GATE: Thus, the Indian Army fought there
Chapter 1: An Unprovoked Act of Aggression
1030hrs. 25th August, 20XX. New Delhi, India.
Captain Arjun Khare, 27 years old, of the Indian Army, lived to enjoy everything life had to offer and never looked back. Those were the words his grandmother had told him a long, long time ago and was something he had taken by heart. A boy being born and brought up in Mumbai, the financial capital, he went from studying Law in the UK, to joining the Indian Army.
After his graduation, Arjun had found work in a UK-based Law firm, but soon got bored and had decided to come back to India after working there for one year. He decided to join the Indian Army when separatist elements in the forests of Central India had blown up a military convoy, which saw a massive loss of lives. A few hours later, unblurred images that showed the brutal and charred remains of those brave soldiers had found its way to social media. Despite the Indian government's methods to have those images blocked, the damage was done. While people were on the streets, protesting the actions of the separatists and asking the governments on what response would they take, Arjun found himself filling an application form in a recruitment office of the Indian Army.
The army instructors found Arjun to be a natural during basic training and specialized training. It got to the point where the instructors thought that he would require a more of a challenge and his natural talent would be wasted in serving in the regular army. Therefore, Arjun soon found himself being shipped off to the Indian Army Parachute Regiment and Special Forces, commonly known as the Para SF. His time during the selection period could only be described by one word. Hell. However, he managed to complete it and continue on to the Advanced SF Training. Over there Arjun learned many skills and passed them all with high grades and after his final 90 days probation, he was allowed to wear the maroon beret and the "Balidaan" (Sacrifice) Badge and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. The next day saw Arjun being attached to the 21st Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) as their newest member.
Well, on this hot August day, Arjun was getting in the Delhi Metro, making his way to the Delhi Comic-Con, as he had two weeks off. His buddies from Japan and the United States had asked him to get some merchandise for them as well, with Arjun bluntly replying that better stuff would be available at San Diego Comic-Con or the Summer Convention Event at Tokyo. However, two of his buddies, 1st Lieutenant Youji "Otaku" Itami of the Japanese Self Defense Force and Staff Sergeant Derek "Frost" Westbrook of the United States Delta Force had promised him to buy some merchandise for him at their respective countries. This made Arjun grudgingly part with his salary to buy more merch.
The three men had met when the Special Forces of India, Japan, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom had a joint military exercise on the JSDF training grounds on the foothills of Mt. Fuji. Arjun, Itami, and Frost had immediately hit it off with each other because of their shared interests in mangas, anime, and doujinshis. Though, Arjun and Frost became even more friendly when they found out that they were both fans of the same genres of video games. The three men also had a good relationship with many of the other soldiers including, Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley, Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson of the British SAS and the dreaded SAS legend, Captain John Price, call sign, "Bravo Six".
While not in uniform, the group would go to town many times and visit the bars, restaurants, and nightlife Japan had to offer. However, all of them displayed nothing short of absolute professionalism during the exercises, as that was very much expected from them. Of course, in the end Arjun had to manipulate, threaten and cajole Itami into doing his best (he took Itami's doujinshi and light novel collection hostage and threatened to burn them), something that was honestly very much appreciated by the Japanese soldiers and their higher ranked officers and to the amusement of the rest of the soldiers.
Elsewhere, near Arjun's location, many people had gathered around a strange structure. It was old and had an architecture resembling Ancient Rome. The middle of it was all black though, as it was hollow with an entryway. Many members of the crowd were those who were either attending or coming out of the Comic-Con event, and took this to be a part of their event but kept a reasonable distance from it. However, nothing could have prepared them for what happened next. Before anything could do or say anything, a large creature flew out of the structure. Because of the creature's speed, only a few could catch its shape, and those who did only muttered, "What the hell… Is that a dragon?"
That question, however, was not answered as a collection of ugly monsters and humans with the strangest armors accompanied by swords and shields came out of the structure and lined up. A few civilians in the crowd recognized this as a military formation and started backing away slowly while silently telling their friends or families to do the same. Meanwhile, the monsters were snarling, drooling and bashing their clubs and blades, while the human soldiers lined up with their shields covering their front and spears sticking out in the standard Phalanx formation of ancient Sparta. There were some horseback and dragon riders as well.
The crowd of civilians started realizing that this is not a polite greeting or a convention event and started backing away warily and fearfully. Suddenly, a horn was blown, and a few dozen soldiers started firing arrows in the air, which immediately impaled many of the citizens. Some of the monsters and soldiers started slashing and cutting everyone in their path.
