Evren’s POV

The car screeches to a halt at the naval base gate. Floodlights slice through the night, and a row of armed guards steps forward. Their rifles rise, steel glinting under the beams.

“State your business!” One of them barks.

I push the door open and step out. Their eyes widen the moment they recognize me. A ripple of panic moves through the line. They lower their rifles almost at once and they scramble like cockroach under bleach.

“S-Sir Evren?” he stammers. “We did not realize—”

“Forgive us. What do you need, sir?” another blurts out.

“Open the gate,” I demand.

The men fumble for the controls, but before...