Author's Notes:
School term returns on monday with a whole week work load, no time again. Holidays are to end. It was fun while it lasted, at least there's ANZAC day in between to rest.
(Edited 23/4 at 0900Hrs)
The men of the armies that witness the withdrawl of the People's Liberation Army after what had just happened would never forget what they'd seen for the rest of their lives.
To have mobilized for war after such preparation, only to be sent back with mere words. It cased a very different light upon the reality they'd lived till now. They knew that from this moment on, the lands of which were occupied by the four pillar nations of the Himavanas would never be the same again.
This was an especially emotional time for the Yinkians as it marked the end of their struggles. The Yinkian War had truly ended and a new chapter was about to begin for its people.
However, the same could not be said for one city.
The price for their sovereignty was the inhabitants of Xue Lu City being misled by the rebels into holding a resistance against the Yinke Liberation Army and the Royal Kyrati Army. Because of that, they granted the assistance of the Golden Path terrorists the use of their supplies and route. It was enough evidence to legally use against the city for aiding a dangerous terrorist group. With the apparent resistance, they put up in the most dire of times when the four regiments were supposed to secure the border zone were instead tangoing with the mixture of Golden Path, rebel Yinkian soldiers and the city militia.
Ajay was forced to make a gruesome decision that would cause his reputation as a just individual to waiver. If he was to engage his men in slaughter, then he would take responsiblility by being the one at the forefront of that bloodshed. He knew in his heart better than anyone else.
He was not a good person.
Tenzin might never forgive him for this massacre as much as he couldn't forgive himself for severing human compassion for a cold-blooded decision. He had control over the fate of fifteen million lives out of Kyrat and Yinke combined and he wasn't going to jeopardize their lives to the People's Republic's political flexing of military might on his people or that of the Yinkians.
That was why Ajay didn't stinge on giving a proper burial for the deceased inhabitants and bodybags to ship his soldiers home to be cremated. A mass burial site for all that died in the city was erected on the highest point of the plateau which the barren city stood. It was a reminder of the cost to Yinkian and Himavana Alliance nations alike of the choice they made so that everyone else could enjoy a new era of prosperity together.
The soldiers of each army cheered at the end of the conflict and begun to mingle amongst one another celebrating and singing folk songs under the cold moonlight. The Jatayu were no exception as Ajay had explicitly ordered their enjoyment with the airdrop of Shangri-lager flown in for them all.
Hopefully the good vibes and mood would wash away the guilt that some of the men might still have lingering about. He knew he was, he had just been promoted from being the Demon of lanka to the Demon of the Himalayas.
"The monster that all Himalayans fear, with the Dragon of China being no exception." Ajay murmured as he snorted at the rumors that were going around of his reputation. They had no idea of the feeling, to command the dead of fifteen thousand people as easily as a flick of the wrist.
Ajay took a swig of the whisky bottle before pouring the rest onto the grave stone of those that he'd wronged.
"Even if I go to hell, I won't apologize to you….." He spoke to the collective spirits of the burial mound, his voice held a weight of dominance that crushed down upon the discarnate souls that still lingered about.
"No because I've failed you, but because you brought this upon yourself." He'd even given them advanced warning not to get in his way or a terrible fate awaited them. The four Yinkian camps were smart enough to listen to his words and went to marshal the rest of the cities from harbouring ill will towards the Kyrati Army. Now that the success of the operation had been revealed, the people of Yinke held complex reservations about the Kyratis whom they had been forced to reevaluate.
He walked down to the helicopter depot to meet with the rest on leaving this empty city to the allied forces to reorganises as a garrison fort to any future intrusion from the PLA as if that would ever happen.
"I'm amazed, no one looks appalled by the state of the city." A woman's voice called out to him from the shadows.
"…."
"Except maybe you." She was wrong, after all the only one to visit the grave after the construction was him.
"…. Because it was convenient to forget the bad things for the good. Even after everything we've done, people are still going to question my ethics sooner or later."
"You had no choice."
"Everyone has a choice, I took the bloodiest route to victory to avoid further casualties and risk to Pagan's gamble." Ajay began to laugh after saying that as he found something funny.
"-ahahahaha… I kill so that bloodshed may be avoided…..hahahahaha-." He stated the hypocrisy in his own words and thoughts.
"….. Ajay."
"There's nobody by that name here."
Saras came to place her hands upon his cheeks. "Look at me."
"You'll always be and forever more, the man I cherish and love, there is no other I want to spend the rest of my life with." Ajay's eyes flickered showing conviction at Saras's declaration as he had doubts about dragging her about in his bloodied path.
