“Now is the time to dance the dance of creation. What is birth but the end of something and the beginning of something new; thus for every creator a destructor must come. Never fear to bring destruction upon the constructs of this world, for you shall be giving birth to something new.”

-The lost Vedas of Kapoor.

Chapter Nine.

Síkság Province, Grid reference X445Y006

Falu Lapos Hegyi/Yeti Village.

3rd Platoon 221st Combat Engineers.

Logistics Station-“Table Top” Morning of the ORM Offensive:

The silence of rural Kazan deep in slumber was broken by the sound of a heavy hauler tractor unit firing up its eight cylinders in a gush and snort of diesel smoke. Shouting male voices could be heard calling back and forth to each other as two parties of men unhitched a trailer full of supplies, and rapidly drove off.

Staff Sergeant Das grunted. “Well so much goes for them sticking around.” As she put her field glasses down.

“What was that Staff?” Lieutenant Verma 2 Platoon leader of the 1/221 Combat Engineers asked as she sat at her temporary desk studying a map overlay of the village and Logistics base she found herself in charge of.

“Those thrice damned truck drivers who came in with the convoy about the time we heard the news coming out of the capital just did the escape and evasion two step. I saw them streaming out of the Curry Shack a few minutes ago. They unhooked one of the tractors piled into the cab and headed back west towards the capital. Gormless bastards.”

“Well when it gets light, I want you to ask our Shikari brethren if they would be so kind as to send a squad down the hill and find out exactly what it was they were transporting.”

“Affirmative Lieutenant. Get right on that.”

****

Master Technician Vihaan Patel was beyond tired. In fact he was so tired that just using the word tired didn't even describe how tired he was. I can't be dead. If I was dead, then the seat restraint buckle wouldn't be digging into the small of my back, nor would it bother me if some asshole is beating on the soles of my boots with a freaking stick!

“What! What the hell do you want?” He screamed from the depths of what he thought was a deserved sleep interrupted.

The beating on his feet continued.

“You motherless son of a who...” His curse shut off in mid rant when he saw the turbaned Shikari Sepoy standing in full battle rattle, pointing a 7mm assault rifle in his face while a short sawed off Havildar with a swagger stick stood off to one side with a glower on his mustachioed face.

“What? What the hell is going on? It's still dark.” In fact a false dawn was quartering in the eastern horizon.

“Technician....?

“Master Technician Patel. 149th Air Defense Artillery (support.) And what the hell can I do for you?”

“Just wanted to inform you that the ORM have launched an offensive and before communication was lost, Maratha Base had been overrun in several places.”

“Holy shit!”

“So Master Technician Patel, I don't have all morning to dick around with you. Get on your damn feet! Get awake! And tell me what the hell you and your erstwhile pimply faced co-conspirator asleep atop the cargo boxes in the rear are responsible for! Now hop to it man!” Havildar's voice spooled up like a jet turbine coming to life, till it was a screaming roar.

Crawling out of the cab of his 8x8 M-11 heavy hauler scrubbing his face as he did so, Patel banged on the stake sides of the truck with his fist screaming out “Modhi! Modhi get your non working lazy ass out of the truck! Move!”

Turning to face the short Havildar with the evil twitching mustache, “We are from the 149th. We were supposed to deploy to General Kron's location in East Kazan with a Mk21 Triad Air Defense Package.”

“And what pray tell is that?”

“It is three semi-autonomous 30mm belt fed Anti Aircraft Cannons with a networked radar guidance package.” Pointing to the three trucks parked along the side of the highway, “One of those is carrying the guns, along with spare parts, the other behind it is carrying the guidance/radar package and the third truck is full of 30mm ammunition for the same.”

“Oh shit. The engineering lieutenant currently in charge of this place is just going to love you two.”

*****

Midday of ORM Offensive in Kazan.

Síkság Province, Grid reference X400Y111

Grassy Plain between the Village of Falu, zöld, fű and Falu Lapos Hegyi Mid Afternoon:

“Chief Warrant Officer Hebbar, why in all innumerable levels of hell did the Ourtai catch us with our chuddies down around our ankles? I thought you and your drones were up and scanning our path forward?” Captain Tamari Kapoor asked after she had dismissed Gunnery Sergeant Chavram. This conversation needed to happen between officers. It did not need to be open to scrutiny and possible derision by anyone other than the parties involved.

The question sat heavily in the air between the two officers like a pregnant buffalo. The burnt scents of overdone pork, propellants and the copper tang of blood spilled in great quantities wafted between the two women. A butchers yard of effluent lay upon the ground attracting hordes of blood flies and other vermin. Raven vultures so called because of their black feathers and their ability to mimic the cry of Ravens circled thermal zones in complex patterns awaiting the moment when the living would leave the field to the dead, and their avian clean up crew.

