The Kingdom of Cochin Chronicles

[king of cochin]

PRESS RELEASE

VARMA INSTITUTE FOR FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH has announced the unveiling of a powered exoskeleton system to be used in Hazardous operations and in Disaster Management. The system which is called Trax weighs about 120 Kilograms, and is powered by a 5KW battery system developed at VIFR. The suit is completely insulated from atmosphere and is resistant to Nuclear/Biological/Chemical contamination. The suit once powered can work for 10 hours continuously and needs recharging for 2 hours to reacquire full charge.

The suit has complete environmental protection with special life support systems developed by CSRO.

A person wearing the Trax suit can lift a maximum of 500 kgs.

The Trax suits are to be assigned to the Disaster relief teams and to those institutions doing work in Hazardous Materials. CSRO has also placed orders for several Trax units for its own purposes.

The Kingdom shall also deploy Trax units for hazardous duty posts like Gangothri in Antarctica.

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Will these suits be distributed only in the Dragon Empire, or will they be sold to other nations for use in disaster relief purposes?"

[king of cochin]

"These suits are available for international sale primarily to long term allies of the Kingdom" - VIFR Representative.

[king of cochin]

Dr. Vignesh Sarabhai, Director of CSRO is visibly in anguish as he is sitting in his Bell212 helicopter. He is busily scanning the reports binder he holds in his hands and barely notes as the helicopter is angling down for the Executive Air Field, Cochin.

As he disembarked from the helicopter a limousine came by to pick him up and take him to the Palace.

After routine security inspections of a now totally harrowed scientist, Dr. Sarabhai was led up to the living quarters of the King.

The King was having his breakfast when his secretary announced the arrival of Dr. Sarabhai.

"A very good morning to you, Dr. Sarabhai. I see that you have something urgent to tell me? By the way please do have some coffee. " The King said pouring his visitor a cup of fresh Kodagu coffee.

The scientist sipped at the beverage and told his monarch.

"Your Excellency, I have some very bad news regarding Project Antrix," Dr. Sarabhai said in a gravelike voice.

"Oh! And what might that be, Doctor?"

"Sir the problem is with the launch systems. The Yama-1 is just not capable enough for this mission. We have been doing several tests on wind models and scale models and we find that Yama-1 may not respond favorably to a Pushpak strapped on to it."

"Hmm. What is the solution to the problem, then?"

"Your Excellency, we have to develop an entirely new class of launchers exclusively for Pushpak launches. That would delay Project Antrix by two years and hence its annex."

"The Yama-1 can still do satellite launches right?"

"Yes, Sir. As a Satellite launch vehicle it is an excellent system. However the design team did not take into consideration the different load aspects of a Pushpak."

"Do not punish them, Dr. Sarabhai. It is a ground breaking work and it is bound to have some setbacks. Tell you what, you should assign the load design criteria to the same team. We want good scientists not just the overly cautious ones. We must not experiment with the lives of our aviators and explorers. Take your time, Dr. Sarabhai. The Kingdom expects you to succeed even if it is a little delayed."

"Thank You, Your Excellency."

[Subtleknifewielder]

"These suits are available for international sale primarily to long term allies of the Kingdom" - VIFR Representative.

"Does that include Promised Land?"

OOC: Probably not, but no harm in asking.

[Maelstrom Vortex]

"I should hope so given you're an honorary member of the Empire, but that's Cochin's to determine in this case."

[king of cochin]

"Does that include Promised Land?"

OOC: Probably not, but no harm in asking.

Of course it does include Promised Land. Promised Land is considered as trusted and valuable friend by the Kingdom of Cochin!

[Subtleknifewielder]

"I should hope so given you're an honorary member of the Empire, but that's Cochin's to determine in this case."

Of course it does include Promised Land. Promised Land is considered as trusted and valuable friend by the Kingdom of Cochin!

"Thank you. We had to make sure, since technically we are not treatied directly to Cochin, only the Dragonisian State of the Empire. We hope we gave no offense."

[king of cochin]

"You are treatied to Dragon Empire and thus allied to us. And no offense taken."

