Location: Military Outpost, Kashmir – Early Morning

The team rushed to emergency surgical tent with Arjun barely holding onto consciousness. His breathing was labored, his steps unsteady, but he refused to let them carry him.

Rahul kept pressure on the wound, his face tight with worry. "You need surgery."

Arjun smirked, voice weak but steady. "I need coffee first."

Samrath grabbed his arm, steadying him, his expression unreadable. "You should’ve stayed behind. We could’ve handled it."

Arjun chuckled, then winced at the pain. "That’s not what leaders do."

Samrath followed, refusing to leave his captain’s side until the doctors made him step back.

Inside the makeshift operating room, the surgeons worked quickly. The bullet had lodged dangerously close to an artery—if it wasn’t removed carefully, it could cause permanent damage.

Arjun, despite his pain, managed a weak smirk. "Just patch me up," he murmured. "I’ve got another fight to get to."

The doctor gave a small smile but remained focused. "You’ll be out of battle for a while, Captain. Let’s make sure you live to fight another day."

After what felt like hours, the doctor finally stepped out, removing his gloves. He looked at the soldiers waiting outside.

"Surgery was successful," he announced. "The bullet is out. We stopped the bleeding. He’ll need rest—but Captain Arjun will recover."

Relief washed over Samrath and Aryan, followed by quiet nods of gratitude.

Inside, Arjun lay on the hospital bed, his face pale but his eyes sharp. When Samrath entered, Arjun gave a weak smirk.

"You look worried," Arjun teased. "Didn’t think I was this easy to take down, did you?"

Samrath shook his head, letting out a breath. "You scared the hell out of all of us, Captain."

Arjun chuckled lightly, then winced. "Well, I guess I owe you all a drink when I’m back on my feet."

Samrath sat beside him. "You just focus on getting better."

                                                           ⭐

 The warm glow of dawn spread across the base camp, casting long shadows as the soldiers gathered near the medical tent. Captain Arjun, still recovering from surgery, sat on a sturdy cot, his arm bandaged, his face pale but alert. Beside him stood Sergeant Samrath and Commander Aryan, the youngest warriors of the team. 

Arjun looked around at his men—his brothers-in-arms, the ones who had fought beside him, who had ensured victory even in the face of overwhelming odds. His voice was strong, despite the lingering pain from his injury. 

"We did something great tonight," Arjun said, his sharp gaze shifting to Samrath and Aryan. "But if there’s anyone who proved themselves beyond expectation, to woh tum dono the." 

Samrath stiffened slightly, unused to such open praise. Aryan gave a small nod, his expression composed but his eyes shining with pride. 

Lieutenant Veer grinned, crossing his arms. “Samrath was a damn force out there. aisa laga jaise dushman ke samne koi action movie ka hero khada ho. Mujhe to laga ki kisi waqt slow-motion me udhta hua aayega!"

Corporal Aditya added with a chuckle, "Haan, bas background music aur slow-motion ki kami thi!"

The group murmured in agreement, clapping them on the back, offering words of encouragement. 

Arjun smirked. “I’ve served with many soldiers over the years. Experience makes a warrior strong, but courage makes him unstoppable. And tonight—these two proved that it’s not about age, it’s about the strength of your will.” 

The fire crackled nearby as Samrath and Aryan stood taller, knowing that they had earned their place among the member as one of them. 

                                        ⭐

AFTER 2 DAY,

The tension inside the command tent was thick. Captain Arjun, still recovering from surgery, sat on a sturdy chair, going through mission reports. His side ached, but the real pain wasn’t his wound—it was one of his soldiers who wouldn’t stop talking.

Corporal Aditya, notorious for his endless chatter, had been pacing in front of Arjun for the past ten minutes.

"Sir, I’m just saying… if we had gone from the west side instead of the north, we could’ve had a better angle. And then, if Karan had taken the rooftop instead of me, I would've had a cleaner shot. Also, why does the coffee in this camp taste like motor oil? I swear, we need better supplies—"

Arjun rubbed his temples, sighing deeply. Sergeant Samrath, sitting beside him, looked amused but said nothing.

Aryan leaned against the table, smirking. "Aditya, do you ever stop talking?"

Aditya paused for half a second, then shook his head. "Nope."

Veer entered the tent, looking concerned. "Sir, I think your blood pressure might be rising."

Arjun exhaled, closing the report with a loud thud. He looked directly at Aditya. "Corporal, if I hear one more sentence from you about coffee, rooftop angles, or mission routes that weren’t taken, I will personally assign you to kitchen duty for a month."

The tent went silent. Aditya blinked. "Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll stop."

A beat passed.

"But seriously, the coffee—"

Samrath groaned, Aryan laughed, and Arjun just buried his face in his hands.

Later that day, the squad stood in formation, facing General Virender. The older officer scanned the team, his voice steady with deep pride..

A high-ranking officer, General Virender, stepped forward, his posture strong, his expression one of pride. He scanned the faces of the team before speaking.

"What you accomplished last night was nothing short of exceptional," the General began, his voice ringing across the gathering. "You infiltrated enemy territory, neutralized a dangerous threat, and returned with every man standing. This operation will be remembered, and the nation thanks you for your courage."

The soldiers stood even taller, absorbing the praise. Samrath and Aryan, the youngest warriors of the group, exchanged glances. This wasn’t just a mission—it was proof of their strength.

"You’ve earned this victory. And with victory comes rest," General Virender continued. "You’ve been granted a short break—effective immediately. Go home, reunite with your families, and take the time you need. You fought bravely, and you deserve it."

As the soldiers stepped back, relief settling in, General Virender signaled Captain Arjun to stay behind.

Inside the office, Arjun sat carefully, feeling the weight of his injury more now that the adrenaline had worn off.

"You fought through pain, Captain," the General said. "But you and I both know this wound won’t heal overnight."

Arjun exhaled, already sensing what was coming.

"You need time. Proper recovery, not just patchwork." A pause “Which means stepping back."

Arjun exhaled, his jaw tightening. "And the team?"

The General leaned forward. "They will continue fighting. But effective immediately, leadership will change. A new captain has been assigned to take command in your absence."

Arjun’s expression remained unreadable. A new captain?

"SHE is experienced. Skilled. Tactical. She will lead the team well."

“SHE?” Arjun confused.

Arjun had trained his men himself. He knew them—every flaw, every strength, every instinct. They were skilled, they were loyal, but they were also stubborn.

And if there was one thing he knew for certain—it was that his team wasn’t easy to command.

They operated on trust, built over years. They followed orders because they respected who they came from. Now, a new leader was stepping in—a stranger to them, someone who hadn’t earned their respect yet.

And from what little he had gathered, their new captain was a woman.

Not that Arjun doubted her skill. He didn’t question her experience or abilities—if she had been chosen, she was undoubtedly strong.

But his team?

They weren’t going to make it easy.

They would resist.

They would challenge.

They would test her until she proved herself worthy.

And Arjun had no way of knowing how she would handle it.

Would she push back? Would she hold her ground? Or would she fold under their scrutiny?

Arjun ran a hand over his face. He wasn’t used to feeling uncertain.

"You need time to recover," the General had said. "Trust the system, Captain."

But trust wasn’t given.

It was earned.

And if this new captain wanted command of his men, she was going to have to fight for it.