I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun Chapter 356

“It seems necessary to reconsider the issue of military disarmant.”

“I’m listening to your opinions.”

Inside Air Force One, soaring from Seattle toward New York’s JFK Airport, Henry’s voice echoed in the conference room, where darkness had fallen. In an instant, several pairs of eyes turned to him. At this mont, where both Congress and the Senate had vanished, it wasn’t strange to refer to him as the only remaining power in the United States, or even the entire world. The gaze demanding an answer grew stronger by the second.

However, he did not imdiately respond. And so, the eyes shifted from the president to one another. So seed to support the president, notably the military personnel. Clearly, there was a reason for the suggestion.

After so ti, Henry projected a hologram into the air.

“Just seven hours ago, I declared that this war was over. But can we truly be certain about what cos after?”

“This is…”

Several maps and a multitude of photos appeared, seemingly taken from the sky. They were scans of key Russian and Chinese bases conducted by the SR-72 Aurora launched from a U.S. fleet stationed in Japan. Many cities and strategic locations were being fortified, and civilians, likely undergoing military training, were visible in disturbing detail. It resembled a situation reminiscent of the national infantry from several years ago.

The photographs were taken a month before the Seattle Reinforcent Conference. Although it was before the signing, the images made it clear that Russia and China were preparing for a potential amphibious invasion at so point.

None of the people present overlooked that fact.

Having opened the discussion, Henry began addressing the main topic.

“By now, the first draft of the negotiations should have reached Russia and China, but there’s much left to adjust. Their politicians will be flying to the U.S. soon, so we need to wrap this up quickly. If we don’t want to be in a period of interwar, we must act now.”

“The best approach would be to divide China and Russia in several ways, but that’s not realistic.”

“What if we station troops near the Chukchi Autonomous Okrug, close to Alaska, and construct an underwater tunnel through the Bering Strait? Of course, the costs can be covered by the Allied forces, so it shouldn’t pose a major issue.”

Naturally, those seated at the table were the best of the best, capable of creating better situations rather than lanting the current ones. This was why they could speak so confidently in front of the president.

Suggestions began flowing. Each one held enough power to break the backbone of Russia and China. As the proposals piled up, a direction started forming—unfortunately, the U.S. simply didn’t have the resources to divide the enemy like a cake.

Thus, those aboard Air Force One decided to take a different approach.

“Let’s lend more support to Japan and South Korea.”

With the First and Third Fleets already stationed in Yokosuka, reinforcing their power and advancing troops to the sowhat flattened territory of North Korea would likely put Russia and China in a difficult position, with knives taphorically at their sides.

Thus, it was decided that U.S. forces stationed in South Korea would be provided with nuclear capabilities, and the First Fleet, stationed with the Third Fleet in Yokosuka, would be redeployed toward the Jinhae Naval Base.

The conclusion was divided into two major points:

“Approval of U.S. military deploynt and nuclear weapon placent in the Chukchi Autonomous Okrug, support for the construction of the Bering Strait underwater tunnel, and permission to establish a defense line in Northeast Asia. Any other ideas?”

“Shouldn’t we include sothing about nuclear disarmant?”

“That’s unrealistic.”

A brief pause followed.

“There are ways to secretly create them. We likely have data on Russia and China’s nuclear launch sites, ballistic missile vehicle locations, the number of nuclear weapons, and nuclear production facilities. Wouldn’t it be better to receive that data instead?”

That made sense.

Nuclear disarmant was a vague request that had little chance of being accepted. Even if accepted, there was a possibility of secret facilities being used to restart production. In this light, Henry’s proposal seed to be an approach that would cause severe long-term damage to the two defeated countries.

Of course, this wasn’t the end. The treaty, which would include reparations to the U.S. that were significant but not financially impossible, would also be in the mix.

Two hours before Air Force One was set to land in New York, the treaty that would later be included in the history books was finalized.

“…Well, now that we’ve extinguished the imdiate flas, it’s ti to look for ways to normalize capital flows. Discussions with Canada have progressed to so extent, but it might still fall short.”

“Europe is screaming. It’s estimated that reconstruction will cost an astronomical amount.”

“There’s no need to beat around the bush—what we need is the second Marshall Plan. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that the U.S. won’t have the resources to provide that much support in a hundred years, but we could mitigate it by selling so of the technology used in Icarus Gear.”