[king of cochin]

CSRO Press Release

A total of 5 TSD satellites have been launched so far by CSRO and all are working according to mission parameters.

[king of cochin]

PALACE PRESS RELEASE

Project Tesla has started releasing power downlinked from the Tesla satellites into the Xinjiang Provincial Grid. Currently 6 GWs are being released for commercial purposes.

The Royal Cochin Defense Forces announced that all 6 Marine Divisions of Royal Cochin Navy have now been equipped with Sea Tyrant MBTs sourced from Dragonisia.

Ministry of Agriculture has declared a surplus crop for tha various agricultural produces of Cochin. Increased use of hydroponics technology and soil reclamation techniques have contributed to this agricultural bonanza.

The Ministry of Finance has declared that inflation has steadied at 3.5%. Unemployment rate is at 0.1% now. The major employer remains the Kingdom itself closely followed by Kohinoor Rare Earths Limited and Tratum Infosystems Pvt Ltd. The Ministry also announced a tax hike of 0.2%

Royal Cochin Police Forces has announced a salary hike in the basic pay for all ranks of Police troopers in the Kingdom. This raise will ensure that Police in Cochin are the highest paid police officers in the world.

[king of cochin]

VIFR PRESS RELEASE

The Varma Institute of Fundamental Research announces that it has developed a new Oxygenated Perfluorocarbon compound. The compound christened GIL09 has a density of 1015 kg/m3. It is expected that the development of this radically new compound would have ramifications in several fields. Royal Cochin Navy, Royal Cochin Air Force and the Quarter Master Command has sought details of the GIL09 for incorporating this technology for their applications.

[king of cochin]

PALACE DURBAR TRANSCRIPTS

HH RAMA VARMA

K P VARMA - E

SYED SHARAFUDEEN - F

GEN. MAHESH VARMA - D

GEN. MOHAMMED FARAZ - P

R: Good morning, Gentlemen. As you all know momentous changes have happened since the last Durbar. We have new nations rising, new territories being part of the Kingdom, new friends and demise of some old friends. Hanseatic Commonwealth is no more and Lu Empire has also collapsed. Dragon Empire has diminished in span and a new alliance has come up in the form of Asiatic Unity Pact. This new world creates new challenges for us. Through prudence we can survive and overcome them all. First of all, Dr. Sharaf, how is the state of economy?

F: Your Excellency, economy is in fairly decent shape. The annexation and further liberation of Tibet province did account for a substantial loss of investment. The Ministries of Industry, Interior, Transportation and RCDF had made a lot of investments in the province and except for RCDF the investments of the other ministries are now in the hands of Hae da Fung. It is not debilitating , however it is a negative indicator.

The establishment of Gangothri Province has also accounted for a considerable expense, however that investment could be recouped through the pioneering researches going on there. With the reestablishment of Cochin Protectorate in Mongolia the Ministry foresees additional expenses, which would have no significant impact on the national economy. On the whole economy is in a sound shape.

R: Good. What are the developments in our Foreign Affairs, Mr Varma?

F: Sir, Dragon Empire is now a member of the AUP and that could be of some moderate advantage in East Asian relations. In Africa, we have established contacts with the new Italica government which has established in Northern Somalia. That could develop into a stable diplomatic relationship. As regarding the People's Republic of China the tensions developed during the Khmer War seems to have subsided, their membership in Dragon Empire could have contributed to it. Also in the recent reestablishment of Cochin Mongolian Protectorate PRC were very cordial towards us. The Haruhiist Empire or the Shinsei Shikkoku Teikoku is the new rising power in East Asia and we have been among the first to establish diplomatic contacts with them which also lead to the Dragon Empire - Haruhiist Empire Pact concerning Vladivostok.

Recent interactions with the Government of Furon does show that the Kingdom and the Dragon Empire is watched with wary eyes by some nations. We must try to change that perception.

In the Americas we dont have a very durable alliance and hence not much diplomatic activity. Europe has been pretty much at peace, however the recent ceding of Groenlandian territories to Caucasia has brought another neighbor to the Kingdom. We also have two new neighbors to the north, the Conglomerate of Kivortistan and Vaule. We have yet to establish fruitful diplomatic contacts with either of the two nations.

