Chapter 1738 - 1355: Barzani's Gamble

In the temporary command post in the western outskirts of Kirkuk, originally transformed from an oil company building, a sense of oppressive storm escalation lingered.

Deep in the command center, the old satellite television screen served as the sole light source indoors, flashing unstable blue-white light that cast upon a few rigid-faced individuals.

Barzani stood dumbfounded before the screen.

On television, the weary face of Old Masood was delivering a speech.

"...Based on constitutional powers and the unanimous decision of the Kurd Region Safety Committee, I, Masood, in the name of the President of Kurd Region and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, declare the immediate dismissal of Barzani from all military and political positions... Any individual or military entity, if continuing to obey his illegal orders or participate in his military operations post declaration, will be deemed as armed insurrection against the legitimate government, and shall face severe legal and military punishment..."

"Crack!"

The teacup fell straight from Barzani's hand and shattered on the polished floor.

The color on his face drained instantly, his lips trembled uncontrollably, his throat moved, but he couldn't utter a sound.

A few young aides standing by the command console held their breath, eyes transfixed, with only the sound from the television filling the air.

Yet this loss of composure lasted less than ten seconds.

Barzani fiercely closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, his panic was replaced by a ferocious determination of total commitment.

He slowly bent down, picked up a piece of glass shard with sharp edges from the mess, and exerted slight pressure with his fingertips, letting the blade cut the skin, creating a clear sting that traveled along the nerves to the brain cortex.

The pain brought him completely back to awareness.

"Messenger!"

His voice resumed its usual iciness, even deeper than normal, like rubbing iron.

"Immediately use highest priority communication to summon all Kirkuk stationed regiment and above chiefs, and chiefs of staff to gather in Operation Room One within twenty minutes. Any absent or tardy without reason——"

He paused, watching those aides frozen like a stone statue.

"Shall be treated as wartime deserters, subject to arrest on the spot!"

The order fell like a boulder in dead water, triggering a chain reaction.

The command post instantly came alive, with sounds of footsteps, keyboard taps, and urgent communication calls colliding together.

Thirty-three minutes and seventeen seconds later, inside the temporary military command center conference room in Kirkuk.

On either side of the nearly ten-meter-long mahogany conference table, twenty-three officers in camouflage uniforms sat straight up.

There was no conversation, not even any eye contact.

Everyone knew what had happened.

Barzani was the last to enter.

He did not proceed to the high-backed chair symbolizing the main seat at the end of the table but stopped at the tail end, pressing both hands on the smooth tabletop with a loud "bang", his body slightly leaning forward, like a beast ready to devour.

Two fierce eyes slowly and heavily scanned over each familiar or semi-familiar face, filled with scrutiny, coercion, and a trace of discernible madness.

"News."

He spoke, not loudly, but crystal clear in the absolute silence.

"You've all seen it, and you've all heard it."

Someone instinctively nodded, while more maintained a statuesque stance.

"Our president, Mr. Masood, said I betrayed."

His pace was steady, but each word carried weight.

The conference room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"But what's the truth?!"

Barzani's voice suddenly escalated, pounding the desk, causing several cups to leap.

"The truth is Erbil has fallen! Controlled by a group of foreign conspirators, mercenaries, and traitors from within! That lord from East University, Song Heping! And Abu You, that wild dog I should've strangled with my own hands long ago! They kidnapped Little Masoud, using him to threaten the old president, forcing him to say these insincere words!"

He swung his arm fiercely, pointing to the screen:

"Look! Look at the president's expression carefully! Is that the demeanor of voluntary speech? That is the humiliation and anger of coercion! We must return to Erbil and seize those who slander us!"

A restrained commotion arose in the conference room.

Several of Barzani's loyalists, including Kadir and others near Barzani, immediately voiced their agreement, speaking intensely:

"I knew it! This absolutely isn't right!"

"How could the president suddenly dismiss the general without warning? It's not procedure!"

"Something drastic must have happened in Erbil! Someone planned a coup!"

Yet several expressions of heaviness did not fade.

Seated mid-table, a gray-haired old colonel slowly raised the right hand.

This was Colonel Hassan of the Second Mechanized Brigade.

He has served in the military for over thirty-five years, renowned for his steadiness and integrity.

He is not personally aligned with Barzani.

"General."

Ali's voice matched his demeanor, steady.

"I understand your shock and anger. This matter is indeed full of doubts. However..."

Hassan turned the conversation, and met Barzani's gaze frankly.

"We need more concrete evidence. The president's speech was broadcast on official channels. So far, we haven't received reports of anomalies from the Erbil security forces, the Third Mechanized Brigade, or any other stationed garrison in the capital. General Tor Khan hasn't made any emergency contact with us either. If what you say is true, with multiple kidnappings and coup occurring, the capital's communication and command system cannot possibly remain 'normal'. Without definitive intelligence support, mobilizing troops towards Erbil rashly equates to... starting a civil war."