Chapter 13

No Goodbyes

Part 2

The capital city was in chaos as the protests turned to violent means. Belgarath remained isolated and closed off from the rest of the country, so it took a while for the news from the capital to reach there. When the capital city was burning down, Belgarth was celebrating the soldier’s victory over the Sharias. As soon as the battle was over, Major Ibrahim was summoned at the capital. As Major Ibrahim entered the cabin of Mr. Asylkhan, the defence minister, the intelligence director Taimoor Ali who was also present there, greeted him with a big applause.

'Congratulation on the victory, Major’. Taimoor Ali said clapping.

‘ Congratulation, Major’. The defence minister said, but his words reflected no happiness or enthusiasm.

‘ Thank you Minister and director. ‘ Major Ibrahim said proudly. He had sustained small injuries, but he was happy that his men had secured their western border. Major Ibrahim was unaware of the situation at the capital till he came. On his way to the Minister’s office, he saw protesters all along the streets raising anti foreign and racist slogans above their heads. He was really shocked and wondered what had happened to his fellow country men.

‘You are commissioned to the North again, Major. ‘ Mr. Asylkhan said.

‘Within three weeks, the situation had changed. The North is not the same, it’s dangerous there, Major. ‘ Minister Asylkhan continued and looked at the director for the explanation. Taimoor Ali updated everything that had happened in the North in Major Ibrahim's absence and Major Ibrahim was shocked at it and stood there speechless.

‘There is a huge conflict going on between the refugees and the soldiers. Amidst that, the Northerners had riled up against the refugees and it’s a total chaos in there. The military cannot side with the Northern protestors because our approach to the refugees had already created a wedge between so many foreign nations. As you know, our country cannot survive without the foreign help. We cannot also solely side with the refugees as it will make the Native Northerners angry and their protests might turn more violent and gruesome and that is bad for the government. So our approach should be neutral towards the refugees and the northerners. For that, we need more soldiers and You and your men will go to the North, tomorrow. We need someone whom we can trust, Major. ‘ Taimoor Ali said.

‘ I understand, director and we will do our duty to the nation. But I have a request. Most of my men are injured from the last battle and they need some time to recover, maybe a day or two. Please give us time for that.’ Major Ibrahim said concerned for his fellow men.

‘ If you stay in the capital, more of your fellow men at the North will lose their lives, major. I totally understand your concern for your men, but I am really helpless. I am sorry, Major Ibrahim’. Minister Asylkhan said hanging his head low.

‘ Yes sir, as your command then'. Major Ibrahim said saluting. But his mind was really annoyed because he felt that the government was using the military in a wrong way and was pushing his men to slaughter at the North by the protesters and refugees. No one cared about their lives. They were not even considering the fact that his men were injured and needed rest. He left the cabin with a poker face and a disappointed mind.

As soon as Major Ibrahim left, the defence minister turned to the intelligence director.

‘ So, what were you saying earlier, director? ‘ Asylkhan asked leaning back on his chair.

‘ The protesters, minister. We found the source of the unrest and chaos and who created it. Most of them are from the racist organizations that were banned a long time ago because of their ties with the Sharias. These protests are their plan and they are even dragging innocent natives into this. Most of them who protests on the streets are natives who don’t even know what they are protesting against. They were brainwashed, propagandised and conditioned by these racist organization to turn against the government and the foreigners in the country. They have been laying low, dormant for years without even a trace of their activities, but they were secretly active all these years and we failed to catch their scent, minister. I am ashamed, but totally helpless. I don’t deserve this position, minister. ‘ Director Taimoor Ali said, disappointed at himself. Asylkhan know director Taimoor Ali was very loyal and trustworthy and it was the intelligence department who is to blame for. First to begin with, the intelligence wing was corrupted from the go itself, even before Taimoor Ali became the director. Adding on to that, the government failed to find the moles in the department and the roots of corruption got deeper each year. Nobody could blame Taimoor Ali who was trying his best for his country and Asylkhan knew this too.

‘ What about our plan to catch the mole?’. Asylkhan asked avoiding Taimoor Ali’s last remark.

