Convincing Bose

[Please remember to add in your reading list/ library to ensure that you didn't forget.]

August 18, 1945

Morning

For the past few hours, Surya had tried to explain the situation, but Bose was not easily convinced. He had asked Surya one question repeatedly: "How do you know?"

Surya leaned forward, feeling the weight of Bose's question pressing down on him. "Netaji (leader)," he began carefully, "I know this is difficult to understand, but I had information about the assassination attempt. If you had boarded that plane, you would have never made it to Japan. You would have died in a crash over Taiwan."

Bose's eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to believe that this is all because of some mysterious knowledge you have? You offer no proof, no concrete facts."

"I understand," Surya said, trying to maintain his composure. "But you have to trust me. I've already taken extreme measures to protect you. I couldn't let you die."

Bose stood up, "You've kidnapped me, derailed my plans, and now you ask for my trust without giving me any reason. Do you know what's at stake? My work with the Japanese, the fight for India's freedom—it's all been put on hold because of this."

Surya could feel the intensity of Bose's frustration, but he knew he had done the right thing. "Netaji, Japan is falling. Even if you reached them, they wouldn't have been able to help. The war is almost over. Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been bombed. The Japanese are on the verge of surrender. If you had gone to them, it would have been for nothing."

Bose paced back and forth, his mind clearly turning over everything Surya had said. "And what do you suggest I do now? If Japan is no longer an option, where does that leave me?"

Surya had anticipated this question, but the answer was not simple. "I don't have all the answers yet. But I believe that your survival is more important than a failed alliance. India needs you, alive and fighting. You're more valuable to the cause here than as a martyr."

Bose stopped pacing and looked at Surya. "Do you really think I'm afraid of dying for my country?"

"Nah," Surya replied quickly. "I know you're not. But dying in vain? That's something I'm sure you'd never want."

The room fell silent again.

After what felt like an eternity, Bose finally spoke, his voice calmer but still filled with determination. "If what you say is true. But I still need proof, Surya. I can't make decisions based on your word alone."

Surya nodded. He had expected this. "Give me some time, Netaji. I'll get you the proof you need. But until then, please, stay hidden. The people who want you dead will stop at nothing to find you."

Bose didn't respond immediately, but the anger in his eyes had dimmed slightly, replaced by a look of contemplation. "I'll give you time. But not much. I can't wait."

Surya sighed with relief. Bose was safe for now, and as long as that remained the case, Surya still had hope. He would find the evidence Bose needed. He would do whatever it took to change the future.

---

Later that day, Surya gathered with Raghav and Arjun in a separate room to discuss their next steps.

"Netaji is still unconvinced," Surya said, keeping his voice low. "He needs proof, something reliable and true to show that this wasn't just a desperate attempt to derail his plans."

Raghav crossed his arms. "And what do we have? The crash hasn't happened yet, so there's no wreckage, no evidence to show him."

Surya shook his head. "That's not what he needs. He needs information about the people behind this plot. I'm certain it's connected to British intelligence or INC. We've all heard rumors about their efforts to neutralize key revolutionary leaders. Bose was always a target."

Arjun, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "Then we need to track them down. If we can find proof of their involvement, something that links the British or INC to the assassination attempt, Bose might believe you."

Surya nodded. "Exactly. We don't have much time. The longer we keep Bose hidden, the more suspicious it becomes. People will start asking questions. The British, the Japanese, even his own followers—they'll be looking for answers."

Raghav uncrossed his arms and stepped forward. "I'll start gathering intelligence. We've still got contacts in the underground network. Maybe they've heard something."

"And I'll work on creating a distraction," Arjun added. "If we can divert attention elsewhere, it might buy us more time."

Surya looked at both of them, grateful for their loyalty and resourcefulness. "Good. Let's move quickly. He won't wait forever, and neither will the people trying to kill him."

But as long as Subhas Chandra Bose was alive, there was still a chance to change the future—for India, and for the world.

August 19, 1945

In the afternoon.

Surya sat by the window, going over the plans they had drawn up the previous night, waiting for any news from Raghav and Arjun. They had set off early to gather information and create the necessary diversions. Time was running short.

