The Ultimate Game: An International Conspiracy

By Vivek Bendre

Rajesh Trehan was enjoying a normal, quiet life as professor of geography at Himalaya Institute of Arts & Science at Dharamsala. He finds himself once again thrown into the harrowing world of international espionage. A visit from an old acquaintance forces him to unwittingly ignite his passions and ultimately sets him on a course that will forever change his life.

What is it that this visitor tells him that compels him to come back? Will he unravel the truth about the organization and, ultimately, about himself? Did his efforts to find the truth lead him to find the love of his life?

The Ultimate Game is an intriguing and heart-pounding adventurous journey of Rajesh that follows him seeking the truth across a myriad of countries including Myanmar, India, Dubai, Switzerland, the Cayman Island and the United States.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543479492

Vivek Bendre

Vivek Bendre received his Masters Degree in Economics from Nagpur University in India. After working as professor of Economics for four years he joined one of the nationalized bank in India. His last posting with the bank was in London, U.K. He moved to U.S.A. in the year 1981 and since has been working as a finance executive. Born and raised in India, Vivek is an avid reader and fan of spy novels. Though he had written Short stories for Marathi language magazines published in U.S.A., he was keen to pen a spy novel of his own. His free time is spent watching sports, playing with his grandchildren and lending his expertise as a consultant to small business as a volunteer for SCORE. Vivek currently resides in Clifton, New Jersey with his wife Madhuri .

Book preview

The Ultimate Game

An International Conspiracy

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Vivek Bendre

Translated to English version by D.S. Mandrekar

Copyright © 2018 by Vivek Bendre.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2018900828

ISBN:                   Hardcover                              978-1-5434-7947-8

                            Softcover                                978-1-5434-7948-5

                            eBook                                       978-1-5434-7949-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 01/30/2018

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Contents

Acknowledgement

Chapter One Yangon, Myanmar. 2.00 am.’Operation Burma’…

Chapter Two Five years ago…Shabnam…near Lahore, Pakistan

Chapter Three Himalaya Institute of Arts & Science (Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India)

Chapter Four Mussoorie-Dehradun Mountain Range…(Northern India)

Chapter Five Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Chapter Six Getting down to the new role

Chapter Seven Bay of Bengal—15 nautical miles off south-east coast of Kolkata

Chapter Eight Back to Lausanne, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Chapter Nine Back to Frazerganj, Bengal

Chapter Ten After a couple of days—Dubai

Chapter Eleven Grand Cayman Island

Chapter Twelve Washington, United States of America

Chapter Thirteen Cayman Island

Chapter Fourteen Bangalore (Bengaluru), India

Chapter Fifteen A day in London

Chapter Sixteen New Delhi

Chapter Seventeen ‘Organization’s Training Institute…amidst the mountains of Nainital

Chapter Eighteen At Bengaluru-Ooty…The last three days

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I WOULD LIKE to offer my sincere thanks to D.S Mandrekar who has made it his labor of love to translate my Marathi novels into English. As my dear friend, D.S., not only translated but also encouraged and insisted that my work reach a wider audience through the translation. I am eternally indebted to DS for taking on this work. The finished translation is nothing short of astonishing.

I would also like to dedicate and acknowledge two important women in my life. One who has given me birth, my mother, Smt. Sushilabai Bendre. She taught me lessons early on that I still live by and hold dear.

Secondly, my wife, Madhuri Bendre, who has given me support as my life partner in good times and in bad.

-Vivek Bendre

CHAPTER ONE

Yangon, Myanmar. 2.00 am.’Operation Burma’…

A STORMY NIGHT… the rain was pouring down with a roar, abetted by gusty winds. Total darkness prevailed as clouds thickened and a sporadic lightening seen flashing, on a far away hillock. The wind arose to push the still waters to choppy, morphing into mountains of angry waves in the Gulf of Martaban. The Yangon and Bago rivers began to swell, water cascading over the rocks at their confluence. The merciless downpour and stormy winds over the far away mountain range, had transformed, the otherwise quiet atmosphere, into a frightening one.