"Where you live, I will live. Where you die, I will die." She said to him without a shed of hesitation and that worried him even more than before. It meant that at any time he fell she would take her own life.
"I don't want you following me down there."
"Too bad, I'll do so anyway!"
"Shit! Goddamnit, Saras!" He had a fit at her stubbornness.
She held his hands. "So promise me you'll stay alive and well. We'll get through this whole journey together. This is a team effort after all."
Ajay was more than familiar with her selfish attitude at forcing her opinions on others till they accepted. But the thought of her dying was more agonizing than any other he'd felt. He already had a preview of that when he thought the Relic of Yalung consumed her and went into a self-destructive rampage. And from that boiling rage, the demon within him was born. The unlikely ally yet troublesome in nature who had been the power he wielded against Mohan and the Devas now at the count of two with the capture of three.
Yet, Ajay felt as if this was only the beginning of what Golden Path will present as a threat to them. Just this afternoon, that brigade comprised of entirely superhuman traits similar but inferior to the Devas. Every Golden Path fighter was now a monster, he was lucky still in the sense that they were rookies and had not fully tapped into these strengths well enough with the time at hand. But it was getting worse by the minute. It was safe to assume that whoever joined Golden Path, be he Kyrati or not would be bestowed with unholy powers of near-invulnerability that only an anti-material rifle could kill. They were thousands, he was just one. And he had a limit to how much more he could engage before there was truly nothing left of Ajay Ghale left, it that was the case….
"(Sigh)…." Ajay sighed with resign. "That's just so like you." He said chuckling sadly.
"You'd better believe it!" She said with affirmation.
"Ajay Ghale is going to regret being with such a troublesome woman." He said in third person.
"Too late, he's already signed over his heart to this insatiable beauty."
"Hearing you call yourself and insatiable beauty is kind of weird coming from you."
"I don't care, I only act this way when I'm around the one I love." She latched her arms around him in an embrace.
Ajay accepted the embrace, as if the only thing he wanted to return to from every battle was her arms.
"I love you, Saraswati Roka."
Saras's lips quivered as she expected him to take them which he did. In was a moment they forgot about the surroundings and cared only for each other.
Not even noticing the shadow of someone leaning against the nearby wall out of sight, who clenched her hand over her chest as if experiencing the most painful heartbreak. Even if she refused to accept it.
The buzzing of the chopper blades was surprisingly softer than usual. Most likely modifications Kamran had done to reduce acoustic signature, although he wasn't sure what kind of secret modifications he'd done. It wouldn't make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs nor make it so stealth Bin Laden would never see it coming.
It did however make their flight quite comfortable, all twelve and a half of them.
Seven officers that represented the Garuda Legion, Maya, Raja, Samuelle and her retinue which included Bipin and that little Sun bastard. Pravindra and his co-pilot Arun who had been asked to come along to be commended by Pagan himself. Two lords represented by Ajay and Saras as the 1st and 3rd Lords. Asked to represent the Yinkian Military as the highest-ranking officer of the remaining four Colonels manning the last camps in Yinke was Dema of Republican Guard. Nagesh and Officer Mohammed had been left to oversea the Garuda Legion forces in their absence.
The half slot was taken by the child Ajay had brought along, since nobody questioned him on his choice the baby girl was belted in the seat near the window. She looked out with excitement and wonder in her little eyes, it was a curious sight as Ajay was more than familiar with babies infamiliarity with sudden pressure differences at their height which caused their eyes to get stuffed up. The one-year-old baby didn't seem to have any such problems. Ajay only brought her for one reason, he hoped to give her to a family who would love her as their own. Yinke wasn't in the state to adopt and Ajay had the opportunity to improve her fate in the slightly well to do Papir Republic which they were headed for. It was the least he could do.
Although, he wasn't sure if her parents who definitely weren't the two agents running across the border had picked her up from Xue Lu or along the way from Pada Mo. It was highly probable it was the former given the situation at hand. If so, then he owed her more than she knew. He was already prepared to set her for life with secret bank accounts when she grew older. Although, money wouldn't bring back her true family members, it was disgusting how he was substituting her parents.
Even so, he knew it was his responsibility to look out for her from now on. Live with him, Ajay had no such luxury as to raise her as a daughter. Would she want a father who was known as a demon, would she be seen as some sort of animal by her peers? Ajay didn't want her to even experience that. However, he did give one thing, which was her new name.
