Author's Notes:

First chapter in 2017. Hope i don't bore you with technical details this chapter. Hurk is mainly gettin venerated in this one.


The harsh winds blew in from the West as forecasted. Ajay could hardly believe his eyes to see Kyrat wrapped in snow. Then again, he'd not been in Kyrat for that long to know about the cold Winter storm that set in annually. Somethings it happened and some times it didn't, but when it did the storm was always violent. It was no different to the velley of Yetis, a winter wonderland.

There were lots to sort out during the Winter and they couldn't afford to slack even one bit. Project Bastion was a go ahead, an idea for a citadel that controlled the entire country from one point. It wasn't the best time to start building in the harsh snow and wind, but that wasn't stopping Ajay from trying. With Yuma handling the defences through the Snow Guards and Royal Guard hunters he could focus entirely on building the super fortress.

3rd Company was thankfully with him to construct and plan the building process with him. The Pioneer Corps had also lent a hand to him but the working hours were shorter because they risked frostbite if they stayed out too long. Ajay prepared many incentives for them to compensate, monetary rewards were up for grabs daily to keep the men motivated.

From what the Engineering officers told him, the fortress couldn't be completed even after the storm. It was simply too much work but that didn't mean they couldn't bring it to a partial operational level. It wouldn't reach its full design potential yet but it was still a stronghold in every respect. Estimates showed that by the end of the season what would be complete was three sides of the Bastion facing Pacchim Valley. Which was enough for a defense by that time, the rest would have to be and ongoing effort but the work efficiency wouldn't be mired by the snow anymore.

Workers were drafted from the refugees to help build the walls and less important structures. If they were willing to endure the cold, they would go home bagging money and food which was desperately needed in this time. There were many from the town Hubris between the Tigers and the Royal Army that came seeking employment in this dire time. The Fortress was of the highest priority now, so much that three regiments were on rotation within the construction site.

There were times when the wind died down, they'd utilize every second of the airs calmness to further the construction. Ajay spent a week supervising the site and was ordered by Pagan to return to rest for a week and return. The cold wasn't so harsh to him as it was with the rest, Hajura Amako Hatama made him build an immunity to the cold. He spent the longest hours out in the cold supervising and it inspired the men to work as long as they could knowing Ajay was taking this project very serious.

Logistics was always a concern. Though the materials had been pre-gathered before the snow set it, there was always need to resupply the site, the frontier outposts and to a large extent the Tigers which was a whole army outside of the Royal Army's supply zone. Supplies by airdrop or helicopter were no longer available, it had to be either sled carried or on vehicles with special ice tracks. The road across King's Bridge became treacherous thanks to the steep cliffs, icy roads and the constant threat of an avalanche.

He'd use this week of rest to organise the new standalone unit amongst the assortment of forces in the Royal Army and Tiger ranks. Check on how everything was going in Lakshman and the Arsenal later. But for the first time in a while, Ajay had the comfort of his own home.

"Accomplice 1, meet our newest member Accomplice 3." Ajay introduced Daisy to Noore.

"Pleasure, I look forward to hearing all the embarrassing things about Accomplice 2." Noore giggled.

"Likewise."

"Just try, both of you." He warned them.

He had the time to accommodate Daisy and he had to let her in on somethings so she wouldn't go snooping around at things the Army was sensitive about. So the best way was to indulge her so that she would indulge him on Jason Brody. There was also the part on having her keep mum on his identity as Ajay Ghale. It was enough to get her killed by Pagan's hidden assassins to prevent a leak that could potentially change the publics and the militaries opinion about him now especially with Mohan on the loose.

Ajay took a drink out of his coffee brew and to explain his story from when he arrived in Kyrat due to that letter his mother left for him. He talked about Pagan, Ishwari, Mohan, Yuma, Willis the Golden Path, the Royal Army and Guards, the SOCOM marines, Bhadra the Tarun Matara apparent, the mercenaries and Jason Brody. At least the stuff he knew about him from observation and what the others told him about Jason.