We also have a developing crisis in Borneo which has been annexed by PRC and contested by Promised Land and Minilla Island. It is the Ministry's opinion that we stay neutral in the said crisis. The Islands of Ice has also declared war on Eggman Empire, a conflict which I advice we would do better to monitor passively.

R: Excellent brief, Mr. Varma. Now Gen. Varma, how is the Royal Cochin Defense Forces?

D: Strong, Sir, very strong. The training levels are very high across the board and the latest training exercise, Operation Dhruv Yudh conducted in Gangothri is reported to be a resounding success of our doctrines. The defense base in Vladivostok is now home to the Task Force 04, and Task Force 18 including the 2nd Marine Division and RF30 Mig29 regiment. The Baloch Province has now been fully militarised. We have 4 regiments of fighter bombers apart from the 8th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 2nd Airborne Division permanently stationed there. With the reoccupation of Northern Somalia by Italica, the Tenth Infantry Division has been partly deployed to Bosaso. The 7th ACR and 4th ID tasked as Tundra Warfare units have now been relocated from Tibet to Kashgar. The Automated Defense Systems we have set up for Gangothri is also functioning very well. The ADS has been configured with Metalstorm 105 mm Area Defense Systems, Metalstorm 80 mm Area Blanket System and Metalstorm Anti Armor Projectile system. The 20 new regiments of JM2s have been fully integrated into Royal Cochin Air Force and 2 of these regiments have in fact been deployed to Forward Air Bases in Baloch province.

R: Excellent. Now how is the Police doing?

P: Your Excellency, the terrorist insurgency we had in Xinjiang Province has now been fully neutralized. All perpetrators of TULT have been arrested and are undergoing sever punishment. After the conversation you had with Haji Pir Mohammed, the Uighur community has as one rejected those separatists.

R: Good. Now as you know communism has once again arisen in our environs. While PRC had been part of Dragon Empire communists could have gained power in their cabals. Gen. Faraz, make sure that you tighten the net around this scourge. Meanwhile we should try to contain any spread of communism in the Mongolian Protectorate. That region is a vital buffer for the Kingdom. New nations have risen bordering it which do not harbor friendly perceptions regarding us. Increase the intelligence collection in those regions. Increase surveillance and intelligence collection in the entire Mongolian region.

The Kazakh regions also merit increased scrutiny. Though they have not displayed any belligerence Caucasia has also not showed any inclinations for friendly diplomatic relations. We should be wary.

Well that is it for now. Gentlemen, thank you for sharing your views.

[king of cochin]

CSRO PRESS BRIEFING

CSRO announces that the TESLA network of 16 TSD satellites has been launched and fully functional in orbit. The power generated by TESLA system has now been fed into the National Power Grid. TSD satellites are stationed over the Kingdom and one each over Baloch, Bosaso, Gangothri and Vladivostok providing power for the establishments in these regions.

The Tesla network currently comprises of 16 TSD 4GW satellites. CSRO shall soon launch the secondary network of TSF 6GW satellites. The addition of TSF network would mean that a substantial portion of the Kingdom's energy needs would now be fulfilled by the Tesla network thus decreasing the demands on conventional power systems.

[king of cochin]

PALACE PRESS BRIEFING

The Kingdom of Cochin announces that henceforth the Royal Cochin Navy shall be conducting perennial patrols in the International waters in Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions. The Palace said that this is not in response to any specific incident, but rather culmination of a long term strategic analysis by Ministry of External Affairs.

Currently the Task Force 08 (Cruiser) has been deployed to Pacific Ocean Region and Task Force 09 (Cruiser) has been deployed to Atlantic Ocean Region. The task forces shall be accompanied by Replenishment Groups and shall stick to International waters avoiding territorial waters of various nations. The possibilities of port visits do exist. This would mainly be an exercise in maintenance of Freedom of Seas convention.

The Task Forces shall be replaced periodically.

