Operation Grand Master - 4 - Preparing for Hell

The first of several Aerial Reconnaissance Missions has been launched over the territory of the Holy American Empire. Volumes of data are already being assimilated via satellite and SKINT intelligences however the importance of true real time reconnaissance is not be downgraded which is why 3 RAVEN Stealth UAVs each took off from MOB1, MOB2, MOB3 and FAB St Helena. Flying at close to 70,000 ft of altitude these stealthy UAVs are designed for 36 hours of flight endurance. They would also be finalizing final target lists for the Air Support Missions that are soon to be launched. 

The feeling of most of the RAVEN Controllers aboard the various warships of the Cochin Expeditionary Force is shock, absolute shock. They had file satellite imagery of the Holy American Empire before its civil war and comparing the landscape of that magnificent country to the apocalyptic landscapes they are watching now makes all of them have a slight shudder.

The General Officers Commanding the various Regiments and Divisions readied either in forward deployment or in theater reserve are also steeling themselves for the hell they are about to venture into. Holy American Empire was at a time one of the most powerful nations in the world, a veritable super power with Global reach, a technological giant and a military hegemon. The battles waged here were undoubtedly of a Darwinian process of the most brutal kind, the kind of perdition from which only the toughest and the most brutal survive. The Kingdom had taken upon itself the mandate of providing a measure of stability and peace in this conflict torn region, but the Royal Cochin Army would be going up against some of the toughest and war hardened militias in history. The wars that happened here were not the cosmetic rollings of sheer numbers that defines most of the wars in this planet's recent history. These were not the puny wars in which defenders rolled over dead at the first sight of trouble. No, these were real wars, those embers are the remains of real warriors pitting equal technology, equal numbers against one another when wit, courage and sheer Darwinian luck is the only thing that decided whether one would survive to see another daylight or what passed for daylight in a landscape torn asunder with a thousand fires.

The real time imagery seen by the RAVENs are being distributed to all the warships. Two days after the last soldier is permitted to talk to his family back in the Kingdom these imagery would be streamed in all the communal TVs in all the dormitories, the bunks and messes in all the warships, transport ships and bases of the Kingdom in Atlantic Ocean. The sheer brutality of the war zone they would be entering would be shown to all the soldiers so that they can get acclimatized to it, so that the first soldiers landing on shores of South America would not be benumbed by the inhospitable region. The CEF command would let two days of these videos to sink in thoroughly before the Officers start briefing the soldiers about Operation Grand Master. 

Operation Grand Master - 3 - Sailing to War

Private Bayanchur Bagha puked for what he hoped to be the last time at the communal toilet in their dormitory. Hailing from the steppes of Xinjiang, the young soldier is more used to galloping on top of ponies than the rolling motion of a warship at sea. While the initial days were horrible, he and the rest of his fellow soldiers had gotten pretty much accustomed to the seas by now. As they should, after all they are the soldiers of the Royal Maratha Marines, aka 7th Marine Division.

It has been an interesting couple of months for Pvt Bagha starting with his signing up for Royal Cochin Army at the recruitment post near Shihezi. The rural pastoral life of the great Xinjiang plains had naturally toughened the lad and the physical tests were only trivialities. As he boarded the train to Qiemo, the first of many train rides in his life Bayanchur was reveling in the excitement of embarking on a career of adventure and excitement.

However the Basic Training Course at the Regional Training Center, Qiemo dispelled any notions that life in Royal Cochin Army would be casual. Six months of tough training saw many weaker recruits dropping out and of the 48 men who started the train journey with Bayanchur from Shihezi only 13 passed the Basic Training Course and were formally given the rank of Private.

It was indeed a proud day for Private Bayanchur Bagha as he marched past the dignitaries and his father in the visitors’ stands on the day when he was recruited into the service. However the journey in his Army career had only started. Assigned for service with the newly raised Royal Maratha Marines, Pvt Bagha spent several months at NTC Bhuj as the various Brigades and Battalions of his regiment were being organized. It was indeed a unique experience starting out in a Regiment whose very history was yet to be written. A Regiment whose future legends would most likely involve the actions of him and his fellow soldiers as the first soldiers of the formation. It was a very heading feeling for all of them as their entire Regiment, as one, deployed to the NTC Jaisalmer.

