Chapter 1 – The Borderline
In the east of Iğdır, beyond the bare hills overlooking the Aras River, just a few kilometers from the Iranian border, a new military base was struggling to rise between sand and steel.
The midday sun scorched the roofless structures like burning tin, while the crackle of welding machines and the groan of cranes grated on the ears. But at that moment, an explosion drowned out every sound, echoing right in the middle of the construction site.
A tall, slender woman with red hair streaming in the wind strode swiftly across the sand-covered grounds toward a dilapidated shack. Her jacket was unzipped, her steps determined. A small barrel exploded beside her, but she didn't slow down.
Captain Fatih Ulutürk was watching from behind the shadow of a concrete block, binoculars raised. His brows were furrowed, his jaw tight. He couldn't take his eyes off the running woman.
"For God's sake! Can a woman be this crazy?" he muttered.
He lifted his radio. "Bozkurt Team, secure the perimeter. I'm going in for the engineer. Cover me!"
Master Sergeant Ömer replied immediately. "Commander, if that's an engineer, then I'm an astronaut! She's running into the line of fire like the Terminator."
Another teammate, Harun, scanned the shack through his scope, frowning. With a mocking smile but a burning undertone, he spoke:
"Commander claims to hate this woman, yet he's always right beside her. And then you call me the flirt…"
Ali chuckled lightly. "Come on, Harun, try not to make it so obvious you're jealous."
Harun narrowed his eyes, still glued to the scope. "I'm not jealous. I just think he's crossing the line of duty."
Fatih ignored them all. He set down his rifle, secured his sidearm, and headed for the shack. He shouldered the door open; inside, the air was thick with dust and smoke, the scent of burnt cables hanging heavy.
Deniz was crouched on her knees, loading hard drives into a bag.
Fatih grabbed her arm the moment he reached her. "Are you completely out of your mind?!"
Deniz lifted her head, defiance blazing in her eyes. "Do you know how many people's work is here? Everyone's far from home, from family, from loved ones. Should I have just let all their efforts turn to ash?!"
Just then, a glowing ember landed on her arm, making her flinch in pain.
Fatih paused for a beat, then angrily took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"And what about us?! My team has been on duty for years. We're here to protect you, but your stubbornness isn't helping!"
Without a second thought, he scooped her into his arms.
"What do you think you're doing!" Deniz snapped.
"What does it look like I'm doing? Shut your mouth and hold on to me. I'm not exactly dying to carry you!"
Deniz narrowed her eyes. "Hmm, you weren't like this when we first met on that arranged date."
Fatih's brows drew even tighter. "Back then, I thought you were a proper lady. If I'd known you were a complete lunatic, I would've run without looking back."
The radio crackled again. Ömer's voice came through: "Commander, shadow movement from the east. Be careful."
Outside, Harun was still watching through his scope, jealousy simmering in his gaze.
At that moment, another explosion shook the shack.
Fatih quickened his pace, shielding Deniz as he carried her out. Flames surrounded them, his men already in defensive positions.
"Bozkurt Team! Fall back! Protect all civilians, we're returning to base!"
Once inside the armored vehicle, Deniz looked at Fatih's dust-streaked face. Their eyes locked.
And in her mind, the past came rushing back—
A month earlier…
When Deniz stepped out of Eskişehir Airport's glass doors, her hair fluttered lightly in the wind. Its natural copper hue gleamed under the daylight. Her tall, slender frame and pure beauty drew glances, but she was too tired, too deep in thought—and oddly, too content—to notice.
"Mom, I just landed. I'm at the airport, heading home. I called so you wouldn't worry."
Her voice was soft but weary. Years of work, countless countries, projects, successes, and longing—all of it felt complete with her mother's voice.
She hailed a cab right at the door.
As the taxi rolled on, she gazed out the window, her life flashing before her eyes. She'd grown up without a father. Her mother, though retired, still worked and had raised two daughters with unwavering strength. Her older sister Derya, gentle and introverted, had always been the calm balance of the household. She had studied sociology and now worked as a social analysis specialist for a private firm.
And herself… She'd been labeled a "child prodigy" since childhood, placed in national programs, winning medals in math olympiads. She'd started her university studies in civil engineering, then completed a double major in mechanical engineering. By her early twenties, her thesis on underground structures had won an international award, leading her to a massive European metro system project.
But that project was over now. She was home.
The taxi stopped in front of the building—grey-painted, old but well-kept. On the fourth floor, a window lined with flowerpots… her childhood.
Her mother's eyes filled with tears as she opened the door. "Welcome home, my dear…" she whispered, pulling her into a hug.
Then Derya appeared, with her usual warm brown eyes, slightly shy but full of love.
"So, sis, what's new?" she asked in her big-sister tone.
They moved into the living room, the home radiating its familiar warmth. As coffee filled the cups, Derya spoke:
"So, my dear, where to next? You've built a bridge in Japan, a hospital in Iraq… I say bring water to Africa this time! Wherever the action is, there's you. Are you ever going to get married?"
Their mother chuckled.
"Don't tease Deniz, Derya. She's two years younger than you, but she's made a career. You're the one staying home."
"Mom!" Derya grumbled playfully. "You don't love me, I swear. Stop playing favorites!"
Deniz took a sip of her coffee, smiling at them. It was the same lively banter as always whenever she came home.
Just then, her phone rang. The name on the screen: Prof. Dr. Feridun Tanyel.
She smiled. "Professor?"
The familiar, fatherly voice came through: "Deniz… welcome back. How are you, my dear girl?"
"I'm well, Professor. How are you? Sorry, I just landed. I'll come see you soon."
"Actually, we might be seeing each other a lot from now on," he said.
Deniz stood up, moving to her room for privacy. "What do you mean, Professor? I don't understand."
Feridun hesitated before speaking. "I heard your project ended. And… I've been offered something I could only pull off with you."
Deniz straightened. "What kind of project?"
"Listen… In the Iğdır border region, facing Iran, they're building a new base. But not just any base—it will serve as a command center, a power plant, and an underground shelter system. It's vital for the country's future. They only want the most trustworthy people. I told them it could only be done with you."
He paused. "But… I know. Your father's loss, the risks of the border… I don't want to push you. And your mother…"
Deniz cut in firmly. "I'm in, Professor. I want this—personally."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. This project is for my country. I'll do it with pride."
"Thank you, my girl. I trust you. I'll handle all the procedures and send you the project details by email. We'll probably head out in two weeks."
"Alright, Professor. I'll be waiting to hear from you."
When she hung up, her mother was standing in the kitchen doorway, her eyes glistening.
Seeing her mother on the verge of tears, Deniz's heart ached. But this work mattered for her country. "Mom?" she said gently.
Her mother stepped closer. "Even if I tell you not to go, you will. I see your father in you. He was the same—never listened."
She quickly wiped her eyes and straightened up. "Come on. Let's have dinner and make the most of the time we have left together."
Deniz cupped her mother's face in her hands, stroking it gently before pressing a kiss to her cheek and hugging her tight. Farewells were hard, but she wanted this mission…