[king of cochin]

PALACE PRESS BRIEFING

The Kingdom of Cochin announces the derecognization of the Confederacy of Mexico. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry advices all businesses in Cochin not to do businesses with any entity or person hailing from Mexico. The Kingdom shall no longer permit any person who has been to Mexico during the past 3 months into the Kingdom. Mexico is declared out of bounds for all subjects of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Cochin also prohibits any entity which currently trades or does business with Mexico to participate in any trade or economic activity in the Kingdom.

Citizens from Mexico are strongly advised to leave the Kingdom immediately. All citizens of the Kingdom in Mexico are ordered to return expeditiously.

[king of cochin]

RCDF Press Briefing

Royal Cochin Navy announces the induction of the new MetalStorm CIWS system for the Royal Cochin Navy ships. The new system would complement the already existing CIWS gun systems and CIWS missile systems on naval ships.

The milimeter wave doppler fire control radar shall launch salvos of 50 rounds per tube at inbounds. These rocket boosted rounds have an operational range of 4 km with their improved high energy high viscosity propellants and on attaining target shall release small cluster munitions which having spread for a sufficient cross sectional area would detonate to produce a larger and more concentrated density of shrapnels to interdict inbound weapon systems.

Each MS CIWS system is composed of rotary 6 barrel systems with each barrel containing 50 rounds. Each round contains 10 cluster munition granules and has a short range solid fueled rocket motor for terminal flight assist. The rockets would kick in at a range of 1km when the ballistic velocity imparted by gun propellant wears off and path starts to sag. Though the maximum range is 4km it has a minimum range of 1km, beyond which the close range CIWS systems shall take over.

The system has been developed by Quarter Master Corps and has already been deployed in all Surface Warfare Task Forces of Royal Cochin Navy.

Edited September 27, 2009 by king of cochin

[king of cochin]

GREAT UNIVERSITY OF COCHIN INAUGURATED

Today Queen Mother Girija Varma inaugurated the Great University of Cochin. This means that all academic and scientific research establishments would now be under the GUC, the most prominent of all being the Cochin University, National University in Karagandy, King's University in Bishkek, the Urumqi University and the Uvs University.

The individual universities shall continue operating in their own methods but a systematic standardization of academic levels will be achieved through the Great University. It shall also control the funding of various research projects and oversee cooperation between the Universities and other Research Institutions.

OOC: Just bought a Great University Wonder.

[king of cochin]

xx Classified / Secret xx

ROYAL COCHIN DEFENSE FORCES CENTRAL COMMAND

Gen. Mahesh Varma ( Commander, RCDF) - C

Lt. Gen. Shankar Iyer ( Chief of Army Staff) - A

Vice Adm. KP Marakkar ( Chief of Naval Staff) - N

AVM Praveen Kumar ( Chief of Flight Staff) - F

Lt. Gen. Pankaj Seth ( Border Guards) - B

Maj. Gen. Sandeep Zachariah ( Quarter Master Command) - Q

Maj. Gen. Gokul Varma ( RCSF) - Z

Maj. Gen. Vijay Kerala Varma ( Strategic Command) - S

Lt. Gen. Mahesh B Iyer ( NIA) - I

C: Okay, Gentlemen. We now have a clear and present danger to the Kingdom. The American Allies Forces are mobilizing to invade Dragon Empire. Maj. Gen. Vijay Varma, what are the intelligence developed by Strategic Command?

S: Sir, we have enabled Random Path Routing for the Reconnaissance satellites. We have detected a substantial Naval formation proceeding to Miyako in Furon where Imperial Union has established a military base. We are tracking them as we speak. We also are receiving data from the Pacific Ocean Ocean Floor sensors.

I: Sir, our HUMINT assets in Aktau and Fort Schevchenko in Mangystau in Caucasia have informed of substantial troop movements from West. We shall be trying to identify nationalities and types of units being deployed. We did however recognize certain transport aircrafts from Island of Ice. We have alerted our officers all over Caucasia to come up with actionable intelligence.

S: Thanks Mahesh, I shall certainly task more satellites to that location.

C: Vice Adm. Marakkar, what intelligence do we have on the Imperial Union task force in Miyako?

