Author's Notes:
Still working on Chapter 81(f) short. Will come tomorrow after finishing my assignment due Monday. On the brightside, mid semester break is here! Yippee!
The previously dire odds the 2nd Battalion faced an instant powersihft with the spearhead of the Republican Guard grinded into a halt with the lost of a platoon sized force. A hidden ambush had been responsible for this intervention.
"Caraphract Zeta to all forces proceed through the opening I give to return. Caraphract Theta shall take point with Epilson maintaining the rearguard for Actual to exit safely. Respond, over."
*Who the fuck do you think you are ordering us around?*
*Caraphract Theta acknowledges, we'll push through. Where's the opening?* The Commander of Theta didn't argue like Han Feng did as it seemed that Bipin had better control over the situation than anyone of them did.
*Roger, Epilson will cover the rear then, over.* Hearing that one had agreed, the Captain of Epilson agreed too and reorganised his men to form a protective rear.
As for the opening they wanted, it was hard to see. 7th Autonomous platoon wasn't attacking from a single place up on the mountains, but several. This was to keep the Enemy at the battalions' rear locked down searching for the asymmetric threat.
The reason why Bipin's force of tank destroyers could destroy the T-80s was due to their attacks on the flanks and rear of their tanks. They also had the height advantage which allowed their guns to punch through the tanks relatively thin armour on their top which was rated to protect against artillery but not full-power tank gun rounds. Bipin's intel on the tank schematics also allowed him to understand their armor weaknesses.
From a distant location, a certain commander watched the battle shift against his mens' favour. Someone had broken out of his deadlock meant to crush this reconnaissance force. Although he was surprised with the quality of armour that was brought to invade his country, this was definitely not a neighbour.
"Caraphract Actual, request override over artillery and air support assets. How copy? Over."
*What is your assessment of the situation, Zeta?*
"The situation is fubar for all of you. Three understrengthed battalions are pincering you for the Republican Guards to deliver the finishing blow. They intend to wipe you out before the Expedition knows about our disappearance." Bipin dutifully informed."
*Granted. Make them count, Zeta.*
"Yes, sir."
A transmission went through for the codes to have assess to the fire support which Bipin's radio operator informed him through the local channel.
Although, neither the Yinkians nor the Kyratis knew Bipin's actual location, he was in fact not on the mountains but in the valley off the initial entry point from whence they came from which led back to base as well. It was there that Bipin had stumbled upon the ambush the YLA had carefully prepared for them and had been sprung perfectly. He didn't inform them as he wasn't sure what were the other tricks they had that could compromise his own groups safety and what was the state of the enemies' comprehension of their radio binary codes.
A distance sound of sub-sonic planes came in for an attack run upon the armoured units much to their shock to see jets lining them in their sights. It was a quick but shaking affair for the Yinke soldiers on ground, if the officers weren't there to keep them in check they would have considered routing.
(Brrrrrrrrrrrr)
A distinct sound of a motor chainsaw echoed from when the Su-25s made their attack run. What followed was a strafe of dirt and mini-explosions from 30mm Depleted-uranium rounds impacting the ground and catching some vehicles in the path. These vehicles exploded with a force that shook their accompanying infantry and subjecting the neighbour armour to heavy rattling.
But the cannon wasn't the only weapon in the ground attack aircrafts arsenal. They released a combination of unguided rockets and guided anit-tank missiles upon the heavy armour.
The Yinkian soldiers spread out to minimize the chance of them being hit and helplessly killed. From their dispersion, the Kyrati forces were able to cut a part through the compromise they made. And this was all achieved with just two planes. It caused a significant fear to grow not just in the Yinkian soldiers' hearts, but if their commanders as well.
The Yinkian commander wasn't one to wait, he quickly responded with bringing up their local air defense units from the reserve to cover them.
The two Russian pilots of Lupus Caelum were quick to spot air-aircraft batteries in the form of familiar Russian ZU-23 triple A mounted on trucks. Affectionately codenamed "Zeus", it had been downing aircraft even way before their time in the Russian Air force. They quickly buggered out and just in the nick of time, as the sky became laced with 23mm armored piercing incendiary. Both parties watched as the planes danced in the air whilst firing flares to avoid the streams of AA tracer fire and guided missiles, both with hope that they survive or perish by each army respectively. Some scored hits on their airframe, but it wasn't enough to take the planes out of commission. It wasn't "Russia's A-10"* for nothing.