"….. When you looked upon me, you didn't shudder in fear like others would. I don't know why a child like you could ever be so cheerful in such a dire strait. But I promise you as long as I'm nearby, you will never experience hardship ever again. I'll call you Nanda, for the joyfulness you hold and shared with me."
The group looked thoughtfully upon baby Nanda as they flew to their destination unknown. Upon returning to Pada Mo City they were chanced upon by Pagan's Palace Guard who demanded they depart by Kamran's helicopter to meet Pagan. So they did just that.
"Do you mind telling us where we are?" Ajay asked as Kamran had failed to tell them on board.
"We've in the Papir Republic heading for Garud Durbar, the seat of power in the Republic."
"Garud Durbar…." Dema murmured.
"You know this place?"
"On a presidential delegation between President Vgru and then-Foreign Minister Dhir. That was a long time ago when I was still an officer cadet and acting military liason for several VIPs."
"…." Dema had a long and outstanding career in the Yinkian Military that Ajay could not take out of consideration. But like Arjun, his job earnesty prevented him from moving further up the ranks. So he remained at Colonel till his retirement, when he should have at least been a Chief of the armoured forces. Now, Dema stood a chance to become the Chief of armed forces if Yinke was still allowed to maintain its army.
It was possible with the looming threat of China, the Yinkian military would be allowed to keep its prized armour division. Using Ajay's contact with the Russian associate he could acquire ex-soviet armour and recondition them to zero condition and modernized before being distributed to the Yinke Armour. Armour was Yinkes pride and joy, now that they were friends this was an opportunity to earn their respect.
The helicopter hovered over a grand palace in the midst of the city and a fenced compound, supposedly the centre jewel of the city. A memoir of the Papir Monarchy whom lost to the revolution two hundred years ago and was declared a republic. Rumors were that it was instigated by the British East Indies Company for access through the Himalayas as an alternative through Kyrat. But that was ancient history, the Republic was now two hundred and thirty years of continued governance. Papir Republic enjoyed a prosperity that most of its other neighbours did not, Kyrat was in fact the worst of all. Yet there was an apparent twist of fate when Ajay reformed it and made it the in possession of the most powerful military force and the only one in possession of an Airforce to protect the skies in the region.
It was one of the bargaining chips that Pagan could make his stand with the lords of the three other states and their cabinet staff. The political power through military might, deterrence.
As they landed and when Kamran opened the door for them after turning off the engine, they were presented with two rows of Honour Guard awaiting them.
An officer in the same uniform came forward.
"Lord Badala?"
"Yes?"
"Greetings and on behalf of the Republic, welcome to the state of Papir. I'm Captain Agarwal of the Honour Guard Contingent in the Republican Army."
"Hello there."
"May I confirm that everyone of your companions that are here have been identified by your Royal Highness Min?"
"Sure, we're in no rush."
"Lieutenant-Colonel Saraswati Roka."
"Here."
"Colonel Raja, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Min-."
"Colonel Samuel Min." Ajay corrected on her behalf.
"Ah, forgive me for the outdated info. Colonel Samuel Min."
"Present."
"Major Fang Siu Wei, Captain Bipin Kadayat, 1st Lieutenant Sun Han Feng." The three of them raised their hands.
"Princess Maya-."
"What?!" Maya was most shocked and embarrassed.
"Pft!- Hahahahahaha!-…" Ajay lost control and laughed at her expense. "Princess?-Ahahahaahaha! Opf!" She kicked him in the shin hard.
"Major! Maya Kadayat!" She said with force.
"Um- yes! Of course, Ma'am!"
"Who was it that wrote Princess?" Bipin asked curiously.
"Forgive me but isn't the Major an immediate relative to your King?" That solved the whole problem, who would have thought that Pagan would include her as his step-daughter through Yuma's adoption.
"Better start practicing saying Daddy in front of Pagan.-." A cold icy glare materialized for her and was directed solely at him.
"Speak of it again in front of me and I'll have all of the hunters chase you to the ends of the earth-."
"Let's move on, shall we?" Ajay quickly changed the subject after his joke failed to please the crowd.
"Uh- Yes-… Flight Lieutenants Kumar and Arun here?"
"Yeah!"
"Present!" The two raised their hands excitedly.
"I have to say, you're the talk of everyone here, gentlemen."
"Ha! Hear that, badala? Instant fame!" The honour guards were confused with the relationship between the ace pilot and the Kyrati Lord such that they were on informal terms.
"Cool off, hotshot. Being captured by the Chinese has hyped your system." Ajay said composed as his partner said the same to restrain him.
