Chapter 1180: Chapter 579: War! War! War!!
“I am prepared to surrender.”
The imagined opposition and arguments from the adjutant did not occur; instead, the other party let out a long sigh of relief.
“You… agree as well?”
“The soldiers have no resolve to resist, and some are suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Most importantly, we have no reinforcements, and our brothers don’t want to die for the United States.”
The adjutant was quite direct. “The United States has never been ‘our’ United States, but a United States of capital and bureaucracy. Perhaps, they have already surrendered to Mexico behind our backs.”
One’s life is their own.
There are patriots in the United States, but there are definitely no patriots in capital and bureaucracy.
Hearing the adjutant’s words, the “sin” in Nidhogg Francis’s heart was considerably alleviated.
Actually, both of them had something unsaid.
Surrender early…
Enjoy early!
In any case, whether for united front value or reputation, Victor would definitely place them within some system. Even if there is no real power, surrendering early is certainly beneficial.
While the two discussed this, Intelligence Bureau Director Giacomo Casanova received the message from Nidhogg Francis handed over by a subordinate. He looked it over repeatedly before finally commenting, “Crafty fellows!”
…
June 19th, 17:00.
The front-line command at Oceanside announced, “Unconditional surrender!”
Nidhogg Francis sat solemnly in front of the broadcast.
“I, Nidhogg Francis, Major General of the United States Army and current Oceanside Front Commander, hereby formally announce that as of 17:00 on June 19, 1993, I and all personnel under my command will cease all military actions and, according to wartime conventions, surrender to your side.
To preserve the lives of soldiers:
Our army has exhausted strategic resources, and the number of wounded far exceeds the logistical limit. According to the spirit of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, I have no right to demand that loyal soldiers sacrifice more lives for a battle that cannot be reversed.
Avoid collateral civilian casualties!
There remain 230,000 civilians in the current war zone who have not been evacuated in time. Continued conflict would violate the core vow of the United States Armed Forces to ‘protect the innocent.’
Mexico must immediately provide medical assistance to our wounded and ensure the dignity of all prisoners of war, prohibiting public humiliation or unnecessary restraint.
As stipulated by international law, we are allowed to communicate identity confirmation information to families via the Red Cross.
No retaliation against local people who cooperated with our army is allowed, nor can private supplies be forcibly requisitioned as spoils of war.
We will hand over weapons in an orderly manner but request to retain the regimental flag and personal ID tags—symbols of the last dignity of the soldiers!
After addressing the public, Nidhogg Francis took out a speech for his subordinate soldiers.
There are indeed many intricacies in surrender.
Unlike the French…
Just a gesture would suffice.
Nor like the Koreans, who run away and won’t ever surrender!
Even less like the Indians, who simply disappear.
“Gentlemen, this is not an end, but the beginning of another kind of responsibility.
Your brave breakout in the San Diego war and desperate defense at Chula Vista have been etched into history. Today’s decision is borne by me alone; your honor remains unscathed. Remember: Laying down arms does not mean relinquishing faith, American soldiers never succumb to fear, only to the reverence for life!”
“I demand to bear all responsibility for the surrender as a prisoner of war, and my subordinates should be accorded the rights applicable under the Geneva Conventions.
If your side intends to judge our personnel, it must involve a neutral country’s court and disclose all evidence to ensure procedural justice.
The American people’s pursuit of freedom and democracy will not end because of a single battle—we may meet again at the negotiating table!”
This announcement generated little reaction within the city!
Instead, many citizens sighed in relief; no one wants to be engulfed by war. When San Diego was pummeled by artillery, although the casualties were not reported, some estimated it to be around ten thousand. Many people, dragging their families along, passed through Oceanside. The scene…
No one ever imagined they would see refugees on American soil!
And as everyone knows, American aid organizations are often flamboyant, many existing just to swindle subsidies. Now without subsidies, who cares about such matters anymore?
