The Tycoon's Odyssey

Evan sat in his command center, his sharp eyes scanning the holographic interface projected before him. His fingers hovered over the controls as he initiated a secure call to Mac.

RING…RING…

It barely took a few moments before the call was connected.

Mac had been overseeing the covert operations in Dilli, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly. Despite the vast layers of security and scrutiny, Mac had successfully managed to pull the wool over the ministry's eyes.

Stationed near the small base workshop close to Samvidhan Bhavan—the Prime Minister's official residence and a crucial meeting point for senior ministers—Mac answered promptly.

The backdrop of the call revealed the distant silhouette of the iconic sandstone dome, surrounded by layers of formidable security.

"Mac," Evan began, his voice low and steady, "What's your situation?"

Mac's voice came through, laced with urgency. "The meeting is in full swing. Heavy security all around with Z+ category guards, armored convoys, drones patrolling the perimeters, and a no-fly zone in effect. At first glance the Samvidhan Bhavan is impenetrable, but there are chinks in the armor. They're over-relying on external tech for monitoring. A blind spot exists near the northwest service gate due to an outdated grid that hasn't been patched in years. This could be our way in."

Evan leaned forward, absorbing every detail. "Who's in attendance?"

"All key ministers and top officials," Mac replied. "It's a critical strategy meeting. Whatever they're planning, it's big. We need to act fast if we want to disrupt whatever they plan to."

Evan nodded. "Hold your position. I'll get you the support you need."

After muting the call, Evan turned to Aurora, whose lifelike projection stood beside him, her crimson hair glowing faintly against the dim light of the command room.

"Aurora," Evan commanded, "I need a full report on Dilli. What's the status of our forces? How many converts do we have on the ground?"

Aurora's voice was calm and precise.

[Our forces are strategically positioned across four sectors in Dilli, totaling 480 active operatives. Within the administration, we have a total of 12 convert allies, including two in logistics and one in the Prime Minister's security team. They are ready to provide internal access when signaled.]

Evan considered the odds. "Good. What's the public response?"

Aurora continued, [Public activity around Samvidhan Bhavan is minimal due to heightened security protocols. Surveillance indicates a potential rally forming near the outskirts, which could be used as a diversion if needed.]

Evan's mind worked quickly, piecing together the plan before unmuting the call. "We'll execute Operation Iron Veil. Mac, your objective is to breach the northwest gate during the next guard rotation. Use our converts to disable internal defenses. Neutralize resistance, secure the ministers, and extract any intel regarding their plans. Aurora, send encrypted instructions to the field teams and prepare for a lockdown of all surrounding sectors."

"Mac, you're in charge of the operation. Iron Veil is a go. Take the team, breach the perimeter, and leave no loose ends. This ends tonight."

Mac's response was resolute. "Understood, Sir. Iron Veil is in motion."

As he cut the call, Evan's gaze hardened and as the holograms shifted to display live feeds from Dilli, he muttered to himself, "Let's see how secure their fortress really is."

_____

Samvidhan Bhavan.

The grand Samvidhan Bhawan—the fortified residence of the Prime Minister and the epicenter of national decision-making—stood as a bastion of power. Guarded by elite soldiers armed with advanced assault rifles, augmented goggles, and exoskeletal enhancements, the area was a fortress that buzzed with tension.

Surveillance drones hovered above, while armored personnel carriers patrolled the perimeter. Every soldier carried a NeuralSync Communicator, a cutting-edge device that linked them in real time.

A short distance from the compound, Mac crouched low in the shadows, his EchoComm device pressed against his ear. "Move into position," he commanded in a controlled whisper.

"Are all traffic police in place to redirect the traffic?"

"All of them are on the move. Our people have full control over it," came the reply.

From the dark alleys, heavily-armored operatives in stealth suits emerged. Their movements were precise as they placed small metallic plates, each no larger than a tablet, in a carefully calculated pattern surrounding the compound. The devices emitted faint blue pulses as they synchronized.

"All plates in position," reported one of the operatives.

Mac finally gave the order. "Activate."

In response, the plates hummed softly, their signals interlinking. Moments later, an invisible dome formed, encapsulating the streets, compound, and surrounding area. The OpticShield Array worked by bending light and broadcasting a virtual illusion of an empty, quiet street. From the outside, the entire compound appeared undisturbed—a flawless mirage masking the chaos that was about to unfold.

"Phase two," Mac instructed before stepping into the fray and preparing for the chaos that was going to erupt now.

Inside the perimeter, cars parked in the compound's lot began to emit thick clouds of smoke, erupting in unison. The guards near the lot were the first to react, their NeuralSync communicators buzzing with alerts.

"Report! What's happening in the west lot?" the security commander barked.

A squad rushed towards the smoke-shrouded vehicles, but as they approached, they collapsed one by one, neutralized by a silent gas in an instant. The NeuralSync network flickered with fragmented transmission before going ominously silent.

"Communicators down!" a guard shouted, frantically tapping at his unresponsive gear.

Before they could regroup, a piercing whistle sliced through the air above. Soldiers craned their necks upward, their enhanced goggles tracking a projectile that was hurtling toward the compound.

"Missile incoming! Take cover!" someone yelled.

The projectile struck the ground with a deafening thud, unleashing an electromagnetic pulse that rippled outward. Sparks erupted as cameras, drones, and every electronic system in the vicinity collapsed. Meanwhile, the soldiers convulsed briefly, their NeuralSync devices frying before they crumpled on the ground in confusion.

From the smoke emerged a wave of armored operatives, clad in TactSuit-EX armor, gleaming under the flickering lights as it continued to deflect the incoming bullets with ease.

"Hold the line!" the commander ordered, firing his rifle. Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the intruders' armor.

"What in hell are they wearing?" a soldier muttered through clenched teeth.

"Keep calm," another replied while reloading his weapon. "Aim for the joints or find heavier firepower."