Twenty Seven Years

  Chapter 521 It's Not Too Late

   three days later

  December 14th

The government troops stationed in Laizein took a new step. General Celt led as many as two battalions of troops to the Martyrs Cemetery of the International Equality League early in the morning, commanding part of the troops to evacuate the surrounding people, and part of the troops to start Explosives were placed and fuel oil was sprinkled, making it clear that the martyrs' cemetery would be attacked again.

   A small number of people who got the news rushed over to obstruct it, but after all, they failed to form the daunting momentum like a few days ago.

  After all, the anger of the people has gradually disappeared with the banning of the tyranny that threatened their lives.

  It is very difficult to think of uniting as one, and confronting the government at all costs.

   This also makes sense.

   It is a matter of life and death, family stability, and most people will rise up to resist.

  And the martyrs cemetery, which is not so deeply related to me, is destroyed, and it will not affect tomorrow's one more meal and one less meal. The result is self-evident.

   Half an hour later, Evans, who was temporarily the new captain of the action team, and several comrades risked their way to the vicinity of the Martyrs Cemetery, mixed with the crowd, and silently watched as the Martyrs Cemetery was about to be burned down.

   "Are we really just... just looking at it like this?" A comrade asked after holding back for a long time.

   "We can't change all this." Evans was very uncomfortable, and he was extremely resistant to the deep sense of powerlessness.

  If a few days ago, thousands of people stood side by side with them, things might have turned around. Now, with a few of them and a few guns, they couldn't even get close to the cemetery.

  Another comrade watched the martyrs' cemetery being trampled and destroyed by government troops, and couldn't help but shed tears.

  Wilak and others were arrested, and the martyrs' cemetery was about to become ruins. The past few days have been really tormenting for the comrades of the Laizein Action Team.

"Don't be too uncomfortable, don't be seen by the government army, and don't forget that we still have things to do within our capabilities." Evans couldn't bear to see the cemetery where many comrades were buried destroyed, and even more so. I am afraid that after the government army really takes action, some comrades will not be able to control themselves to do dangerous things, "Let's go."

   Several people turned around slowly and walked away from the cemetery.

   Just a few minutes later, the ready government army, under the order of General Celt, ignited the densely covered fuel.

  Suddenly, the flames shot up into the sky, and the heat wave surged.

  Everyone retreated a hundred meters away, watching the cemetery, which was regarded as the spiritual pillar by countless comrades of the International Equality League, completely engulfed in flames.

   "Take a picture." Celt urged the accompanying newspaper reporters to record the scene.

   "Everyone go to their respective positions, take as many shots as possible, fast!" Editor-in-Chief Byron organized the reporters to accumulate a large amount of material.

   "Hehe..." Celt wiped off the sweat from the heat wave, and imagined how Verak would react when he showed the photo to Verak.

  A spiritually impeccable person is worthy of admiration and learning.

  But in front of some people who know that they can't be that way, destroying the so-called solid spirit, the sense of accomplishment and fun are incomparable.

   "Get out of the way!"

  Finally, a middle-aged man with a beard who was watching couldn't stand it any longer. He picked up a bucket of water from his home and rushed to the cemetery.

  After some difficult calculations, he determined that such a cemetery that would not make a sound or make any response was more important than his own life.

  Because every person buried there died to protect them and to help them fight for dignity, equality, and freedom.

  Some people also understand a very simple truth.

  Facing those who died for themselves, at least they cannot choose to be indifferent and indifferent.

  There is always something they can do.

  Even if it is just a trivial pouring of a bucket of water, it is also a reward of dignity.

  In the end, one person drove another person, two people drove four people, four people drove ten people, and the people present spontaneously tried to put out the fire in their own way.

   "Stop them! It's too dangerous!" Seeing such a scene, Celt's scalp tingled.

  He ordered the blocking not because he really cared about the safety of the people, and worried that they would be engulfed in flames if they were not careful, but because he had a great sense of fear because of the people's fearless behavior.