Daisy's eyes stayed wide throughout the story, the only part he left out was his symptoms and the Valley of Yetis. Only Noore and Saras knew about it and it already shook up their beliefs tremendously. Ajay and Noore helped themselves to the French toast Bhadra made before heading off to the school, even in such weather the vocation school remained open. He made sure she was adequately clothed before leaving and brought her to the school himself, at this time there was no telling it the hungry wolves would lurk into inhabited areas due to hunger. There was a certain rabies inducing black alpha wolf he had yet to find, wanted for considerable livestock damage before the snow came. It probably anticipated this weather and went to stock up which was good if it meant it wouldn't come out of its den for the entire season. In any case, with the snow setting in it was the only active creature as all others were in hibernative sleep.

Daisy's complexion was filled with trouble and her attention was fixated on Ajay though the latter was having a light chat about how the toast had improved with Noore who agreed. By the time he finished the toast Daisy remained unchanged the entire time.

"Jeez, even snails progress faster than you. Help yourself to the toast or I guarantee I'll finish it….. so good…"

"…."

What was all this about? Ishwari had such a history? Ajay was in fact the son of a revolutionary leader now returned through an unknown means? Pagan Min was Ishwari's lover? Pagan wanted to recede the throne to Ajay? The picture of that rough boy in the streets of Brooklyn was slowly diminishing.

"I'm still Ajay, Daisy. That part will still stay as does the memories." Seeing Daisy's trouble he clarified to her.

"Uh- yes. I'm sorry. I mean, for everything. You were right."

"Mmm? About what?"

"About moving on." Ajay cocked his head.

"When we returned from Rook Islands safely with Jason's help I thought I could handle Grant's passing… but I was wrong. I followed the exact same path you went when your mother passed, I reprimanded you for something I knew nothing of. I did consider visiting you a couple of times but-…. I guess I was just as big of a coward as I called you.-Ouch!" Ajay flicked her forehead.

"When have you ever been wrong? You left me to make me understand I had to move on, I might not have understood then but I did later. I can't tell you how grateful I am for you making the most painful decision. If you didn't leave me, I wouldn't have left for Kyrat and known all this. The affair my mom, Mohan and Pagan left might not be pretty but it was better than living in idle back in the states. At least here, I know someone else depends on me to make things right."

Daisy's eyes sparkled and she started to laugh.

-So that's where that boy went, he grew into a man.-

"So now you know my side of the coin, I'd like to hear yours." Poured more coffee for her as she drank up the cup of the delicious brew.

Daisy smiled warmly and received it.

Her story began in Bangkok, a typical wild party to celebrate major success amongst their friends. They went to this club and met this DJ named Doug who suggested they go to this island to go even wilder. However they were captured the moment they landed by pirates. Doug had in fact been a spotter for the pirates and lured tourists to be held for ransom there.

It was then that they met this one pirate, Vaas Montenegro.

He killed Vincent and tortured them body and soul. Especially Jason and Liza whom he had a special affection for them both. Both Daisy and Jason escaped by their separate means. Daisy on her own and Jason with Grant, although the latter was not so lucky. Jason was found by the island inhabitants that turned him into some sort of weapon against the pirates and a cruel entrepreneur Hoyt Volker who was the boss behind him and every part of the islanders' misery.

Daisy was not concerned with what Jason was doing, her only focus was to find a way off the island. Jason brought each friend back one after another, but she could see there was some visible change in his attitude as well as his exterior. The only things she knew about the island was through Doctor Earnhardt who used her as his emotional crutch of the daughter who died years ago.

She learnt from Liza that Riley had perished, apparently Keith had witnessed his death when Jason inquired. But of course, the former was lying, he merely wanted not to spend another second on the island. He had a particularly hard time with an Australian merc by the seemingly harmless name of Bambi "Buck", but the merc had sodomised him. As time went by Jason became more distant and when it was time to go he opted to stay on the island calling it his place in the world. Liza was obviously upset by this, Daisy could see something terribly wrong with Jason, his mind was deteriorating to the brink of madness. But how could he be at fault, he thought he lost two both brothers. So he thought, what was one more. He sought revenge against both the pirate Vaas and Hoyt. Daisy broke Liza from Jason as she knew this wouldn't turn out good. They proceeded with rebuilding the tub under the cove. Just when they had completed and were ready to make sail towards Thailand the natives stormed Earnhardt's house and took them. Bringing them to their diplidated temple and tied to stakes.

