I Am The Truth II

Chapter Finale: We Are The Truth

"So... they survived," Allister murmured, looking up. "Isn't that right, Mr. Adams?"

"Yes Mr. Evanstein," The other responded. "With the entirety of the Confederacy now behind them."

The entire party top brass had gathered in Oakendale. The meeting had originally been to address the tumultuous protests rocking Conchord's stability more and more frequently as originally promised by Allister, but that was trivial now. 

"How much time do we have?" Allister asked, turning to the chief generals of each of the four nations and their respective staff. 

"The Ardoni are slow to mobilize due to their size and improper infrastructure," A senior military analyst speculated. "At the very least, it should be two months... three depending on how effectively the Knights can take charge with their main leaders all gone."

"And from what we understand thus far," One of the generals began, a Devalonian of Hydraphel like Allister himself. "They most likely will be fighting us alone."

"Have it then that both Conchord and Hydraphel are mobilized quickly on the border," Allister said. "And the non-human regiments, both active and discontinued, be kept far from the front lines in the case of betrayal."

"Sire, that will only turn them against us more," Marshall protested. "We surely don't want this war."

"The Knights want war with us even now," Allister said to them all. "Your heart and mind are in the right place, Mr. Adams, but it will not survive in a cruel world like this. You will have to wage war to save our people."

"But some of Conchord's own citizens are Ardoni-"

"President Adams," Allister said, his voice a little stronger now. "No matter the cause, you must always do whatever is necessary to protect your homeland... no matter the cost. Tens of millions of innocents are counting upon you."

Marshall gave in to the other's insistence with a gruff expression.

"Yes, Mr. Evanstein. I will do what I must."

"By order and at the command of President Adams, the Congress has convened on urgency to address the matter of our national security," The Vice President of Conchord stated before the representatives. 

"Forty-eight hours prior, the President of Conchord was threatened with his life on Ardoni soil at the behest of the Masters and the treacherous Knights. He has since appealed to the Congress to authorize military preparations for a protracted military conflict that is certain to come."

"Sire, you can't do this!" An Ardoni representative suddenly exclaimed, standing up. "My province is right on the border. You haven't even discussed how civilians will be evacuated."

"In order for civilians to be evacuated, the military has to be deployed," One of the pro-war representatives shot back. "Many of your kind threatens to invade us otherwise."

"Don't you bring race into this! You forget that thousands of loyal Ardoni have been born in Conchord's borders," The Sendaris spat. "If you believed in Conchord's integrity, then you would protect the civilians first."

"How about you stop trying to stir secessionist movements in South Sendaria and the Badlands?" Another war hawk suddenly said spitefully. 

Soon enough, the chamber descended into a shouting match. The provinces whose representatives were non-human had all rallied behind the Sendaris, but they were in the clear minority here. 

The chaos continued for two hours before the Sendaris and a handful of his supporters walked out in protest. 

"I will not have my honour stained with falsehoods!" The Sendaris exclaimed angrily, standing up. "As a Conchordi citizen, I firmly believe war will only bring ruin to us all. If you are set on voting, then I shall not be present."