The sound of footsteps outside alerted him. Raghav entered first, his face a mask of grim determination. He shut the door behind him quietly, though his eyes spoke of urgency.

"I have something," he said in a low voice, moving toward Surya. "It's not everything, but it's a start. INC intelligence and British Intelligence has been keeping tabs on Bose for months. They knew his movements through the Japanese channels, and they had plans to eliminate him if they thought he was becoming a threat again."

Surya's eyes sharpened. "How did you find this out?"

Raghav pulled a small envelope from his jacket. "One of our contacts in the underground—he's been monitoring INC and British communications. He intercepted this. It's an encrypted message detailing the assassination plot, with Bose's movements and the orders to down his plane over Taiwan."

Surya took the envelope and inspected the papers inside. The handwriting was unmistakable: crisp, official, and unmistakably British and INC. "This… this is exactly what we need. It's proof. But it's not enough to convince Netaji fully."

Raghav nodded. "I figured as much. This shows the plot, but we need more—names, locations, and proof that this wasn't just a rogue mission but sanctioned by the INC government."

Surya frowned, his fingers drumming against the table. "If we can't provide him with absolute proof soon, Bose may still take the risk and try to make contact with the Japanese or another faction. We can't let that happen."

At that moment, Arjun burst into the room, his face flushed with a mixture of excitement and worry. "We've got trouble," he said, catching his breath. "I set up the distractions like we planned, but the British have already begun tightening their search for Netaji. They're scouring the area."

Raghav swore under his breath. "We're running out of time."

Surya stood, his mind racing. "Alright. We need to act now. If they're closing in, we don't have the luxury of waiting for the perfect opportunity."

Arjun looked to Surya for direction. "What's the plan?"

Surya grabbed the intercepted message and placed it in his jacket. "We have to present this to Netaji immediately. Though it's not the full proof, but it should be enough to delay him from making any rash decisions. Then we take the fight to the British. We find their local headquarters, gather more intel, and expose the entire operation."

Raghav raised an eyebrow. "You're suggesting we infiltrate a British stronghold? That's a bold move, once we found out the, Surya?"

"I know," Surya replied. "But boldness is the only thing we have left."

After that Raghav didn't said anything and left after sometime.

---

Inside the small room where Bose had been staying, Surya found him sitting at a wooden table, staring at a map of Southeast Asia. His expression was stern.

"Netaji," Surya began, stepping forward. "We have something you need to see."

Bose turned to him, his face still hardened with doubt. "I'm listening."

Surya handed him the intercepted message, watching as Bose's eyes scanned the contents. "This… this is evidence of the plot to kill me?"

"It is," Surya confirmed. "But it's only part of the story. The British and both INC have been planning your assassination for months. They coordinated it through Japanese channels, knowing that if they struck while you were traveling to Japan, it would look like an accident of war."

Bose set the papers down slowly, his fingers tightening around the edges. "So it was never about the plane crash. It was always about making sure I never reached Japan."

Surya nodded. "Exactly. But there's more to uncover. This message points to British intelligence, but we need further proof—something to tie the orders directly to the British government."

Bose's voice was low. "And how do you propose we get that?"

Surya didn't hesitate. "We should go after them. The British are closing in on this location. We need to strike before they do, find their base of operations, and expose the truth, as for INC, first we should get freedom, then we will see later."

For the first time since their confrontation, Bose's eyes met Surya's with something little bit of trust. "And you think you can pull this off?"

"We don't have a choice, and I am sure I can." Surya said. "We need to act now, or all of this will be for nothing."

Bose stood, his figure towering over the room. "Very well. I will trust you, Surya. But understand this—I have sacrificed too much to let fear stop me now. If this mission fails, I will continue the fight, with or without you."

Surya smiled differently. "Understood, Netaji. But we won't fail."

[Here in original, it is said that when Sonia Gandhi visited the Russia, there was surprise for her and it was that he was Subash Chandra Bose. So here, both lNC and British are allied here, and without the intelligence of British, it is almost impossible for INC to do.]

[however, here I am not against the INC not the BJP, I am writing as an casual citizen of India.]

One chapter in the evening, wait for few hours.