The rebellion began their journey toward the Ghost City two hours after the Imperial attack. They made quick preparations, checking whether they had enough working arms and ammunition. In six to seven hours, they would reach the city.
Gayatri, who had been looking outside, turned her head toward Mitra and noticed him trying to tear the restraints.
"I will tighten those restraints," Judy said.
Mitra turned and glared at her with anger.
"Judy, lower your gun!" Gayatri warned.
She turned back to Mitra.
"So, how is Arjun nowadays? We haven't met for a long time."
Mitra hesitated. The Governor had been right — he did know her.
"He denied knowing you," Mitra replied.
Gayatri laughed softly. "He knows me very well."
"I see. But why would he deny knowing you?"
"Interesting question — one only he can answer. Tell me, Mitra, how well do you remember your father?"
"You killed him, didn't you? You killed him!" Mitra shouted.
"That's what you were told to believe," Gayatri replied, calm and steady.
"No! I remember — the rebels shot my father!"
"You were just a small child back then. How can you remember?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, let me ask you something else. Your mother — do you remember her?"
"She died during childbirth. My father told me."
"I know, I know. Yes… your parents were rebels, like us. Even Arjun, long ago."
Mitra was stunned but refused to believe her. "What?"
"We were all together, Mitra. We fought side by side. Krishna and Arjun were rebel spies. But Arjun… he betrayed Krishna, our trust, the idea of togetherness — all for a small piece of land in the rainforest."
"How can I be sure you're not lying?"
"He will confirm it."
"I don't trust you."
Gayatri looked at him for a moment and gently placed a hand on his head. Mitra recoiled in disgust. She withdrew her hand.
"You have your mother's eyes," she said softly.
Mitra stared at her for a few seconds.
"Then who are you?"
"Your mother was a great friend of mine. We always fought together. And your father — he was the one who supplied information about the location of Paradise. Combining the pieces of the map… it took a long time. Our hope wasn't misplaced."
"A foolish hope."
"You will see, Mitra. You will see."
*********************************************************************************************************
The Admiral walked up to the acting Commander-in-Chief, a man of medium height and lean build, standing in the doorway of the Imperial Building.
"How many do we have?" the Admiral asked.
"Not many, sir. Twenty-five left."
"Any sign of reinforcements?"
"Not yet, sir. I checked from the watchtower."
"Sir… do we have an option to abandon?"
"You know the penalty."
"But sir, these savages… our troops are afraid at this point—"
"Piett! Don't give ideas," the Admiral said coldly.
************************************************************************************************
Two hours before midnight
The rebels reached the outer limits of the Ghost City, near the spot where the messenger had signalled Judy the night before. Mitra was still shackled. Gayatri and Judy stepped down from the vehicle. They dragged the Imperial troopers out, forcing them to kneel on the ground one by one.
Gayatri and Judy put on their masks. Judy looked toward the Ghost City — floodlights were active above the gates. She pressed the zoom button on her visor and saw Imperial troops waiting at the exit.
The Admiral watched the gathering from the watchtower with Stella and Piett by his side, zooming through the eye lenses of his mask. He saw the Imperial troopers kneeling on the ground, and now, a white flag rising.
The sky was clear under the full moon. The Western Oriental Wind swept through the area, carrying sand that fell across the rebels.
"They want a word. Raise the flag, Piett," Arjun ordered.
Piett shouted for the Imperial troopers to lift a similar flag.
"I'm glad Arjun still has some sense left in him," Gayatri muttered.
She boarded one of the empty vehicles, with a rebel accompanying her to drive.
*********************************************************************************************************
The Admiral and Piett descended from the watchtower and boarded their Imperial jeep. Both parties drove to meet at the midpoint between their battalions. The vehicles stopped. Gayatri and Arjun stepped out.
They removed their masks, looked at each other, then put them back on.
"Long time," Gayatri said.
Arjun replied with a tone of disappointment, "You finally found Paradise, then."
"I never lost hope."
"Where is it?"
"That's none of your concern."
"I thought it was a myth."
"Everything is a bloody myth to you! You betrayed us!"
Arjun's voice shifted, tinged with old bitterness.
"We were losing back then. Paradise was a lost cause. Even you believed that when we were together."
"Your disillusionment made you betray Krishna. You betrayed all of us! For what? Power?"
"Yes — power! And peace. I wanted to settle after everything. I was tired of secrecy."
"For a small piece of land in the rainforest."
"Who doesn't?"
"And you still haven't received the reward. The Imperial's loyal dog. Your betrayal cost us the operation!"
