Malisha sat inside the car with three dead bodies and an unconscious Raghav.
For a moment, she did nothing.
Then she exhaled slowly.
She searched Rank 50's pockets, fingers methodical, until she found the satellite phone. Her lips twitched.
"God," she muttered. "I almost thought your dumb ass didn't carry it. 'Master' as a codename—pathetic."
She dialed.
Behind her, a guard coughed—wet, broken. Still alive.
"You won't make it out," the gaurd rasped, struggling to breathe. "The Master… he was guaranteed by him."
Malisha glanced back, unimpressed.
"Rank One?" she asked flatly.
She tilted her head. "Do you really think Rank One would bother himself over Rank Fifty? Be believable."
The guard tried to move.
Malisha stepped forward and twisted the knife deeper, ending it cleanly. She pulled it out without a sound.
Three bodies now.
The call connected.
"Now tell me," Malisha said calmly into the phone, "why do you always take so long to pick up, OP?"
She listened, eyes scanning the surroundings through the window.
"Yes, it worked. But I want full access."
A pause.
"What do you mean, you can't?" she snapped softly. "I don't pay you to try. I'm getting my team and the survivors out—not just myself. Otherwise, I wouldn't need you for handling Rank Fifty, would I?"
Silence.
She tapped her fingers once.
"…Fine."
Then, sharper: "Six o'clock. Eleven o'clock. And near the chambers—but carefully. There are hostages."
She checked her watch.
"Thirty seconds."
A beat.
"Yes."
She leaned back.
"And connect Aryan."
Pause.
"Tell him to reach here in thirty to thirty-five minutes. No delays."
She smirked faintly.
"I'll think of a story. I always do."
The call ended.
Malisha kicked open the door and shoved Rank 50's body out onto the dirt. Then she stepped out herself.
Every gun turned toward her.
Dozens of faces—angry, confused, afraid.
"Wasn't he boring?" Malisha said casually, one hand in her pocket, the other holding a gun.
"I'd say the same about all of you."
"You think you can just walk away now, bitch?" one guard spat.
"Yes," Malisha replied, stepping forward.
"That is exactly what I'm going to do."
A land mine detonated behind her, ten meters away.
She took another step.
Another explosion—this time ahead.
"And this," she continued calmly.
Two more blasts erupted near the chambers.
The guards froze.
"I want the man from that car," she said evenly, pointing behind her, "returned safely to the bus."
She stepped closer.
"And when my companions arrive, you will apologize. You will explain that there was a misunderstanding—now resolved by me."
Her eyes hardened.
"You will escort them to the bus. Like good boys."
She stopped inches from the guard who had spoken earlier.
"This will continue," she added quietly, "until every single land mine you own is gone."
A pause.
"Oh—and stay here. In thirty minutes, someone will come to take over."
Her voice dropped.
"If you try anything—resist, escape, or think—you should know I can trigger all the mines at once. From anywhere."
The guard swallowed and dropped his gun.
The others moved fast—lifting Raghav, rushing him to the bus like hell itself was chasing them.
Malisha opened the bus door and watched them place Raghav inside.
They didn't look back.
She left the door open.
Whistled.
The dogs stepped out, low growls vibrating in their chests. They circled the bus in perfect formation—a living perimeter.
Soon, Aditya, Siya, Dweep, and the survivors arrived.
The guards apologized—stumbling over their words, eyes never leaving Malisha.
Confused. Terrified.
"Get in," Malisha ordered.
"Adi, drive. Siya, check Raghav. Everyone—help each other. Now."
No one argued.
They boarded fast.
Malisha whistled again. The dogs slipped back into their room.
She climbed in last and closed the bus door without looking back.
"Drive," she said.
Aditya hit the accelerator.
The bus moved forward—fast—leaving smoke, bodies, and broken ranks behind.