Chapter 201: comparison
"Hello, everyone," a rough-looking, middle-aged man with a heavily muscled physique appeared on the screen. Damian, the General Admiral of all armed forces, was the highest-ranking officer in the military. Despite his kind expression and warm demeanor, his personality carried the weight of someone who had seen and led countless battles to victory.
This was no ordinary conversation. A live call with someone of Damian's rank was rare and significant.
"Sir, have you received the video and information?"Meleonora asked directly, wasting no time.
"Yes, I've received it,"came Damian's calm yet rough voice. However, there was a slight hesitation, a heaviness in his tone that didn't go unnoticed by those in the room.
"Then" Meleonora began, but Damian interrupted.
"Don't take any action against Lucian Kane,"he said firmly, his voice rough but resolute.
The room froze. Everyone was taken aback by how direct and absolute the General's words were.
"What?"Meleonora's frown deepened, her usually composed demeanor beginning to crack.
She was a serious and principled person, someone who had joined the military to uphold justice and protect the law. Overlooking small matters was one thing, but this? There was no way she could let something so significant go unanswered.
The room remained silent, the tension thick. Colson, the FBI Director, wore a pensive expression, his brows furrowed in thought.He, like the others, struggled to understand how someone like Damian, a man known for his integrity, could make such a statement.
"Sir, with all due respect, the evidence is clear. He killed over 300 people and broke the law,"Meleonora said hesitantly, her voice firm but respectful as she looked at the General on the screen. "There's no way we can just ignore this."
"I know what I'm saying, young lady,"Damian replied, his voice steady and authoritative. "But it seems you've misunderstood something."
"Misunderstood?"Meleonora repeated, her tone edged with disbelief.
"I'm saying there was no fault in Lucian's actions. Someone tried to harm his family, and he took action as he saw fit.That's not a crime,"Damian stated. His tone was measured, but his words carried weight.
"And no, I'm not taking his side because of his family's background," he added, sensing the unspoken accusations in the room. "I"
"Sir, it's all in front of us!" Meleonora snapped, her temper flaring as she cut him off. "Right or wrong, good or bad whatever the reason he killed people. And not just one or two, but over 300 in the middle of a city.There's no justification for that. He deserves punishment!"
Damian's face remained calm, his expression unchanging as he listened to her outburst. When she finished, he spoke again, his tone firmer this time.
"Try to understand, Miss Meleonora. Laws are for maintaining order in small matters. When a country is invaded, or its people are threatened, the military has the right to kill to protect its citizens. This situation is no different."
"That's a ridiculous comparison!"Meleonora retorted, her frustration boiling over. "You're comparing a single person to an entire country? That's shameless why are you trying to protect a boy who committed mass murder?!"
Her words shocked the room. The officials and officers exchanged wide-eyed glances, their expressions ranging from surprise to disapproval. A female government officer sitting nearby tried to intervene.
"Mam, please, calm down. He's the General," the woman whispered, but Meleonora's cold glare silenced her.
Meleonora felt disgusted. Damian, the man she had once admired, the hero whose stories had inspired her as a child, was now defending a mass murderer. She couldn't accept it. She refused to believe it was happening.
"Yes, you're right,"Damian replied, his voice steady. "I am comparing an 18-year-old boy to a country."
His face remained calm, emotionless, as he stared at her through the screen, ignoring her earlier accusations.
"Anything that can single-handedly bring down a country deserves to be treated as one," he said coldly.
"Huh?" Confusion spread across the room like wildfire. No one understood the full meaning behind his words, and Damian offered no further explanation.
"I won't say anything more. This is an order," Damian continued, his voice unwavering. "I am prohibiting any action against Lucian Kane or his family. All media coverage, reports, and discussions of this matter must stop immediately."
The firmness in his tone left no room for argument.
"I don't want a word about this incident to reach the public,"Damian commanded.
The room was filled with a mix of emotions l confusion, anger, and disbelief. Some officials clenched their fists, while others exchanged frustrated glances. Meleonora sat frozen, her jaw tight, her mind racing.
"You're joking, right, Sir?"Meleonora said, refusing to back down. Her voice trembled slightly, but her determination was clear.
"Miss Meleonora, please try to understand," Damian began, his tone calm yet firm. "I think you know who I am. I know more than you do, and I am fully aware of what I'm asking and ordering."
He paused, his gaze steady through the screen. "I am actually proud of you proud that you have the courage to stand up for your beliefs and even call me out directly. It shows your strength of character. But there are times when we must look at the bigger picture, beyond personal judgments."
The room remained silent, tension thick in the air as everyone listened.
"When dealing with matters of this magnitude," Damian continued, "we must choose solutions that minimize damage to our country and its people not right or wrong. That's exactly what I'm doing here.
I know this decision may seem wrong to you, but trust me it's the best course of action. And," his voice dropped slightly, though it was still clear through the speakers, "it was never in your hands or mine to punish Lucian Kane.Not without his permission, that is."
the weight of his last words hung heavily in the air, leaving the room in stunned silence.
"Sir Damian,"Meleonora began, her voice tight with frustration. "I've always looked up to you. I've admired your heroism, your dedication to justice and the law. Please, don't make me lose faith in your character."
Her voice cracked slightly as she leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table."If you're truly doing this for a reason, then at least explain it to me. Why is an 18-year-old lunatic receiving such special treatment?I deserve to know, and… perhaps I could consider lessening his punishment if I understood!"
Her hand slammed down on the table, the sound echoing through the room as she stood, her frustration and anger clear on her face. She glared at the screen, challenging the man she had once idolized.
Damian's expression didn't falter.He looked at her with the calm demeanor of someone who had faced countless battles.
"I'm sorry, Miss Meleonora,"he said, his voice steady but tinged with regret."The file related to Lucian Kane is restricted. Only a handful of people in the world have access to it, and unfortunately, you're not one of them."
He paused, his eyes softening slightly."It truly saddens me to show you this side of me, but I need you to trust that my actions are for the greater good both for our country and for peace."
Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire
The room was deathly silent. Everyone stared at the screen, struggling to process his words.
"And,"Damian's voice turned cold, his tone now sharp and unyielding, "consider this a direct warning: if you take any action against Lucian Kane, I will have no choice but to fire you. This is not a negotiation."
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle."Please, stay in control and follow orders, as one should in the military."
Meleonora's fists clenched at her sides, her heart pounding in her chest. The man she had respected for so long now felt like a stranger, and the weight of his words pressed down on her like a heavy stone.
Her glare didn't waver, but for the first time in her career, she felt truly powerless.
---
Here is second chapter...for that massage vhair enjoy guys and yeahhh finally i can go to sleep