Not a second too soon, the howling of heavy ordnance came whistling toward them. The Yinkians backed away thinking it was meant for them. But instead what came was an airburst of thick smoke that concealed the convoy of the retreating battalion. Followed with a creeping barrage of high explosive heading their way to keep the Yinkians from pursuing them. But the YLA forces were ordered to cease their pursuit.
And it was with just fifteen minutes, that the 2nd Hussars had successfully made a tactical withdraw for better terrain. But effectively losing guile, the Yinkians would no doubt report their findings to the military camps on the outskirts.
The Yinkian Commander of the Republican Guard, the one that organised the ambush sighed at the failure to attain strategic element of surprise when attacking Pada Mo City. But he had already taken note several important findings from this engagement despite not knowing who was it that invaded yet.
The aggressor had possessed a quality mechanised force that had slipped pass their border stations likely via airlift. They were in possession of an impressive array of fire support in the form of artillery batteries and air support which was the main concern for his armoured forces who had taken a serious beating despite possession the tactical advantage. The enemy possessed a significant pool of resources at their disposal, this mere reconnaissance battalion had access to this array of firepower said a lot about their enemy. Last but not least, was the sudden change of power he had noticed earlier on. Someone had turned the previously incompetent forces in for an effective withdrawl, saving the lifes of his men and their quality of fighting power.
"You're awfully happy. Did you find something good, sir?" His subordinate inquired about his wry smile that even he did not notice was on his face.
"The enemy has a good commander but poor leader of armoured units. He does however possess a rather exceptional officer in his retinue."
"That should be good for us, no?" If the commander had to depend on a junior officer to dictate his armys' movement instead of himself, he was in for a serious handicap of commanding his forces.
"That'll depend on this officers' competence at keeping us from the objective."
"You seem rather happy about all this, despite the odds weren't facing. Artillery, air support, mechanized forces. That is probably still only the cream of the top." The Yinkian Commander chuckled heartily at the pragmatism of his young intern.
"You have much to learn, young one. You should see it in a different light. Although the enemy is formidable, he has already played all of his available playing cards to preserve his forces. He will have no more surprises save for his own wits, but he is also playing in someone else's backyard."
"….."
The Yinkian Commander was rather confident in his abilities, if not he wouldn't have been recommended several times to come out of retirement to train and command the republican guard to full potential. He was sure that this mechanised force was the most powerful asset in the invaders' arsenal that had been sent here. If not, they wouldn't have operated alone to suppress their response to HQ going dark.
"The next time we meet, which shouldn't be long. We'll show him one of ours."
Ajay emerged filled with gore as he had singlehandedly suppressed a nest of insurgents in a warehouse. Some of the Yinkians whom lived in the area came to see the cordoned off part of the street by the newest enforcers of Pada Mo City. Armed thugs from the seedier parts of the city. Where were the police and military forces in all of this? The military imprisoned and made to build a POW camp. The police units who had been confiscated of their firearms were made to patrol the streets with minimal non-lethal weapons to add to the public order.
The newest occupant of the parliamentiary building whom the Kyratis call the 1st Kshatriyan Lord Badala had supposedly ordered the police to assist in maintaining order or join the soliders in the POW camps. Judicial laws were still upholded, there was only martial law in effect to keep too much traffic from moving around.
All in all, the people of Yinke expected worse. But the invading forces were kept in check by their lord who had publically announced the reason for his arrival on foreign soil at the main public square. There, fifty thousand souls bore witness to the same slideshow that was presented to the parliamentiary members. Either with disbelieve or appal, Ajay didn't care for their opinions. He was an oppressor and he would exercise his power of oppression on those that stood in his way.
In the strangest of ironies, though restricted of their liberal rights and limited in movement in and out of the city. The people were host to numerous forms of amenities provided by the Kyrati Royal Army. These came in the form of daily rations with benefits for redeeming, healthcare like dental and medical attention. Once an old lady come down with a fever that would end her life if untreated, her relatives sought to bring her to the doctor that was out of town but were refused exit by the Kyrati soldiers and thugs alike. Although, the accompanying soldiers took her instead to the military airbase to be air-evacuated to Kyrati General.
