20-05-2026, 12:13 PM
(CHAPTER CONTD)
The call to New Delhi came sooner than expected. Within a day, Hemant and Dan were flown out from Nal Air Force Station to report directly to higher command. The shift in environment was immediate—desert silence replaced by the controlled intensity of a military complex where decisions carried national weight. Neither of them spoke much on the way in; both understood this wasn’t just another briefing. This was about consequences.
Inside the office, General Bakshi listened without interruption as Hemant laid out the mission parameters from SENTINEL. The general’s expression remained steady, but there was a visible tension in his posture that hadn’t been there before. When Hemant finished, Bakshi leaned back slightly and took a moment before responding.
"I’ll be honest" Bakshi said, his tone measured.
"I don’t like this. Not the location, not the timing"
Dan shifted slightly but stayed quiet.
"Russia is one of our closest allies" Bakshi continued.
"Any operation involving our men with the Americans in their soil—even indirectly—can turn sensitive very quickly. If something goes wrong, it won’t just be about a failed mission. It becomes a diplomatic problem"
"Its not just America sir , this unit features operators from many countries" Hemant nodded.
"But they are using an American Submarine , if things go wrong guess who will be blamed"
"I understand sir" Hemant accepted his concern.
Bakshi looked directly at him.
"Then you also understand why I’m hesitant to send two of my men into something like this without a clear line of accountability"
Hemant chose his words carefully.
"Sir, our Indian identities won't matter. SENTINEL handles the operation. So , we'll be treated as their operators"
Bakshi gave a short, almost skeptical exhale.
"That’s exactly what worries me. The moment you step out under their banner, you’re on your own"
There was a brief silence before he added, more firmly,
"If this goes south, the government will not step in. Officially, you won’t exist in that situation"
Dan glanced at Hemant, but Hemant didn’t hesitate.
"I see your concern sir. But desperate times call for desperate measures , they chose us because we are familiar with the mission they are conducting. Right now , those oilrig workers need rescue , and India cannot be involved unless diplomatically"
He said.
Bakshi studied him for a few seconds, as if weighing more than just the mission itself. Then he nodded once.
"Sometimes you really surprise me Hemant. Alright, the reason I am agreeing for this arrangement is because SENTINEL is willing to share intel and techs to us and our interests as a favor for both of your roles. I am fully confident in both of you boys. Be careful though , because this is different from the threats you have faced before"
He said.
"Yes, sir"
The meeting ended there. No ceremony, no reassurance—just an understanding of risk. Outside the office, the two of them walked in silence for a while before Dan finally spoke.
"Well… that was encouraging" he muttered.
"He said yes. That’s what matters" Hemant gave a faint smile.
"Yeah. It just feels different this time" Dan nodded, though the weight of it was still settling in.
"It is" Hemant replied.
They split soon after, each heading in different directions within the complex to complete formalities before departure. Hemant moved through one of the corridors, his thoughts still partly on the mission, when he noticed a familiar face at the far end. He slowed down. The man stood speaking to another officer—composed, authoritative, someone who carried respect without needing to demand it.
Viren Raghuvanshi.
Hemant had only seen photographs ever since he learned he was Kirti's father, but there was no mistaking him. For a moment, he considered just walking past. It would’ve been easier. But something held him there.
Then he stepped forward.
"Sir" Hemant said politely.
"Yes?" Viren turned, slightly surprised at being addressed by someone he didn’t recognize.
"I’m Hemant Kumar" he said.
“I’m stationed at Nal Air Base.”
"A soldier stationed in an Air Base?" Viren’s expression shifted just a bit.
"Part of a special protective detail sir!"
"I am guessing you know my daughter"
"Yes, sir. I do. Wing Commander Kirti Raghuvanshi. We've met" Hemant nodded.
There was a pause, and Viren studied him more closely now.
"And you wanted to speak to me about…?"
Hemant hesitated for the first time that day. This wasn’t a battlefield, but it felt just as uncertain. Still, he had made up his mind.
"Sir, I’ll be direct" he said.
"I've been noticing her for months. And she is a formidable woman , she carries every difficuilties and hurdles with grace and faces challenges with a confidence I've never seen before. She is an inspiration for every young girl and woman who are seeking to serve the country. Which is a pretty longer way to say that....."
Viren braced as Hemant finished his sentence.
"I have....feelings...for Kirti"
Viren didn’t react immediately, but the surprise was clear.
"I haven’t told her" Hemant continued.
"And honestly I don't know how. But since I saw you here I felt the need to tell this truth to you because....."
He took a breath before going on.
