The sound of gasps filled the studio.
"At this very moment, I believe he has regained consciousness and will likely appear before everyone soon."
Little Masoud seemed to have found his stride, his voice growing stronger.
"My father's assassination was a blatant conspiracy, a shameless murder orchestrated by Barzani and his accomplices in their attempt to seize this country. But their plot failed."
He pointed at Rashid, who was pinned to the ground: "This man, along with Barzani behind him, are the real traitors!"
Meanwhile, outside the television station.
The urgent sirens echoed through the entire district.
A Major named Kadir, Rashid's Security Forces Commander, frantically called over the intercom: "The studio is in trouble! All units, assault the television station immediately! Repeat, attack at once!"
At the main entrance of the station, the engines of four armored personnel carriers roared, carrying at least eighty fully armed Security Forces soldiers.
Machine gunners were already in position, guns aimed at the television station building.
"Prepare to assault!" Major Kadir drew his pistol, "First team, frontal breakthrough! Second team, flank from the side—"
Just then, his words came to an abrupt halt.
At the end of the street, the barrels of three main battle tanks slowly turned the corner.
Following them were a dozen armored personnel carriers, bearing the emblem of the Third Infantry Brigade on their sides.
The hatch of a tank turret opened, and Colonel Muhammad, General Tor Khan's confidant, emerged, holding a loudspeaker:
"Soldiers of the Security Forces! Lay down your arms! Rashid and Barzani's conspiracy has been exposed! President Masoud is about to be reinstated! Stop spilling blood for the traitors!"
Major Kadir's face turned grim: "Fire! Fire!"
The machine gunners of the Security Forces pulled the trigger, bullets clanging against the tank armor, sparking.
Colonel Muhammad ducked back into the turret, ordering over the radio: "Counterattack."
The main gun of the leading tank slightly adjusted its angle—
Boom!
A high-explosive shell hit the foremost armored personnel carrier of the Security Forces.
In front of the tank, the light-armored personnel carrier was like a paper toy.
The armored vehicle was blown into the air, finally crashing back onto the street, bursting into flames.
The coaxial machine gun of the second tank began to sweep, bullets pelting the Security Forces' positions like a torrential downpour.
Soldiers of the Third Infantry Brigade charged out from behind the armored vehicles, firing from cover.
The street instantly transformed into a battlefield.
Bullets flew, and explosions sounded continuously.
The soldiers of the Security Forces were pinned down behind cover by the intense firepower of the infantry brigade, suffering heavy casualties.
Major Kadir hid behind sandbags, shouting into the intercom: "We need reinforcements! Need—"
A sniper round fired from a distant building hit him precisely in the forehead.
The major fell backward, the intercom slipping from his hand, clattering to the ground.
With the loss of command, the Security Forces' resistance crumbled quickly.
Some soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered, while others tried to flee, only to be taken down by crossfire.
In just fifteen minutes, the battle outside the television station was essentially over.
The Third Infantry Brigade took control of the entire district, beginning to clear the battlefield and detain prisoners.
Colonel Muhammad climbed out of the tank, surveying the war-torn street, reporting over the radio: "General, the perimeter is secure. The television station is safe."
Inside Studio One.
Little Masoud's speech was nearing its end.
The red lights of cameras, like unblinking eyes, coldly recorded everything.
Beads of sweat appeared on Little Masoud's forehead, his throat was a bit dry, but he seemed to become more and more engaged:
"...Therefore, I urge all Kurdish soldiers, all members of the Security Forces, to immediately lay down their arms and stop resisting. The true enemy is not your compatriots, but those traitors who betray the country and assassinate the legitimate president! History will remember this day, remember who stood on the side of justice, and who chose betrayal!"
At this moment, the heavy soundproof door of the studio turned.
All eyes were instantly drawn to it.
Tor Khan Alisan stood at the entrance.
The studio fell into an eerie silence, even the sound of breathing became distinctly audible.
Tor Khan ignored the shocked gazes, walking straight to the podium.
Little Masoud paused his speech, watching Tor Khan approach.
Standing beside Little Masoud, Tor Khan lowered his voice: "Your father has awakened."
Little Masoud's body visibly shuddered.