  What Verak had said to him could not help but resurface in his mind.

  —The growth of the International Equality Alliance is inevitable.

  When did the people act so desperately for the government?

No.

  But they have made the same move countless times for the International Equality Alliance.

   Will the International Equality Alliance really lose after this war, and will there be no possibility of winning and changing the world?

  Selter can no longer say such things with confidence.

   After several hours, the fire in the cemetery gradually went out, and the behavior of the people failed to play a decisive role.

  It's too late, but not too late.

   Seeing that the cemetery was still a dark ruin, and the people were standing around lowly, Celt was somewhat relieved.

   Arranged his subordinates to take care of the aftermath. He returned to the prison and called Verak to the reception room.

   After staying in prison for more than three days, except for the stinky clothes, Verak's mental outlook remained almost the same as before.

"Look."

  Selter showed Verak the photo of the martyr's cemetery being burned.

  Verak took a look.

   "As you expected, no one from the action team came forward to interfere with us." Celt observed Verak's expression.

   "Hmm..." Verak didn't hide his shame.

   After fighting for so long, in the end he couldn't even protect the resting place of his close friends and comrades.

  He didn't dare to think about it, and he didn't dare to let his thoughts unfold indiscriminately. He was afraid that when he thought of Diaz, Boyne, Morais and others, he would not be able to face them with his head upright in his heart.

"Tell me something that should make you happy." At this point, Celt didn't insist on concealing something to gain more satisfaction than Veraker. "Many people have spontaneously put out the fire. Although there is no way to reverse all this with their little power."

   "...what happened to the other comrades who were locked up?" Verak asked.

   "Except for the one who committed suicide at the very beginning, all of them are still hanging. As for the specific situation, you should be very clear about the situation since you have been to Daymans Prison," Selter said.

   "When are you going to execute me?"

   "It will take some time, it won't be very long, and it won't be too short."

  Villac has dealt with Byron of the newspaper several times in the past few days, and basically figured out the other party's true intention: "Do you want to squeeze out my last value before execution?"

   "Yes, otherwise it would be a shame to spend such a lot of effort in exchange for a stubborn corpse." Celt routinely handed Verak a cigarette.

"It is estimated that there are not many opportunities for us to meet, so let me finally tell you something from the bottom of my heart." Verak said while smoking a cigarette, "The International Equality League does not represent itself, but for all who are oppressed and exploited, without dignity , Equal people fight. Such people account for the vast majority in this world, so even if there is no International Equality League, there will be other spontaneously formed forces in the future to fight with you endlessly."

   "I believe this is from your heart, but how is it different from what you have said before?"

   "Hehe... yes. I used to tell you this from the perspective of the International Equality Alliance, but now, I tell you from the perspective of a low-level civilian." Verak smiled.

Celt thought for a while: "You want me to see the future clearly and choose a correct path for myself in advance, so that if I turn against you, you can reproduce the mutiny of the independent mixed division at the beginning, and get out of prison. Go out and recover Laizein."

"It's impossible for you to make the right choice now, and I'm not saying this to keep myself alive." Verak shook his head slightly. He despised the lives in his objective world so much, "The arrival of the brave new world is doomed. I only hope that when you feel the need to choose, you can choose with confidence. No matter when you choose the right one, it is never too late. As long as you are sincere, as long as you are willing to do something for a better world, the International Equality League , the people will accept you again.”

   "You say that, as if you are the winner now, and I am the loser." Celt laughed dumbly.

  “The key to some things never lies in the result, but in whether to do it or not. I did it. Although I didn’t see that day coming, I made my life meaningful. This is my own victory.”

"That's it for now." Selt stood up disapprovingly, "In the future, if I can catch many of your comrades, I will come to see you again, if not, I think this will be the best news for you before you die .”

  Villac finished his cigarette and stood up: "Thank you."

