Darkstone Code-Chapter 846 - 844: All Sides
After briefly explaining why the news was delayed compared to reality, Lynch left. He’s not a government official, so there’s nothing for him to do here.
However, Mr. Truman was kept by the President.
The President knows well that Truman and Lynch are now on the same side, but he still relies heavily on Truman.
Firstly, they’ve known each other for a long time and are familiar with each other. Secondly, who should be the Minister of International Affairs is still up to the President to decide.
Those in power often have a misconception. They don’t think anyone can easily deceive them. They always believe they can see through all issues, even when they encounter a small problem.
"Do we have any way to restrain Lynch’s Darkstone Security Company?" The President seriously explored this possibility, "I know Lynch and you are friends, but you also know that what we’re discussing is related to the security of this country."
He also implied that personal relationships should come after national interests.
"He’s too bold. I suspect if someone offers him enough money to attack the President’s Mansion, he might take the job."
Mr. Truman was silent for a while, then shook his head, "Mr. President, before I express my opinion, I can assure you that all my views and opinions are based on an objective standpoint."
"Darkstone Security Company is currently the largest private military organization domestically, but in reality, compared to other institutions, it is harmless to us."
"Although... you know, back then during the mass disarmament, there were always certain things we couldn’t choose. But this just happens to keep some things under our control."
"The main personnel of Darkstone Security are all retired military officers, with people from the Security Committee and the Military Intelligence Bureau inside. If it were a large-scale military operation or one that could threaten national security, we would know in advance."
At this point, the President couldn’t help but interrupt Truman, "But this time, no one notified me!"
"That’s because we considered it not a danger, Mr. President!"
The President looked seriously at Truman, who did not evade his gaze. After a moment of eye contact, it seemed the President felt sincerity in Truman’s eyes and nodded.
"How did you judge that this action was not a threat?"
"The Security Committee has a dedicated security assessment agency, the Military also has special evaluation bodies, combined with the Ministry of International Affairs, we can comprehensively evaluate this as a low-risk military action..."
He didn’t tell the whole truth. In fact, the evaluations from the Security Committee, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and the Ministry of Defense labeled this military action as medium to low risk.
If a score of 100 represents inevitable danger, and 0 means no danger, then the risk score for this action was thirty percent. It wasn’t without danger.
This thirty percent was due to the volatile international political climate and possible issues during execution.
But these dangers are not considered threats by the military system.
A naval battle has made the Federation’s military speak much more confidently, with various military budgets constantly submitted to the Congressional Military Committee, many of which got approved.
Previously, they didn’t have such energy, and submitted budgets were repeatedly rejected or cut down, under the pretext that "increasing the military budget would cause unnecessary misunderstanding, leading international friends to think we are boosting military strength for confrontation."
Now, these issues no longer exist. As long as the projects aren’t too ludicrous, they typically get approved.
If a war were triggered just by dealing with Suge, the Navy and Army are confident, after simulations, they could end a full-scale war over Suge within a month and emerge victorious.
In a way, they are actually hoping for something to happen.
Seeing that the President seemed to have other thoughts, Mr. Truman continued to persuade, "Lynch and Darkstone Security are a very special combination. It’s hard for me to assess him and his company."
"It’s not so dangerous; in some respects, it’s even safe. But at the same time, it is a private enterprise. If there really is a problem, Darkstone Security and Lynch will be the first line of defense."
"There are things we can’t always act on, like what happened this time. If we deployed the military for armed intervention, it could easily incite international disputes."
"But by allowing Lynch to take the business, it remains a conflict between civilian organizations and doesn’t escalate to the level of national conflict."
"More importantly, we need Darkstone Security to restrain the continuously forming private armed organizations. The ’Overseas Security Law’ will inevitably be passed without any controversy."
"By then, Darkstone Security will instead become our most effective means of controlling these groups!"
This last statement is true. In Mr. Truman’s view, since the ’Overseas Security Law’ is certainly going to pass, overseas private armed forces by large capitalists are bound to spring up, and this entire sector and field must be orderly.