This simple act of kindness had sparked a different opinion about the occupying forces. Where their own soldiers had once been quite inapproachable and often harassed the public for no good reason other than they were bored. Foreigners were treating them with better humanity than their own government.
Ajay thanked his lucky stars that the current government had not been up to the task of providing proper welfare for its people but only a select group of people, their people. His bloodied appearance out of the warehouse showed that the commander of the invaders wasn't just a strategist, but it was also an example of how merciless he was upon those that physically opposed him. The Yinkians parted for him to leave the area, wearing complex expressions.
He returned to the parliamentary building that had been their headquarters for about five days already. Being that it was previously also Tenzin's supposed ancestral estate and had become the abode of the current president. There was more than enough room to house almost all of the command party but only four people stayed there. Because they didn't want the officers to get too comfy in their stay in Yinke.
Each stayed in a room of their own, Saras didn't even bunk with Ajay like she usually would. Presently, she was maintaining a professional distance from Ajay to focus on the task at hand. They were in enemy territory and running on limited resources that Ajay had shared with the populace. But neither of them refuted his action, it was better than having the people rise up and further deplete their supplies through raids and theft.
Ajay couldn't imagine how much he'd spent to do this, probably not as much as the expense for airlifting an army into Yinke.
The fourth inhabitant was Jagriti whom had by a strange request asked to be allowed to stay in the mansion. He noticed her moving around almost as if it were familiar to her. And he begun to have some suspicions on her.
"Three days to the deadline, I'm hoping Pagan gets it done by then." Ajay murmured to himself as he entered the mansion. Was he capable of really achieving that idea which he had conjured up some time ago? Would the other parties agree to it, Pagan wasn't a very accommodative man to begin with?
If they failed, then the expedition would return emptyhanded, not what the bean counters wanted to hear as the expense for sending them there and bringing them back was in the Billions. It would severely impair the economy back home as well and the distrust from its local neighbour woud increase due to their boldness in invade Yinke. Kumsa and Papir republic would then begin an arms race with them over this chain that Kyrat started. That was the consequence for failure.
But he had already dipped one foot into the pool, so there was no going back. He would swim all the way to the other end, even if it meant turning the pool blood-red.
On another sidenote, the Golden Path were no where to be found. The same could be said for Lynch and the CNS operatives, they'd just spirited away in the same fashion when they'd lost all ground in Kyrat. Unfortunately, the hunting of the rebels would have to wait if they didn't reveal themselves.
Their biggest concern was China's response, now that the YLA would most likely establish grounds that there was an invasion in progress. Perhaps the PLA had a force already mobilized in Tibet on standby to react as soon as possible.
Ajay happened to encounter Raja along the way to the showers.
"My lord, 2nd Hussars have encountered the enemy." He held out a clipboard that held the relay of comm chatter just moments ago.
"….." They had walked into an ambush by the hidden Republican Guard. It appeared that they weren't just an elite unit in name.
"What other assets do they require?"
"Just more artillery and air support, milord. Shall I send in some battalions to aid them?"
"No. Samuel and Bipin will take care of it, I don't want to deprive them of the chance to earn their marks. But have the QRF on high alert just in case." Colonel Raja nodded.
"Has Velvet found Tenzin yet?"
"No, milord. But permit me to speak freely….. is it really necessary to have him as the new governing body?"
"…."
"We have the complete government in our grasp, just have them sign an armistice and we should be done."
"Do you think Beijing would allow that? Do you think the people of Yinke would accept being subjugated? Would you?" Raja shuddered at the mention of one of Asias premier superpowers.
"This isn't about our own justice, Raja. This is about the good of all the Himalayas, we have only ourselves to depend upon and its been that way for countless generations. But what if it didn't have to always be that way."
Raja looked up with a light of excitement in his eyes, he had no idea what his lord had planned but it was something that would stop the mighty PLA in its tracks. How could he not be enthusiastic?
"Wars can be won swift, but any war would still leave a mark upon the winning party. It's a matter of how we win this war. These were the words of our king. So put your trust in them." Ajay said as he tapped his shoulder before moving on to his room. Those words had some impact on Raja so he stopped pursuing Ajay on the topic.
