Operation Heartfall

"Affirmative, Control. Mission compromised. Riv severely injured. Requesting extraction. The words felt like lead in my mouth. I adjusted the dead weight on my shoulders, a grunt escaping my teeth as Riv’s head lolled against my neck. His blood was warm, too warm soaking through my tactical vest and gluing my shirt to my skin. I couldn’t tell where his wounds ended and my scratches began.

"Riv, stay with me," I hissed, though he was long past hearing me.Blood dripped down my arms - mine or my brother's, I didn't know.

Do I continue the mission or?

Kabir sir's eyes locked onto mine, firm expression unwavering. "Deport Riv, proceed with the op. We're close to victory." My team exchanged skeptical glances, awaiting Control's verdict. Control's voice crackled through the line, "Negative. Airways not clear. Shelter with Dr. Roy's student – Varnika Agneya. Cooperation arranged."

Arjun stepped forward, brow furrowed. "Sir, risking civilian life? This op just got morally wrong." My gaze swept across our team before focusing on the handset, voice low and even. "Control, confirm Varnika Agneya's awareness level?"Control responded instantly, "Negative awareness, Captain. Only knows Dean Roy favors her. Med student at nearby college. Dean's being briefed now."

Ace crossed his arms, skepticism etched on his face. "Captain, we're commandos – not babysitters. What if she panics or compromises our identities?" I kept my expression resolute as i demand "Questions later, Ace. Riv needs medical attention ASAP."

"Control – confirm Varnika Agneya's location and prep her for... unexpected guests."

I will put an end to what you have started, Dad. I will but not at the cost of any of my teammates. The vow echoed in my mind, a silent promise that fueled my determination.

We moved stealthily through the night shadows, surrounding Varnika Agneya's residence while eyes scanning the perimeter; Ace covered the front gate, Major Sid monitoring the neighboring houses meanwhile I watched the rear alley

Kabir sir flanked the back door All clear signals were exchanged through subtle hand gesture.

Sid sir tried the back door – unlocked.

We slipped inside. The hallway was dimly lit, smelling of citrus and clean linen—a sharp, stinging contrast to the copper tang of blood and the mud caking our boots. Then, the silence broke. Music drifted from a room down the hall, upbeat and lively, sounding like a world we didn't belong in...

Varnika Agneya – oblivious to our presence

dancing solo in front of a mirror, lost in the music. Her unguarded expression, happy, worry free and completely herself.... Unaware of the danger lurking mere feet away. "Am I doing the right thing...?"

Just then the music ended and she spun around — next moment i know she swung a paper cutter towards my throat I'm standing poised, eyes locked onto hers...

My mission, my team, everything is on line if she didn't cooperate

as she pressed the deadly arc of silver. Her hand was steady, deadly precise – a med student with a secret: she knew how to kill.

I remained calm despite my pounding heart my brother is lying unconscious on my back and every second delayed is dangerous. Reading Her body language, she will not harm me until we move first.

Those onyx eyes burned with a fire I'd only seen in battle-hardened comrades – not civilians. Major Kabir's calm voice cut through the tension "We mean no harm, Miss Varnika."

He offered her a tablet, Dean Roy's face appearing on screen –

explaining our presence, our need for medical aid and briefing her on the medications to be used. But Varnika's attention remained fixed on me her blade still threatening my throat, her eyes daring me closer. I felt a spark of curiosity...

who was this girl, hiding strength behind a stethoscope?

My team waited silently, cautious and vigilant. Ace's hand on his gun, Sid sir poised to intervene. Yet I signaled them to wait because we need her consent and treatment.

She finally lower the weapon shifting her attention to her patient, I sensed her gaurds dropping quickly as she took in Riv's broken form but her face remains a solid sculpture

"Help me lay him down!" she ordered, already gently grasping Riv's arm. I moved swiftly to support Riv's head and torso, laying him on the bed as Varnika jumped into action – applying clotting granules to the gunshot wound and Patching up the larger injuries with sterile bandages

My team watched in stunned silence.

Ace whispered, "She's like a battle medic..."

