As the jeep rolled to a stop in front of Kanchanjunga Military Academy's imposing iron gates, Rajveer remained lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the dark silhouette of the mountains in the distance. The crisp night air clung to the rugged terrain, and the distant peaks stood like silent sentinels, witnessing the tension brewing within him. The weight of the last few weeks bore heavily on his mind, and the echoes of Major Nair's betrayal lingered, a dark cloud over the institution. Yet what troubled Rajveer the most was the creeping sense of unease-a feeling that this was far from over. Something deeper, more sinister, was lurking beneath the surface.

"Raj, you've been silent for too long. Talk to me," Abhimanyu's voice cut through the stillness, his tone light but insistent.

Rajveer blinked, pulling himself out of his reverie. He turned to face his friend and colleague, his expression tight, a frown creasing his forehead. "It's not just Nair, Abhi," he said after a long pause. "There's more to this-something we're not seeing. The way Gehlot has maneuvered his way around the investigation, it's almost as if he's been anticipating our every move. It feels like he's always one step ahead."

Abhimanyu's brows furrowed, concern etching his sharp features. "I get what you're saying, Raj. But we've been doing everything by the book. If Gehlot really is involved, we'll catch him sooner or later. The Prime Minister's direct oversight on Nair's case means it'll be difficult for anyone, even someone like Gehlot, to interfere."

Rajveer's jaw tightened as he shook his head. "It's not that simple, Abhi. With the PMO involved in Nair's trial, Lala Saheb isn't going to sit back and take it. He'll retaliate, and when he does, it won't be subtle. He'll do something drastic-something that will leave even the army scrambling to cover up."

Abhimanyu glanced at Rajveer, his eyes narrowing. "What are you thinking, Raj? You think Gehlot would risk something like that? It's not like him to make bold moves that could draw attention."

Rajveer ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration. "Gehlot has contingency plans. He's always prepared. If we don't act soon, we'll be caught off guard, and by then, it might be too late."

The weight of Rajveer's words hung heavy in the air between them. Abhimanyu leaned back in his seat, silent for a moment, before speaking again, his tone softer. "Are you suggesting we handle this off the record? Take matters into our own hands?"

Rajveer met his gaze, his eyes hard. "Not yet. But we need to be vigilant. If Gehlot is involved, we'll need to move fast, and we can't rely on bureaucracy to do it for us. Too many times, bureaucracy has failed us. And with what Agnihotri hinted at, even if he isn't directly involved with Gehlot, there's no telling who's really pulling the strings."

Abhimanyu considered his words before nodding slowly. "Alright, Raj. We'll keep our eyes open. But you don't have to carry this weight alone. We're in this together, remember that."

Rajveer's expression softened for a moment as he gave his friend an appreciative nod. Despite his trust in Abhimanyu, Rajveer couldn't shake the feeling that there were battles he'd have to fight alone. Battles where the truth, if revealed, could shatter everything.

As they stepped out of the jeep, the cold night air swept across the academy grounds, biting at their skin. The usually vibrant academy now seemed eerily quiet, as if it, too, sensed the storm brewing. The wind rustled through the towering pine trees, and the distant sound of boots on gravel echoed through the vast courtyard.

Rajveer's eyes flickered to the massive iron gates of the academy, their dark outlines stark against the moonlit sky. The academy had always been a symbol of honor and strength, a fortress of discipline. But tonight, it felt more like a battleground where the unseen war of power and corruption was being fought.

---

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit study of his palatial bungalow, Lala Gehlot stood by the window, his figure silhouetted against the glow of city lights in the distance. The Defence Minister's hand gripped a crystal tumbler, swirling the amber liquid within as his eyes scanned the horizon, lost in thought. The situation had escalated far beyond what he had anticipated. Major Nair's betrayal had been a calculated risk, but the unexpected involvement of the Prime Minister had thrown a wrench into his carefully laid-out plans.

