[23 Augest 2115]
SHAKTI-X7 Airship, Chennai
The night sky sparkles above, scattered with countless stars. The SHAKTI-X7 airship glides silently through the upper atmosphere, hovering steadily over the scarred terrain of the Nanmangalam Reserve Forest. The wind howls across its metallic hull, which gleams softly in the pale moonlight. Below, the forest sleeps—wounded and smoldering from the aftermath of battle.
Inside, the cabin is calm. Jay, Zeel, and Hirak are seated near the edge of the medical bay, stretching their arms, their bodies sore, their minds still catching up to what they've just survived.
Jay: What a remarkable day.
Zeel: You mean—why is it such an unforgettable day?
Hirak: (exhaling) Come on, guys. At least we're alive.
Jay: We had to return to the Academy in this rusty old research ship instead of our fancy airship.
Hirak: (shrugs) Yeah, I know. But they said they'll return our ship once the investigation is over.
Zeel: I still don't get it. This wasn't that unusual… right? I mean, we've seen worse.
Hirak: (shakes head) No. This time was different. First, those people—mutated by Srapit Shakti—turned into zombies. Then that monster. The most powerful one we've ever faced. And don't forget that mysterious enemy who escaped.
Zeel: (frowning) But I don't think that last one was even a zombie.
Jay: Me neither. Actually… I don't even think it was a Srapit Aatma. It felt like something else entirely.
Zeel: Wait… are you saying that thing was also a mutated human?
Jay: I don't know. But one thing's for sure—I've never seen a Srapit Aatma use a Vajra Yantra. How is that even possible?
Zeel: Yeah. It copied Sana's Vajra Yantra instantly. That's not normal.
Hirak: Or maybe… it already knew how to use it.
Jay: That's even worse. Because it completely overpowered Sana's Vajra.
Hirak: And recently, even Maharshi started using Vajra Yantra. That's not a coincidence.
Jay: Yeah… I had no idea he was capable of something like that.
Zeel: (chuckling weakly) So… what should we call it? "The Sana Effect"?
Suddenly, the door slides open with a sharp hiss. Inspector Jayanth, the stern leader of the Emergency Response Team, steps in with Sana beside him. Sana looks exhausted but composed—her bandages fresh, her eyes heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Jayanth: Alright. Sana's medical check and testimony are complete. Now only Maharshi and Mohit are left. Where are they?
Zeel: Mohit is still under medical care, sir. And Maharshi—
Maharshi: (from the corridor) I'm here.
Maharshi steps into the room. His presence is quiet but commanding, a calm amidst the chaos.
Maharshi: I'm next, right?
Jayanth: (measured tone) Before we begin, I want to make one thing clear. I have no intention of tarnishing the Bhatt family's reputation. But even if you are a Bhatt—you still need to follow protocol.
Maharshi: (nodding) I have no problem with that. Honestly, I always follow the law.
Jayanth: (softly) Good to hear-.
Maharshi : But.
Everyone looked in shock.
Jayanth : But ?
Maharshi : I want Mohit and i have testimony with together. Just save time.
Jayanth: Sorry. That is not possible.
Maharshi: (calmly) Why not?
Jayanth: Testimonies must be individual. It's standard BhattTech protocol—prevents influence or coordination.
Maharshi: (smirks slightly) Fair. Then allow me to stay in the room while Mohit testifies.
Jayanth: (pauses) …Also not allowed.
Maharshi: (sighs) You're making this unnecessarily complicated.
Jayanth: Rules are rules. And from what I've gathered so far, there's more going on here than just a routine battle.
Mohit: (entering slowly, supported by a medic) Then let's stop wasting time.
Everyone turns. Mohit walks in, still bruised but steady. His eyes meet Maharshi's. The air sharpens.
Maharshi: (coldly) You're walking now? That was quick.
Mohit: (dryly) Sorry to disappoint. Thought you'd prefer if I crawled in.
Jayanth: Enough. Since both of you are here, I'll ask the same question to each of you. Separately. Clear?
Maharshi & Mohit: (together) Crystal.
Jayanth: Good. Mohit, you first. Come with me.
