"I order you to immediately execute the final phase of the plan! You will personally lead the team, employing both the 'Grey Wolf' and 'Lightning' Special Forces, to control the Autonomous Committee Building! Not a single committee member or minister can escape—all must be 'protected'! Especially the Finance Minister Omar, Ministry of Internal Affairs Minister Tariq, and Masood's son Little Masoud who serves as deputy director at the Security Bureau! If necessary, use 'extraordinary measures' to ensure their cooperation. If anyone resists... you know what to do. Do you understand?"
From the other end of the phone came the sound of swallowing, followed by Rashid's response: "Yes, General! Execute the final phase of the plan, control the Committee Building, control all top levels!"
"Tor Khan! Tor Khan! Are you online?" Barzani yelled into the phone.
Another voice, slightly tense but equally resolute, joined the communication: "I'm here, General!"
"Tor Khan! Your task: Immediately deploy the Third Infantry Regiment under your command to take over the national television, radio, all communication centers, central power plant, water plant, bank headquarters, and all government key department buildings! Simultaneously announce that the entire Kold Autonomous Region is under emergency state and military control! Follow the prepared draft speech, but make crucial modifications—"
"Just say the shameless rebel 'Abu You Brigade,' supported by external hostile forces, has despicably ambushed Chairman's convoy in the hills north of Kirkuk and assassinated our revered Chairman Masoud! I, Barzani, as deputy commander of armed forces and deputy chairman of the Military Committee, must temporarily take over all administrative and military powers of the autonomous region, as per the relevant clauses of the 'Emergency State Law' and 'Security Control Law,' leading the entire Kurdish Nation and brave Freedom Fighter warriors to annihilate the rebels and avenge Chairman Masoud! Repeat it!"
Tor Khan's forehead was already covered in cold sweat.
Masood is dead?
How could this be?!
I revealed the information to Duke early.
That guy couldn't stop this attack from happening?!
Damn Americans!
But he already has no way out.
Anyway, if Masood is really dead, there's no good outcome in resisting Barzani now.
Better to see which way the wind blows first...
"Understood, General."
Tor Khan's voice was as cold as the sweat on his forehead.
"Immediate action, control media and key departments, issue emergency state announcements, accuse Abu You Brigade of being rebels and assassinating the Chairman, announce your full takeover!"
"Notify the commanders of the First, Third, and Fifth Mechanized Brigades in Kirkuk, notify the Ninth Infantry Brigade in Sulaymaniyah, Duhok Border Regiment, Zakho Special Police Unit leaders, and everyone we have in the Security Bureau, Intelligence Bureau—"
Barzani took a deep breath and uttered the decisive code name.
"'Eagle' has taken off! 'Motherland' operation fully begins! Win everything or lose everything! No middle road! May Allah bless Kurdistan! Take action!"
He slammed the hang-up button, seemingly using every last ounce of his strength, completely collapsing into the seat.
The satellite phone slipped from his powerless hand, falling onto the floor mat.
He closed his eyes, but his eyeballs beneath the eyelids trembled intensely.
Gunshots echoed in the canyon, and it felt like he could still smell the sweet scent of blood and the burnt stench of human bodies.
But he managed to escape.
He was alive!
Where there's life, there's opportunity!
But he knew better than anyone, the real war was just beginning.
He had not only ignited the powder keg within Kurdistan but potentially set off the fragile balance of the entire region. The stakes were high—
His life, honor, family, and even the future of the entire Kurdish Nation's autonomous cause.
On the other side of the gambling table sat the life-and-death unknown Masood, mysterious attackers, covetous neighboring countries, ambiguous Americans, and millions of innocent civilians about to be swept into a bloody vortex.
The Mercedes G500 wildly bumped and accelerated across the rugged wilderness, leaving behind the blood-soaked canyon, the loyalty and betrayal, life and death, under the steadily brightening sky.
The vehicle sped northeast towards Kirkuk, heading into an unknown future destined to be filled with more smoke, conspiracy, and betrayal.