Who is to establish order?
It certainly won’t be the weakest, but the strongest.
Darkstone Security is currently the strongest private armed organization, and also the safest. If it can set industry standards and suppress other companies, it can eliminate many unnecessary troubles.
After hearing Truman’s explanation, the President twisted his mouth into a smile, "Sounds like I should help him, then?"
Mr. Truman knew the President had been persuaded again, "If you wish to, then!"
Meanwhile, Suge’s diplomat was anxiously awaiting the communication’s results.
When Mr. Truman revealed their fabrications in the Mike incident, he realized he and the Central Government were surely deceived by their subordinates.
The split between the Central Government and local entities has led to factionalism, and warlordism is beginning to take root in the entire country. Those above have no idea what is happening below.
Whatever the other side says, it must be taken at face value.
Just like this time, everyone believed the photo was real, including the diplomat and their Grand President, but unexpectedly, the photo turned out to be problematic.
There was no direct telephone line from the Federation to Suge. To contact them, a call had to be made to the nearest International Port outside of Suge, then a telegram sent domestically, taking several hours to a day or two.
But the situation on the Federation’s side couldn’t wait, and the diplomat thought that upon returning home to report, he must urge the Grand President to quickly establish a direct line for rapid contact with the Federation.
Too much had happened in a single morning, and diplomats from some countries began to waver again.
Amidst the bustling public opinion frenzy, a day passed.
At eight o’clock the next morning, a new edition of the newspaper was published. This time, a girl took the front-page headline.
She was wearing shorts, her hands covering her chest, her head lowered, and her body almost entirely bruised and battered.
The newspaper’s headline was just one word—"Beast."
Mrs. Tracy had somehow found a journalist adept at storytelling to write a very compelling story.
It contained not only a romantic story that people yearn for, but also tragic sentiments that incite indignation: the story of a foreign young girl and a middle-aged Federation man who had succumbed to life and bowed to fate.
An unintentional spark ignited love.
The girl found a man she could and was worth relying on for the future.
A man already numb was rekindled by a naïve and lively girl to love life again, seeking self-redemption.
It ended in tragedy, but because the ending wasn’t perfect, it etched itself into people’s hearts.
Those who read the newspaper were first attracted by the pure love story, then outraged by the brutality, many even began to question why such cruel things and people existed in the world!
The urge for revenge and the impulse to act spread unprecedentedly!
At half-past nine, Lynch finished his breakfast and was sitting on the second-floor terrace enjoying the view when a group of girls suddenly appeared on the street outside the Half Mountain Community.
These girls wore only shorts, their bodies exposed to the cold February air, still bare.
Their bodies were painted with various wounds, and their necks even adorned with collars only used for small animals.
They marched silently, without slogans, but exuded an extreme yet terrifying power.
The power of silence!
Lynch quickly fetched a telescope, gazing at the broad chests of those girls. He couldn’t help but admire Mrs. Tracy’s formidable capability.
In such a short time, she had mustered so many to participate in the march. Perhaps the condenser could donate a bit more money.
He thought, lifting the telescope again, watching the scene unfold...
Many saw and knew about the women’s rights march happening, as for the Federation citizens, it felt like a festival.
Frequent organizing of protests and demonstrations was commonplace, along with free fried chicken, beer, and small gifts. More importantly, even if one missed work for these events, capitalists still had to pay according to the Minimum Wage Law.
Because organizing protests and demonstrations was one of the Federation citizens’ most fundamental personal rights, they couldn’t dock wages for others exercising their rights. Suing over such petty matters wasn’t worth it, so capitalists had to accept it begrudgingly.
Of course, large-scale demonstrations were generally negotiated in advance, like scheduling them for weekends when everyone was free.
This is the beautiful Federation, brimming with freedom and equality. It’s no wonder everyone yearns for it, willing to endure oppression and exploitation just to become a part of it.
Another initiator of the chain of events was also paying close attention to societal developments.
With keen interest, he was not concerned with the reactions from various parties, but rather Lynch’s role in the process!