"Did I have a choice?"
Gayatri's anger flared. "You could have kept your bloody mouth shut!"
"Past is past. Where is Mitra?"
"He's with us."
"Did you turn him?"
"Not yet. But he will."
"Surrender or fight?"
"We fight — but we won't harm civilians."
"What about the innocents you already harmed? Like Jaina, and many others who stood in your way."
"We are criminals, Arjun. All of us. And I regret many things."
"You want to justify their deaths? Killing me — justifiable. Killing the Governor — justifiable. Killing Jaina? Never."
Gayatri looked away, uncomfortable.
"We didn't have a choice."
"You're just like us, Gayatri — exactly like us, doing whatever it takes."
Gayatri raised her hand to slap him, but stopped.
"I regret everything, Arjun. I really do. But the massacre the Imperial Regime caused is unforgivable — unlike us."
Arjun's voice dropped cold. "See you in hell, Gayatri. You're about to smell your deaths."
He turned, boarded his vehicle, and drove off. Gayatri watched him, rage and regret burning through her. She clenched her fist, then returned to her vehicle. The rebel soldier drove them back.
After returning to the post, the Admiral climbed up the watchtower, took the microphone, and announced,
"Attention!"
*********************************************************************************************************
Gayatri asked Judy, "Are we ready?"
"We are ready, Mother."
"Fire the torch."
One by one, the rebels brought out wooden logs, poured oil, and lit a row of medieval torches. Judy drew her sword from its leather sheath — a rusty katana from an older age — and checked her semi-automatic revolver. Gayatri lifted an M4 from the supplies on the ground and attached the scope. The rest of the rebels picked up their respective weapons — revolvers, M4s, MG42s — all stolen from the Imperial Regime.
*****************************************************************************************************
The Admiral observed this from a distance. He asked Piett to prepare the troops and lead the Imperial formation. He pointed toward Gayatri's blue, rugged attire.
"That one — the woman in blue — she is the rebel leader."
Piett noted it, though fear remained obvious in his trembling voice. "Yes, Admiral."
"Any last words?"
"No."
"Carry on."
Piett's eyes were filled with fear; his body trembled. He descended from the watchtower and took command of the troops. The Imperial soldiers moved into position with their artillery.
"Attention!"
They stood still at the command. Piett shouted, "Company! Forward attack!"
Gayatri shouted to her rebels, "ARE YOU READY?"
"YES, MOTHER! LONG LIVE THE REBELLION!"
"WE ATTACK!"
********************************************************************************************************
Both sides — Imperial Troopers and rebels — charged toward the middle of the outer territory of the Ghost City, torches raised high as they ran into battle.
Gunfire erupted. Bodies fell. Dust and fire filled the air. When the two forces clashed directly, they descended into brutal hand-to-hand combat. Masks cracked. Guns smashed into faces. Shots were fired at point-blank range — some hitting, some missing by inches.
Piett, slowly overcoming his fear, looked for the rebel leader. He spotted the worn blue clothing through the chaos.
Gayatri and Judy took cover behind a rock. Gayatri shot down several Imperial troopers, saving rebels who were being overwhelmed.
Piett fired at Gayatri but missed; he advanced. She dropped her gun, reacting to the whizzing bullets. Judy reloaded, set the katana aside, rose from cover, and fired back at Piett — missing again.
Piett and two Imperial soldiers opened fire. Judy took a flesh wound to the shoulder and dropped her gun. One trooper leaped onto her and yanked her hair violently.
Judy grabbed the katana, swung it in a fast arc, sliced off the attacker's hand, and drove the blade into his chest. He collapsed instantly.
Gayatri rolled aside, grabbed her gun — but it jammed, the trigger mechanism broken from earlier shots.
Piett spotted Gayatri in the open and raised his weapon. This was his moment — his prize to win the Admiral's praise.
But Judy picked up a discarded gun, aimed, and shot Piett from behind. He dropped, severely wounded but still alive. With sheer force of will, he crawled toward Gayatri, raising his gun again.
Judy fired once more. Piett fell still. His breathing stopped.
Gayatri looked at Judy. "Thanks."
Judy said nothing, sliding the katana back into its sheath and reloading.
"Come. We don't have time," Gayatri said.
Around them, the last of the Imperial troopers fell. Rebels delivered final blows — fist to fist, head to head, gunbutt to face. The ground was littered with bodies, blood, and broken masks. Exhausted, wounded, and reduced in number, the rebels finally stood victorious.