A chubby bakery owner directly hoisted a Mexican flag, looked at the American flag in his hand and reluctantly folded it neatly.
“Boss, don’t you need to hide this?” the shop assistant cautiously asked.
“Why?!”
The chubby boss glared, “Can’t I keep a national flag? It’s a symbol of free America.”
The shop assistant shrugged helplessly.
“Boss, just got a call; someone wants to order 26,000 pork floss buns, from a Mexican purchasing company. The deposit has already been sent,” a female shop assistant inside shouted out.
Mexican business?!
26,000?
The boss was stunned. Then he looked at the American flag in his hand, and without hesitation handed it to the assistant in shock, “Burn it! I’d hate for the Mexicans to misunderstand!”
???
“And damn it, does anyone know how to sing the Mexican National Anthem? Teach me quickly, I want them to feel my welcome!”
The chubby boss spoke fondly…
Like a man telling the woman he’s just been intimate with, “I love only you.”
Pah…
But for someone happy, there’s always someone aggrieved.
During a meeting, Defense Minister Norman Schwarzkopf received the news and was so livid he gasped for breath, scaring Deputy Defense Minister Calvin Waller and other members within the “Golden Society.”
Brother, please don’t collapse now!
The brothers are relying on you to take the fall.
Fortunately, Norman Schwarzkopf quickly regained composure, staring blankly at the ceiling.
“Norman, can you hear me?” the Deputy Minister gently called from the side.
“Nidhogg Francis, you XXXX!!”
The almost 60-year-old Defense Minister spoke with vitality, his cursing indicating he could live for decades more.
Deputy Defense Minister Calvin Waller and others remained silently nonresponsive.
Betrayed by the son-in-law handpicked by himself was indeed very bitter.
If only he’d handled it like Mussolini and had his son-in-law executed.
“We can’t wait! We can’t remain on the defensive, as per the plan, swiftly deploy troops from New Mexico and Arizona to counterattack into Mexico’s Chihuahua State. Once California is relieved, quickly strike Mexico’s border cities, and hit critical targets.”
Those present exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
“We need someone to oversee that area.”
“I’ll go.”
Army Training and Doctrine Command Commander: Admiral Frederick Franks volunteered, “Though I hope to get more support, like using the Navy to bombard near Tijuana, tying down the Northern War Zone, and to prevent aid from Texas, I request that Oklahoma put pressure on its border, and other states also need to restrain Louisiana and Arkansas.”
“Do you want to wage a decisive battle with them?!!” the Speaker of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—Craft Waters exclaimed.
“We all know they will ally, so we must resolve it swiftly or escalate the war before they do. The United States is like a decaying piece of meat; if we don’t decisively carve it out, there’s no way forward, and our interests and future will be buried.”
Admiral Frederick Franks’ calm speech stated facts, and everyone fell silent.
“Fight!”
Norman Schwarzkopf’s eyes were bloodshot, “Do they really think I’m easy to bully? Fight! If Victor doesn’t let me live well, I won’t let him either.”
The old men…
Are angry!
…
At 7 a.m. the next day, the Army 435th Division of the 336th Army entered Oceanside.
Brigadier General Theodore Eik, with a grave expression, took the surrender document from Nidhogg Francis’s hands, emotions naturally controlled by the solemn scene.
“Please ensure our… safety,” the counterpart mumbled.
“No problem…”
Theodore Eik nodded, about to continue when the deputy commander ran over anxiously, nervously telling him, “The border radar station detected a formation from the United States Air Force National Guard 173 Fighter Wing stationed at Kingsley Airport in Clammas Falls, Oregon State, heading towards Oceanside!”
!!!!
Whoosh—
Just as he finished speaking, Theodore Eik looked up to see a “clean” trail streak across the sky, like a missile!
Shooting through Oceanside, barreling towards Mexico!
“Everyone quickly take control of Oceanside, Major General Nidhogg Francis, from now on, we’re taking over this city!”
…