Chapter 25
Pink Gas
It took few hours until Sidra discovered what was really going on. She could not believe what was happening.
“Oh no… God no… I was wrong. They are not moving new weapons in. They are getting new aircrafts. I think they got at least five fighters.” Sidra said.
“If that’s the case, we are all dead. We really need to get the Burj back and have more information.” Rain said.
“Also, please note that we don’t have anything to eat or drink.” Yazan said.
“Sorry, I had to give our food to the kids, but I do believe that helping someone means someone else will help us in return.” Sidra said.
“Do not apologize for helping the kids out. If we had anything else, I would have happily given it to them.” Yazan said.
“He’s right. It is way less painful feeling hungry than watching few kids look for food in the dirt.” Rain said.
“Let’s keep walking and save our energy. I can’t even speak anymore. I’m really thirsty and this heat is killing us alive.”
It took them hours to finally get back to the camp. They saw Mai and few other people working on digging the well.
“Sidra? Are you ok? You look kind of yellow.” Mai said.
“I’m just thirsty. I don’t want to ask for water since I know they don’t have as much.”
“Here drink this. I have enough of food and water for everyone. Some man just came in with supplies few hours ago.” Mai said.
“Great… Who was he?” Sidra asked.
“We have no idea.” Mai said.
“Guys… we need to sit down and start planning for how we are going to get the Burj back. Sidra, contact Rayan and tell him that we plan on getting in soon.” Rain said.
“Already did it. He’s expecting us.”
Laith showed up and added to the conversation.
“It is going to be hard now that they plan an election. Lion wants to prove to the rest of the world that he is not a dictator by making elections. Ever since they announced it, they ordered extra security on all government’s facilities, including the Burj.”
Few days later, Rain, Yazan, Mai, Laith, Samir, and Sidra all got together and made a plan for how to get the Burj back with minimum damage. They knew that the risk was high. They were willing to risk their lives for the sake of saving others. They had to do whatever it took to get to that bright future they always dreamed about. Only few young people facing an army seemed like such a stupid plan, but what choice did they have? Sitting down and hoping for things to magically fix themselves would never work.
“Guys… I just want you to know that we are going to a battle that we already know… We are the losing team. However…” Sidra said before she was interrupted.
“You don’t have to say it. We already know.” Rain said.
“We want ‘change’, and change we shall get.” Mai said.
“Time to go…” Yazan pointed.
It took days of walking and hours of riding a bus to reach a city near the Burj area. One of the few cites in Estil where the war did not reach the civilians.
“I am not putting a hole in that poor worm. What did the worm ever do to you?” Sidra said.
“Are you for real? It’s just a stupid worm. Do it already, or I will do it myself.” Rain said.
You two are acting like kids. We have to eat. So we need to fish. We’re lucky we found a lake that has fish. Sidra, the worm is all we have to feed the fish, so we can feed ourselves.” Yazan said.
“I can’t do it. Those worms are too disgusting anyways.” Sidra said.
“I can’t believe that you live in Estil and think that the worms are the only disgusting thing around.” Rain said.
“What I can’t believe is that the two of you are technically engaged. I have a feeling that your wedding is going to be a disaster.” Samir commented.
“Speaking of which, did you two set a date yet?” Yazan asked.
“We have not had a chance to even sit down and talk like normal engaged couples do.” Rain said.
“We were too busy finding food, water, and new ways to survive… including putting a hole in a worm. So we can put it on a hook.” Sidra added. “Never mind, I am just complaining about our beautiful life.”
“Seriously, I’m surprised you guys got engaged that quickly. Sometimes, people date for years first.” Laith said.
“How else am I going to prove to her how serious I am?” Rain said.
“Besides, do we look like we have the time to date anyway?” Sidra said.
“I know. I’m just really happy for you two. If everything ever calms down, you two should have a huge wedding.” Yazan said.
“Weddings mean food and at the moment, that’s all I can think of.” Samir said.
“Only if someone agreed to let me fish instead of arguing about making a hole in a worm.” Rain said.
“I just love watching the two of you fight. Your marriage is going to be something else.” Yazan said and laughed.
“I think I got something. It’s a very large fish. We should eat and take the next bus as soon as possible.” Samir said as he saw the big fish swimming and trying to escape the trap he had for it.
“We can’t leave just yet, and we are not taking the bus. We need weapons and supplies.” Rain said.
“The fish… people… the fish… focus here.” Samir said while he was struggling to get the fish out.
“And, Rain… Where are we getting the weapons from?” Mai asked.
As they talked, Samir was able to get the fish out of the water. He held it up high and was really happy about his great achievement.
“I have connections. We will spend the night here though. I would suggest we get ready for camping.” Rain said. “After we eat Samir’s fish.”
“Oh… So, now you care.” Samir said.
“Quit whining … It’s just a fish.” Rain said as he turned to him.
“You can say that again…” Samir said as he hugged and kissed the fish.
“EWWW… Now, I’m not hungry anymore.” Rain said as they all laughed.