"That's all I hav-." The Captain's list had ended but there was one last person he hadn't included.
"You've left out one person, althought he isn't representing Kyrat but Yinkes contribution to this operation." Ajay motioned to Dema.
"I see…"
"This is Colonel Dema, Commander of the Yinkian Republican Guard. Please include him in whatever iternary you have planned."
"Of course, sir. We'll ensure he has a seat next to you. Now if you'll follow me to the waiting room, the President and your King are currently in an engagement."
"Sure."
The officer led the way for them into the palace. Upon entry, it could be seen that indoors was just as extravagant as the outside which was lavished with water features. They walked through the grand hallways of Garud Durbar, the Garuda Palace. Hints of western culture were evident in the column designs and baroque-style architecture. You almost wouldn't believe this was still the Himalayas and not a European conference hall, like Chateau de Versailles. Indicating the extravagance of the late Papirese Monarchy centuries ago.
Their waiting area was a library lounge with a fireplace going to warm the inhabitants to the cold muggy weather in the state of Papir. To kill time, each of them shared a short story of themselves.
Most of them were the same boring cliché stories of career soldiers or obnoxious love at first sight stories with the exception of Bipin, Maya, Dema and Ajay especially. Nobody except Ajay's friends knew that only a year ago Ajay was a mechanic in Brooklyn trying to earn a living. Not what they expected of the Kyrati Duke, the left hand of the King. They had the feeling he was the illegitimate son of Pagan, but Ajay assured them it wasn't the case. In fact, it was a sharp contrast to their expectations. He chuckled to himself thinking of the disastrous conflict of thoughts they'd have upon disseminating he was the son of the Arch-Traitor Mohan. Precisely why he felt no reason to tell it till now, one of these days it would have to be revealed but probably when Mohan was no longer around to cause further anarchy.
"I grew up with dad hanging around me which was annoying."
"Maybe if you weren't such a screwup he would have to cover you for every mistake." Bipin said with a snort, Ajay was beginning to find Bipin to have matured too rapidly in thoughts. He was concerned that his friend would lose his qualities of compassion and earnesty. He wasn't alone in that line of thought.
"You!-."
"Am I wrong? What about that time you sexually assaulted Hamal's daughter?"
Han Feng was about to burst colours and attack him when Ajay stopped him with his next words to Bipin.
"Sometimes things are better left unsaid."
"You mean covered up so he can preserve face."
"So that bygones can be bygones and these petty little things called animosity can end!" Ajay roared to Bipin's disbelief.
Han Feng was most surprise that Ajay, whom was his family had enmity towards stood up for him at the expense of his friendship. It made him question the reason for the Cantons aggression against the Kyrati Lord.
"Bipin, remember this. All of you, remember this well. It's not how quickly we win, it's how we win that matters most. When we go to war, we've already lost. So what comes at the end is the lowest collateral."
"I'll take note." Bipin resided.
"Good, you've done me more than proud over the course of the week. We wouldn't have gotten in contact with Colonel Dema without you, remember that."
"Mm." Bipin nodded.
Ajay walked to a glass cabinet that was by the fireplace mantle piece and retrieved a dozen glasses, then took out a flask from his harness. The air surrounding them was filled with a familiar fragrance that only Maya and Ajay were familiar with.
He poured the liquid evenly into the cups and handed it to each person before taking up his own.
"We've been through a gruelling ordeal that no other has gone through, on that we can be proud. We did it for revenge, we did it for belief, some did it because it was simply what everyone else was doing, but even so they stuck with us the whole way and for that they deserve respect. This eight-day war with ourselves needs to be a reminder to all of us never to allow war to stalk upon our nations." Everyone looked thoughtfully to Ajay as they held their cups.
"To us who survived and those that have passed." Ajay toasted with a raised cup.
"Here here!" Dema answered with earnesty on their behalf as they took a swing of the warming Baijiu.
"Mmmm!" Dema was impressed with the aroma of flavours.
"Woo! What is this stuff?" Pravi was instantly taken too, Ajay looked to him and smiled.
"It's Kyrat's deepest trait secret."
As the Honour Guard Captain led them through to the ballroom and opened the doors for them, they became host to a resounding applause from the crowd gathered there in the ballroom. There at the end of the room at the high point were the four heads of state and a red carpet that led to them. Ajay and the other eleven were made to walk the gauntlet of renown towards their leaders to bask in the glory.
No doubt one of Pagan's ideas, knowing his love for extravagant things and showmanship.
