Mainak Dhar - Heroes R Us

'Need your help on Stoneman case. Meet me at last crime scene at 2200 hrs-DCP Upadhyay.'

Arnab sat up with a start. He had been troubled by the lack of any real closure to the mystery of the so called 'Stoneman' and now with such a senior officer seeking his help, he was sure he could help the police get to the bottom of it. That night, as he made his way to the location of his showdown with the three policemen, he kept thinking of all the names and faces and details of the crime scene he had seen, so that he could be the most help possible to Upadhyay. He wondered how the DCP would react when he learnt that the 'Stoneman' was no crazed psychopath but some corrupt members of his own force.

When he reached the scene, Upadhyay was already waiting for him, dressed in uniform. Upadhyay was an imposing figure, standing a good head taller than Arnab and somehow seeing someone as senior as the DCP in person put Arnab at ease. He was careful though to keep his distance, since he didn't want to risk revealing his face and being recognized by the DCP from their earlier interaction in the hospital and with the Minister at his press conference.

'So, I finally meet the nation's new hero. Don't be afraid, I'm here to get your help, you don't need to stand so far away.'

Arnab took a step closer and asked the DCP what help he wanted.

'You see, you and I are alike. We both try and fight the bad guys, the criminals, and the leeches out to suck our society dry. I operate in a police uniform, and as I see, you have one of your own.'

Arnab was beginning to warm to the DCP and told him that he had some crucial information on the case that may be of help. But before he could speak any further, the DCP held out his hand.

'You know our country's problem? It's just too damn difficult to get justice done. Court cases drag on for years, and if you treat criminals the way they deserve to be treated, the human rights buggers are up your rear end with a microscope. That's why I admire you. Get the job done-no courts, no cases, no wasted time.'

Arnab wasn't sure any more where the DCP was headed, but such validation from a senior officer made him lower his defences even further and he said modestly, 'I'm just trying to help.'

'Oh, and you are. See, I have a proposal for you. I let you do your job and you let me do mine. Forget this Stoneman business and get on with it-there are many more criminals to catch in this city.'

'But why? Do you know who is behind the Stoneman…?'

Before Arnab could complete, Upadhyay laughed, a harsh, guttural sound that made Arnab's hairs suddenly stand on end. Upadhyay's kindly expression changed to a steely, cold look as he strode towards Arnab.

'I know-some policemen. And you know who is ordering them to do this? Me!'

Arnab shuddered despite himself, and Upadhyay, long experienced in playing on people's weaknesses, noticed. He grabbed Arnab by the shoulder.

'I may be no superhero, but I am the real power in this city. Those bloody dogs you see being dumped here are those I order killed in staged shootouts. Just like you-no court, no case. Instant justice'

Upadhyay laughed again, and Arnab realized he was very afraid.

'Are they all criminals or terrorists?' he stammered, hoping that somehow that would make Upadhyay less evil.

'Who gives a damn? I need a body count to please my masters. The bloody bureaucrats don't have the intelligence to catch real terrorists and even if they did, would they expect me and my half-trained constables armed with World War One vintage rifles to take on men armed with AK-47s? So when they demand results and a body count, I give it to them. The Stoneman gives me a convenient cover to dispose of my work. Nice arrangement, no?'

Arnab shook Upadhyay's hand off with such force that the big man staggered back.

'I won't let you do this any more!'

Upadhyay stood up straight, smiling, like a shark about to devour its victim.

'I was afraid you'd be so foolish. I have no superpowers to fight you with, but I do have some powers of my own.'

As he clapped his hands, Arnab saw a dozen policemen, all carrying rifles, walking out from the shadows. Their guns were pointed at him.

'Men, say hello to the Stoneman's newest victim!'

As a couple of the policemen raised their guns to fire, Arnab reacted. A few months ago, Arnab Bannerjee would have been paralysed with fear in such a situation, but countless nights as the 'Guardian Angel' had honed his reflexes to such an extent that his move came almost without conscious thought.

He rushed at blinding speed towards the nearest policemen, shouldering two of them out of the way, sending them falling several feet away. A jab caught another in the chin, sending him flying a couple of feet in the air before he crumpled to the ground. The rest of the constables had frozen, intimidated by this sudden display of Arnab's powers. Just when it looked like Arnab could actually wade through them and get away, Upadhyay took out his service revolver and fired. Arnab tried to whirl out of the way but at so short a range, the bullet grazed his right shoulder. He cried out in pain.

Upadhyay was screaming to his men. 'The bastard can bleed! See that, you idiots, and kill him!'

As more shots rang out, Arnab dodged one or two before he felt a piercing pain in his left leg. Realizing that flight was the only option, he ran for home. More shots rang out, and as fast as he was, he could not outrun bullets. He kept running, oblivious to the pain, but after a few minutes, the pain and loss of blood took its toll and he slowed down to a bare trot.

It seemed to take all his strength to just stay upright, and as he staggered ahead, all he could think of was getting home. He was barely a few hundred meters from his apartment, but he didn't think he had the strength to make it, each step seeming an impossible effort. His right arm and both legs were drenched with blood, and he felt his vision blurring. Barely able to think straight, he made for the closest refuge he could think of.

He staggered up the stairs to Khan's home and knocked on the door. When Khan opened it, Arnab collapsed into the bewildered old man's arms.

When Arnab woke up, he was lying in total darkness, his throat so parched he was having trouble even swallowing his own saliva. When he tried to get up and find some water, an unbearable pain shot through his legs and he collapsed back on the bed. As he looked at the green-tinged view around him, he saw that he was lying on a bed, with his glasses on a table next to him. The room looked familiar, and with a start he realized that he was in Khan's house. That brought back memories of what had happened that night with Upadhyay and his men, and Arnab began to panic. Just how badly had he been hurt? How long had he been unconscious? And most importantly, how much did Khan know about his secret identity? He could see nobody else in the room, and he called out for water, but soon realized that with his weakened state, even he could barely hear his own voice. He mustered all the strength he could and pulled himself upright, holding onto the side of the bed for support. Step by agonizing step, he walked towards a table in the corner of the room where he could see a jug of water. As he came close to the table and reached out to grab the jug, he lost his balance and fell down, sending the jug crashing down to the floor with a cacophony of noise that shattered the quiet in the room. The lights flickered on and Khan rushed into the room.

'Are you okay?'

The old man helped Arnab back to his feet and guided him back to the bed. He handed Arnab a glass of water that he drank in one go.

'Easy, Arnab, easy.'

With the lights on, Arnab could barely see anything, and fumbled on the bedside table, gathering his glasses and putting them on. Finally, Arnab took stock of the state he was in. His right arm was bandaged as were both his legs, and he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts that weren't his. He looked up at Khan, his eyes asking the question that he didn't dare ask. Khan smiled in response and got up, opening the cupboard to take out a bundle that he put beside Arnab.