A group of about 20-25 persons could be seen, approaching the shore very cautiously, unaware of the untimely storm. They never expected such a calamity and struggled to sail through the choppy waters. The wind slammed the rain into their faces like tiny stones although they wore black rubber suits, with backpacks on their shoulders. The red light signals, flashing thrice, must have brought much needed relief to them. They accelerated sailing and finally landed on the shore. Dressed fully in black suits, they could see and sense the things around, through goggles. They walked further for about 20-25 feet and removed their black suits. Glanced around once again to ensure that, they are safe and sound. And now, they started removing their weaponry, concealed in various bags…snipers, rifles, sub-machine guns, Kalashnikovs, AK 47, grenades etc. Yes, they seemed to be fully prepared!

They had the comprehensive military warfare training, imparted by their leader-Abbas Rehman. No one, in fact, knew his true name! This group of 20-25 men and about 100 others were told to remember him, by this name only. The entire group of 100 was imparted military and related training by Abbas Rehman, for about 4 weeks in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and finally in, jungles of Mandalay in Myanmar. Since there was heavy military patrolling and the stringent checking along Mandalay-Yangon main road, Abbas preferred to ferry them to the Gulf of Martaban. From here, they would enter Yangon at opportune time, to execute their plan of attacking the bungalow of the President of the ruling party-The Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy always aimed at bringing democracy to the military-ruled Myanmar (also known as Burma), through peaceful resistance and through democratic and openly contested elections. Whereas, there were some other parties, which aimed at achieving a democratic federal system in the country, even through a military revolution! One of such parties was – National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) and they had engaged Abbas Rehman for this purpose, on payment of a hefty fee.

The person signalling red lights from the shore was none other than Abbas Rehman himself. No one knew how and when he sneaked into Myanmar. Someone was standing next to Abbas… a tall, handsome, stout and an agile man. He was simply known as ‘Specialist’ amongst the men present. His sparkling eyes and ever vigilant movements, made him respectable, in the eyes of Abbas.

Everything going according to the plan and schedule’’, whispered the ‘Specialist’; his eyes glued to his wrist-watch. Abbas nodded and warned him not make noise. Now the storm seemed to wane. It arrived with no warning and subsided now, very rapidly! Just when both of them were looking at the sky, a sudden uproar broke the silence. The commotion made them palpitate. Yes, they were trapped by the soldiers. Drop it, you are all surrounded,’’ thundered the soldiers. ‘If caught’, the only penalty will be ‘death’ for each one of us’, thought Abbas and his men. All of a sudden, their machine guns were on and the bullets kept raining on those soldiers. And…the grenades too. The marching soldiers, however, remain unperturbed. They opened enormous fire and shot dead, each one of the intruders. An element of suspicion sprouted and both, Abbas and the ‘Specialist’ smelled betrayal between them. Both had the suspicion of double-dealing and that the Myanmar Government must have been informed of the operation, well in advance. Both also suspected each other of procuring sub-standard bullets and ammunition!

Watching the soldiers advancing towards them, Abbas whirled at once, took out a sharp 18 machete and stabbed the ‘Specialist’ in the abdomen. You cheat, swine, traitor! You deserve this! yelled Abbas. The ‘Specialist’ was totally baffled by this sudden attack and sat down in severe pain. The soldiers arrested Abbas, caught hold of ‘Specialist’ and drove toward city in a military van. Such a deep and severe injury! It’s a surprise, you didn’t die!!" army Major whispered, looking at ‘Specialist’.

Six weeks later…

Dum Dum airport, Kolkata (Calcutta)…A 14 seat aircraft was carrying a single passenger to New Delhi ! The passenger looked exhausted and the air-hostesses thought him to be just recovering, from a serious ailment. But at the same time, she knew, he must be a VVIP. Who else could have got his scheduled flight cancelled, to charter a special flight for himself alone?

Immediately upon landing at the Indira Gandhi airport, two black limousines arrived at the aircraft stairs. One of them hurriedly drove away the passenger. Even the air-hostesses failed to note this swift departure.