It was from then on that Pvt Bagha realized what the career in army is all about. Days passed by and in no time he was marching past the King himself during the commissioning ceremony for his Regiment at the Capital city, Cochin City. Then it was while waiting for the final regimental headquarters that the clarion call for on sea deployment.

Seeing the vast Arabian Sea for the first time at the ports of Kandla was an awe inspiring moment, but then the sea sickness started. He lost count of the numerous times he puked by the time his ship passed Crozet Islands. However the lad from Shihezi got himself accustomed to the seas and in fact even started to revel in it as a proper Marine should, assisted by wise advices from his Sergeants, all veteran Marines from the older Marine Divisions.

It was as they reached the island fortress of St Helena that the full extent of their deployment was made aware to them. Brigadier General Prakash Bhosle, the General Officer Commanding himself had addressed the troops in every warship and auxiliary transport. The Regiment, and the Kingdom itself is embarking on a mission of monumental nature about which Bayanchur felt both excited and scared at the same time. He was finally sailing towards a war, a real war. Though he was quite hardened by numerous combat exercises this would be a whole new ballgame altogether. However the sheer passion of his fellow soldiers and the proud expectations with which his officers exhorted them hid the veneer of fear for the time being.

Ever since his Battalion had started deployment from NTC Bhuj all communications were ceased for operational security reasons, however just an hour ago the Platoon Captain had informed him that tomorrow they would all be given chance to call home. Any information about their current position would be given only after the call periods are over. Elation at being able to call family and also apprehension at the full Mission Briefing they are about to receive jostled with one another in the minds of all the soldiers not less for Pvt Bayanchur Bagha.

However he is a soldier of the realm and his King had called him for war, calling him to fulfill an oath he swore that day at Cochin City, so no matter what his trepidations he would brave up and face his challenges whatever they may be. 

Operation Grand Master - 2 - Deployments

Task Force Rajput led by Aircraft Carrier CNS Sakthan comprising of warships DS01 CNS Amindvi, DS02 CNS Trinity, FR01 CNS NIlambur, FR04 CNS Patton, CR01 CNS Kavaratti, CR03 CNS Horemheb, BS01 CNS Kannur, BS02 CNS Cariappa, CV02 CNS Cutlass, CV03 CNS Kirpan and attack submarines SY01 through SY05 is escorting a force comprising of 3rd Marine Division and 4th Marine Division travelling aboard Helicopter Carriers H02 CNS Rokossovsky and H03 CNS Kirov and associated transport vessels. The Task Force Rajput is in station 200 Nautical Miles East of Port of Spain.

Task Force Jhansi led by Aircraft Carrier A02 CNS Cochin comprising of warships DS03 CNS Hannibal, DS04 CNS Nelson, FR05 CNS Billiere, CR04 CNS Excalibur, BS03 CNS Rommel, BS04 CNS Asoka, CV04 CNS Katara, CV05 CNS Khadga and Attack Submarines SY06 through SY10 are escorting a force comprising of the 5th and 7th Marine Divisions aboard H04 CNS Vatutin and H05 CNS Emden. The Task Force Jhansi is stationed 200 Nautical Miles South East of Salvador.

Task Force Khampa led by Aircraft Carrier A06 CNS Venad comprising of warships DS06 CNS Hunter, FR06 CNS Sekhon, CR06 CNS Talwar, BS05 CNS Genghis and CV06 CNS Urumi with attack submarines SY11 and SY12 is escorting a force comprising of 8th and 9th Marine Divisions aboard H06 CNS Rapier and H07 CNS Swift. Task Force Khampa is stationed 200 NM south of Rio de Janeiro.

