Salute To The General



Erwin fell silent for several seconds. He then replied slowly, "I'm acquainted with this matter, Chief Cross. Though it was the Goodall brothers' fault for launching an investigation against you without being ordered to, is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it?"

"I was already unhappy about the Goodall brothers sabotaging Mr. Lucas, Mr. Holmes," said Nathan blandly, "though he only has himself to blame him for the slip-up that had allowed the Goodall brothers control over him. The ruination of his career aside, he would be considered lucky even to keep his life! The Goodall brothers' choice to have me investigated was the final straw. Shouldn't you be responsible for their recklessness as their superior?"

The color drained from Erwin's face.

Nathan's implication could not be any clearer. He was fully aware of how similar the Goodall brothers' act of sabotaging him was to the way they had used against Zion. All that was left to do was to ask if he, Erwin, had been the one to orchestrate it.

"I was unaware of this matter, Chief Cross," Erwin clarified at once. "The two of them acted on their own accord. I would have stopped them if I'd learned of it sooner."

"I'm sure you would have, Mr. Holmes," Nathan said. "Speaking of which, the matter of Braydon and Sigurd's release remains open for negotiation." "Name your price, Chief Cross," Erwin said quickly. "What can I do to secure their freedom?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Nathan said unexpectedly. "I seem to recall the Cab convening today to discuss Mr. Lucas' crimes."

Caught off-guard, Erwin replied, "Yes, it should have been between the President and the Cab members. As President Woods is not feeling well, he has delegated the task of deciding in his absence to the Cab."

"In the absence of the Cab secretary," Nathan pointed out, "your voice in electing the President's replacement becomes the loudest. I think you already are the president in everything but name, aren't you?"

Erwin was about to deny it when Nathan spoke over him again.

"My price is simple. You are to show mercy to Mr. Lucas by dealing with him privately instead of publicizing it. There is no need to let him fall with such disgrace after his decades of loyalty and ruin his reputation in his twilight years. I will release the Goodall brothers right now if you agree to my terms."

Erwin was silent for a few seconds in consideration of the offer. "I'll think about it," he said in an emotionless voice before hanging up the phone. Nathan seemed to have expected it as he promptly put away his phone.

Colin and Sage had been watching Nathan throughout the phone call. "Did Mr. Holmes promise to go easy on Mr. Lucas, Sir?" Sage asked in a low, urgent voice.

"He said he would think about it,"

said Nathan calmly. "But I reckon he won't agree to it. Being one to destroy his enemies mercilessly, he has already shown his hand to Mr. Lucas and will have more to lose if he allows his foe the opportunity to rebuild himself. I have done my best for Mr. Lucas. Whether it succeeds or not lies out of my control."

It went exactly as Nathan had guessed.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Erwin rejected Nathan's terms in the most provocative way possible.

By the end of the Cab meeting later at noonga flock of reporters gathered outside the venue of the Cab meeting to publicly unveil Zion's indulgence in corruption and bribery. It was said that his execution would be used as an example against traitors to the

nation.

Within minutes, Zion's crimes became the hottest commodity that every media company in the nation fought over.

Zion transformed from the Cab secretary to suddenly becoming a universally despised character with the integrity of a sewer rat.

His reputation was completely ruined.

In addition, the Cab came to the unanimous decision to strip Zion of all his titles and honors and sentence him to prison for three months.

Nathan's expression sank as he

watched the live broadcast of the

news. "Erwin is a despicable

character," he said coldly, "for

I

publicizing Mr. Lucas' crimes to such an extent just to discredit him. His reputation is completely tarnished now. Poor Mr. Lucas. Imagine giving your hearband soul

to your nation for decades to end up like this."

"Erwin really is ruthless," Sage exclaimed. "He did not hesitate to sacrifice the Goodall brothers by having them take the fall in military prison for the rest of their lives just to secure Mr. Lucas' destruction."

Nathan nodded. "Greatness comes from being ruthless."