POV: Aritra NaskarDate: September 26, 2012Location: Nova Tech Headquarters – Security Operations Center & Executive Suite, Salt Lake Sector-V, KolkataTime: 7:30 PM IST
The monitors in the Security Operations Center glowed like a watchful constellation, each node flickering to life with real-time data from Karachi. I leaned over Priya's console as she updated me:
"KA–1 and KB–1 completed exfiltration at 0623 and 0625 PST. Seven of eight drones are intact. Ever-Alpha landed with two wingtip scratches; Ever-Bravo lost its communication pod in transit but remained functional."
I exhaled, letting relief wash over me. Ever-Bravo's sustained flight without the comms pod meant its inertial guidance had faithfully delivered it back to the Arabian Sea rendezvous. Somewhere offshore, INS Sarosh steamed quietly beneath cloudy skies, poised for retrieval.
"Excellent," I murmured. "Begin influx of all sensor data—thermal swath, missile telemetry, Nano-Swarm logs. Forward everything to Indian Army HQ under red flag 'Operation Sandstorm'."
Priya tapped a few keys. "Already sent. We're awaiting reconfirmation from the Eastern Command to release redacted files publicly."
I nodded. Our plan to share a curated data set—removing any intelligence that could reveal too much about our stealth protocols—would be crucial. I tapped another console to bring up the ledger:
Karachi Node 2: Updated. Strike logged. Funds released to local agencies in advance under "Emergency Anti-Terror Response."
I traced the ledger lines: supplies were disbursed to Karachi's flood relief reserves yesterday, but would have been rendered useless if militants severed the relays. Now, those provisions remained secure.
A chime on my tablet indicated new messages. I swiped open the secure feed:
Katherine Naskar: "Media asking about Pakistan's reaction. Press strategy?"Major General Sen: "Coast guard confirms glider debris found at 24.5000° N, 66.3000° E. Debris consistent with Nova Tech UAV specs."Ishita Roy: "Blackwood circle doubling down—silent trading in defense contractors. Tribunal censure will be next week."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. The ripple from today's mission had already begun. Pakistan's coast guard knew something had flown over Karachi's skies—drone debris always speaks for itself. Even if we denied posture, the world would know.
I tapped my reply to Katherine:
ATRITRA: "Emphasize humanitarian focus and joint Indian Army operation. We will not confirm drone specifics—state it was a coordinated, intelligence-driven surgical response. Full dossier to be released 48 hrs from now."
To Major General Sen:
ATRITRA: "Understood. Secure debris retrieval, catalog serial numbers. We'll coordinate with NTRO for forensic analysis."
To Ishita:
ATRITRA: "Yes—prepare Tribunal brief on Blackwood's new shell procurements. We press forward."
I set the tablet aside and rose from my chair. The weight of consequences pressed on my chest, but the network of ledgers, drones, and alliances felt stronger than any passing storm. Katherine would join me in the boardroom for an emergency press meeting at 8 PM. For now, I had twenty minutes to prepare.
I strode down the corridor, stopping at the LuciDai Integration Lab. A quick glance showed Dr. Rhea Mukherjee overseeing the final data encryption, while Syed Kamal prepared portable dongles containing the selective declassified files.
"Rhea, are you set for secure uplink to Eastern Command?" I asked.
She nodded, focused: "We're encrypting with AES-4096, quantum-random keys. Even if Pakistan intercepts, they won't break it in time."
I tapped her shoulder. "Good work. Once you finish, send me an alert."
She smiled wearily. "Done in two minutes. Then we can join the press briefing."
Location: Nova Tech Headquarters – Executive Suite & Press Briefing RoomTime: 8:00 PM IST
The lights had been dimmed to a soft blue in the combined Executive Suite and makeshift Press Briefing Room. A polished black lectern stood before a row of empty chairs now filled with journalists: cameras poised, microphones raised. Behind them, a large LED banner read:
"Nova Tech Press Briefing: Operation Sandstorm—India's Targeted Counter-Terror Response"
Katherine stood beside me, her sari's cobalt blue a beacon of calm. We exchanged a brief glance—mutual resolve in our eyes—before stepping to the podium. Aritten tall, I cleared my throat. The hush felt heavy, as if the monsoon winds from two days ago still whispered through these halls.
