On Kadan Island, the largest island in the Mergui Archipelago, base commander Saw Ghay Moo was bored to death after standing for hours. He and his team had been guarding the dock like they always did... but tonight, it was unusually exhausting. The operation had started earlier than usual, and for some reason, the other party had shown far more activity than normal.
But Ghay Moo had no reason to complain. The other party was their benefactor. Without their weapons and medicine, the Karen National Liberation Army would never have reached its current position. So, he endured. And he knew his men were enduring too.
Just as the sky began to show hints of morning light, the activity at the dock ceased and the ship started to pull away.
As the vessel faded into the mist, Ghay Moo couldn’t wait any longer. He turned on his radio and ordered, "Soldiers, move to the dock."
But just as they began to move, a deep vibration ran beneath their feet. "Earthquake!" was everyone’s immediate thought.
They dropped flat to the ground, following standard protocol.
But then came a low, rumbling noise from the central mountain of the island... followed by a thunderous explosion. And then... silence.
Far out at sea, although the ship had already travelled some distance, large waves from the explosion still reached it. The vessel rocked violently, swaying left and right... but even that couldn’t disturb Nora. She remained seated on her bed in a perfect meditative state, unmoved by the chaos outside.
Back on the island, as calm returned, Ghay Moo stood up and checked on his team. No one was harmed. He immediately split them into two groups: one was sent to investigate the explosion, the other to secure the dock.
The first team reached the base of the mountain and found a massive crater where part of it had collapsed. It looked like a cave-in. After receiving the report, Ghay Moo personally rushed to the dock.
The first rays of golden sunlight were already falling onto the island by the time he arrived. Scattered across the dock were several large boxes.
They approached cautiously and opened one. Inside were long crates. Ghay Moo’s eyes widened along with his men’s. Within the crates lay ten rocket launchers... and a considerable number of rockets.
In one of the crates, they found a folded sheet of paper. Ghay Moo opened it and read the neatly typed message:
"Thank you for your hospitality. We hope you will properly use this last gift."
The other boxes contained their usual deliveries... medical supplies, ammunition, rations.
Ghay Moo understood immediately. Their guests had left. The explosion had been deliberate... a way to erase all traces of their presence.
He took a deep breath to calm his mind, then switched on the radio to report to his superior.
***
In a newly established Special Economic Zone near the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, Heimdall’s Nigerian production base was taking shape. A ten-foot-high boundary wall surrounded the area, enclosing the growing complex. Nearly a hundred construction workers were scattered across multiple sections, the air thick with the roar of heavy machinery and the shouts of supervisors coordinating the work.
Near the main gate of the facility, Aisha Bello stood with arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed on Edem Kachalla. "I don’t know how you plan to pull this off," she said coldly. "The boss wants us to enter the Kingdom’s market within three months. We’re still in the construction phase. At this pace, when exactly do you expect production to start?"
Edem sighed. "Miss Bello, I understand your urgency... really, I do. But there are no skilled construction workers available in this region. I’ve checked with every contractor and supplier. If we bring in unskilled labour, it’ll cause more damage than progress."
"Then bring workers from other regions," Aisha snapped. "And if it isn’t enough, bring them in from neighbouring countries. I want all construction finished within one month."
Edem hesitated. "But... that’ll cost a lot."
Aisha scoffed and narrowed her eyes. "I don’t know how your family became partners with my boss. Sure, you’ve got some pull with the government offices here. But you don’t know her. There’s one thing Miss Raynor doesn’t lack... money. That’s not the problem. The only thing that matters is following her orders."
She stepped forward slightly, her voice calm but edged with steel. "There are no incompetent subordinates under her. The ones who couldn’t keep up? They’re all dead."

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