Darkstone Code-Chapter 998 - 996: Blessings of Fortune

Faced with Mr. Truman’s questions, Lynch still had some words he couldn’t say, not very convenient to speak.

No need to say it out loud when they both know, saying it would lose meaning, such as the upcoming battle issues.

The Ministry of Defense is also aware of today’s events, and equally shocked. The lingering surprise of quickly defeating two gangs a while ago without any casualties has not dissipated.

Reality hit them right in the eyes, making them see stars.

Suddenly, casualties reached six to seven hundred, with over two hundred deaths, surpassing the Federation’s total death toll in World War I—

Federation’s death count was one, a coast guard fell into the sea during duty and was smashed by a propeller. The Navy posthumously awarded him a Navy Courage Medal.

Those who knew about this would not speak carelessly outside, and those who didn’t know naturally wouldn’t mention it.

What the Ministry of Defense found hard to accept was that the Commander this time was chosen by the Strategic Command, who had always performed outstandingly. Many believed that when war broke out, this guy would become a Major General.

His usual performance was indeed stellar, but this time he made huge mistakes.

Moreover, ordinary soldier casualties happened too rapidly, seemingly completely stunned by the sudden attack of the enemy, they didn’t even know how to swiftly organize a counterattack.

These sharp soldiers in various military districts, no one submits to another, each acting like the world’s top soldier king.

Everyone indeed thought they would perform well, but reality punched them in the other eye.

The Ministry of Defense is also summarizing where the problem lies, combining Lynch’s series of new orders, they roughly figured out the problem.

Training is ultimately just training, war is still war, seasoned soldiers might be useless on the battlefield, because they only know how to train.

In training, someone will score you, those with high scores are the winners.

But war doesn’t have someone scoring you, surviving and eliminating more enemies is the winner.

These are two completely different projects!

Just like today’s battle, everyone just stepped into the "ambush circle" without any precaution. The enemy didn’t hide at all, just stood by the roadside watching them, then waited for a moment to launch the attack.

Speaking of this would shock many people, but it happened so bizarrely.

How to distinguish enemies became the first challenge to solve for everyone.

If those officers selected by the Ministry of Defense, planned to be given more responsibilities in the future, can’t separate enemies from civilians, they will never win in Mariluo.

Being unable to distinguish who is enemy and who is civilian means civilians might turn into enemies anytime, anywhere.

This doesn’t encourage indiscriminate killing, it’s just a problem.

Hence, Lynch must first seek everyone’s support, next they will take action against those warlord militants disguised as civilians and extremist racial hatemongers.

Moreover, Lynch believes someone will report these contents, possibly Gafura people, or someone else, even the Mariluo warlords or puppet government might report these.

If they are prematurely labeled as "civilian killers", Darkstone Security would become notorious.

But if it’s announced in advance these people are not civilians but those bad guys, when others come to do these things, they won’t get positive responses.

Wise citizens have long seen through all these vain schemes; they know clearly that those are not civilians but enemies disguised as civilians.

See, the logic is simple and coherent.

After a brief silence on the phone, Mr. Truman asked again, "What do you plan to do next?"

"I intend to talk with those military enterprises, they’ve been relatively quiet lately. I think it’s a good opportunity, we can sit down and discuss properly." Lynch didn’t hide his thoughts, he spoke openly.

Recently, the appearance of aircraft has put great pressure on all military enterprises, after all, this thing costs billions in military sales, far more profitable than selling bullets.

More importantly, once Lynch and his institute establish a position in aircraft, it will be very difficult to drive him out of this industry in the future.

Everyone also realized the value of aircraft is not just in its transformation of war, but more importantly in the influence in military sales.

An aircraft can be equipped with anything, machine guns, missiles, bombs, and even torpedoes. If Lynch doesn’t cooperate, they can produce these themselves without worrying about sales.

Military Industrial Group has long blocked this field to prevent increasing competitors, yet Lynch still squeezed in.

They are now trying to push Lynch out, reportedly each is developing their uniquely featured aircraft models, such as Graeme Industries is researching a model with greater payload.

Inspired by a bombing by the sea, they’re working hard to create the world’s first bomber prototype.

More payload and flying higher, allowing more bombs to drop from the sky.

They don’t have time to bother Lynch right now, Lynch just can talk to them.

"What are you talking about?" Mr. Truman was extremely sensitive. He actually didn’t want Lynch to get involved with those core interest groups; he hoped Lynch could be his ally, not his obstacle. "I hope what you’re discussing isn’t too shocking."