There they met the orchestrator of all of these events. Citra, the witch of the Rakyat. She planned to drug Jason and induce him to kill his friends, thereby severing his last connection to the modern world. She told this to Daisy as she made it seem to be the leader of the group, all of their troubles, Vaas's pirates, Hoyt and his privateers were all vanquished by Jason. The feat was almost inconceivable yet Jason had done it and was heading here to question their disappearance from Earnhardt's house.

Jason came before them intoxicated by some unknown substance, he'd been fed whispered promises of power and absolute freedom. All he had to do was slit the throat of his friends. And the first one was to be the strongest bond to the outside world, Liza. But contrary to Citra's plans he back away, somehow fighting desires with his conviction and cut them free. An angry followed confronted Jason and attempted to stab him but the witch took the blow for him much to their surprise. She begged Jason to stay but Jason wholefully gave up everything for them. The natives did nothing to block them as they left the temple and later the island.

And that was the end of their epic, or so they thought.

Whilst recovering from their trauma and were about their daily life, black vans bagged them and brought them to a private airstrip where they were flown to Kyrat. They appeared before a fat American who Daisy learnt from Ajay was Case officer Willis Huntley from Langley. He helped arm the Golden Path in the 80s. There was a dandily dressed Chinaman, Solomon Khoo. An arms dealer with connections to triads, Pagan once and their old friend Hoyt. His experience in human trafficking brought them to Kyrat without the authorities being notified, and Willis made sure even if their family and friends asked the police station, no such person existed.

"Alright, I've heard your story. Now let me tell you about you and your friends current predicament and options."

"Alright, I'm ready." Though her expression said otherwise, he took her word for it.

"Even if you took a plane back to the states, all that will be awaiting you is a team ready to dispose of you."

"Th-..that can't be!"

"There's an even bigger asshole than Willis he's got involved in this affair, Director Paul Lynch or the East Asia Theater. As long as he's in office, you can't return home."

Daisy bit her lip, there was such a high profile spook making their lives hell for a career.

"But Willis and Lynch aren't friends, they were partners once until Lynch pushed the blame on Willis for something gone south in Kyrat twenty odd years ago. Willis as proof to that scandal, and that's what Lynch wants. The marines and I are also looking to acquire it, if it falls into our hands. Lynch will need to quietly beckon his head for his entire office term to us. The marines can go home without military charges being pressed and so will you."

Immediately Daisy's eyes and being brightened with the hopes of their return possible.

"Easier said than done." Noore said.

"Quite right. For one, Lynch isn't around yet with that PMC group he's bringing along. The storm's made in impossible for him to come right now, but he'll be back. And Willis doesn't trust anyone to do important jobs, not even the group of marines that joined him. So that stash is no where to be found. (Sigh) We nearly had him if not for Jason's meddling."

"But Jason didn't know we weren't in the king's possession but there's." Daisy defended Jason.

"That's what I'd like to think as well because then he'd have no reason to stick with Golden Path. In fact, he'd loath them for lying and might retaliate. But so far that remains to be seen."

Daisy was also finding it weird. It was clear from the radio broadcast that Ajay made that they were safe and sound and without harm or involvement coming to them, so why wasn't he here?

"Liza…. Liza said something about him gradually talking to himself in his sleep. She said he was talking to that pirate Vaas and that it was taking a firm hold of Jason." Ajay turned to Noore for expert opinion.

"I'm a doctor not a psychiatrist. Although mental health isn't my major it sounds to me like Jason has developed a schizophrenic tendency coupled with a multiple-personality disorder. It might have taken root out of the need to handle all of the stress he'd been handling after his return. Like another person to talk to him about his troubles."

Daisy frowned as it was clear to her that Liza wasn't performing as she expected of her with her boyfriend. Just what was going through that skank's head, she had no clue.

"And in his restraint of desire, his personality formed into the shape of someone associated with that trait."

"Vaas." Ajay had already guessed it. The psycho pirate with an unstable personality and a blood thirst for action and murder. Jason had at one point of time spoken in a Hispanic accent which proved that the personality was who they thought it was.

"Can it be treated?" Ajay had already asked ahead of Daisy much to her surprise of his willingness to help.

