A Twofold Tale

On Al’ard, all of the resistance forces are all grouped at Tizi-n’Talout; everyone from the city, all of the indigenous fighters, and of course Asra’s squad that has 5 from the city and 5 from the tribe. The women on the dream team are working out and drilling every day, and becoming a real combat force. Abdel Lemziri has installed the EW apparatus so even if they’re located, they can’t be attacked by the drones. Feeling safe and powerful, the rebels’ spirits are high.

Fatima Zahra has joined Aziz and Asra in their tent and no one seems to think there’s anything wrong with that. After all, Ali Elbaz has a right to four wives like any other Muslim man. The fact that he and Asra aren’t legally married doesn’t really matter.

One late night shortly after the arrival of the urbanites, Nadim Nurani, also known as Homeboy, slips into the camp. It’s the night of the new moon and there isn’t much light. A few people are moving around but no one recognizes him. He asks one of the tribe members where he can find Asra Hanadi and Ali Elbaz, and is shown their tent. He thanks the man and says that he’ll let them sleep, he can wait until morning. Once having located the tent he wants, he slips back out, returning with a dozen other men that have been waiting outside the camp. They’re all armed with assault rifles, which don’t seem out of place. When they reach the tent of the three leaders, they all slip on gasmasks and Nadim slices a small hole in the tent. He inserts a flexible tube that is attached to a pressurized canister of Sevoflurane (knock-out gas) and opens the valve. They wait 15 minutes as he gas fills the tent. (Normally, when inhaled directly, the effect only takes a few minutes, but here the oxygen in the tent has to be taken into account.) Nadim takes a risk and calls out “Ali”, loud enough to be heard, but not so much as to attract attention. Seeing that there’s no response, He slips into the tent with two of his men. All three of the leaders are out cold. Nadim injects a more potent knock out drug to make sure they don’t wake up for the next 12 hours. They wrap all three in their blankets and abduct them quickly, men covering in front and behind.

Aziz, Asra, and Fatima Zahra all wake up in individual cells, just like Aziz and Asra almost 3 months ago after being stunned. Asra has been handcuffed and bound; they aren’t going to make the same mistake twice.

Captain Hassan Fassi has been busy, at present he’s secretly running the prison from inside his cell. He knows about the kidnapping and everything seems to be going according to his plan.

The next morning everyone’s in a panic back at the rebel camp. They’re left with no leaders, so Mas Anazar’s daughter Fadina assumes the role. She summons Chimere and asks her to go into the leaders’ tent. After spending 10 minutes in the tent she emerges, crying, looking forlorn and full of despair. “They’re all in prison cells. They were gassed and kidnapped. The kidnapper’s name is ’Homeboy’, does anyone know who that is?”

Several of the urbanites speak up, naming Nadim Nurani, who was with their group until just before the attack on the bookstore meeting place at the summer solstice.

Fadina comes to a logical conclusion, “There must be a traitor here in the camp with us who gave our location to Homeboy. It would have to be one of the city people, how could he possibly know anyone from the tribe? Chimere, do you think that you could sense the traitor?”

“Yes, I believe if I can hold everyone’s hand I’ll find out who the rat is.”

Fadina orders her tribesmen. “Take your weapons (they always wear them anyway) and block the road, now. Don’t let any of the city dwellers leave Tizi-n’Talout.” Then she turns to her team, Asra’s squad, “Bring all of the members from the city to Chimere’s tent, she’ll see them one by one. “Aya, Zina, Maha, Najla, you know who they all are, make sure they all come.” They start the search for the rat.

It’s the break of dawn at the prison, and Captain Hassan calls the guards. “Take me to Asra Hanadi’s cell.” He enters. Asra is awake, tied to a chair and silently meditating. “Dr. Asra Hanadi, it’s a great honor to meet you. I’ve come to know your father since being locked up here. At present, I run the show here. All of the guards are loyal to me, and not only them, but many of the NSF soldiers, all of them that have ever been under my orders. I believe that I shall have all of the armed forces with me soon.”

“So, it was you who betrayed us. What do you want to do? Give us to Mahfoud as a present to win back his favor?”

“That’s what I want Mahfoud to think. It’s all part of a strategy. Yes, it was I who contacted Nadim Nurani. Even he thinks that I’m with Mahfoud. I’m the only person who knows what’s really going on.”

“So, it’s power you want? You want to do a military coup and replace Mahfoud?”

“Partly right. But the motives are all wrong. Listen to me now. I only had you tied up because if you hadn’t been you’d have ruined the plan. Mahfoud is the most despicable man I’ve ever known. He has to be stopped. Now that he knows you’ve been captured, and has no idea that it was me who mastered the plan, He’ll want to come to the prison and see over the execution of you three rebels himself. That’s what I wanted. He’s about to fall into a trap. I don’t want power myself, but I want to restore the balance of power in our government and eliminate the tyrant. I hope that our King will come to know the truth and that he’ll reinstate me as a Captain. I just want to be able to live my life with my family and do my job for my country as I’ve done my entire career. For this to work, you’ll have to go along with the scenario and pretend that your hands are still tied, because your combat skills are famous to everyone here. In fact, they’ll be tied in such a way that you can easily break free, which is what I want you to do, but at the right moment. You’ll know when that is, because I’m going to arrest Mahfoud. Then, all of the prisoners here will be set free. I’ll stay with my men to guard our one and only prisoner until we can get an Audience with our beloved King.” He smiles, “So, my dear Tafrara, your father told me your name, are you with me? Can we untie you now?”

Asra, who has stayed calm even when she thought the worst, is now full of hope. “Yes Captain, I’m with you. The hardest part now will be to feign hatred for you.” She smiles back.

“Good. You’ll have to stay in your cell until you’re summoned. I’ll have them bring you a nice meal. The effect of the tranquilizer is all gone? You feel alright and ready to fight?”

“Yes, Thank God, and thank you Captain.”

Captain Hassan pays a visit to both Fatima Zahra and Aziz (whom he believes is Ali), and explains the situation, then has them all sent a meal as promised. Now, he also explains the plan to Mas Anazar, who he had left in the dark until now.

A special H3 military helicopter arrives in the afternoon from the capital city Al’Easima, aboard it is the Minister of the Interior, Information, and Communication Technologies. A cloud of cigar smoke billows out as soon as the door is opened and no one needs to announce his arrival. Everything appears to be normal, even the Captain is back in a normal cell, like the other prisoners, as per his instructions.

Mahfoud has the guards bring the Captain to the interrogation room. “Leave us alone.” He orders.

“So, Captain, the guards tell me that it was you who discovered where the rebels were camping and informed Nadim Nurani. That was quite a turnaround! Why would you want to do that after what I did to you? You wanted to win my favor?”

“I’m a soldier. I’ve always done what I thought was the best thing for my country.”

“Oh, come on, don’t give me that shit, you just wanted your stripes back. But I’m curious, how did you get the rebels to trust you.”

“That was easy. After you disgraced me they could understand why I would want to join them. And the soldiers here all know me, so they all helped.”

“Well, when the rebels are 5 feet under I’ll reinstate you. Not before. And we’ll drink to it.”