Taking off her helmet CWO Hebbar leaned over her temporary commanding officer and said with a voice full of remorse, “Ma'am, our drones especially our Gidh drones come with a selector switch that is manually used to select the mission parameters before launching. I simply forgot to instruct my techs that they should hit the infrared button. It was a simple oversight in the rush to get moving. I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Tamari looked upon Warrant Officer Hebbar. She could see the conflicting emotions of grief and embarrassment warring with each other in her hazel eyes. She has kind eyes. I don't think I noticed this before.

“Affirmative. I understand the new world we find ourselves in. And more importantly I trust you. I also trust you to keep me from making major mistakes myself. We are not playing war games anymore. We are in fact at war, so speak up when you see something that needs to be addressed. We'll chock this up as an unfortunate lessons learned. One I hope we don't have to learn again."

Warrant Officer Hebbar reached out with her right hand to shake hands, when Tamari grabbed her hand and used it to leverage herself off the combat loading ramp of Can of Peaches. “Thanks Chief. You can give me a running assessment of where we stand as I go speak to the Yeti.”

Captain Tamari Kapoor limped over to Maja-Kapoor the Hetman's widow who stood alongside a narrow trench being used to bury dead villagers. Maja-Kapoor, newly adopted member of Clan Kapoor, wiped her eyes. And gave a firm bittersweet smile at her Clan leader.

Holding up her right hand palm out, “Do not grieve my mistress. Balazs and all of us who died in this meadow, knew what they were fighting for.”

“I shall make them pay for this Maja. I am sorry. I promised protection.” Tamari bowed her head before the big brown eyes of the Yeti woman.

Reaching out with her hand, she lifted Tamari's face level with hers. “Mistress, we know war. We knew what was at stake. We knew what awaited us had we stayed. You gave us a chance at a future. Don't despair and don't grieve. Balazs and all the others are still with us in our memories.” Maja tapped her head with her index finger before turning it on Tamari.

“The best revenge you can give us, is not a pyramid of skulls. But the opportunity to name future babies after you. A good life is the best revenge on those who would turn us back to slaves.”

Tamari nodded her head blinking away tears from the corners of her eyes. Raising her head up, she looked Maja-Kapoor in the face, “Maja we need to go. The reavers and raiders will flock to this site just like the damn vultures and kite birds already have. Gather our villagers and let us be gone from this killing field.”

“As you wish M'lady.” Turning to the other villagers who lined the trench, Maja-Kapoor clapped her hands. The chanted funeral dirge stopped. Each villager began shoveling or pushing dirt over their lost loved ones. Within a few moments, the dead were covered. Maja-Kapoor looked at Tamari. “We are ready to leave Mistress.”

*****

Late Afternoon almost dark, First day of ORM Offensive

Síkság Province Grasslands:

“Mungus Six, Mungus Six, White Mice Actual.”

“Go Mouse.”

“Six we have a drone intercept. It is not repeat, not ours. Need your ears at my position.”

“Affirmative. Give me a few moments.”

Captain Tamari Kapoor switched over to her crew communication channel. “Bahai drive us up to Chief Hebbar's truck.”

Tamari turned over command of her vehicle to Sergeant Sita Chambial, and climbed into the back of the Military Intelligence trucks mobile communication center. “Alright Chief, you got me here, what did the little bird have to say?”

“Holding up a hand she said, let me sync your slate up and you can see for yourself.”

A worried looking Lt Verma with dark circles under her hazel green eyes, and a dirt smudged face stared back at her from Tamari's slate. “Ma'am we got the news about 1st platoon probably about the same time you did. We have been working like well... A Mongooses killing a Cobra. We heard fighting to our south some time ago, and I hope I got this right, but I sent this drone with a warning. We have mined the Eastern, Western and Northern roads, and are in the process of mining the Southern road. But I have left you a narrow corridor through the peanut fields on the South side. Which is where there is a ramp leading to the fields from the Yeti village. Pop a green flare. And I will have elements of the 27th Shikari Infantry ground guide you through the minefield.”

“She sounds scared.” Chief Hebbar stated simply.

“Sounds more like she has her head on her shoulders. I was wondering how we were going to get into a new home. Patch me through to all of our units. I don't want to give the ORM another chance to kill some more of us.”

One of the MI Techs handed Tamari a headset with a microphone.

“All Mungus elements. All Mungus Elements. This is Mungus Six. Halt in place. Make a defensive circle. Put our villagers in the center and I will see all leadership in five minutes. Mungus Six out.”

