Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 236 "True Loyalty" (Part 3)
"Okay, okay, I look forward to seeing you."

Gorodish handed the radio back to Al-Haril, who turned and took it, saying, "Marshal."

After a brief exchange, he put down the radio and nodded to Zafield: "He's one of ours now, we're going to send him back to the rear."

"Why didn't you do this earlier?" Gorodish muttered.

Al-Hali ignored the other person's complaints and continued, "Now, it's time to prove your worth."

"I see."

Gorodish sighed, then straightened his collar: "After all, I also have to plan for my retirement."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Inside the new city defense headquarters, Colonel Ella astutely noticed that the map representing the 11th Armored Division and the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division had suddenly stopped moving.

This is really unusual.

He immediately picked up the phone and dialed the command of the 42nd Armored Division.

Somewhat to his surprise, the call connected quickly, and Brigadier General Waltz's voice came through: "Ira, we have just received direct orders from the general to halt the advance and immediately cease fire."

"You can't stop!" Ira said sternly. "The enemy has already breached the Lamat David Air Force Base!"

"This is the general's direct order."

Waltz repeated firmly, "We are officers, and obeying orders is our top priority. And I think it won't be long before the general contacts you personally."

Just as Colonel Elah was about to ask something else, the dedicated phone line he had been keeping on rang suddenly.

He answered the phone and heard that familiar voice: "This is Gorodish."

"General," Ira took a deep breath, "why did you order the 11th Armored Division and the 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division to halt their advance?"

The scene shifts to a group of officers with dual patriotism, where Gorodish calmly replies, "This is all for Haifa. Haven't you considered that if the two armies clash in the city, countless people will die and the city will be reduced to ruins?"

Ira hesitated, "But what about this act of non-resistance?"

"Nothing but!"

The voice on the other end of the phone was a torrent of angry shouts: "Are you questioning my orders? Now, immediately, dismantle all checkpoints along the route! This is a critical operation concerning national security! Don't make me say it a second time!"

Yila, forcing a smile, said, "General, are we just going to let these enemies wreak havoc in our rear and then easily withdraw? As soldiers, isn't our duty to fight to the last moment?"

"I'm still the Zion Air Force Commander and Armaments Commander!" Gorodish's voice suddenly rose: "Lieutenant Colonel, you should count carefully, there are several ranks between us!"

Elah remained silent.

"Answer me!?"

Ira gritted his teeth: "Fifth Road, Commander."

"Good that you know, but are you qualified to teach me how to do things?!"

After roaring, Gorodish continued coldly, "Now do as I say. Disobey orders, or I'll arrest you on charges of treason! Do you understand?!"

".yes."

The phone was hung up harshly.

Ira stood there, the general's angry curses still echoing in his ears.

The Arab army launched a surprise attack on Haifa port, destroying chemical and air bases. They were forced to redeploy valuable troops from the front lines to defend and suppress the enemy, but now they've stopped fighting.

To Elah, this was utterly absurd.

Fire and smoke still linger in Haifa, the gray night sky illuminated by the flames of war.

Elah disagreed with the general's orders, but as a soldier, he was required to obey his superiors' orders.

So, what is the right thing to do?
He looked up and his gaze fell on a line of small Hebrew text on the wall directly opposite the commander's position: "The nation will prove your loyalty."

Colonel Yila's gaze shifted from confusion to determination.

General Gorodish's roar had just echoed throughout the entire command post, leaving all the young officers and staff members bewildered.

Ehrih looked around at every young face, his voice echoing throughout the command center: "The Arab army has entered our city and is wreaking havoc! Just now, the Ramat David Air Base has fallen."

But the city defense command is still here! We are still here! We will prove with our actions that even if we shed our last drop of blood, we will completely wipe out these invaders!

His words were like a shot in the arm, telling everyone what to do next.

Ira turned to the crowd and said firmly, "Immediately block all major roads! Double the alert at all checkpoints! Report any unusual movements immediately!"

Then he raised his fist high: "Zion will win!"

The young men raised their fists high, their unified and resounding voices almost shattering the ceiling of the city defense command center: "Victory!!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Meanwhile, Shuangzhi's assault brigade was retreating in an orderly manner along the established route.