Upon returning to the room that had been occupied by him, a simple furnished room it was. As usual, Ajay never required much in aesthetic value. It baffled the building staff whom could remain to maintain the order of the parliamentiary building, the most powerful individual was living in the most spartan of rooms.
Upon his tidied bed were some towels and a set of local attires made ready by one of the many mansion attendants.
His gear came off with his webbing with a heavy clunk that rattled the wooden decking.
Then, came the shower. It was only a few days and already the floor around the drain was coloured red from all of his exploits.
"(Sigh)." He let the water wash away the day of stress and pain. In this moment of comfort he reflected upon all that happened since his "Death". He doubted that the Ajay from before would ever reckon they would be invading another country.
In truth, he was utterly frightened of the prospect of going out into another country to fight an inter-regional war. Pagan's words and plan were just as dubious on how well it would work, he'd been out of action for nearly twenty years. But if the façade that Ajay put up fell, it would severely dishearten the Kyrati soldiers and citizens. This was about restoring the countries honor that couldn't simply be trampled upon and be left with empty complaints which the Yinkian Government would never acknowledge.
And here he was, with Kyrat's young and bold. Sending them to the frontlines to tackle against a veteran foe with little combat experience themselves. All of the combat hardened soldiers save for the Jatayu remained in Kyrat to lick their wounds from the fight against the fleeing Golden Path and to hunt down the last of the stragglers. Noore was working on setting up the newly acquired medical electronics and equipment for the recently near-complete Kyrati General Hospital. He heard that Yuma had been supervising the railroad project back home against Pagan's request. It seemed she didn't like being held down even if it was because of her child, the coming little prince or princess. Ajay's successor for the throne that should not have been his nor Mohan's to keep.
There were no heirs to the Devi bloodline left, so the Min Dynasty would finally begin. And Ajay would protect their reign as a scion of Ghale, like his family should have done with the Devi dynasty.
But now, he wasn't alone in his struggles. He had very caring friends at his side, Hurk, Bhadra, Noore, Jeeval, Samson, Maya…. And then there was Saraswati. Thoughts on how he'd accepted her loomed about every time he looked at her, and she knew that as well. It became awkward when they had to face each other that Maya often laughed at their expense. Like a bunch of shy newly-weds. He'd never been married before, at most was his long-term relation with Daisy whom he still worried about while she was in their grasps. But the switch wasn't turned on, Paul reported it hadn't been activated either. So it meant she was still working on it, or did she die without him noticing.
"Tsh….."
At that moment, he found himself disgusted at the fact that he didn't care for her. After all she'd done for him over the years-….. years?... what did she do for him? Ajay found his heart palpitate rapidly as he tried to recall the memories he had with Daisy years ago. But-.
"Nothing….(Bang)" He slammed the shower tiles with his fist and created an inch deep cavity.
His eyes widen with disbelief and sorrow at the same time. It was very clear what had happened. The Demon had robbed him of his memories, but not just any as his instincts told him.
It stole his most treasured memories.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Ajay bellowed in frustration as he bashed the already breaking tiles. A hand or a leg would have been fine for him. But why did he just have to lose something more irreplaceable?
It was that evening, Ajay learned the price of his sacrifice. And what was the liken outcome if he continued to pursue to destroy the Golden Path in body and soul.
The place they found to settle was a securely forested area, one of the rarest terrains in the plain and barrens ridden Yinke. It was a place the 2nd Hussars took comfort in despite it being the most dangerous place to be in back in Kyrat during the civil war. Caraphract Epilson, who had received the least damage took sentry detail to give them heads up on when and where the YLA forces were.
Bipin and his platoon took the time to treat the wounded, despite that not being their speciality. It was a time when the medics were on short supply and were only attending to the very serious cases. About two hours had passed, when Bipin took a break and ordered his men to do the same to conserve energy to fight.
The place he approached was the Command tent, set up to house the command platoon and the company commanders. He entered witnessing them arguing over the next plan of action. On one end was Han Feng and a few wishing to withdraw and let the air force commandos deal with them. The other group that shared the opinion that it was their responsibility to hold back or die fighting the Republican Guard was led by Fang Wei of Alpha Company who led the only group of veterans.
They stopped arguing upon his arrival, and looked at him with a different light all together.
"Where the fuck were you whilst we were getting our asses kicked, huh?! I bet you were just watching!" Han Feng grabbed him by the collar but his hand was later restraint by his opposition Fang Wei and his cousin Fang Siu Wei.
