Deceit

Revolutionaries' Forest Base Command:

The group leader looked stiffer than usual, the dark clouds and persistent drizzle where not the reason, the message had come that it was a go. The result of all the hard work and months of preparation would come within the next couple of days. But the leader knew he could not let the rank and file know. He had to look casual. Word was not to go out of the forest from any source.

VIP Terminal - Old Airport:

The copter was the usual one, assured the pilot, top condition as always. The safety officer nevertheless inspected it and when satisfied gave the clearance. Would the bad weather hamper the flight? Not when the pilot was as experienced as this one, assured the co pilot. It will be a cake walk.

Airport VIP Lounge:

The chief secretary had called up the district administration to fore warn them about any security lapses. The lapses of the past should never occur again. He was told, the entire district had been sanitised, not a dog in the vicinity could cause any harm. Hmm what of the jackals inside and outside the forests thought the chief secretary but kept his worries to himself.

CM Residence:

The man, clad in his usual white dhoti and kurta walked briskly out of his house into the waiting car. Just before boarding looked up, slight drizzle brought a childish smile. He waved to people around, “signs are good, go enjoy the weather”. The convoy whizzed past the main streets, in no time, he was in the helicopter. Last minute exchanges, with the chief secretary were done within the copter just before the take off “Sir, please take care, the number of vultures have increased off late”.

Angrily, “Of course they have, they can’t have everything for themselves.” Suddenly smiles, “Why should I worry with you guys around? You go ensure those idiots meet me once am back, they have to fall in line.” He looked at his watch signalling the conversation was over.

Once the secretary got down, the security officer boarded and was greeted with, “hope your wife is not mad with me for dragging you in this weather”. The man sat uncomfortable and in shaky voice said, “No sir, she is very proud, I am travelling with you sir”. Loud laughter got drowned by the helicopter revving up.

Forest Command:

The leader picked five from the group for the short stroll as he called it. It should not be long now, just a few more minutes.

VIP Terminal - Old Airport:

The safety officer wished his colleagues a nice time before leaving home. He would not be coming back again for next few days as his long pending leave request had been sanctioned. The trip home could now actually be done. He just walked off thinking the copter he had inspected today was also going to his home town but then it makes the trip in 45 minutes while mortals like him will have to go through the rigours of 12 hour bus journey.

Mid Air over the forest:

The weather had gone from bad to worse as the copter headed south. Visibility was very poor. The pilots were thinking of whether to turn back to base. But then decision was not theirs to make. The occupant decided to go ahead as they were so near the destination. Within a matter of minutes there was a snag and the pilot busy trying to figure out the problem failed to notice that they were pretty close to the hill. Just as the security officer began to scream, the pilot turned to see his co pilot eyes closed folding his hands in prayer and that was the last image the pilot saw.

Forest site:

The leader was praying he would not miss the action and his prayers seem to have been heard. For right in front of him was the explosion followed by the tumbling down of the copter. He ran quickly towards the remains. The charred remains were beyond recognition but the severed hand with the ring was unmistakable. The identity further proved by his group also able to recognize the person to whom it belonged. He picked his satellite phone and made a call.

XYZ Corporate Board Room:

The meeting was important but then so was the urgency of the message that had to be delivered. Boss’s right hand man marched into the conference room, straight to the Boss, whispered something in his ears. “Confirmed?” “Yes sir, but official news will have to wait for a couple of days at least”. “And anything I need to worry about?” “None sir, no one even knows what they were doing or for whom. The advantages of going right to the grass root level” “Good.”

Forest Site:

The group leader wondered how the chief had managed such a large scale mission. Where did the funds come from? Surely now it should be easy to take on the blood sucking parasites of companies that were destroying their villages, their supporter charred, no one to back them.

How little he knew.