The atmosphere on the fleet's command bridge was tense as Vice Admiral Ramesh Trivedi assessed the situation. His gaze was fixed on the monitors displaying the Nicobar Islands. Columns of smoke from the earlier explosions still lingered in the air, but his mind wasn't on the past; it was on the orders that had just come through.
A soldier hurried to him, holding a printed message. "Sir, a directive from headquarters," he said, handing it over.
Trivedi scanned the document quickly, his expression tightening. "What does it say?" he asked, already knowing the answer but wanting confirmation.
The soldier's voice trembled as he read aloud, "We have permission to attack with everything at our disposal, sir, regardless of the damage caused to the land or its inhabitants."
The bridge fell silent. Officers exchanged uneasy glances, their discomfort palpable. Whispers of concern rippled through the room.
