Task Force 18 visits Marscurian Pakistan

[king of cochin]

The marine Task Force 18 was concluding its evolution from the Somal port when it received instructions from Royal Cochin Navy Admiralty.

FROM:

CNO,

ROYAL COCHIN NAVY,

TO:

CO,

TASK FORCE 18.

SUB: PORT VISIT

YOU ARE ORDERED TO CONDUCT A PORT VISIT TO THE TRI-CITIES OF MARSCURIAN PAKISTAN, MIETONKA, KARACHI BIN QASIM. AFTER THE ONE DAY PORT VISIT PROCEED TO RCNB RATNAGIRI.

SD,

VICE. ADM. KP MARAKKAR,

CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.

[king of cochin]

The Task Force 18 is sailing into Karachi harbor. Led by the Helicopter Carrier CNS Rokossovsky the 21 ships of the marine task force sailed in line formation hoisting the colors of the Kingdom and Royal Cochin Navy. The Marines of the II Marine Division, also known as Regent's Marines were all decked out in their full dress uniform and standing on the decks of the RO/RO Carrier.

Entering the harbor the 17 surface warships sounded their horns in unison raising a crescendo that could be heard until Rawalpindi!!!

Since they did not want to disturb the active shipping in the busy Karachi port the Commanding Officer of the task Force and the Captain of CNS Rokossovsky, Rear Adm. Afnan Thajuddin flew to the escort destroyer DS35 in a Seahawk helicopter. There he was greeted by the captain of DS35 Commodore Narayana Prigaris. It had been decided that the elite Amindvi class destroyer shall represent the Task Force for the ceremonial port visit.

The destroyer proceeded to the port while the rest of the Task Force dropped their anchor. The Mig29ks of NF02 Regiment which had duty aboard the CNS Rokossovsky are now seen taking off from the Carrier and heading on a bearing South.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

At the port, the seawalls were filled with activity. Concrete pourers, metal workers, crane operators and hundreds of other men from the 223rd Engineering Division were busy placing the defensive guns on the seawalls. During the work, one of them looked up to see the Cochin warship entering the harbor. "Uh, sarge," he asked, "do we have a navy?"

"No, why do you ask?" The solder pointed at the ship passing by them. "Oh shoot! It's them," he yelled, "everyone get in your positions!" He fired a red flare in the sky and instantly, all the men on the walls stood up at attention and saluted the ship entering the harbor. The last 3 guns, the only ones that were operational, fired pink, yellow and blue powder ahead of the ship. At the pier waiting for the ship was Mikhail and a contingient of high ranking Coast Guard officials.

[king of cochin]

The destroyer steamed into the harbor and docked at the pier. The enlisted men and officers of DS35 were decked out in their finest dress uniforms and were standing at the rails in a ceremonious manner.

After the docking the ladders were dropped and the CO of the task force, Rear Adm. Afnan Thajuddin walked down the steps to be welcomed by invited assembly. Following him were 4 sailors who were carrying some large thing on a plate and covered by red silk.

"Good morning Sultan, I greet you in the name of the Kingdom of Cochin and the Royal Cochin Navy."

The admiral saluted the Sultan smartly and beckoned the sailors.

"Your Excellency, this here is a humble gift from the Kingdom of Cochin. It was personally sent to us yesterday from the King."

The sailors brought the plate over and the admiral whipped off the red silk covers to reveal an elephant carved out of red sandal wood and inlaid with gold, ruby and diamonds.

"Your Excellency, this is from the Royal Family's personal collections and was commissioned by the King Sakthan Thampuran in late 16th century. We hope this humble token of the Kingdom's appreciation of the Sultanate of Marcsurian Pakistan is acceptable to you."

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

"My good man," Mikhail said, amazed at the statue, "that is no humble gift. It is a masterpiece!" Mikhail gently handed the statue over to an aide, who carried it off to his car for transport to the palace. "So," Mikhail said, embarrassed that he had nothing to match the gift, "I have laid out some food for our noble guests. I know that your country is mostly Hindu, so I have refrained from using any beef, and there are many vegetarian options." He gestured over to one of the new warehouses that had been emptied out and had tables of food laid out. "After eating," Mikhail said, "we can conduct our tours, then I understand you have some ships to show me."

[king of cochin]

"Why thank you, Your Majesty. I quite look forward to the tours. On the matter of food you need not have been so circumspect. Though the nation is predominantly Hindu, our King promotes a secular form of governance. I , as a matter of fact, am a Muslim!! Though it may seem blasphemic to the hard core amongst Muslims I do inbibe occasionally the fire liquid! Being a sailor one has to have the vices too. Your Majesty I hope alcohol is not prohibited in your nation? My sailors have had a long cruise and many have been sober for too long. I do take responsibility for their well behavior on shore, but I would like to request your permission for my sailors to come ashore. I cannot truly enjoy such hospitality without knowing that my men are cared for as well."

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

"Of course your men are welcome to come ashore," Mikhail said, "and we have plenty of 'fire liquid' for you to partake of. The thing you will discover about our alcohol is that it is very sweet. Wine and mead are very common around here, but their alcohol content is much lower than if they were produced in other parts of the world." On the tables, there was food of all types, chicken, mutton, fresh and steamed vegetables, various deserts, water, juices, white and red wines, mead of all different flavors, and a specialty pomegranate alcohol.

The area was abuzz with activity. Many different languages could be heard as dozens of conversations were going on. People were telling jokes, stories or just talking. After about an hour and a half, Mikhail walked up to Thajuddin. "Shall we begin?"

[king of cochin]

"Of course!! You Excellency. Once again I thank you for the facilities you have provided for my sailors. It has indeed been a long time since i savored some good Pashtun and Punjabi foods!!"