A Truth Untold

By Supriyo Chatterji

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Invocation 

O Creator of this Omniverse 

Hear my humble verse 

May I breathe for the gift of life 

Not for ego trips from cheap strife 

May I live for the love of existence 

Not for fake pride or materialistic indulgence 

Give me the strength to shun vanity 

And contend this chaos with sanity 

May my words and deeds 

Give this troubled world 

Some sense of human parity 

Take me where you wish 

Show me what you will 

I serve your singularity.

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Part 1: 

The Incident

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Prologue 

The night was dark and silent. It hung over the forest like a shroud, covering all things within  its ebony folds. All creatures lay asleep in their homes, all except the night prowlers. They stalked the darkness with their stealthy paws and glowing eyes, looking for prey to dismember and devour.  

One such predator was perched high atop a tree branch. He sat overlooking a dirt road  leading through the forest. He’d been sitting there for a long time. His bones ached for  movement. But he did not stir. And his diligence was soon rewarded.  

Before long, a pair of lights appeared over the horizon, followed by the unmistakable sound  of chugging engines and grinding wheels. The predator plucked the binoculars hanging from  his neck and peered eagerly into them. A smile broke out on his face. He pressed his index  finger to his ear and spoke. 

“Alpha 1, this is Echo 4. Do you read? Over,” he said. 

“This is Alpha 1, Echo 4. What’s your status? Over,” came the response. 

“Locked and loaded,” said Echo 4, “I’ve spotted target eastbound on Route Sigma 3 heading  for Flashpoint Sigma 3c. What are my orders? Over.” 

“Excellent Echo 4,” returned the voice sounding well pleased, “Maintain visual surveillance  of target until flashpoint is reached. Over.” 

“Acknowledged,” said Echo 4 and ceased his comms. Swinging his rifle over his back, he  hugged the tree and stealthily slid downwards, effortlessly blending into the surrounding  shadows. Soon, three trucks passed by Echo 4 and he began pursuing them. 

***** 

Ranveer fished his side pockets and took out the letter once again. He began opening the neatly folded piece of paper carefully. Conditions were hardly ideal for reading. Only a dim  bulb hung above him that flickered with every jerk received by the truck. But Ranveer didn’t  mind. Besides, he nearly had the letter memorized to heart. Unfolding it briskly, he began  reading. 

Dear Beta, 

I hope you are well and are taking good care of your health. We are all doing fine here and  are looking forward to your return home. Son, 2 years have passed by since we last saw you.  I know you want to achieve a respectable rank in the army before you return home so that  your father is proud of you. But you should not sacrifice your domestic duties for your  military career. 

Your father and I think it is time for you to get married. We have looked through many  suitable young girls and selected one for you. I have attached her photo here. She is a doctor 

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by profession and a genteel young woman. I’m sure you would like her too when you meet  her. We know you will honor our wishes. But we also want to know what you want.  

Your father and Randeep miss you dearly. Randeep has grown up so much that you would  hardly recognize him. He is as proud of you as your father. Although he never says anything,  I can see it in your fathers’ eyes when he speaks of you. You have already done enough to  make us proud and now we want to see you settled in life. Come back to us soon. 

With all the love in the world, 

Your Mother 

Ranveer looked at the picture attached to the letter. A girl stood out against a maroon  background. She had long black hair and hazel eyes that seemed to glow. Her smile was  slight but sweet and filled with a sense of mirth, the meaning of which only she would know.  Ranveer smiled as he looked at her. For a few seconds, he lost himself in fantasizing the  idyllic domestic life. A warm voice next to his ear brought him back to reality. 

“Who is that?” asked Bala peering at the picture in Ranveer’s hand.  

“That’s you future bhabhi,” replied Ranveer, “If my mother and father have their way.” 

“Lucky man,” said Bala teasingly, “She’s rather pretty,” he added looking at her again. Ranveer made no reply but sat contemplating silently. 

