TERRA EMPIRE: ON THE EVE OF WORLD WAR
Episode 1: DRONE ATTACKS AFTER MAGHRIB
Adzan just finished reverberating half an hour ago…
The tranquility of the night in the city of Abadan is something most coveted by its inhabitants. Tensions that shackle during the day due to political tensions with neighboring countries and selfish attitude that inevitably raises misunderstandings make Abadan residents need adequate rest, he said, and a quiet night is the main thing that becomes their prayer before going to bed after performing the prayer.
The prayers of the people of Abadan seem to be answered because the atmosphere of the city is so quiet and calm night makes them able to mingle for a moment with family or immediately sleep soundly, but not so with the atmosphere in the military fortress located in the southern region of the city. The fort was a center of defense as well as a warehouse, where the state weaponry was stored.
Some people stood guard at the front gate, while others stood by, waiting for the arrival of the military entourage of a top state official who had given the order to hold an emergency and secret meeting. A pair of armored cars approached the fort unhurriedly. When the car lights began to be visible to the guards of the fort, the bustle of the soldiers in it also increased.
The man in thick mustache with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on the shoulder who was watching the monitor room with some of his staff inside the fort gave instructions through the intercom so that his men at the guard post to go to the front gate. An officer ran in a hurry before lifting the fort portal, letting both cars pass through the gate, and another picket officer stood up to greet the group in both vehicles.
The man with the thick mustache came out of the monitor room, walking with steady steps, a little rushed, with the intention that he could join in welcoming important people who were in one of the four-wheeled vehicles. He arrived at the parking lot just in time as passengers in the first car got off his car. Hurriedly the man paid his respects to the General. “Welcome, General Sulaimandi.”
“Letnan Colonel Akbar,” the General saluted. “Happy everyone can be on standby quickly.”
“They are waiting for you in the meeting room.”
General Sulaimandi signaled to his subordinates to lead the direction towards the meeting room. The two walked side by side while the general's aide, a young man of the rank of Lieutenant and stiff-faced, followed at a distance not too close but safe enough to provide protection when needed.
Akbar did not want to linger in silence, being able to meet the General who is highly respected throughout Iran is something rare, so he wanted to take advantage of this moment to give the best impression. There were immediate conversations about issues that were hot on the military, such as a lack of funds to add equipment to the war, or commenting on some policies as embarrassing, occasionally inserting the impression that if he got a promotion recommendation then he was able to solve the problem.
“No need to teach me, Lieutenant Colonel Akbar! You need to know that the problem is not as easy as you think,” General Sulaimandi responded with an indifferent face.
“I understand, General. And I'm sure you can handle it faster with the right person on your side,” Lieutenant Colonel Akbar responded nervously.
“I've got the people I need right now, Lieutenant Colonel!” continued the General. “And let them do their duty, just as you do your duty in this fortress.”
“Ready!” said Lieutenant Colonel Akbar who decided to keep his mouth shut. A right decision because it was only when he saw the face of the superior who was so turbid, something heavy seemed to be weighing on his mind.
The silence continued until the two arrived at the meeting room, where they had been waiting for two men dressed in military attire from different units with the General but both had equivalent rank. The two officers stood up and saluted as General Sulaimandi walked into the room. The general shook them and let them sit down.
“I am here soon as I get a message from you,” said one of the two guests invited to the meeting.
“It is better not to beat around the bush,” said another man. “Even it occurred to me how about we just launch the nuclear.”
“With all due respect, Lieutenant Colonel,” rebukes the aide to Lieutenant Colonel Akbar who is still standing in the doorway. “You'd better wait outside until this meeting is over.”
“You don't know who I am?” Lieutenant Colonel Akbar rebuked the young man.
“I know who you are. And I also know that the General is not happy if people are not invited to attend his meeting,” replied the young man.
The man who felt his higher rank was glaring, the ego of the position and rank made him still remain insistent and try to maintain his position as an important person at the meeting of the General but the young man was no less snappy. The two exchanged glances and that was when the Lieutenant Colonel found the savage look of the young man who had suddenly shrunk his guts.
“Eh...oh...yes..sorry,” the man finally relented and stepped out of the room clumsily before the aide closed the door behind him.
He looked at the door with a bang, how could the child yesterday afternoon rank Lieutenant could be in the room and participate in listening to the secret meeting that was being conducted by General Sulaimandi while he who became the ruler of this place was instead driven out without being given a chance know what's going on in there.
Immediately, something big was being prepared by the General. Such is the custom of the most influential people in Iran.From the stories he heard, he said, the missile attacks on the Gaza Strip and the Persian Gulf as well as the bombing of the British Embassy in Iraq that occurred several years before he headed this fort, all started from meetings like this in this place.
The success of the attack promoted these two fortress commanders before, that was why he thought he could have a similar momentum. Though he was sure what was in the arrangement of General Sulaimandi and his two colleagues at this time would be an attack that was more powerful than ever, given the tension of regional relations in the Middle East that is deteriorating. Moreover, nuclear was mentioned by one of the military leaders at the meeting earlier.
But what power, here he is, outside the meeting room that should be under his supervision, without knowing anything. The man walked back to the monitor room. One of his men was still waiting at the spot, sitting in his chair watching the television screens with a bored look before later realizing something was odd there.
“No..no..this is impossible..” the man muttered several times.
“What is impossible?” reprimand Lieutenant Colonel Akbar.
The young officer's face suddenly paled as he noticed the white dot plastered on the surveillance monitor screen as a serious threat and hurriedly pressed the danger sign warning button. Meanwhile, outside, at the same time, a flying object that waded through the darkness of space with a speed that almost matched the most advanced fighter aircraft was launching five bullets of his control at once.
The sirens that the young officer tried to sound in the monitor room had not been able to roar because the five bullets hit the fort in five different places. Creating a huge explosion that destroyed the fort and everything in a matter of seconds.the entire area around the fort was burning violently like licked with fire from hell….
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