Inside the Dream Space, Rohan sat surrounded by an endless, shifting grid of equations and fluid dynamics simulations. It was a vast and incomprehensible landscape, a digital realm where every decision was tested against the laws of physics. Rohan felt both small and powerful within it. His fingers moved deftly on an invisible keyboard, crafting intricate models, tweaking angles, and adjusting parameters with the precision of a seasoned engineer.
This wasn't a simulation anymore. It was prophecy, coded in thrust vectors and blade angles. He could feel the weight of what he was doing—a creation so real that it seemed to vibrate with possibility. The Dream Space gave him more than just access to data; it gave him power. A power that could shape the future.
What followed were months of relentless, obsessive learning.
He dove headfirst into Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)—an ocean of vector fields, Reynolds numbers, nozzle angle optimization, supersonic flow behavior, and boundary layer separation. At first, the data overwhelmed him: meshes collapsing, solvers diverging, convergence errors, and RAM overflows.
Inside the Dream Space, DL constructed entire interactive CFD workstations—wind tunnels for digital jet models, vortex visualizers, and dynamic simulation environments that would shift in real time as Rohan tweaked nozzle curves, compressor blade shapes, or afterburner geometries. Then, finally, the day arrived.
DL materialized beside him, its form a glowing orb of blue light, ever watchful, ready to guide him through the labyrinth of numbers and equations. Now that the theory was solid, it was time to build
"Let's start with the basics," DL's voice echoed softly in Rohan's mind. "Adjust the blade angle to optimize the airflow."
Rohan's eyes narrowed as he adjusted the digital model of a jet's wing in front of him. He felt his mind stretch as he visualized the airflow over the wing. But the data on his screen was overwhelming, and the numbers swirled like a storm.
"Damn it," Rohan muttered to himself, eyes scanning the equations. "I can't make sense of all these variables at once."
DL chuckled, a soft and patient sound. "You're treating a jet like a rickshaw, Rohan. This isn't your uncle's old WagonR. It's Mach 1. Respect the math."
Rohan shot an exasperated look at the floating sphere. "Thanks, DL. That's really helpful." He adjusted the angle once again, this time noticing a slight improvement in the airflow efficiency.
"Better." DL's tone was approving, but it didn't stop there. "Now let's tackle the engine intake design. Adjust the nozzle to optimize airflow at high speeds. Remember, you're dealing with supersonic speeds here, not just a breeze. Think of the shockwaves and their impact on the intake."
Rohan grinned as his fingers danced over the virtual controls, fine-tuning the shape of the intake. Each adjustment seemed like a small victory, yet each simulation left him hungrier for more. Airflow dynamics—it felt like he was learning to read the language of the universe itself.
But as hours turned into days, Rohan's patience began to wear thin. The numbers grew more complex, the meshes more intricate. Each failed simulation felt like a step backward.
"I can't do this. Not with this setup." Rohan muttered, his frustration mounting.
"Why not?" DL replied. "You're giving up too easily. Let's make this fun."
The digital space shifted around them, and suddenly, Rohan was no longer staring at a series of abstract models and code. Instead, a massive virtual highway materialized. Rohan looked up and saw rows of cars speeding down a smooth asphalt road. DL's voice sounded amused.
"Airflow is like traffic on a highway, Rohan. You've got your fast cars, your slow cars, and your clogs. If you understand how they move, you can predict the behavior of the air around your jet. You can't just shove 10,000 cars through a tunnel without jams and crashes. You need regulation, distribution, and exit paths. That's what inlet design is about."
Rohan smiled as it clicked. "Air behaves like people. Chaotic. Predictable only in large numbers."
"Exactly," DL said. "Welcome to thermodynamics."
Rohan smiled, finally finding a mental image that clicked. He adjusted the design of the intake nozzle as though he were directing traffic—letting the air flow smoothly, directing it around obstacles, and guiding it toward the engine in the most efficient manner.
"Now we're talking," Rohan whispered under his breath, the simulation running smoother than ever before.
Hours blurred into days. Days into simulated months.
As Rohan pushed past the basics—bypass ratios, turbofan staging, stealth reshaping—his sessions grew longer and more complex.
For weeks, Rohan experimented, learned, and innovated, continually evolving the jet's design. But as his creations grew more efficient, DL began to drop ethical dilemmas into the mix—challenging Rohan's decisions, not just in terms of physics but in terms of impact.
"The ceramic turbine coating you're thinking of?" DL asked one day. "It's ideal. Higher heat tolerance, lighter. Perfect for next-gen fighters… or stealth missiles. Imagine standing on the street, minding your own business, when suddenly, a missile appears out of nowhere and obliterates you. No one—not the U.S.A.'s NASAMS, Israel's Iron Dome, China's Red Shield, or Russia's S-series Giants—would be able to detect it until it's too late. The world is not ready for this. Not yet."
Rohan hesitated, his fingers hovering above the keyboard. "I never thought about that."
"Think about it, Rohan." DL's voice softened, almost contemplative. "You've boosted engine efficiency by 40%. It will surpass other 4th-Gen by a very large margin. Guess who else wants that? Every navy on the planet. We don't need to surpass them—just replicate what they've already done. We don't need superior performance, just something to build a foundation on."
Rohan was silent for a moment, weighing the potential of the technology against the consequences of its use. Progress vs. responsibility.
"If I don't share this, India stays behind. But if I do… I'm handing the world a weapon."
The tension between them grew as Rohan's heart grappled with the weight of what he was creating. But deep down, he knew he couldn't sit idle. The future of aerospace depended on his next move.
And so, after weeks of contemplation, countless simulations, and long nights, Rohan and DL finally crafted the blueprint—an engine design that satisfied both their needs: capable, efficient, and cutting-edge.
DL projected comparisons in the air:
- 30% thrust gain
- Lower IR signature
- Reduced weight with ceramic alloys
- No full stealth airframe yet
- No active radar cancellation
- Not yet modular for drones
Ceramic matrix composites didn't just cut weight—they survived temperatures that would melt titanium. And Rohan had just optimized them with DL's Dream Space enhancements.
India had never cracked a reliable afterburning turbofan engine in this thrust class—not one compact enough, powerful enough, or stealth-adaptable for frontline jets. This was more than a simulation—it was a missing piece in the puzzle India had chased for decades. For the first time, Rohan wasn't catching up to the world. He was ahead of it.
He didn't just want India to fly. He wanted his family to breathe.
This wasn't just about sovereignty.
It was about survival.
But it was enough. After 80 hours in real time—over 100 virtual dream space days—he and DL had something they were proud of. It was finally in his hands… or rather his dreams.