The rest of Cochin Expeditionary Force are aboard transport ships scattered in Atlantic Ocean with some formations stationed near St Helena. The entire maritime force is being supported by an Air Combat Group comprising of RF01, RF02, RF03, RF05, RF06, RF07, RF09, RF11, RF12, RF14, RF16 and RF17 regiments of Jadayu Mark 4 ( total of 48 squadrons) and RD01, RS02, RS03, RH01, RH02, RM03, RM05, RA01, RA03 Special Warfare and Bomber Squadrons. The Air Combat Group is scattered across St Helena, NAS Crozet, MOB1, MOB2 and MOB3.


As the deployments get ready General Mahesh Varma, Commander of Royal Cochin Defense Forces send the following message to the Ceylon and Legion allies.

Quote

xxxx CLASSIFIED / SECURE xxxx

ALL UNITS IN POSITION. READY FOR CHECKMATE.

SD,

CINC,
RCDF


xxx END xxx

Operation Grand Master - Part 1

The dawn of a new era started in the most casual of ways. From SLC Thumba a Yama 2 Heavy Lift Launch Rocket took to the skies. The massive rocket is carrying in its payload three satellites which are being positioned in Low Earth Orbit above South America. The combination COMSAT/RECONSATs of Strategic Reconnaissance Agency are the last piece in a massive jigsaw orchestrated over several weeks.

Meanwhile at St Helena a massive fleet of warships and transport ships are being bunkered. Squadrons of fighter planes are also arriving in waves at the Forward Air Base St Helena and moving on to the MOB2 and MOB3 further north.

Monitoring the movements via a LED console is His Highness Kerala Varma aboard the Pushpak Space Shuttle PS5. In a few hours, the Space Shuttle would start the re-entry procedures when he would be incommunicado but for the time being the King of Cochin surveyed the deployments and gave the ready order which is relayed to the RCDF GSHQ outside Cochin City. This would be the start of a new era in the history of the Kingdom of Cochin, a saga which has been in the best times been turbulent. There was no saying how this would turn out. Like all acts of ambition this too is an act of gamble. Would future generations, would his descendants, would his people condemn him for putting the Kingdom in peril or would they laud him for taking the Kingdom into heights of greatness never before dreamed of? All these imponderables are enough to sag the shoulders of the strongest of men, but he could not falter.

"Yadhaa Raaja, Thadhaa Praja" (As is the King, so would be the people)

And here he would personify the ambition, greatness and strength of the people of Cochin.

Within minutes of his Ready order the fleet of warships started sailing out as the opening moves of the Operation Grand Master played out. 

Mission Moon - 01

Col. Vishwanath is very uneasy as he is waiting in the corridor. Uneasiness is a quite strange effect for this man. He is always so sure of his actions with a supreme confidence in his abilities.
Col. Vishwananth wanted to fly ever since he saw the first fighter plane during an air show. The ambition drove him to excel in school and to gain selection into the National Defense Academy. As a graduating officer he got the choice of service - Royal Cochin Air Force.
At the Air Force Academy again he came within the top 5% and qualified for fighter training. His flying career started in the Marut Jet trainers followed by service in a Mig29 regiment. He was a natural aviator with an impeccable situational awareness, eagle eye vision and quick reflexes. After 3 years in Mig29s he was assigned to the RF08 JM1 regiment. His excellent service records and flying skills soon made him a Squad Leader in the regiment.

After that followed a spell of non combat assignments. He volunteered to be a test pilot for the JM2 program. Only the brightest, smartest and craziest of aviators volunteer to be a test pilot. While testing the thrills and joys of a prototype Vishwanath thoroughly enjoyed himself. Once during a flight test Vishwanathan's JM2 developed an engine failure and he had to eject. He parachuted down to a rocky field and his leg was fractured. The injury kept him out from active flying for 3 months.

But Vishwanathan took the convalescing time to certify himself on other aircraft types in RCAF. He took the time to certify for the biggest plane itself, the Halob. The quick learner that he was cleared all theoretical papers and laboratory works for Halob certification and once he regained his flight status he qualified for Halob flight. So when Maj. Vishwanath rejoined full service with RCAF he was a qualified pilot in Halob and JM1.