The limousine stopped at Connaught Place (New Delhi), near the Headquarters of Khadi Gramodyog Mandal. The chauffeur got out for opening the door for the VVIP, but the later was already headed towards his destination. Very vigilantly, he walked up to an old building and entered it. Although the building, its surroundings and even the main gate looked old-fashioned, the interior was astonishing! Beautiful carpets everywhere, glass walls with a huge world map painted on them! A beautiful round table, reception counter and a name board, in golden letters, behind it—INDO-AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO.

Looking at the office, the visitor thought, ‘Nothing has changed so far; everything remains as it was’.

May I help you? the receptionist asked politely.

I have an appointment with Mr. Dinesh Mistry, he answered.

The receptionist requested him to have a seat and dialled intercom. A person dressed in a suit and tie arrived. Follow me, Sir, he said to the visitor and guided him through a big door to the central hall.

The entire hall was made of mirror panels, with no door visible there! The officer attending to the visitor placed his palm, on a square in the corner. The guest once again said to himself-‘Nothing has changed’. He knew, the doors here open, only when the palm impression gets recognised. The door opened and they entered.

Now the officer turned and asked the guest, Oh my God ! What’s wrong with you, Rajesh Trehan? You seem to be in a weary frame of mind.

Rajesh looked at him in exploration and realized that, ‘My guessing for the last few minutes was correct; yes, I have met this man in the past". He remembered having met Mr. Mathews, during the Tamil Tiger Operation, a few years back.

How are you, Mathews? Rajesh asked.

Mathews opened another door and exclaimed, Sir, Mr. Rajesh Trehan!

After ensuring that the door was completely shut, the person sitting in a big chair behind a huge table winked and told Rajesh to take a seat in front of him.

While sitting, Rajesh said, Should I say ‘hello Mr. Dinesh Mistry or the chief co-ordinator, Ajit Khurana?

INDO-AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO. (IAIT). Very few people knew that the company’s President, Dinesh Mistry’s real name was Ajit Khurana. The IAIT was, in fact, a non-existent, non-operative company… so named, just to disguise the outsiders. Indian entity, which was headed by Mr. Ajit Khurana, was simply known as ‘the Organization’. Globally, ‘the Organization’ had its offices in many countries, functioning with different names. e.g. in USA, the ‘Organization’ had its office in Washington, known to the outer world as ‘One World’. In England, it had a branch known as ‘Global Trading Organization’ at James Square, near the Buckingham Palace. The Organization’s offices (with different names) were handled by the management of individual companies, independently, in the respective countries. But, when it comes to international spying/intelligence, the co-ordination of different entities was perfect, under a central ‘Managing Committee’. Each member was known as a ‘Member’ and the chief was code-named as ‘Absolute’.

You might be having a fair idea of, what for you have been summoned here. Khurana came to the point, as usual.

Rajesh remembered Khurana’s advise, ‘Never talk too much; don’t mind talking a little less than that required.’

I know…to substantiate the failure of ‘Operation Burma’ in Myanmar, the ‘Specialist’ alias Rajesh answered.

I appreciate, whatever good work, you have put in for ‘the Organization’ all these years. Rajesh, I know your excellent capabilities, too. Nevertheless, the ‘Managing Committee’ requires me to adhere to the prescribed rules and accordingly, conduct an inquiry. And if warranted, an appropriate punishment will be awarded to you.

It’s OK Ajit but, you must be aware that the weaponry and ammunition, provided at Myanmar, was from Organization’s trusted suppliers. I had hence, no suspicion whatsoever, about the stuff being so sub-standard.

Rajesh, you know it very well that, the first principle of our business is ‘not to trust anybody, blindly’. You committed the first mistake, by blindly relying on our regular suppliers. And, your second blunder is, you didn’t take efforts to have a thorough quality inspection of the material supplied. And, this is a must, before such an important ‘operation’.