"I was." Bipin admitted to watching them get beaten, the officers looked at him in surprise as what Han Feng said turned out to be true.
"I watched as you cluelessly walked into a trap without first questioning the nature of the terrain or lack of natural disturbances. And you still think you're qualified to look at me with scorn."
"You in-." But Bipin didn't stop there.
"Its not as if had I called you to inform you of the situation, you'd change your views about the fight or outcome. Besides, whilst everyone was busy fighting, did anyone get a glimpse of the enemy commander?"
"You saw him?" The Delta Company captain asked in surprise.
"He was in the direction of where Gamma should have been to deter their portion, observing the battlefield and studying our tactics."
"If you saw him why didn't you shot?" Han Feng reasoned.
"What difference would that make? He isn't the only commander competent enough to manage their forces. If I had relocated to take the shot all of you would have perished, effectively making my shift worthless."
"""….."""
"Thank, Captain Kadayat. You really saved us there." Fang Wei was the first to admit it when the whole tent quieten down.
"Yeah, I guess you Kyratis aren't so bad after all."
"We'll repay this debt soon, I guarantee it!"
Soon, the rest followed in their praise and thanks for keeping them alive under the pressure of the battlefield.
"But now, we face a serious problem."
"We've used up our turn to attack and if we did defeat them, we wouldn't be able to continue on to the six Encampments." Samuelle responded with the overview of their situation. Bipin and the rest nodded in understanding.
"As for my stand, we will not let them slip from our grasps. This was our job, we will not let the Lord Badala's paratroopers clean up our mess. But as it stands, I'm fresh out of what to do with them so I'm open to any suggestions."
"I have one." Bipin raised his hand.
"Oh please, do tell us." Han Feng said with sarcasm.
"I will, but first. Why are you still here?"
"?" It wasn't just Han Feng but all the others that were baffled.
"What?"
"Didn't you just fervently request of a withdraw? In that case, it would be for the best that you and anyone else who wants to leave, just leave. You'd impair us with your incompetence." This was the first time Bipin had openly insulted a member of the cantons, and not just any but the Heir of the Sun Family.
"Are you looking down on me?!"
"No." Bipin shook his head. "You're already below my expectations, Sun Han Feng. So I'm giving you two choices now." Bipin said as he walked up to him in an intimidating manner.
"You can run with your tail neatly tucked or you can follow my lead into certain death and if we succeed will behold numerous glories. The choice is yours." It was here that Bipin made his stand with the men in his battalion. They had never been host to any sort of force by Bipin during their training together, yet now he was exhibiting the same type of aura as the demon. Fang Wei could testify to that having fought alongside Badala a number of times before.
"You do not own me!" Han Feng roared. "Hmph!... I'll stay but I won't have you order me around."
"Then you're no good to me." He said pressing an intimidating Desert Eagle that Samson had given him from Longinus's collection of rare firearms. It was as if Bipin had become a different person all together, almost as if he were the demon himself. All of the officers were shocked with the ruthlessness he was displaying, that included Han Feng especially as he stared down the .50 Action Express barrel.
"Do you realize what you're doing, serf?" He said in a low but icy tone not to be outdone by Bipin's own intimidative orders.
"You had all the time to play around whilst we were in Kyrat, but we're now at war. If you do not comply, then I shall take that as action against the interest of the expedition and of my lord." He said with a cold look in his eyes, as he pressed the barrel harder against Han Feng's forehead.
"I-…" Han Feng was too shocked by his continued pursuit of him that the looming barrel became nervewrecking, he began to swear. No one since the demon had physically threatened him, in fact not even the demon openly threatened him.
"Bipin that's enough! Withdraw now." Sam ordered but contrary to her expectations, he refused to retrack.