The Admiral watched, horrified. He touched his covered throat and murmured, "They are so brutal…"
"What do we do? They're coming toward us! Shoot them!" Stella cried, gripping his shoulder.
"We can't. They have our troops as hostages at the outer limit."
"Is there any way to defeat these savages?"
*********************************************************************************************************
Meanwhile, the driver of the rebel vehicle stepped out — leaving Mitra tied to the seat. Mitra inched his restraints toward a steel spike jutting from the rusted seat frame and rubbed the rope against it. The knot loosened, but the spike cut into his skin. He ripped the rope from his legs and found a scarf behind the seat to wrap the wound.
He looked for a weapon — nothing.
He stepped out and scanned the area, struggling to breathe the foul air.
Preston and his men were kneeling, hands and legs bound, panting. A single rebel guarded them.
The rebel spot Mitra. "Move or I shoot!"
"Gayatri doesn't want me dead," Mitra said.
"I don't care."
"As you wish."
Mitra raised his hands. The guard approached with a rope. As soon as the guard leaned in, Mitra shoved himself backward against the vehicle, snatched the rope, and whipped it across the rebel's face like a lash. He grabbed the guard's weapon and ripped the mask from his face.
The driver ran toward them unarmed. Mitra struck him with the rifle butt, knocking him down, then hit him again when he tried to get up.
Mitra tied both rebels hand-to-feet with the rope.
He moved to Preston, who was struggling to breathe in the harsh air. Mitra loosened his restraints and handed him a mask — but Preston put it on Sam, whose face was covered with rashes. Together they untied the rest.
Preston picked up a gun and aimed it at the captured rebels.
Mitra stopped him.
"Why?" Preston growled.
"Bargaining chip."
Anger flared through Preston, but he lowered the gun.
"What do you want?"
"We'll see. Come on. Tie them inside."
"We don't have much time."
"Then keep a watch on them — guns to their heads."
They boarded the vehicles. Mitra drove first, taking the lead vehicle with Preston, two Imperial soldiers, and the two captured rebels. As they sped across the wasteland, the ground was smeared with blood. Severed bodies lay everywhere — pierced, beheaded, torn apart.
Arjun looked down from the tower. Gayatri was approaching. He heard the rumble of engines — Imperial jeeps.
He zoomed in through his lens. Imperial attire.
"Preston's men. They're coming."
"Thank goodness," Stella said.
"We still have a chance to stop the rebels."
The Admiral descended with Stella and walked toward the exit gate. Arjun retrieved his service revolver and clicked off the safety.
*********************************************************************************************************
Gayatri heard the approaching vehicles and quickened her pace. Judy, Shankar, and Mary followed.
"Judy! Shankar! Mary! Faster!" she shouted.
Mitra accelerated the jeep. Preston snarled, "Just bloody drive her over!"
As Gayatri and her rebels neared the gate, Mitra skidded to a halt. Gayatri and Judy dropped to one knee. Gayatri shot at the floodlights while Judy and Mary covered her. Sparks erupted as the lights were damaged.
The jeeps behind them halted as well.
Preston slammed the dashboard in frustration and glared at Mitra.
Everyone stepped out but left the vehicles' headlights on. Mitra hurried toward the rebels. Preston and a trooper dragged the captured rebels out and shoved them to the ground.
Gayatri and Judy fired, but the shots missed — and they hesitated, unable to risk hitting the hostages or Mitra.
Near the gate, Mitra sprinted forward, knocked Shankar down, and held a gun to his head. Mary stood between Gayatri and Judy.
Gayatri raised her M4 and aimed at the Admiral.
The Admiral aimed at Judy.
Preston dragged the remaining hostages into view.
"You can't win, Gayatri. Surrender!" Arjun shouted.
"Do I ever surrender?" she replied.
"You should have killed them when you had the chance!"
Gayatri turned — and saw Mitra.
Then Preston.
Then Judy.
"Surrender! Don't make this difficult!" Arjun yelled.
Gayatri dropped her weapon and looked at Mary. Judy followed. Their masks hid their expressions, but the tension was palpable.
"Good. Mitra, Preston — bring the rebels to me," Arjun ordered.
Mitra shoved Shankar toward Gayatri. Preston dragged the other rebels forward.
Suddenly, Gayatri pushed Mary aside. Judy shoved Shankar and the others. They dove for their fallen guns.
Judy yanked a smoke bomb from her jacket, pulled the pin, and threw it toward Arjun. A thick plume erupted.
Shankar tossed another into the cloud around Mitra and Preston.
"Son of a bitch!" Preston shouted.
