Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter 18

Half an hour later

The safe room buzzed with unspoken tension, each player's gaze flickering nervously between one another. Arjun, grimacing from his injury, rested heavily on Ayan for support. Meera, pale and shaken, sat slumped against the wall, Rahul silently holding her.

Arya remained composed, focused on the unfolding situation as she took care of the formalities.

The Colonel approached Arjun, his voice betraying a tremor of worry. "Are you alright, beta?"

Arjun straightened slightly, despite the pain. "I'm fine, Dad. It's just a scratch. But Meera... I feel she's not doing well."

The Colonel's eyes briefly lingered on Meera's weary form leaning into Rahul, before he turned to address the team, his voice firm and commanding.

"Everyone, listen up," he said, his voice steady. "What you've just faced was no ordinary threat. The intruders are part of a radical group motivated by extremist ideologies, aiming to disrupt the Test match to draw global attention to their cause."

The players exchanged worried glances, their earlier bravado fading. Rahul clenched his fists, still shaken from the near-miss with danger.

"What do you mean?" Shubhman asked, his voice trembling. "Why target us?"

The Colonel continued, "Their leader, Arif, was a disgraced former military strategist who seeks revenge for personal losses during a previous conflict. He believes that by creating chaos here, he can spark a wider political discussion."

Virat shook his head in disbelief. "So this was all planned?"

"Yes," the Colonel replied, maintaining eye contact with each player. "They infiltrated the stadium disguised as fans, utilizing hidden compartments in their clothing to carry weapons and smoke bombs. Zara, a hacker, manipulated our security systems to ensure their entry and cover their tracks."

"Smoke bombs?" Jassi echoed, his face paling. "To create chaos?"

"Exactly," the Colonel confirmed. "They planned to deploy smoke bombs in high-traffic areas, creating confusion among spectators. This diversion would allow them to access key areas and broadcast a propaganda video threatening further violence unless their demands were met."

Rohit's eyes widened with realization. "So, Ayan-he knew all this?"

"Yes," the Colonel affirmed, "Ayan, presumed dead after our last mission, has been working undercover. He gathered critical intel on the group and identified their members and plans. His return was crucial in thwarting this attack."

Meera's heart raced at the thought of Ayan, a mixture of relief and lingering tension swirling within her. They had survived, but the weight of their ordeal bore heavily on her mind. Rahul just looked at her, a silent understanding passing between them.

"What's next?" Ashwin asked, his brow furrowed.

"Operation Guardian Shield has been neutralized as of now; Arif has been shot dead, and Zara has been taken to a secure facility where her confession will be recorded. The hotel has been restored to normalcy, and you can play the Test match tomorrow. Your rooms are ready; the team room, however, will take a little longer."

As the Colonel's words sank in, the players exchanged determined glances, their bond fortified by the harrowing experience. They walked back to the hotel, grateful for their survival. Together, they were more than just a team; they were a family, ready to stand against the chaos that threatened them.

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By nightfall, the players were back in their rooms, each trying to recover from the day's chaos. The muted sounds of the city outside faded into the background as they took stock of what had transpired. The tension had eased, but the weight of the events still lingered in the air.