New Military Research Base

13 February 2010 – 3:00 PM

Inside the Military Research Base

The cold wind swept through the northern hills of Vellore district, rustling the dry foliage and carrying the scent of pine. Krishna Deva Raya stood at the edge of the runway, his dark eyes scanning the expanse of the military research base before him. The sprawling complex, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, was a testament to his vision and ambition. Behind him, Priya trailed silently, her eyes sharp and watchful. They had come here for a reason: the future of the Vijayanagara military was at stake.

The Oasis Aircraft Manufacturing Company was not just another aviation manufacturer; it was a cornerstone of a grander plan. Situated near the base of a towering mountain range, its location had been carefully selected for security and strategic advantage. Krishna had personally overseen its creation after purchasing the technical research for the JAS-39 Gripen fighter. The company's foundation was built on expertise, with a team of 500 top-tier aviation engineers—researchers and experts he had exchanged from the system. Now, his ambition had grown. Through the system's points, Krishna was set to summon another 1,500 aviation talents. With these new minds, he could unlock the next stage of military aviation development: the Samson helicopter, the Thopter, and the formidable D77-TC Pelican.

The hum of progress filled the air, but there was still one question on Krishna's mind: How far had the Gripen fighter project come?

Before he could consider his next steps, a sleek black car pulled up. The door swung open, and out stepped Neraj Mehta, the president of the Oasis Aircraft Manufacturing Company.

"Your Highness," Neraj greeted, bowing slightly. His voice was calm but carried the weight of responsibility.

Krishna Deva Raya gave him a satisfied nod, his lips curling into a subtle smile. He raised his hand, gesturing toward the vast expanse of the research facility.

"Look, this is where you will work in the future. What do you think?" Krishna asked, his voice filled with quiet pride.

Neraj exhaled slowly, taking in the sprawling park. His eyes traced the perimeter, noting the towering mountains that enclosed the area like silent sentinels. The only entrance was a narrow opening, offering a natural barrier against unwanted guests. He nodded appreciatively.

"It's good," Neraj agreed, his tone thoughtful. "The safety factor is high, and the location is perfect for confidentiality. No one could penetrate this place easily."

Krishna smiled knowingly. "Exactly. We'll be setting up sentry towers on the surrounding mountaintops. With a protective net and secure perimeters, no spy will infiltrate these walls. It's secure."

There was a brief pause as they both stood silently, looking out at the facility that would house the future of the Vijayanagara military. Krishna's gaze softened for a moment, a rare glimpse of introspection flashing in his eyes.

"It's been a while since we last met," Krishna said, breaking the silence. "Shall we take a walk?"

Neraj, sensing the shift in the conversation, nodded politely. "Of course, Your Highness."

As they walked away from the group of officers and researchers, Krishna turned back to Priya. "Secretary Priya," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "You don't need to follow me. I'll speak with President Mehta alone."

Priya gave a quick nod and stepped aside, her watchful eyes never straying far.

Once they were a distance away from the others, Krishna spoke again, his voice low but steady. "How is the progress on the fighter project?"

Neraj adjusted his stance, his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was carefully neutral, but there was a glint of pride in his eyes as he replied.

"Your Highness, the current progress is less than 50%. There have been some limitations in terms of materials, but we have made significant strides in certain areas, particularly with air-to-air missile development."

Krishna's interest piqued at the mention of the air-to-air missile developments. "Go on," he urged, his tone softening.

Neraj gave a slight nod, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. "Based on the data you provided on the AIM-120C, Thunderbolt, and Meteor missiles, we've developed several new models. We've code-named them Gandiva."

Krishna's brow furrowed slightly, intrigued. "Gandiva, you say? Like the divine weapon in Hindu mythology?"

Neraj chuckled softly at the reference. "Yes, Your Highness. We thought it fitting. The Gandiva-2 is a short-range missile with a range of about 21 kilometers, using infrared imaging guidance. The Gandiva-3 has two models: A and B. Model A has a range of 80 kilometers and can achieve speeds of Mach 4, while Model B, constructed with carbon fiber materials, has a range of 130 kilometers and reaches Mach 5. Model A uses infrared imaging guidance and semi-active radar guidance, while Model B uses active radar guidance."

Krishna's eyes widened slightly. "Impressive," he murmured, though his mind was already racing ahead.

Neraj continued, undeterred by Krishna's silence. "The Gandiva-5 is the long-range variant. It has two models, A and B. Model A can reach a range of 180 kilometers at Mach 5, while Model B can push the limit to 245 kilometers under optimal conditions. Both variants use active radar guidance. However, these are still simulation results. We haven't tested them in real-world conditions, but the data should be fairly accurate."

Krishna's mind whirled. The range of 245 kilometers was extraordinary—nearly double the range of existing air-to-air missiles, and it placed Vijayanagara's capabilities at the cutting edge of modern warfare. He had to take a breath to steady himself. This could change everything.

"Very well," he said after a moment, his tone thoughtful. "What about the engine? The aero-engine, I mean. How's that progressing?"

Neraj paused, his gaze growing more focused. "The aero-engine technology is solid. We've managed to put together a working prototype, but we lack the facilities for wind tunnel testing."

Krishna raised an eyebrow. "That's all?"

"Well, yes. Without the wind tunnel, it's difficult to finalize the design for full-scale testing."

Krishna's expression shifted, and his voice became more commanding. "Get me a list of what you need. If you need wind tunnel construction, start working on it. Priya will help you with the finances if needed."

Neraj nodded, grateful for the decisive action. "Understood, Your Highness."

The two of them walked in silence for a while before Krishna handed Neraj a thick stack of papers.

"Here," Krishna said, "These are the technical details for the D77-TC Pelican, the Dune Thopter, and the Samson Helicopter. You and your team need to start working on these as well. Integrate them into the military as soon as possible."

Neraj's eyes widened as he flipped through the papers. The designs were unlike anything he had seen before—futuristic, advanced, and capable of altering the very course of military technology. He could barely contain his shock.

"Your Highness, these designs… With this, the technology in our country will advance by a full level. We could outpace everyone else."

Krishna's lips curled into a faint smile. "That's the plan."

Without hesitation, Krishna summoned the system and used his accumulated points to call forth 1,500 additional aviation researchers. The number of experts flooding the project would be monumental, and with their help, he could push the boundaries of what was possible.

The fate of the Vijayanagara military—and the empire itself—was in his hands.