Gayatri whipped out a small revolver and fired at the Admiral — missing through the smoke.
Arjun dragged Stella under the tower for cover.
The rebels sprinted into the Ghost City through the exit gate. Judy tossed another smoke grenade behind them, masking their escape, and took the lead toward the Imperial Building.
Mitra stumbled out of the smoke and saw Arjun hiding beneath the tower. He grabbed him and hauled him toward the gate, pressing a gun to his forehead.
Stella screamed.
Preston arrived, confused, and pointed a gun at Mitra.
"Did you betray my father?" Mitra yelled, voice trembling with rage.
"Why— why would I do that?" the Admiral stammered. Preston lowered his weapon slightly.
"She's lying! Gayatri lies — always has. She makes everyone feel close, then turns them into rebels," the Admiral said desperately.
"How does she know about my mother? That I have my mother's eyes?"
"I'm telling you the truth. Your father and I — many joined the Imperials because of Gayatri's lies."
"Then why did you deny knowing her?"
"I was ordered not to reveal my past with her after the capture!"
"Why does the Governor never speak of it?"
"It's protocol! The Fictional Narrative Protocol—"
"What the hell is that? I've never heard of it!"
"It's—ugh—it's to maintain a narrative… to keep secrets… Please, Mitra, let me go—"
"Bloody hell!" Mitra loosened his grip.
"You're delaying everything!"
Mitra pulled the gun away.
"Were you a rebel?" Mitra asked.
"I was. So was your father. But we switched sides because of Gayatri and a few hopeless separatists who wanted to destroy world peace."
"Unbelievable."
"Forget it! The rebels will head to the Radio Communications Room."
"How do you know?"
"Standard rebel operating procedure."
*********************************************************************************************************
As everyone followed Judy and reached the Imperial Building, all six rebels opened fire into the air and shot down the security. They stormed inside. Judy spotted the fire alarm, smashed the glass, and activated it.
Gayatri instructed Toshiro, "Find the Imperial jeep!"
Judy handed him a duplicate flash key. "Just flash it. You'll know."
She turned to another rebel. "Ahmed, cover him."
Then to Judy, "Cover me."
"Yes, Mother."
Judy turned to Mary and Shankar. "Clear the area of any Imperial troopers and bring the jeep to the exit gate."
"Don't shoot Mitra. You know his attire!" Gayatri warned.
Except Judy, everyone asked, "Why?"
"Please — it's a request. Keep it. Let's move!"
*********************************************************************************************************
As the remaining Imperial troops drove toward the building, they surrounded it and opened precise fire.
Mitra, Arjun, and Preston entered the building. Mitra and Arjun removed their masks and let them hang around their necks by the rubber bands. Footsteps thundered in the corridors — inhabitants rushing out of rooms in panic as Mary and Shankar fired warning shots at the ceiling. Clerks, managers, and families fled in chaos and hid wherever they could.
********************************************************************************************************
Gayatri and Judy reached the communications room. The door was locked from the inside. They positioned themselves a little distance from it.
Judy shouted, "Everyone inside, we're blowing this door open!"
Gayatri aimed at the lock and fired. The lock shattered, and the door collapsed inward. People screamed as they scrambled past them to escape.
Judy barked, "Move! Move!" as the operators fled one by one.
She surveyed the room and noticed the fire escape backdoor.
********************************************************************************************************
Gunshots downstairs echoed through the building. The Admiral, Mitra, and Preston heard them. As the boarders ran, the three men rushed upstairs. There was no sign of Shankar, Mary, Toshiro, or Ahmed.
*********************************************************************************************************
Gayatri hurried to the transmission unit and keyed in the coordinates of five critical locations.
She grabbed the microphone and announced:
"We have captured the Ghost City. I repeat, we have captured the Ghost City. It is now under rebel control. We have found the location of the Lost Paradise. Brothers, sisters, friends — rebel hope rises. Down with the Imperials. This is Gayatri. Out."
Judy asked, "Now what?"
"Our people will live in it!"
As Judy stood near the door, Mitra suddenly shoved her toward Gayatri — but she steadied herself. He aimed his gun at Gayatri, recognizing the dark blue rugged overall she wore. Arjun pointed his gun at Judy.
The Admiral ordered Preston, "Check for any other rebels nearby."
"Yes, sir." Preston moved out.
Gayatri and Judy slowly removed their masks.
Gayatri shouted at Arjun with a victorious laugh despite the danger. "Done, Arjun!"
"I can see that…"
"So, if you'll excuse us, I have an Imperial Regime to destroy."