It was a massacre.
Captain Arjun had just gotten out of the metro station when he heard sirens. At first, he really wasn't bothered, after all, this was Delhi, a city that had a ridiculous crime rate. 'Not that Mumbai is any different.' He thought. However, what started to unsettle him was the screams. And it was coming from the intersection near the Convention center. Arjun's soldier instincts kicked in, and he started running. The lack of a 30 Kgs battle load made Arjun's speed really quick, and he easily slid on the car bonnets whenever they came in his way. He easily ran opposite the fleeing crowd. However, he soon came to a stop with his mouth hanging open in shock.
Nothing, absolutely nothing in Arjun's military career could prepare him for the scene he was currently witnessing. It was… a bloodbath. And the only questions going in his mind was, 'Who are these people? How the hell did an enemy force get so deep in Indian soil without anybody noticing?' However, Arjun snapped himself away from those questions, as right now he had to defend the city and its people. 'Shoot first. Ask questions later.' He thought.
He turned and saw a terrified woman who was kneeling and covering her ears. Arjun quickly ran towards her.
"Ma'am, You can't stay here!" Arjun exclaimed while extending his hand towards her.
The obviously still terrified woman looked up at him and flinched. "W-Who are you?!"
"Indian Army Special Forces!" Arjun replied. "Now get up!"
The woman immediately took his hand with her face having relief written over it. Both of them started fleeing the scene, when Arjun saw a lone police officer to his left, defending a group of children from a wyvern. Arjun could clearly see the fear in the police officer and the children's eyes as the police officer tried shooting his standard issue Pistol Auto 9mm 1A. Arjun knew the gun, as he had used it himself at the start of his Special Forces career before upgrading himself to a Beretta 92. While the first 11 shots of the police officer's pistol only bounced of the wyvern's scale, the 12th shot hit the wyvern in the eye and it bucked its rider off it.
The officer and the children had relief etched on their faces until the rider got up, drew a dagger and charged at the group. This time, however, he was met with an elbow crashing the side of his face, courtesy of Arjun, and fell to the ground. While initially shocked, the rider got up and charged again. Arjun calmly stayed in his position and just dodged the dagger while his right hand caught it, and plunged the blade deep in the rider's neck without hesitation. The blood that spurted soon covered Arjun's clothes, however, Arjun wasn't done yet. He calmly extracted the blade and plunged it into the rider's eyes, before stabbing him through the skull. The blood that came out sprayed all over Arjun, giving him a rather demonic look. For Arjun though, this was a usual day in the office. There was a reason why terrorists, insurgents, and separatist groups called him a "Demon", which was surprisingly also his callsign.
The officer, the woman, and the children were shocked to see their savior end a life so casually. Not that he blamed them.
"What the hell is this?" The officer asked. Arjun noted the man's age and build. 'A semi-veteran.' Arjun thought as this made his job a bit easier.
"Calm down, officer. My name's Arjun Khare and I'm a Captain in the Indian Army." His statement made the children widen their eyes in awe, and the police officer to give him an immediate crisp salute.
"I need you to take these civilians to safety and call in the SWAT unit and the army. Tell them this place is FUBAR*, they'll understand." Arjun calmly ordered as he picked up a sidearm, a few magazines, and a walkie-talkie from a nearby fallen police officer.
"Yes, sir!" The police officer saluted again but asked. "But what will you do sir?"
Before Arjun answered the question, he dodged a strike from a Roman-esqe soldier behind him. He then proceeded to trip that soldier before calmly shooting him on the back of his head. "I'm going to call the cavalry. Now scram."
With a nod, the officer took the civilians to safety as Arjun got into a position that gave him good cover. He took out his phone and dialed a number. The phone picked up.
"This is an emergency military channel, please end this-"
"Captain Arjun Khare, Indian Army, Commander of the 3rd Platoon of the 21st Battalion, Parachute Regiment Special Forces, the serial number is 98-666-121! Patch me to the Western Command Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal Sumit Bhagat, now!" Arjun ordered as he shot a bullet straight between an orc's eyes and it dropped dead.
Indian Air Force Western Command Headquarters, New Delhi.
Today was just supposed to be a routine day in the office for the people working at the IAF's Western Command HQ. Air Marshal Sumit Bhagat was having his coffee while going through the paperwork that dealt with the logistics required for the Army boys up in the Siachen Glacier, the place dubbed as the "Coldest Battlefield on Earth".
