India, March 1, 1990 — PMO, New Delhi
Aryan sat alone in the Situation Room, staring at the giant map of Eurasia on the wall. Lights were dimmed. His tea sat untouched. His eyes were fixed on the Soviet Union.
The timer on the System interface in his vision was quietly ticking.
[Soviet Collapse Projected: December 1991 – 642 Days Remaining]
Aryan whispered to himself, "They don't know it yet... but it's already over."
He opened a blank file titled:
"USSR Collapse Strategic Response: Project KARKHANA"
1. The Brain Drain Directive
He wrote:
Target: Top-tier scientists from USSR's collapsing institutions.Cities: Dubna, Kyiv, Minsk, Moscow, Tomsk.Field Targets: Nuclear physics, cybernetics, AI theory, avionics.
He called RAW Chief Anand Narayanan.
"Start creating education exchange programs. But not just any—make them for engineering and science faculty. Get agents into Soviet academic networks. Quietly."
Narayanan hesitated. "Sir, this will alert the KGB..."
Aryan replied, "They'll be too busy watching their own economy collapse."
2. Zero-Cost Weapons Program
He issued an order to DRDO, armed forces, and the Ministry of External Affairs:
"Prepare a list of every Soviet-origin weapon, aircraft, radar, or vehicle system India ever used. Now double it."
Aide: "Why, sir?"
"Because when their military budget hits zero, they'll sell us a MiG for the price of a motorcycle."
He smiled grimly. "And we'll buy ten."
3. The Oil Vault Doctrine
Aryan scribbled rapidly:
Build 3 hidden oil storage caverns near Bhuj, Orissa, and Visakhapatnam.Buy at pre-collapse price.As soon as USSR collapses, sign 10-year oil deal with 3 successor republics.
He murmured to himself:
"The world will go into an oil shock. We'll ride it."
4. The Refuge Clause
He turned to Home Secretary Ram Kishore.
"Some scientists will want to defect quietly. When they come, offer them full Indian citizenship and lifetime residency... no questions asked."
Ram blinked. "But sir, what if they're—"
"Do it anyway. Even one cyberneticist is worth more than a thousand diplomats."
5. Media Silence Protocol
To his cabinet:
"This plan must not leak. Not one headline, not one speech. Until the day the Bear falls, we do nothing publicly."
"We are not vultures," he said. "We are survivors preparing before the roof collapses."
Later That Evening — PMO Balcony
The wind smelled of early summer.
Aryan stood with his mother, Snigdha, who had come to visit with some food.
She watched her son quietly as he stared out over Delhi.
"You look like you're planning a war."
Aryan smiled faintly. "No, Maa. I'm preparing for peace... when everyone else is too busy panicking."
In Moscow — A Year Later, They'd Panic
But tonight, India began writing a secret future.