"Good evening," I began, voice steady. "Thank you for joining us at short notice. Last night, the Indian Army, in coordination with Nova Tech, conducted a targeted counter-terror response in Karachi to dismantle a confirmed extremist cell. This action was based on intelligence gathered through collaborative recon and was limited to neutralizing a specific threat group responsible for the recent Kashmir attacks."
A barrage of questions fired from the front row. Hands waved like restless seaweed. I nodded to Rajesh Malhotra, the lead correspondent from The Times of India.
"Mr. Naskar, can you confirm drone usage in Karachi? Pakistan's Coast Guard claims they recovered DJI-type debris."
I exhaled. "We cannot comment on specific assets or transnational movements. However, we can confirm that the operation relied on a blend of intelligence sharing between our agencies and battlefield reconnaissance. All actions were executed under strict collaboration with the Indian Armed Forces. We did not conduct any strikes on civilian targets; the operation was surgically precise, based on confirmed militant positions."
Rajesh pressed on. "There are reports of casualties among local contractors. How do you address potential civilian harm?"
Katherine took over. "As Mr. Naskar said, we executed only after confirming non-civilian presence at the target site. Following the strike, unmanned units conducted damage assessments. Any civilian injuries would be deeply regretted, and we are prepared to assist with relief through our humanitarian channels."
The next question came from an international reporter, Julien Martin of Agence France-Presse. "How do you justify breaching another sovereign state's airspace?"
I paused deliberately. "Terrorism poses a transnational threat. These extremists attacked our citizens in Kashmir, and they continued plotting in Karachi. We engaged under an emergent doctrine: when diplomatic channels fail and imminent threat persists, rapid surgical action can be the most effective counter-measure. Our operation adhered to international humanitarian law—targeting confirmed militant infrastructure, with minimal collateral risk."
A murmur rippled through the room. Katherine added: "India remains committed to dialogue. Our preference is always for peaceful resolution. This was a targeted response, not an act of aggression against Pakistan's people or sovereignty."
Fatima Khan, a Rohingya rights activist turned journalist, raised her hand. "Will Nova Tech supply aid to Pakistani civilians affected by the operation?"
Katherine's gaze softened. "Yes. We have dispatched six all-terrain relief drones carrying essential medical supplies, shelter kits, and potable water to affected villages outside Karachi. These drones will operate under the oversight of the Red Cross and local NGOs."
Members of the press scribbled furiously; the LED behind us shifted to show satellite images of the six relief-load drones—orange-painted pods descending near a coastal village, villagers rushing below. Murmurs turned to whispers.
The final question came from Vikram Patel, a national security analyst. "What assurances do you give that Pakistan's military won't retaliate?"
I met his gaze. "Any escalation is against India's and Nova Tech's interests. We have communicated directly with Pakistan's Ministry of Defence, inviting independent observers to verify the operation's limited scope. We believe evidence is clear: our actions were precisely targeted. Our hope is that, upon review, Pakistan will refrain from retaliatory strikes."
The room's tension remained but lessened. Reporters packed up, and the LED banner faded. Katherine and I exchanged a glance—shared exhaustion and tentative satisfaction—into seeing how the world would react overnight.
Location: Nova Tech – Executive SuiteTime: 10:00 PM IST
I returned to the suite, feeling the tension recede like the monsoon's floodwaters. Katherine followed more slowly, checking her phone. "Pakistan's foreign ministry issued a terse statement," she said, voice low. "They condemned the incursion but offered no immediate retaliation. For now, a cold diplomatic storm."
I nodded, sinking into my chair. "Tomorrow, we'll work on releasing the full dossier to the Tribunal. But tonight… thank you for standing by me."
She pulled up a chair beside me. "Always. What you did today saved countless lives. The ledger, the drones—they worked."
I exhaled, swirling the last of my tea. "We've set a new precedent—combining transparency, reconnaissance, and humanitarian relief. Yet, every victory begets another challenge. Blackwood's next move will come soon."
Katherine offered a supportive nod. "Then we remain vigilant. For now, let's rest."
I stared out at the rain-smeared courtyard, monsoon's final breaths drifting on the humid air. Despite turbulence in the skies above Sindh, our network—ledger, tribunal, drones—stood intact. For another day, transparency had prevailed over shadow.