2025-12-16 16:45:17[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
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339: A Wedding To Plan
[The Next Morning – Achilles' Apartment]Achilles returned at 6 AM. The terror threat had been contained; a false alarm, thank God. No attack. Just paranoid intelligence that needed investigation.He was exhausted, hadn't slept. But he couldn't wait to see Margaret properly. To celebrate their engagement without helicopters interrupting.He opened the apartment door quietly. Gabrielle would still be asleep. Margaret had stayed over to watch her; they did that now, trading off when one of them was working late.But Gabrielle wasn't asleep. She sat at the kitchen table in her pajamas, wide awake, with what appeared to be a new binder.“Daddy!” She jumped up: “You're back! Tell me everything! How did you propose? What did you say? Did you use my note card? Did she cry?”“Pumpkin, it's six in the morning. Why are you awake?”“I couldn't sleep! This is too exciting!” She pulled him to the table: “Sit. Tell me.”Marga
338: Worst Timing In History
[Four Months Later – Liverpool@Rooftop]Achilles had been planning this for weeks. The ring sat in his pocket, distracting him from his thoughts. Tonight was the night.He'd chosen the hospital rooftop. The place where Margaret had saved his life. Where everything had begun. It felt right to propose there.Gabrielle knew, of course. She'd been excited about it, checking his plans, offering suggestions, making sure he had “the right romantic words.”“Remember, Daddy,” she'd said that morning: “You have to tell her she's beautiful. And that you love her. And that you want her forever. Those are the rules.”“Who made these rules?”“Me. I'm the expert. I've been planning this since Phase One.” She'd handed him a note card with talking points: “Don't mess it up.”Now he stood on the rooftop, waiting. He'd texted Margaret to meet him here at seven. She'd responded with a simple: [Okay. See you then.]The sun was setting over Liverpool, painting the sky orange and pink. Perfect timing. Roman
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
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