54:  MORE HARM

Karim and General Masa stood before me, their faces set in grim determination. The uneasy alliance with Masa was still fresh and contentious, but his expertise was undeniable, and I needed every resource at my disposal.

"Karim, General Masa," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me, "I need you to take a team to the outskirts. Deal with the bandits first, and protect the protesters. Make sure no harm comes to them. We can't afford to lose the trust of our people."

Karim nodded, his loyalty unwavering. Masa, on the other hand, looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite decipher. But he agreed, and that was all I needed.

As they gathered their men and prepared to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach. The situation was precarious, and one wrong move could spell disaster.

The hours passed slowly, each one heavier than the last. I stayed in the war room, poring over maps and reports, trying to an