Axis operatives monitored Sasmita's location through hacked city cameras.
Their leader studied the screen carefully.
"Target confirmed inside the estate."
One operative asked,
"So we attack?"
The leader shook his head.
"No."
"Not yet."
He opened a secure message sent directly from
Sovereign.
Message: "Force emotional exposure."
The operative frowned.
"What does that mean?"
The leader smirked.
"It means we make him choose."
Estate Strategy Room
Rudra turned toward Srikant.
"You know what they're trying to do."
"Yes," Srikant replied calmly.
"They want me to react emotionally."
Sasmita stepped forward.
"Then don't."
Both men looked at her.
"If they want me," she continued,
"let them try."
Rudra frowned slightly.
"That's risky."
Sasmita's voice became firm.
"So is hiding."
She looked directly at Srikant.
"You said we should stop defending."
"Then let's prove it."
For a moment, Srikant remained silent.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"Good."
He turned toward the security team.
"Prepare Phase Two."
Rudra raised an eyebrow.
"You already planned this?"
Srikant nodded.
"They think Sasmita is the bait."
He paused.
"But they don't know…"
He looked at Sasmita.
"She's also the trap."
11:10 AM – City Center
Sasmita's car left the estate with a small escort team.
Hidden surveillance drones followed from above.
Inside the van, the Axis operatives watched the movement eagerly.
"Target leaving safe zone."
The leader smiled.
"Perfect."
He activated the next command.
"Interception team, move."
11:14 AM – Crossroad
Traffic lights suddenly malfunctioned.
Cars stopped abruptly.
Two black motorcycles appeared beside Sasmita's vehicle.
Within seconds, masked operatives surrounded the car.
Inside the vehicle, Sasmita remained calm.
She quietly pressed a small button hidden under the seat.
Signal transmitted.
Back at the estate—
Srikant's screen lit up.
"Trap activated."
Rudra watched the city map carefully.
"You're letting them take her?"
Srikant's expression didn't change.
"Only halfway."
Axis Move
The operatives forced Sasmita out of the car.
Their leader approached slowly.
"Miss Sasmita," he said.
"You're coming with us."
She looked straight into his eyes.
"Are you sure?"
Before he could react—
The street lights suddenly went dark.
Surveillance drones descended silently from the sky.
Hidden tactical units surrounded the entire intersection.
Rudra's voice came through the operative's hacked radio.
"Game over."
Panic spread among the Axis team.
But the leader didn't move.
Instead, he laughed softly.
"You think this was our real operation?"
Sasmita's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
He pressed a small device in his hand.
Far away, inside the estate security room—
Another alarm exploded across the screens.
Rudra's face went pale.
"Oh no…"
Srikant turned quickly.
"What happened?"
Rudra answered slowly.
"The estate vault."
"They just hacked it."
Srikant finally realized.
The kidnapping attempt was never the real mission.
It was only a distraction.
Final Scene
Inside a hidden underground facility…
Sovereign watched the chaos calmly.
Beside him, Meera Vashisht closed a laptop.
"The vault is open," she said.
Sovereign smiled.
"Excellent."
On the screen appeared a single encrypted file.
Project Genesis.
Sovereign whispered quietly,
"Now the real war begins."
Cliffhanger
What is Project Genesis?
Why was the estate vault so important?
And did Sovereign just steal something that could destroy Srikant completely?