Chimera

Several of his soldiers ran over after having landed and had drawn out their rifles. They helped Thomas to his feet and he looked around while dusting his uniform. Hundreds of other chutes were still landing all around while the Il-76s and C-17s were making their way south, visible as small black specks against the reddish sky. The Mirage-2000s thundered overhead as well.

Thomas grunted as he unpacked his boonie hat and put it over his head above the small woolen cap. He unslung his Tavor rifle and patted his men to move out as they heard the first sounds of gunfire to the north.

Some PLA forces had found them and were engaging. As they ran through the rocky terrain, Thomas removed his binoculars and spotted the S-204 highway to his west, easily visible from where he was. He also saw a line of trucks that had been moving on the road before it had been engaged by his paratroopers.

One of the trucks burst into flames.

As the PLA soldiers began jumping out and returning fire, his men began taking positions west of the road with the Himalayan Mountains to their south. As night fell, they were pushing for control of the road going south into the valley using extensive air-support from Mig-27s and LGB equipped Mirage-2000s.

Within hours, deployed elements of the Indian 5TH and 6TH Para (Airborne) Battalions had taken control of the last major road leading out of the Chumbi valley, effectively cutting off the two battered PLA Divisions south of there.

DAY 14

NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY

DAY 14 + 0800 HRS

“… the European Nations have shown their tacit approval of the Indian aggression against the people of China by attempting to spread vicious rumors through its so-called ‘free media’. In Beijing today, Chairmen Peng’s office denied all western rumors that the southern island of Hainan was struck by Indian missiles. The office stated that they had irrefutable evidence to show that the western media simply attempted to sensationalize a dreadful airline accident.

“This incident took place when a China Cargo airliner crashed on arrival at Sanya airport on Hainan, killing all eighteen passengers on board. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the true cause of the accident. In an unrelated incident, our comrades in the People’s Liberation Army Navy continued their wartime readiness exercises at other Hainan airbases including Lingshui and Ledong, dropping multiple practice bombs on training ranges nearby. The citizens of Hainan are asked to remain calm and stay in their homes and to not place calls to their local party officials. Announcements will be made once sufficient investigation of the airliner incident has been completed.

“In other news, the Ministry of National Defense released an update today on the progress of our soldiers against Indian aggression on the Himalayan borders. The statement put to rest rumors in Lhasa that had been circulated by Tibetan rebels to instill fear and anxiety. The police are investigating the source of the rumors and several arrests have been made. The ministry quoted General Yongju as saying that those arrested for spreading these rumors will be severely punished. General Liu also reiterated the statement made earlier by Chairman Peng’s office that operations against the Indians go well overall despite ‘minor’ setbacks. Our comrades in the Land Forces are even now preparing to deal the final punitive blow to end this Indian aggression.”

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE BUILDING

BEIJING

DAY 14 + 0830 HRS

“What’s the latest from the valley?” Peng asked without ado as he entered the conference room.

He did not need to explain what he was talking about. The valley in this case meant Chumbi and the status he wanted was about the two depleted PLA Divisions cut off from the 15TH Corps heading there.

“Not good,” Yongju said as he and the other PLA Generals ended their discussions and took their seats around the table. “The Division commanders are desperate. They have been fighting for two weeks now and are badly understrength from combat casualties in both men and material. The Indians are striking their units from the air freely now. The units no longer have any artillery left and are beginning to run low on supplies. And now with the road to the north cut off, their morale is sinking.”

“They will hold their positions until relieved by the 15TH Corps!” Peng ordered as he pulled his chair out from under the table and then sat down.

“How long can they hold?” Liu asked.

“So long as the two commanders are alive,” Yongju replied, “we can expect them to hold at least for another day, maybe more. But the 15TH Corps is being delayed as it makes it way south to Gyantse. The Indians are striking them incessantly from the air and the convoys are taking heavy damage on the roads.”

“This is not going to work! We need to try something different or else even the Divisions within the 15TH Corps will be utterly decimated by the time they get there,” Liu said as he leaned back in his seat.