"Because I felt that if I ever had to say this, it should be to you first. Because it’s not just about two people. It’s about families too. A union between two people is not just between them , but also their families."
Viren’s gaze didn’t soften, but it didn’t harden either. He was listening.
"I don’t come from an illustrous background like yours" Hemant said honestly.
"No influence, no legacy. I grew up in a small town in Kerala. My parents were farmers. Everything I am today, I’ve built it with total dedication and hardwork"
He paused briefly.
"When it comes to the field , I push myself to be the absolute best!"
Another pause.
"Which is one of the reason why I admire and respect her. I see my same level of dedication and focus she has on her own service. In a way I find compatibility between us. So its not just a fling or a spur of the moment. My feelings for her is genuine. That’s all I wanted you to know"
For a few seconds, there was no response. Then Viren exhaled slowly.
"That’s… not something I expected to hear today" he admitted.
"I understand, sir. I just wanted you to know that when it comes to a bond between two people , sometimes it also involves both the person's families. So through admiring Kirti , I admire you and the legacy she represents"
Viren looked at him more carefully now, not as a stranger—but as someone worth evaluating.
"You should talk to her" he asked.
"I can't"
"Why not?"
"Because I don’t know how? Even though I had relations in the past but when it comes to love , I am quite vulnerable and weak in expressing it"
Hemant answered honestly. That answer lingered. Viren gave a small nod, as if acknowledging the thought behind it, even if he wasn’t fully convinced.
"Hemant , in my experience , I always expected men of your age to be bold and daring , and never to be bothered with the woman's family. But you are different , the fact that you confessed your feelings to me before telling her is quiet commendable. But at the same time , when it comes to love , you have to take the hard steps. And here hard steps means telling her. I cannot have an opinion about your love and feelings , the opinion that matters is of Kirti's. So tell her your truth and find out whether she is willing to accept your feelings. Then I will come in the picture!"
He said finally. It wasn’t approval. But it wasn’t dismissal either.And for Hemant, that was enough.
Later that day, Viren found himself sitting across from General Bakshi. The two men greeted each other like old colleagues, the conversation beginning with familiar ground—shared postings, old operations, names that only they seemed to remember. After a while, Viren leaned back slightly and said.
"I met one of your men today. Hemant Kumar"
"You would’ve eventually" Bakshi gave a faint smile.
"He didn’t say much about his work" Viren raised an eyebrow.
"Well , its because its a freshly made Task Force with not a full on discrete role so chain of command has dictated the designation classified"
Bakshi replied.
"So I’ll ask you" Viren said.
"Who is he?"
Bakshi was quiet for a moment before answering.
"He is a Garud Commando Viren. He is part of the Garuda Task Force , a combat unit designed to protect and safeguard India's defence airspace and air network.But since it is also a prototype , we are using his force for classified operations with Special Forces"
Viren nodded slowly, taking that in.
"And turns out he is too good , because certain Global outfits are seeking his skills for some black ops"
Bakshi added.
"SENTINEL?" Viren asked.
"You’ve heard" Bakshi looked at him, slightly surprised.
"For military folks like us they're not easy to ignore. They've been collecting assets across the globe, building and armada for the UN Peace Keeping Obligations"
Bakshi leaned back.
"They’ve taken an interest in him. Which means he’s likely to be involved in missions that won’t officially exist"
"And you’re okay with that?" Viren folded his arms.
"Honestly no. But I understand that if their mission has to succeed then Hemant is the best choice! When it comes to the field ops , he is something else!"
Bakshi said calmly. There was a pause before Viren asked.
"So how is he as a soldier?"
Bakshi thought about it for a moment.
"On paper , a big headache. He doesn't exactly operate well with the chain of command. Very Anti-Beurocracy. Every time command looses their calm with his missions. But he is still around because of his 100% track record. Every mission he has participated in , he accomplished it. His unit also suffers zero casualty. His method of warfare is very different , his approach questionable. But in the field , he himself is an absolute unit. His results are the reason he is still in the force"
He said.
"That doesn’t sound reassuring" Viren frowned slightly.
"It depends on what you value, remember that conversation we had about warriors?"
Bakshi replied. He leaned forward slightly.
"That the world needs not just patriots. But people who can look beyond instructions and understand what’s right. People who won’t fold under pressure—political or otherwise"
A brief pause.
"I see that in him. The perfect warrior. That's him. Who is not defined by a nationality or patriotism. But is the right man to get the job done. The man who we know will do the right thing!"
Viren listened carefully now.
"What is his history?"