Lynch chuckled twice, "You’re overthinking it. This time, I’m planning to invite the Ministry of Defense as well."

"I’ve heard that Gafura and some other countries already know about our aircraft development results, is that right?"

Mr. Truman was somewhat embarrassed, "Yes, we weren’t able to stop the intelligence from leaking."

"Then why don’t we attempt a coordinated air-ground operation? The previous attempt completely failed to demonstrate the advantages of this kind of joint operation, and we indeed need such a testing ground."

"Mariluo can provide us with a lot of valuable data, which simulations cannot offer."

Mr. Truman fell into deep silence. Actually, until now, the Ministry of Defense and the Military primarily discussed issues related to aircraft focusing on two aspects. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

First, whether to establish an independent branch for aircraft.

Second, the coordination between ground forces and the Air Force, as well as between the Navy and the Air Force. These are still theoretical.

These two questions are essentially one question. If the Air Force can demonstrate true value, then the Ministry of Defense and the Military will definitely want to establish the Ministry of the Air Force. They also have enough power to persuade Congress to agree to establish a third branch and expand the budget.

You must understand, once the Air Force is established, for the Military, it’s not a small matter but a significant event.

An Air Force Marshal, an Air Force Admiral, three to five Air Force Lieutenant Generals, ten to twenty Major Generals, and countless colonels, lieutenants, sergeants...

Along with the construction and budget of various bases, the power and influence of the Military may very likely expand to double its current size or even more.

Lynch’s proposal, the Ministry of Defense and Military certainly won’t refuse. Their non-refusal means other military industrial groups won’t refuse either.

But if these military industrial companies want to hitch a ride on Lynch’s coattails, they must show sincerity.

What sincerity is, Mr. Truman probably guessed some. Regarding Lynch’s methods, he could only remain speechless.

"Try to restrain yourself; I don’t want one day to have to send you to court," Mr. Truman said sincerely; he truly meant it.

After all, having a friend you can talk to and share a general goal with is a rare thing. He didn’t want Lynch to play himself to death.

Lynch burst into laughter, "That day will never come; in this world, except for the Lord, no one can judge me!"

Mr. Truman also laughed, "You’re the most arrogant person I’ve ever met..."

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the riverine city in Mariluo, the troops were resting.

The newly appointed Commander was tightening the formation while ensuring the camp wouldn’t be sneaked into in the middle of the night.

In Amelia, they often encountered such situations; those anti-government armed factions were like rats, without a trace in the daytime, and sneaking out at night to cause trouble.

It’s undeniable; their actions indeed brought many troubles and threats to the field officers on Amelia’s side.

Thus, guarding the camp at night became the new commander’s first order.

Soon, the Colonel found the new Commander, who was a Major. Emotionally, it was hard for him to accept, but he had to obey orders from the Federation.

"I don’t quite understand..." He spoke his thoughts as soon as he entered the command vehicle, "Our original plan was to attack at midnight; why did you stop this plan?"

The Major glanced at the Colonel; perhaps only this time did his words carry authority, though not particularly forceful.

After all, the man was an elite from the Strategic Command, destined to become a General in the future, while the Major himself might only rise to Colonel, which would already be his limit in this lifetime.

He explained briefly, "Many of our people can’t handle night battles."

The Colonel didn’t expect the reason to be so simple; he shook his head in objection, "We’ve undergone night urban warfare training, and we’ve cut off the water and electricity supply; the people inside should be quite restless."

"They might even be very angry and filled with aggression!" the Major replied, "The company appointed me as Commander, so I can’t take risks that would send our boys to their deaths."

"That’s why we’re not engaging in night battles; we’ll attack tomorrow morning."

The Colonel argued further, "But we had just cleared two points a few days ago, and there were no casualties at all."

Previously, clearing enemy areas in the city was done with the help of the dim sky, launching attacks during the latter half of the night into dawn, concluding all combats just as the daybreak barely broke.

The Ministry of Defense even considered documenting this operation in command courses as a typical case and tutorial, as it was incredibly successful and remarkably executed!

The Major calmly responded to him, "Previously, we were dealing with a gang of hoodlums; now, we’re facing professional soldiers and a group of people whom we can’t discern whether they’re civilians or enemies."

"Night will become their camouflage, our nightmare!"

"So, I’ve decided; we’ll move in tomorrow during daylight hours!"