‘ We had pinpointed three of them in the intelligence wing and we are observing them for any suspicious activity, minister. Soon we will find the whistle blower. ‘ Taimoor Ali said.

‘ See, you did a great job and nobody deserve this position as much as you do, director. I had three former intelligence directors before you and none of them came this close in catching the mole. Don’t be disheartened by these events. We will set things right or we will try our best for that, so we can die without any regrets. The rest is upto the God. ‘ Asylkhan said and those words made Taimoor Ali lift his head.

‘ But what had happened to this country, director? How come these chaos and unrest is happening in our land? ‘ Asylkhan sighed, disappointed.

‘ But at least our western border is safe, Minister’. It was now Taimoor Ali’s turn to comfort the Minster.

‘ What’s the use of securing the arm when we are about to lose our head? ‘Asylkhan asked, the disappointment in his words was very evident.

‘ Let’s sent the soldiers to the North and hope for the best, minister. Like you said, we have to try our best to set things straight. Let’s have hope.‘ Director Taimoor Ali said.

‘ Mmm'. Minister Asylkhan murmured while lighting up a cigarette to smoke. He was lost in thoughts as Taimoor Ali bid goodbye to the minister and left the cabin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The government was concerned about the protest and proclaimed the organizations as racist and banned people from joining them. They made plans to wipe out these organizations and declared them as illegal. The racist organizations, because of this, started kidnapping the foreigners, attacking them on the streets and even murdering the tourists. The issue escalated beyond the country to a global level as the genocide and atrocities towards the foreigners and tourists increased and ruined the nation’s reputation.

The foreign nations were concerned for the safety of their citizens and came up with a plan to safely return their citizen back to their own country. The US government also took emergency measures to bring back their citizens and minister Alan who was in charge of the foreign ministry was responsible for that. When the financial state of the country also Worsened during the crisis, the US government decided to withdraw their military support from Belgarath along with the Legates and the four hundred soldiers as soon as possible and to return them safely back to the US. As per the order from above, Minister Alan send a telegram summoning the three legates and the four hundred soldiers to the capital immediately. The telegram only said ‘ emergency’ and col. Barnes thought that they needed the soldiers at the capital because of the protests. The three legates and the soldiers arrived at Minister Alan’s office after five hours of drive through the desert. As the legates entered his cabin, Mr. Alan had already packed his suitcase and was ready to leave.

‘ Oh thank god, you are here! Hope you had packed all the necessary things for the departure'. Minister Alan said.

‘Departure? ‘. The legates asked at the same time.

‘ We were asked to come here all of a sudden. The telegram only said ‘ emergency’. We thought you needed soldiers at the capital because of the protests.’Col. Barnes said frowning.

‘ Exactly, it is an emergency. An emergency departure. Don’t you see what’s happening in here? Our people are being slaughtered by these barbarians. So we are leaving here with our soldiers. ‘Minister Alan said, with his words oozing hatred for the natives.

‘ You mean this country?. We are leaving this country? ‘. Col. Barnes asked.

‘ Yes, we are. It’s an order, colonel. The government has withdrawn all their support to the national government in here and you three being the top priority officers, it’s my job to return you back to our homeland, safely. I have explained the situation to you and it’s your duty to let your soldiers know about this. Get ready to leave this country, you have half an hour. And don’t worry about the luggage, it’s really ok if you didn’t came here prepared to leave. Your lives are more important, officers.’ Minister Alan said and nodding prepared to leave the office , dragging his suitcase behind him.

Col. Barnes stood there in shock as his brain had stopped working. Dr. Amir and Professor Lee were also confused and stood there not knowing what to do.

‘You called us here so that we could leave this country? ‘. Col. Barnes asked still in shock.

‘ Colonel, I am really sorry. It’s the government’s order and being a soldier and a legation officer who represents our country, you are bound to obey the order. ‘ Minister Alan said, getting irritated at the colonel.

‘ What about the military hospital, the school and the legation office? ‘. Dr. Amir asked, his mind was full of concern for the Belgarathians, but knowing that the minister hated them, he didn’t voice them out.