"What's to treat, Ajay. This isn't a condition that medicine or method can solve, it was a solution to a poorly handled PTSD." The more Daisy heard it the more she felt the cause of this was Liza's fault.

"What will you do regarding Jason, Ajay?" Daisy asked in a calm voice. Ajay thought about it for a while.

"If possible, I don't want to kill him. But I don't want my people to suffer because of him either. Not a lot of wiggle room when he's the second most dangerous person among the Golden Path. The Tigers hate his ass and Amita isn't the forgive and forget type."

"….."

What was Daisy saying, Ajay had a responsibility to an entire country and she was asking him to spare a potential killer of masses.

"You want to help, Jason? That's ironic coming from your sentiment a few months back." Noore pointed out.

"True, there's nothing more insatiable than revenge, but I don't get Kamala back from killing Jason."

Noore was starting to feel sorry for saying this. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

"That's fine, I've gotten over it. The main perpetrator Sabal is dead, though I feel a bit sorry he died so quickly with just a sock to the face. It's almost too pathetic I can't even be sad, if I were to say why I'd help Jason it would be for Grant."

"Grant?" Daisy was baffled, why would he do this for a person he barely knew, let alone a dead person?

"From the way you describe him, he sounded like a swell guy to hang out with I would've like to get to know him. He also did me a favour for taking good care of you all those years, perhaps ease some of the hurt I dealt to you. I can't thank him enough for giving you another person to love." Daisy's expression became complicated, she didn't no whether to cry or laugh or be angry with Ajay.

"… That's so unfair."

"Alright, stop flirting." Noore announced loudly.

""We're not flirting."" Ajay and Daisy said flatly without emotion.

"Then what do you call that just now?"

"It's as Ajay said in the beginning, we're accomplices.


There had been considerable shifts that took place in the town in Lakshman. Thankfully the council had been given warning of the imminent storm and posted the warnings throughout the town. All the window and openings were reinforced and the stores that sold dry foods sold like hotcakes due to the demand. But no would go hungry in Ajay's town.

He had been given access to a military granary storage near them to distribute to the populace of about seven hundred thousand in his domain. As the storages were divided based on the sector that was protected and since Ajay had no standing army in his domain yet, he rationed it to the PDF and townsfolk as well as the several villages.

The most active during the storm was the arsenal, still billowing smoke from the chimneys. Ammo and guns were on high demand and it couldn't afford to halt its activities, the same went for the one in Queen Min's territory. Transportation was modified to truddle through the snow with studded wheels and snow plows affixed to their front ends. With two months of preparations for the Golden path assaults they had to think of ways to give the average fighter or soldier an edge over the Golden Path fighters and their commanders the Devas. Their tactics and strategy would be entirely different from before now that they had the former Royal Guard officer-trained Devas to lead and teach them. Speaking of Golden Path, before the storm set in there were individuals that crossed the bridge seeking to join Golden path as Ajay had permitted. An effort to keep the populace from harbouring rebellious intentions by allowing them to proceed with joining the cause.

The King's Bridge garrison counted over fifteen thousand men and women joined. As he promised before they left and after the wrote their names, the garrison guards threw at them their winter provisions and clothing. Albeit harshly as they glared at them the entire way out the gates. It was to be expected, they were declaring their treason to the crown, something the army guards loathed with a passion. On the flipside, they would be welcomed with open arms into the Golden Path ranks, Mohan would make sure of that for political reasons. But the existing members would hold distrust towards these potential spies, which Ajay was sure at least five were Army intelligence informants.

The Asymmetric Warfare Commission, a branch established by one of the Commanders in the War Council to study and observe this kind of warfare and give their conclusive study on how to combat the Golden path in their own territory. Had taken up camp near the arsenal proving grounds, hoping to give their input to weapon designs and modifications. Samar worked closely with them in this study.

Their latest study was about typical combat ranges and the appropriate weapons to these distances. A firefight between Royal Army and Golden Path patrols was about four hundred metres, that was both the spotting and engagement distance. Because they were at an angle due to the slopes of the mountain it was actually six hundred metres away from each other.