He sipped the whiskey, the burn in his throat doing little to calm the storm in his mind. Rajveer Singh Shekhawat-his name had surfaced too many times for Gehlot's liking. The young captain was proving to be more than just a nuisance. He was sharp, resourceful, and, worst of all, determined. The kind of man who couldn't be easily swayed or intimidated. Rajveer was an orphan he had decided to foster, but what nobody knew was that Rajveer was a pawn in his bigger game. He just hadn't anticipated Rajveer growing a spine of his own.

Gehlot's lips twisted into a frown. Rajveer had already exposed Nair's treachery, and now, he was too close to uncovering the larger web of deceit that Gehlot had spent years weaving. Rajveer wasn't just a thorn in his side-he was a liability. And liabilities, Gehlot knew, had to be dealt with swiftly.

The phone on his desk buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. The secure line. Few had access to this number, and fewer still would dare use it without cause. Gehlot placed his drink on the desk and picked up the receiver, his voice calm but firm.

"Speak."

The voice on the other end was low, almost a whisper. "The army general's meeting is set for tomorrow. We've managed to secure the location, but there's been... interest from certain quarters. The Prime Minister's office is asking questions."

Gehlot's grip tightened around the phone, his knuckles white. "Handle it. We can't afford any interference-not now. I don't care what you have to do, just make sure we stay in control. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," came the reply, though there was a hint of hesitation. "What about Shekhawat? He's been asking too many questions."

Gehlot's eyes narrowed. Rajveer again. The young captain had become more of a problem than he had anticipated. "For now, we keep him under watch. If he gets too close, we'll deal with him. But no unnecessary attention. We can't afford any mistakes."

There was a pause before the voice on the other end replied, "Understood, sir."

Gehlot ended the call, his mind already spinning with the next steps. Tomorrow's meeting was crucial. If the army general aligned with him, he could stall the investigation indefinitely, shift the blame, and redirect attention elsewhere. But if things went wrong... well, Gehlot had never been afraid of getting his hands dirty when necessary.

He picked up his drink again, downing the rest in one smooth motion, the bitterness of the whiskey a fitting match for the bitterness brewing in his chest. Rajveer Singh Shekhawat was a threat, and threats needed to be neutralized.

---

The early morning sun had barely risen when Major Rajveer Singh Shekhawat found himself pacing the grounds of Kanchanjunga Military Academy. The cold morning air was crisp, but his mind raced, swirling with thoughts that kept him from feeling anything else. There was an urgency in his steps, a sense that time was running out.

Rajveer had planned to leave for Delhi that afternoon to meet with higher officials regarding the investigation, but something kept tugging at him-a sense that there were loose ends here, things he couldn't leave unfinished.

His eyes scanned the courtyard when he spotted a familiar figure moving briskly toward him-Major Soham Agnihotri. Rajveer hadn't expected to see him, not here, not now. Agnihotri was sharp, clever, and always had a way of getting under Rajveer's skin. But there was something about the urgency in his stride that made Rajveer pause.

"Rajveer!" Soham called out, his tone strained, his eyes darting around as if checking for unseen eyes. "We need to talk. Now."

Rajveer slowed his pace, motioning for Soham to follow as they moved toward a quieter, more secluded corner of the courtyard. The academy grounds were unusually still, the silence only broken by the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of early morning birds.

Soham wasted no time, jumping straight into the conversation, his voice low but intense. "I've been digging into Nair's case, and I think I've found something. Something that links everything back to Gehlot."

Rajveer's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected this. Soham was competent, but Rajveer hadn't known he was investigating the Nair case. "What are you talking about?"

"I've been working with a contact in the Defence Ministry," Soham began, his voice a notch quieter as he leaned closer. "At first, I wasn't sure, but now... there's no doubt. Gehlot is involved in something much bigger than Nair's betrayal. Arms deals, funds being siphoned off through shell companies, offshore accounts-it's all there, hidden beneath layers of bureaucracy."