‘ We can’t put them on a plane, can we?. I know this is too soon, but each second we delay, one of our citizen is being slaughtered in the streets. We are trying our best to get them all out of this country, safely. If you are concerned about your things in Belgarath, I will find a way to bring them back, after we reach our country, safely. Your lives are more important, so it’s my responsibility to get you safely out of this wretched country and I am going to make that possible by any means. No more questions, Inform the rest of your men that we leave in half an hour. ‘ Minister Alan said and then left the office.

Colonel Barnes slowly understood the situation and the fact that he cannot go back to Belgarath gradually registered in his head. His eyes filled with unshed tears and he was still as a statue. He had half an hour but it was not enough to go back and forth from the capital to Belgarath. He couldn’t leave without his Tamina.

‘ One of you please inform my men about the departure. I am not coming. Leave without me. ‘ Col. Barnes said and walked towards the door to leave, but Dr. Amir was faster to lock the door and detain the colonel.

‘Move, Dr. Amir’. Colonel Barnes said Inanimately.

‘ I was right to expect this foolish reaction from you, colonel. You are not thinking straight. Calm down and think logically. The capital is in total chaos now and it will soon reach Belgarath too. The moment you walk out of this building, there is no guarantee for your life. If you go back and decides to stay, you will die in these racists people’s hands ‘. Dr. Amir said trying to stop col. Barnes.

‘ He is right, colonel. ‘ Professor Lee also supported the doctor.

‘ Not everyone is racist, Doctor. You both know that too. ‘ Col. Barnes reasoned out.

‘ Yes, there are good people too, like your friend Kaidan , but is he going to protect you from the rest of the natives? Haven’t you seen the protests in the Street and it’s so evident that they hate us. As soon as these protests reach Belgarath, the Belgarathians will also became just like these racist people. This racism, it’s like a virus, it spreads too fast and sometimes remain dormant in our blood even without us knowing that. You know they already hate us for what we had done to them, do you think they will forgive us just because we built schools and hospitals there? Because of captain Eugene, about one fourth of their population had lost their lives in just six years, colonel. They won’t forget any of those, nor they will forgive us ‘. Dr. Amir said trying to convince his friend.

‘ I can’t leave her like this, without even a goodbye, doctor. You know that too. She didn’t even know that I was leaving. Even I didn’t know that we were leaving the country. How can I do this to her? I can’t leave without any explanation, doctor'. Colonel Barnes's voice cracked at the end and he burst out. Deep in his mind he knew that he cannot leave because of his men, but still he was trying, for Tamina. Colonel Barnes was loosing all his resolution and he walked back and forth like a mad man. Professor Lee stood there watching his two friends, helplessly.

‘ Colonel, she would want the same for you too. To leave this country safely, before her people tries to kill you. She wouldn’t want to see you loose your life In front of her eyes. Your love for each other can cross any boundaries, colonel, if you stay together or apart doesn’t matter. Try to accept it, we are not the same as these people. How much we try to mingle with them, our thoughts will always be different. We cannot stoop so low as these people whose minds are full of hatred for us. Those racists who slaughter our men in the streets or Eugene Carter, they are all the same, but we are not, colonel. We could never be one of them. All she would want will be to see you alive, Barnes. ‘ Dr. Amir said, his words reflected the wisdom of his age.

‘ This is not right, this is wrong. Stop trying to change my mind. I can’t let her go. ‘ Col. Barnes said and pushed Dr. Amir out of his way while trying to unlock the door. Professor Lee tried to stop the colonel, but he was too strong for him.

‘Col. Persey. Jacob. Barnes, come to your senses. This is not about you. There are about Four fifty men under your command and if you decide to stay, those men cannot go back as per the rules and will have to stay here with you too. Do you want to see them loose their lives just because of your stubbornness? Do you want that to happen? ‘. Dr. Amir asked, angrily, raising his voice. Both Professor Lee and colonel Barnes was stunned at this Dr. Amir who looked like a mad bull. Dr. Amir heaved a sigh and it seemed like he was disappointed at himself for loosing his temper.

‘ I am sorry. That was just the heat of the moment. Barnes, think about those men. You can’t leave here and step out into the street or go back to Belgarath. It’s dangerous and we cannot let that happen to you, kid. ‘ Dr. Amir said, coming back to his normal self.