N: Sir, we have been tracking their sailing across the Pacific through our Merat ELINT aircrafts. We are also launching a few Raptor flights for more detailed intelligence. S-RECOs on perimeter surveillance are currently collecting emission data from their air force and navy. We have a reasonably good information about that force. We have also launched a couple of Merats to track the other navies currently assembling.

C: Okay Gentlemen, what are the likely avenues of threat.

N: Sir , our base in Vladivostok is the most vulnerable station. The Miyako base is quite near from there. The additional regiment of JM2s may make the difference. We can defend quite easily against any naval or air attacks. Halobs and Metacs with MNS non metallic Anti Ship Mines have been deployed there. The Carrier Task Force and the Marine Task Force deployed there would be an adequate defense against any attack, however in a sustained fight we would have to abandon the base. We have deployed additional Air Defense and CIWS systems in Vladivostok to counter any missile attacks. In case of a determined ground invasion, the 1st Marine Division can give a good fight, but again they would not receive much reinforcements. The Division has reinforced the base security against a possible invasion.

C: Okay, anybody think Bosaso is under any threat?

B: No Sir, the Border Guards brigades and the Tenth Infantry Division deployed there would be adequate defense against any possible invasion. The 7th Cruiser Task Force would be enough to defend from a naval attack. Moreover we dont envision a naval attack from Carthage from that axis as we must suppose that Rebel Army would deny them transit rights through Suez Canal. Even if they come the Mig35s of RF12 regiment would be an adequate defense.

C: Okay, what about Baloch?

A: Sir, Baloch is also safe similarly as it has Rebel Army as neighbors. Also the defensive emplacements in that province make it a difficult terrain for combat. Moreover we do have the 8th ACR stationed there.

C: And Gangothri?

A: Sir, the Tundra trained 7th ACR has been fully deployed to Gangothri. Also the automated defense systems in place over there means Gangothri is a defensible terrain.

C: So, Gentlemen our real axis of threat are from Caucasia in the West , Dragon Empire Melvin Protectorate to the South East and Dragonisia in South.

A: Yes Sir. Our greatest worry would have to be Caucasian axis as they would be invading our Kazakh Provinces. We should deploy 2 Shock Army Divisions, 3 Armored Cavalry regiments and 2 Mechanized Divisions to this axis. To the South East axis we should dedicate the third Shock Army Division. The Fourth Shock Army Division should be kept as theater reserve. Sir, have Dragonisians asked us for any troop deployments for India?

C: No, they have not, yet. Anyway nice brief gentlemen. Now this should be a highly mobile defensive war. Our priority is the lives of our soldiers, sailors and airmen not our equipment. We have enough reserves, dont we, Maj. Gen. Zachariah?

Q: Yes Sir.

C: From now on all units should commence on live firing exercises. We want an integrated service doctrine. First blind the enemy and then crush the enemy. If our operations do not work out, if enemy captures a front depth of 100 km theater commander is authorized to use tactical nuclear weapons, artillery and aircraft. We can also use the NNEMP indiscriminately, however use of Nuclear EMP will have to be approved by the King or me. If a province is under threat of being captured completely theater commander has the authority to use Scorched Earth Policy. AVM Kumar, we must destroy any AWACS that enemy deploys, I suppose Hornets are used against them, eh?

F: Yes Sir, once AWACS are destroyed we go after ground units with our GB4s.

C: Okay gentlemen, we are almost triggers free. This is a grave threat our Kingdom is facing. We must prove ourselves worthy of the trust placed in us by our Kingdom and our King. We must not fail, gentlemen, our Kingdom demands it. You, Generals and Admirals must prove yourselves worthy of the men and women we send to the war. Kingdom of Cochin shall not give way to the blood lust of the American Imperialists.

Also I want to make you aware that this war may turn nuclear. Our devious enemies may try to take us out using nuclear weapons. Maj. Gen. Vijay, I am counting on you to deliver a counter attack. If we are threatened with death, by God we shall take our enemies with us.

xx End xx

[king of cochin]

The King's Guards at the Hill Palace are understandably nervous. The Kingdom was in a shooting war and first logical target for any enemy would be Cochin with a Ground Zero centered at Hill Palace. But instead of moving to the secure bunker the King is still here at the Palace. Most of the non essential staff have been sent to less vulnerable stations but the King was still holding court in the Palace.