"Am I to assume that all of you will do the same as the 1st Lieutenant? I'll be a bit more lenient to you since you haven't purposely interfered. You may leave this battlefield, I don't need losers sticking around to impede me. The enemy is converging on to the city, that is the 2nd Hussars responsibility, so I will not relinquish a single step. However, you all are different. You are relatives to the King, I'm not responsible for your upbringing nor how you act on the field. But if you stand I my way then even affiliation won't do you any good at covering your stupidity." While it could be said he looked down on everyone of them, none of them refuted him. Because he was right to a certain extent. All this time they had been under the assumption that a mechanized force was simply soldiers on wheels, where it fell down to the soldiers individual prowess that gave them the edge. However the Yinkian Armoured Units showed them that the spirit and coordination of the crewmen in a vehicle was what reflected their overall effectiveness, they were fools because the 1st Battalion had reminded them that everytime they beat them in the mock battles which they passed as simply a scenario and wouldn't happen in war, but now this was war and they were failing miserably.
Leaving it to the Jatayu was a strategically better option while they replenished, even if it meant they would never win the respect of High Command for a long while. But then…
"You won't stay here alone, Captain Kadayat. Alpha will remain." Fang Wei spoke up and changed the entire mood. Fang Wei stared at Bipin who returned his gaze with a calm emotionless look.
He pulled back the Desert Eagle and holstered it.
"You can pack your bags and follow the rest to the city. .50AE cartridges don't come by easily, the thought of wasting one on your hollow head ticks me off." He said with scorn at Han Feng.
"We're not leaving either, Captain Kadayat." Major Fang Siu Wei spoke on behalf of the officers that looked at him with a different light from before. With a bit of fear and respect together, most still remember it was his actions that saved them from the trap that the Yinkians rigged.
"What will you do then, sir?" He turned to Sam who was left stunned by the sudden changes in all of their attitudes.
"For the time being, all of us will comply with your orders, help us overcome this obstacle to our, the 2nd Hussars glory."
"Yes, sir. Captain Bipin Kadayat of the 2nd Hussars complies." He said with a salute and sharp tone.
"Do you have a plan to get us out of this mess, answer me then Gamma and I will comply as well." Han Feng said not to be left out as the only one that would return.
At that moment, Bipin released a vicious smile reminiscent of the demon.
"I do have just one, it'll require some sacrifice. But if all turns out as planned-….."
Bipin walked to the map and reshuffled the flag pieces into the formation he intended them to take.
"Any survivor will forever remember the 2nd Hussars for trampling over the military pride of Yinke."
It was high in the mountains were the Vgru Clan abode was that was Jagriti's objective. She had taken the trip alone this time without escorts, but the trip didn't worry her at all. Every stone, every path was no stranger to her as she'd traversed this route many times over and over.
"Jagriti's back!" A relative called out to point at the silhouette of the beautiful thirty-something woman who had returned to the Clan after so long.
The relatives of hers gathered around her as she passed them a basket foods and rations that were given out by the Kyrati Army.
"It's been a while since your last visit, girl. How is everything back there?"
"Yinke has been invaded." She said with calmness in her voice. But what followed was the silence from the forty over relatives young and old.
Jagriti smiled at them.
"Don't worry, this army of invaders aren't what you'd imagine. Look, the stuff here are what they've been handing out to people on a daily basis." Her basket held many of the necessity items that were being distributed by the Royal Kyrati Army. Much like relief aid care packages, her relatives had complex expressions but weren't foolish enough not to receive free help.
"It still doesn't change the fact that they are outsiders." Came a strong-willed voice from up above.
And older man in his fifties came down the steps with a dignified look.
"Father."
"Jagriti. Come meet me in the main hall." He said with a sigh before walking in that direction.
"…." Jagriti handed them the basket to go and allocate who gets what.
It had been over a year since she'd visited this place, yet there was always a feeling of nostalgia about it. The place where the government under the ideology of Shining Way had forced them into exile. Where everyday was a quest to search for their next meal. Jagriti was only fourteen when it happened, it grew into bitter hatred for the government forces, the politburo for condemning them. Everyone of the cabinet members had once been her father's subordinates, Tenzin's coworkers towards Yinke's future.
One minute, she was the crown jewel of the country who represented the youth, the next she and her family members were sent into the cold wilderness without even bare necessities. It was a transition for her, but she wasn't one to give up. Heading back to the city to earn a living for the family, however her family name prevented her from getting a decent job anywhere. She happened to notice some of her father's former employees galavanting about with great show of wealth despite the situation outsider. A fire burned deep in the young Jagriti's heart.
"One day I'll pluck them from their throne and cast them into the streets!" She swore to herself.