"Nothing extra ordinary, He grew up in a small village town of Panthalam in Kerala , culturally rich. Small farming family. Parents—Damodaran and Shalini Nair. They named him Hemant Kumar because his dad was a big fan of old hindi music and named him after the famous music composer. Moved to Mumbai for higher studies but maintained connection to the mainland through summer vacations. On paper its a simple origin. Except"
Bakshi continued
"Except?" Viren asked.
"Except he was trained in Kalaripayattu from a young age by one of his uncle Madhavan Nair , a renowned Martial Art Teacher in his village. So from an early age , his passion for combat grew. Later, in college—St. Xavier's Mumbai—he joined an MMA circuit with the club WFLF. Built himself up. Physically and mentally. Where once he even considered to seek a career in Pro Wrestling but later switched to joining the army. There he learned kick boxing and some Muai-Thai. In many ways a perfect student in physical combat!"
Viren nodded slowly.
"He’s always chased something more. And that shows in his missions since he takes death defying risks in achieving goals , something Command is not comfortable with"
Bakshi added.
"Do you like him?"
Bakshi didn’t hesitate.
"Absolutely , he might be a handful. But his heart and mind is in the right place"
A pause.
"Like I said....the perfect warrior. That's him" Bakshi said.
Viren leaned back, absorbing all of it. For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, quietly—
"You know....I think I like him too!"
"Of course. Who Wouldn't!" Bakshi gave a faint smile.
When Viren left the room later, his thoughts were different from when he had entered. The initial surprise from Hemant’s confession had settled into something more reflective. Surprisingly Viren thought he actually met a suitable men that he has pictured for his daughter. He had seen clarity. Hemant already impressed him with his honesty and words. But after hearing Bakshi—He understood something else. Hemant wasn’t just some soldier. He was a man with untapped potential and in many ways a man meant for glorious purposes.
And as that realization settled in—Viren found himself feeling something unexpected.
Respect.
FEW DAYS LATER AT NAL AIRFORCE BASE
Nal settled back into its routine, but for Hemant, nothing felt quite the same anymore. The training yard buzzed as usual with cadets running drills, instructors barking instructions, and aircraft engines roaring in the background. He was adjusting equipment for the day’s session when he noticed Kirti Raghuvanshi walking toward him. Her stride was sharp, her expression tight. He didn’t need long to guess what had triggered it—her father.
She didn’t wait for pleasantries.
"How dare you!" Kirti lashed out.
Hemant stayed silent.
"You dare to say you have feelings for me to my father.What exactly were you trying to do?"
She asked, her tone firm and controlled, but clearly irritated.
"Going to my father instead of talking to me?"
"I wasn’t trying to go around you. I just thought—" Hemant stayed composed.
“You thought it would make things easier? Or that it would give you an advantage?" she cut in.
"That’s not what this is, I just wanted to be respectful" he said.
Kirti shook her head, unconvinced.
"Doesn't feel respectful at all , to me it seems like manipulation. You were trying to influence my parents so that you can make it easy to approach me"
"That is not my---" He tried to explain again, but she wasn’t in a place to listen.
"Enough....just to make it clear....I don't like you!!" she said finally, her voice flattening.
"From this moment on.....keep your distance from me....period!!"
There was hostility in the last line, a clear boundary. She turned and walked away without waiting for a response. Hemant stood there for a moment, letting it settle. He didn’t argue further. But it stayed with him. The next few days were awkward. Hemant tried to fix things in small ways, keeping it light so it wouldn’t become heavier than it already was.
A folded paper with a simple “sorry :)” left on her workbench.
Another near the shooting gallery she used regularly. Nothing dramatic—just an attempt to say he knew he’d crossed a line. Kirti didn’t take it well. Sometimes she ignored them completely. Other times she’d pick one up, glance at it briefly, and tear it without saying a word. When their paths crossed, she didn’t engage. At best, a cold look. At worst, complete indifference. He didn’t push it beyond that. After a point, he stopped leaving notes. What made it harder wasn’t just the silence—it was how normal everything else seemed for her. Hemant noticed how she continued interacting with Vishal Agnihotri, if anything, a little more openly than before. They trained together, joked around near the hangars, and often stayed back after sessions. None of it was overdone, but it was visible enough. Hemant didn’t comment on it. He didn’t need to.
A few days later, Rani mentioned casually that Kirti had gone out of station for a short camping trip with Vishal and a few other cadets.
"Kirti usually never does this....but she is going with the group for some off-time activities"
She said, checking a maintenance log.
"Good for them" Hemant nodded.
