Disagree with the General

Isabella furrowed her brows and took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"General Serrano, thank you for your input," she began, her voice shaky but determined. "But I must disagree."

Serrano's face fell, and the other ministers began to murmur.

"This is not the time for half measures," he insisted. "This is a time for decisive action!"

"I don't think **** is the solution right now. As you said, the killers could be anywhere, and anyone. Surely letting the army loose will only bring chaos and **** to innocents? " Isabella countered, trying her best to remain composed.

"Innocents?" Serrano scoffed. "You mean those traitors and terrorists hiding in the jungle? They are anything but innocent!"

"What about the families that live near the jungle? The farmers and laborers, who have **** but to live near their lands, the ones that grow the food we eat and mine the gold that pays for our soldiers?" Isabella demanded, her voice rising. "How many more innocent lives will we sacrifice in the name of ****? I will not repeat the mistakes of my father!"

Serrano's face reddened with anger.

"If we don't act, those communists will come and take our heads instead!" he hissed.

Isabella stared him down, her dark brown eyes burning with determination.

"I will not allow the military to run wild in my country," she declared, her voice firm and resolute. "This is a time for diplomacy, not war."

"If you want peace, make sure they know you're not afraid to fight," he growled, his eyes narrowing. Isabel stared back defiantly, refusing to back down.

Serrano clenched his jaw, his hands balled into fists. But after a deep breath to compose himself, he lowered himself back into his seat, muttering angrily. Isabel couldn't help but notice Secretary Romero attempting to suppress a smug smile at the development.

"Ministers," Isabella continued, her voice echoing in the uncomfortably silent room. "I ask that you do not support any military action until further discussion."

She paused, waiting for their response. They glanced at Romero, as though waiting for his approval. After a moment, he nodded almost imperceptibly, and the ministers seemed to relax, nodding their agreement one after another.

Having completed her first exchange with the Cabinet, and a successful one at that, Isabella let out a sigh of relief. But she could still feel the General's eyes on her, burning with anger.

[-20 Military, +10 Cabinet]