At that mont, Henry took out a docunt sent by the U.S. Secretary of Energy.

“The proposal to sell electricity is quite tempting. What do you think about building nuclear fusion reactors in each country?”

“…We’d need to station military forces there.”

“Good, quick response.”

The fact that the U.S. had mastered nuclear fusion was one of the best-kept secrets of this world, and leaking the technology was absolutely unacceptable.

Thus, in one flight, decisions were made that would affect the world for the next 30 years. So ti later, as the plane entered New York state, data transmission began within the Air Force One network. Henry checked his phone and spoke.

“Can everyone with security clearance below Level 3 please exit? I have sothing I must share privately.”

As a result, more than two-thirds of the people in the conference room left. So ministers even exited.

With only the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, and a few others remaining, Henry sat back in his chair. At that mont, a hologram appeared on the wall, displaying the view of a large underground facility. A plaque reading Artemis-Westinghouse Joint Venture was prominently displayed, as soone checked if the communication was functioning properly.

Henry muttered under his breath.

“So Artemis really thought they could team up with Russia.”

The others chuckled softly.

A new voice joined the conversation.

“…This is Caitlin Carpenter, Director of Fermilab at the Departnt of Energy. Together with Task Force Behemoth, we’ve completed the inspection of the massive particle accelerator built by Artemis-Westinghouse. With appropriate repairs and energy supply, we expect it to be operational within three months.”

“Good work. But I’m sure there are other matters to discuss.”

“Of course.”

Caitlin grabbed a sheet of paper and continued in a dry voice.

“Assuming no major renovations or performance improvents, with adequate personnel, resources, and power supply, the accelerator could produce up to 10 grams of antimatter per month.”

“That’s good news. Feels like Truman is back in power.”

The energy to run Arica was sufficient. Now, only ti could solve everything.

Air Force One was descending toward Kennedy Military Airport.

anwhile, in Seattle, a drunken revelry was underway.

“Morrison! Long ti no see!”

“Are you okay? You managed to fly all the way to Seattle, so I guess you’re doing better. I thought you’d never walk again.”

“I told you I was immortal, didn’t I?”

After Henry left on Air Force One, at 10:37 PM Pacific Ti, the Dagger Team, returning to the forward base, was greeted by an uproar. Before they could even react, they were hoisted into the air and celebrated by the crowd.

Even Morrison, Laurentina, and Logan couldn’t avoid the crowd this ti, thanks to so of the manifestors among the team. After being tossed around for a while, they finally managed to escape.

But that wasn’t all. What awaited them at the base was a party. The entire base was treated to enough food and alcohol to feed an army, sent from Texas. It was enough to be asured in tons, not kilograms.

Naturally, no one from the team would let this go to waste.

Within five minutes, barbecue equipnt appeared, and smoke began rising from the grill near a quiet building at the base.

The team’s return wasn’t just about the victory; it was about enjoying the fruits of their hard-won battle.

"Returning as a proud mber of the Dagger Team, huh? What a sha."

"With half of blown off, I should be thankful I can walk again, right?"

"Hah, it’s not bones anymore, but an exoskeleton inside. Give it so ti, and I’ll be as strong as those three."

“Stop talking nonsense and take the drink, will you?”

Morrison, who had once been a mber of the Dagger Team until about two years ago, had lost his lower body during an IED trap disarming mission. Despite the severe explosion, his upper body was protected by the Icarus Gear, allowing him to survive.

Now, two years later, he had returned to the base, walking, though with so slight difficulties.

"Give it five years, and I’ll be back in active duty."

"Unfortunately, the train has already left. We’re on the verge of being unemployed too."

“That’s a funny joke.”

"Enough talk. Let’s get that gift the rookie brought."

Within monts, the rookie had unloaded various items they had brought from another world.

Morrison, knowing that I ca from another world, was surprised to learn I could freely bring items across worlds.

As the evening continued, the mood lightened with drinks and music, and the team shared a mont of peace. Though the war was not completely over, it felt like the end had finally arrived.

“Thank you.”

“Why?”

“Because the war is finally over.”

There was no answer, but the soft, peaceful breaths of the team filled the silence.

The war was over. At least for , for us, and for those at the forward base. The rest was up to the politicians.

"The moon is so bright tonight."

The moon hung in the dark blue sky. It wasn’t a perfect circle, but it gave a warmth, not the intense light that burned everything in its path.

Spring had arrived.

The war was over.