Pravi was the most natural in attending to the crowds' desire for him to raise himself up to the praise and glory, however the rest were just awkward. This was clearly the first time they'd been through this sort of condition, Ajay simply couldn't get use to it even after his many appearances for his promotion to Duke and Lord of the Armed forces conferring of title ceremony.
As they reached the end of the red carpet directly in front of the heads of state who were one level higher thanks to an elevated step, Pagan stepped forward and the crowd quietened down.
"Today we stand in a new era for us all, the beginning chapter of our nations' rise to prominence. It has not been an easy path to take, but the men and women that sweat blood and tears to make it happen have made us proud. Before us are a dozen such men and women who represent the apex of that achievement. I give you the host to the Garuda Legion, the first response force of the Himavana Alliance. My son, Badala." The crowd cheered with joy and excitement because the man that became a legend during their time had appeared before them. The man that repelled the superpower with words alone.
"Come up and share a few words, my boy!" Pagan beckoned him as he passed him the mic.
Ajay sighed as he hadn't prepared anything. When he got up to the podium which Pagan spoke from and looked upon, what beholded itself was thousands of expectant faces, innocent of the truth that occurred in Yinke. Ajay remained silent as he looked around for a while, the crowd was very tolerant with him. Cameras and microphones were pointed at him, broadcasting the feed live to the homes and shops of the people throughout the four nations to hear the ceremony to congratulate the hero that deterred China.
"I'd like to address two things with you today. The first would be the support that all of you have given to the Armed forces, Yinkian, Papirese, Kumsan and Kyrati. The military is there to protect and will always strive to do that for its people. I would also like to acknowledge the struggle that the people of Yinke had to endure during those eight-days of occupation that ended in an armistice. Today I'd like to renounce the conditional terms applied upon the state of Yinke, if there was more I could do I would."
There was a lot of gasping from the Yinkian dignitaries including Tenzin and Dema. Pagan frowned, as it was a lot of money they'd implicated on their war debt.
"To the people of Kyrat, I apologize if you thought that the terms were a means of punishing Yinke for their previous injustice by the hands of their renegade commander Namdak. There are things I've seen in Yinke that have been happening over the last sixteen years that had led to its decline, and the ones responsible for that decline was us."
The crowd was silent to his speech that was being broadcasted to the radio and television around the region.
"Yinke had been rotted from the inside by an ideology known as Shining Way, and the prepetrators of this hostile societal doctrine was none other than Swara Lamsal and Dr Ved. The missing Golden Path Terrorist who hold the title of Deva, they now lie in Durgesh to serve the rest of their sentence. Yinke was to be centre of Golden Paths succession, our rebels and we've let them escape to cause trouble elsewhere. We had no right to seek revenge upon them from the beginning, but we did. There are no words to express the condolences and apologies for the havoc we've wrought upon Yinke, including the massacre of civilians at the border city."
To admit to a mistake they'd made took spirit, to admit to a crime that could be covered up took an admirable heart. Tenzin looked upon Ajay with confusion, he'd planned to confront him on the news he'd heard about Xue Lu behind the scenes, never would he have thought he would say it to everyone like he admitted to a crime. At first, Pagan was shocked but he figured Ajay had something planned up, if not he wouldn't reveal this info.
"So I won't apologize. I'll only act in the best interest of the region as a whole as I would for Kyrat, on this I swear. Which comes to my second agenda today, what we should hope to achieve as a union of states. For the Himavanas."
Everyone paid close attention, including the leaders. It was the moment that Ajay would speak his intentions as the Commandant of the Himavana Pillar Alliance collective armed forces. Perhaps a joint military spending, the bean counters and country leaders thought, given his role. But they did not expect what was to come next.
"There is a phrase in Latin that a foreign colleague of mine taught me and I will quote for today's agenda as an example." Ajay adjusted himself for a very long speech.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." Some heard of it, some hadn't.
"Which roughly translates to, "If you want peace, prepare for war". And that is where I want to make my point. In order for peace, we must prep for war?" Ajay questioned to the crowd.
"Shouldn't peace be attained through soughting peace and war by seeking war? When did it ever become one for the other? When did peace become sought through violence? I point this out because I have the answer to this maxim, this duality of man. War only encourages war, not promote peace. I know that for a fact after waging war domestically and abroad. And it only continues because no one would be willing to submit to the other for eternity, and neither would I. To be forced to end the way of life you and your preceeding generations have lavished and enjoyed living in be deprived from you. It's an injustice that no one should have to face yet we face it every step of the way."
