Police Headquarters
The air inside the National Walaysia Police Headquarters was thick with tension. Commissioner General Syed Sulaiman sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping a slow, deliberate rhythm against the polished wood. His gaze was locked onto the officer standing before him.
Joseph Fernandez.
The man of the hour. The officer responsible for setting off a chain reaction that could no longer be controlled.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, the Commissioner let out a heavy sigh. "Since you've started this chaos, I'm passing this headache to you." His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was undeniable.
Joseph's jaw tightened. "Sir—"
The Commissioner raised a hand, cutting him off.
"I don't want Gang Nagas retaliation spilling over into the streets. We can't afford civilian casualties." His gaze sharpened. "You'll form your own action task force—effective immediately."
Joseph's pulse quickened. "A task force?"
The Commissioner leaned forward. "Every move you make from now on will be watched. The entire department is under scrutiny."
Joseph stiffened. "Watched? By who?"
The Commissioner's expression darkened. He exhaled sharply. "Everyone."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Finally, the Commissioner leaned back. "I received intel from the Intelligence Department this morning. Gang Nagas is holding a meeting tonight. If they retaliate… you will bear full responsibility for the fallout."
Joseph's breath hitched. He had anticipated this—but hearing it confirmed made it feel real.
The Commissioner stood up, walking toward the large window overlooking the city. "You know the consequences. If anything happens, prepare to face them."
Joseph exhaled slowly, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. "Understood, sir."
The Commissioner didn't turn around. "Dismissed."
Joseph hesitated for a moment before turning on his heel and leaving the office.
The door clicked shut.
And for the first time since their conversation began, Syed Sulaiman allowed his real thoughts to surface.
The Commissioner let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples.
"I'm sorry, Joseph."
He lowered himself into his chair, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"I don't plan to abandon you… but you're on your own now. Whether you rise like a phoenix or burn to ashes—it's all up to you."
His gaze flickered toward the thick case file on his desk.
He had never wanted to fight this war.
But the moment Raja Sekaran was arrested, the battle lines were drawn.
Athavan had thrown the first stone.
And now… there was no stopping what came next.
Joseph walked down the dimly lit hallway, his thoughts tangled.
Everything was happening exactly as Athavan had predicted.
"That bastard."
His fingers clenched around his phone as he recalled their last conversation.
"How did he know? How did he anticipate that Gang Nagas would fall into this exact trap?"
For years, he had prided himself on being a man of logic, a man of justice. But right now—he felt like a pawn in someone else's game.
"I was the one who arrested Raja Sekaran, but somehow… it feels like he's the one who planned it."
His grip tightened.
"And now, I've been made the scapegoat."
A slow, bitter realization settled in.
Athavan had accounted for everything. Even this. Even me."
Joseph exhaled sharply. "Damn it."
He stopped walking, closing his eyes briefly.
He had two choices.
He could walk away.
Let himself be chewed up and spit out by the system that had already decided his fate.
Or—
He could fight.
Joseph's eyes opened, a sharp glint of defiance burning within them.
He didn't want to be caught in this unseen net.
Last night, Athavan had disclosed his real identity. He even extended an invitation.
Joseph had brushed it off at first—but now, he couldn't ignore it.
Athavan's words echoed in his mind:
"You will be abandoned by the police force. You will be forced to take responsibility for Gang Nagas retaliation. First, they will hold an emergency meeting to plan their next move. That's exactly what I wanted. My checkmate will make them gather in one place. I will make a move to catch them in one sweep.
Believe me, Joseph, some people will, want you to take charge of this situation. They will be sending you as a gift to calm Gang Nagas down. They will let them dispose you.
I let you decide after this happens. If you join us, I'll make sure you return to the police force as a hero. Even if you reject us, I will ensure your safety—because all of this was my plan. I don't harm the innocent. My instincts tell me you belong to a greater cause."
Joseph took out his phone.
And dialed a number.
"I'm ready to make my choice."
Gang Nagas Headquarters
Deep in the shadows of an abandoned industrial district, car after car entered a heavily guarded warehouse compound.
Buses and vans had been dispatched to ensure the area's security.
Tonight, the underworld was preparing for war.
Inside the warehouse, dozens of men gathered, their faces grim, their bodies tense.
The air was thick with the scent of cigarette smoke and expensive cologne.
Two district leaders stood apart from the crowd.
One, Majang Ramu, wore an expensive corporate suit, his slicked-back hair giving him the look of a businessman rather than a gangster.
The other, Teremban Babu, was his complete opposite—dressed in a traditional white dhoti and gold-studded shirt, his fingers adorned with heavy gold rings, a thick gold chain resting against his chest.
Ramu greeted Babu with a curt nod.
"Is the news accurate?" Babu asked, his voice sharp. "They're sending the cop who arrested Raja Sekaran here?"
Ramu's jaw tightened. "Yes. Our contacts at the top made sure of it. Tonight, he won't return alive." His teeth ground together. "I'm going to cut him into pieces with my own hands."
Another district leader approached them—his expression unreadable.
"I don't think things are as simple as they seem."
Ramu scoffed. "What are you saying?"
The leader's eyes darkened. **"Someone is targeting us. Don't touch the cop yet. Remember the instructions we received.
Wait for the big boss.
No one moves until he arrives."**
The tension in the room thickened.
Every conversation among the gathered leaders carried the same unspoken question.
Who is behind this? And what comes next?
Outside the warehouse, hundreds of Gang Nagas members stood ready.
Inside, their leaders prepared for the coming war.
And in the shadows, Athavan's trap was already closing around them.
The End.