It came down to who had the more effective weapon at this range. Intel from G2 that juiced it out of Paul suggested a change in their logistical supply. Golden Path were being supplied by the Pakistan Ordnance Factory which produced German Battle Rifles as their main troop compliment. The difference was obvious, unlike assault rifles like the AK or M16s they fired full-powered rifle rounds as opposed to the intermediate cartridges of the assault rifles. Hitting things at distances beyond 600 metres and penetrated the forest cover without issue.

The disadvantage to such a weapon was the weight penalty from the rifle itself and the ammunition amount carryable. But if you hit your target then what was the point of carrying so much ammo. This finding however concluded that to accommodate this change in basic troop implementation would mean their patrols and supply runs would be shorter ranged and therefore the Golden Path would have difficulty supplying isolated areas.

It still left the problem of the Golden Path potentially outgunning the Tigers and Army soldiers equipped with AY-16s and AK rifles that were manufactured or refurbished at the Arsenals that now numbered three. The Third one was under construction at the heart of the fortress being built.

One of the most strongly supported ideas with the commission was the adoption of a universal cartridge amongst the troops for the roles of submachine-gun, assault rifle, light machine gun and designated marksman's rifle which was the basis configuration of the soldiers in the regiments.

Their choice for this was an ambiguous cartridge known in SAAMI as Grendel 6.5x39mm. A round that filled the gap between the 5.56x45mm of the M16 and the 7.62x51mm of the full-size rifles and battle rifles. The longer the barrel from which it was fired the better the ballistics, while the shortest barrel length already gave superior ballistics to both 5.56x45mm from AR-15 derivatives and 7.62x39mm from the AK rifles. Ambitious as it was to improve the effectiveness of the average troopers range and combat effectiveness per shot. There was a lot of room for disaster in that project now christened "Tempered Steel".

The Army Commanders were already against the idea of switching out their inventory for new bullets and cartridges especially at a time like this. Ajay also inclined to agree with them, it was too big a project to undertake in so little time. It was then that Samar suggested the change only be applied to Ajay's developing group the size of single regiment. Since it was a standalone from the Army, it wasn't under their jurisdiction or responsibility. Only Ajay was allowed to supply and equip that unit and he alone was the only one capable of doing so. If the experiments succeeded as they predicted, it would convince the Army commanders to slowly adopt the idea and implemend them to the Army as a standard.

Ajay was still having doubts about the experiment, but Gary convinced him it was a good avenue to take especially now when they had no idea how the Golden path would organise itself.

If everything turned out alright the logistical benefit was apparent. They only needed to produce one type of round for all those roles mentioned earlier. E.g. A machine gunner in the section could swap his ammo with a soldier wielding an assault rifle and similarly with other roles doing the same. The rounds weren't a problem to produce as the sizing could be calibrated with the swiss build ammo manufacturing machines but the rifles that the bullets were fired from was the main problem in its conception.

The main option was to replace the existing rifles with a whole new one that could chamber the rounds. It was expensive, very expensive and laborious. The alternative was to switch out the barrels and bolts from the guns under refurbishing in the newer calibre. How well the rounds would work in these existing rifles that had been used heavily in their career was questionable. And that was what Samar and his apprentices were currently finding out.

An apprentive of Samar's burns out another barrel after inspecting the quality of their upgrade to the new calibre.

"Same as the last."

Samar sighed. As positive as the end result was, the outcome left much to be desired. The lack of certain advance materials and machines to harness them meant that the metallurgy of their metals resilience to wear and tear from extended use was severely limited.

"That's the fifth bolt under five hundred rounds." The apprentice held up the fragmented bolt of the rifle that underwent a tolerance test.

"Sup' homies!"

"Hurk!" The lovable mercenary of Ajay's came to pay a visit to his gunsmithing mentor.

They came around patting him on his safe return and recovery.

"So hows the famous Mizaru dealing with his renown?"

"What now?" Hurk responded.

"Mizaru, wasn't that your incognito that was spread around?"

"The hell's Mizaru?"

"We see no evil, we hear no evil, we speak no evil. The three wise monkeys of a famous proverb. Yours is Mizaru, the monkey that covers its eyes to evil. It shows that even in pressure you chose not to see people for their inner wickedness. That is your virtue, Hurk." Ajay appeared sitting by the crates and answered Hurk's query.

