Foreign Interference

The next day, after school, Sanjay prepared to visit his Guwahati office. It wasn't that he needed the space for work—there was no staff, no daily operations—but having an official address for documents was necessary.

As he stepped out of the elevator, the three security guards stationed at the entrance snapped to attention and saluted.

Sanjay gave them a small nod before walking past. The facial recognition system registered his arrival, and with a soft beep, the glass doors slid open automatically. The place was eerily quiet, but not abandoned. Tiny drones whirred softly in the background, gliding through the air as they dusted surfaces and maintained cleanliness.

He entered his office and sank into his plush chair, feeling the cool leather against his back. For a moment, he simply breathed, allowing himself to settle into the space.

"Iris, what's the latest update on CompresX?" he asked, his voice calm but expectant.

[Sir, the software has been downloaded 5 million times in the past month. Of those, 60% have subscribed to the premium plan, and 10% have opted for the elite tier.]

Sanjay's eyes widened. His mind raced to put those numbers into perspective.

"Holy shit," he muttered under his breath.

Five million downloads in just one month? That was insane. Especially considering that, at this time, only about 12% of the global population even had internet access. And the elite subscribers alone… He did some quick mental math—he was already a billionaire.

Just as he was digesting the scale of his success, Iris's voice interrupted his thoughts.

[Sir, there is a legal notice from the Ministry of Technology and Cybersecurity. You have been summoned to court regarding your software's encryption method.]

Sanjay's fingers, which had been idly tapping against his desk, stilled. His brows knitted together.

"A legal notice? What for?"

[The government claims that your encryption technology is too advanced. They consider it a national security risk because even intelligence agencies are unable to decrypt files compressed by your software. They are demanding access to a backdoor.]

Sanjay let out a short, incredulous laugh. "A backdoor? I never programmed one. Do they think I'm stupid?"

[Additionally, a powerful conglomerate, backed by certain politicians, has filed a lawsuit against you. They claim you have violated an 'undeclared' technology regulation. It seems like an attempt to suppress competition.]

Sanjay's expression darkened. "Can they even do that?"

[Yes, sir. Indian laws currently restrict encryption to a maximum of 40-bit key strength—extremely weak by modern standards. However, CompresX employs quantum encryption with a key strength exceeding 100,000 bits.]

Sanjay's stomach dropped. "Holy shit…"

He had expected some resistance, but this? This was an all-out attack.

"Can quantum computers break it?" he asked after a moment.

[Yes, sir. A medium-level quantum computer could theoretically decrypt it.]

Sanjay frowned. "And how long until one is built?"

[With current global technology, a pseudo-quantum computer might be developed in the next 20 years. However, a true medium-level quantum computer is at least 100 years away.]

Sanjay exhaled slowly, drumming his fingers against the desk. "Alright. Maybe I should keep that part to myself. As far as they're concerned, it should look like random noise or corrupt data."

His mind churned. The software was primarily for compression, but the encryption feature? That had been the game-changer. And now, it had put him on the radar of powerful forces that wanted control.

He leaned forward, his voice firm. "Iris, I need a full report. Find out exactly who's behind this—every person, every connection, from A to Z. I want to know everything."

[Understood, sir. Gathering data now.]

Sanjay sat back, running a hand through his hair. He had barely begun to celebrate his success, and already, he was being dragged into a legal battle.

Minutes later, Iris's voice returned.

[Host, multiple people are involved. It appears this lawsuit is only a smokescreen. The real interest lies with a covert alliance between several countries, including the United States, Pakistan, and a few others.]

Sanjay's heart raced. He leaned forward in his chair, his thoughts instantly swirling with possible consequences. "What do you mean by covert alliance? Is this a global conspiracy?"

[Yes, Host. The CIA, in particular, has been monitoring your software. They've detected anomalies that point to your encryption potentially outpacing anything they've been able to crack. Few countries have been aware of your encryption methods for some time now, and the lawsuit is part of an effort to force you into compliance or silence.]

Sanjay rubbed his temples. This wasn't just a legal battle—it was becoming an international incident. "So, the US is behind this? Why would they be concerned about me in India?"

[The encryption technology you're using, it's based on quantum principles, is far more advanced than anything they have. They can't afford to let anyone, especially an outsider, develop something that could undermine their global surveillance programs. They fear your software could give adversaries—whether they are other nations or organizations—a way to bypass national security measures, leaving their intelligence agencies powerless.]

Sanjay sat back, his mind racing. This was far beyond a typical business dispute. He was caught in a web of global espionage.

