The Enemy Within

Chapter 12

N.I.A. HEADQUARTERS – 2nd March – Midnight

Rohan walks into the office popping some mints into his mouth. His boss – Mr. Chopra, 50-years-old and an intelligence veteran, is waiting for him looking agitated.

"Rohan, where the hell were you?"

Rohan looks a little bewildered "Sorry Sir, but it was my birthday and I was out celebrating...."

His boss cuts him off in mid-sentence, "I don't want to hear your stories. Deputy Chief Rathore wants to meet with you now. Go!"

Chopra walks away in a huff leaving Rohan scratching his chin in thought. He shrugs his shoulders and heads off toward the DC's office.

As he walks to the DC's office waiting area, he looks around in surprise at the flurry of activity with people talking on phones and running around with files, at this time of the night. The secretary nods towards the door, so he knocks and opens it.

Rohan walks into the DC's plush and non-government looking office, with awards and citations on the walls. The DC is sitting behind his big desk, which is empty apart from 3 phones on it.

DC Rathore looks up as he walks in, "Rohan Kapoor. You are a hard man to track down!"

"Sorry sir, it was my..."

"Doesn't matter! We have more urgent matters on hand to attend to. Sit down. I need to brief you on an urgent mission."

Rohan takes a seat and the secretary hands the DC a file marked "STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL" before closing the door. The DC opens the file and hands it to Rohan, "Rohan, the department is currently in the middle of a severe crisis. It is a matter of national security and an extremely sensitive issue. We need you to do what you do best but keep your mouth shut about it. Can you do that?"

Rohan looks at him in surprise but nods, "Yes Sir, of course, but why me?"

The DC looks at him sternly, "You have a reputation for being a maverick – without a care for the rules. I have read your file."

Rohan looks at him nervously, "But sir..."

The DC puts up his hand cutting off his protest, "But you get the job done every time... that's why you were chosen. We need a person like you for this mission. A person who's willing to take risks and even bends a few rules to achieve the target."

Rohan shifts uncomfortably and smiles," I don't know if I should take that as a complement or not, Sir."

DC Rathore also allows himself a little smile, "That's up to you, Rohan. Actually Chief Khan was to brief you, but his car was in an accident just some time back."

Rohan gasps in shock, "Is he ok, Sir?"

The DC nods gravely, "He was extremely lucky to have survived with just a broken arm and a couple of fractured ribs. Can't say his driver was that fortunate though – he was killed on the spot."

"Holy shit, was it a planned attack on the chief?"

"We are looking into it right now – the truck driver is being interrogated as we speak."

"I will get to the bottom of this immediately, Sir."

The DC shakes his head, "That is not your mission Rohan, this is." He throws down a few photographs on the table.

DC Rathore leans forward pointing to the pictures, "Do you know this man?"

Rohan studies the pictures and suddenly looks surprised, "Yeah, isn't that Agent Alan Fernandes?"

The DC nods gravely; " Yes, you two have worked together right?"

Rohan nods, "Yes, it was about 7 or 8 years back I think. Is Alan in trouble? I want to help if he is, he is a great guy!"

The DC stares at him grimly; "Yes, he was in trouble... now he's dead. And we killed him!"

Rohan looks at him stunned, "Wh-wh-what?" - he stammers uncomprehendingly.