Jasim: Chapter 3 - Unknown Dangers

The Headquarters Attack

(Meanwhile at Simon's War Camp)
Vortex: Simon! Get your soldiers ready! Now is a great time to attack the Destaani Headquarters!
Simon: Alright sir, but with what information have you decided that now is a good time to attack?
Vortex: Jasim and Raisa flew to Arrendale, and Jamal is not around. The Destaani HQ is more vulnerable now!
Simon: Makes sense sir... SOLDIERS! GET READY! WE'RE ATTACKING THE DESTAANI HEADQUARTERS BY EVENING!!
Vortex: Evening? Why not right now?
Simon: It's much more thrilling to attack in the dark after all...
Vortex: I see, alright then, listen up to the plan... Some of my soldiers will be sneaking in, and then attacking the HQ. Meanwhile you will support our attack from the outside. Sounds like a plan.
Simon: Yes sir, indeed!
Vortex: Good, let us proceed with the preparations then...

A handful of Vortex's men are assigned with sneaking into the Destaani Headquarters... By around 3:30 in the afternoon, they reach the headquarters in the guise of merchants. A group of about 4 men are leading the cart, with the rest of them hiding stealthily amongst the carriages. The leader of the merchant caravan introduces himself as Ahmet.

Guard 1: Hold your caravan right there! Who are you?! What is the reason for your arrival in the Destaani Headquarters?!
Ahmet: We're merchants, from the faraway lands of Damascus. Actually, Commander Jasim tasked us with bringing naphtha and Greek Fire for defensive purposes...
Guard 2: But how can I verify your claims?! Commander Jasim is also not around...
Ahmet: No need to worry, I have a document that verifies my visit to the headquarters...

The guards scrutinise the document, and they let Ahmet, and his men enter the headquarters...

Merchant 1: (whispers) Vortex is indeed much more powerful than we can imagine... He even managed to replicate Jasim's lightning blue coloured seal on an authentic trader's document. Could he have some sort of alibi in the Destaani?!
Ahmet: He is powerful indeed, but we should make sure he remains a mystery. And do not let your curiosity wander around, because it'll lead to your death in the end...
Merchant 1: (shivers) Understood sir...

They park their caravan in the merchant's parking area and unloading the weapons. The hidden men also move towards the places designated for them during the attack. Meanwhile Ahmet and his 3 men move towards the inventory, along with the naphtha and Greek fire barrels. Meanwhile a Destaani soldier walks towards Ahmet...

Soldier: Who are you? And what are you doing here?
Ahmet: We're merchants, and Commander Jasim assigned us with bringing naphtha and Greek fire to the headquarters for defensive purposes... Well, here's the document stating our visit...

The soldier scrutinises the document, and hands it back to Ahmet.

Soldier: Very well then, you can enter the inventory...

Ahmet and his men proceed to move towards the inventory... They place the Greek fire and the flying flame barrels on each corner of the inventory, and they also place the barrels beside inflammable substances like petrol drums and gunpowder chests. "Our work in the inventory is done, let's move on to other areas and place the remaining barrels" says Ahmet...

Ahmet and his men place the remaining barrels around critical places of the Destaani Headquarters. They place the last barrel atop the headquarter entrance by around 5:30 in the evening... "We've placed all barrels, and we have around half an hour to go before the attack starts. Let's go and acquire some Destaani soldier uniforms..." says Ahmet...

The time is 5:40 PM, Ahmet and his men, now dressed up as Destaani soldiers, wait near the entrance to allow Simon and his men inside. After around 10 minutes, they open the gate and let Simon's men pass through. A soldier spots Simon's men entering the headquarters, and rushes to the control room to inform Saeed. Another soldier, who witnesses the breach from a different spot, goes towards Ahmet...

Soldier: You merchant! So, you are the traitor huh?! I will not allow those men to enter! Come on, let us fight!
Ahmet: (laughs) I accept the fight! If you win, I'll send my soldiers back...
He shoots the soldier to death as he charged forth to attack Ahmet...
Ahmet: Look at him... Extremely smart indeed! (chuckles)

Meanwhile, the other soldier reaches the control room and talks to Saeed about his findings...

Soldier: Sir! I have witnessed Simon and his men entering our headquarters.
Saeed: What? No way?! Who has let them in?! SOLDIERS! INFORM EVERYONE! OUR HEADQUARTERS HAVE BEEN BREACHED!!
Soldier: It was Ahmet, that merchant who entered with a trade warrant signed by Commander Jasim...
Saeed: Jasim? Signing a trade warrant? I don't think he signed it... Either way, Simon has a harsh welcome waiting ahead for him. I'll make him pay for this dastardly move...

Saeed opens his phone and calls Akira...

Saeed: Akira! My love! The headquarters has been breached!
Akira: WHAT?! Alright, I'll mobilise my soldiers... What's the plan? Where do we meet?
Saeed: My plan is to take him down by surprise. And let's meet up at the square within 10 minutes...
Akira: Alright, let's stop them...

Simon and his men walk towards the towards the central square, only to be stopped by Saeed's men... Both sides clash, but Simon's men overpower Saeed's men. Simon and his men proceed to move towards the headquarter building... Meanwhile Ahmet and his men walk towards the harbour, and they start burning down the boats, barrels, and almost everything that was in there... However, Akira and her soldiers arrive on time to stop the mess that was happening at the harbour. The fires have been put out, but Ahmet escapes from the scene. As Simon walks towards the headquarter building, and sees no one around, his overconfidence kicks in, and he daringly walks towards the building. However, to his surprise, Saeed and his men were actually hiding behind the bushes. They fire a barrage of arrows, which leads to Simon losing his numbers advantage. At present, both sides are evenly matched... Simon orders his men to attack, while Saeed chooses to stay in defensive position. The biggest surprise comes in the form of Faiz Ihsan's backup, which single-handedly turns the scales of the battle towards the Destaanis... Seeing the loss of his soldiers, Simon chooses to retreat and fall back from the battle... They leave the headquarters with heavy losses...

Saeed: Faiz sir! Thank goodness! You've arrived just in time... I can't thank you enough sir!
Faiz: Always welcome my brave boy! Your dedication and bravery for saving the headquarters is very much appreciated... And as for myself, I just did my duty, and saved the Destaani from trouble...
Saeed: Yes sir, from a big trouble indeed!