Love, Kitkat, Hibiscus and Zombies - Chapter 17: Operation Z31

Day 240 – Monday – 2:00 PM

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We named the mission Operation Z31. Everyone was already in position.

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We, The Reds, waited silently inside the underground pipeline, listening for Rashid’s signal. The Blues were ready near the west side of the fortress-like factory. The Yellows were stationed inside an abandoned plastic factory on the east side.

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Rashid had hacked into all security cameras and was now monitoring the entire place through the Cyclops drones. He was our eyes.

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Suddenly, The Yellows launched the first move — remote-controlled drones dropped smoke bombs and sticky grenades all across the third layer near the factory’s main entrance. Simultaneously, the Stormbloods from the Blue team took out the snipers on the watchtowers with precise shots.

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Then came the boom. Another group from the Yellows fired rocket launchers at the top of the factory from the west and then quickly moved to the east, re-entering the plastic factory.

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On the other side, Professor Joe, riding his modified buggy, fired zombie-attracting bombs into the second layer, the zone swarming with The Bulks. He then zipped to the west side before they could react.

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As expected, the gates of the first and second layers at the west side flew open. The enemies took the bait. All attention turned to The Blues.

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That’s when our ace came in: modified vehicles with mechanical catapults. The Blues launched burning vehicle tyres toward the gates to block and confuse the oncoming Rottens. The fire held the line longer than we thought. The Bulks, lured by the sonic pulses of K-Zhaii's bomb, were completely distracted.

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Signal received. Time to move.

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We, The Reds, entered the factory through the maintenance room, previously scouted by Rashid using his bug cameras the night before. It was clear and empty.

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We moved swiftly, heading straight for the room where Valli and others were held. Rashid had also informed us of a family locked up nearby — and one more mysterious prisoner. The guards were overheard saying, “Thank God we chained that guy to the chair.”

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Strange.

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Rashid gave us instructions through private radio headsets only our team could hear.

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K-Zhaii led the way.

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On our path, we silently took down several guards. When we reached the prison doors, a guard suddenly appeared from a hidden door and tried to stab Ajay.

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Without hesitation, Kohila decapitated him.

We were stunned — not just by the kill, but by the eerie, casual smile on her face afterward.

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Ajay used Hackbrain to unlock the prison. As I approached the door, my heart pounded like never before. For a moment, everything was silent.

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And then, I saw her.

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Valli.

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She ran straight into my arms, hugging me tightly. Her tears told the story of everything she had endured. I had imagined this moment in so many ways, but reality hit harder than any dream.

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Ajay and Kohila stood beside us, smiling with pride.

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Shanthini locked eyes with K-Zhaii. They both smiled — a silent connection sparking between them.

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Azrul broke the moment.

“Alright, lovebirds. We’re happy for you. But let’s get the hell out of here.”

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We nodded. Freed the family and explained everything quickly. One of the girls in the family — her voice was familiar. Azrul recognized it.

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She had sent the earlier radio message begging for help.

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“We were forced to do it,” she cried. “They threatened our lives to lure you in.”

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K-Zhaii paused, stared at them, then simply said, “They’re telling the truth.”

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That was enough. We brought them along.

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The Third Prison

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This door was different — metal, not wood, and locked with multiple chains.

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Ajay and I peeked through a small gap. A man was strapped to a chair, completely chained, head covered with a black plastic bag.

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“Hey!” Ajay called. “We’re here to rescue everyone. Can we trust you?”

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A deep voice replied, “Kid… release me. I’ll make sure you get out alive. ChitChat.”

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We froze.

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Ajay and I looked at each other, jaws dropping.

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“Machi… is it—? No way!”

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We removed the plastic bag.

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We couldn’t believe our eyes.

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It was Jay Lee.

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THE Jay Lee — legendary action superstar, director, producer. Master of the fusion combat style Gun-Thai — Muay Thai mixed with firearm combat. Rumors say he once killed a thug with a hairclip. Anything in his hands became a weapon.

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We grew up watching his films. We even had a full movie collection.

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We just saved our idol.

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Even Rashid, watching through our cams, screamed over the comms.