“What’s the matter?” Bala asked with slight concern, “You don’t like her?” 

“No. I like her well enough,” said Ranveer hastily, “But it’s not easy being a soldier’s wife.  The loneliness, the brutality, the sacrifice --- it is not for everyone.” 

“You are right,” said Bala thoughtfully, “You should go and meet her. I say, take your  pending leaves together and have a long vacation at home.” 

Ranveer gave no response. But the pall of doubt that hung over his features seemed to pass.  Bala opened his mouth for another remark but the truck’s abrupt halt stopped him short.  Suddenly, it became deathly silent. Ranveer heard a faint murmur of voices from the front  of the truck. 

“Something is going on,” said Bala in a serious tone. 

“Let’s find out,” said Ranveer quietly and began making his way through the line of knees on  either side. Bala followed him closely. As they moved forward the murmur became clearer.  The Major was talking to the Captain.  

“....I am not sure this bridge is safe to cross. It might be booby-trapped and waiting for us.  The Naxals are adept at using IEDs for sabotage. And I’m not taking any chances,” he said. 

“I agree,” said the 1st Captain in response. After a minute of deep consideration, the Major  gave out his orders. 

“Select 2 teams with 3 members each to scour the bridge. Look for signs of tampering or  wiring. Tell them to act fast and return quickly. Go,” he said with his customary authority. 

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The Captain turned to execute orders and saw Ranveer and Bala eagerly awaiting him  amidst the ranks.  

“Ranveer! Bala!” he said briskly, “Just the boys I needed. I want you to form 2 parties with 3 members. Your task is to search the bridge for any signs of tampering or booby trapping.  Make sure the bridge is safe for us to cross. Go!” 

Ranveer and Bala saluted the Captain and began following orders. As they disembarked the  truck and scoured the bridge, Ranveer couldn’t help but feel a sense of restlessness within  him. Bala seemed fine but Ranveer was feeling more and more anxious with every passing  minute. The forest was quiet, almost too quiet. It was like the calm before a storm and  Ranveer couldn’t shake the feeling. After carefully checking every part of the flimsy bridge, the parties returned towards the trucks. 

“All clear on my end,” said Bala cheerily. 

“Same here,” said Ranveer somewhat sombrely. They got back in and reported the all clear.  The trucks began moving forward slowly. 

“Look alive men!” Roared the Major suddenly and awoke every soldier, “We are now  crossing into the real deep shit! You all have heard of Bastar. But you have not heard of this  region of Chhattisgarh. More specifically, you were not allowed to know about this place  and the horrors that go on here daily.” 

“This is deep inside Naxal territory,” he yelled, “The boys over at the CRPF camp are  awaiting us and the supplies we are carrying. I want each and every one of you to be at the  ready, prepared for anything. The Naxal is a wily and ferocious enemy. He expects no  quarter from us and will give none to you if you are captured. So be on your gua-----“ 

Just then, an RPG round struck the first truck! It went a few feet up in the air and crashed  onto the bridge a smoldering ruin! Almost simultaneously, another RPG round came  whizzing out of the trees and struck the third truck! It launched a few feet in the air all  ablaze, killing everyone in it instantaneously! 

No sooner had the final truck been destroyed, over two dozen rifles began firing together  out of the forest. Their bullets ripped through the covering of the trucks and killed many  more soldiers. Within seconds, the bridge became a perfect Killzone! 

“GET OUT!!! GET OUT!!!” yelled the Captain at everyone, “We’re sitting ducks here! Get out,  take cover and return fire!” The remaining soldiers quickly got down from the trucks amidst  a hail of bullets and took cover behind the wreckage.  

“The Major?” asked Ranveer of the Captain, when they were sufficiently shielded. The  Captain shook his head in response.  

“Those commie bastards are going to pay!” Ranveer swore under his breath.  “For that, we need to survive this,” said the Captain with a dreadful calm. 

By Supriyo Chatterji