Darkstone Code
Chapter 200 - 0198 Military Power

Chapter 200: 0198 Military Power

When it was technically afternoon after lunch, Ferrari drove over to pick up Lynch.

In the morning, Lynch had a phone call with him discussing the rapid deterioration of public safety in Sabin City and his concerns. Ferrari indicated that he could solve these minor problems for Lynch and would pick him up in the afternoon.

Sitting in Ferrari’s car, Ferrari talked while driving, "It’s best you don’t drive your car out these days. Honestly, the pace of the situation’s development has surpassed our expectations."

This is the allure of wealth; the mayor would never tell Lynch that the situation is nearing an uncontrollable state. He would only calmly assert that everything is under control, and anything else would be impossible.

Ferrari is different; he is loyal to his job and is a professional.

He took Lynch’s money and hoped to keep taking it, so he had to offer Lynch advice and reveal things he knew that Lynch wasn’t aware of.

The pace of the situation’s development had exceeded the expectations of Sabin City’s ruling group. The mayor and Ferrari anticipated that after the New Year, people tormented by their life struggles might begin attempting to assault financial institutions.

By March or April of next year, they might start attacking Federation Government agencies.

Before that, they wouldn’t be unable to survive since the city’s abundant food vouchers at least prevented hunger from being an immediate concern. If they only lacked money, such things might not occur.

But reality gave them a merciless slap, making them realize how tough the situation truly was.

"Last night, a small gang attacked a bank but was repelled. The police chief and the investigation bureau chief believe they set a bad precedent, and more violent robberies might ensue."

"Your vehicle is too conspicuous and easy to target. I suggest you buy a second-hand car and modify it."

As the traffic light turned red, Ferrari lifted his foot off the accelerator and glanced at Lynch. "You can make the interior of the car very luxurious; it won’t affect your comfort, and people won’t pay much attention to you because it doesn’t look valuable from the outside."

As they were talking, a sudden gunshot sounded on the street, and the crowd quickly dispersed. In the blink of an eye, few people were left on that stretch of road.

A person in a hat and glasses, wearing a jacket and thoroughly concealing themselves, forcefully tore a bag from the hands of a man lying on the ground. Further away, two patrol officers were present, but they clearly didn’t intervene at the crime scene immediately.

As the robber pointed the gun again at the person on the ground, in face of the fear of death, the passerby loosened their grip, and the robber grabbed the bag and swiftly dashed into an alleyway.

Only then did the two patrol officers run over to check the injured person’s condition and call for backup.

With the police presence, some people returned to the street, and a few dared to run over and watch, restoring order to some extent.

"Uh...", Ferrari felt compelled to explain something, but everything happened so quickly—from the gunshot to now, it was actually less than twenty seconds, maybe only around fifteen seconds. His mind still hadn’t caught up.

"Perhaps the police didn’t react in time..." He made an excuse for the police’s inaction during the crime.

Lynch looked at him, and he returned Lynch’s gaze but gradually shifted his own under Lynch’s calm stare. He released his tight grip on the steering wheel and shrugged, "Well, actually, this problem..."

The sound of a horn interrupting in the rear interrupted him, and the car started again. During the drive, Ferrari continued to explain the situation.

From last night’s incident to this morning, seven police officers had already submitted their resignations, and some others were contemplating it.

These police officers were very cunning, or one might call them smart. After all, being a police officer is a demanding job. They’re not worried about not being able to return to work once the situation calms down.

The city is too dangerous now; armed assaults on financial institutions have occurred, and it might not be long before even more terrifying events happen.

As police officers, they will face these terrifying criminals head-on. These aren’t the TV-portrayed villains who run scared like rats at the sight of the police.

Some of them have more shooting experience than the police. Truly, some are willing to uphold justice without fear of death, but for most ordinary people, they don’t want to be buried draped in a flag for a paycheck of around three hundred dollars a month.

So, the police chief allows them to temporarily abstain from confronting armed criminal activities to maintain the stability of the police force and security.

Talking slowly, the car’s speed decreased. They had left the city’s central district and arrived at an older-looking area.

By the roadside was a semicircular building like "⌒". In front of the building was a large open space with gym equipment. After parking the car on the roadside, Lynch discovered a sign saying—"Sabin City Military Club."

As the two walked inside, Ferrari said, "Though we remain neutral, we still maintain a sound military system to prevent certain countries from declaring war without notice."

"Every year many veterans return to society. This here is the most concentrated place for veterans in Sabin City, and coincidentally, my wife’s father is also a veteran..."

Ferrari opened the door of the building for Lynch. As soon as they entered, they saw two soldiers at the reception. After Ferrari provided his name and stated his purpose, soon a silver-haired elderly man came out with a smile.

This old soldier was Ferrari’s father-in-law. After a brief introduction with Lynch, the three of them went to the back of the building, which was like a military barracks.

"We’ve maintained as much of the military appearance as possible to help those returning from the forces better reintegrate into society."

Some studies show that long-term soldiers find it difficult to adapt to civilian life after leaving the military.

They have learned combat-related skills and maintained high morale and readiness for combat during their time in service.

This contrasts with peaceful civilian life and leads many to develop psychological issues, ultimately resulting in unfortunate incidents.

The military club is an organization commissioned by the Ministry of Defense to help these soldiers re-adapt and integrate into society.

Following the elderly veteran’s introduction, the trio arrived at a barracks. As they entered, the soldiers sitting or lying down immediately stood up at their beds like they did in the military.

A proud smile appeared on Ferrari’s father-in-law’s face. He looked at Lynch and asked, "How do you find my boys?"

This was Ferrari’s solution for Lynch—veterans.

"These young men left service in May and haven’t had much social contact yet. They were all capable guys during their service," Ferrari explained to Lynch, meaning they weren’t planted by anyone, so loyalty wasn’t an issue.

Lynch nodded, his gaze sweeping across each young face, finally deciding.

"They all have firearms licenses, right..."

Before Ferrari could respond, his father-in-law interjected, "You don’t need to worry about that; they undoubtedly do."

Lynch looked at him, then at Ferrari, sealing the deal.

Lynch’s agreement relieved his father-in-law because veterans’ pensions and living arrangements are typically handled by regional veteran offices.

Previously, it was easy to find them jobs; a recommendation letter and factory owners would gladly accept these disciplined veterans, as they were more rule-abiding and easier to manage than regular civilians.

But now the situation was dire. Even veteran factories did not want them. This year’s returning veterans in Sabin City had yet to find stable jobs. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense, veteran offices, and local military clubs realized that leaving them idle might lead to undesirable consequences.

They could be lured by criminals or forced by circumstances to use their military skills for crime, turning into trained killing machines, not just armed thugs.

Thus, after brief negotiations, military clubs also began efforts to address these young people’s livelihood issues.

The Ministry of Defense would fund regional military clubs until the situation was resolved.

While Lynch and Ferrari’s father-in-law signed agreements in the office, those young men were ready and waiting for Lynch, packing their belongings as they did in the military.

They were curious about Lynch, as he was younger than all of them, which made them think getting along with him wouldn’t be too difficult and filled them with hope for their future.

When Lynch left the office, after shaking hands with Ferrari’s father-in-law in front of these soldiers, their hearts were completely at ease.

When the highest-ranking senior soldier among them wanted to say something, he suddenly realized he didn’t know how to communicate with Lynch. This left him momentarily stunned and his mind blank...