Darkstone Code-Chapter 840 - 838: Adding Fuel to the Fire

"They are brushing us off!"

At the cabinet meeting, Mr. Truman slammed the newspaper on the table decisively, making a loud noise.

The headline on the front page of the newspaper was the photo taken by Suge’s official photographer a week ago, which was sent to all major media outlets in the Federation, appearing on the front page today.

Undoubtedly, those people with their heads covered by sacks were definitely not the ones they were looking for, and these barbaric images were not processed in any way; of course, the media on the Federation’s side did some slight processing to make them look less bloody.

What the liaison on Suge’s side did not anticipate was that this not only failed to quell the anger of the Federation people, it actually brewed more waves of public opinion.

Mr. Truman looked solemnly at each "carefully selected" cabinet member, his eyes full of fierceness, "They are not only deceiving us, brushing us off, but also demonstrating against us!"

"Look at these images, I can’t feel a hint of shame from within their hearts from this photo. They are not admitting their mistake, but rather confronting us in this manner!"

A newly appointed cabinet member quickly glanced at the President, then whispered, "Mr. Truman, isn’t your statement a bit exaggerated..."

"They have already killed those bandits, which shows they have yielded. We don’t need to continue to force them!"

The President had been silent, seemingly lost in thought; indeed, he was deep in thought.

Actually, he was not a strict militant; if he were, he should now be discussing whether to deploy troops to attack this country.

All politicians his age are actually supporters of conservatism; only because he wanted to win, he had to portray himself as a militant.

He was considering whether this issue should end here; he didn’t want to resort to force immediately after taking office, as that was not just radical but insane!

What would Congress think, what would the governors think, what would the military think, and what would the people think?

The silence in the room suddenly made him realize that people might be waiting for his decision; he quickly snapped back to reality, and the secretary pushed the recorded meeting content over to him, giving it a glance.

"Maintain a tough stance but without specific actions; I just took office, and new and old officials are transitioning in many places, not suitable for big actions at this time."

Mr. Truman had already anticipated this result; he understood the President better than anyone, knowing he was an outwardly radical but fundamentally conservative old man.

He gently reminded, "The people will not agree, Mr. President."

"The people?"

The President laughed aloud, "Since when did the President’s Mansion need the people’s agreement for decisions?", he slightly turned his head, continuing with a smile, "I was just joking; I will seriously consider this matter."

"I know a very wise saying, ’Don’t force others, and don’t force yourself,’ that’s the attitude we should hold."

Mr. Truman did not continue to demand anything; he sat back down.

Truthfully, after the President took office, he felt somewhat disappointed; when toughness was needed, he seemed a bit weak.

The Federation’s triumph over the Gafura enhanced the Federation’s international status significantly, evident in the deepened cooperation between other countries and the Federation.

At this time, a weak country provokes the Federation, yet the Federation has no countermeasures, making people think perhaps, as the Gafura said, that naval battle was just an accident.

On the front battlefield, the Federation people are simply no match for the Gafura.

Actually, right now there’s no need to deploy troops; as long as they show an attitude, like the intention to seek justice for the victimized citizens, let the warship circle, that’s enough.

But he wasn’t willing to offer even this little bit; seeking stability is too disappointing.

Yet this is also understandable; once the pressures of the election fully dissipate post-inauguration, the President can revert to his true character, no need to play a stranger to himself.

Some things are not suitable to discuss at this moment; he plans to talk with the President privately later.

As Mr. Truman said, this photo was given many interpretations by people, none of which were good.

A popular interpretation in society is "the next one."

"If everyone notices the overall composition of this photo, they will find actually, from the ’viewing’ position outside to the execution stage, it’s a pathway."

"There’s nothing on this pathway because it’s a path to death; only those waiting for death would walk here."

"The surrounding people are watching ’me,’ which is also a surrealistic expression method, in the eyes of these people, ’I’ am the next person to be beheaded."

"So many people say that prolonged viewing of this photo can make one feel uncomfortable and anxious; it’s because of its composition."

"It does not let us stand at an objective angle to view the entire event; it positions us as the next execution victims; no doubt they use this photo to defy our requests and our government."

