Chapter 16: Internal Struggle
POV - Darrien Mal
[Day 2, March 2002, 7am]
The morning sun cast long shadows across the dining room of the palace as we gathered for breakfast, the staff had prepared a meal unaware of the atmosphere heavy with tension and unease. I sat at the table, my hands trembling as I reached for a piece of fruit, my appetite soured by the grim reality of our situation.
"Please, help yourselves," the Governor offered calmly, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. Seated at the head of the table, he exuded an air of composure, while his Ministers quietly consumed their breakfast. Despite the casual chatter that filled the room, my inner turmoil raged unchecked.
Then Jordan asks "Any news from the blacksite?"His question sent a shiver down my spine, a stark reminder of the darkness that lurked just beyond our gilded walls. I shook my head in response, my heart sinking with each passing moment. The weight of our predicament bore down on me like a leaden weight, threatening to crush me beneath its unforgiving burden
The Defense Minister's sympathetic glance did little to ease my anguish, serving only to deepen the sense of dread that gripped my soul. But it was the Governor's cold, calculated demeanor that chilled me to the bone, his orders to bring a street urchin to the black site sends chills to my bones.
While he eats as nothing had just happened. In that moment, I saw him for what he truly was—a ruthless leader willing to sacrifice anyone and anything in the pursuit of his own ambitions. As I watched the Governor's callous command unfold before me, a wave of revulsion washed over me, threatening to drown me in a sea of despair.
How could he be so heartless, so devoid of compassion for the plight of others? The image of the street urchin being dragged away, his eyes wide with fear, haunted me like a ghost, a stark reminder of the darkness that lurked within the heart of our so-called leader. I closed my eyes for a moment.
But amidst the despair, a refusal to stand idly by while innocents were sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. I knew that I could not remain silent in the face of such cruelty, that I had a duty to speak out against injustice, no matter the cost.
I pushed back my chair and rose to my feet, my voice ringing out across the room with clarity. "Governor," I began, my tone firm and unwavering, "this cannot stand. We cannot allow ourselves to descend into barbarism in the name of expediency."
The Governor's eyes narrowed in response, his gaze cold and calculating as he regarded me with thinly veiled contempt. "And what would you have us do, Finance Minister?" he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.
I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down in the face of his hostility. "I am not advocating for inaction but there are other ways to achieve our goals," I countered, my voice rising with conviction. "We cannot sacrifice our humanity in the pursuit of victory. It is a path that leads only to ruin. "
The Governor's expression hardened, his jaw clenched with barely contained fury. "Your idealism is admirable, Finance Minister," he spat, his words dripping with scorn. "But it has no place in the harsh realities of war. In times such as these, we must be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure our survival, no matter the cost."
The room descended into a heavy silence, but within me, I know I've spoken the truth, voicing the unspoken concerns of everyone in this table. "Well, Finance Minister," he chuckled, his tone laced with amusement. "It seems you've been promoted. Congratulations, you're the Governor for the next five minutes."
The weight of those words bore down on me like an unbearable burden, the Minister and staff stared at me, leaving me stunned and speechless. "I..." I began, but my voice trailed off into silence, the pressure of finding a solution immobilizing me.
For the next five minutes, I sat in silence, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of self-doubt and regret. I had been given a chance to prove myself, to show that I was capable of rising to the occasion in times of crisis. But in the end, I had faltered, succumbing to the weight of my own insecurities and fears.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Governor spoke, his voice low and measured. "You speak of morality, Finance Minister," he said, his tone tinged with bitterness. "But in times of war, morality is a luxury we cannot afford. I studied in the West as well so I understand where your mindset comes from"
The Governor continued, "We must not be so quick to cling to the ideals of democracy and human rights in times of war," he intoned, his voice low and measured. "Such values are luxuries that we cannot afford when our very survival is at stake."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as his words sank in, the weight of their implications pressing down on me like a heavy weight. The Governor's dismissive attitude toward the principles that I held dear sent a chill through my bones, leaving me feeling unsettled and uneasy.
Sensing my disapproval, "Principles are all well and good in times of peace," he replied, his tone empathetic. "But in times of war, they are but a hindrance to our survival."
"Yes, Governor." With that, I turned on my heel and strode from the room, leaving the Governor and his ministers. I could feel their eyes boring into me as I made my exit, their silent condemnation weighing heavily on my shoulders. But I refused to let their disapproval deter me from my course.
Then muffled sounds of a voice calling. "Ministers.. Minister?" The clear voice of the Governor calling. As my mind returned from the fleeting journey into defiance, I blinked, "Hmm.. Sorry Governor, not enough rest".
The harsh reality of the situation flooding back in like a sudden gust of wind. The Governor's words still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the challenges we faced. Feeling a pang of disappointment at the realization that I imagined rebellion was nothing more than a flight of fancy, Father and Mother is counting on me for this job.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MrCAL
MrCAL Still trying to get my laptop fix, or buy a new one. This draft is finally finished.
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