Britain's Ireland Island, Leitrim was the least populated county in Ireland. Low population meant low zombies, and it was the gathering place for the British government-in-exile. As the hinterland of Britain, it was a strategic location similar to Sichuan in China. It was also the last place to defend Britain after being attacked by foreign enemies. Hence, just like Sichuan, a huge underground fortress was built here. The more unknown a place was, the more difficult it would be to be discovered. The supplies here became Britain's last trump card.
Sophia, Lieutenant Colonel Byron, and the others did not receive the treatment of heroes when they returned to Britain. The fleet that covered the sky when they set off was the pride of all the survivors, but when they returned, they were left without weapons. The ordinary survivors thought that they were just the vanguard, and when they learned of the final outcome while waiting anxiously, it was a disastrous blow to the British residents. This underground city, codenamed City of Dawn, was on the brink of despair.
City of Dawn was Britain's last city, and it housed 150,000 people living here. In addition to the dozens of gathering points in the surrounding areas, there were 490,000 people living here. It was the survival center for half of Britain's survivors, and it was also the strongest fortress against the new era. But now, this last pure land after the apocalypse had ushered in a massive trial.
The British royal family eventually disappeared under the attack of the virus, but Britain's House of Lords and House of Commons were formed. The House of Lords was made up of the elites of various industries, government officials, military officers, as well as the management of large financial groups and large companies. They were the new generation of nobles in Britain, while the House of Commons was made up of civilians, workers, farmers, and soldiers. In other words, the House of Lords was made up of urban survivors, while the House of Commons was made up of rural survivors. The environment and geography of Britain determined that the House of Commons represented a much larger population than the House of Lords. Hence, there was an irreconcilable conflict between the two. The House of Lords believed that the elites ruled the people, while the House of Commons believed that the minority had to obey the majority.
Sophia was the flag of the House of Commons. As a country girl, she did not have too many thoughts. She wholeheartedly gave her all for the rise of England. She had saved countless survivors and killed countless zombies, which gave her a great reputation among the civilians. She was once called the Lady of Dawn by the survivors. But now, the former Lady of Dawn and her former adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Byron, were confined to the bench and judged by countless people.
Countless people in the huge valley shouted angrily at the judge's seat at the front. The target of their shouts was the Lady of Dawn, whom they had once admired and respected. Those who had been saved by her, and those who had been indirectly saved by her, had forgotten their piety in the past. They were furious at the idol in their hearts, because the Lady of Dawn had betrayed their hopes.
Sophia raised her head proudly to face the countless people. The angry shouts formed a huge wave, like a giant hammer hitting her heart time and time again. Tears of grievance lingered in her eyes, refusing to fall. She had her own pride and self-respect. As an evolved human, she did not want to show her weakness in front of ordinary people. The 12 Senators and 24 Senators were the jury for today, and the speaker, Gregor, was the judge for today.
Be it the Senators or the Senators, they were all very serious. From time to time, they would look at the angry crowd in the distance thoughtfully. Gregor, on the other hand, sat quietly at the head of the table with his eyes closed. The angry crowd was isolated 30 meters away, and hundreds of fully-armed soldiers blocked them with human walls and anti-explosion shields. Thousands of people surged forward, forcing the soldiers to use their backs to support them. From time to time, large and small stones flew from the crowd, but they hit an invisible barrier in front of the ten evolvers behind the soldiers and fell down.
"Silence …" A loud roar was amplified by the loudspeaker, sweeping through the entire place like a clap of thunder. Then, the buzzing crowd started to quiet down, and the voices became softer and softer until only a few people were left whispering to each other. It was impossible to completely stop this kind of noise that resembled the buzzing of flies, so the person who gave the order didn't repeat himself. He said in a clear voice, "Here, we will be holding Sophia Stanport and Byron Allen accountable for their dereliction of duty. Everyone, please maintain order, but if there is any clamor or noise, you will be severely punished for disrupting the court. Everyone, please be calm, rational, and listen carefully to our trial procedures. We will try our best to be fair, just, and open …"
Most people were satisfied with Gregor's eloquent speech. Then, they began to hold him accountable. Sophia stopped crying and stood silently, looking at the stern and rigid Gregor. Gregor was a descendant of the royal family, but he was no longer qualified to inherit it. He did not even have a title, because all the glory of his ancestors had been thrown into the long river of history. But at this moment, he felt as if he had become one with his ancestors, and the future of the whole England was in his hands. Even though this feeling was fake, it still made him tremble all over.