"Did you notice the blood on the ground? Their message to us is they are not afraid of bleeding, and if we make further moves, we will bleed there."

"And those seemingly innocent children, they chase after the heads of humans, through the entire image, one can already imagine my head being kicked around as a trophy by these children..."

"I don’t think our demands are unreasonable at all. Asking them to capture those murderers and bring them to a fair trial and execution is the most basic requirement. I don’t think our demand is excessive."

"Yet such a reasonable and justified demand has been met with such savage and brutal treatment by these people. Suge is, without a doubt, the most incomprehensible country I know..."

"The most crucial point is, with hoods over their heads, we have no way of knowing if these are the real culprits."

"Perhaps these are merely scapegoats they’ve casually found from somewhere, and the real criminals haven’t faced the law at all. They’re doing this just to appease and deceive us!"

"I want to say to those officials in Suge, I’m not interested in being placated; all I want is the truth and the law!"

Television commentators are carefully decoding the composition and intent of the imagery with their expertise, and every viewer feels they make a lot of sense.

The key point is, nobody knows who has been beheaded, making it impossible to verify their identities.

The rising and falling public opinion once again unleashes a terrifying force. Many people rush to demonstrate at the location where the Suge delegation is staying. Throughout this entire series of events, people are too emotional, but that’s exactly what some people need.

Two days later, Lynch met with the team members who returned from the mission in Suge at the headquarters of Darkstone Security, and he saw the girl.

At this moment, he is reviewing the photos and materials, where everyone has their specific name, age, and roughly what they did.

As long as you have money, you can buy anything in this world. If you can’t buy it, then it just means you don’t have enough money.

Each person has a hole in their head, flipping through to the end are some photos of abused girls, and the one standing right in front of him.

Lynch looked at the photo on the last page, then looked up at the girl standing beside him.

He quickly withdrew his gaze, looking toward the team members.

"You didn’t encounter any danger, did you?" He closed the dossier and the action report.

Darkstone Security is a professional military organization, and after each military operation, a process report must be submitted, which roughly describes the entire operation and judgments made during any exchanges of fire.

The captain shook his head, "We encountered no resistance whatsoever."

In other words, it was a small-scale massacre... Hmm, that’s not the right word – it was a baptism of justice!

Lynch nodded, "A very clean battle process. Each of you will have a two-week vacation, and the mission payment will be transferred to your bank accounts before the bank closes this afternoon. Are there any questions?"

The captain shook his head. He originally thought Lynch would ask why they brought the girl back, but Lynch didn’t ask, clearly having guessed.

"Then let’s disband; I hope you consume fewer high-calorie foods during your vacation. I’ve heard the colonel complain that every time you’re on vacation, you gain a few to over ten pounds..."

The captain and the team members laughed without agreeing, as eating was actually a way to relieve stress.

They quickly said goodbye to Lynch and left the room.

Lynch then turned to the girl, "Can you take off your clothes?"

The girl bit her lip and lowered her head, beginning to undress.

It was just early February, and the weather was still a bit cold. Although there was heating in the office, people wouldn’t wear fewer clothes because of it.

The girl took off her coat without knowing where to put it, and Lynch, very gentlemanly, smiled and extended his arm, "I can keep it for you."

The girl knew he was an extraordinary person; she did not resist, nor could she resist, and handed the coat to Lynch.

"Continue..."

Soon, under Lynch’s request, the girl stood in front of him in only her underwear.

The room was filled with a civilized aura, and the well-dressed dignitary before her made her feel somewhat ashamed.

She pretended to hug her arms to cover her body as much as possible, but clearly, Lynch wasn’t satisfied to stop here.

"Take off the underwear as well..."

The girl hesitated for a moment before ultimately deciding to do so, because the captain told her that whether she could stay in the Federation depended on Mr. Lynch’s decision.

When it was all laid bare before Lynch, he wore a faint smile.

He wasn’t looking at the girl or her body, but at the marks of destruction transformed within this canvas.

The burns from cigarette butts, cuts, deep wounds not yet healed, some torn wounds. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The way to enrage an angry society even more is by providing them with a moral high ground!

Simply perfect!