The sun was setting over Venice, casting a golden glow across the canals and ancient buildings. The city, with its winding waterways and labyrinthine streets, was a picturesque maze-a beautiful but treacherous place, especially for those being hunted. Pathan and Kabir moved quietly through the narrow alleyways, the sounds of the bustling city muffled by the thick walls of the surrounding structures. Venice, with its crowded plazas and secluded corners, was the perfect setting for an ambush. And tonight, they intended to use it to their advantage.

Pathan had received a tip-off from a trusted informant within the intelligence community-a former colleague who had crossed paths with Tiger in the past. The informant, who still had contacts deep within the European underworld, had picked up chatter about a high-profile target arriving in Venice. The description matched Tiger's modus operandi, and Pathan had immediately mobilized his team. It was a gamble, but one Pathan was willing to take.

Kabir's tech expertise had also played a crucial role. He had intercepted encrypted communications between suspected ISI operatives, referencing an upcoming meeting in Venice. With the pieces of the puzzle falling into place, Pathan had no doubt that Tiger was heading to the iconic city.

Pathan's mind was sharp, focused entirely on the task at hand. Tiger had eluded them for too long, and this time, Pathan was determined to bring him in. The recent assassination of the ISI agent in Rome had only increased the urgency of their mission, adding to the already intense pressure to stop Tiger before he could strike again.

Kabir walked beside him, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a steely resolve. The two men had been through countless operations together, but there was something different about this one-something that weighed heavily on both of them. The stakes were higher than ever, and the lines between friend and foe were becoming increasingly blurred.

"We've got eyes on the Rialto Bridge," Kabir said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "If he's here, we'll spot him."

Pathan nodded, his eyes scanning the crowd as they approached the bridge. The Rialto was one of the most iconic landmarks in Venice, a magnet for tourists and locals alike. Tonight, it would serve as the perfect trap.

"We need to keep this quiet," Pathan reminded Kabir. "No unnecessary risks. Tiger is dangerous, but we need him alive."

"Understood," Kabir replied, his gaze hardening. "Let's get this done."

The plan was simple, but its execution required precision. Pathan and Kabir had chosen Venice for a reason-the city's unique geography made it both an ideal location for an ambush and a nightmare for anyone trying to escape. The narrow canals, crisscrossed by countless bridges and alleyways, would limit Tiger's options if he tried to flee. But that also meant that any mistake could allow him to slip through their fingers.

As they made their way through the city, Kabir checked in with the rest of the team, who were strategically positioned around the bridge. Each member of the team had been carefully chosen for this mission, their roles designed to create a web that Tiger couldn't escape from. Leila, the infiltration specialist, was stationed on a nearby rooftop, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of their target. Raj, the weapons expert, was positioned at a choke point further down the canal, ready to cut off any escape route.

Pathan and Kabir reached their position near the foot of the Rialto Bridge, blending in with the throngs of tourists taking in the view. From their vantage point, they could see the entire length of the bridge and the surrounding canals. All they needed to do now was wait.

"Remember," Pathan said, his voice low, "Tiger will be expecting something. We need to be ready for anything."

Kabir nodded, his hand resting on the concealed weapon at his side. "He won't get away this time."

As the minutes ticked by, Pathan's mind raced through every possible scenario. They had gone over the plan countless times, anticipating Tiger's every move. But despite their preparation, Pathan couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.

And then, out of the corner of his eye, Pathan saw him.

Tiger was moving through the crowd, his pace steady, his expression calm. He was dressed like any other tourist, blending in with the mass of people milling about the bridge. But Pathan recognized the way he moved-the calculated, controlled steps of a man on a mission.

"He's here," Pathan whispered into his earpiece. "All units, prepare to move."

Leila's voice crackled through the line. "I've got eyes on him. He's heading towards the west end of the bridge."

"Raj, get ready to cut him off," Pathan ordered, his pulse quickening.

"Copy that," Raj responded.

