Chapter 10: The Plan
Maya, Rohan, and Priya stood over the table, mapping out every possible scenario. The syndicate’s next big transaction was happening in 48 hours—a massive transfer of assets, including individuals they had been moving across networks for years.They had only one shot."We split up," Maya said. "Rohan, you track movement around their transport hubs. Priya, you stay on the digital trail, intercept communications. I go after Aarav."Rohan narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think he’ll let you find him?"Maya exhaled slowly. "Because he wants me to."If Aarav had been leading her this entire time, that meant he had left just enough of a trail for her to follow. And this time, she wasn’t going in blind.She was going in to end it.The meeting point was set—a syndicate facility hidden beneath an abandoned metro station. The place was alive with movement—guards patrolling, deals being finalized.And standing in the center of it all was Aarav.Maya stepped forward. "It’s over."Aarav smirked. "Not yet."Before she could move, the room shifted. A dozen figures appeared—syndicate operatives, waiting. They had been expecting her Priya’s voice crackled through Maya’s earpiece. "Maya, we have control of their systems—if you’re going to move, do it now."Maya didn’t hesitate.Gunfire erupted. Chaos tore through the space. Priya’s interference in their network sent agents scrambling, communications cut off. Rohan moved through the shadows, eliminating guards blocking the escape routes.But Aarav? He wasn’t running.He was watching.Waiting.Maya lunged forward, forcing him into a corner. "You lied to me, manipulated everything!"Aarav’s expression finally shifted—something unreadable, something real. "You don’t understand yet, do you?" Maya’s breath was ragged. "Then make me understand."A pause. Then, he murmured, "I wasn’t saving them. I was saving you."Everything stopped.Maya had always believed she was chasing a traitor. But as she stood in the midst of the chaos, facing Aarav, she realized the truth.She wasn’t chasing a traitor.She was chasing the mastermind."I was never saving anyone," Aarav murmured, stepping closer, his voice cold and deliberate. "I was building something bigger. And you—you were my best distraction."Priya’s voice crackled through Maya’s earpiece. "Maya, we’ve uncovered encrypted files. He’s been orchestrating the syndicate’s rise for years. He didn’t infiltrate them—he built them."Maya’s breath caught. Every mission, every deception, every time Aarav had let her believe she was close to catching him—it was all part of his plan.And now, she was standing exactly where he wanted her.Rohan stormed forward, gun raised, fury burning in his eyes. "You used us, used her!"Aarav barely reacted. "You were useful, until you weren’t."The facility trembled as alarms blared. Maya knew they had only minutes before everything crumbled—before Aarav vanished again.Priya’s interference had disrupted some of his systems, but not enough. They needed more time.Or they needed to stop him."Aarav, this ends now," Maya said, stepping forward.Aarav smiled—a slow, knowing smile. "Does it?"He reached into his pocket, and in an instant, the entire structure darkened. A power cut. A backup escape route. Another calculated move.Priya shouted through the comms. "Maya! He’s making a move—we have to shut him down NOW!"But Maya wasn’t just hearing Priya’s voice. She was hearing the echo of her own past mistakes—every time she had trusted him, every time she had let him slip away.Not this time.Maya lunged, grabbing Aarav’s arm before he could escape into the darkness. She wasn’t letting him vanish again—not without answers."How long have you been planning this?" she demanded.Aarav looked at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Longer than you think."Priya was working frantically from the outside, cutting off his exits. Rohan was guarding the perimeter, keeping syndicate operatives at bay.But Aarav wasn’t afraid.Because he believed he had already won.Maya tightened her grip. "You underestimated me."Aarav’s smirk faltered for the first time. Just slightly.And that’s when Maya made her move.With Priya’s digital interference and Rohan’s relentless pursuit, the walls began closing in. Aarav had nowhere left to hide.The mastermind of the syndicate.The betrayer who had manipulated everyone.And now, the man who was finally caught.Maya exhaled, exhaustion and fury mingling in her chest. "It’s over."Aarav chuckled softly, even as he stood surrounded. "For me? Maybe. But for you, Maya?" He tilted his head. "This is just the beginning.
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