Mohit: (pauses, then turns back slightly) Before I go… I want to ask something.
Jayanth: Speak.
Mohit: What happens if… someone was recognized by the enemy?
Zeel: (uneasy) Mohit…
Mohit: (ignores him) Say, hypothetically, that the mutated thing… wasn't attacking randomly. What if it called someone by name?
A tense silence grips the room.
Jayanth: If a mutated entity demonstrates familiarity with a BhattTech agent… that person becomes a subject of investigation. Internal Security takes over. If there's a breach, the consequences are severe.
Mohit: (quietly) I see.
Maharshi: (stepping forward) Mohit. That thing was reacting to energy signatures. It didn't know anyone. You're misreading it.
Mohit: Am I?
Maharshi: (firmly) And even if it said something that sounded like a name—we were mid-battle. You can't make conclusions based on chaos.
Mohit: (narrowing his eyes) You're protecting her.
Maharshi: I'm protecting everyone. If you say something reckless now, Sana's life could be ruined. For what? A hunch?
Mohit: (conflicted) ...
Jayanth: Enough. Mohit. With me. Now.
Mohit hesitates. He looks at Sana—then back at Maharshi.
Maharshi: (quietly) Do the right thing.
Mohit clenches his jaw… and walks into the debriefing room with Jayanth.
The door slides shut.
Zeel: (under his breath) This could go very, very bad.
Sana: (softly) I didn't ask him to lie.
Maharshi: (looking at the closed door) He knows.
[INT. TESTIMONY ROOM – SHAKTI-X7 AIR SHIP, CHENNAI]
The room is sterile and cold. A single table. Two chairs. A digital recorder blinks red. Inspector Jayanth sits on one side. Mohit sits opposite him, silent.
Jayanth: State your full name and designation.
Mohit: Mohit Singh. Srapit Jadugar… Guest Operative.
Jayanth: Guest? Not part of Maharshi Bhatt's core team?
Mohit: No. I was assigned temporarily.
Jayanth: Good. Then you have no reason to withhold anything. Let's begin with your account of the mission. What happened after you entered the Nanmangalam Forest?
Mohit: (calmly) We followed energy traces. Found corrupted civilians—zombie-like. We fought. Then a mutated Srapit entity appeared. Strong. Fast. Adapted instantly to our techniques.
Jayanth: What about its behavior? Did it communicate?
Mohit: (pauses) It… did something strange.
Jayanth: Go on.
Mohit: During the battle… it paused. Looked at Sana. It— (stops, eyes narrowing)
Jayanth: It what?
Mohit: (voice low) It spoke. One word. "Sana."
Jayanth's expression sharpens. He leans forward slightly.
Jayanth: Was it speaking to her?
Mohit: (silent for a moment) I don't know.
Jayanth: Did Sana respond?
Mohit: (exhales) She hesitated. Froze for a second. But that could've been shock.
Jayanth: And what do you think, Mohit? Was that entity someone from her past?
Mohit: (quietly) I don't know. I really don't.
Jayanth: You're sure?
Mohit: (looking down) Yes.
Jayanth stares at him for a long time, studying his face. Then he slowly reaches forward and stops the recorder.
Jayanth: You hesitated. I don't like hesitation.
Mohit: I told you the truth. I don't know who that thing was.
Jayanth: But you suspect something.
Mohit: (grits his teeth) Even if I do, suspicion isn't evidence. Right?
Jayanth: (nods slowly) You're not wrong.
Mohit: Are we done?
Jayanth: For now. But if I find out you withheld anything, Mohit—guest or not—you'll face consequences.
Mohit: Understood.
The door slides open.
[EXT. HALLWAY – SHAKTI-X7]
Mohit steps out. Maharshi is waiting.
Maharshi: What did you say?
Mohit: (walks past him) What I had to.
Maharshi: That doesn't answer my question.
Mohit: I didn't throw her under the bus. You're welcome.
Maharshi: (nods) You did the right thing.
Mohit: Don't thank me. I don't know why I did it.
Maharshi: You will… eventually.