He was making some notes when a group of people burst in through the door and started babbling in high volumes. The Air Marshal already started losing his patience. "Enough! Quiet down, all of you!" He yelled. "One person, speak."
"Sir." One of the men said. "We just received a priority call from Downtown. A Captain Arjun Khare, Indian Army Para SF, has requested immediate troop deployment within the National Capital Region. He says we're under attack by hostile forces!"
"What?!" The Air Marshal asked with wide eyes and looked through the window to see plumes of smoke rising across the city. It made his blood run cold. "Patch me through to him!" He ran to the situation room and opened a link with the Special Forces member. "Captain Khare, this is Air Marshal Bhagat. What the hell is going on?" Everyone in the situation room and the surrounding offices were absolutely quiet.
"Sir, you need to send in reinforcements now! There is a large presence of hostile forces, that appeared literally out of nowhere. They made contact with our civilians near the site of Delhi Comic-Con and their numbers are slowly pushing us back. It won't be long before we will have to start a street battle in Lutyens'."
The Air Marshal didn't need to validate the soldier's story as just in front of them, every Indian and International news channel were reporting this issue. While there were no images yet, he didn't need those for confirmation. Suddenly the landline rang and he took the receiver. "Yes, sir." The Air Marshal said as instructions started coming in. "Very well, sir. Of course." The Air Marshal put the receiver down with a click.
"Sound the general alert. I want every attack aircraft in the Northern Air Command in the air ASAP. Clear the air and re-establish air superiority over our skies. After that, the transport aircraft will be ready to drop troops. Attack aircraft will meanwhile provide ground cover for our group fighting these belligerents. The government has just ordered the Indian Airspace to be shut. No civilian plane leaves or enters now. All civilian planes in the air will be forced to land at the nearest airport. We also have orders to shoot down any plane that doesn't comply." The Air Marshal ordered. While his tone was calm, every person in the room knew, the man was extremely furious on such an oversight occurring, in his backyard no less.
Meanwhile, in every civilian airport, passengers looked on in surprise as all the flights that were listed suddenly got canceled. Even the flights that were boarding passengers were listed as canceled. Suffice to say, many people were very unhappy about this.
5 minutes later. Sirsa Air Force Station. The Indian state of Haryana.
Every single member of the No. 21 Squadron IAF were running to their Sukhoi Su-30MKI's in full gear as the alarm had started blaring. Their planes were already loaded with their weapons and fully stocked on fuel.
As every jet of the squadron started making their way to the runway, instructions of the Base Commander came into their comm devices.
"Gentlemen. Our National Capital is under attack. This is not a drill. Hostile forces are only a few clicks away from Connaught Place. Your orders are simple. Clear the skies of all hostile air units. The AH-64 Apaches, the Mil Mi-35, and the HAL Rudra Attack Helicopters will support the units on the ground. Meanwhile, the Chinooks Mil Mi-8, the Mil Mi-17, and the Mil Mi-26 Transport Helicopters will be bringing in the Garud and the NSG Commandos. Gentlemen, the safety of our men coming in by those transport helicopters depends on the success of your mission. Show these hostiles no mercy." The Base Commander ordered. He was replied with a chorus of "YES SIR!" as every Sukhoi Su-30MKI started taking off from the runway.
On the Battlefield. 15 minutes later.
"Ammo check!" Arjun called. He had managed to organize the remaining police officers to form a defensive line, as they provided cover for civilians. Luckily, they were joined in by the Delhi Police SWAT Teams and the Central Reserve Police Force. That was 22 minutes ago. Right now, however, they were exhausting ammo and would soon be overrun if help didn't arrive.
"I'm running low on ammo here!" A SWAT member called.
"Same here! There are too many of them!"
Arjun also noticed that he was down to his last mag and cursed. However, before he could order a retreat, a familiar sound could be heard.
"All friendly units on this frequency, this is Guardian Angel 1-1. Keep your heads down. Y'all are gonna see more explosions than what is normally seen in a Michael Bay movie." A second later, the wyvern and its rider that was tormenting them were blown up in a fiery explosion. Arjun and the remaining police officers looked up to see one of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI's rapidly gaining its altitude. This was followed by familiar sounds of helicopter gunships' gatling gun that started raining red hot bullets on the invaders and tore them into shreds even though they raised their shields which now had holes in it, to make it look as if they were just paper mâche. Not long after, the skies of New Delhi was swarming with Indian Air Assets that were brutally cutting down any and all of the enemies air assets.