Gorodish was held in the car, with Al-Khali sitting opposite him.

Along the way, they saw many troops, with fully armed infantry sitting on the turrets of tanks, watching the Arab force head towards the outskirts of the city.

Both sides tacitly refrained from firing at each other and maintained considerable restraint.

"Do not act rashly."

What are your plans after you leave the city?

Gorodish suddenly asked, "My authority is limited to the city; the Fifth and Sixth Armies are not under my control."

“Don’t worry, there will be a support force in the northern passage. They will force open a gap, and we will break out from there,” Al-Khali said, observing the situation on the street.

It would be a lie to say that the situation isn't tense right now.

"Is it the bridge that crosses Carmel Hill?"

"That's right, as long as we get through there."

At that moment, the armored vehicle suddenly braked sharply.

"Sir, there are people blocking the road ahead!"

Hearing the noise, Al-Khali quickly climbed off the roof of the car, and the sight before him made his heart tighten.

On the bridge right in front of them, dozens of armored vehicles and tanks were spread out in a fan shape, their cannons pointing straight at the center of the road. The blinding xenon headlights illuminated the entire bridge as if it were daytime, and every firing position was ready for action.

"what's the situation?"

Shuangzhi's armored forces also immediately moved forward, forming a standoff on the bridge.

The previously unobstructed evacuation route was completely cut off, and even on the nearby streets, many people were seen observing the situation.

Gorodish, inside the vehicle, peered through the observation slit and saw the commander standing at the front. His expression instantly changed: "Ira! Damn it!"

He was about to get up when Zafield held him down firmly.

At this moment, Ira, standing at the very front of the bridge, raised a megaphone and shouted towards the direction of the Shuangzhi troops: "Arab invaders, you have nowhere to escape! Surrender unconditionally immediately!"

This sudden change immediately made the situation tense.

Upon hearing this, Al-Khali took the megaphone and shouted back, "Didn't you receive orders from your general?"

Ira remained unmoved and continued, "This kind of order must be conveyed to me personally by General Gorodish."

Al-Khali knew perfectly well what the other party was planning.

He is no longer the young man who only knew how to drive tanks and charge behind the marshal.

Gorodish is their current shield; if Gorodish were to "die unexpectedly," the situation would collapse instantly. Al-Hari, looking at the opposing force, sneered, "You don't actually think this small force can stop us, do you?"

Under the lights, Ira showed no weakness: "You can try it. Once you open fire, the 42nd Division and the 11th Armored Division in the city will annihilate you immediately!"
You have two minutes to lay down your weapons and surrender!

The soldiers behind Elah, upon hearing their commander's decision to fight to the death, shouted in unison:
"Must win!"

"Must win!!"

"Must win!!!"

The shouts were so powerful that they seemed to make the bridge surface tremble slightly.

Al-Hali's palms involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat. What had gotten into this reckless commander?

Operations Command, 42nd Mechanized Infantry Division, Zion.

"Brigadier General, what should we do?"

Division Commander Waltz was also keeping a close eye on the situation on the bridge. After hearing the report from his subordinates, he said, "Have everyone prepare for battle."

The same scene also played out inside the 11th Armored Division headquarters.

The two sides remained deadlocked, and time ticked by.

"Thirty seconds left! All hands, take aim!"

Ehrah's voice echoed across the bridge, and the two armored battalions behind him immediately aimed all their weapons at the other side.

"Assault armored brigade, deploy into battle formation!"

Shuangzhi's tanks immediately changed formation, with the front row lowering their guns and the rear row seizing flank firing positions. Amidst the roar of their engines, a bloody battle was about to break out.

At this tense moment, Gorodish's voice echoed across the bridge:
"Ehrah! Didn't you hear my order? Ceasefire immediately!"

"Do you want to start a war in the city and turn Haifa into ruins?"

The morale of the defending troops was dampened.

"Your Excellency the Admiral."

Ira hadn't expected Gorodish to speak out at this time. He forced himself to remain calm: "As far as I know, the airbase has fallen. I have every reason to believe that you have been coerced. The current orders represent the will of the rebels!"

