The enforcers found the Lalbaug printing press basement faster than expected.
A sudden blast blew the wooden door off its hinges. Vikram, who had been resting, rolled out of his cot as a volley of Aetheric bullets chewed through the concrete wall.
"Ambush!" Rahul yelled, throwing a flash grenade toward the stairs.
Through the smoke, Vikram saw three Chaya-Dutas slide into the room, their movements fluid and silent. One of them, taller and broader than the rest, headed straight for the corner where Mr. Desai was packing his papers.
It was Javed Khan.
"Desai," Javed rasped, his shadow blade materializing. "Devendra wants a word."
Vikram leaped across the room, folding the shadow to appear in front of Javed. He threw a Prana-loaded hook, but Javed blocked it with his gauntlet, the electrical spark lighting up the dark room.
"You're too late, Rathod," Javed sneered.
Before Vikram could strike again, another enforcer threw a dark-matter net over him. The net absorbed Vikram's Prana, causing a wave of freezing numbness to paralyze his limbs.
Javed grabbed Mr. Desai by his collar, dragging him toward the stairs.
"Vikram!" Desai screamed, struggling. "The Gateway! The vault beneath the Taj Hotel! That's where the Core is! You have to—"
A guard struck Desai, silencing him. They retreated into the rain, leaving Vikram fighting the draining net.