A New India

"We have to consider the possibility that Joshi is leading us astray," Neeraj began cautiously. "Or, at the very least, sending us down a path that benefits the Shadow."

Rao nodded in agreement. "We need to verify everything he's told us. Cross-reference it with what we already know and see if it holds up."

Rohan leaned back, deep in thought. Joshi had always been unpredictable, someone who walked the line between loyalty and betrayal.

His recent actions had become more erratic, even dangerous. Despite this, Rohan couldn't shake the feeling that Joshi still had a role to play. But trust was a fragile thing, and Joshi's actions had raised too many questions.

"Start by looking into anyone with connections to the President and this supposed network," Rohan instructed. "I want a list of every name that comes up, no matter how insignificant they seem. We'll vet them all."

Neeraj leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "We should also dig deeper into Naveen's recent activities. If he's being used, there might be signs, patterns in his behavior, meetings that don't add up. Something that shows he's under pressure or being controlled."

"Agreed," Rao added. "But we need to move fast. If the Shadow is really planning something, we can't afford to wait too long. They could be setting up their next move as we speak."

Rohan rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation. "You're right. Neeraj, start with the President's activities. Rao, focus on verifying Joshi's information. I want to know if we're dealing with a network, a single mastermind, or something else entirely."

Both men nodded and left the room, leaving Rohan alone with his thoughts.

The possibility that Joshi might be deceiving them gnawed at him. If Joshi was lying, they could be walking straight into a situation that could destabilize the entire government.

Hours later, Rohan was still in his office, poring over what little they had on the Shadow.

The information was frustratingly vague, bits and pieces that hinted at a powerful, elusive figure but never enough to form a complete picture.

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The Shadow had been careful, using intermediaries and proxies to stay hidden. Tracking them down was proving nearly impossible.

The breakthrough came when Neeraj called. "Sir, I've got something on President Naveen. We've been going through his schedule, cross-referencing it with known associates of the Shadow. There's a pattern. Certain meetings, private and off the record, with individuals who have connections to offshore accounts and shell companies tied to the network."

Rohan's heart quickened. "Are these recent?"

"Yes, within the last six months. But here's the thing: these meetings are either after important reforms or any major change in India, which can either be to help Shadow understand all these better and prepare well or to give insider information for these reforms which can help shaow a lot."

"So, Naveen has been playing us all along. Using his position to further the Shadow's agenda," Rohan said, anger rising in his voice.

Neeraj hesitated. "It looks that way, but there's more. We found evidence that Naveen has a mistress and an illegitimate son. If this information were made public, it would destroy his political career. That's why he's being used, he's being blackmailed."

Rohan clenched his fists. The realization was like a punch to the gut. "So, they've been controlling him through fear."

"Exactly," Neeraj confirmed. "Which means we might be able to turn this to our advantage. If we can get Naveen on our side, we could use this to expose the Shadow."

Rohan nodded, though his mind was already spinning with the implications. "What about Joshi? Has Rao found anything more?"

"Rao's team is still working on it," Neeraj said. "They're verifying Joshi's claims, but it's slow going. Everything Joshi told us checks out so far, but that doesn't mean he's telling the whole truth."

"Keep digging," Rohan ordered. "If Joshi is playing us, we need to know before it's too late."

Later that evening, Rao entered Rohan's office, holding a fresh report. "Sir, we've got more on Joshi."

Rohan gestured for him to sit down. "What have you found?"

Rao handed him the report. "We've been able to confirm several of Joshi's claims. He has indeed been in contact with members of the Shadow's network, and his movements match up with some of the key events related to the coup. But here's the twist: Joshi isn't just a pawn. He's been playing both sides."

Rohan's eyes narrowed as he read through the report. "Both sides? How?"

"Joshi has been passing information to the Shadow, but he's also been feeding details to another, unnamed group. We haven't identified them yet, but it looks like Joshi has his own agenda. He's been playing everyone off against each other."

Rohan felt a cold fury rise within him. "So, he's been manipulating the entire situation from the start."

"That's what it looks like," Rao said. "He's been using his position to gather information and sell it to the highest bidder. The Shadow, the government, he's been using them all along."

Rohan leaned back, considering the situation. "Joshi might be manipulating everyone, but he's still useful. If we can figure out who else he's working with, we might be able to use that to our advantage."

Rao nodded, a determined look on his face. "I'll get our people on it. We'll craft something convincing and see where it leads."

As Rao left the room, Rohan felt a renewed sense of purpose. The situation was more complex than he had imagined, but they were starting to get a handle on it.

If they could stay one step ahead of Joshi and the Shadow, they might still have a chance to unravel the conspiracy before it was too late.

Hours passed as Rohan and his team continued to dig deeper into Joshi's connections and the Shadow's network.

It was late into the night when Rao returned, this time with a different energy about him. He placed a folder on Rohan's desk, his expression grave.

"Sir, we've uncovered something big," Rao said, his voice low. "Joshi was right about the Shadow being more than just a network. It's a secret society, deeply entrenched in global power structures. The person at the head is always unknown, hidden behind layers of intermediaries. It's like nothing we've ever dealt with before."

Rohan looked at Rao, absorbing the information. "A secret society?"

"Yes," Rao confirmed. "They've been operating in the shadows for centuries, influencing governments, economies, entire nations. We also went through some pre independent documents and I have some mentioned of these societies as far back as 1857"

"But wasn't that the time of our first war of independence" Asked Rohan

"Yes sir, which is why we have come to the conclusion that these are non state power who just want to create chaos and either earn profit or control because of it. That is why believe that after a century they have finally set their eyes again on India" Replied Rao

Rohan stood up, the gravity of the situation settling in. "I need to talk to Joshi."

Within the hour, Rohan was sitting across from Joshi in a small, dimly lit room. Joshi looked tired but defiant, as if he knew what was coming.

"You knew all along," Rohan began, his voice calm but firm. "About the Shadow, about their real nature and even secret societies."

Joshi smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I knew enough. Enough to know that this isn't just about power or money. It's about control over nations, over people."

"Why India?" Rohan asked, cutting to the chase.

"A country with a fragile system and hundreds of millions of people," Joshi replied, his tone almost casual.

"India right now even if you have solidified the country with full control over political and military is still week systematically which you can see just by how many shadow operative are still working in your government. Now these societies, they see it as worth fighting for. Why? Because we are weak and when you control India, you control one of the largest populations on earth."

Rohan studied Joshi for a moment. "And you? Where do you stand in all of this?"

Joshi's eyes darkened. "I'm not a saint, Rohan. But I'm not their puppet either. I played both sides because I don't want these societies controlling my country. India cannot and never will be a pawn in their game."

Rohan leaned in, his voice low and intense. "Then help us. Help us bring them down."

Joshi smiled faintly, the weariness in his eyes evident. "I can help you. But know this, this isn't a battle you can win easily. These people, they're entrenched. They've been doing this for centuries. But I'll give you what I know."

Rohan nodded, determination in his eyes. "We'll take them down, Joshi. One way or another. No matter how powerful they are , when a state machinery is effective like it will be under my control, everyone will realise why even after being entrenched for centuries they are still called secret societies."