“I have not been captured. I am in a safe position now, and all my words and actions are my own will.”

Gorodish sat in the armored vehicle, holding a megaphone. "But you, since you acknowledge me as your superior, why did you disobey orders?"

Because Zion was originally built upon the military system of the United Kingdom, their army has a strict hierarchy, with absolute obedience as a fundamental principle.

Ella, steeling himself, said, "Then please tell me your exact location. I will have someone confirm it before executing your orders."

"Irah Ben-David!"

Gorodish's voice suddenly became authoritative, "By my own will, I appoint you as the city defense commander at 21:35 tonight, and announce this to the entire army!"

Therefore, I hereby formally revoke this appointment on my own initiative! You have been relieved of all duties and have no authority to move any troops!

These words struck like a hammer blow, and the tank units behind Ira began to stir.

Gorodish's words were like a bucket of cold water, turning him from a powerful city defense commander back into a spy chief.

Yila turned around and looked at the two battalion commanders behind him.

The two men had clearly just finished making a radio call, and when faced with Ela's gaze, they shook their heads helplessly: "Sorry, there's nothing we can do to help you now."

A mix of frustration and anger welled up inside him. Yira looked at the young policemen he had brought with him. He knew that these men, who were truly loyal to the country, were doomed.

"Give me your gun." He reached out to the young police officer standing beside him, who was holding a submachine gun.

But the young police officer gripped his weapon tightly.

Just when Ela thought he couldn't even command these police officers, the other party firmly said, "Whatever you want to do, please let me follow you!"

"Sir!"

"Sir!!"

The other young officers gripped their weapons and stepped forward.

As Era looked at these young faces, a warm feeling welled up from the bottom of her heart.

Although the country's leadership seems to be completely corrupt, as he has always believed, it is precisely because of the stubbornness or inaction of certain individuals that they have suffered repeated defeats on the front lines.

However, the flame of hope never seemed to be extinguished.

“You will stand here,”

Ella said, "No matter what happens, don't follow me."

Amidst the anxious shouts of the crowd, Yila turned to face the blinding xenon headlights and walked alone towards the vast army.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Bullets clanged and clattered against the tank's armor, scattering sparks.

"You bunch of bastards, if you dare, shoot me!!"

Elah roared as he strode forward.

Seeing this, Al-Khali quickly hid behind a tank. He happened to see a soldier about to raise his gun to fire, so he quickly pressed the soldier's hand down: "Don't shoot!"

At this point, once the guns are fired, the situation changes, and the army watching from the sidelines will not stand idly by.

The bullets were quickly used up. Yila threw down the submachine gun, pulled away two grenades and threw them forward with all his might, then drew his pistol and continued to fire in bursts.

Everyone who witnessed this scene—the people of the city, the army of Shuangzhi, and the reinforcements from Zion—was deeply shocked.

Gorodish watched this resolute scene from inside the car, a rare look of bewilderment flashing across his face.

After the last bullet was fired, he pulled out the dagger from his waist.

At this moment, many Zion soldiers finally understood why Zion was able to win every battle against the Arab army in the early stages.

Despite their questionable morality, three years ago, soldiers like them were commonplace in the military.

The moment Ira approached the front line, Al-Khali gave him a wink.

Several agile soldiers quickly subdued him.

Surprisingly, instead of swinging his blade at his enemy, Era turned it towards his own neck.

But his knife was quickly taken away.

"Let me go, let me go!"

Elah struggled desperately after his weapon was taken away, until a heavy punch knocked him unconscious.

"Sir, what should we do with this guy?"

“Just leave it here,” Al-Khali ordered. “The Zionians will take care of him. Let the caravan pass on either side of him.”

The two convoys then split up on either side and proceeded along both sides of the bridge, this time without any city troops blocking their way.

Looking at Ira lying in the middle of the bridge, Gorodish murmured to himself, "We had many soldiers like that back then."

“And now?” Al-Khali asked.

Gorodish stared at his palm and said softly, "I'm getting old."

(End of this chapter)