Soon enough, one Chinook and Mil Mi-26 transport helicopters started hovering and soldiers started dropping from them by the use of ropes. Arjun noticed their uniforms. Jet Black and camouflage greens. 'I guess Christmas is early. The NSG's and the Garud commandos, hell yeah!' Arjun thought happily. However, another Chinook came in and more soldiers dropped in. They wore the usual camouflage pattern. However, setting these guys apart was the Maroon Berets they were wearing. Obviously, Arjun recognized these guys, and he couldn't be happier. The Para SF had decided to come in to play as well. Of course, they recognized him and gave him a salute.
"Who's your CO here?" The Commando unit leader asked.
"Me." Arjun said. "Captain Arjun Khare, Para SF."
"One hell of a job here, sir." The Garud Commando said before saluting him. "I'm Flight Lieutenant Abhinav Dayal, sir." The NSG Commando Squadron Commander also gave him a salute, "Captain Pranav Sinha, sir."
"Damn, Demon. Looks like you went on a rampage over here." The leader of the Maroon Beret division said with an impressed look before introducing himself to the Garud and NSG forces. "Lokesh 'Scorpion' Nanda, Commander of the 2nd Platoon of the 9th Battalion, Para SF." On Arjun's look of askance, he simply replied, "We were on our way to Kashmir for COIN Ops**, when they diverted us here. Good decision, I say. Looks like you need help."
"You have no idea," Arjun replied to his brother-in-arms.
"Alright. There's anything we need to know" Scorpion asked.
"Enemy unit is primarily ground units. Had air units, but our Air Force just shredded them. They use overwhelming numbers to overrun positions. Me and the cops here did the best we could, but we only slowed them down." Arjun replied.
"Armaments?"
"They got swords to a gunfight." Came the short reply.
"Who does that?!" Flight LT Dayal exclaimed. "That is suicide."
"Bruh. Don't look at me. These clowns completely ruined my day!" Arjun replied.
"What were you doing here in Delhi anyway?" Scorpion asked. "Your family is in Mumbai, isn't it?"
"Delhi Comic Con godammit!" Arjun replied.
"Oh hell no!" Scorpion said. "Does anyone know where the hell did these clowns come from?"
"I do, sir." A Delhi Police officer came up to the soldiers and commandos. "We were organizing security at the Convention when we received reports of a strange structure suddenly appearing on the nearby road intersection. That could be how they got in."
"We should call in the big birds and pound their asses to fine dust." One of the Para SF members said, with the other commandos agreeing with him.
Even Scorpion agreed as he radioed in. "Scorpion 1 to Guardian Angel, how copy?"
"Guardian Angel copies loud and clear."
"Be advised, enemy position concentrated on the large intersection. Need you and the birds to hammer it."
"Scorpion, that is a major city artery. You sure you want us to do that?" Guardian Angel asked.
"Intel is confirmed. You will see a strange structure over there that may already have an enemy camp. That's all the proof you need." Scorpion replied.
"And if there are civilians?" Guardian Angel asked.
Every soldier on the frequency heard it. Regardless of their position or location. All of them saw a few women were stripped naked and were sprawled all over the streets. Men brutally butchered and children with dismembered limbs.
"… Guardian Angel, if there are any survivors in their hands… just make it quick. Don't let them suffer anymore. Scorpion out."
"What the hell do these people want?" The NSG Commander grit out.
"Hey, hey. Focus at the task at hand now Commando." Arjun ordered. "We will get our answers. Now, do we have armor coming in?" He asked.
"Tanks and Infantry Fighting Vehicles are entering the city as we speak. To avoid the traffic, the Chinooks are airlifting them. Two divisions are coming in from the North and South ends of the city. They're coming in hot and heavy. Birds will continue to rain fire to support us." Scorpion said with LT Dayal and Capt. Sinha nodding in agreement.
"Sounds like a plan. Now let's gut these fucking sons of bitches." Arjun 'Demon' Khare said as he switched the safety of an IWI TAR-21 Tavor Assault Rifle off and holstered a Beretta 92.
"HOOAH!"
Arjun didn't know for how long they had been fighting but they were making a lot of progress. With proper pieces of equipment, that included choppers and 2 armored units, they had more than enough muscle to push the invaders back.
Arjun wouldn't lie, because he was really proud of the Delhi Police's actions today. Sure they would usually get a lot of flak for many things, but today, they proved their mettle. The only drawback for them was, that they were not trained for this. Frankly, none of them were. It's not like during situation training their instructor would ask them what to do, if a Roman-esque army appeared out of nowhere and started butchering people.