Jayanth (O.S.): Maharshi Bhatt. You're up.
Maharshi: (straightens) Time for my truth.
He walks into the room—calm, ready, with fire in his eyes.
[INT. TESTIMONY ROOM – SHAKTI-X7, CHENNAI]
Maharshi steps in. Calm. Collected. The door seals behind him with a low hiss.
Jayanth sits across the table, activating the recording device.
Jayanth: State your name and designation.
Maharshi: Maharshi Bhatt. Team Commander, BhattTech Chennai Strike Unit.
Jayanth: I want your full account of what happened in the Nanmangalam Reserve Forest. Start from the beginning.
Maharshi: We entered based on curse energy fluctuations. Engaged multiple targets that had undergone some form of Srapit-induced zombification. They were aggressive, but manageable.
Jayanth: You are aware of the standard protocol. We'll review your combat involvement, tactical decisions, and any unusual encounters. Understood?
Maharshi: Understood.
Jayanth: Very well. Now… the mutated creature. It said a word. Sana's name.
You were closest to the front line. Can you explain?
Maharshi pauses, folds his hands, then speaks with steady confidence.
Maharshi: I can. But before we start drawing conclusions, I'd ask that we keep things objective. Because if you'd seen Sana's reaction, you'd know—she was just as confused and terrified as the rest of us.
Jayanth: She froze. But that could mean anything.
Maharshi: It could. Or—it could mean the creature caught her completely off-guard.
She didn't recognize it. She didn't react with hesitation or guilt. She fought it with everything she had.
Jayanth: Still, it said her name.
Maharshi: I was thinking about that too. But here's the thing—during the battle, we called out to Sana multiple times.
She collapsed, remember? We shouted her name trying to wake her up, get her attention. That creature was nearby the entire time.
Jayanth: You're saying it learned the name during the battle?
Maharshi: It's very possible. We've seen Srapit Aatmas mimic techniques, sense energy, and now... even words.
This creature wasn't behaving like any we've seen. It wasn't just corrupted—it was evolving. Tactical. Focused. And somehow, it used a Vajra Yantra.
Jayanth: That's never been reported before.
Maharshi: Exactly. Sana didn't teach it anything. She was the victim.
It copied her Vajra—or maybe it already knew how to use one. Either way, it saw her as the most dangerous target and moved to eliminate her.
Jayanth: And yet, it didn't kill her. It escaped.
Maharshi: So did dozens of other Srapit Aatmas in past missions. Not every exit is strategic. It could've been destabilizing. Injured. We don't know. But I do know it didn't spare her out of familiarity.
If it wanted to, it had the chance to end her. It didn't. That's either a tactical decision or coincidence—not a sign of prior connection.
Jayanth: Hm. So you're suggesting it wasn't recognizing Sana... just reacting to her.
Maharshi: Possibly. Or maybe it wanted us to think it recognized her. We can't underestimate these entities anymore—they're learning. Fast.
Jayanth: Fair. But if further investigation reveals a connection?
Maharshi: Then you do your job. But until then, let's not accuse an injured warrior based on one distorted word.
There's a moment of silence. Jayanth looks at Maharshi, then makes a quick note in his holo-tab.
Jayanth: Alright. Thank you, Maharshi. That was… a very reasonable perspective.
[INT. SHAKTI-X7 – MEDICAL BAY]
The door slides open with a faint hiss.
Maharshi steps out of the testimony room. His expression is unreadable—calm, composed, but impossible to decipher. All eyes turn to him. The air is thick with anticipation.
He glances toward the others, then gives a subtle shake of his head—no immediate danger.
Sana, seated quietly in a far corner, stiffens as she meets his gaze. Her eyes are filled with silent questions—Did he tell the truth? Did he protect her? Maharshi answers them with a gentle nod, small but unmistakable.
Zeel: So… you're not being arrested?
Maharshi: (dryly) Yet.
(then, firmly) We'll talk when we're back at the Academy.
Everyone exchanges uneasy glances but says nothing. The storm hasn't passed—just moved.