  —

   Leicester City, International Equality League Office Building, Keating's Office

   "Chairman Keating, Lie—"

   "I already know." Keating glanced at the Minister of Intelligence Charles standing beside him, and said to Piaf who was rushing over.

   "I didn't expect it to end up like this..."

   Keating's eyes were a little blurred. He wiped his glasses and said, "The cemetery should have been destroyed as soon as the government troops entered Laizein. The comrades in the action team have done their best to drag it until now."

   "I get it, I just..."

  "Everyone did their best, so don't feel too guilty about it." Keating put on his glasses and looked through the documents in front of him. "I called you here because I have some work to arrange."

   Piaf and Charles sat down under Keating's beckoning.

"After repeated meetings and discussions with Joseph, Adel and other comrades stationed on the Feitier defense line, we decided to take the initiative to seek a breakthrough with the government army's strong assistance from the Dunman people." Keating was not immersed in negative emotions. Straight to the point, he devoted himself to the follow-up work, "Next, the Propaganda Department and the Intelligence Department will provide all-out assistance to comrades who are fighting on the front lines."

   "Don't worry about this, the choir of the Propaganda Department has been performing condolences at the front line, and we are also stepping up efforts in other aspects." Piaf said.

   "The intelligence department has always been in close contact with the front line, and we will try our best to provide important intelligence to provide a layer of protection for the frontline comrades in combat." Charles said.

   "Well, thank you for your hard work." Keating was relieved that everyone did everything well, and there was nothing he needed to ask.

  —

   night

   Fetier's Line

  This winter is really too cold, especially in the mountains, if you wear a thick cotton coat and stand outside for a while, you will feel that your body is going to be frozen.

   Therefore, every night, the offensive and defensive battle here will weaken or stagnate.

   But the most difficult thing is the Equality Army.

  Because the government forces may brave the severe cold to launch surprise attacks on countless nights, they have to guard against death every day and night, and dare not slack off.

  In such a sleepy and cold environment, the chorus of the Propaganda Department is the only spiritual comfort for comrades.

  Tonight, the performers led by the head of the chorus, Elizabeth, and the deputy head, Ross, came to a defense section that was hit the most on weekdays, and used wonderful music to relax the tense comrades.

"Let's raise the glass of joy, the wine in the glass is intoxicating. Although such a happy moment is beautiful, sincere love is more precious. Don't miss the present happiness. Let's toast to love. Youth is like a bird, fly away No more flying back. Look at the champagne billowing in the glass, like love in people's hearts. (Note: 1)”

"His singing is full of true feelings, which deeply moved me. Joy is the most important thing in this world, and I live for happiness. If a good flower fades, it will not bloom again, and youth will never come back after passing away. The love in people's hearts is not Will always exist. Please don't miss the good time tonight, let's raise a glass and celebrate. (Note: 1)”

  Ross played music, Elizabeth sang.

  Although the conditions were limited, we couldn’t arrange exquisite dance and costumes, and there were no luxurious scenes, but the comrades all listened with great interest.

   Being able to enjoy such an opera on the cold frontline is far warmer than drinking a few glasses of spirits.

  —

   Fetier Line, General Headquarters

   "Are the comrades of the two teams in place?" In the middle of the night, Joseph wore a military uniform with a serious face, and repeatedly asked the others to confirm.

"Don't worry, comrades are all prepared, and the name of transferring them from their original posts is very clever. If we really have undercover agents inside, even if we can detect abnormalities, it is difficult to guess why we are preparing." Said the comrade who was the captain of the two teams.

"That's good. Everyone knows that this mission is close to death. Logically, I should say that life is the most important thing. In any case, you must first ensure your own safety. But this time, I hope comrades understand that the mission comes first. This determines whether we can change the situation, let the International Equality Alliance continue, and let the exploited and oppressed people all over the world see hope." Joseph said forcefully, "We can only succeed, at all costs. "

"clear!"

"clear!"

  —

  Note 1: This lyric is quoted from the opera La Traviata.

  (end of this chapter)