The jeep sped through the bustling streets of Singapore, a stark contrast to the quiet tension within the vehicle. Varun observed the city, a blend of colonial architecture and Japanese military presence, his mind calculating the strategic importance of this location.
The jeep finally pulled up to a guarded compound on Stanford Road.
The INA headquarters, though unassuming from the outside, buzzed with activity.
Varun was escorted into a spartan office, where he was met by a group of senior INA officers.
The officer who had retrieved him from the harbor spoke first. "This is Varun. He claims to have a message from Veer Savarkar and wishes to speak with Netaji."
A tall, imposing officer with a stern expression stepped forward. "Show us the letter," he demanded.
Varun calmly produced the sealed letter from his inner pocket. He handed it to the officer, who broke the seal and began to read. A hush fell over the room as the officers watched him, their faces betraying a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
As the officer finished reading, his expression softened slightly. "This letter speaks of a… collaboration," he said, his eyes scanning Varun. "It mentions advanced weaponry and resources."
Another officer, younger and more eager, spoke up. "Who are you? And what resources do you offer?"
Varun met their gazes, his voice steady. "I am a… facilitator. I have come to offer the INA the means to accelerate their liberation of India."
He then began to describe the cargo on his ship: the AK-47s, the grenades, the ammunition. He emphasized the production capabilities of their underground factory, the ability to manufacture weapons and ammunition at an unprecedented rate.
The officers exchanged glances, their initial skepticism giving way to a flicker of interest. They had heard rumors of Savarkar's resurgence, but the scale of Varun's claims was beyond anything they had imagined.
"And the 'gift' you mentioned?" the tall officer asked, his voice laced with intrigue.
Varun smiled. "That," he said, "is something best revealed to Netaji himself."
The officers, their curiosity piqued, decided to bring Varun before Subhas Chandra Bose.
They understood that the information he possessed could be a game-changer, a crucial advantage in their struggle against the British. The next scene would involve Varun meeting with Bose.