Gregor's gloomy eyes swept across the two people present, flickering as if he was choosing a target. After a moment of silence, he said loudly, "Lieutenant Colonel Byron Allen, can you explain why you suffered such a great loss in Japan?
Why did you lead 300 evolvers, who had the ability to fight, to surrender to a Chinese and order him around?
Please tell us the truth about the situation and your mentality at that time. This is related to your future and future … "
Gregor's question was like a sharp knife that cut open the prelude to the trial. From the moment Byron stood on the stand, he did not show any excitement or anxiety. He just looked at Gregor calmly. Gregor's gloomy eyes made Gregor feel a little uncomfortable. He could not help but move his buttocks as if he was trying to make himself sit more comfortably. However, his eyes did not stop looking at Byron, like a lone wolf staring at its prey.
"I have nothing to say. It was a mistake for us to leave England. In the face of the attack of the New Era, we lost Scotland and England, and only Ireland was left. It was not because our soldiers were not brave enough, nor was it because our evolvers did not work hard enough. It was because we were not as strong as them. Under such circumstances, the council sent us out …" Byron was not afraid of Gregor's false deterrence at all. However, Gregor became angry out of humiliation. He raised his voice and said, "Are you pointing at me?
Or the entire council?
We represent the survivors of England, and your mission represents the future of the whole of England. Please do not use lame excuses to defend yourselves, and please do not treat the people as idiots … "
The speaker's words had successfully ignited the anger of the civilians. Wave after wave of condemnation was sent to the courtroom like a tsunami. Many of the councilors were shocked, but Gregor managed to calm the situation down. Byron did not refute the speaker's words, he just stared at Gregor and sneered. At this time, the chief councilor of the House of Commons stood up and said to Gregor respectfully, "Your Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel Byron is not suitable to attend the trial. He is an evolver, and evolvers think they are superior to others. So, we only need the evidence. We can expose Lieutenant Colonel Byron's crimes to the public and let the people judge him …"
Byron was Sophia's left hand, and the Chief Councilor was Sophia's right hand. The right hand slandering the left hand meant that the House of Commons had officially sided with the House of Commons after Sophia's departure. Byron's eyes turned cold. He stared at the remaining 23 councilors and frowned. He had not expected that the expected confrontation between the House of Commons and the House of Commons would not happen. Instead, it had become a joint condemnation of him and Sophia. Gregor pretended to ponder. After a while, he hypocritically said, "Lieutenant Colonel Byron, I believe that you are only the deputy of the expeditionary force, and you cannot control the entire force. I believe that you also have your own troubles. Please tell the truth and use your honesty to wash away the stain …"
Gregor's words hinted to Byron that he should focus on the truth. As long as Lieutenant Colonel Byron bites back at Sophia and publicizes Sophia's mistakes to the public, he would be able to strip Sophia of her glory. This way, he would be able to take the initiative and launch a fatal blow to the civilians that Sophia represented. The biggest blade of this fatal blow would be the civilians under Sophia's care. Thus, he would be able to unite all the survivors and make them obey his rule.
Who was Byron?
When it came to scheming, he was much stronger than Gregor. Seeing the burning ambition in Gregor's eyes, he could not help but burst into laughter. His loud laughter suppressed all the noise and made Gregor's face turn red. This laughter was a provocation and disrespect to the future King of England. How could he let it go? He could not help but shout, "Lieutenant Colonel Byron, please respect the court, the jury, and the people. The truth will never be covered up, and you will not be able to wash away your crimes …"
Byron looked at Gregor strangely as if he was looking at a clown. At this time, Sophia said in a hoarse voice, "It's all my fault. It's my fault that the posthumans and the crew suffered heavy losses. It's also me who ordered the execution of Y 'lisabet. Similarly, Lieutenant Colonel Byron's surrender was also with my consent. Please …"
"Shut up!" Byron suddenly shouted, causing Gregor's excited expression to drop. He glared at Byron angrily, but Byron did not put Gregor in his eyes. He said loudly, "This was a suicide mission. When we set off, there were 589 evolvers, and none of them were directly under the House of Lords. There were 327 soldiers, and none of them were related to the House of Lords. They were all the guards and protectors of the House of Commons, and they were also the direct subordinates of the General. Can't you see that Gregor had already prepared to kill us with a borrowed knife?