"…Bad's….."

"I'm not mad at you for being reckless, but I'm upset that you put yourself in harms way intentionally without seeking backup."

"Ehehe…" Hurk laughed awkwardly after receiving praise after praise.

"That being said, prepare for your punishment." The fellow apprentices giggled quietly.

"What?!- I mean, oh."

"You thought I'd let you get away with AWOL, both you and the three stooges will assist Longinus in shifting the Special weapons to the new Arsenal. And you will unplug those ears to what he has to say about nicking his launcher."

(Slump)

Hurk went on his knees.

"Please! Anything but that!"

"My verdict has passed. Carry on." Ajay left them to head to the office to read the reports.

The apprentices laughed at Hurk's miserable situation which was too funny and pitiful at the same time. It wasn't the moving of heavy items, that was easy for four grown men. It was the lecture from Longinus. At had the ability to break down even the strongest of wills. Ajay had once thought of sending Longinus to preach to De Pleur but the interrogators advised against it. He might bite his tongue to escape the pain.

"What 'chu guys doing? I'll help." Although, Hurk hadn't been working in the workshop as long as them they welcomed another set of opinion to their problem.

They told him their story and he inspected the rifle seriously.

"Did you guys use the AKs yet? You remember what they used to say about'em. It'll work in the sand and mud, battered or left in water. Plus, the bolts pretty sturdy too."

They felt like slapping their heads against the rocks. It was so straightforward it was right in front of them, use a different type of rifle platform. The weapon they were using was the AR-15 derivative because it was the most favoured weapon in the Royal Army arsenal for its handling characteristics. But the design wasn't robust enough for the change in calibre, like the AK's two-lug bolt. The original calibre of the gun was 7.62x39mm which meant the 6.5mm Grendel was a smaller cartridge that the initial bullet fired and less wear on the barrel and bolt, the two components that defined the workings of the gun.

They immediately went about working on a prototype after calculations were punched in. They begun testing the prototype once it was assembled, the gun took tolerances that were previous unpassable and allowed their proof of concept to be conceived.

They designed a system which the calibre change to an existing AK in their inventory could be quickly retrofitted to the new calibre. As well as adding many modern upgrades to its existing frame. The result was an AK rifle with modern furniture, rails for mounting accessories and an added magazine well block for AR-15 type magazines. Featured a bolt release and cross compatability with existing weapon magazines. It received the honorable designation of MH-15. Modular assault rifle under design by Hurk in the year 2015. Full name would beMH-15 Individual Combat Weapon System, because of the various weapon configurations that would follow. The military logistic designations were dictated by the abbreviations (Type of weapon)(Maker/Designer/Commissioner)-(Year). For many years to come, the rifle would be affectionately referred to as the "Hurk" for its durability and accuracy like the person.

Hurk blushed happily at the praise he received, he was barely used to it. The days he spent in Kyrat had changed his life forever, another day was another blessing for him. He would do anything for these people and for Badala. All they needed to do was say the word and he would execute it.

But what Hurk didn't know about his nickname was that there was a second meaning behind his name of "Seeing no evil". It meant that when he killed, he saw no wickness in his own actions and that made him the most feared marksman amongst the Golden Path.


The main assembly hall of the town hall was filled with men and women of different backgrounds. Various units in the Royal Army, Royal Guards of Yuma, Elite warriors of the Mukti Tigers, the recently defected Golden Path 13th scouting group, and the Hunic warriors of the Northern slopes. Each group was surprise to see the other and wondered what they were doing here, especially the Huns and the Golden Path warriors. They nearly got into fights had they not seen Ajay sitting at the podium with the Condotierri and Captain Maya, Queen Min's protégé. The total members assembled in the quickly cramping town community hall numbered at five hundred. These were the officers and NCOs of another four thousand that were not present out of the units selected by their respective Chiefs and supreme commanders. Arjun, Yuma, Amita, Er Hu, Loken.

Ajay sat on the podium playing with the urn in his hands, reflecting on his encounter with Kamala's parents.

They were astonished to see the famous Duke and Demon kneel before them begging forgiveness for failing their daughter. At some point, they understood something had happened to their child but not what they expected. The mother, Aryaa cried rivers. The father, Miren held his emotions back and studied Ajay.