The King is standing in Palace Communications Center, a sheltered bunker underneath the Palace from where he could monitor activities all over the Kingdom. He could see plots of the Carthaginian Navy sailing to Bosaso. He could see the scan of the message from Shinsei Shikokku Teikoku about leaving Vladivostok. He could also see Raptor feed showing the movements of the massive AED army deployed at Caucasian Front. He could also see the S-RECO coverage from Bosaso, Gosree and Ratnagiri where the Kingdom's strike fighters were being armed for an assault on the Carthaginan Navy.

He was however reading excerpts from a war long fought, a war fought long before the Kingdom of Cochin acquired its present territories. The players in this war were however still alive, and it seemed as if that old war is being fought over again.

Rama Varma walked to a phone and dialed a number, "Vikram, I am in PCC. Come here immediately."

Vikram Kerala Varma, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom was at that time in the RCDF Central Command over seeing the defense preparations. His youthful blood was boiling in rage at the affront that their Kingdom was being attacked for no fault of their own. He was slowly learning to temper his rage with reason. It was then that the call from his uncle came on his mobile phone.

Vikram ran to the rooftop where his personal helicopter swooped in to pick him up for the short hop to the Palace.

"Come in Vikram, how are the preparations at Central Command?"

"Hectic. Quite hectic. We must soon launch the attack on Carthaginian Navy to gain maximum advantage."

"I know, Vikram. Meanwhile read through these two reports."

Rama Varma handed over to his nephew two bound reports named "The Day the World Stopped" and "Ultimatum to Dragonisia" .

Vikram read over the complete transcripts for the next 15 minutes and slowly placed the reports on the nearby table.

"Uncle , this means we are in the midst of a very old feud. The hostilities between Dragonisia and Tahoe has now manifested in this war. Where did you get these records, uncle?"

"Queen Mother, your grandmother, gave it to me today. I was summoned to her Palace today. Do you realize what this means, Vikram? And its consequences?"

"I did have my doubts when Tidus declared war on Tahoe without consulting us. I suppose he is his uncle's nephew! So what do we do now, Uncle?"

"What is your take on this Vikram? You would have to make calls like these in the near future."

"I think it is time Dragon Empire has come to an end. The whole Dragon Empire currently stands on our strengths and we should have broke away at the moment of declaration of war with Tahoe itself. And now we have to pay the prices for the mistakes Dragonisia made ages ago. Uncle, it is time Cochin fully asserted its own strengths and not let be controlled by another nation. Dragon Empire should not be a death pact."

"Yes. But what about the world? How would the world perceive our move? A back stab, an act of treachery?"

"We have given Dragon Empire and Dragonisia more than we have been given. The power and strength projected has always been ours. Moreover our primary consideration must be for our subjects who should not suffer for the mistakes made by another country. AED knows that they cannot defeat Dragon Empire if they do not defeat the Kingdom of Cochin. We need not be the sacrificial shield to protect Dragonisia."

"Spoken truly my boy, you just spoke my very exact sentiments regarding this matter. So it has been decided. Kingdom of Cochin shall secede from the Dragon Empire."

[king of cochin]

CSRO PRESS BRIEFING

Cochin Space Research Organization announces that it has launched the first of its Tesla TSF 6 MW Solar Power Satellites for the Tesla SPS system. The satellite was launched by a YAMA-1 from Karagandy early today morning. Launch is deemed to be a success and is expected to be fully operational in three days. It is to be positioned over the new base being built at Makanrushi.

[king of cochin]

NUCLEAR SHELTER PROTOCOL

The recent tensions over a nuclear war has brought forward the shortfall in civil nuclear shelters. Hence the Ministry of Interior, Royal Cochin Police Forces and the Strategic Command has announced the Nuclear Shelter Protocol to provide safety during a nuclear war to the population of the Kingdom of Cochin.

