🧾 RECAP:
In Mumbai, Neil managed to sneak into the biotech stronghold of Veer Rana—also known as Elias Voss—and stumbled upon a jaw-dropping video: his mother, who everyone thought was dead, was actually alive and working in a secret lab. After narrowly escaping a trap, Neil found himself with more questions than he had answers. The fight against Horizon had turned personal once again.
📖 CHAPTER 10: Mother's Secret
Mumbai – Safehouse, 4:00 AM
The room was filled with the low hum of old air conditioners and the faint sound of traffic in the distance. Neil sat at a desk cluttered with surveillance photos, decrypted files, and satellite schematics.
But all he could focus on was her.
His mother. Alive.
The video replayed endlessly in his mind. She stood next to a cold steel table in a high-tech lab, her expression distant yet intent. Dressed in a pristine lab coat, her hair was shorter now, with streaks of grey.
Tatiana entered quietly, carrying two cups of strong filter coffee.
"She's definitely alive," she said softly, handing him one.
Neil didn't respond immediately. He just stared.
"My father told me she was killed. Shot during the ambush. He made me bury a closed casket."
"Maybe that's what Voss wanted him to think."
Neil leaned back, his eyes burning with emotion. "She's not a prisoner. She was working."
Tatiana raised an eyebrow. "Then the real question is—willingly?"
---
**Flashback: The Day of the Attack**
Neil recalled that day vividly. The rain poured relentlessly. Sirens wailed in the distance. His mother had grabbed him by the shoulders, her eyes wide with urgency.
*"No matter what happens, survive. Never stop asking why."*
Now it all made sense.
She knew something. Maybe she always had.
---
**Connecting the Clues**
Raj walked in, holding a file. "I pulled some classified Indian Intelligence records. Voss entered the country under diplomatic clearance, using the name Veer Rana. He's listed as a medical advisor for cutting-edge genetic research."
Neil snatched the file. "And what about her?"
Then she closed the gap and enveloped him in a tight embrace, tears washing away years of control.
---
**Revelations**
In a softly lit medical chamber, Leela laid it all out.
"I joined Voss under false pretenses. He claimed he wanted to help amputees—neural tech for veterans. I believed him. But he changed."
"Dad thought you died."
"I had to let him believe that. If Voss figured out I was trying to stop him… Neil, I've been working on a backdoor into Horizon. I've messed with the code and planted logic bombs in the systems. But I just couldn't wrap it up."
Neil nodded. "I understand."
"But Voss is onto us. He's ramping things up. Global deployment is happening now. His next target is the Indian Defense Network. And Neil… he knows you're the only one who can stand in his way."
Neil's eyes blazed with determination.
"Then it's time for us to fight back."
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🔫 *To Be Continued in Chapter 11: "Sabotage"*