He meant it. Or at least, he chose to. The timing helped in one way—his focus shifted back to something else entirely. The SENTINEL mission. That took priority now. Hemant and Dan spent long hours going over what they knew, filling gaps with assumptions, preparing for variables they couldn’t fully predict. The idea of an underwater approach, hostile takeover, and zero-error execution wasn’t something you improvised on the field.
"Entry is the tricky part" Dan said one evening, sketching rough layouts on a notepad.
"Though the risk only gets higher after that"
"And that's not it" Hemant replied.
"An oilrig in itself is a complicated structure. And we have zero experience in those kinds of situations. So we need to be ready for the unpredictable and unexpected surroundings. Our senses need to be in high alert until the mission is accomplished. We cannot afford recklessness"
They ran through scenarios—silent breaches, compromised entry points, fallback options. It wasn’t just planning; it was conditioning their thinking to react the right way under pressure.
A week later, routine training resumed at full scale. Hemant and Dan were assigned to field-test the laser designation system with aerial coordination.
A section of land, marked “Tango 1,” had been prepped a few miles out from base. Scrap vehicles, mock structures, and scattered targets created a simulated hostile environment. From the ground, Hemant handled target marking for Kirti’s aircraft, while Dan coordinated with Vishal.
The sky above came alive soon enough—two jets cutting through the desert air, executing maneuvers with precision.
"You two still not talking?" Dan glanced sideways while adjusting his scope.
"Yup...she is pretty pissed" Hemant kept his focus on the laser marker.
"I mean...i don't blame her. Talking to her dad before her is a rookie mistake" Dan said.
"I just didn't want to have the same Sanjana situation. I had to do it" Hemant almost smiled.
"I get it , maybe give it time. She might come into her sense later" Dan shrugged.
"Later....yeah" Hemant repeated.
They didn’t dwell on it. The exercise demanded attention, and both men returned to work. Back at base, Rani had her own conversation. She caught Kirti near the hangar later that evening.
"You need to understand him Kira....he had no sinister intentions"
Rani said, not accusing—just stating. Kirti didn’t deny it.
"Don't come for his defense"
"He didn’t mean it the way you think" Rani added.
"Dan told me what happened"
"Please Rani , stay out of this" Kirti sighed, clearly not interested in revisiting it.
Rani nodded. A pause.
"Okay....but please Kira. Don't jump to conclusions and see the bigger picture"
Kirti didn’t respond to that directly.
"I have no interest right now Rani, let’s just leave it there" she said.
Rani didn’t push further. Later that day, Kirti joined Vishal and a few cadets who were discussing plans for the weekend.
"Hey , we're planning a short cold trip to Manali this weekend since we have non sortie days coming. You interested?"
Vishal said.
"Sounds good....definitely need more breaks right now" Kirti nodded.
"Something bothering you?" Vishal asked concerned
"Appreciate the concern Victor. But this is something you cannot solve"
Their conversation drifted easily, until a deep engine sound cut through the air. All of them turned instinctively toward the runway. A large aircraft was descending—unfamiliar in presence.
"That’s a C-130 Hercules" one cadet said.
"But it’s not ours, it has none of our defense markings" Vishal added, narrowing his eyes.
Another cadet pointed out modifications along the fuselage.
"I know about these aircraft makes and......That’s not standard configuration either"
"Seems to me this is covert ops" Rani, who had stepped out by then, watched quietly.
The aircraft landed smoothly, rolling to a controlled stop at a restricted section of the runway. Then they saw them. Hemant and Dan, carrying their gear, walking toward the plane. No insignia on the personnel waiting for them. No formal exchange. Just a brief acknowledgment and immediate boarding procedures.
"Where are they going?" Kirti frowned slightly.
"Might be their next assignment" Rani folded her arms.
"Assignment?" Kirti looked at her.
"Do you seriously still believe they're just some Base Security Unit?"
Rani gave a small, knowing look. Kirti processed that quietly.
"They're not a normal squad Kirti. If the Garuda Force is being created for the Air Force and its infrastructure defense , then no doubt the current squad members are probably recruited for their best service. From what I can deduce , they have some involvement with the Special Forces. Hemant and Dan are part of a bigger strategy!"
Rani added, her tone softer now. Kirti didn’t reply. Her eyes followed Hemant as he climbed into the aircraft. There was a moment—brief, almost unnoticeable—where he paused near the ramp and glanced back toward the base. Not searching. Just… looking. Then he stepped inside. The ramp closed. The engines roared louder. Within minutes, the C-130 lifted off the runway and disappeared into the sky.