Nuclear shelters would be provided per Municipality basis. The Municipality office shall coordinate with the Strategic Command to build adequate underground bunkers which would house 150% of the current population of the Municipality for a period of 60 days. The Fallout bunkers would be managed by Strategic Command. The Ministry of Interior would cooperate with the RCPF to enable emergency response protocol for evacuating the citizens on receipt of a Nuclear Warning. The response time should be less than 30 minutes. Local Municipality and Police officials must set up the procedures for rapid and mass evacuation of citizens from their residences and offices and for rapid transit to the Bunkers.

To ease the enabling the Municipality and Police shall conduct surprise evacuation drills to familiarize the citizens with the protocol. No personal belongings except for vital medical supplies may be taken by the citizens into the bunkers. No pets shall be allowed within the bunkers. Priority of life shall be to the human beings.

Municipality officials are authorized to access the NID database of the citizens within their Municipalities to plan for specific medical supplies required for specific individuals.

Each bunker shall have adequate housing facilities, with Military Standard, two bed room, one hall, one bathroom type sections. Common kitchen shall be used. Each bunker must have a medical clinic with adequate medical supplies. Each bunker in the region must have HAM radio connectivity with other bunkers and the Strategic Command Center.

The estimated occupancy must be calculated by all Municipalities and submitted in one month to Strategic Command. Strategic Command shall then coordinate with the Municipalities to survey possible sites and then proceed to build the bunkers.

Within 6 months all Municipalities in Cochin must have Nuclear Shelter Bunkers for its population. Within 1 year every Municipality must have conducted at least two Nuclear Emergency Drills with 80%+ participation.

[king of cochin]

Royal Cochin Army Press Briefing

The Royal Cochin Army announces the formal induction of the T150 Main Battle Tank into the Royal Cochin Army. The T150 , till known as T150X had undergone the stringent trials required for induction into the Royal Cochin Army and has been field tested in every climate and weather possible including the Somali deserts, Antarctic cold and rain forests of South East Asia, when Cochin maintained its protectorate in that region.

T150 has proven it be a worthwhile successor of the T100, the current war horse of the Royal Cochin Army. It was developed by Quarter Master Command. The new tanks would be issued first to the Armored Cavalry Regiments, then the Shock Army Divisions and finally the Mechanized Divisions and Air borne Divisions. The decommissioned tanks would form part of the National Reserves and if possible to other nations.

[king of cochin]

VIFR Press Release

Varma Institute for Fundamental Research and Quarter Master Command announces the launch of a new under water recovery suit made for Royal Cochin Navy. Combining the functionalities of the TRAX exoskeleton with GIL09 oxygenated perfluorocarbon, the new system to be called MERLIN would be invaluable in underwater operations and deep sea rescue. The divers using Merlin suits can remain underwater for extended durations up to 5 hours. It is powered by a 10KW battery system which is an improved version of the battery system in TRAX. The person wearing the suit can lift a maximum of 750kgs. The suit also has an integral propulsion system which can be controlled by the operator in the suit. The suit weighs 107 kgs and can be winched from surface. Pressurized air capsules and recovery balloons are incorporated into the suit for recovery in case of an emergency. The use of suit necessitates pressurized filling of the Merlin suit with GIL09 prior to operation so that even in case of a emergency recovery the operator would not be harmed by sudden depressurization.

QMC confirmed that it has handed over 5 Merlin suits to Royal Cochin Navy and further orders have been placed. Merlin systems are also been ordered by Royal Cochin Special Forces and the Kohinoor Rare Earths Limited for help in its offshore drilling programs. This system would not be released to non-Cochin entities in the near future.

[king of cochin]

RCDF Head Quarters

The senior officers of Royal Cochin Defense Forces are sitting in the Commander's office nursing drinks and discussing the various results of the recently concluded Operation Brasstacks. Present are Gen. Mahesh Varma, Commander of RCDF, Lt. Gen. Shankar Iyer, Chief of Army Staff, Vice Adm. KP Marakkar, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshall Praveen Kumar, Chief of Flight Staff, Maj. Gen. Sandeep Zachariah, Quarter Master General and Maj. Gen. Vijay Kerala Varma, Commander of Strategic Command.