"Gehlot has been laundering money for years," Soham continued, his voice tense. "And it's not just Nair. The Major was only one cog in a much larger machine. This goes all the way to the top. Arms deals, illegal transfers of military-grade weapons, and funds being rerouted to fronts that don't exist. Gehlot is pulling the strings, and he's using his position in the Defence Ministry to cover his tracks."

Rajveer felt the weight of Soham's words. This was what he had feared all along-that Nair's betrayal was only the tip of the iceberg. And now, they were staring down a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the institution.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Rajveer demanded, his voice tense.

"I had to be sure," Soham replied. "But we don't have much time now. Gehlot knows about the investigation, and if we're not careful, he'll bury everything before we can get the truth out."

Rajveer's mind raced. Gehlot, the Defence Minister, was too powerful an enemy to face without solid proof. "I need evidence, Agnihotri. Your words alone aren't enough. If we're going to take on Gehlot, we need irrefutable proof."

Soham nodded. "I'll get it. My contact in the Ministry is willing to help, but it's risky. We need to be careful."

"And why should I trust you, Agnihotri?" Rajveer asked, his tone skeptical. "Gehlot's a patriot. Why would he sell out the country?"

"I knew you'd be reluctant to believe me," Soham admitted, his expression hardening. "But I came to you because you're the only one who can stop this. You're too close to Gehlot for your own good."

Rajveer's gaze remained steely. "Get me the evidence, Soham. Until then, this conversation stays between us."

As the two men parted, the weight of the mission settled on Rajveer's shoulders. The fight ahead was daunting, but Rajveer knew one thing for sure-he wouldn't let corruption rot the security of the country.

---

Back at his palatial residence, Gehlot paced the floor of his study, his brow furrowed in concentration. His phone buzzed, and he picked it up, irritation flickering across his face as he read the encrypted message.

"They're moving," the text read. "Shekhawat and Agnihotri. They're going to Delhi."

Gehlot's lips curled into a tight smile as he poured himself another drink. His eyes darkened with malice, a predator's gaze set on his prey.

"Let them come," he muttered to himself. "I've been expecting you, Rajveer."

He lifted the glass to his lips, savoring the burn of the whiskey as he considered his next move. It wouldn't be long before the pieces fell into place, and when they did, Rajveer Singh Shekhawat would learn the true cost of standing in his way.

---

Late into the night, Rajveer sat alone in his room, the dim glow of the desk lamp casting shadows across the room. The Red Box lay open before him, and for the first time since it had come into his possession, he felt the weight of its secrets unraveling. Hours had passed as he pored over the intricate codes, his mind tirelessly working through every possible pattern and combination. With each breakthrough, a new layer of the cipher revealed itself, leading him closer to the first part of the evidence against Gehlot.

The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of his laptop as he continued decoding the data. His brow furrowed in concentration, Rajveer's fingers hovered over the keyboard, inputting the final sequence they had uncovered earlier with Soham. The screen flickered for a moment, and then-a breakthrough.

Numbers, accounts, and names flashed on the screen. It was all there-transactions, payoffs, and bribes linked directly to Gehlot's corrupt network. Offshore accounts, hidden under shell companies, used to funnel money from various illegal operations, including arms deals and mining contracts. The evidence was damning-exactly what they needed to expose the full extent of Gehlot's criminal empire.

Rajveer exhaled slowly, his heart pounding as the enormity of the discovery settled over him. They had the first piece, but there was more to uncover. Gehlot had been careful, covering his tracks at every step. This was just the beginning.

As he leaned back in his chair, something caught his eye inside the Red Box-a small, weathered notebook hidden beneath the files. It looked old, its pages worn and yellowed with time. Rajveer reached for it cautiously, a strange sense of familiarity tugging at the back of his mind.

He flipped it open, and his breath caught in his throat.