Because she couldn't find legitimate work she looked for alternatives to power and influence. And that one chance encounter with the traitor gave her a better idea than any other. Those in power always needed to express it in a certain way to their colleagues or peers, so she would give an outlet to them.
It came in the form of the bordello she now owned, Seven Winter Orchids. Entertainment, indulgence of pleasure and a taste of power and others faunting over you. All these could be offered to them as a guest to at an expense. Her start up wasn't easy, it involved smuggling operation after operation. Drugs, money laundering, extortion, even trafficking. When word reached her father, whom was morally upright, he was appalled. To see her degrade herself to the point that he considered disowning her, it was the regular monthly supplies that came to their place of exile that allowed the family to live on and him to stay his hand.
Eventually she built up enough credentials, money, influence and reputation to build her way to revenge. If even one of the traitors appeared in her shop she wouldn't hesitate to slit their throat. But none came, the streets around were getting worse by the years. Very soon, kids were roaming the streets. It hurt her to see them roam with deaden eyes like that so she took them in and clothed them, some grew to become proper adults, while some added to her list of courtesans because of their unrivalled beauty and etiquette. She never refused any children looking for work or shelter in her abode
Seeing that there was some good in her actions, her father too softened toward her approach despite her status as one of the four criminal bosses of Pada Mo City. His righteousness wouldn't allow it, he had once before compared her to the wickedness he'd seen in the Nobility of Kyrati.
A place ridden with civil war, ideals and death in every form. Whereas in Yinke there was just limbo as its sin. Perhaps indifference of the government to its people was another.
But because of her charity, she'd become farther from her objective than ever. Things worsened with the local economic situation as she lost customers as well. Day after day she watched from her window balcony at the ancestral mansion that was once theirs being desecrated with their filthy footsteps. Lights shone out from their regular seasonal parties that lasted all day all night long, no one challenged their behaviour for fear of the army bearing down on them, even the crime bosses weren't that stupid, in fact they made a living out of the squalor conditions to have cheap and affordable manpower or just sellable merchandise in the form of young boys or girls.
Whatever street rat that wasn't found by her roaming courtesans ended up in cages for Boss Ricky to sell. Although his current operation was indefinitely suspended by that one man who changed the fate of Yinke in one day.
That man was Badala, the Lord and General of the Kyrati Army that now roamed the streets with vigilance. It was only two weeks ago that their civil war had ended, yet here they were with such an impressive arsenal that made one wonder what the civil war in Kyrat was like that the City garrison couldn't even match in a mere hour engagement with their paratroopers.
Jagriti had the pleasure of walking up the steps of the house that was once her families after sixteen long years. And in the balcony, lo and behold were the traitors and those two troublemakers that wrought anarchy to her house years ago. All of them bore looks of despair and anxiousness for their awaited punishment. When she entered, none of them recognised her to which she scorned.
But it remained that what she had been working to achieve in sixteen year was done in less than a day by him.
"Kneel before our ancestors." He took out a pair of josssticks for the ancestral tablets before them.
Jagriti smiled, it had been a while since she'd done so. The fact that he had said their ancestors meant he still acknowledge her as his daughter. She did so with a calm and pleasant feeling before sitting down at the table where he made a pot of tea.
"Tell me all that's happened." Jagriti nodded, she begun with her encounter with Badala incognito seeking her help, what he told and spoke with her. Then came the takeover of Pada Mo City under an hour. The things he and the invasion forces had done to the soldiers, authorities and the parliamentary members in contrast to the common people. She did not leave out the impressive array of weapons they had to bear and had seen for herself.
Her father's face remained calm, but there was a light of worry and shock in his eyes that couldn't be hidden away from her. She'd seen it in so many men and womens' eyes in bed before.
"So he wants me to lead his puppet government. I decline." Tenzin said stubbornly.
"I think you should reconsider." Jagriti said calmly.
"Why should I? It's about what he wants not what I or the people want."
"He didn't wait or search for you for a week for nothing. At any time he could have forced those traitors into a conditional surrender but he didn't."
"You said he was recommended by his king to find me, correct?" Jagriti nodded.
"And is his king still Pagan Min?" Jagriti wore a complex expression that gave away the answer, she wasn't sure what that had to do with him refusing.
"This Badala isn't the voice of Kyrat, his merely a representative of its interests or I should say ulterior motives."
