Chapter 249: 249:Marine Restrictions
The suit must allow natural human movement without sacrificing agility."
Evan paced back and forth, running a hand through his hair as he continued to rattle off more of the suit\'s shortcomings. "And the thrusters, while powerful, are throwing off the balance. If the wearer can\'t stabilize during maneuvers, the added speed and agility are useless. We need to streamline their integration into the design."
He paused for a moment and glanced back at the holograms before continuing. "The armor\'s weight is another significant problem. It\'s too heavy for long-term use. We should be using advanced nanotechnology to create a lighter composite material that also won\'t compromise strength. Right now, it feels more like a tank than a suit.
If we want it to be effective in the field, we need to refine these aspects."
Evan shook his head, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. "We also need to improve the suit\'s power supply. If the energy core fails mid-operation, the entire suit will lose functionality. That\'s unacceptable. We must ensure that every component can withstand extreme conditions."
As he listed the shortcomings, Aurora\'s digital interface flickered with urgency, interrupting his thoughts.
[Sir, we seem to be facing a big problem.]
Evan tilted his head in confusion and frowned.
"Now what is it?" he asked, wondering if the outside world had caught wind of his recent exploits or the experimental failures.
[It\'s not that,] Aurora replied, her tone serious.
[Rather, it seems restrictions have been imposed on cargo shipments entering the Bay of Bengal region. No vessels will be allowed to enter that area.]
Evan\'s expression shifted to one of concern. "What? Why would they impose such a restriction? This could affect our supply lines."
Aurora continued, [It\'s a move by the government, likely due to increased tensions in the region. They\'re tightening security measures to prevent any unauthorized shipments. This means our resources could be limited if we don\'t find a way to circumvent these restrictions.]
Evan rubbed his chin, contemplating the implications. "We can\'t afford to have our operations hindered by bureaucratic nonsense. We need those supplies. I was planning to start smartphone production next, but if the supplies are halted, we won\'t get the raw materials to carry out our plans."
As Evan strategized, the weight of the situation settled down heavily on him.
_____
Meanwhile, in Dilli…
Tension hung in the air inside the Ministry of Maritime Affairs as high-ranking officials gathered for an urgent meeting. The large conference room was adorned with maps of the Indra Sea and digital displays tracking shipping routes and cargo movements. At the head of the table sat Minister Nil Rawat, his stern expression mirrored in the faces of everyone present.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Minister Nil, his voice grave.
"We are facing a significant challenge with our neighboring nation, Daxia. Tensions have escalated over territorial waters, and the Prime Minister has directed us to take immediate action."
A murmur of concern rippled through the room as the officials exchanged worried glances, knowing well that any misstep could lead to a serious diplomatic fallout.
"The Prime Minister\'s office has issued a directive to impose strict restrictions on shipments and cargo in the Indra Sea," Nil continued, tapping on the digital display to bring up a legal document. "The official code for this order is IM-2024/037, and it outlines the terms under which these restrictions will be implemented.
Specifically, we are designating the Bay of Bengal as a \'No-Zone Area\' for maritime traffic."
Ms. Raina Mehta, one of the advisors, leaned forward. "What does this entail for our shipping operations?"
"The No-Zone designation means that no vessels will be allowed to enter or leave the Bay of Bengal without explicit permission from the Ministry," Nil explained, his tone firm. "This includes commercial ships, fishing vessels, and any unauthorized cargo. Those who violate this regulation will face severe penalties under Section 14 of the Maritime Safety and Security Act (MSSA) of 2021.
This section allows us to detain vessels and impose fines of up to ten million rupees."
A sense of unease hung in the air as the implications settled in. Another official, Mr. Tarun Singh, raised a hand. "What about the impact on our trade relations? Daxia might perceive this as an act of aggression."
"Exactly," Nil replied. "But we don\'t have a choice. The Prime Minister believes that establishing the No-Zone Area will strengthen our position and prevent Daxia from encroaching on our maritime borders. This is about securing our national interests."
"Will there be exceptions for humanitarian or emergency shipments?" Mehta asked, concerned about the potential fallout.
"Under Clause 5(b) of the order, exceptions can be granted, but they will require thorough vetting and approval from the Ministry. Each request will be carefully scrutinized to prevent exploitation of these provisions," Nil clarified, flipping through the pages of the directive. "We cannot afford to be lax at this juncture." Enjoy new stories from m-v l\'e|-NovelBin.net
As the meeting continued, the officials delved into the specifics of implementing the No-Zone Area, discussing how to inform the shipping companies, setting up checkpoints, and coordinating with the Coast Guard. The gravity of the situation loomed large, and every decision made in the room would ripple with potential repercussions for the nation\'s economy and international standing.
As the meeting drew to a close, Minister Nil took a deep breath. "We must act swiftly and decisively. Our national security is at stake. Let\'s prepare the necessary communications and implement the No-Zone restrictions immediately."
Once the restrictions were implemented, anyone with little sense could discern that something was wrong with all these sudden measures. But only the ones in real power knew the true reason behind these measures.
That was…