Kirti remained standing there a moment longer than the others. Something about it didn’t sit the way she expected. Not guilt.Not regret.Just… curiosity.Because for all the time they had spent at the same base—She realized she didn’t actually know him. Not really. And now—He was gone on something she couldn’t even define.
(TO BE CONTD)
Inside the office, General Bakshi listened without interruption as Hemant laid out the mission parameters from SENTINEL. The general’s expression remained steady, but there was a visible tension in his posture that hadn’t been there before. When Hemant finished, Bakshi leaned back slightly and took a moment before responding.
"I’ll be honest" Bakshi said, his tone measured.
"I don’t like this. Not the location, not the timing"
Dan shifted slightly but stayed quiet.
"Russia is one of our closest allies" Bakshi continued.
"Any operation involving our men with the Americans in their soil—even indirectly—can turn sensitive very quickly. If something goes wrong, it won’t just be about a failed mission. It becomes a diplomatic problem"
"Its not just America sir , this unit features operators from many countries" Hemant nodded.
"But they are using an American Submarine , if things go wrong guess who will be blamed"
"I understand sir" Hemant accepted his concern.
Bakshi looked directly at him.
"Then you also understand why I’m hesitant to send two of my men into something like this without a clear line of accountability"
Hemant chose his words carefully.
"Sir, our Indian identities won't matter. SENTINEL handles the operation. So , we'll be treated as their operators"
Bakshi gave a short, almost skeptical exhale.
"That’s exactly what worries me. The moment you step out under their banner, you’re on your own"
There was a brief silence before he added, more firmly,
"If this goes south, the government will not step in. Officially, you won’t exist in that situation"
Dan glanced at Hemant, but Hemant didn’t hesitate.
"I see your concern sir. But desperate times call for desperate measures , they chose us because we are familiar with the mission they are conducting. Right now , those oilrig workers need rescue , and India cannot be involved unless diplomatically"
He said.
Bakshi studied him for a few seconds, as if weighing more than just the mission itself. Then he nodded once.
"Sometimes you really surprise me Hemant. Alright, the reason I am agreeing for this arrangement is because SENTINEL is willing to share intel and techs to us and our interests as a favor for both of your roles. I am fully confident in both of you boys. Be careful though , because this is different from the threats you have faced before"
He said.
"Yes, sir"
The meeting ended there. No ceremony, no reassurance—just an understanding of risk. Outside the office, the two of them walked in silence for a while before Dan finally spoke.
"Well… that was encouraging" he muttered.
"He said yes. That’s what matters" Hemant gave a faint smile.
"Yeah. It just feels different this time" Dan nodded, though the weight of it was still settling in.
"It is" Hemant replied.
They split soon after, each heading in different directions within the complex to complete formalities before departure. Hemant moved through one of the corridors, his thoughts still partly on the mission, when he noticed a familiar face at the far end. He slowed down. The man stood speaking to another officer—composed, authoritative, someone who carried respect without needing to demand it.
Viren Raghuvanshi.
Hemant had only seen photographs ever since he learned he was Kirti's father, but there was no mistaking him. For a moment, he considered just walking past. It would’ve been easier. But something held him there.
Then he stepped forward.
"Sir" Hemant said politely.
"Yes?" Viren turned, slightly surprised at being addressed by someone he didn’t recognize.
"I’m Hemant Kumar" he said.
“I’m stationed at Nal Air Base.”
"A soldier stationed in an Air Base?" Viren’s expression shifted just a bit.
"Part of a special protective detail sir!"
"I am guessing you know my daughter"
"Yes, sir. I do. Wing Commander Kirti Raghuvanshi. We've met" Hemant nodded.
There was a pause, and Viren studied him more closely now.
"And you wanted to speak to me about…?"
Hemant hesitated for the first time that day. This wasn’t a battlefield, but it felt just as uncertain. Still, he had made up his mind.
"Sir, I’ll be direct" he said.
"I've been noticing her for months. And she is a formidable woman , she carries every difficuilties and hurdles with grace and faces challenges with a confidence I've never seen before. She is an inspiration for every young girl and woman who are seeking to serve the country. Which is a pretty longer way to say that....."
Viren braced as Hemant finished his sentence.
"I have....feelings...for Kirti"
Viren didn’t react immediately, but the surprise was clear.
"I haven’t told her" Hemant continued.
"And honestly I don't know how. But since I saw you here I felt the need to tell this truth to you because....."
He took a breath before going on.
"Because I felt that if I ever had to say this, it should be to you first. Because it’s not just about two people. It’s about families too. A union between two people is not just between them , but also their families."
Viren’s gaze didn’t soften, but it didn’t harden either. He was listening.
