With the production lines humming and the manufacturing process underway, Varun turned his attention to logistics.
He instructed the Hindu Mahasabha members to place bulk orders for the necessary raw materials.
Recognizing the importance of efficient resource management, he entrusted all trading and procurement responsibilities to a man named Vinayak.
Vinayak, a member of the Baniya caste, had impressed Varun with his exceptional business acumen and meticulous accounting skills.
Varun, confident in Vinayak's abilities, delegated the crucial task of ensuring a steady supply of materials.
'Very well,' Vinayak replied, accepting the responsibility with a nod.
He then departed with the others, utilizing their established secret channels to procure the required materials.
They continued to operate covertly, understanding that purchasing such vast quantities of raw materials would inevitably raise suspicion, even among the most oblivious observers.
The British, with their extensive network of informants, would undoubtedly take notice.
Therefore, they maintained their secrecy, ensuring their operations remained hidden until they were sufficiently equipped to confront the British Raj directly.
Varun, observing the steady flow of AK-47s emerging from the production line, turned to Daivik and inquired, 'How many AK-47s can we produce per day?'
Daivik replied, 'Approximately 200 units.'
While this production rate was sufficient for their immediate needs, Varun recognized its limitations.
He understood that as their operations expanded, they would require a significantly higher output.
'We must devise a plan to scale up production,' he mused, his mind already racing with potential solutions.
He also contemplated the development of advanced equipment, such as night vision binoculars and reinforced, bulletproof helmets and vests.
These technologies, however, would necessitate collaboration with the INA.
For the present, his focus shifted to the production of vehicle and ship engines.
While the vehicle engine production line could be accommodated within their existing underground facility,
the sheer size and complexity of a ship engine production line demanded a separate location, preferably near a port or beach.
Transporting such heavy machinery over land would be impractical.
He turned his attention to the immediate logistical challenge: transporting the weaponry to the INA base in Singapore.
He decided to rent a merchant ship for a period of one to two months, providing the necessary space and flexibility for this crucial mission.
He began the process of making the necessary arrangements, ensuring that the ship would be ready for loading as soon as the weapons were manufactured.
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God knows where - Indian Ocean
Varun reclined in a rocking chair on the deck of the merchant ship, the gentle sway of the vessel lulling him into a state of tranquil contemplation.
He sipped his sharbat, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the clear blue sky and the wind-swept ocean.
He had secured the rental of the merchant ship, embarking on his journey to Singapore with a crew of twenty Hindu Mahasabha members.
The past ten days had been a whirlwind of activity.
He had overseen the assembly of the grenade and ammunition production lines, the blacksmith and his apprentices, their experience honed by previous projects, completing each task in a mere three days each.
The ammunition production line had been operational for the last seven days, churning out an impressive 9,000 bullets per day,
resulting in a total of 63,000 bullets. The grenade production, limited to four days, had yielded 2,000 units.
Behind him, a locked cargo hold contained wooden crates filled with grenades, AK-47 rifles, and ammunition. But there was another surprise, a gift that Varun knew would bring a broad smile to the INA's faces.
He had entrusted the courtyard and the production lines to Narayan, came after completion of his mission, had remained awestruck by the marvel of their creation.
Varun had left him detailed manuals, a cheat sheet, effectively,
containing instructions for troubleshooting and maintaining the complex machinery, a testament to Daivik's ingenuity.
Varun was now confident that the production would continue smoothly in his absence.