The handwriting was unmistakable. It belonged to Naveen.

Rajveer's heart raced as he thumbed through the pages, recognizing the unique shorthand code that Naveen had used-one only the two of them knew from their academy days. It was a system they had developed as cadets, a secret way to communicate when they needed to pass messages without others understanding. It had been their private language, something no one else could decipher.

Rajveer's hands trembled slightly as he turned to the first page. Naveen's words stared back at him, written in the familiar code. It was his personal diary.

The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. This wasn't just any diary. These were Naveen's final thoughts, his reflections, and possibly the key to understanding everything that had led up to his death. Rajveer's mind flooded with questions-why had Naveen left this behind? And why was it hidden inside the Red Box?

He quickly began decoding the first entry, his mind snapping back into focus. The familiar patterns of their code came back to him, and slowly but surely, Naveen's words began to take shape on the page.

"If you're reading this, Rajveer, then it means I didn't make it. It means the mission failed, and there are things I couldn't tell you in person. Things that could put everyone at risk-my family, my friends, and you. You need to know the truth."

Rajveer's chest tightened as he continued to read, the words heavy with the weight of everything Naveen had been keeping secret. He flipped to the next page, decoding as fast as his mind would allow.

"Gehlot is deeper into this than anyone realizes. It's not just politics or money-it's power. The kind of power that corrupts everything it touches. And he has allies, Rajveer. People in high places who will stop at nothing to protect him. But I found something-something that could destroy him. I didn't have time to get it all, but it's there. The Red Box holds the key. But be careful. You're already in danger, more than you know."

Rajveer's stomach churned. Naveen had known. He had known the risks, the dangers, and still, he had gone after Gehlot. He had died for it.

Rajveer paused, rubbing a hand across his face. This was more than just a personal vendetta. This was about justice, about exposing the rot that had seeped into the very core of the system. Naveen had sacrificed everything for this.

Determined, Rajveer pressed on, decoding the next few entries. Naveen had detailed his movements, the contacts he had made, and the clues he had followed to unearth Gehlot's secrets. It was all there, hidden in the coded diary-a roadmap that could guide Rajveer to the truth.

And then, the last page.

"If something happens to me, I need you to finish what I started. Don't let him get away with it, Raj. You're the only one I trust. But be careful who you trust. There are traitors everywhere. Even in places you'd least expect."

Rajveer closed the diary, his jaw clenched tight. He knew what he had to do. The evidence in the Red Box, combined with Naveen's diary, was enough to bring Gehlot down. But this was only the beginning.

There were still pieces of the puzzle missing, and now that he had unlocked the first part of the code, the real danger had only just begun. Gehlot wouldn't let them get away with this. The shadows were closing in, and Rajveer knew the clock was ticking.

He needed to act quickly. With Naveen's diary as his guide and the first part of the evidence now in his hands, Rajveer had the advantage-at least for now.

But time was running out.

Standing up, Rajveer locked the Red Box back into the safe, ensuring that the decoded files and Naveen's diary were secure. His next move had to be careful, calculated. He couldn't afford any mistakes.

He'd talk to Abhimanyu first, and then they'd decide the next course of action. As much as he wanted to trust Soham, Naveen's warning echoed in his mind-be careful who you trust. For now, it was best to keep the discovery of the diary between himself and Abhimanyu. There was no room for error. Not anymore.

Rajveer took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. He wouldn't fail Naveen. Not this time.

---

The room was dimly lit, with just enough light from the overhead lamp to illuminate the map spread out across the large wooden table. Colonel Shakti Chandra stood at the head of the table, arms crossed as his stern gaze swept over the details. Major Rajveer Singh sat to his right, silent and focused, while Abhimanyu sat on the other side, his brow furrowed as he traced invisible patterns on the map with his fingertips.