"You're not going anywhere. Surrender!" Mitra barked.
"Mitra, please — lower your gun."
"You're coming with me. To the Governor!"
"That's too late for me, my son."
Mitra froze. "Son? What do you mean?"
The Admiral shouted, voice trembling as he kept his gun on Judy. "Don't, Gayatri! Don't tell him!"
Gayatri ignored him. "I am your mother, Mitra. Krishna was my husband."
Mitra dropped the gun, collapsing to his knees. "WHAT?"
The Admiral trembled with fear; Judy simply watched, almost amused at his panic.
Gayatri continued, "That's why I wanted you with me. That's why we didn't kill anyone during the fight in the neutral territory — to protect you."
"You're a liar, Gayatri!"
Gayatri placed her hand on his head. "I missed you. I missed your father." She stroked his face gently — a mother's touch awakening a buried bond.
Mitra trembled. "It can't be… impossible… You died. Father told me…"
"I was there when he was killed. Arjun was hunting me, but your father sacrificed himself to save me."
Mitra shook his head. "You're lying. I don't remember seeing you."
"I came only at night, when you slept — just to see you, my child."
"This is… this is… insane… I—"
Gayatri pointed at Arjun. "Look at him! He's shaking. He hid the truth for years — a traitor."
Mitra turned to Arjun. "Admiral… is this true?"
Arjun's voice faltered. Cornered, he confessed. "Yes, Mitra."
Hatred flooded Mitra's eyes. "You killed my father."
"I didn't. It was an order—"
"You pulled the bloody trigger!"
"I know you're angry, but you're working for the Imperials. Remember your reward. Calm down, Mitra. Calm down!"
Mitra slammed him against the wall. "You son of a bitch!" He punched him brutally.
Hearing the noise, Preston rushed in — struck Mitra hard, knocked him to the floor, and shattered his mask. Mitra's face twisted with pain and fury.
Gayatri reached for him from behind. "Son! Come with me. Ju—"
A gunshot.
Preston had fired.
The bullet struck Gayatri. She collapsed. Mitra caught her in his arms, eyes burning with rage. He set her gently on the floor, then leapt at Preston, beating him savagely with both fists.
Judy clutched Gayatri's hand, cradling her head.
Gayatri's fading voice whispered, "Judy… take Mitra with you. Find the Paradise. Give my love to my…"
Her breath left her. Her hand slipped from Judy's grasp.
Judy shed a tear — but there was no time. Preston flung Mitra aside and drew his revolver. Judy hurled the last smoke grenade toward him. She grabbed Mitra, slapped him awake as he growled in rage, pulling him toward escape.
Mitra's eyes lingered on Gayatri's body for a final, broken moment.
They rushed to the back door. Judy threw it open — the fire escape. She had forgotten her mask, but they couldn't go back. Preston was already charging after them.
Judy fired but missed. They ran. Judy leapt from the second floor; Mitra followed, landing hard on the sand-filled ground.
Judy sprinted toward the parking area, but saw no allies.
Shankar suddenly shouted for her from across the lot, running toward them. When he saw Mitra, he raised his gun.
"He's with us!" Judy shouted. "Mother told me!"
"Is he trustworthy?"
"We'll decide on the path!"
Preston appeared and opened fire. A bullet grazed Shankar; he stumbled backward.
Shankar limped toward his vehicle, but Judy and Mitra couldn't reach him.
Mitra finally regained clarity. "Let them take their transport! We'll go in my interceptor. Tell him to wait by the exit gate!"
"Perfect." Judy yelled, "Take yours! We're coming in the interceptor!"
Shankar hesitated, then obeyed. Ahmed leaned out of his jeep and shot out the outer building lights, plunging the area into partial darkness.
Mitra and Judy reached his vehicle.
Judy scoffed, "What is this junk?"
"Get in."
He unzipped his chest pocket, pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and they climbed inside. Preston opened fire. Mitra started the ignition, reversed violently, rammed another vehicle out of the way, and sped down the main passage toward the road.
At the exit gate, Shankar waved. Judy rolled down the window and waved back. Shankar boarded the interceptor, and they escaped the Ghost City together.
From the watchtower, Stella watched them leave. With no troopers left to stop them, she monitored their direction through the long-range video communicator.
*********************************************************************************************************
The Admiral knelt beside Gayatri's body.
He gently closed her eyes. "I am sorry… Forgive me, if possible."
He rose and walked outside — staring at the battlefield, the dead and wounded Imperial soldiers scattered everywhere.
To be Continued: Chapter 8: No Comebacks