Chapter 166 - Propaganda (1/2)

In a planet far away from the young man who had decided to leave his family and search for answers, there was a sudden declaration of a holiday. The planet was called as 'Jamai Malik' and was under the rule of king Aamir Malik. Though named a king, he maintained a democratic council elected by the people to help him govern over his territories.

The sudden declaration was quite surprising for all the people under the rule of Aamir Malik. He was known to be quite a disciplined man and a strict ruler. So, such a declaration was quite unnerving to most people, but the announcement of the attack on the Nirbaadh pirates that followed calmed them down.

All the members of the Malik family were roused awake from their sleep to hear the words of their patriarch. Shehzad Malik was no exception. His brother Zubair had contacted him in the game and together along with Zubair's wife, Aisha, they went into an auditorium where they were expecting an announcement from the king and patriarch, Aamir.

Most were concerned and discussing about the attack. It had only been informed to the majority of them that a successful attack had been made on the Nirbaadh pirates and they would be provided further information here.

The people assembled included all the high-level officials including the prime minister, defence minister and the commanders of the armed forces of the family. They were all waiting patiently for their king to make the announcement. A majority of them were expecting a call to arms to continue the attack on the pirates and destroy them. Many rumors related to it have already started spreading through them.

Zubair Malik had been introducing Shehzad and Aisha to the various personnel. He had been a member of the armed forces, since he was of age and currently commanded a battalion of royal soldiers in service of the royal family. His father was the crown prince and many including Aamir and his father expected him to take charge of the family in a couple of decades.

A few minutes later, a video was projected on the wall of the hall showing the debris of a number of fighter ship which were clearly fired at and destroyed. In a few seconds, a much bigger vessel entered their view with the word ”UNHINDERED”, written in bold letters across it. The ship looked like it had been burnt to crisp with holes in it and metal burnt and bent away from the insides of the ship like it had been blasted from the inside.

Everyone, young and old, immediately recognized the ship as most of them were instructed to learn of its appearance and attack them with extreme prejudice as soon as they became a part of the family. It was a myth that evaded them for the past few decades, its occupants considered as evil men who haunted their nightmares.

”Our enemies have finally fallen,” came the loud resounding voice of Aamir through the speakers. ”It is with great pleasure that I, Aamir Malik relay these images which provide conclusive proof of a successful attack on the Nirbaadh pirates who were responsible for many atrocities on our lands.”

”I am on my way to personally look at the remains of this bandit ship and the barbarian who led them,” the voice continued. ”While we are glad of the destruction of this group of thugs, I inform with great pain that the details of Asuragana RanaPratap and Dharma Pratap are unknown. It has also come to my knowledge that a small contingent has managed to escape the hands of the alliance.”

”It is best to weed out such an affliction from its roots and we can't let it grow back. So, I have decided to collaborate with Khans and Blyths to pursue these villainous sc.u.ms throughout the alliance borders. Let anyone who dares shelter these vermin face our wrath. Let us celebrate this glorious achievement and a new partnership among our families today,” said the voice before disappearing.

”Did Grandpa announce just order up an extermination against them?” asked Shehzad in surprise. He had expected a celebration and a show of power but didn't think that they had plans to completely wipe on any existing traces of the pirates. Such a thing is almost impossible. Pirates didn't have a specific base and kept constantly moving, else they would have been taken out long ago. Moreover, these specific ones were rumored to have their base outside the alliance borders.

”That he did,” answered Zubair disinterestedly. He had other concerns on his mind. He didn't care much about the pirates. Though the Nirbaadh pirates have killed his uncles and even grand uncle, they haven't been any death in his time. He was more concerned of the extent of collaboration that the patriarch has decided upon. He had been recently wed and had no intentions of leaving the planet for some half-brained search. If there had been clues, a team which managed to destroy the unhindered in such a covert manner would surely have found them and wouldn't need their help.

”Brother, Aisha, go back to your rooms, for now. I might have some work to do,” he said as he went to meet the interim commander of the royal armies, his father He would be the one with the most knowledge as all armed forces would be deployed only on his say so. With Aamir away to check the aftermath of the attack, his father would hold the highest authority on the planet.

Zubair's father, Anwar wasn't seen in the auditorium. So, he made way to his father's quarters where he saw a few royal guards barring entry to other cousins of his who wanted to talk. This would usually only happen when there is a high priority meeting going on. Else, the guards would never dare disobey the direct family members.

He went to one of the men waiting for his father. It was his cousin and rival in his generation in the family, Aquibuddin Malik. ”Cousin Aquib, how long has he been in meeting?” asked Zubair.

”He had been inside with someone, since the first announcement calling us to the auditorium was made. I don't think it is with any of our forces,” said Aquib.

”One of the guards told me that he is with liaisons from the Blyth and Khan families. I understand the Khans, but still not sure how the Blyths are so interested in the Nirbaadh pirates. Do they really value their new colonel that much?” asked another cousin who beside them.

”It isn't just about the colonel. They would never make such an assault for a kid,” came a deep voice form behind them. It was Anas Malik, Aquib's father and an elder of the family for quite some time. He had come for a visit with Anwar for the same reason as the others. Aamir only contacted Anwar before he left the planet. So, he along with others wanted to know of their course of action.

”Father, what other relation do they have with the pirates?” asked Aquib surprised by his father's interference in their discussion.

”The same as us. The only difference is just that our wars happened out in the open while they fought covertly away from prying eyes. They are probably the ones responsible for the attack,” answered Anas. He had known of the Blyths enmity with the pirates for a long time, but they never came out in the open for this before. So, he wanted to know the reason for this sudden change in their stance.

A few minutes later, the doors opened as Anwar came out with three men and a lady who were new faces to Zubair. It was clear to him that they were from the Khan or Blyth families sent to discuss the facts of their cooperation. It did look like the Khan and Blyth families had enough preparations that they were already able to send their men by the time his own family managed to know of the attack.