They started a fire and camped near the lake. By camped, I mean slept on the grass. Later on, using Rain’s connections, they were able to get in contact with some rogue soldiers in the military, who supplied them with the necessary equipment. They were also able to get a mini-van. The plan that they had come up with was to take the guards down as soon as they get close enough to the Burj. They gave the sniper job to Laith.
After that, Rayan would help them get in and take over the control room, where they have access to everything. From there, they would release a sleeping gas everywhere through the vents. This would’ve knocked off everyone in there. Then, they would easily transport them into one room where they would be held prisoners. The plan was not perfect, but they knew the risks and were willing to do it anyway. And not to spoil anything for you, but not a single part of that plan was executed.
After getting in a close range of the Burj, they decided to leave the mini-van and walk the rest of the way for security reasons.
“Laith, get in position… And please remember… Our plan depends on you. We can’t move until we get your signal once we are in the Burj area.” Sidra said.
“I understand. I will join you guys as soon as I can.” Laith responded.
The team left Laith in position and walked into the woods to get closer to the Burj.
“So what happens if something goes wrong, and we can’t go through with the plan?” Mai asked.
“We move to plan B.” Sidra said confidently.
“What’s plan B?” Samir had a good question.
A pinked colored smoke was just activated as they walked in a certain area. One of them unknowingly activated its sensors.
“Do you guys smell this? What’s that?” Sidra shouted.
“It’s a poisonous gas… Cover your faces and start running” Rain shouted.
“
It must be a new way to keep people out. We have to retrieve.” Yazan yelled.
“Too late…” Sidra said just right before she fainted followed by everyone else.
They were all completely out for some time. None of them could remember what exactly happened that day. All they knew is that they woke up inside a prison cell at the basement of the Burj.
“Laith… Wake up… I think we are in prison.” Rain said.
“This is crazy… How can this happen? What are we going to do now?” Laith asked.
“We are going to crash a party” Sidra said as she was waking up.
“Rain… I think we have a problem here. We are in prison, and your fiancée thinks she’s crashing a party. The gas might have done some damage on her.” Samir said with a serious tone.
“Speak for yourself. I’m as good as I can ever be.” Sidra said while trying to feel her head. Her entire body was hurting.
“Let me guess… This was your plan B?” Rain asked.
“I told you I had a backup plan.” Sidra said.
“Would someone please explain?” Samir asked.
“Plan A was to get inside the Burj regardless of the method. They just made our lives easier by putting us in this disgusting cell. We just need to sit and wait. Plan B will take a place whenever we hear the fire alarm. We are going to have a very long day.” Sidra explained.
“What exactly did you do?”
“Who cares… Let me have some sleep for now.” Sidra said and put her head on the ground.
“I think we need to check on her. She’s talking nonsense.” Samir said.
“We are stuck here anyway. With no guards none the less.” Rain said. “You know… I didn’t even know that there are cells like these at the Burj.”
Short after that, the fire alarm system went off in the entire building. Sidra woke up from her sleep immediately.
“System… ACTIVIATE…” Sidra shouted. “Gate number 809… OPEN.”
In few seconds, the gate of the cell was just wide open with a shocked look on everyone’s face.
“That’s it? We get to walk out… Just like that?” Samir Asked.
“Just get out and be grateful, and by the way, you are all welcome.” Sidra said with a smile on her face.
“What just happened? And why am I so hungry?” Laith asked as everyone was just getting out and walking towards the main armory room in the Burj.
“We need to get as many weapons as we can. Also, we need to get rid of the guards before someone realizes that the fire alarm was just a decoy.” Sidra said, “Last time I was in here, I installed as many voice activated sensors as I could. I thought it would come in handy one day. The only thing that was a total surprise is that gas that knocked us out.”
“That still does not explain why there were no guards at all. It also does not explain how we ended up in a cell. How did they move all of us and just put us in that place?” Laith Asked.
“I can’t explain everything, but my entire body is killing me. Whatever they used to move us is sure was not comfortable.” Sidra said while stretching her arms.
As they reached the main door of the basement, where they were trapped, Rain realized,
“They used a large pop-CAT to move us while we were unconscious. Look …”
There was a pop-CAT machine, an unmanned aircraft, and two tanks just outside the building. There was no sign for any soldier or guards anywhere within their sight.
“That does not sound right… Guys… I think we have been a sleep for about two days now.” Rain said while looking at his smart bracelet.
“No, it was only two hours because the fire alarm was programmed to go off at 3 PM, if a cell’s gate is locked.” Sidra said. “Can we look for food now? I’m getting very dizzy and so does everyone else.”
“Rain is right. Look at the date and time in my watch as well.” Samir confirmed.
“This would explain why we are so hungry and dizzy. Let’s run towards the kitchen before one of us faint.” Laith Added.
“Wait a second… We left you and walked a distance before we were knocked out. Don’t tell me the gas got to you as well, Laith.” Samir Asked looking at Laith.
“The last thing I remember was you leaving, then waking up with the rest of you in that cell.” Laith answered.
National Exile: A 21st Century Novel about Nobility, Poverty, and Cruelty Page 29