Pathan and Kabir began to move, positioning themselves to intercept Tiger as he reached the end of the bridge. The crowd provided perfect cover, allowing them to close in without drawing attention.

But just as they were about to make their move, something unexpected happened.

Tiger suddenly turned, his eyes locking onto Pathan's with a cold, knowing look. Pathan's heart skipped a beat-he had been made. In an instant, Tiger bolted, pushing through the crowd with surprising speed.

"Go, go, go!" Pathan shouted into his earpiece as he and Kabir gave chase.

The tranquil atmosphere of the Rialto was shattered as tourists scrambled out of the way, startled by the sudden commotion. Pathan and Kabir sprinted after Tiger, their feet pounding against the cobblestones as they pursued him through the narrow alleyways.

Tiger led them on a wild chase through the labyrinthine streets of Venice, his knowledge of the city's layout evident in the way he navigated the twists and turns with ease. Pathan and Kabir were relentless, determined not to let him escape this time.

As they reached the edge of the canal, Tiger made a sharp turn, leaping onto a small, moored boat and kicking off the ropes that held it in place. The boat began to drift away from the dock, propelled by the current.

"Raj, he's on the water!" Pathan barked into his earpiece. "We need to cut him off before he reaches open water!"

Raj was already in position, and within seconds, he had commandeered a small motorboat, steering it towards Tiger's craft. Pathan and Kabir followed suit, leaping onto another boat and gunning the engine to life.

The chase intensified as the boats sped through the narrow canals, the sound of the engines echoing off the ancient buildings that lined the waterways. The tranquil beauty of Venice's canals had been transformed into a high-stakes battleground, with Tiger at the center of it all.

Pathan's eyes were locked on Tiger's boat as it weaved through the canals, narrowly avoiding collisions with other vessels. The water splashed against the sides of the boat, the cold spray stinging his face, but he paid it no mind. His focus was entirely on the man ahead.

"Raj, close the gap!" Pathan shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the engine.

"I'm on it!" Raj responded, his boat gaining speed as it drew closer to Tiger.

But just as they were about to catch up, something unexpected happened. From the shadows of a nearby canal, another boat appeared, cutting across their path and blocking their way. Pathan's heart sank as he recognized the occupants of the boat-Indian agents, but not his own team.

"Hold your fire!" Pathan shouted as Kabir raised his weapon, ready to engage.

The agents in the boat didn't respond. Instead, they accelerated, positioning themselves between Tiger and his pursuers, effectively shielding him from capture. Pathan's mind raced as he tried to make sense of what was happening.

"Who are they?" Kabir demanded, his eyes wide with confusion.

Pathan's jaw tightened. "They're Indian agents-but they're not with us. Something's wrong."

Tiger took advantage of the distraction, pushing his boat to full speed and disappearing around a bend in the canal. Pathan cursed under his breath, his frustration mounting as he watched their target slip away.

"We need to get around them!" Pathan ordered, steering his boat towards a narrow side canal in an attempt to outmaneuver the rogue agents.

But the other boat was fast, and the agents were determined to prevent Pathan from getting any closer to Tiger. They cut him off at every turn, forcing him and Kabir to take evasive action.

As the chase continued, it became clear that these agents were more than just a nuisance-they were actively helping Tiger escape. Pathan's mind raced as he tried to piece together the implications. If these agents were working with Tiger, then the conspiracy they were uncovering went deeper than he had imagined.

Despite their best efforts, Pathan and Kabir were unable to regain sight of Tiger's boat. The chase had taken them deep into the maze of Venice's canals, and as they rounded a final corner, they found themselves in a dead end.

Tiger was gone.

Pathan slammed his fist against the side of the boat in frustration, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The rogue agents had disappeared as well, leaving behind nothing but questions and a deep sense of betrayal.

"We lost him," Kabir said, his voice laced with anger. "How did they know where to find us?"

Pathan's mind was already racing through the possibilities. "They must have been tipped off-someone inside our own ranks."