It had been a long day, and tensions were high. The three men had been carefully orchestrating their moves against Gehlot, their every decision weighed with caution. Gehlot's network was vast, and one wrong step could unravel everything they had been working toward. Added to it, the evidence Rajveee had unlocked from the red box, and the mix was increasingly getting murkier.

"Delhi," Colonel Chandra finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was gravelly, the weight of responsibility hanging in the air. "We need someone on the ground there. It's time to gather more intel and take our next step. We can't afford to make a move without being fully prepared."

Abhimanyu nodded, his mind working through the implications. "Delhi is the heart of this," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Gehlot has more influence there than anywhere else. If we send someone, they'll need to keep a low profile. Any sudden activity will raise too many questions, and we can't afford unnecessary attention."

Rajveer leaned forward in his chair, his sharp eyes narrowing in concentration. The quiet hum of the room buzzed with unspoken tension as each of them weighed the risks of sending one of their own into Gehlot's stronghold.

Colonel Chandra took a step closer to the table. "We need someone who can move quickly, someone who knows how to keep their head down but get the job done. There's too much at stake, and we can't let Gehlot make the first move."

Rajveer lifted his gaze from the map. "I'll go," he said firmly, his voice resolute.

Both Abhimanyu and Colonel Chandra turned to look at him, surprise flashing across their faces.

"You're already under too much scrutiny, Rajveer," Abhimanyu pointed out, his voice low but serious. "If Gehlot suspects anything-"

"He already suspects something," Rajveer interrupted, his tone calm but unyielding. "He's been watching me ever since the academy started getting involved in this. But that's exactly why I need to go. If anyone else goes, it'll raise red flags. Gehlot knows I'm tied to KMA, and I can use the army base in Delhi as my cover."

Colonel Chandra considered this for a moment, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It's risky," he said after a pause. "But you're right. You have the best chance of pulling it off without drawing suspicion."

"I can visit the Delhi army base under the pretext of conducting routine inspections," Rajveer continued, outlining his plan. "It won't be out of the ordinary, and it'll give me the perfect cover to move around the city and gather what we need."

Abhimanyu still looked hesitant, his eyes searching Rajveer's face. "You'll have to be careful," he warned. "Delhi is Gehlot's playground. He has eyes and ears everywhere. One misstep, and it won't just be you who's at risk-it'll be all of us."

"I know the risks," Rajveer replied, his tone unwavering. "But we can't afford to wait any longer. We need intel from the capital. I'm the best person to get it."

Colonel Chandra finally nodded, his decision made. "Alright," he said. "You go to Delhi. But you'll need to report back at every step. Any new information you get, we need it immediately."

Rajveer nodded, grateful for the trust his commanding officer was placing in him. "I'll keep you both updated. I won't take unnecessary risks."

Abhimanyu sighed, leaning back in his chair, still looking uneasy. "Make sure you have backup plans in place. If Gehlot gets even the slightest hint of what you're doing, he won't hesitate to act."

Rajveer stood, gathering the files and documents they had been working through. "I'll leave early tomorrow morning," he said, his voice carrying the weight of finality. "The sooner I get to Delhi, the sooner we can start working on our next move."

Colonel Chandra gave a final nod of approval. "Be careful, Rajveer. The mission is important, but we can't afford to lose you."

Rajveer gave him a grim smile. "Don't worry, sir. I have no intention of falling into Gehlot's trap."

With that, the meeting was adjourned, and Rajveer walked out of the room, knowing that the real battle was about to begin. The plan was set in motion, and he was determined to see it through, no matter the cost.

---

Author's Note:

Phew! Done. As promised the next update is here. And many things happen here.

Do you think Rajveer should go to Delhi? Or should Lala Gehlot come to KMA?

Do let me know what stood out for you in this chapter. And please do read, review and vote.

PS: Not proofread as my eyes are burning after this incessant typing and editing. If I might have skipped something, do let me know and I will go back and fix it.

Shubho Mahalaya everyone.

Love ~Flavia