"And why does this happen? Because we cannot tolerate the other's way of life? Because we think we're better than them and should therefore enforce our beliefs upon them so they know what's good for them? But the truth is quite simple, all of our ways are the best for each and everyone of us. We're equal in humanity yet not equal in the fate we were born to, that is why we live in the way we do for countless generations. But what if we could? What if every man and woman could enjoy the same benefits as the other and the same woes to overcome whilst holding on to their own personal individuality. These are some of the things we must strive for as party united as one. What you do for the group should transition as good for you as does the good that the other does for the group become good for you and him."
"We've done this as members of our community, citizens to our states. So why can't we do this together as a union?" The crowd of thousands remained quiet to his words as they absorbed it with excitement in their eyes.
"If and only if we can achieve all of these, then others will look to us as a sign of true peace and prosperity. They would look to the Himavana Pillar states as a possibility of the political ideals of Monarchy, Democracy, Socialism and Communism all working with one another and for one another. But if we do achieve this social-political harmony, will we truly be rid of war? I don't know the outcome of our actions. What I'm more concerned about is what will the foreign agendas think and do against this idea. But if I'm to take up arms for the sake of protecting the four pillar states, I'd rather take up arms with you beside me. If the world turns against us for breaking the taboo of differences, I want no other than a Himavana Alliance man or woman to fight alongside with! We've already angered the sleeping dragon of Asia and the United States of America so far away from here, yet always closeby. They have created an unreconcilable enmity with Kyrat from its rogue actions of its intelligence agency, the CIA. This includes the orchestrated murder of the Devi Bloodline. They don't want another player in their chessboard as big as ours, but I only have one answer to their desire."
Ajay still continued as his open slander of the CIA, accusing them of murdering the Devi bloodline and causing havoc in Kyrat was overlooked with his thoughts on the bigger picture. The crowd followed him in his statements.
"Himavana Pillar Alliance will hold because it has four nations to hold as solid foundations, Alliance will survive even if there's only one state left. If you can't accept our rise, then too bad! We exist and you can do nothing about it but watch! Watch us rise to prominence!" He said with his voice loudening for effect.
The crowd broke into a massive collective cheer for joy and resounding applause to Ajay's speech. His idea was to set in stone with the citizens of the four nations what they hoped to achieve as a union of states, not subjugating one another, nor overlording eachother but working side by side as true-friends and brothers. This way, no state would have ulterior motives because the basis of the union was not dead set. But now Ajay had made it clear.
All for one and one for all, was the simpler way of saying it. Kyrat will do everything to make life better for everyone and everyone will do the same for Kyrat. It was entirely naïve but even so, that was how ideals were born, from naïve dreams. He hoped his speech would encourage the people and give them something to look to with pride in future when they looked back. Now it was up to them and only time would tell of their actions prove on the money.
Ajay already knew what was going to happen. There was no way to hide the actions of the Alliance had done. Such a huge military movement by China that had been deterred. All eyes were on the Himavana Pillar Alliance. Some wanted no such thing to exist and hoped that it would be crushed before it grew. Others saw it as a growing opportunity for striking deals while market was relatively new and unventured.
Ajay stood off the podium and the crowd was still cheering his name. But it gave the people who were watching back home a sense that their small and insignificant region would not remain silent any longer. The mountains roared that it wanted to be recognised by the world, but would the world let these mountains exist upon it? Only hope existed in its inhabitants' eyes and spirit.
He looked to Pagan who looked back thoughtfully and chuckled, Ajay had truly exceeded his expectations. He saw more of Ishwari's spirit overlap Ajay, the symbol of unity and a peaceful approach to things. But unlike Ishwari who was solely opposed to the violent means, Ajay knew when to get his hands dirty when no one wanted to. There was no other that could do the job like him. Merciless upon his foes, merciful upon his people.
A true Asura of the Himalayas.
The award ceremony took place a few moments later after the awe-inspiring speech Ajay gave to give clear direction of where the people should be headed in their quest to make their nations great together. The most important thing was that Ajay had shared their plans with the people after all it was all of them together that made the Himavanas Alliance work, not their representatives in the form of their leaders.
Pravindra and his co-pilot were awarded the Air Medal for their courage under fire and their outstanding triumph over unequal odds. At least he wasn't rude enough to tick Pagan off, that was Ajay's main concern. Be that as it may, Pagan still could execute people he didn't like.
Maya, Saras, Raja and Han Feng received the Distinguished Service Cross for their wartime efforts.
Dema had received a Kyrati Distinguished Service Order, an award higher than the previous one to recognise his contribution to the conflict on his part.
