Rhivera (Complete Novel)

~Chapter Thirty-Six- Raul's Gambit~

~Chapter Thirty Six- Raul's Gambit~

~Raul~

~March~

         Miro is alive, and met with the Emperor himself. The two agreed to take part in a peace meeting to come to some sort of compromise.

         Many soldiers leave the military thinking that any compromise with Miro would damage this country irreparably. The soldiers that were having doubts about the government gain a newfound trust in them after hearing the news. Those that begun to favor Miro's revolution.

         The Emperor explains that an agreement will only be made if they can come to a compromise. If not then we'll be forced to return to war, and insists that we cooperate until then. General Elian backs the Emperor completely.

         Miro is alive... Juaquin thought Miro was the Montoya boy back in Sotra. He must be acting as Miro now. I'm sure he pushed Melissa into this revolution. He's responsible for the war.

         I'll never be able to wash my hands of killing my own daughter, there was always more I could've done to protect her. But the Montoya boy is at fault as well. He's to blame for the deaths of this war. Any compromise made with him will spell the end of this country. I can't let that happen. The Emperor is a coward for stooping to negotiation. Even if I lose my life in the process, I can't allow Miro to get his way.

         I call Ilyana to my office. She was one of the more vocal individuals against the Emperor's actions. She outright said he was a fool for meeting with Miro.

         She enters my office abruptly, "I'm guessing you want to tell me to stop speaking against the Emperor, don't you?" She asks immediately, practically yelling "Well I won't. Everyone needs to understand what the Emperor is doing is wrong. Nothing you're going to say will stop me either. And if you have a problem with that you can-"

         "Ilyana." I interrupt her calmly. "It's okay. I agree with you."

         "What?" Ilyana stammers.

         "I agree with you. We have to stop him." I continue, keeping my voice low. "Can I trust you, Lieutenant?"

         "Of-Of course General Rios." Ilyana stammers again.

         I leave my desk and face her directly, "I'll ask again Lieutenant. Can I trust you. I can't afford any doubt."

         Ilyana's face straightens and she answers again with confidence. "You can trust me General."

         "Good. I have something in mind, and I need you for it. I'll ask you to select a handful of likeminded individuals you can trust to support this. No one else must know. Can you do this?"

         "Yes General. What do you have in mind?" She asks.

         I pause. I know if I go forward with what I'm planning there's no turning back. It will leave a profound impact on everyone in this country,

         For a moment, I'm unsure. Before Melissa died, she said she would've liked to me to join her. Of course I turned her down. I could never undo what I had done, but maybe helping Miro's revolutions would be a way of making reparations.

         No.

         No, I would've love to. But I can't. I need to think about what's best for the future of this country, not just to honor her. Our country without the PCC will turn to ruin like the rest of the world, and I can't allow that to happen. My choice is clear.