Kabir frowned. "You think these agents were part of the conspiracy?"

"There's no other explanation," Pathan replied, his tone grim. "They knew exactly where to intercept us, and they were willing to help Tiger escape. We need to find out who they are and who they're working for."

As they made their way back to the rendezvous point, Pathan's thoughts were consumed by the implications of what had just happened. The realization that Indian agents were involved in helping Tiger escape was a chilling confirmation of Rubina's earlier warnings-a mole within RAW, feeding information to their enemies.

When they finally reached the dock, they were met by Leila and Raj, both of whom had been tracking their movements from afar.

"What happened?" Leila asked, her expression a mix of concern and confusion.

"Tiger got away," Pathan said, his voice heavy with frustration. "And he had help-Indian agents. We need to find out who they are and why they're helping him."

Raj's eyes narrowed. "This just keeps getting more complicated."

Pathan nodded. "And more dangerous."

As they regrouped, Pathan made the decision to confront the rogue agents head-on. If there was a mole within RAW, they needed to root them out-quickly and decisively.

"Leila, track down any information on the agents we encountered," Pathan ordered. "I want to know everything-who they are, where they've been, and who they're working with."

Leila nodded, already pulling out her laptop to begin the search. "I'll get on it right away."

"Kabir, you and Raj stay on high alert," Pathan continued. "We don't know who else might be compromised, and we can't afford to let our guard down."

As the team dispersed to carry out their tasks, Pathan stood alone on the dock, staring out at the dark waters of the canal. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, but he refused to be defeated. The betrayal within their own ranks had only strengthened his resolve.

They would find the mole, and they would stop Tiger-no matter the cost.

Hours later, after an intense search, Leila managed to track down the identities of the rogue agents who had helped Tiger escape. They were low-level operatives within RAW, with no significant records that would have raised suspicion. But their actions in Venice had revealed their true loyalties.

Pathan wasted no time. He ordered the immediate arrest of the agents, determined to uncover the full extent of their involvement. The arrests were swift and efficient, carried out in the dead of night to avoid drawing attention.

As the rogue agents were brought in for questioning, Pathan couldn't shake the feeling that they were only the tip of the iceberg. The conspiracy they were unraveling was vast, with connections that reached into the highest levels of both Indian and Pakistani intelligence.

In the interrogation room, Pathan faced the lead agent who had orchestrated the escape. The man sat across from him, his expression defiant despite the shackles around his wrists.

"You've made a grave mistake," Pathan said, his voice cold and measured. "But it's not too late to make things right. Tell me who you're working for, and I can help you."

The agent smirked, shaking his head. "You think you know what's going on, but you don't have a clue. This is bigger than you-bigger than any of us."

Pathan's eyes narrowed. "Then enlighten me."

The agent leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "There are forces at play here that you can't even begin to comprehend. Tiger is just a pawn-a means to an end. And by the time you figure it out, it'll be too late."

Pathan's heart pounded in his chest as he processed the agent's words. The implications were staggering-a shadowy cabal operating within both RAW and ISI, manipulating events from behind the scenes. And Tiger, the man they had been hunting, was merely a tool in their hands.

But before Pathan could press for more information, the agent leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening.

"You're in over your head, Pathan," the agent said, his tone mocking. "And you're never going to find out the truth."

With that, the agent clammed up, refusing to say another word. Pathan knew that any further attempts to extract information would be futile-this man was a true believer, loyal to a cause that he would take to his grave.

But even as Pathan left the interrogation room, his mind was already working, piecing together the fragments of information they had uncovered. The conspiracy was vast, but it wasn't impenetrable. They had come too far to back down now.

As Pathan returned to his team, he made a silent vow: they would find the truth, no matter the cost. And when they did, they would bring the entire shadowy network crashing down.

The hunt for Tiger had entered its most dangerous phase, but Pathan was ready. The stakes were higher than ever, but so was his determination.

The game was far from over-and Pathan intended to win.