After another short stint in the RF08 regiment Lt. Col. Vishwanath was selected for staffing the newly formed Jadayu Mk. II regiments. He was assigned to the RF37 regiment as a Squad Leader. A year of service found him promoted to the rank of Colonel and the job of a Squadron Leader in RF37.

Now he was in the running for the job of a Regimental Commander with the rank of a Brigadier General. This was the tricky phase in any service officer's career. Far too many good men for far too less good jobs.

And now he was being called before Air Vice Marshal Praveen Kumar, the Commander of Royal Cochin Air Force.

After a seemingly long wait in the corridor he was summoned to the office of the CFO.

"Good morning Col. Vishwanath. I have heard a lot of good things about you." AVM Praveen Kumar said. Behind him a JM1 was lifting off from the Executive Air Field in Cochin City.

"Thank You, Sir." Col. Vishwanath said apprehensively. The AVM was reading through his personnel jacket, something that always brings out jitters in a military personnel.
"I see that you are qualified in Mig29, Jadayu Mk.I, Jadayu Mk.II and also Halob? You have also been a test pilot, right?"
"Yes Sir."
"Why Halob, Vishwanath? You are a career fighter pilot. Why try out on a transport aircraft, a trash hauler?"
"Sir, while I was grounded after my accident I wanted to try out something different. Halob was simply the most different aircraft I have seen from Jadayus. Also they are the biggest planes in RCAF."
"I see. Interesting. You must be wondering why you have been called before me, right?"
"Yes, Sir." Now Vishwanath was truly perplexed.
"The Kingdom has a new and secretive project. It is purely voluntary. You have been found to be the most qualified for this mission. This project would entail great personal risk. We cannot even assure your survival in this Project. Hell, we cannot even guarantee that your remains would be interred if things go awry. However the scope of this Project would ensure that your name would remain immortal in the annals of history, come success or failure. " Praveen Kumar said.
The Colonel sat tight waiting to hear more.
"Colonel, what I am going to tell you does not leave this room, whether you choose to accept the duty or not. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sir."
"Good. The Kingdom is developing a manned Space Shuttle program for manned exploration of space. The spacecraft has been validated. Now we need the crew for it. You are the best aviator in Royal Cochin Air Force. I know it, and I think you know it too. We want you to be the pilot of this space craft."

Vishwanath could not believe his ears. Was his greatest dream going to come true? To Space? He had reached the fringes of near space on rare sojourns to outer atmosphere while testing the limits of his aircraft. But a travel into outer space?

"Sir, where do I sign up?"
"I see you are already enthusiastic about this. However I must warn you you shall be subjected to a great many rigorous tests and would be living in a totally different lifestyle from now on. You also may not be allowed to do ANY sort of flying for quite some time. And as I said there is no guarantee for your life."
"Sir, I am ready for it. Where do I sign up?" 

Flags of Cochin

Here is a compilation of flags I created for my fictional Kingdom of Cochin based upon the historical flag of Kingdom of Cochin and the emblem of Cochin Royal Family.


National Flag 

The Royal Seal - The King's personal Seal

Royal Cochin Defense Forces


The Joint Command of all the Armed Forces of the nation.

Royal Cochin Defense Forces Crest

Royal Cochin Army - Flag

Royal Cochin Army - Crest

Royal Cochin Navy - Flag

Royal Cochin Navy - Crest

Royal Cochin Air Force - Flag

Royal Cochin Air Force - Flag with Roundels

Royal Cochin Air Force - Crest

Information and Communication Security

0200-0230

Thimphu, Bhutan Province

me: da whr r u?
B: home
 u?
me: me too
B: i got ligament tear da
me: how??????????
B: my right thumb....while playin basketball
me: damn now how do u write nething?
B: i cant
me: damn now how abt s8? wht u gonna do? whn will it be alryt?
B: two more weeks
 will have viva series
me: thn no probs?
ok
B: got good marks in fir

The sudden loss of connection with his friend did not worry Jibin. After all internet is not as good everywhere in the world. However when repeated attempts at buzzing his friend who is on an exchange program with a foreign university did not work Jibin raised the chat window. He tried to raise chats with some other friends who are online and it all worked out, except for those of his friends who are abroad. Jibin did not however pay much heed to it and when he came back after making some coffee around 20 minutes later, a cousin of his working abroad had pinged him for a chat. Without worrying much about the seeming loss of communications some time back, Jibin went back to his chats.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Urumqi, Xinjiang Province