Sam watched the rest receive their medals and wondered what one she and Bipin would receive as it was clear that they'd been called here to be awarded. But instead of just Pagan awarding, Ajay stepped in to hand out the next one to each person personally. And in his hand, was a medal she didn't think she really deserved yet was in his hands as he approached. The Sigil of Valour, the highest Kyrati order medal given only during times of war. Pagan had pinned one on Bipin while Ajay did his on Samuelle's uniform. Ajay winked at her as he placed the pin on, indicating his hand in enabling her to get the recognition she wanted to be granted her freedom from the family.
At the end of the award ceremony as intended, refreshments were served and the corwd mingled with one another. The group spread out as groups of admirers gathered around them, particularly Pravindra and specifically women clamoured around him and his partner Arun. Although neither of them were opposed to the idea.
For Ajay's case, not many approached him out of respect and fear that they were inadequate in talking to him. A group of army chiefs from the Republic and Kumsan army took this opportunity to talk about how they were interested in re-arming their obsolete army equipment and hoped that he would assist them as he had radically modernized the Royal army into the Royal Kyrati Army. He pulled in Maya into the conversation claiming the secret was the woman next to him, and they clamoured around her for tips and details.
They all had a common agenda, which was modernizing their troop implementations to match the Kyrati Army's. It became apparent to Ajay the disparity of armaments in each of their arsenals. The worst of the four armies was Kumsa, having no wars or uprisings led to little need to improve their weapons and so their main troop armaments came in the form of bolt-actions, still effective in this era by virtue of its high-powered nature in long distance mountain engagements, but dated for the present. The Republican army was slightly better with British 1950's era weapons from when the British Empire withdrew from their country. L1A1 self-loading rifles and Bren Guns were their infantry bread and butter. Yinkes Army comprised of Comm-bloc weapons from the 1960s, lots of submachineguns as their main troop armament with limited AK-47s and other Soviet weapons that were used then in their inventory. Their only impressive hardware was the Ex-Soviet T-80s and accompanying troop carriers bought by the Chinese from Ukraine to reverse-engineer then given to Yinke to form an armoured unit. Lastly was Kyrat with the most impressive array of weapons, M-16 and AK derivatives with common calibre of 5.56mm NATO and 6.5mm Grendel for their paratrooper force. They also had optics and thermal scopes to significantly improve troop awareness of their surroundings in all weather all conditions. Body armour and custom pixel camoflauge designed by Chiffon for every trooper.
The respective armies saw these troop implementations and told their commanders they had got to get themselves some of those weapons and gear. Fortunately for them, Ajay assured them of Kyrats capacity to fulfil their rearmament needs, thanks to three brand-spanking new Arsenals producing weapons, ammo, crew served weapons and their respective munitions. He also had a factory to produce uniforms, combat harnesses and packs with respective camoflauges. Either way it was beneficial for both parties. The demand for military hardware encouraged more jobs in his industrial and defense industry sectors. They were delighted to hear that and were estatic when he proposed to have an Arsenal of their own built in their territory of chosing as a sign of good faith. It was also beneficial to the Alliance in the long run as it meant there was commonality in their logistic, thereby simplifying the ability to supply one another if all their weapon parts, munition, and other equipment were the same. Training had a bonus due to the same equipment and armaments learnt using.
The leaders of the nations were discussing a similar matter besides joint defense spending, such as commissioning the railway track to run through their countries as well. A big job considering how many mountains lay between each of them. It would require drilling equipment comparable to the one that did the English Channel train tunnel which could be a project that could potentially take decades. A subsititute alternative was building and upgrading their airfields to airports, paved and bitumen roads were the first step to linking their nations in infrastructure.
The economists were already discussing what the trade commodities would be bought and sold by each nation to another. Kyrat had its military hardware and rare earth metals, Yinke had coal and limestone, Kumsa was relatively humid, permitting many agricultural crops to be grown there including rice. Papir Republic was lush with forests that could potentially provide tons of timber for construction, it was also a place where many luxury items were produced for the consume market. Most of the Kyrati high society bought wares from long voyage travels by their caravans that made the road trip there.
Military leaders were also discussing security over the borders from armed robbers, wild animals and most recently shared in responsibility was the hunting of the terrorist organisation Golden Path. Troop cross-training was also another hot topic, all faces turned to Kyrat the most seasoned in warfare and had the infrastructure to train officers and specialised troops. Layak was around to arrange for selected infantry companies to be flown to Kyrat for training. Ajay had arranged for Dema's intern and a few other officers and specialists to accompany some of Kyrats officers and men in the Hussars to be trained in Israel by the best armoured force in the world.