"I don’t come from an illustrous background like yours" Hemant said honestly.
"No influence, no legacy. I grew up in a small town in Kerala. My parents were farmers. Everything I am today, I’ve built it with total dedication and hardwork"
He paused briefly.
"When it comes to the field , I push myself to be the absolute best!"
Another pause.
"Which is one of the reason why I admire and respect her. I see my same level of dedication and focus she has on her own service. In a way I find compatibility between us. So its not just a fling or a spur of the moment. My feelings for her is genuine. That’s all I wanted you to know"
For a few seconds, there was no response. Then Viren exhaled slowly.
"That’s… not something I expected to hear today" he admitted.
"I understand, sir. I just wanted you to know that when it comes to a bond between two people , sometimes it also involves both the person's families. So through admiring Kirti , I admire you and the legacy she represents"
Viren looked at him more carefully now, not as a stranger—but as someone worth evaluating.
"You should talk to her" he asked.
"I can't"
"Why not?"
"Because I don’t know how? Even though I had relations in the past but when it comes to love , I am quite vulnerable and weak in expressing it"
Hemant answered honestly. That answer lingered. Viren gave a small nod, as if acknowledging the thought behind it, even if he wasn’t fully convinced.
"Hemant , in my experience , I always expected men of your age to be bold and daring , and never to be bothered with the woman's family. But you are different , the fact that you confessed your feelings to me before telling her is quiet commendable. But at the same time , when it comes to love , you have to take the hard steps. And here hard steps means telling her. I cannot have an opinion about your love and feelings , the opinion that matters is of Kirti's. So tell her your truth and find out whether she is willing to accept your feelings. Then I will come in the picture!"
He said finally. It wasn’t approval. But it wasn’t dismissal either.And for Hemant, that was enough.
Later that day, Viren found himself sitting across from General Bakshi. The two men greeted each other like old colleagues, the conversation beginning with familiar ground—shared postings, old operations, names that only they seemed to remember. After a while, Viren leaned back slightly and said.
"I met one of your men today. Hemant Kumar"
"You would’ve eventually" Bakshi gave a faint smile.
"He didn’t say much about his work" Viren raised an eyebrow.
"Well , its because its a freshly made Task Force with not a full on discrete role so chain of command has dictated the designation classified"
Bakshi replied.
"So I’ll ask you" Viren said.
"Who is he?"
Bakshi was quiet for a moment before answering.
"He is a Garud Commando Viren. He is part of the Garuda Task Force , a combat unit designed to protect and safeguard India's defence airspace and air network.But since it is also a prototype , we are using his force for classified operations with Special Forces"
Viren nodded slowly, taking that in.
"And turns out he is too good , because certain Global outfits are seeking his skills for some black ops"
Bakshi added.
"SENTINEL?" Viren asked.
"You’ve heard" Bakshi looked at him, slightly surprised.
"For military folks like us they're not easy to ignore. They've been collecting assets across the globe, building and armada for the UN Peace Keeping Obligations"
Bakshi leaned back.
"They’ve taken an interest in him. Which means he’s likely to be involved in missions that won’t officially exist"
"And you’re okay with that?" Viren folded his arms.
"Honestly no. But I understand that if their mission has to succeed then Hemant is the best choice! When it comes to the field ops , he is something else!"
Bakshi said calmly. There was a pause before Viren asked.
"So how is he as a soldier?"
Bakshi thought about it for a moment.
"On paper , a big headache. He doesn't exactly operate well with the chain of command. Very Anti-Beurocracy. Every time command looses their calm with his missions. But he is still around because of his 100% track record. Every mission he has participated in , he accomplished it. His unit also suffers zero casualty. His method of warfare is very different , his approach questionable. But in the field , he himself is an absolute unit. His results are the reason he is still in the force"
He said.
"That doesn’t sound reassuring" Viren frowned slightly.
"It depends on what you value, remember that conversation we had about warriors?"
Bakshi replied. He leaned forward slightly.
"That the world needs not just patriots. But people who can look beyond instructions and understand what’s right. People who won’t fold under pressure—political or otherwise"
A brief pause.
"I see that in him. The perfect warrior. That's him. Who is not defined by a nationality or patriotism. But is the right man to get the job done. The man who we know will do the right thing!"
Viren listened carefully now.
"What is his history?"
"Nothing extra ordinary, He grew up in a small village town of Panthalam in Kerala , culturally rich. Small farming family. Parents—Damodaran and Shalini Nair. They named him Hemant Kumar because his dad was a big fan of old hindi music and named him after the famous music composer. Moved to Mumbai for higher studies but maintained connection to the mainland through summer vacations. On paper its a simple origin. Except"
Bakshi continued
"Except?" Viren asked.
