Salute To The General

Having learned that the President's condition had deteriorated to such a degree that an emergency trip to the hospital became necessary, Nathan grew anxious.

After a hasty farewell to his teacher, he rushed to the hospital, which was already heavily surrounded by the royal guard when he arrived. As the Chief Military Governor, he was granted unimpeded access. Nathan found the doors to the operation theater swarming with people upon being directed there.

In addition to the First Lady, Paisley, and close family members of the President, members of the Cabinet with Erwin in the lead, and the commander-in-chief of the Brimmopolis garrison, Will, and his men crowded the corridor with anxious faces to discuss the situation in hushed voices.

Paisley's face was streaked with tears. At Nathan's arrival, she fought down her grief and led her family to their feet. "The Chief Military Governor is here!" she announced.

"I came as soon as I learned that the President's condition had taken a turn for the worst," Nathan said solemnly.

"How is he, Mrs. Woods?"

"He was in good spirits this morning," Paisley reported. "His condition only deteriorated sharply after he got his jab. We don't know if he'll..."

unable to complete her

members and ministers flocked to comfort Paisley

frowned at the

by Cross Group for days without a

from the middle of the crowd. "The President's condition took a turn for the worst immediately after he was administered a dose

flashing across his eyes, he looked around the audience to locate the owner of the voice. "Whoever that was," he called coldly, "be a man and stand up if you have something to say. Why hide in the crowd to make

with his experience on the battlefield, his cold anger seemed to have solidified the air around them. Not a single person dared make a

was the one to break the silence. "Calm yourself, Chief Cross," he advised. "We are all similarly concerned about the President's health. I'm sure whoever it was meant no harm in their hasty words." "Words that have been uttered cannot be taken back," Nathan rumbled. "A man has to be responsible for the words

course, Chief Cross," Erwin agreed. "Since the question has been raised, I would be neglecting my duties if I failed to

at Erwin and felt his anger flare up at the sudden realization that Erwin and

head. By the time he decided how to approach Erwin's trap, he had already regained his composure. "Speak

scene. "As the President was being rushed to the operating theater," he began slowly, "I quickly learned about the situation through Seamus, the head of the Royal Medical Department. The drugs