They couldn't hide in their hearts how shocked they were that the man she was referring to in her letters was in fact the Northern Demon Badala. But the description of his features matched Ajay's. He reached up wanting to strike him but his hand fell onto Ajay's head and asked him to keep her close. He was after all her 'Guardian Angel'. They couldn't bring themselves to blame Ajay after all he'd done and hoped. They could see he genuinely loved their daughter and was heartbroken when she passed. How they knew about this, Maya had been there to mediate on his behalf and he was grateful for it.

"Ajay, it's time. Don't keep them waiting or they'll rip each other to shreds if you don't do anything." Maya advised him.

He placed the urn in its carrier on his belt. He was too used to the feeling now, once it had been his mother's ashes. Now, it was Kamala's. Ironically enough they both bore a similarity, he blamed himself over their deaths. Why was history repeating itself, or was this some weird coincidence all together? Now he would not let a third instance happen even again.

He walked up toward the officers and leaders of the five armies.

"You've been called upon by your respective commander-in-chiefs to serve. We're about to embark on a highly ambitious yet low-profile experiment. Army High Command wanted it for some time now, but every attempt failed. They lacked something that their organisation had no provisions for or couldn't support. But now, we think we're found the answer to it with you, ladies and gentlemen." He walked down the steps to ground level.

"The time now is most critical for us to succeed. Mohan's appearance has severely upset the balance of power, I won't lie to say that if we weighed their chance of victory against the Royal Army and tigers combined they would have sixty percent chance of victory." The news was disturbing to the audience, all of them fell into individual discussions.

"But there is forty percent chance we win, right?" A voice replied from within the group and everyone turned their heads towards the person that said it. The one that said it was the Hunic warrior chief Yang Er Hu. Ajay smiled when he gave his honest feedback.

"Indeed there is, this undertaking will increase our odds beyond that estimate. But if we choose to dally, we'll only be running on a forty percent probability of success."

"All of you possess a characteristic that is unique in your army to the others. Royal army are versatile to rapid changes and defensive strategies, Royal Guard has assault and raiding preferences, Hun warriors specialise in low oxygen environments and are competent mountain fighters, the Tigers can teach you that numbers don't always account for everything, and the former Golden Path has its pathfinding abilities and guerrilla warfare tactics." Ajay just summed up all of their specialities. Some felt proud that even the Northern Demon was aware of their army's prowess it these areas.

"So that's what I thought, there were actually Golden Path here." It was this comment from the Royal Guards that set of the fierce argument.

"What the hell are you traitors doing here, huh?!" Said the officer from the Royal Army.

"What's it matter to you, all you Pagan-loving bastards!" The 13th scouting group took a defensive approach to their standing. And set off the fuse with those align with King Min and Queen Yuma.

"That's rich, coming from two-timing traitors!" Now the Tigers wanted in on the fighting.

The Huns laughed at the lowlanders fighting with each other until the Kyrati armies criticized them as well and they got dragged in.

Maya and Ajay facepalmed and shook their heads. First day and they were already at eachothers' throats.

"Are you all gonna ignore my presence and fight in front of me?" Ajay asked with an intimidating glare and icy tone.

The five armies immediately went back to their original seating areas and quieten down.

"Commander Loken and his men are no longer affiliated with the Golden Path. They helped me considerably and before the start of the blizzard, they came here with their families which should present how serious they are about this change of allegiance. One plus side to them was that they opposed Sabal very early on, including during our encounter when Sabal was with them. Of course, the bastard is no more presently."

At the mention of Sabal all the armies seem to talk about it, but a serious change of opinion had taken place. Mainly with the Tigers who hated him with a passion, the enemy of my enemy was my friend was the way they saw it and their previous attitude flipped 180.

"In future, during cross exercise Commander Loken and his men will make you adept to the way the Golden Path conduct their forces and how they are deployed. They will be your reference on what to expect of the Golden Path in the coming months although the Golden Path would be undergoing changes of their own. In the same way, each army will show the rest what their group can do. You will all study and apply these to your units of command."

They now understood the purpose of the the assembly, a joint task force. The flaw that every army in Kyrat faced was they were too overly specialised without room to diversify. Ajay brought them all together so they would teach one another eachother's strengths.