"Except he was trained in Kalaripayattu from a young age by one of his uncle Madhavan Nair , a renowned Martial Art Teacher in his village. So from an early age , his passion for combat grew. Later, in college—St. Xavier's Mumbai—he joined an MMA circuit with the club WFLF. Built himself up. Physically and mentally. Where once he even considered to seek a career in Pro Wrestling but later switched to joining the army. There he learned kick boxing and some Muai-Thai. In many ways a perfect student in physical combat!"
Viren nodded slowly.
"He’s always chased something more. And that shows in his missions since he takes death defying risks in achieving goals , something Command is not comfortable with"
Bakshi added.
"Do you like him?"
Bakshi didn’t hesitate.
"Absolutely , he might be a handful. But his heart and mind is in the right place"
A pause.
"Like I said....the perfect warrior. That's him" Bakshi said.
Viren leaned back, absorbing all of it. For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, quietly—
"You know....I think I like him too!"
"Of course. Who Wouldn't!" Bakshi gave a faint smile.
When Viren left the room later, his thoughts were different from when he had entered. The initial surprise from Hemant’s confession had settled into something more reflective. Surprisingly Viren thought he actually met a suitable men that he has pictured for his daughter. He had seen clarity. Hemant already impressed him with his honesty and words. But after hearing Bakshi—He understood something else. Hemant wasn’t just some soldier. He was a man with untapped potential and in many ways a man meant for glorious purposes.
And as that realization settled in—Viren found himself feeling something unexpected.
Respect.
FEW DAYS LATER AT NAL AIRFORCE BASE
Nal settled back into its routine, but for Hemant, nothing felt quite the same anymore. The training yard buzzed as usual with cadets running drills, instructors barking instructions, and aircraft engines roaring in the background. He was adjusting equipment for the day’s session when he noticed Kirti Raghuvanshi walking toward him. Her stride was sharp, her expression tight. He didn’t need long to guess what had triggered it—her father.
She didn’t wait for pleasantries.
"How dare you!" Kirti lashed out.
Hemant stayed silent.
"You dare to say you have feelings for me to my father.What exactly were you trying to do?"
She asked, her tone firm and controlled, but clearly irritated.
"Going to my father instead of talking to me?"
"I wasn’t trying to go around you. I just thought—" Hemant stayed composed.
“You thought it would make things easier? Or that it would give you an advantage?" she cut in.
"That’s not what this is, I just wanted to be respectful" he said.
Kirti shook her head, unconvinced.
"Doesn't feel respectful at all , to me it seems like manipulation. You were trying to influence my parents so that you can make it easy to approach me"
"That is not my---" He tried to explain again, but she wasn’t in a place to listen.
"Enough....just to make it clear....I don't like you!!" she said finally, her voice flattening.
"From this moment on.....keep your distance from me....period!!"
There was hostility in the last line, a clear boundary. She turned and walked away without waiting for a response. Hemant stood there for a moment, letting it settle. He didn’t argue further. But it stayed with him. The next few days were awkward. Hemant tried to fix things in small ways, keeping it light so it wouldn’t become heavier than it already was.
A folded paper with a simple “sorry :)” left on her workbench.
Another near the shooting gallery she used regularly. Nothing dramatic—just an attempt to say he knew he’d crossed a line. Kirti didn’t take it well. Sometimes she ignored them completely. Other times she’d pick one up, glance at it briefly, and tear it without saying a word. When their paths crossed, she didn’t engage. At best, a cold look. At worst, complete indifference. He didn’t push it beyond that. After a point, he stopped leaving notes. What made it harder wasn’t just the silence—it was how normal everything else seemed for her. Hemant noticed how she continued interacting with Vishal Agnihotri, if anything, a little more openly than before. They trained together, joked around near the hangars, and often stayed back after sessions. None of it was overdone, but it was visible enough. Hemant didn’t comment on it. He didn’t need to.
A few days later, Rani mentioned casually that Kirti had gone out of station for a short camping trip with Vishal and a few other cadets.
"Kirti usually never does this....but she is going with the group for some off-time activities"
She said, checking a maintenance log.
"Good for them" Hemant nodded.
He meant it. Or at least, he chose to. The timing helped in one way—his focus shifted back to something else entirely. The SENTINEL mission. That took priority now. Hemant and Dan spent long hours going over what they knew, filling gaps with assumptions, preparing for variables they couldn’t fully predict. The idea of an underwater approach, hostile takeover, and zero-error execution wasn’t something you improvised on the field.