However, there were many more emotions driving the Indian Armed Forces. Mainly, it was rage. The Indian Armed Forces had a reputation of being a very strong army and were ranked as the 4th strongest in the world, behind the United States, Russia, and China. They were also seen in a very positive light on the international stage, mainly because of their actions during UN Peacekeeping Missions. They wouldn't go looking for fights, but God help you if you picked a fight with them. And the other world invaders did just that and worse. They brutally attacked the civilians and the non-combatants. The carnage that Arjun and his group saw, was nothing sort of sickening and none of the soldiers or commandos wanted to even think, of what the mounting death toll would be.
The enemy tried to escape back through the structure, but the Indian soldiers, had set up and ambush point in the surrounding buildings and immediately started raining down fire on them. They were supported by the Helicopter gunships, IFV and tanks.
All those who survived, which included the commander of this invasion force, were brutally pinned down by the special forces team and arrested as Prisoners of War. The commander who expected the proper a treatment as a man in his position was entitled to, was knocked out by the butt of a rifle.
"High Command, this is Scorpion. We've secured the structure. Hostile forces neutralized. For the love of God, please get these people some help."
1430 hrs. Rashtrapati Bhavan. (Presidential House) Rajpath. New Delhi.
"What is the situation now, General?" The President of the Republic of India and also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces asked the General of the Indian Army.
"The main forces of these hostiles have been eliminated, Mr. President. The Army and Delhi Police are now hunting down a few stragglers around the area. The Indian Air Space is still closed and all commercial flights within have been grounded. The only planes that are flying now are those of the Indian Air Force, and the planes from the two aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya of the Indian Navy. All of these planes are being fueled mid-air regularly. The entire city is on lockdown now. No one can get in and out of the city. Also, all of our forces on the borders have been put on High Alert. It's the same with every police force and SWAT team as well. Under the Governor's orders, the state of Maharashtra has already mobilized their Commando unit, Force One, and they will be ready to move at a moment's notice from their base in Alibaug if required." The General replied.
"What about the Government?" The President asked.
"A Cabinet meeting is being held right now. The opposition in the Parliament is already clamoring for answers. It's controlled chaos, sir." The General replied again.
"What is the… death toll?"
"We don't have a number yet, but it is definitely in the three or four digit numbers." The General gave the bad bad news.
With a long sigh, the President massaged his temple, before taking up his role as the Commander-in-Chief. "Continue whatever you have been doing. Have the armed forces help the National Disaster Response Force and set up medical tents for the injured. Meanwhile, have a team of Army engineers, seal that godforsaken structure with eyes in it. Use every night vision surveillance equipment you have to make sure we know if there is something coming. You are dismissed."
"Yes sir, Mr. President." The General said while giving the President a salute and walking out of his office.
The President meanwhile took a much-needed drink of water. His head was racing miles a minute. He knew that the next 24-48 hours were crucial. For what he couldn't think of, but it was. He finally got his thoughts together and called the Prime Minister's Office. It was the PM's secretary that picked it up.
"Tell the Prime Minister that he and the Minister of Defense are to give me an answer from today's emergency Cabinet meeting." After saying his piece, the President cut the call. He knew the PM's Secretary will do his job. The only thing he could do now is wait.
Characters Introduced/Mentioned.
Captain Arjun 'Demon" Khare. Indian Army. Commander of the 3rd Division of the 21st Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
2nd Lieutenant Youji "Otaku" Itami. Japanese Self Defense Force. Formerly Japanese Special Forces and Ranger Operative
Staff Sergeant Derek "Frost" Westbrook. United States Army. Delta Force.
Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley. British Army. British Special Air Service (SAS).
Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson. British Army. British Special Air Service (SAS).
Captain John Price. British Army. British Special Air Service (SAS).
Air Marshal Sumit Bhagat. Western Command Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
Flight Lieutenant Abhinav Dayal. Indian Air Force. Garud Commandos.
Captain Pranav Sinha. Indian National Security Guard Commandos a.k.a. The Black Cats. Squadron Commander.
Captain Lokesh "Scorpion" Nanda. Indian Army. Commander of the 2nd Division of the 9th Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
*FUBAR:- Fucked up beyond all recognition
**COIN Ops:- Counter Insurgency Operations.
AN- Hey y'all. This thing was in my mind, and I had to write it down. Tell me what you think.