287 Too late to Realize
Alexander yawned as he got up from his bed. He stretched his arms above his head with a satisfied sigh. The first thing he did was check his watch on his wrist to see the time. He slept for two hours, a good nap and an important one as the Ruthenia Empire is dealing with a crisis in the Hanese Dynasty.
The government is falling apart and four factions fight for supreme authority over the country. It was the biggest civil war up to date in this world and Alexander is not missing an action as he backed the Nationalist Party in the Han Dynasty. Should they win the civil war and have the entire country under their control, the Ruthenia Empire is going to reap the benefits.
However, it will take months for that to happen. In the meantime, he is focusing on the situation the International Legation Quarter is facing in Beijing. The Boxers.
Alexander donned his usual outfit and headed straight to his office.
As he opened the door, he was shocked that his table is free of documents that he will have to sift through. Occasionally, when Alexander takes a break, his work will pile up magically, making his break meaningless.
“So nothing important is happening in the Ruthenia Empire right now huh?” Alexander remarked under his breath as he made his way to his desk and sat on the chair behind it.
Seeing that there would be no urgent papers that need to be signed or checked, he can see now that he’ll be able to leave his office for family dinner.
However, Just as he was about to revel in such a thought, it got dismantled when the telephone on his desk rang.
“Shit!” Alexander cursed under his breath as he quickly grabbed the receiver.
“Spill it out,” Alexander snapped, ready for anything at the moment, even though he knows that whatever the person who was on the other end of the line has to say won’t be pleasant.
“Your Majesty, this is Sevastian. You seemed to be in a bad mood, did something happen?” Sevastian inquired carefully.
“I’m not, it’s just that I thought I was going to have a lot of free time. Anyways, why did you call? Something happened.”
“Yes Your Majesty,” Sevastian confirmed. “The captain of the Special Forces Alpha, Makarov, attempted to communicate with the General of the Boxers for a 24 hours ceasefire so that they can evacuate all the citizens in the International Legation Quarter.”
“All citizens in the International Legation Quarter?” Alexander repeated, something must be wrong. “What do you mean? I thought the ten great powers are not going?”
“Well, they changed their decision when you were having your nap, Your Majesty. Everyone wants to leave after witnessing the true nature of the conflict.”
“Then I guess this will benefit the Ruthenia Empire,” Alexander mused as the ten great powers will give credit to the Ruthenia Empire for saving their citizens trapped in the International Legation Quarter.
“However there’s one problem, Your Majesty,” Sevastian continued. “The Boxers didn’t accept Makarov’s terms. They insisted that the ceasefire should only last for six hours and that everyone must be evacuated within that timeframe. Makarov said that the time wasn’t enough and persisted to change it for twenty four hours. But the Boxers prevailed.”
“I see, I’m understanding the situation clearer now. It looks as though my hand is being forced again. Since no conclusion was reached means the fighting is going to continue, which could potentially harm the Ruthenians inside the International Legation Quarter.”
“Makarov is asking for military assistance, Your Majesty. since there are still thousands of them trapped inside the Legation Quarter. Should we go for it?” Sevastian asked.
His eyes widened as a grin spread across his face. Considering how things have been going lately and what they could achieve, Alexander doesn’t need much persuasion to agree.
“Do the exact thing that you suggested to, Sevastian.”
“Right away, Your Majesty,”
***
In the Beijing Airspace, a squadron of Wraith Fighter Jet Aircraft received instruction from the command and center of the Aircraft Carrier.
“Copy that Command, we will give the Boxers hell,” Rasul said through his radio before changing the frequency to speak with the squadron. “Okay everyone, Command has given us permission to exterminate all Boxers attacking the International Legation Quarter. Exhaust all your missiles, bombs, and cannons at them at your heart’s content.”
“Wait, seriously? The Boxers didn’t comply with our terms? Did the General’s head get kicked or anything?”
“No, that’s just the General being stubborn. Anyway heads up, we have a mission to fulfill. It’s getting tiring circling on and on and I want to go back on the carrier.”
“You got it.”
With that, all the Wraith Fighter Jet Aircraft dived. With a laser targeting system, they were able to precisely and accurately strike their target without fail.
Multiple explosions erupted in front of the International Legation Quarter. The ground shook as if there was an earthquake occurring. It was followed by a beam of strobing light spewed from the Gatling gun of the Wraith Fighter Aircrafts, deleting every person that got hit with it.
For the military guards and the Ruthenian Special Forces, it felt as though they were watching a fireworks display. They were amazed at the performance of the Ruthenian aircraft bringing death to the Boxers.
“Now I know why the Yamato Empire was defeated in the war,” one of the military guards commented, his eyes shaking.
“I don’t want to be on the receiving end. Imagine an aircraft that can’t be intercepted with anti-aircraft guns due to its speed and maneuverability that our nation’s plane can’t compete with, it would be a death sentence fighting the Ruthenians.”
“They have grown incredibly strong in four years, it’s terrifying and hard to believe…”
“Oi, you all, don’t just space out and help us clean up what’s left!” Makarov shouted at the military guards who were zoning out.
“Yes sir!”
The Wraith Fighter Jets killed eight twelve hundred Boxers before returning to their Aircraft Carrier. Their battalion was reduced to company-sized infantry, which would be easy to deal with the forces on the ground.
The General of the Boxers, who survived the onslaught, where a barrage of missiles, cannons, and bombs rained down on them. He was too late to realize his mistake. He should have taken that deal. Now everyone is gone!
He is also not in good condition. He got hit on the shoulder, which is now bleeding profusely. His breathing was becoming raspy and his vision was getting blurrier.
It is then that he noticed a speck of red light in his chest. He tried to touch it but the moment his hand was over it, a red light appeared on top of his hand. “What’s this?”
Little did he know, there was already a sniper who had him on their bead.
Suddenly, there was a gaping hole in his chest as a bullet punched through it.
He fell down to the ground and became one with the earth.