"What about India? Is the government involved?" he asked, his tone more careful now.

[Host, India's intelligence agencies—especially the RWA and the BI—are not unaware of your technology. RWA has been tracking international movements surrounding your software. They believe this could be part of a larger geopolitical struggle over emerging technologies. They are supporting you behind the scenes but have to appear neutral publicly, especially because of the international pressure from the U.S.]

Sanjay's respect for the Indian intelligence agencies grew. At least someone in the system understood the stakes. "So, what now? What's the game plan?"

[ Host, it seems like the lawsuit and the government's summons to court are just a distraction. They want you to back down. But I've discovered a deeper level to this conspiracy: several key politicians and business elites in India are involved. ]

[They are either financially invested in opposing you or have personal stakes in controlling the emerging technology market. These figures are aligned with global powers, particularly the CIA, in an effort to monopolize this technology.]

Sanjay clenched his fists. "So, they're trying to force me out, not because of the encryption, but because they want to control it themselves. They don't care about the law—they care about money and power."

[Exactly, Host. These individuals are deeply connected to global intelligence networks and have been manipulating legal systems and political structures to ensure their dominance over emerging technologies. They fear India's potential to become a technological superpower with the right methods. This is more than just business—it's about keeping control of the future of cybersecurity and data warfare.]

[Additionally, The CEO of LunarTech, Raj Malhotra, has been working covertly with certain factions within the CIA to suppress any technological breakthrough that could threaten their global dominance. They are the ones that has filed a lawsuit .]

Sanjay's mind was made up. This was no longer just a battle for his company—it was a battle for national sovereignty, for the freedom of information, and for the future of cybersecurity.

"Okay, Iris. Here's what we'll do. First, we fight the lawsuit in court, but we make sure that every step is covered—no one can trace this back to us. Meanwhile, I want RWA to know everything. We need allies inside India's intelligence. I also want to expose the corrupt politicians backing this conspiracy, but carefully—too many lives are at stake. We play this game smart. I won't let them control my future."

[Understood, Host. I will coordinate with RWA and ensure your strategy is aligned with their objectives. As for the conspiracy, I will gather evidence and ensure the global players involved are implicated without exposing you to unnecessary risks.]

Sanjay sat back in his chair, steeling himself for the war ahead. This was a battle for the future and control over technology, and he wasn't going to let anyone steal it from him.

Sanjay refused to let himself become a scapegoat like some of India's greatest scientists, who had been sacrificed due to politics and media manipulation. He might not have powerful allies, but he had something far more valuable—cutting-edge technology at his fingertips.

A few minutes later, multiple documents appeared on his screen, shared by Iris.

His eyes widened as he scanned the files. The sheer scale of corruption was staggering. Hundreds of scams lay hidden beneath bureaucratic red tape. India was still transitioning to digitalization, meaning thousands of physical files gathered dust in government offices, their contents unknown. Yet, even with the limited data Iris had managed to extract, it was enough to shake the nation's financial system to its core.

One case stood out—a massive 50-billion-rupee fraud orchestrated by LunarTech, with the involvement of multiple banks and influential politicians. The fraud had been ongoing for years, yet the RIB, the country's banking regulatory body, remained completely unaware. Worse, the stock market was being manipulated under the direction of the CIA and ISI of Pakistan.

There were also records of past fraud cases linked to LunarTech, but no one had been able to connect the dots—until now. With these documents, he had undeniable proof.

Sanjay took a deep breath, his fingers tightening into fists. "Iris, prepare the documents. Make sure they expose LunarTech's connections with foreign agencies and how these entities are manipulating India's economy. Format it in a way that makes denial impossible."

[Understood, Host.]

"Send the files anonymously from the CEO's email ID to every registered email address in India."

It was a bold move—perhaps even extreme—but he hadn't started this war. Companies like LunarTech, in partnership with foreign entities, had been hollowing out the nation from within for years. If he didn't act now, they would only grow stronger.

In his past life, LunarTech had existed as well, later becoming a major investor in global markets. He had only heard whispers of their influence back then, but now he had the truth laid bare before him.

He clenched his jaw. He wouldn't let them cause any more harm.

The U.S. had become a more cooperative nation after electing its first Black president, but its foreign policy hadn't changed. It still supported Pakistan and other nations that actively worked against India's interests. This time, Sanjay wouldn't sit back and watch history repeat itself. He was going to fight back—with the one thing they feared most.

The truth.