Working as a police officer in Mexico Chapter 1606: 738: You Think You Can Just Start a War?

Chapter 1606: Chapter 738: You Think You Can Just Start a War?

On the TV screen, CNN had already begun interrupting with breaking news, sensationally titled: “North Atlantic Tensions Escalate! Canadian Vessel Suspected Sunk!”

“Can soone tell what exactly happened?!” Kreti’s voice was hoarse from just waking up, but it was more filled with repressed anger and shock.

Defense Minister David Collins handed him a freshly compiled brief, his tone heavy: “Sir, we have received multiple confirmations that the xican Army, using airborne forces early this morning local ti, has militarily occupied Machias Seal Island. Our Royal Navy’s ‘Kingston’-class coastal defense vessel ‘Montreal’, while heading to verify the situation and issue a warning, was attacked by air-to-ground missiles fired by xican Air Force jets—currently determined to be sunk, with about 37 officers and soldiers aboard feared dead.”

“Machias Seal Island? xicans?”

Pri Minister Kreti suddenly looked up, “That is disputed territory, yes, but what does it have to do with xico? That’s an issue between us and the Yanks.”

Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy dryly added, “They not only occupied the island and sank our warship but according to intercepted communications and a possible upcoming statent from xico, they claim this is to establish a ‘frontline logistics hub’ to support their so-called ‘protective operation’ in Maine. This is preditated! Victor is a madman! He wants to drag the entire North Arica into war!”

“What about the United States? Have we contacted them? What’s their stance?” Kreti asked urgently, his first thought going to their powerful ally to the south.

The Chief of Staff quickly replied: “We’ve already contacted the White House through the hotline; President Bush just received the news. He expressed ‘extre shock and concern’ and promised to maintain close consultations with us. But you know their situation; Portland was just landed upon—they can hardly protect themselves. He hinted that we should exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further.”

“Restraint?!!” A volatile voice ca from the doorway. Everyone turned to see the opposition leader and hawkish figure Patrick bursting in, ignoring the secretary’s attempts to stop him.

He, too, was evidently just called out of bed, his hair disheveled, but his eyes blazing with anger. “Our soldiers are dead, our warship sunk, our territory occupied, and we are told to exercise restraint? Kreti, if you don’t order a counterattack now, you’ll be the most cowardly person in Canadian history!!”

Patrick’s appearance and blunt accusation made the atmosphere in the study even more tense and awkward. Kreti’s expression turned extrely unsightly.

Defense Minister Collins tried to maintain order, “What we need now is calm and rational decision-making, not reckless roaring!”

“Rational? When the xicans set up missiles on the New Brunswick coast and point them at our heads, you can talk to about rationality then!”

Patrick did not back down, and he stared at Kreti, “You must imdiately convene an ergency parliantary eting to authorize military action. Our CF-18 fighters should take off right away to drive the xicans off the island.”

“Mr. Patrick!”

The intelligence head couldn’t help but speak up, “Our assessnt is that rashly going to full-scale war with xico would have unimaginable consequences—it’s a country with a strong and unpredictable military force.”

“So are we just going to let them do whatever they want on our territory? Should the blood of those 37 lads on the ‘Montreal’ flow in vain?!”

An intense argunt erupted in the study.

The pro-war and cautious factions were each holding their ground, unwilling to yield.

It has always been this way through history.

Kreti listened to the noisy disputes around him, feeling a severe headache.

“Enough!”

“Do the following things imdiately!” Kreti swept his eyes across everyone, “Is arguing going to drive the xicans away? We need to retaliate!”

He looked at the Chief of Staff and said:

“Imdiately convene an ergency parliantary eting. I want to address the nation within two hours.”

“Order the Canadian military to enter the highest state of alert nationwide. Cancel all leaves and recall the troops.”

“The Foreign Ministry should imdiately draft the strongest protest note, condemning xico’s aggression, demanding they unconditionally withdraw from Machias Seal Island imdiately, and provide a full explanation and compensation for the sinking of ‘Montreal’.”

“Contact our NATO allies, particularly the United Kingdom and France, to seek international support and jointly pressure xico.”

“And then…”

He paused, looking at Patrick and Defense Minister Collins, “Order the Eastern Navy District to imdiately dispatch a task force to the vicinity of Machias Seal Island. Note—it’s the vicinity. Without my direct order, you must not enter within a 12-nautical-mile radius of the island nor proactively open fire! The mission is to monitor, deter, and search for survivors of ‘Montreal’.”

The final order brought a look of disappointnt to Patrick’s face. He stood up, shaking his head, “You’re a worthless coward!”

He departed dejectedly after speaking.

Kreti looked at his cabinet mbers, his voice hoarse and heavy, “Canada has suffered disgrace today and stands on the brink of war. We need to demonstrate the governnt’s resolve to the citizens but also must be responsible for their safety. Before we get more intelligence and clear support from allies, we cannot…I cannot drag the country into an unforeseeable war.”

He gestured for everyone to execute the orders imdiately.

The study quickly emptied, leaving Kreti alone.

“Fight, fight, fight—we only know how to fight. Even the Yanks can’t win; what do we rely on? Just the brains of a bunch of rude n.”

Kreti shook his head in so disappointnt, the nearly 70-year-old man feeling a bit weary.

Everyone thought this was the beginning of an era.

But don’t they forget…

This is also the downfall of so nations.

…