The phone is ringing. The man wakes up and groggily switches on the bedlamp and fumbles to pick up the telephone receiver.
“Hello, who is this?”
“Sir, this is Mandhar Kanth calling from Jaffna Branch Office. We have a serious situation here. There has been an accident on the assembly plant and four employees are injured.”
The bad news from a major branch office of the Tatra Automative Works jolted Yevgeny Filat, the Vice President (Productions) of TAW. Sitting up on the bed he checked the time on the bedside alarm and asked,
“Yes Kanth, I am listening. What happened down there?”
“Sir, the crane for the engine block assembly yard had one of its chains break and the engine block came crashing down on the assembly floor. The four injured are the assembly line movers. Condition of one is critical and the other three also have some serious injuries. We have sent them to the hospital, however the assembly line is now halted. We have 10 more units of the order from Ceylon Tea Corporation pending which we have to deliver by tomorrow.”
“Is there no way you can speed up the schedule?”
“No Sir, we are as of now fixing the crane, however that in itself is two hours of work lost. We have also sent for replacement staffers from other shifts but they also would not be here for another three hours. It is not possible to complete the order tomorrow itself.”
“Okay, I will place a call to the Ceylon Tea Corporation myself informing about the delay, meanwhile…….”
The sudden beeping sound of termination of connection annoyed the Yevgeny however he brought up the number from caller list and dialed it again. Again no connection. By now he was getting more and more annoyed and tiptoing softly to avoid waking up his sleeping wife, Yevgeny went to his study to turn on his laptop to call Mandhar Kanth via the company intercom portal. Again an inexplicable fault is preventing Yevgeny to initiate communications with the Jaffna Branch. He then called the Tatra Corporate Communications Center in downtown Urumqi and ordered them to set up a secure satellite communications line. After an excruciating 15 minute delay, the connection was made with Jaffna branch and Filat could complete relaying the instructions to his subordinate official.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Shaukat Afzal is driving his truck carrying a consignment of vegetables from Pollachi to Palghat when the Coimbatore FM radio station he loved to listen to suddenly went off the air. Though he tried to switch to all other FM and MW channels in his truck’s radio console, all of them gave the same static. Cursing his old truck’s radio system, Shaukat switched on the rackety old tape player to listen to some Tamil film music.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Heng Bao is sleeping by the counter in the 24 hours Fuel Station on the road between New Delhi and Jaipur while the television in the corner of his booth is flickering at mute. At 2AM the scheduled news program was disrupted and only static was seen on the TV. If Bao had tried switching to other channels the same static would have been seen. Even when the channels came back at 2.30 Heng Bao did not notice anything, engrossed as he was in a very deep sleep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Similar communication outages occurred all over Cochin. It would also be experienced by any person from a foreign country on trying to initiate communications with people in Cochin. Just as inexplicably as the communication breakages occurred, precisely 30 minutes later, it was reestablished.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Bangalore, Karnataka Province

The routine Communication Security Protocol Testing was successfully completed by the Section 323 personnel along with the National Communications Database, National Reconnaissance Agency and Strategic Reconnaissance Agency. At a single command from Gen. Mohammad Faraz of Royal Cochin Police Force at 0145, all communication channels to outside of Cochin had been blocked. In the concerted action, overrides placed with all the cellphone networks, Internet Service Providers, Landline telephone service providers, radio stations and television stations. All commercial communication satellites would also be subjected to inexplicable jamming while over Cochin airspace for these thirty minutes, seeming like a software glitch. During this thirty minute period of communications blackout, the National Reconnaissance Agency’s electronic intelligence satellites and network of terrestrial antennae would sweep for any sort of electromagnetic signal traversing the Cochin skies. Complete communication blackout would be thus enforced and ensured. After the routine test, the communication systems were reset with most citizens of Cochin hardly noticing what happened.