‘ I totally agree with him, colonel. Every word the doctor spoke is the reality. ‘ Professor Lee said stepping in between the other two legates to create some distance between them.

Col. Barnes was vexed and in a tight situation. He had the lives of his four fifty men and his in one scale and Tamina on the other scale. He stood there weighing them. If he chooses her, it will be at the cost of his own life and his men’s. Col. Barnes sat on a chair and buried his head on his hand, totally defeated. He had to make a choice and it was not easy for him. His men or his love. The room became eerily quiet as the other two legates kept looking at each other and at col. Barnes as if they were checking him. Time passed and soon a knock was heard at the door. Dr. Amir opened the door to reveal a US soldier who saluted him.

‘ We are ready to leave, sir. ‘ He informed.

‘ What about the soldiers? ‘. Dr. Amir asked.

‘ They were informed as well. We will leave in ten minutes. ‘ The soldier said.

‘ Thank you. We will be there, soon'. Dr. Amir said and the soldier nodded and left saluting him. Closing the door, Dr. Amir looked at colonel Barnes who was still sitting on the chair with his head on his hands and he hasn’t shifted from that position for the last twenty minutes. Dr. Amir shared a concerned look with professor Lee who nodded at him.

‘ It’s time to leave, colonel.’ Professor Lee said. Col. Barnes raised his head from his hands and stood from the chair, like a robot. His eyes were red and pain reflected in them. He leaned down to pick his cap from the floor that had fallen to the ground during his conflict with Dr. Amir. He placed his cap on his head and slowly breathed out through his nose. For the first time in his life, his cap felt heavy on his head. It weighed as much as that of the lives of four fifty soldiers.

‘Let’s go. ‘ Dr. Amir said looking at the colonel who stood there as he had came back from death, completely expressionless. Like a robot, col. Barnes moved Inanimately, he was calm on the outside, but with each step he takes, his heart was being torn into pieces. He was wailing on the inside. All the three legates walked towards a bulletproof van, inside which minister Alan was already waiting for them.

As soon as the three legates occupied the seats, the van started to move, and behind them were similar van with four fifty soldiers in them. The van entered the street and the protesters enveloped the vehicle, like bees swarming the hives. They hit the windows enforced with iron bars with batons and screamed at the soldiers inside the van. All of them were startled at the noise, but col. Barnes stood there, staring outside the window at the protesters, not even blinking. His mind and thoughts were miles ago, with his love, in Belgarath. The van led them into the airport were an airplane with ‘US airlines' plastered on its belly was waiting for them. The soldiers rejoiced seeing the plane.

With his body and mind at two different places, col. Barnes ascended the stairs of the plane. At the entrance, he stopped to take a look at the sky, which was turning golden, just before the sunset. Memories flooded his mind and a lone tear escaped his green eyes. Suddenly someone bumped into him and he turned to look at Minister Alan, who was frowning at him for blocking the entrance.

‘ Are you ok, Colonel.? You seemed a bit sad, like you are leaving something precious here’. Minister Alan commented and then walked past Jacob without even waiting for a reply.

Col. Barnes was at the verge of turning back, but Dr. Amir had already sensed the change in colonel Barnes's emotions. So he approached him and nodded to go inside and take his seat.

‘There are four fifty men waiting to board this plane’. Dr. Amir said walking past colonel Barnes.

His urge to turn back slowly died down at the mention of his men and he walked inside the cabin to occupy his seat without a word.

After a while, the plane took off with a loud noise and soon it glided smoothly through the sky, the golden hue of setting sun reflecting on its body. Colonel Barnes looked below the ground through his window, the traces of smoke from the protests was the only thing visible at that height. His green eyes slowly travelled to the West, but he couldn’t see Belgarath from that height and his heart ached, thinking about Tamina. He imagined her, waiting for him at the Market, but then returning to her house as the sun was beginning to go down, with a sad look on her face. His heart was breaking and he couldn’t breath as helplessness, longing and love for her was dragging him down. He placed his hands on the window pane, yearning for her and continued staring at the direction of Belgarath till the sun went down and everything around him turned black, and it reflected his life without his Tamina.