Crackdown Of Magnitudes

He didn't want to do this, yet he had no choice. The people were getting frustrated, and yet, Youden didn't care. Nothing mattered to him at this point of the operation, as he stood amongst the Imperial Council. That transitional period only lasted a few days to move everything over to the State Building, which was reorganized with powers to hold these officials second to Youden himself.

The protests from around a week ago had spread across the nation like wildfire, which he expected to happen. What he didn't expect, was the amount of people that actually agreed with those scum, as more of them began to break through in other large cities. According to some reports, Youden had read over a million people weren't making their voices heard in disdain. For a total continental population of around fifty million, around two percent of his people were openly against him and there were probably more that were silent. 

The enlarged room that was once the building's basement, held the five generals that were with Youden in that very frontline village some months ago. Filled with large, well-sculpted stone chairs, the space in the middle was clear for anyone to come up and speak to the Council. Of course, Youden was taking that very space, as he stared down his promoted men. It was the very first time they had all been in the room, as General Fang and Kenio couldn't but help admire the stonework done in the room itself. Another look towards Bonte and Thomas showed the men studying some papers before Youden started the meeting with everyone. The only one that wasn't doing a single thing was General Davis, who maintained eye contact with him since he had entered, although Youden had just noticed.

"Very well then." Youden cleared his throat, as the councilmen finally shifted their attention to him.

"This is about the protests, correct?" General Thomas was the first to speak, before Youden raised his hand.

"Although you all have a bigger role than ever before, understand that I still have absolute control and you do not speak until I say so. Am I clear?"

"My apologies."

"Now then, you are correct as it has to do with the overall health of the nation. The growing protests are becoming rather out of hand, and we simply can't afford enough manpower to quell these disruptions. Perhaps my initial response was too direct, but we need things to settle down before it's too late."

"Sir, may I say that the propaganda messages aren't necessarily effective enough. The people are smarter than the words being projected through the radio." General Kenio asserted, "I'm thinking that it's only a matter of time before more radical ideas spread."

"I'm aware of that, and it's likely what Jamal and those other rebels want." Youden instinctively brought his fingers around his chin in thought, "Any major news from across seas?"

"We're closing on Martin's Pass, with our closest forces about two miles away from the ongoing spearhead. If we can clear through there, it's about twenty miles to Nyverma, the final allied stronghold."

"Which should end the war? Right? They'll have no other city large enough to run all their resources or main leadership. If we take it out, surely they'll surrender." General Fang added to Kenio's response, his face filled with confidence of a predictable outcome.

"No." someone spoke in the room, as everyone, including Youden, turned towards the sound.

The voice was somewhat soft-spoken, as the person was none other than General Davis, the usually silent figure that most didn't even know could speak.

"Excuse me? Now you want to make your voice heard after saying nothing this entire time?" General Fang pierced his vision through him, although Davis ignored his demeanor.

"The people overseas have lost too much to give up, even if we destroy everything. Hell, they could have no arms, no powers, and they'll fight to the last man with their fists."

"What are you suggesting? And what does this have to do with our main issue here?"

"We'll never be able to truly win the war, even if it's militarily." Davis sighed, as Youden raised an eyebrow.

"That-, that's just ridiculous to say. Those people are practically animals, waiting to be put down." Youden had made up his mind. 

"I see differently. If anything, they might want us to give them even a bigger reason to fight even harder. I could see this coming miles away."

"And why say this now?" General Bonte finally joined the barrage, "To be honest, what does this have to really do with the home situation? Honestly, we don't even need more troops over here. All we need are people willing to take a big gamble to get what we need."

"Which is?" Youden was practically wishing this meeting to be over. 

"Just use the bomb on Nyverma now, and they'll surrender."

That got some laughs from Fang, Kenio, and even Youden himself. Thomas could only raise a brow in a sign of confusion before scribbling something down. Davis himself could only shake his head in shame.

"You all don't get it. There's nothing we can do." Davis got up from his seat, "We need to stop attacking and maintain control of what we have now. It'll ensure we don't collapse, and we all win through a ceasefire."

Everyone turned to Youden, whose carefree manner had changed into one more serious and baffled. Davis's face didn't change in the unwavering view of their leader as the two looked at each other viciously. It was as if it was a visual showdown between two different perspectives, one focused more on achieving a fair but lengthy process towards their end goal, compared to another that wanted results now and immediate impacts no matter the costs.

"We aren't doing that." Youden decided upon after several more seconds of thought, "It's too late to stop now."

"Up to y'all." Davis could only shrug his shoulders, as he danced down the few steps to the base floor, "Before I go, I will say one last thing."

Everyone watched as Davis gracefully moved through the floor, its granite finish glistening with each step. This change of attitude was unexpected from someone that most of them knew little about, as the man stopped right by the exit. 

"As for the protests, killing or imprisoning them won't stop their activity. It'll make things worse. I would suggest that you create temporary solutions to their demands so that we can easily change them. Let them get a bit comfortable before we truly take absolute control."

With that, Davis left the room and the men to their own thoughts. No one had to take advice from this man, yet they were all processing what he was suggesting. Making concessions for the common folk? That was ridiculous, especially with Youden in charge. And how did he have the right to leave this meeting whenever he pleased, they all had questions about this entire ordeal.

"I think I have something better." Youden began to smile, as his thoughts began to connect, "We don't need to do a single thing he's suggesting, because all we need to do is send them to the frontlines!"

The generals all turned to each other in confusion, shocked by such a choice. Not only would most of these people have a lack of training, that was much-needed manpower for the homefront being taken away.

"If they're protesting already, they likely weren't contributing much to the economy in the first place. We're doing this effectively immediately. We'll send them to either the Reserve Guard or overseas. Plus, with other loyal soldiers putting rifles to their backs, they can't pull anything stupid! We can't lose this way!" 

The generals remaining could only watch Youden cackle away with his newfound idea. This was going to solve the variety of issues they had? It was as if they could all read each other's mind and know how this was going to end. Either in extreme disaster or just maybe, give them some more life. But whatever choice it was, would likely change the course of history.