Strategic Preparations ……..And A Variable ?

Time Stamp: Vikram Era: 6 Chaitra 1637 (March 1579)

Inside Bahlikiwara

Commander Vidhyadhara stood at the inner wall, surrounded by his trusted officers. The echo of the bombard's last shot still resonated in his ears, and the sight of the crumbling outer wall filled him with a sense of urgency. The fortress was on the brink of being breached, and he needed to act quickly.

"Our situation is dire," Vidhyadhara began, his voice steady despite the turmoil. "The outer wall won't withstand more than two or three more shots. We must prepare for the inevitable breach."

He pointed to a large map spread out on the table before them. "Once the wall collapses, our primary objective is to delay the enemy's advance. We need to buy time for reinforcements to arrive and fortify the inner defenses."

The officers listened intently as Vidhyadhara outlined his plan. "We will man the inner wall with our best marksmen. As soon as the outer wall starts to give way, they are to fire at the exposed attackers, creating a chokepoint. This will slow their advance and reduce their numbers."

He turned to Lieutenant Rajan, who had been appointed to oversee the inner defenses. "Rajan, you will lead this effort. Position our archers and arquebusiers along the inner wall. Make sure they have clear lines of sight to the breach."

Rajan nodded. "Understood, Commander. We will make every shot count."

Vidhyadhara then addressed the rest of his officers. "The rest of us will form the rear guard. We will position ourselves beside the crumbling outer wall and engage the enemy in close combat. Our goal is to hold them off for as long as possible, giving our marksmen time to do their work."

The commander's gaze swept over his men, each one showing a mix of determination and fear. "We will not let them take this fortress without a fight. Remember, we are the last line of defense. We must hold the line."

The officers saluted and moved to carry out their orders. Vidhyadhara watched them go, a sense of grim resolve settling over him. The fate of the fortress rested on their shoulders, and they would fight with every ounce of strength they had.

Outside Bahlikiwara

Khatun Aicha Karim Khan watched with satisfaction as her bombard's shot struck the fortress wall, causing more debris to rain down. She could see the defenders scrambling, trying to maintain their positions. The wall was close to collapsing, and victory was within her grasp.

In her command tent, Aicha gathered her top commanders to discuss the final assault. "The fortress is nearly ours," she declared, her voice filled with confidence. "Once the wall collapses, we will launch a full-scale assault. Our objective is to break through their defenses and take control of the inner fortress."

She pointed to a map of the fortress, indicating key points of entry. "Our cavalry will lead the charge, followed by the foot soldiers. The hand cannons will provide covering fire, targeting any remaining defenders on the walls."

One of her commanders, a grizzled veteran named Rashid, spoke up. "And if they manage to hold the breach?"

Aicha's eyes gleamed with determination. "We will overwhelm them with sheer numbers. Once the outer wall falls, we will not give them a moment's respite. The bombard will continue to fire, creating chaos and confusion."

She turned to another commander, who had been overseeing the deployment of the bombard. "Ensure that the bombard is ready to fire as soon as the wall collapses. We need to keep the pressure on them."

The commander nodded. "It will be done, Khatun."

Aicha's expression turned serious as she addressed her men. "This fortress is the key to our conquest of the subcontinent. Once we take it, we will have a direct path to the rich lands beyond. Our people will thrive, and our power will grow."

She allowed herself a small smile. "And remember, once the fortress falls, you may pillage and plunder to your heart's content. Let this be your reward for your loyalty and bravery."

Cheers erupted from her commanders, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. The promise of loot and the chance to release their pent-up aggression filled them with renewed vigor.

As Aicha watched her men prepare for the final assault, she felt a sense of pride and excitement. She would make history by taking this fortress, and her name would be remembered as the one who opened the gateway to the fabled lands of Bharatavarsha.

The stage was set, and both sides braced themselves for the impending clash. The defenders, determined to hold their ground, and the attackers, eager to claim their prize. The fate of Bahlikiwara hung in the balance, and the next few hours would decide its destiny.

Siddharth found himself wandering through the ancient star fortress, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending siege. He had managed to slip away from Vaniika's watchful eye, knowing that he needed to find a way to help. The defenders were holding on by a thread, and the situation was growing more desperate by the minute.

As he moved through the winding passages, he stumbled upon an old turret. The structure was sturdy, despite its age, and it seemed to have been forgotten by the current occupants of the fortress. Curiosity piqued, Siddharth climbed up the narrow stairs, emerging into a small chamber housing a strange-looking cannon.

The cannon was unlike any he had seen before. It had a sleek, cylindrical barrel and was connected to a series of pressure cylinders and gauges. As he examined it more closely, he noticed a stack of artillery shells nearby. His system, sensing his interest, activated and began displaying information about the cannon.

"Pneumatic dynamite cannon," the system explained in its usual text format. "Uses pressurized air to launch nitroglycerine shells. Effective for causing large-scale destruction."

Siddharth's eyes widened as he realized the potential of this weapon. He quickly scanned the area and saw that the pressure cylinders were still intact and showed a significant amount of pressure. The system indicated that the cannon could still be operational.

He knew he couldn't fire directly at the invading force due to the limited firing arc of the turret. However, he remembered a video he had seen in his previous life about triggering avalanches. If he could aim the cannon at a nearby cliff, he might be able to cause an avalanche, disrupting the attacking forces and buying the defenders some much-needed time.

Determined, he opened the operating manual the system provided. The instructions were clear and detailed, showing him how to load the shells, start the pressurization sequence, and aim the cannon. He carefully followed each step, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.

First, he loaded one of the nitroglycerine shells into the cannon. The shell fit snugly, and he felt a sense of reassurance as it clicked into place. Next, he began the pressurization sequence, watching as the gauges on the pressure cylinders slowly climbed.

Once the pressure was at the optimal level, he turned his attention to aiming the cannon. The manual provided details on how to adjust the barrel's angle and direction. He took a deep breath, focusing intently as he aligned the sight with the target—a precarious cliff face that loomed above the valley.

With everything in place, Siddharth steadied himself and prepared to fire. His finger hovered over the trigger for a moment, and he couldn't help but think of the consequences. This was a gamble, and if it failed, the situation could become even worse. But he had no other choice.

He pulled the trigger.

The cannon roared to life, the pressurized air propelling the shell with incredible force. Siddharth watched as the shell arced through the air, heading straight for the cliff. There was a tense moment of silence, followed by a massive explosion as the shell struck its target.