Chapter Ten: The Cleansing Protocol
922 Words
The military base was plunged into total darkness.
The sirens wailed like a dying metal monster, and the ground shook violently beneath their feet.
Inspector Omar stood in the darkness, gasping for breath, as the automated voice echoed through the concrete corridors:
"Seven minutes until destruction."
"We have to get out immediately!" Ali shouted.
But Omar's gaze was fixed on the secret door behind which Tariq al-Adnani had disappeared—the man who manipulated everyone like a puppet.
The man who created chaos for the sake of power.
"He won't escape," Omar said coldly.
Ali grabbed his arm roughly.
"If you stay here, we'll all die!"
But Omar pushed him away.
For the first time in years… genuine rage blazed in his eyes.
"Yasser is dead… dozens killed… and it's all because of him."
Adham approached, panting.
"Omar… there's no time."
There was only a second of silence.
Then he made his decision. "You go."
Ali looked at him in shock.
"And you?"
"I'll finish this," he replied, loading his weapon.
Omar ran down the narrow, secret passage behind Tariq al-Adnani.
The backup lights flickered a dim blue, and smoke billowed from the ventilation shafts.
The place resembled a secret underground command center—surveillance screens, maps, electronic files.
Dozens of photos of smuggling operations and regional conflicts—everything was meticulously and terrifyingly organized.
Suddenly, Tariq's voice came through the speakers:
"You still think the world is divided into good guys and bad guys?"
Omar stopped in the middle of the passage.
"Get out."
Tariq chuckled softly.
"You're a good cop, Omar… but you're naive."
Images flashed across the screens around him: wars, explosions, burning cities.
"Countries don't live by justice… they live by fear," Tariq said. Omar continued his silent advance, but he was beginning to understand something terrifying… Tariq wasn't just corrupt.
He was completely convinced of what he was doing.
Outside, Ali and Adham were trying to find a way out of the crumbling base.
The ceilings were cracking, and dust filled the air.
"If the fuel room explodes… the whole place will collapse," Adham gasped.
But Ali wasn't listening. He was thinking about something else… about every time he'd lied to Omar.
And every time he'd sent out his movements.
"He won't get out alone," he said in a low voice.
Then he turned back inside.
"Ali!" Adham shouted.
But the sergeant had disappeared into the smoke. Omar finally reached a huge underground hall.
In the middle of it… Tariq al-Adnani was waiting for him. He was standing calmly in front of a large electronic table.
Behind him was a giant screen showing the armed convoy crossing the desert toward the capital.
The trucks were moving quickly, their armed escorts heavy. Tariq said,
"Even if you kill me… Phase Two has already begun."
Omar raised his weapon toward him.
"It will end tonight."
Tariq smiled coldly.
"You don't understand yet."
Then he pressed a button on the table, and new data appeared on the screen—names of politicians…officers.
International companies…bank accounts…a vast network spanning several countries.
"I'm just a small part," Tariq said.
Omar felt a chill run through him.
The conspiracy was bigger than he had anticipated.
"Three minutes and fifty seconds to destruction."
The alarm blared even louder. But Tariq remained calm.
Then he said suddenly,
"Do you know why I chose you?"
Omar's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"I've been watching you for years."
There was a pause, then Tariq continued,
"You're smart…stubborn…and willing to break the rules when you believe in something."
He took a step closer.
"You're more like me than you think."
Omar snapped,
"No." But Tariq smiled.
"When Yasser died… I wanted revenge, not justice."
Omar froze for a moment, knowing the man had spoken the truth. Suddenly…
The back door burst open. Ali rushed in, panting, gun in hand.
"Get away from him, Omar!" he yelled.
Tariq looked at Ali and smiled sarcastically.
"The loyal traitor."
Ali's anger flared.
"Shut up!"
He pointed his gun directly at Tariq, but Tariq said calmly,
"Do you know what will happen if you arrest me?"
Silence fell.
Then he continued,
"The file will disappear… the case will be closed… the truth will be buried."
He looked directly at Omar.
"But if I die here… the secrets will remain forever."
The ground began to shake more violently… concrete was falling from the ceiling.
The countdown was nearing its end. 0:02:30
0:02:29
"We have to leave now!" Ali said anxiously.
But Omar didn't lower his weapon. He was looking at Tariq, at the man who had destroyed everything.
Then he said slowly, "Stop the convoy."
Tariq smiled.
"I can't."
"Liar."
"Even I don't control it anymore."
Omar felt that disaster was closer than ever. The convoy was moving. The capital was in danger.
Time was running out, and suddenly… a radio on the table rang.
Tariq pressed the button calmly, and a voice came from the other end: "Sir… there's been a breach."
Tariq's eyes narrowed.
"What breach?"
The reply came, changing his expression for the first time: "General Hamza has taken over the convoy." Silence fell, and Omar was in shock. Hamza wasn't really with them…
He was playing his own game… Then a massive explosion rocked the base… The hall shook violently.
Part of the ceiling collapsed directly between Omar and Tariq… The two were separated amidst a cloud of fire and dust.
Then all the screens went dark at once.
Only the countdown sound remained, echoing in the darkness:
0:01:54
0:01:53
0:01:52
- Writer
