Missing in Action

Chapter 012

"We need to be prepared for any attack, we cannot let them make the first move. Either we send in our troops outside of every frontier, ready to breech, or they will win. We cannot be caught off guard."

"They have not given us any reason to suspect they want a war, not now. To keep our country free and safe, we need to stay on our side of the playing field, and we cannot provoke them unnecessarily."

"We are not cowards! If our troops attack first, we will win. Your Majesty, I implore you. Give us permission to send off our troops. This is what we have been training for."

Brendon looked up when the man in the deep green military uniform addressed his father directly. It was the first time that it had happened during the whole two-hour-long-and-still-running conference. He'd been listening intently, his eyes glued to the table in front of him, to every word being said. They were debating on whether or not they wanted to attack DURA, on whether or not to declare war. Brendon had kept his head down for the most part, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Of course, he knew that his country was a rival to DURA, but to declare war? He couldn't imagine why they would want to, not after years of living more-or-less peacefully. Many of his father's councilmen were voting against the war, though the several military men were fighting for it rather loudly. Personally, Brendon didn't think that war was a good idea at all, but what could he say?

He listened through the whole argument. Basically the military didn't want to take any chances, saying that if they attacked first, everything would be fine. The council, however, strongly disagreed, saying that they wanted to keep the peace for as long as it lasted. None of them wanted to put their inhabitants through the ravages of war, which was what would surely happen if the military went through with their plans. His Father let them work it out, not saying a word until the end of the meeting, where he simply bid them farewell and told them that he'd be in touch when he'd made his decision. Brendon shook every one's hands before leaving, as was his duty, and then followed his father to the car that would bring them home.

"What did you think?" his father finally asked when they were sitting in his study in the castle. Brendon licked his lips and shook his head. "I don't think that starting a war would solve anything, or help anyone," he answered firmly, knowing that his father liked people who knew what they wanted and how to say it. His father tilted his head to the side slightly and studied his son for a few moments, unnerving Brendon and making him feel like a child who'd done something wrong.

"And if they decide, in a few months time, to attack us? What then?" he finally asked, one eyebrow raised questioningly. Brendon sighed and sat up straighter. "Then we have troops that have been trained for this specifically, who can defend us. Who are willing to die to defend their country," he said decisively.

"And the people, the children and the mothers, and the common workers who live here, what will happen to them if DURA decides to attack? Is it not better to sacrifice the lives of our enemies instead of our own people? They will be killed by the thousand in their cities and towns if we let DURA have the first move."

"If we attack, and DURA reciprocates, then it would happen in any case."

"Ah, but what if our troops keep them too busy in their own country? After we have diminished their numbers, they would not be able to do much damage..." his father trailed off and sighed. "Think on that, Brendon. I do not want an answer right now, nor do I want you to share your thoughts. When I call you for the next conference, then we may discuss this further. Perhaps after thinking about these questions, these decisions, and hearing what else the military has to say, you will find the right answers."

Brendon, who knew when he was being dismissed, quickly stood, bowed slightly to his father, and then made his way out of the study. He hated that his father had put all of these questions in his head, and that he would no doubt be unable to stop thinking about them. But he also couldn't wait to get back to school.