"Busy?" A particular old man came to meet him accompanied by his daughter, Jagriti.
"I would hardly call it busy, just answering inquiries on where I can supply three armies with hardware. I know I should be happy for Kyrats economy but I don't know if my industry can handle the strain."
"Can I talk to you in private?" Ajay nodded and followed Tenzin off into a quieter place at a balcony of the palace.
When they'd reached, Tenzin was the first to speak.
"I know I said private, I swear I did." He looked suspiciously at the woman beside him and the child in his arms.
"No secrets can be kept from the wife, as for the child, she would barely comprehend anything we say." Saras smiled brightly at Ajay's words. Jagriti who was beside Tenzin blinked in surprise, he was married to Saraswati? She'd only gotten to know Saras briefly but they enjoyed each other's company, yet their union was never mentioned. Jagriti smiled sadly but accepted it.
"….." Tenzin couldn't really fault him on that, but what he really wanted was the convenience to shout at Ajay but with the baby around he was scared to frighten her. Had Ajay done this intentionally?
"You want to approach me on Xue Lu, no?"
"So you know the topic I wish to approach then."
"Father-." Jagriti tried to dissuade Tenzin from asking.
"No! I want to hear it from him directly!"
"What you want isn't an explanation, what you want is to hear me say I'm sorry. That is something I cannot give even if I know they didn't deserve it."
"What?!- You!-…You!-…."
"I don't have a moral compass as strict as you, Tenzin. So my standard most certainly don't align with yours. Killing off the entire population of Xue Lu was the last thing I wanted but in order for me to be here and you to reprimand me while you stayed in Papir while I did the deed. Some blood had to be shed."
"You-…. You are just incorrigible!"
"Better than being idle."
"Oaf!" He grabbed Ajay's combat harness without regard for the child who began to cry. He began to hesitate before throwing him back.
"You brought that child on purpose. Shameless bastard- you!"
"Shameless, maybe. But I didn't have anyone here I could trust to take care of Nanda, I've taken everything away from her. So its only natural I give her everything I can give her in return."
Tenzin was surprised, he thought the child was his but it was in fact one he took from the destruction of Xue Lu.
"Shameless scoundrel! Give me the child!"
He reached out to snatch the baby from his arms, but a hand latched around his wrist and locked it in place rigidly. Tenzin stared in shock as Ajay glared at him with a hostile flame in his eyes.
"Don't think I won't kill you over what's right and wrong in your eyes." He verbally threatened him to his utter disbelief, to bring him all the way here and make him arrange the treaty and throw away all that over a child. To distrupt their karma over the child's wellbeing. After calming his thoughts to think about this Tenzin found that his concern for the child was genuine and not out of arrogance or pity. Ajay would destroy everything in his way to get the best for the child Nanda.
When his hand showed visible sign of giving up on taking away the child Ajay released it back to him.
"(Sigh)… You're a troublesome lad, you are. Evil enough to manipulate human emotions….. but you don't always do it for selfish desires like Pagan. I've been quite a fool not to see that, this child is probably even more aware than I am. Deep down you do care for everyone." He said scratching his head awkwardly as he admitted it. Even after all he'd done and Yinke who actually deserved it, he manipulated the use of the clauses against Yinke to win the hearts of the people by showing his great magnanimity through relieving a huge debt and restriction of their arms. He also portrayed Yinke as not deserving the retribution they gave to relieve the Kyrati people's anger. This was why Pagan was more than happy to have let go of a few billion dollars when he stood to earn billions each year.
"I was wrong about you as well."
"Mmm?"
"It seems you're not as stubborn as Arjun."
"Pft!" Saras was the first to start a chain of giggling to laughter as he used her father, the stubborn Rhino as an example.
The four of them laughed heartily, more so with Tenzin who understood that not everything was about what was right and what was wrong with no leeway. Baby Nanda giggled cutely too because of the cheerful atmosphere. Everyone was imperfect, Ajay was too. That was why he wasn't capable of miracles that Tenzin imagined of him, it put his heart to rest…
That the demon was also human inside.
Author's Notes:
Time to indulge into the supernatural shit i bit more.
As for my decision on revamping, i will follow Rebel29's suggestion as it makes pretty perfect sense. finish then edit. The story started from that to begin with, it reminds me that most of you have been on this journey with me since the beginning. I will not name you folks but i know who you are, thanks for your support throughout these two years.
I strive to make FC4 gain the credit it deserves in the Farcry Fanfict page as a good story.
