The next few mornings were as normal as any mornings. The Himalayas glistened like jewels under the pink hues of the sky. The rocky grass smelled like honey. The distinct hustle of the Kashmiri shopkeepers diffused with the air. Soon Ishar was up and ready as usual.
He exercised, jogged a bit, and left for his HQ. Then, Ishar greeted Moti. Moti frightened Pratap. Pratap yelled at Ishar.
Apart from that, they terminated 4 threats, tracked down some possible dangers, and reported to their BSF heads. In fact, it wasn't until 7:00 pm on Wednesday until Aniket said,
"Hey guys, I think I've found something interesting. You know Sandeep Khurana and Varun Gujar?
"Yeah, the big businessmen right? They have some really huge assets, and a lot of indirect power- politically and economically." Karan replied.
"So I found some interesting transactions between the two. It seems that they traded some money together to a third account registered under a false name 'Prasanna Paraiyar', in south western India. It seems to be the 4th time, I guess they forgot to tie up loose ends."
"Money?" Gargi asked, "How much?"
"Not much", Aniket answered, "Just a few 100 million Dollars…".
"100 million!" Pratap said. 'Something is surely going on in here.'
"That's not all. The accounts then transferred some money to Nivedhan Iyer, a local trader who grants people access to the deep Arabian Sea for various purposes…he's the only one allowed to in the area." Aniket announced.
"The General Marshal must have some contacts in that area. I'll call him up and see what I can find. The fact that they transferred money illegally itself is a big scam." Ishar said.
"You go and call him, but don't tell him the finer details…in case a third party is listening," Pratap warned.
Ishar nodded and went into another room to call Aarush Verma. Seating on a chair and shaking one leg, he calmly waited for the General to pick up.
"General Aarush Verma here." Aarush's familiar, deep voice spoke. "What happened, Ishar?".
"Do you know who Sandeep Khurana and Varun Gujar are?" Ishar asked.
"Why of course! I know them very well" came the answer, "Both of them are my good friends. We met 3 years back, when they, along with Dev Rathore, came to meet us for weapon specialization and progress. Both were highly interested in defense tech, "For the sake of the country", they said. And we've met each other many times since. But why do you ask?"
"Well, we've suspected that they are part of a big scam, transferring money illegally to an account in Southwest India, and it isn't the first time." Ishar told him.
"Do you have any contacts in that area? So we can find out what they are up to?" he added.
"Sandeep and Varun are part of a scam? Interestingly, they themselves had suspected and informed us about some unlawful activities going on in India. I have faith in you soldiers. Find out what's going on in Southwest India. I have an area in Kerala, which may be suitable to your needs. Sending you the coordinates. Jai Hind." Aarsuh said.
"Jai Hind, sir." Ishar acknowledged, and ended the call.
He went back to the main room, where 4 faces were staring at him with anticipation.
"So?" Pratap asked. "What did Sir say?"
Ishar smirked and said, "I've got some really good information for you guys. Turns out, both of them are friends with the General. And guess what they mainly were interested in."
"Weapons?" Gargi suggested.
"Yep." Ishar replied, "And they had even established a great relationship with the Army officers. In fact, they even informed them about other illegal scams going on in the country. Now just think, where would they have gotten this information?"
Karan said, "But Ishar, don't you think that the General Marshal must've checked the background of these guys? I mean, how could they've just busted the scams without some solid evidence?"
"Right again." Ishar said. "I guess that's another mystery to solve. But first of all, pack your bags. The General has sent us the coordinates and some possible leads. We're going to Kerala!"
"Kerala!" I've always loved that place", Aniket said, with a dreamy look on his face, "The trees, the sea, the coffee, the essence of earthen beauty lingering in the air-"
"Okay we get that you love it, no need to get philosophical." Pratap said with a chuckle.
Everyone laughed.
Just then Ishar remembered. "I almost forgot! Everyone, search for any information related to a person named Dev Rathore."
"What's there to search about him? Everyone knows that he's the CEO of WeaponR Industries. The youngest CEO in the defense field." Gargi said.
WeaponsR? WeaponsR. Ishar had heard that name somewhere. He racked his mind, but every archive in his brain didn't seem to have a single word on WeaponsR.
Maybe this mystery was for another time as well.
"Okay we'll see about him as well. As of now, everyone pack your bags, We meet at the airport at 7:00 am tomorrow." Ishar announced.
Everyone agreed and left the HQ (keeping it on high security, of course), being highly exhilarated by their astounding finds. Moti gave a happy yelp.