"Right! We'll start tomorrow morning, report to your assigned units and get aquainted." Ajay said to in dismissal. It confused them, why did they have to acquaint with the members in their units they were already serving alongside. Noticing their reaction, Ajay announced.

"Oh, did I say it earlier on? I jumbled your men up amongst a standing unit. Each of you will command soldiers and warriors from each other's units."

""WHAT!?"" They couldn't believe what they just heard him say and protested fervently.

"Your grace! This is ubsurd!"

"Are you telling us to let our men be commanded by others besides their own commanders?"

"The men won't accept this!"

"SILENCE!" Maya shouted with hostility and they quietened from shock that she had such a powerful voice for someone so slender. The Royal Guards were the first to shut up, she was after all their future Commander-in-chief.

"Do you presume to think that we haven't already considered this? You have all been given specified orders by your highest-ranking superiors to merge with this Unit. Do not question it or I will take that as immediate insubordination!" Having this woman scream at them was an unfamiliar feeling and it scared them all into obedience. Maya instantly established herself as the number two in this organisations hierarchy.

"Right, as I was saying. You'll be commanding one another's men. From this moment on, you'll consider yourself unaffiliated with your former comrades. This unit will be your home and the person standing next to you will be your sibling. Let's have a bet, shall we?"

Ajay wanted to keep things interesting.

"Whose ever commander of their army can get their mixed battalions to work in harmony with each other and work on well, will get the next Arsenal built in their respective Army's territory of their chosing. All the men under their temporary command will receive cash awards and weapon inventory to bring back to their armies." Everyone was silent.

Like dog ears that shot up, Ajay spoke of such a promise. The commanders and leaders couldn't help but lick their teeth. Ajay had one juicy steak that all the armies coveted, that was his manufacture of arms. The Royal Army couldn't help but rare for it as it would reduce their dependence on Ajay's Lakshman Arsenal. Royal Guards already had one but two would be a treat. The Tigers were eager to have an arsenal of their own which could allow them to be self-sufficient on ammunition which was desperately needed all the time. Having an arsenal for the 13th Scouting group would allow their families to have additional employment and influence in their new habitat. The Huns just wanted to show how good they were, that's all. Perhaps the Arsenal could help them rehabilitated and no longer depend on trade with those price extorting Sherpa.

They whispered their intentions with their superior officers on the plan of actions.

"The Royal Army accepts your challenge!"

"Royal guard does not back down from this challenge!"

"The Tigers are will prove to you why Golden path have trouble with Baghadur!"

"13th Scouting Group wouldn't let your grace down."

"How could we let these lowlanders outdo us, the Huns accept!"

Ajay had gotten the approval of every armies' band of officers and NCOs.

Now it was the test of whether they could work it out with each others' men.

What these men didn't know was that this experimental joint unit would be part of the highly secretive Army and Guard funded S-program. A key component that made it as formidable as Arjun projected it to be. Putting Kyrat as a major military power in Western Asia when the war was over.

"Your grace, does this unit have a name?"

While they had been sent by their commander-in-chiefs, they had not been told what they were to be doing. Only that they were now under Ajay's command and Ajay's enactments was genuinely making them his private force in their eyes and not part of their commanders' investment in the S-program initiative. Only time would tell when Ajay would reveal it to them, but in the meantime they would call their themselves…

"Unit 58."


Author's Notes:

I know I said in chapter 12 when I did the introductory on the Arsenal works that I'd stop being technical with guns again. And without me realizing it, I went complete Tom Clancy in this chapter again. Maybe its because I want you my viewers to understand the mortality and fighting conditions of the fighters and soldiers alike when battling in the dense forests of mountainous Kyrat. And there is no better way of showing this then by gauging their strength but the size of their "guns" (no pun intended). If Ajay is nearly bulletproof thanks to Chiffon, you know why he runs around the battlefield like a maniac without consequence of being shot.

6.5mm Grendel has not been fielded by any modern army including the highly-advanced US army despite the rumors and actual graphs of its performance. Curiously, the humble Serbia has taken the first step into introducing it as a standard military cartridge.

God bless Kalashnikov and Eugene Stoner.