Chapter 63: The Diplomatic Mission
The special council meeting stretched past midnight. Maps covered every surface, marking Coalition areas in angry red ink. Food stores would last two weeks. Medicine, maybe less. "We could break through their northern border," Alpha Marcus suggested, jabbing his finger at the map. "Hit them before they expect it." "That's exactly what Shadowbane wants," Kael answered firmly.
"The moment we attack, he'll claim we started the war." "So we just sit here and starve?" Beta Thompson's voice cracked with anger. Liana stood by the window, watching the rain streak down glass. Behind her, voices rose in heated debate. Fear made everyone desperate. Desperate people made bad choices. "There's another option," she said quietly. The room fell silent. "Diplomacy," she continued, turning to face them.