"Badala doesn't have ulterior motives, I've seen it in his eyes, father. He was genuinely here because of his people and because of what those traitors allowed." She said standing up for him.
"Not ulterior motives? Hmph! You weren't old enough to know but I've been to Kyrat many years ago. Tyrant doesn't even begin to describe him, he's a monster on the throne! A sadistic, cruel deviant that misleds the people of Kyrat into serving his own interests at their expense."
It was the first that Jagriti heard of this and had doubts about what she'd experienced.
"No."
"No?"
"I'm sure as can be, Badala and the Kyratis have no poor intentions for either of our interests at heart." She had a hint of determination in her eyes, it baffled her father why she was so sure about this invader. And invader was an invader no matter the difference. They wouldn't invade for no reason without benefit, so what was it that the Kyrati Army sought here?
"Have you not listened to me? He is but a pawn to their King!" He said loudly as he rubbed his head in frustration, he felt as if she'd discarded all his teachings on politics away for her own feelings.
"Maybe that has changed! But what would you know? You've spent a decade in this damnable place walloping in self-pity when our family needed you more than ever. I hold you and your self-righteousness responsible for mother's death!" Jagriti burst out in anger suddenly.
"I'm sorry." She quickly apologized. But her father sat quietly wearing a sadden smile.
"Perhaps you're right, I was too stubborn to even admit it. Haha….. I'm sorry for not being there when you were doing something about our situation that should have been my responsibility." Jagrit looked at him like she'd just made a victim out of him, her expression showed doubts about continuing to press her father further.
"Could you ever forgive this old fool for not asking for it sooner?"
Jagriti held his hand and her eyes shined.
"Always. But right now, your people need you to make a decision on their behalf. Its always been that way, father." She knew that she wasn't the only child of Tenzin, Yinkes people were too.
"(Sigh)… alright, I will go and speak with him. Not for anyone elses sake, but for you my dear." He said with a heart warming smile.
"And you sure took your time too." Came a voice from the entrance of their ancestral hall.
"Who goes there?" Tenzin said with his wits about him to the unfamiliar silhouette at the front.
"Badala?" When Jagriti mentioned his name, Tenzin turned a look at him. What he saw was a person that didn't fit her description or his expectations. A boy younger than even his daughter was the general of the Kyrati Army?
"This is Badala?" He murmured.
"You're certainly not what I expected of Pagan's description but I think the feeling is mutual. I am Badala, Duke of Lakshman and 1st Kshatriyan Lord to his Royal Highness King Min." Ajay took a graceful bow despite the bulk of his full battle equipment.
"At your service, sir."
Author's Notes:
As you've probably guessed after reading through all of my chapters, i'm a huge military geek. But unlike most people that compare equipment and dick fight which is superior I look at the respective armies that adopt certain combat effective doctrines than the abilities of their weapons, vehicles or technology. Every army has their different requirements or challenges they employ their tactics and gear differently to meet their particular battlefield. I.e. Germany employs a highly sophisticated mechanised force, Australia puts premium on their infantry, USA on their air dominance.
*A-10 for idiots
*A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft;*
A subsonic tankhunting aircraft with armor to resist most light anti-air fire. With its ability to loiter the battlefield for longer periods and launch from a short unprepared runway, it can support troops at the quickest possible timing and with the longest endurance. Laddened with a wide array of bombs, anti-tank missiles, unguided rocket pods and one big ass gun that was supposedly what the plane was built around.
(Brrrrrrrr) is the sound you would hear when it fires, if you were an allied soldier, if you were its enemy you'd already be dead. What most certainly hit you was a 7-barrelled 30mm gatling gun loaded with a special DU sabot round designed to chew up tank armour and bunk alike.
Overkill? Maybe, but is one hell of a terrifying sound to hear if it were meant for you. I would probably "Nope" my way to cover ASAP, unless I had a stinger or triple A defense.
It makes one wonder why no other nations have taken to the idea of close air support airframes like the US air force have and developed one. Perhaps the closest equivalent would be the Russian Su-25 that was designed in the same way but unlike its American counterpart sacrifices the power of an awe-inspiring gatling gun for the ability to go supersonic speeds. This allows it to leave and reach the battlefield faster. Simplistic controls allow it to double as a pilot trainer with good safety features.
