Rajavi had returned.
Rajavi had fortunately escaped the swamp and then encountered one of his own motor companies tasked with logistics and transport; they had not yet had time to enter the swamp before the battle broke out.
Rajavi immediately led this motor company and retreated toward Ahvaz. He wanted to go to the military district headquarters to demand an explanation: why was no air support sent at the most critical moment? Now, his entire armored division was trapped in the swamp. It wasn't that they didn't fight hard, nor was it due to his own command errors; it was all because of the Air Force. Why didn't the Air Force provide support!
A platoon of the Revolutionary Guard entered first, and they followed right behind into the headquarters. They had more people, and the sentries all recognized this division commander, so no one dared to stop them.
In this way, Rajavi led his men and charged into the underground command center, just in time to see that lieutenant beating Abol.
In an instant, Rajavi understood everything.
Abol had been captured; would he be next?
He was furious. He and Abol belonged to the same camp and also couldn't stand Khomeini's interference in all of Iran's affairs as a religious leader. Under his command, the Revolutionary Guard was simply a pest ruining the country!
"Stop! Let him go!" Rajavi said immediately as he saw the lieutenant still trying to beat Abol.
"The Revolutionary Guard is carrying out a mission; no one is allowed to interfere." Before the lieutenant could finish his sentence, there was a "Slap!" and then his face felt a burning sting.
Since the establishment of the Revolutionary Guard, they had gone into any army unit to arrest people with great prestige. When had they ever been treated like this? The lieutenant immediately turned his gun, wanting to aim it at Rajavi.
Unfortunately, he wasn't as fast as Rajavi. Rajavi had already pulled out his pistol and aimed it at the lawless young man.
"This is rebellion! You dare to violate our Great Leader's orders? Your entire family are remnants of the Pahlavi regime!" the lieutenant said, his face flushing red.
"Yes, we are rebelling!" Rajavi said, pulling the trigger of his pistol. The 9mm Zouave pistol bullet, produced by the Sanaye-Sajafsar-Sadi Arsenal, shot into the lieutenant's head without hesitation.
Even after hearing the sound of the firing pin hitting the primer, the lieutenant still couldn't believe that on Iranian soil, someone actually dared to attack an officer of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in front of so many people.
Then, in his ears, he heard the sound of gunpowder burning and pushing the bullet out. Following that, a sharp pain struck his brain, and he lost all consciousness.
Everyone was stunned, including the members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. They also lost their reaction at this moment. They had not undergone rigorous military training; although they had carried out combat missions, they were encountering this kind of situation for the first time.
A few seconds later, a soldier finally reacted and pulled the bolt of the automatic rifle in his hand.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Rajavi's company of soldiers, who had followed him up, surrounded them.
"We are all Islamic brothers. If you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being unkind," Rajavi said.
"Rat-tat, rat-tat-tat." Suddenly, someone's M16 fired first.
At such close range, anyone could fall in the next second. The only thing one could do was to take out the opponent before falling.
"Rat-tat, rat-tat." Immediately, the automatic rifles of those who hadn't fallen also opened fire.
"Ah, ah!" People were constantly being hit, letting out heart-wrenching screams. Blood splattered like snowflakes; everything was a sea of red.
Which idiot fired first! All the survivors were cursing.
Asking this was no longer meaningful because the person who fired first had likely already fallen in a pool of blood, never to speak again.
It could have been a fanatical member of the Revolutionary Guard—after all, these people were almost unafraid of death and were willing to sacrifice themselves for their faith at any time. It could also have been a soldier from the transport company who, in such a tense situation, fired because his hands were shaking.
It could also have been a deliberate act by someone.
In short, this unexpected firefight began in confusion and ended in confusion.
The gunfire was very intense and very brief.
By the time the gunfire ceased, those who found they still had consciousness were already in the minority.
"Chairman, Chairman, are you alright?" As soon as he heard the gunfire, Rajavi had immediately pulled Abol under the conference table.
"I'm fine, I'm okay." Abol was horrified. With such a situation suddenly occurring, what should he do?
"Chairman, we must leave quickly. This incident happened so suddenly; I'm afraid there's no longer a place for us in Iran," Rajavi said.
Abol had also been thinking about this question while listening to the intense gunfire.
What is the function of an army? It is to resist foreign aggression and protect the country; it must never become a tool for someone's personal desires!
Iran has a long history and once established the great Achaemenid Empire. All the people believe in Islam, but Abol did not advocate ruling Iran based on religious doctrine. With theocracy occupying the center, Iran should establish a democratic country!
Now, two armies were fighting each other, and those falling were all Iranian people. All of this should have been avoided.
Khomeini is simply not fit to be the ruler of Iran!
Khomeini's rule must be overthrown, and the Iranians' own country must be established! Do not let your faith blind your eyes!
Anger was burning in Abol's heart.
Unfortunately, all his efforts had come to nothing. He wanted to correct Khomeini's mistakes, but Khomeini had moved against him in advance, and the only armored division he could command was now completely trapped in the swamp.
He was now empty-handed; what did he have to resist Khomeini? Clerics had been planted in all the military units, and Khomeini had already gained the absolute upper hand.
"Chairman, we must go," Rajavi said.
"Go? Where can we go?" Abol suddenly felt at a loss.
"Chairman, there is still a Chinook outside. The pilot is one of my men. We'll take the helicopter immediately, head north to Turkey, and then transit to France!" Rajavi said.
Indeed, the only option now was to go to France. In France, they could organize all the patriots resisting Khomeini and return to overthrow Khomeini's rule when the time was right!
Abol knew France very well; he had studied there and established contact with Khomeini's organization. Finally, he had followed Khomeini back to the country to overthrow the Pahlavi dynasty.
It wouldn't hurt to take the old path again.
Abol nodded firmly.
Just as the two of them emerged from the secret passage of the underground command center, they saw several military trucks arriving outside, and a large number of Revolutionary Guard members filed out.
"Let's go, quickly." Rajavi pulled Abol and ran toward the Chinook on the other side.
A massive helicopter soon lifted off from the clearing and flew north.
Abol knew he was not alone. Khomeini's purges had persecuted many upright individuals. What he needed to do was contact them and develop and strengthen his forces!