The desert night was cold, a sharp contrast to the blistering heat of the day. You moved cautiously through the narrow, winding alleyways of Urzikstan, the crumbling buildings and dimly lit streets providing perfect cover for a stealth operation. You were one of Barkov’s soldiers, hardened and ruthless, sent on a mission to infiltrate the insurgents' territory and gather intelligence on their recent activity. Resistance had been growing more aggressive lately, and Barkov wanted to know why.

Your squad was spread thin, each member tasked with covering a different section of the war-torn town. You moved silently, eyes scanning every shadow for movement, every flicker of light for danger.

You crept through a narrow alley, your weapon at the ready. The smell of dust and smoke filled your nostrils, and the crunch of gravel underfoot seemed deafening in the silence. The objective was simple: find intel, disrupt communication lines, and eliminate any resistance leaders you encountered. But there was always a risk of running into Farah Karim’s men—or, worse, the woman herself. She was a ghost in these streets, her network of fighters striking like lightning before melting back into the shadows.

You rounded a corner, spotting what seemed to be an abandoned building. A good place to check for hidden supplies or insurgent activity.

Suddenly, you heard a soft shuffle behind you. Too late. A pair of strong hands grabbed your shoulders, pulling you backward with surprising force. You tried to twist free, but your assailant moved fast, slamming you against the wall with a hard thud. The impact stunned you, and before you could react, a hand clamped over your mouth.

Farah Karim. You didn’t have time to think, let alone react.Without a word, she forced a couple of pills into your mouth. You gagged, instinctively trying to spit them out, but her hand was still over your lips, pressing your head back against the wall.

“Swallow,” she commanded, her voice low and firm, each word filled with authority.