Major Sid added, "...who seems to know Riv personally." Joking around while almost dying what we have normalised over years of carrying out missions.

My eyes locked onto Varnika's face

her focus was intense, but I detected a flicker of emotion; recognition, concern... and possibly even fear. Varnika's hands moved swiftly, securing the bandage around Riv's torso.

"How do you know him?"

Her eyes flicking up to mine for a brief moment and back to bandaging instantly.

"Oh, he... volunteered for a hospital fundraiser event last year." Such a great liar didn't even took a second to think

Her voice was casual, believable and my team shifted their attention to riv but I detected a hint of nervousness behind her professional demeanor.

Later as the night fell into more dark pit my team members slept scattered around the room, exhausted and all patched up. I quietly got up from my observation point and walked over sitting down beside Riv.

"Miss Agneya you should get some rest," i whispered trying not to disturb riv "I can monitor him".

Varnika's gaze lifted from Riv's face, her eyes meeting mine, a hint of surprise and may be awkward "he's lost too much blood captain... The IV fluids are helping but I need to monitor his vitals throughout the night" she looked at me, observing my face contemplating something in her head, taking her time. I pretended to not notice. Finally she spoke "Captain Rythvik.... I should apologize for earlier." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her unexpected words. "You held a blade to my throat," I said with a hint of dry humor, embarrassment flicker on her face. I took a long enough pause, enjoying her contemplating the whole situation I bet she have practiced this sentence in her head quite a great numbers of time "that's a perfectly normal reaction when armed men invade your home."

She looked at my face like she wasn't expecting this line As I sat beside Varnika, my gaze wandered around the room, landing on a shelf filled with medals, trophies, awards, and certificates bearing her name: "Varnika Agneya – Outstanding Academic Achievement"

"Doc, you're a treasure trove of brains," I said with a smirk, "Explains how you handled our little invasion so perfectly – calm and competent."

Varnika's eyes widened slightly at the compliment, she flashed me a tight awkward smile.

"But doctors like you – don't you people have ice water for blood?"

I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean, cutting open people for a living – feelings must be optional."

Varnika's expression transformed from pleased to perturbed, her voice firm and witty "Military men like you don't have feelings either Captain, only orders and ammunition." I burst out laughing internally her quick retort delighted me! Totally not expecting a witty response. Still grinning, I lifted my gun strap back onto my shoulder, "Rest, DocStar Riv's stable thanks to your 'icy' skills."

Varnika rolled her eyes slightly, before returning her gaze to Riv, trying to appear unamused...

My eyes opened to the silent vibration and instantly hissed from pain reminder of yesterday's mission still lingering. My gaze drifted to the chair beside me, where Doc slept fitfully through the night. Her hoarse voice whispered into the phone, 'Dad...'

The conversation that followed was... intense. A man's imperious tone responded. 'I have a clinical exam today, Dad... I didn't sleep much last night.' Varnika's voice cracked with desperation as she asked

"So you have no duties towards your younger sibling? What an ungrateful child we've brought up. Just show up in the parents meeting there and don't make me repeat this." She stood frozen, exhaustion etched on her face. I remained still, her strength was wavering for the first time since our mission briefing Just then, the radio crackles to life

'Captain, this is Convoy-7. Medical extraction team has arrived. Safest route plotted via Route Gamma-9.' Two medics swiftly moved Riv onto a stretcher, their urgent pace a stark contrast to the tense silence. Before we turned to follow towards the jeep Kabir sir approached Varnika, his gentle voice contrasting his authority "Would you like us to drop you somewhere, Doctor? This is the least we can do." His polite tone belied the underlying message it wasn't a request but a necessity for her safety. But she denied...

* Headquarters Briefing Room *

After ensuring her safety covertly our team and Team Bravo assembled for the briefing, tension palpable in the air. The projector screen flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the room.

A red file label appeared: "Project Eclipse" – glaring back at me with ominous intent.

As the slide changed, my heart sank. I froze, dumbstruck...My father's face appeared His familiar smile, weary eyes... and below his photo

Designation: Undercover Operative