"Entry is the tricky part" Dan said one evening, sketching rough layouts on a notepad.
"Though the risk only gets higher after that"
"And that's not it" Hemant replied.
"An oilrig in itself is a complicated structure. And we have zero experience in those kinds of situations. So we need to be ready for the unpredictable and unexpected surroundings. Our senses need to be in high alert until the mission is accomplished. We cannot afford recklessness"
They ran through scenarios—silent breaches, compromised entry points, fallback options. It wasn’t just planning; it was conditioning their thinking to react the right way under pressure.
A week later, routine training resumed at full scale. Hemant and Dan were assigned to field-test the laser designation system with aerial coordination.
A section of land, marked “Tango 1,” had been prepped a few miles out from base. Scrap vehicles, mock structures, and scattered targets created a simulated hostile environment. From the ground, Hemant handled target marking for Kirti’s aircraft, while Dan coordinated with Vishal.
The sky above came alive soon enough—two jets cutting through the desert air, executing maneuvers with precision.
"You two still not talking?" Dan glanced sideways while adjusting his scope.
"Yup...she is pretty pissed" Hemant kept his focus on the laser marker.
"I mean...i don't blame her. Talking to her dad before her is a rookie mistake" Dan said.
"I just didn't want to have the same Sanjana situation. I had to do it" Hemant almost smiled.
"I get it , maybe give it time. She might come into her sense later" Dan shrugged.
"Later....yeah" Hemant repeated.
They didn’t dwell on it. The exercise demanded attention, and both men returned to work. Back at base, Rani had her own conversation. She caught Kirti near the hangar later that evening.
"You need to understand him Kira....he had no sinister intentions"
Rani said, not accusing—just stating. Kirti didn’t deny it.
"Don't come for his defense"
"He didn’t mean it the way you think" Rani added.
"Dan told me what happened"
"Please Rani , stay out of this" Kirti sighed, clearly not interested in revisiting it.
Rani nodded. A pause.
"Okay....but please Kira. Don't jump to conclusions and see the bigger picture"
Kirti didn’t respond to that directly.
"I have no interest right now Rani, let’s just leave it there" she said.
Rani didn’t push further. Later that day, Kirti joined Vishal and a few cadets who were discussing plans for the weekend.
"Hey , we're planning a short cold trip to Manali this weekend since we have non sortie days coming. You interested?"
Vishal said.
"Sounds good....definitely need more breaks right now" Kirti nodded.
"Something bothering you?" Vishal asked concerned
"Appreciate the concern Victor. But this is something you cannot solve"
Their conversation drifted easily, until a deep engine sound cut through the air. All of them turned instinctively toward the runway. A large aircraft was descending—unfamiliar in presence.
"That’s a C-130 Hercules" one cadet said.
"But it’s not ours, it has none of our defense markings" Vishal added, narrowing his eyes.
Another cadet pointed out modifications along the fuselage.
"I know about these aircraft makes and......That’s not standard configuration either"
"Seems to me this is covert ops" Rani, who had stepped out by then, watched quietly.
The aircraft landed smoothly, rolling to a controlled stop at a restricted section of the runway. Then they saw them. Hemant and Dan, carrying their gear, walking toward the plane. No insignia on the personnel waiting for them. No formal exchange. Just a brief acknowledgment and immediate boarding procedures.
"Where are they going?" Kirti frowned slightly.
"Might be their next assignment" Rani folded her arms.
"Assignment?" Kirti looked at her.
"Do you seriously still believe they're just some Base Security Unit?"
Rani gave a small, knowing look. Kirti processed that quietly.
"They're not a normal squad Kirti. If the Garuda Force is being created for the Air Force and its infrastructure defense , then no doubt the current squad members are probably recruited for their best service. From what I can deduce , they have some involvement with the Special Forces. Hemant and Dan are part of a bigger strategy!"
Rani added, her tone softer now. Kirti didn’t reply. Her eyes followed Hemant as he climbed into the aircraft. There was a moment—brief, almost unnoticeable—where he paused near the ramp and glanced back toward the base. Not searching. Just… looking. Then he stepped inside. The ramp closed. The engines roared louder. Within minutes, the C-130 lifted off the runway and disappeared into the sky.
Kirti remained standing there a moment longer than the others. Something about it didn’t sit the way she expected. Not guilt.Not regret.Just… curiosity.Because for all the time they had spent at the same base—She realized she didn’t actually know him. Not really. And now—He was gone on something she couldn’t even define.
(TO BE CONTD)
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