Now, Rajesh was in a difficult pass. Khurana’s talk sent shivering chills down his spine. He knew, the Organization’s penalty for such miserable failure/betrayal, would certainly be the ‘death’, and nothing else. And, they were justifiably right. ‘The Organization’ had to have stringent policies. They would never afford a treachery of passing their secrets to any of their rivals or enemies. And, the man concerned would have to face execution, for such breach of trust and betrayal. Rajesh was aware of what had happened to such treacherous spies/secret agents in the past, who even tried to blackmail the senior "Members’ of ‘the Organization’. Everyone in ‘the Organization’ knew this. The secrets of ‘the Organization’, therefore, always remained intact. Interestingly, ‘the Organization’ was itself a great secret and an unsolved mystery!!

For Rajesh, there was no exit from this calamity. Nor a single door, visible in that chamber, which would have enabled an escape. In the past too, he couldn’t unmask the secret of opening any of the doors in Khurana’s chamber. While leaving, Khurana always used to press a secret button beneath his table, to slide open some door.

Rajesh kept licking his wounds. Nothing seemed to go right…no hope…such a big, prejudiced blot, on an otherwise spotless career! While he kept pondering, Ajit Khurana breached the (uneasy) silence," Rajesh, I could guess, what is going on in your mind. It’s quite natural and understandable. At least, I myself appreciate, you have accomplished so many uphill tasks for ‘the Organization’…those perilous ‘Operations’ and a number of dangerous exploits…risking your own life…and, you stood tall every time…no one can forget it…never! Now, behold my friend! On consultation with the ‘members’ of the ‘Managing Committee’ and with their kind permission, we have decided to make an exception… You are now…off the hook!! …Of course, I need not tell you the consequences of sharing henceforth, any information about and about the working of our "Organization’. And believe me, the ‘members’ have taken this exceptional decision, only on my word! Now promise me Rajesh, you would never betray me. And, if you fail to keep your promise, you would be embracing death… mind it well!"

Rajesh heaved a sigh of relief. He was, however, drilled into submission. Dreadfully, he now lost in some thoughts. ‘Yes, somehow I am out of danger…perhaps, for the time being…but, what is next? May be its throwing from fire to the frying pan! What are Khurana’s motives behind this pardoning?’ Mr. Khurana had a sharp mind like a physiognomist; he could read Rajesh’s sullen face.

"Don’t worry, Rajesh. The ‘Organization’ i.e. me have a well thought out plan for you. There is an esteemed university at a distance of about 3 miles from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh State: ‘Himalayan Institute of Arts & Sciences’. You have been appointed as a professor of Geography there.

Ajit placed a fat envelope on his table, meant for Rajesh Trehan. Here are all the requisite papers and documents…your doctorate degree, qualification certificates from various universities, the experience certificates from the colleges, where you taught Geography, the awards/honors, you bagged from time to time and your photos with world-famous, eminent personalities…everything included! Besides, a 25 page set of your history and profile, narrating your life as a professor during the past few years, is also enclosed. Go through it carefully, and once you recite it, don’t forget to destroy these 25 pages.

Rajesh had no doubts, whatsoever, that, all the documents, certificates and information must be impeccable and foolproof. Changing the identity of their personnel, driving licenses and passports… was a mere routine for the ‘Organization’!

One more question, Ajit. Rajesh queried, Someone would obviously pose me a question as to ‘why have I opted for a smaller university in a far off Himachal Pradesh, in comparison with the much bigger and world famous Delhi University? What should be my stance?

Khurana started answering the question, even before Rajesh could complete his query. He had the ability to discern someone else’s mental state and hence, could foretell what the person opposite to him could inquire or question next!

There are two reasons. Firstly, you are going there as the ‘Head of the Department of Geography’. That means, you are going there on a promotion. Secondly, while in Delhi, your beloved wife has left you, forever and this shocking incident has been haunting your memory. Naturally, you would prefer to settle away from Delhi, at a remote and quiet place like Dharamsala.

May be to provoke or to induce Rajesh in accepting the offer, Khurana continued… "And Rajesh, the second reason is a fact in itself! Your wife, Shabnam has left you unawares…it was indeed untimely and shocking! Under such circumstances, it would be horrid to continue in this dinning city of Delhi. You would rather prefer to spend your life, amidst the peaceful and natural surroundings of Himalayas…in a picturesque town like Dharamsala. This could further help you in the long run, in