"So, Shankar, how did your boys perform in the ground assault stages?" Gen. Varma asked.

"Mahesh, after the initial tactical confusion we were able to win the reconnaissance battle and hence the war. My tankers and infantrymen performed superbly. However we need to take those artillery out quickly. Those tactical nuclear artillery did come as a rude shock," Lt. Gen. Iyer said.

"Praveen, that is Air Force's bailiwick isn't it? I heard Royal Cochin Air Force could not do very well in the air battle?" Maj. Gen. Zachariah asked.

"Those stealth planes had a higher capability than we had thought initially. Our attempts to burn through the stealth with active radar lashing only made our AWACS more vulnerable inviting direct attacks on it. One HALOB AWACS and one MERAT AWACS were deemed to be hit in the encounter, which actually is within the acceptable loss parameters in such a scenario. However we need better radars and doctrines to counter these stealth planes," AVM Kumar said.

"That is being looked into by the Kingdom. What about these railguns, how effective have they been?" Gen. Varma asked.

"Well, they seem to be nothing more than expensive toys to me, they did not have any effect whatsoever on the battle," Lt. Gen. Iyer said.

"Yes, the main issue that had come up was that of air warfare. We need some higher technology systems to be truly invincible in air," AVM Kumar said.

"Yes, so Marakkar! Your fleet is positioned around Socotra?" Gen. Varma asked.

"Oh yes! Currently we are oriented towards the coordinated of the Shoot Ex. It would not take much time for launching an attack. But Mahesh, why are we getting involved in that issue? Carthage would never be able to blockade Bosaso! Then why the confrontation?" Vice Adm. Marakkar asked.

"Karim, Carthage has been playing the puffer fish act for some time trying to intimidate us, provoke us, to confront us. Well this time the King decided we can play by their rules as well. You know the Kingdom's policy reflect your policy on how the other person sees you. If Carthage is willing to be cordial and diplomatic so will we. But we should not give them the impression that they can ever brow beat us. Also Karim, they evaded your forces to reach Arabian Sea in the first place! What did you think about that?" Gen. Varma asked.

"Aaargh! Sheer impunity! Anyway our forces are ready, with the reorganization our best crew have been retained. All ships have been fully equipped and armed. An RCN Raptor is tracking the emissions from Carthaginian fleet and we have identified and characterized all their capital ships. The targeting information has been fed to the GS12s and POSIDs," Vice Adm. Marakkar said.

"My JM2s on Baloch have also been fully prepped. Currently squad sized units maintain constant 4 hour patrols over our naval formations supported by HALOB strategic tankers out of Baloch. I think it would be best if we do not stage any assets out of Bosaso," AVM Kumar said.

"Anyway I have reinforced Bosaso with an additional Infantry Regiment which would be necessary to hold an effective defense," Lt. Gen. Iyer said.

"Well we have been monitoring a massive signal traffic around the Carthaginian Navy vessels, which indicate they might be up to something. Vijay can your sleuths try some decryption for us?" Vice Adm. Marakkar asked.

"Of course, our new facility in Gangothri is truly warming up to the task. By the way we are also seeing some signs of increased activity at Carthage's nuclear weapons facilities. Mahesh, do you think we should escalate our Defense levels to match?" Maj. Gen. Varma asked.

"No, we do not match a full DEFCON for this incident. I suppose Strategic Command is already at DEFCON Three right?" Gen. Varma asked.

"Yes Sir."

"That would give us a fair warning in case of an attack. Moreover anyone who initiates first strike would soon be a land of green goo! Moreover the Nuclear Shelter Bunkers at Bosaso are ready aren't they, Vijay?" Gen. Varma asked.

"Yes Sir, SC and MoI have completed that part in an accelerated manner and the citizens and workers in our factories have been fully drilled for emergency actions," Maj. Gen. Varma said.

"Hmm. Anyway let us be prepared. If it can be sorted out diplomatically so well and good, we will finish our Shoot Ex, sink some cans and return to port," Gen. Mahesh Varma said.