Fifteen minutes later, all of the Yeti villagers had been divided up and loaded into the remaining AFVs, Mine Clearance Vehicles, and the MI communication van.

Rolling through the high grass, 3rd Platoon 221st Combat Engineers emerged on the edge of a long flat field corduroyed with furrows of planted peanuts. The platoon communication channel or 'push' came alive in all of the engineers wearing a vehicle communication helmet, “All Mungus elements. Hold position. Repeat. All Mungus units hold position.”

“Sita pop a green flare.”

“Affirmative ma'am.”

A hissing noise followed by a dull popping noise loud enough to be heard through Tamari's headset.

“Mungus Six, this is Mungus Three. Follow the ground guide. Switch to IR and straddle the infrared chem lights. Say again, straddle infrared chem lights. Minimum safe distance on either side. Over.”

“Affirmative Three. Break, Break, All Mungus elements. Switch to IR mode. Straddle infrared chem lights. Do not stray from the marked path. There are mines on either side.”

A series of “Affirmatives” followed Tamari's broadcast.

“By the way, Mungus Three, if you see anything other than our vehicles following us, it is not, repeat NOT friendly. Give us a shout out if you do.”

“Affirmative Six.”

“All Mungus elements move out.” And with Captain Tamari Kapoor's command the 2nd platoon of the 221st Combat Engineers began delicately threading their way through an active minefield. It was when the first vehicle commanded by Master Gunnery Sergeant Chavram began climbing up the earthen ramp which led to the village did the first ORM Terror Bird rider come charging out of the grasslands.

“Action Rear! All Mungus Elements continue forward to the village ramp. Step it up people! I will hold them off!”

The slow lumbering pace of the platoons, AFVs and Mine Clearance vehicles sped up. Which in of itself was dangerous to go bouncing across and active minefield.

“Bahai, you keep us on the ass of those MI Shikari vehicles!”

Switching channels she peered down to Sita her gunner, Spin us around Sita. Use the coaxial. Keep them off of us. I will call out the range.”

Tamari could feel the sickening sideways liquid movement as her turret assembly slewed around to begin tracking the rapidly advancing Terror Birds and their riders.

“First group! Left 200 meters!”

A burst of machine gun fire brought down three riders in geysers of gore and separated tissue.

Second group is 125 meters Right!”

Again another burst of machine gun havoc reached out and began pitching and tumbling rear riders and their mounts to the plowed ground.

Bahai spoke up, “Ma'am get ready we are making the turn up the ramp!”

“Center group Sita! 70 meters!” By this time Atlantean 8mm submachine gun rounds began sparking off Can of Peaches' turret.

“Mungus Six, tell your driver to punch it!” Lieutenant Verma's smooth contralto voice sounded in Tamari's ear.

No sooner had Can of Peaches the last vehicle in the column began its ascent up the ramp, a series of staccato explosions ripped up the ground behind Tamari.

“Holy shit!”

Tamari's eyes became fixed on the burning chunks of flesh which plopped down all over the peanut field. She shuddered. Mines scare the piss out of me. Sighing... I am going to make those ORM fuzzy faced assholes learn a whole new definition of what death by mine looks like.

****

A sad collection of beat up, battle scarred and blood stained AFVs of 3rd Platoon pulled up the earthen ramp on the south side of “Table Top” Logistics Station. Night had landed with the finality of cinema curtains being drawn across a dramatic stage and to Tamari who was using her night vision goggles, everything had taken on a ghastly green tinge.

“All Mungus units, keep everyone bottled up until we can get to a location where we can off load our guests.”

Lieutenant Verma walked up to her new company commander with an Ice cold bottle of sweet green Chaa. Holding it up to her she said, “Welcome to Table Top Logistics Base.”

Chugging the ice cold tea down, Tamari looked at her fellow officer, and replied after wiping excess tea from her chin. “Someday soon. You will have to explain your rationale for bringing your commanding officer and an entire column through an active minefield.”

“Sorry about that ma'am. I sort of figured the ORM would try to tag along behind you. The mines which blew up were command detonated. I have been sitting on top of this rock for the better part of two weeks. And I have been patrolling around here. We also have been under intermittent sniper fire all day long. I figured if they did come after you, it would have been right at the end. And since I directed you to come the way you did. I knew I stood a better than even chance of taking some of those filthy assholes out.”

“I think in the future you might want to refrain from using your company commander and fifty percent of the company's remaining strength as ambush bait.”

“Yes Ma'am.”

“Just so you know. It was a gutsy move. And it worked. Give me a running start next time you come up with something like that again.”

“Yes Ma'am I will.”

Tamari Kapoor, reached over the edge of her vehicle and struck out her hand. “It's good to see you, Aayushi.”

“Good to be seen Ma'am.”