Chapter 111: The Divide
Josh sat at his desk, staring at reports from the siege. He shook his head as he thought of the n lost, and the equipnt that was destroyed. In the week since the siege, the empire had easily replaced the equipnt lost, but lives could never be replaced. He sat with his head in his hands, unable to look at the nas anymore.
"Are we doing what is right?" He whispered. He rembered when him and Justin had asked that very sa question near the beginning of their tour in Iraq. It had been a full year since the start of the war, and Iraq’s army was essentially non existent. Josh shared the sa opinion as Justin:
There was no need for more war.
Josh walked up to Captain Muir. The captain was filing away equipnt reports ad Josh walked up. The older officer could tell sothing was on the mind of his young LT, so he put the papers away and looked up at Josh. "What’s going on Josh? You don’t seem to be handling things well."
Josh nodded. He handed Captain Muir the list of their units latest casualties. "Sir, I am just wondering why there is a need to continue this war? Haven’t enough soldiers already given their lives?"
Captain Muir sighed and folded his arms on the desk. "Josh, what do you think this war is about?"
Josh paused, reflecting on all he knew of the operation. "It is an operation to basically punish Iraq for killing so many of our soldiers unwarranted?"
The captain shook his head. "You are partially correct. That is certainly one of the reasons. The soldiers and civilians that were attacked last year were attacked for no reason. This war is partially in response to that. But, the real answer is so that we don’t have to keep coming back. The US governnt has decided that suffering here and now will save a much bigger problem later. Iraq was on the verge of forming a deal with Iran for nuclear materials. Imagine if ten years down the road, Iraq attacked again, but this ti... with a nuclear device. The president decided that instead of such a thing happening, we would gain full control of the country. A country under our control can’t attack us, after all."
Justin nodded as he thought over Captain Muir’s words. He stood at attention.
"Thank you sir."
Captain Muir chuckled and whisked Josh away. "You’re welco, now get out of my office. I have so more paperwork to file."
Josh looked at the reports, and then out the window. He clenched his fists.
"It is the sa thing." He murmured as he looked at the now flattened Esponia mountains. "If we control the world, there is no chance of us being hard."
Suan ca up to Josh, noticing he wasn’t acting like his usual self. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the reports. Josh looked up at her, and she replaced the cold look with a beaming smile. "Josh, are you alright?"
"Yeah. I just had to think about so things. I’m doing better now. Thank you for always being by my side."
Susan was taken back by Josh’s words, but didn’t let it affect her deanor. She smiled as she hugged him from behind. "But of course. It is my honor and privilege to assist you in any way that I can. You are also a very nice person to be around. I enjoy your company. Even if it wasn’t my job, I would find myself looking for your companionship."
Josh smiled as he hugged her back. "Thank you. It ans a lot. Now, I’m gonna go get so food. Want to join ?"
She frowned. "I wish I could, but I have a briefing to go to. I’ll join you for dinner though."
Once Josh left the room, Susan stared at the maid with cold eyes. "Who brought these reports to the hero?" She growled.
"General Heque did, your highness!" The maid squeaked, her eyes widening as Susan walked forward.
"Bring General Heque to my office at once. If he says anything about not showing up, remind him that I am the Emperor’s daughter."
"As you wish."
Susan looked at the window, her eyes distant as she observed the crater where the Llrathel facility used to be. "Enjoy your peace for now, mortals. It will not last."
Back in Washington D.C., Marshal Law had been declared. Civilians were ordered to stay inside, and police patrolled the streets with the National Guard. Nieto had been brought back to the white house, and all the congress mbers that didn’t live in D.C. were sent to hotels.
Nieto sat at his desk, skimming through reports as an aide walked in.
"Sir, 6-8 sent radio reports in. They said they found us. 4-1 Cav will be assisting the national guard and police with setting up a periter."
Nieto nodded, smiling.
"Good. Thank you."
"Yes sir."
At 2000, Nieto called for a press conference. He stood at the podium, looking at the various news reporters. Anger and fear was written on everyone’s face as he took the stand.
"I ask that you reseverve any questions until after I finish speaking." Nieto said as a reporter tried to stand up and speak.
"Today, as you all know by now, Washington D.C appeared in the new world. We now find ourselves neighbors with Austin, Texas. We are also tenets in another nations land."
Nieto sighed as he looked around the room.
"Ladies and Gentlen, we are in the world of Brishan. This world is filled with the sorts of things you have seen on TV, and read about in fiction. But, you do not need to worry. You are still Aricans. The liberty and freedom you had on Earth will still hold true here. You will not have to worry about monsters or magic. With that being said, however, for the ti being I will implent so rules for our first few months."
"Effective imdiately, there is a 10pm curfew for minors, and a midnight curfew for adults. If you are found in violation of this order, the first ti is a warning. The next ti is jail ti. We still don’t know much about this world other than video clips. When we know more, we will tell you."
After the president finished speaking, reporters began clamoring for attention. The room began erupting as reporters tried to speak over each other. Nieto had to yell.
"Alright! That is enough! I will answer every question you have. But, we will be civil."
After the eting, Neito sat on his bed. His wife laid in his arms, kissing him. Nieto sighed, holding her close. "We’re in another world now, but it feels like nothing has changed." He groaned, leaning his head on her breasts.
As the two were embracing, a knock ca on the door. "Mr. President? I apologize for bothering you, but it is urgent sir. Radio ca in from General Milano. He inford us that Washington D.C. is in a problematic area."
Nieto arched his eyebrows as he got up, kissing Maya before opening the door.
"How is it problematic?"
The aide sighed, and pointed out the window.
"Sir, we are right next to the Riemskin alliance capital."
Nieto’s jaw nearly dropped, but he quickly regained composure. "Alright. Contact Milano imdiately. See if the King of Riemskin is still there. If he is still at Hood Hill, I will make sure to arrange a eting with him. We do not want any unfortunate incidents. "
The aide nodded, and Nieto turned back to his wife. "I’m sorry my love."
Maya chuckled before kissing him one last ti. "I knew what i was getting into when I married you. Go do what must be done. I will be here when you get back."
Nieto nodded and followed the aide out of the room. He stopped at the oval office, taking his seat as his cabinet mbers began filtering in. So were in streets clothes, and others were in suits. One of the secretaries was even wearing a swimsuit as if he had been ready to go to the beach.
Nieto looked around the room. He made eye contact wigh every cabinet mber before sighing. He pulled out so of the most recent reports, and motioned for the cabinet mbers to do the sa.
"We are in uncharted waters here, gentlen. It seems that when we were brought into this world, we were dropped next to the Riemskin Kingdom capital. While reviewing this data, I do not want ’yes man’. I want real, actionable advice."
The n around the room nodded while Nieto continued speaking.
"Soon, we will set up a eting with Riemskin. Myself, the Secretary of War, and the vice president will go. I do not want to bring a large number of people as I do not want Riemskin to believe we want war. What do you gentlen think?
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