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K-Zhaii grumbled, “Stick to the mission, guys!”

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Ajay and I echoed in unison, “Big fan, sir. It’s an honour to meet us!”

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We laughed. Jay Lee smiled.

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We regrouped and moved towards the south side of the factory as planned.

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The Cure Bomb

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I radioed Rashid: “All clear. Proceed with the next move.”

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Rashid fired a flare gun.

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Boom.

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The Blues launched the secret weapon — The Raya Bomb, designed by Professor Joe. It detonated mid-air, spreading glowing spores over the Rottens.

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Within seconds, over 200 Rottens were cured. Some fainted, some fell to their knees, confused and crying.

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Hope. For the first time, we saw hope.

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Secret Plan: The Showdown

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Earlier, Ling from The Whites had gathered survivor groups once helped by Stormbloods. They arrived using a local radio signal at the hospital.

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When the time came, they charged through the first layer, helping rescue the newly cured Rottens. Though some were lost, many were saved.

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The Blues and Whites fought fiercely, holding the line.

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Meanwhile, we were clearing the path inside, fighting our way to the exit.

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Jay Lee — a beast in action — single-handedly took down every guard who tried to flank us.

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But then came the factory demolition phase.

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We had to plant a bomb near the gas boiler tanks to destroy the facility and ensure the Servants were wiped out.

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Pugazh, Ajay, Valli, and Kohila moved to carry this out, forming two sub-teams:

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Red 1 (bomb squad)

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Red 2 (extraction squad)

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But as we entered the boiler room…

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The Servant Leader Returns

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A man in a dark brown robe and gold mask appeared out of nowhere.

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“You again!” he screamed, opening fire with an M16.

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Ajay and I ducked for cover.

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“Who the hell is this guy?” I whispered.

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I saw a water pipe on the wall and got an idea.

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“Machan,” I yelled, “Remember The Powerkill? Jay Lee’s movie?”

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Ajay grinned. “Let’s go!”

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We both shot the pipes. Water flooded the floor.

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Then I tossed The Zhask — a high-voltage taser stick invented by Mr. Shaiful — into the water.

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ZAP.

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The Servant Leader screamed and collapsed. Before he died, he pressed a remote.

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His mask came off.

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He wasn’t the one we killed before.

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He had a crocodile-bat hybrid tattoo on his bald head — the same symbol we saw in the original Servants’ base.

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There wasn’t time to think.

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We rushed in and planted the bomb.

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And then the cages opened.

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Six Bulks.

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Ajay and Kohila used sticky bombs. They barely slowed them.

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We were trapped.

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Weapons low. Ammo low. No way out.

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Valli held my hand. Kohila did the same with Ajay.

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We were ready for one last fight.

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I screamed:

“One last time, guys — MERDEKA!!”

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Just as we charged…

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The door behind the Bulks exploded.

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K-Zhaii, Shanthini, and Jay Lee entered.

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They had received word from Rashid, who saw everything on cam.

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K-Zhaii threw a Raya Bomb. Jay Lee shot it mid-air.

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Boom.

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The Bulks turned. Confused. Human again.

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I told them, “Trust us. Let’s go.”

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The Final Escape

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We made it to the exit… but it was overrun by Rottens and Bulks.

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Our final secret plan.

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From the skies came Major Prakash in The Z-Hawk — a military Lynx helicopter.

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Machine guns roared.

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He cleared the path.

“Let’s go!” he yelled.

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The Blues arrived with trucks. We sprinted out.

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Just as we ran, two Bulks rose.

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One grabbed my leg, throwing me hard against a steel box. My vision blurred.

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I saw Valli grab my rifle, take multiple shots, and bring the Bulk down.

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Ajay and Kohila finished the second with axe and revolver.

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Then everything went black.

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Day 240 - Monday - 6:30 PM

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I was in my dreamland.

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I wore a tuxedo.

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Surrounded by fairies and angels. I saw a long road ahead.

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At the end of it stood Valli, in a white dress, calling my name.

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“Pugazh! Pugazh! Pugazh!”

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I took a step.

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Her voice grew louder.

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And then I opened my eyes.

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She was really there.

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Holding my hand.

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