2025-12-15 18:36:06
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337: FAMILY
“Then convince him. Or replace him. This is your chance for a peaceful transition. Take it or keep fighting until there's nothing left to rule.” Achilles softened his tone: “You all have families. People you care about. Don't you want them to live in peace?”The negotiations lasted six hours. Arguments. Threats. Walkouts. But Achilles kept bringing them back to the table. Kept reminding them what was at stake.Finally, as the sun set, they reached an agreement. A ceasefire starting at midnight. Transitional government framework. Elections in eighteen months. Both sides signed, shook hands reluctantly. Left promising to honor the agreement.Colonel Davies approached after they'd gone: “Do you think they'll actually follow through?”“Some will. Some won't. But we gave them a framework. A path forward. That's more than they had yesterday.”.Achilles looked at the signed documents: “Peace is never guaranteed. But it's always worth fighting for.”
336: Peacekeeping Mission
[West Africa – Republic of Zambara – Eight Months Later]The heat was oppressive. Achilles stood in the command tent, reviewing maps with his officers. His new role as Major General meant leading operations like this; peacekeeping missions in unstable regions.Zambara had been torn apart by civil war for three years. Two factions are fighting for control. Civilians caught in the middle. Britain was part of an international coalition trying to broker peace.“The rebel faction is requesting a meeting,” Colonel Davies reported: “They want guarantees before they'll agree to the ceasefire.”“What kind of guarantees?” Achilles asked.“Safe passage for their leadership. Amnesty for fighters who lay down arms. Participation in the transitional government.” Davies pulled up profiles on his tablet: “Their leader is General Kwame. Former military officer. Turned rebel when the government became corrupt.”Achilles studied Kwame's file. Decor
335: The Sentence
He faced the judge again: “I pleaded guilty because I am guilty. I conspired to murder my father. I worked with terrorists. I deserve punishment. But I want the court to know; I'm not that person anymore. The Cartel's attempt to kill me forced me to face what I'd become. And I didn't like what I saw.”“Helping General Hector wasn't just about reducing my sentence. It was about doing one good thing before I went to prison. About maybe, possibly earning a fraction of forgiveness from the sister I betrayed.”Michael's composure finally broke. Tears ran down his face: “I can't bring our father back. Can't undo the pain I caused. But I can accept responsibility. Face the consequences. And spend whatever time I have left trying to be the man our father thought I could be.”He sat down and wiped his eyes; waiting…Lord Justice Hammond was quiet for a long moment: “Mr. Julian, what you did was unconscionable. Patricide is among the most heinous of crimes. You betrayed your family. Your countr
334: Michael's Trial
[Central Criminal Court – Six Months Later]Michael Julian stood in the defendant's box, hands clasped in front of him. He wore a simple suit, no arrogance or defiance. Just quiet acceptance of what was coming.The courtroom was full but not packed. This trial didn't have the media frenzy of Ethan's. Michael wasn't a terrorist mastermind. Just a man who'd conspired to kill his father out of jealousy and greed.Margaret sat in the gallery beside Achilles. This was her brother. The man she had always wanted to build a family bond with. The man who'd betrayed everything.“Are you okay?” Achilles whispered.“No. But I need to be here.” She watched as Michael stood when the judge entered.“All rise.”Lord Justice Hammond took his seat. The same judge who'd presided over Ethan's trial. Over the Cartel trials. He'd seen months of terrorism cases. This one was almost routine by comparison.“Be seated.” He looked at Michael: “Mr. Julian, you stand accused of conspiracy to commit murder, conspi
333: “I Love You Too, Sweetheart”
“I don't know what you mean.” Gabrielle sat down with a pretentious tone: “I'm just setting the table.”They ate together. Normal conversation. Work stories. Gabrielle's school day, but Achilles kept noticing small things.Gabrielle asked Margaret to pass things to him instead of passing them herself.She deliberately spilled water so Margaret and Achilles had to lean close while cleaning it up.She repeatedly mentioned how nice it was to have a family dinner all together.After tacos, they moved to the living room for movie night. Gabrielle had picked the film; a romantic comedy. Of course.“I thought we were watching the animated one about the dragons,” Achilles said.“I changed my mind. This one looks good.” Gabrielle settled on the couch. Deliberately left only enough space for two people: “Oops. Daddy, you and Miss Margaret will have to share the couch. I'll sit on the floor.”“You can sit between us,” Achi
332: Gabrielle's Schemes
[Three Months Later – Achilles’ Apartment]Gabrielle sat at the kitchen table with a very serious expression. She'd drawn a chart with crayons. Hearts. Stick figures. Arrows connecting them.“What's this?” Achilles asked, pouring her orange juice.“My plan,” she announced proudly.Curiosity piqued Achilles’ expression: “Plan for what?”“For you and Ms. Margaret Julian to get married.”Achilles nearly dropped the juice carton: “What?”“You like her. She likes you. I like her. So you should marry her.” Gabrielle pointed to her chart. “See? This is you. That's Miss Margaret. These hearts mean love. And this—” She tapped a stick figure with pigtails. “...is me being the flower girl.”Achilles leaned forward: “Pumpkin, it's not that simple.”“Why not? Mommy says Miss Margaret is good for you. Uncle George says you smile more when she's around. And I heard Aunt Rachael tell Aunt Dora that you're ‘smitten but too stubborn to admit it.’” She pronounced ‘smitten’ carefully, like she'd been pra
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