[INT. VISAM VIMAN – STRATEGY ROOM | NIGHT]
The interior hums with quiet energy—Visam Viman's walls pulse with encrypted Yantra tech, displaying real-time data streams and cursed energy fluctuations.
Jayanth: So? What's your take?
Ranjeet (calm): I've reviewed everything. I don't think they're lying. And Sana… she genuinely looked shocked.
Divya (neutral): Vitals confirm that. Sudden emotional spike, not premeditated stress.
Jayanth (gruff): Still. That creature used her Vajra Yantra. That's more than coincidence.
Ishan (without looking up): Or it's a very smart creature that's been watching her.
The others glance at him.
Ishan: Jayanth, did you notice any suspicious behavior from them?
Jayanth (thinking): Hmm. Maharshi asked me to take Mohit's and his testimonies together.
Ishan: Together? Huh. But Mohit isn't even part of their team, right?
Divya: Correct.
Ishan: Then maybe… Maharshi doesn't trust Mohit. What if he wanted to keep him in the same room so he wouldn't say something unexpected?
The others exchange glances, eyes widening.
Ishan: And isn't it possible they coordinated beforehand? That what they told us… was rehearsed?
Ranjeet (uneasy): But everything lined up with the investigation. Timelines match. Evidence supports them.
Ishan (firm): Ranjeet, what's the most unfitting piece of this problem?
Ranjeet (reluctantly): That creature… it kind of recognized Sana.
Ishan: Then it's obvious. Something's missing. I'm not saying they're lying—but they're not telling the whole truth. Especially Mohit and Maharshi.
Jayanth: And how can you say that?
Ishan: Because their testimony created a loop—one we can't escape. They've boxed us in, forced our investigation to look outward… while the real question sits right in front of us.
Jayanth (tense): But we don't have proof. Just speculation.
Ishan (quietly): Proof will come. But for now… keep your eyes on the liars who smile the most.
Divya (hesitant, glancing at the door): So… we don't have proof. We can't legally hold them on the ship any longer. Should we just let them go?
Jayanth stays silent for a beat. Then, slowly, a smile curls on his lips—cold, calculating. A glint flickers in his eyes as a thought strikes.
Jayanth (smirking, with quiet confidence): Yeah, sure… we should let them go.
[INT. SHAKTI-X7 | Exit Bay (night)]
The heroes stand in silence—Maharshi, Zeel, Jay, Hirak, Sana, and Mohit—waiting near the metallic docking gates. Sana clutches her coat tighter, still uneasy. The subtle hum of the ship surrounds them. Footsteps echo.
Jayanth and Divya enter, flanked by two guards. Jayanth's expression is composed, but there's something unreadable in his gaze.
Jayanth (calmly): Thank you for your cooperation during the investigation.
No one replies. Maharshi's eyes stay locked on Jayanth, stoic. Mohit clicks his tongue in annoyance. Zeel looks ready to punch something.
Divya (neutral tone): You're officially cleared to return to BhattTech Academy. We'll be escorting you down to the Chennai checkpoint.
Mohit (sarcastic): Oh, thanks for your warm hospitality.
Jayanth (ignoring him): There are still questions… but no proof. So—for now—this chapter ends here.
Sana glances at Divya, then at Jayanth, a flicker of unease in her eyes. Maharshi nods slightly, sensing the subtext.
Maharshi (firmly): I assume we're not under surveillance once we leave?
Jayanth (smirking faintly): You're not prisoners. But you are interesting people. That's all I'll say.
The air grows heavier for a moment. Then the docking doors hiss open with a metallic groan. A shuttle waits outside.
Divya (gently): Your transport's ready. Take care of yourselves.
Sana takes a step forward but stops. Her voice is barely audible.
Sana (soft): ...You think I'm dangerous too, don't you?
Divya hesitates, then gives a quiet nod—not out of malice, but concern.
Divya (softly): I think... you're at the center of something much bigger than any of us realize.
Jayanth's eyes flick to Maharshi.
Jayanth (low): Be careful who you trust. Even among your own.
Maharshi doesn't respond. He simply walks toward the shuttle.
The rest follow, silent. As the doors close behind them.
To be continue