Chapter 1346: Chapter 80: Rebuilding the Nation (Part 8)
The annexed church of the Maplestone City Hall, the entire group of officers attending the “Preparation eting” were gathered here.
Among them, so were the pride of heaven, stepping into the illustrious Paratu Standing Army right after graduation, with bright futures ahead, yet experienced unprecedented defeat during an expedition and endured hardships before being redeed from the Hed Tribes;
So were frustrated outcasts, from poor backgrounds, who entered the highest military academy of the Alliance through talent and perseverance, thinking they could change their lives, only to be sent to the unnoticed Newly Reclaid Land, with skills but no place to use them, and ultimately proved their worth in a vengeful rebellion;
There were also those who were just the lowest soldiers in the army, the most overlooked parts of a vast war machine, used and discarded at will by generals, who endured far harsher trials than others to stand out and earn the right to stand in the sa temple alongside others.
These middle-tier officers of different origins, experiences, and distinct personalities are the future bones and pillars that will support the ard forces of the New Republic.
And at this mont, their eyes were all focused on the person on the pulpit.
Reflected by the do and arches, that person’s unique cold, restrained, magnetic voice clearly resonated in every corner of the hall, colored with a touch of sacredness and ethereality.
“…It’s easy to set a bad precedent in anything, but wanting to achieve a good result from a bad start is foolish talk.”
On the pulpit, Winters Montaigne was delivering the final summation speech, having already detailed the origins and consequences of the “Commander-in-Chief’s authority issue,” and the severe disagreents within the Four-Person Committee over the issue:
“So, should we establish a national army, or create a military state, this needs to be decided now.”
“And we — the Four-Person Committee — believe that this power, which defines our past, present, and future, should be given to you — the people who truly represent the will of the army that is about to establish a New Republic.”
Winters paused, his gaze sharply sweeping over each face in the church:
“Rember — if there is truly a mont that determines the course of history, it is right now! Each of you is in the midst of it!”
“[A faulty sapling will not yield the desired fruit]. It is for you to decide whether to cling to the past, repeating historical mistakes, or to sacrifice oneself to break the chains of the old days.”
“I…” Winters slamd his fist on the pulpit: “No! Not ! It is the sky, the rivers, the land beneath your feet and every Paratu person living on this land who depends on you to make the right choice.”
Winters’ piercing gaze shot straight into the eyes of everyone in the audience: “Do not disappoint them.”
After speaking, Winters took half a step back and raised his hand in salute.
Sitting in the back row, Seber Carrington was the first to stand up and applaud, and the do above soon erupted with deafening applause.
Winters turned to look at Magash Colvin, who was sitting behind him.
“Major.” Winters yielded the pulpit, politely inviting: “It’s your turn.”
Lieutenant Colonel Magash’s expression was grim, a rare look on the usually suave face of Magash Colvin.
Clearly, Winters’ unexpected demand to convene a general officers’ eting put him in a passive position;
And Winters’ display of unparalleled eloquence left him utterly despondent.
Finally, knowing the situation was beyond saving, Lieutenant Colonel Magash slowly released his tightly clenched fists, stood up, and joined the mid-level officers in the audience in applauding.
He smiled, gently shaking his head: “Forget it… no need.”
Upon hearing this, Colonel Skul, sitting next to him, breathed a sigh of relief.
Colonel Skul felt gratified that Winters chose to hold an “expanded eting” to resolve the severe dispute within the Supre Committee;
Lieutenant Colonel Magash acknowledging defeat gracefully and accepting the collective decision of all officers at the “Preparation eting” settled Colonel Skul’s unease.
Colonel Skul also stood up, ceremonially applauding.
“Alright! No more nonsense!” Colonel Gais Adonis, hosting the eting, took over the baton and commanded with ample energy: “Vote now!”
With a wave of Colonel Gaisa’s large hand, the service soldier brought the prepared ballot box onto the altar.
Colonel Gaisa himself rubbed the back of his head and discreetly winked at Winters.
…
Ti reversed to the night of Colonel Gaisa’s visit to Winters.
“Since Colvin uses the morale, the external enemy, and the collective interest of all officers as a shield,” Colonel Gaisa teased Winters with a grin, “you might as well go for a ‘disrupt from the base’ move, you know?”
Winters had a sudden mont of enlightennt, but to keep Colonel Gaisa pleased, he humbly asked, “Please enlighten .”
Colonel Gaisa’s face filled with a totally satisfied expression of “you are indeed still too young.”
He smacked his lips in relish and sighed deeply with contentnt.
After doing all this, Colonel Gaisa sat upright, supporting his knees, and solemnly told Winters:
“Since Colvin claims that changing the Commander-in-Chief’s authority is an infringent on the interests of all officers and will inevitably shake the army’s morale, then you should demand the Four-Person Committee to convene an expanded eting, put this matter out in the open, and let all officers decide!”
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