Chapter 113: Operation Stranglehold

Chapter 113: Operation Stranglehold

Jarek stood outside of a psychiatry inpatient room looking through the viewing window waiting for the doctor to exit.

The doctor stepped out and she looked to Jarek with an apprehensive smile as she said, “Master Heraklinos. It is an honor to find you waiting for me once again. However, I am afraid after many days, we still have little to no progress.” She gave a deep breath and said, “But don’t worry. Time is her friend even if it means taking months.”The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Jarek put his hand on the shoulder of the doctor and said, “Thank you. Thank you and your team for putting every effort you have in to healing my comrade. She is, or was, an extremely talented warrior under Master Karasu’s clan.”

The doctor smiled back at Jarek, “And she may yet be again one day.”

He began to walk with the doctor, “So no progress at all, correct?”

The doctor shook her head, “I’m afraid not. She is petrified of every stimulus. Even the light scares her to tears, so we keep her in a dark room. She is fully restrained for most of the day just to keep her from harming herself and others while we work to heal her; however, we do allow her some freedoms to maintain her humanity as much as possible.”

Jarek nodded, “You are a gift to our world, doctor. Please keep me updated.”

Jarek intended to walk off ending the conversation, but the doctor stopped him, “Master Heraklinos.” Jarek turned to face her, “Yes?”

She continued, “You should know that if these types of patients recover it can take months. But also, many never recover. If there is ever an opportunity to make a deal with the person who inflicted this ki to remove it... it would be worth consideration. It may be her only hope.”

Jarek nodded, “I understand, doctor. Thank you.” Jarek walked off knowing that making a deal with the person who inflicted it was all but a fool’s dream. He had nothing to trade or barter with save for his son’s love life which wasn’t his to deal with.

As a last resort, he planned to have Erika attempt to curse the foreign ki from Natalya’s body; however, he wasn’t yet ready to take such risk until other avenues had proved fruitless.

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In the deep basement of the White House, the leaders of the Allied Forces sat at a long table.

Jacek slammed his fist on the table sending a crack along the surface as he said in a raised voice, “We need to wipe the BloodStar Citadel off the map! We can’t afford to allow them to prosper in our own lands. It is a show of weakness if we allow them to continue their activities!”

President Monroe threw his hands up, “And what do you suggest we do about it? It’s not just Xenia we have to worry about now. She has Nero, Mistress Khan, and her army grows in number by the hour.”

Karasu sneered, “An enemy’s strength is no reason to lament. Jacek is right.”

Jarek responded, “I see. I am actually calling to give an update on Natalya Belova.”

Karasu sat forward in his seat, “Has there been any progress? How is she?”

Jarek was quiet for several moments. The silence was deafening. Jarek then started, “It is with my greatest regret that I must inform you all that Natalya Belova has taken her own life. Not on her own accord but driven by her own fear inflicted by Constance Khan.”

The room was dead quiet as everyone looked to Karasu. Karasu shed a single tear from his eye and wiped it quickly, “Thank you for informing us Master Heraklinos. The information only steels our efforts in this war to take the BloodStar family down.”

Jarek’s voice boomed, “Don’t let Natalya die in vain. If you lay siege to the citadel, I suggest you move in with full force. I would vote to have Jacek Heraklinos, my son, lead the siege.”

With the news of Natalya’s death, the leadership council was much more willing to lean towards siege risking all-out war with massive casualties.

Jacek nodded, “The deaths of our loved ones will only continue until we put an end to this. I am going to stop her in her tracks.”

Karasu stood and shouted, “And I will accompany you!”

Jacek nodded to Karasu. President Monroe stood from the table next, “You have the full force of the United States Armed Forces at your back including our vast network of cruise missile launch sites.”

St. Michael nodded, “I will begin to disrupt supply chain lines on my end. They will feel it within the week.”

Erika nodded on screen, “I support this plan of action. Be safe. All of you.”

Lastly, Jacek stood from the table, “Karasu and I will take 100,000 men strong to encompass the citadel at a radius of 1 mile. President Monroe, we will need tanks and air support to bombard them day and night.”

Monroe nodded, “We have 100 M1 Abrams tanks on standby at your command. I will scramble the stealth fighters and stealth bombers. They will be fully operational by mid-day tomorrow.”

Just as the meeting was to adjourn, Erika shouted, “Wait! I will be sending you all ki stones crafted from my curse abilities. They will increase your abilities hugely. You will need all the stamina, strength, and speed you can afford. These could mean the difference between life and death.”

Jacek smiled at her, “Thank you Master Sage. It will give us courage to know you are with us by our side as we fight.”

He then declared, “Commence Operation Stranglehold!”