Don't you know that the 600 evolvers under Gregor's command all evolved because of the treasures we brought back?
Do you really believe in this hypocritical President? "
The series of questions made Gregor angry. Just as he was about to open his mouth, he saw Byron turn around and shout at the angry civilians, "Why is there no lawyer?
Why is there no accuser?
Even if the trial is conducted, it can't be so hasty. Who is the General?
He is the protector of England. Without the General, many of you would have been swallowed by the mutants. Without the General, even Ireland would have fallen. How much did the General sacrifice for you? Are you going to slander him because of someone's instigation? "
At this moment, Byron threw away his disappointment and prejudice towards Sophia and stood up like a true warrior to defend himself. However, Sophia's heart was already like dead ashes. She only lowered her head and didn't say anything. She was an honest person and believed that this trial was fair. She also believed that the accusation against her was established. She didn't feel angry towards the anger of the commoners. She only felt wronged towards herself because no one was willing to forgive her other than Byron.
"Guards, arrest this criminal who is full of lies and throw him into prison. Let him repent his crimes in prison …" Gregor shouted angrily as he stood up and waved his arms. The 12 members of the House of Lords booed at Byron. They were obviously angry that Byron had exposed their selfishness. As for the members of the House of Commons, they lowered their heads and didn't dare to look at Byron who was sneering at them. They and Byron were once supporters of Sophia and the backbone of the resistance against the invasion of the New Era. But now, he had betrayed his promise and betrayed his leader and idol.
"Ladies and gentlemen, have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten what the General has done for you?
There was once a person who was besieged by thousands of mutants in a city, and it was the General who fought her way out to rescue him. There was once a person who collapsed from exhaustion on the way to migration, and it was the General who gave up her carriage so that they could reach here alive. There was once a person who was about to starve to death, and it was the General who gave up her rations to save one more person. She was also injured in battle due to her weakness … Have you all forgotten … "
Byron's shout silenced countless people. They suddenly remembered Sophia's kindness and couldn't help but become speechless. Then, they shouted, "My life was saved by the General, she wasn't wrong …" Following that, even more people shouted, and the scene went out of control for a moment. At this moment, someone shouted, "The General is a liar, she deceived our trust. In the battlefield of Japan, the General never took action, and all the battles were fought by us. Many people died under the General's wrong command, and we are the evidence …"
More than 20 evolvers suddenly appeared in the courtroom. They were the evolvers who had followed Sophia back to England. Seeing these evolvers, even Byron, who had been suppressing his emotions, was enraged. These were the people who had been working on Okinawa Island but did not put in any effort. That day, these people had been scared out of their wits by the swarm of insects, and they would rather hide than fight. After returning to England with Sophia, they had disappeared. Who would have thought that they would all side with Gregor and bite back at the most critical moment?
However, Sophia did not have Byron's anger. To the Japanese, she was the most cold-blooded executioner, but to the British, even the most vicious bastard was someone she would save. She loved England more than herself, and the testimonies of these evolvers made her feel even more guilty. These evolvers were telling the truth. She was very strong, but not strong enough to shoot down a helicopter.
The crowd became noisy again. At this time, a group of fully armed evolvers rushed to Byron. They were the guards that Gregor had called for, and they were all evolvers controlled by the House of Lords. The moment they appeared, they pointed their weapons at Byron, but they only dared to aim at Byron. No one dared to anger Sophia. Byron suddenly realized that Gregor did not intend to kill Sophia, and no one could kill her. Sophia was an evolver who could fight against a god, and she was the strongest evolver in England. At the same time, she was also the umbrella that protected the House of Lords from being slaughtered by the New Era. Now that the House of Lords was holding Sophia accountable, there was only one possibility: they no longer needed this umbrella.
"General, this is a trap. Gregor has already reconciled with the New Era. They just want to take back their power …" Byron shouted to Sophia. The next moment, the loudspeaker was cut off by the guards. This shout was only heard in a small area, and most of the survivors did not hear it. Seeing Byron's expression, they became even more suspicious. The next moment, the people in the crowd began to shout, "Banish, banish …" Banish meant exile. This was the punishment that the people wanted for Sophia and Byron, or rather, the punishment that the House of Lords hoped for.