Chapter 289 - Set A Precedent (2/2)
The general grabbed the remote on the table and the screen turned black before assorted photos of firearms exploded like fireworks on the screen.
”Those are all the firearms that was supplied to the group whom we could assume as the Huks,” the general trailed off. He pressed the right button, showing all the different kinds of assault rifles one by one. ”Unfortunately, as we have found out last month, the rebels had been hoarding guns for a long time, so we should be more vigilant now more than ever.”
A four-star woman general tapped her fingernail on the table. ”Any leads with their location? Are the coordinates confirmed? We need to catch them off guard. That's our best chance at wiping them out.”
”You know the Huks. They're scattered everywhere in the mountain ranges. And we can't just simply use our drones to eye the area. They'll be suspicious if they noticed too much activity up in the air,” another decorated official said.
”But we can start with what we have on file. Movements were recorded inside those parameters. If we don't act on it now, they will move on to the next location, and we will miss our shot,” Wyatt interjected. ”I suggest we attack at three or four in the morning while everyone's asleep.”
Silence befell the room when Maxen hissed. ”Everyone seemed to miss our goal—and that is a unified country. War is not the answer. Death by annihilation is not the answer. The way to a thousand-year peace or longer is through communication. Let's hear them out first.”
”Your Highness, this is reality. This is not some fairy tale bubble you have in your head. They've been savages, slaughtering people from small villages without mercy. They sent little girls to predators in exchange for guns. They deserve to be shot and killed.”
Maxen took a sharp inhale. His fingers curled into a fist and his knuckles turned white at the sheer force he held in. He should agree with his generals, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. ”Yes, they are outlaws, but it doesn't mean we have to exterminate them with ammunition. We are not barbarians. Give them their right to a public trial. Let us set a precedent that those who are caught would be given the right to defend themselves in the courtroom.”
The room fell silent once more. Not everyone agreed with Maxen, yet they kept an open mind to what he had to say. After all, he earned his seat in the room without using the crown sitting on top of his head.
Standing from his seat, Maxen walked towards the screen and studied the images before it. Exhaling through his nose, his hands dipped in either of his pockets as he, one by one, met all the eyes of men and women in the room until his gaze landed on Wyatt and lingered for a while.
”Maxen, if we don't attack them now, they will attack the royal family first,” Wyatt exasperated.
”They always came charging at us first, and we always end up having casualties, but that's the weight we have to bear in exchange for a life we were born into. And even when I wanted to go down the same route as most of you suggested, I can't bring it in myself to drag innocent lives in the process. Do not forget to think about our people first.”
Tapping her fingernail on the table again, the four-star general woman bobbed her head in agreement. ”If you don't want to shed any blood, Your Highness. Would you mind sharing what you have in mind for the Huks?”