After the internet was disconnected, the whole country went into a state of panic. People had shut themselves up in their homes and waited in fear for something to happen. As Jocelyne had predicted, the absence of the Internet had put an end to most of the riots: with no media, the rioters had stopped regrouping and protesting. However, this situation was not destined to last long: many hotheads had started taking to the streets and throwing stones and homemade Molotov cocktails at the police. Such incidents enticed other people who saw the scene to do the same, and groups of individuals quickly formed and launched themselves ferociously at the police.

Had the internet not been reactivated soon, Odaria would have plunged into chaos. And if the government had not found a way to appease the citizens, a revolution would have broken out. And like all revolutions it would have been a bloodbath, where ordinary people would probably have been involved against their will, and the innocent would have become a victim...

Families had gathered in their homes, holding their loved ones tightly. Someone did rites, someone prayed. Someone had resigned himself and had abandoned himself to carnal pleasures, sure that he would soon die, while others instead tried to keep hope alive.

But finally, in what seemed to be Odaria's darkest hour, the media were reactivated. Internet, televisions, telephones: everything worked again. Immediately, every person in Odaria abandoned whatever he was doing and turned on the television, or cell phone, or computer, or any other means of communication that could connect to the national news.

After a few minutes, the face of the prime minister appeared on every electronic device screen in the country. Morgan Medlay had an authoritative and calm expression, but a few lines on his forehead showed how difficult it must have been to make a decision. The president looked very upset.

"My dear fellow citizens, with this announcement I am addressing you all. Today we have found ourselves in an unprecedented time of crisis, so terrible that even our situation a year ago would seem simple in comparison. Worst of all, we learned that the NMWA intended to move its weapons to our soil, which would bring the war straight into our homes. The dinosaurs, moreover, have threatened to react to this provocation, and sadly we would have been the first to be affected by their fury. The fear of losing other friends, children, parents and siblings was such that within hours the country fell into chaos, forcing the government to turn off its communication devices to avoid riots as it gathered to find a solution. After a long debate, the government made a decision"

The audience held their breath. It was the moment of truth. War or peace?

"The government has determined that the deployment of high offensive weapons on our territory is undoubtedly a threat to the peace we have enjoyed for a whole year. Dinosaurs don't want war, and neither do we. Odaria has already lost enough people and must not lose more. Therefore, with the approval of the entire government and the request of the majority of the people, Odaria categorically refuses that any weapon of the NMWA be deployed on our land"

The citizens burst into a cry of joy. Peace! The government had chosen peace! The parents hugged their children at that announcement, knowing they shouldn't have lost them. The memory of the massacre a year earlier was still fresh in everyone's minds, so everyone was grateful for not having to lose their family.

"Clearly, this choice was very difficult. Such a decision will not put us in a good light in the eyes of the NMWA. We will have to be more united and steadfast to be able to emerge victorious from this situation. Therefore, the government has agreed that a long series of changes will be needed in our society. And the first major change was the elimination of all those who, behind your backs and the government, had made agreements with the Commission for the deployment of weapons on our territory. I'm talking about the businessmen Kimbler, Mosley, Rainald..."

The audience couldn't take their eyes off the screen, not believing their ears as the president listed all the names of Odaria's heads of families.

"These men have not only plotted behind us to bring foreign weapons to city soil, but they have also been responsible for horrific crimes over the years. They favored corruption, poverty, unemployment, inequality. But thanks to the contribution of Markus Jersey, who investigated and uncovered all the crimes these people are guilty of, justice was able to frame them. At the end of this talk, I will put online all the evidence that Mr. Jersey has given us. These people encouraged division, thinking only of their own interest; therefore, the government decided that such people should no longer have a place in this nation. Under the laws of Odaria, anyone who harms the nation is punished with death. About an hour ago they were gathered in the Perpetual Palace and executed there for their crimes. The same was true for all of their families. The government will momentarily take control of all their properties; the people who worked for them will receive easier treatment and a better salary in the coming days"

The people were in turmoil: had the heads of families across the nation been killed? Everyone knew that these people were in control of the country, and no one expected that the government would ever move against them. What was happening?

"In the weeks to come, the government will track down all the people who have been harmed by these people's actions, both directly and indirectly, and will do its best to pay them back for the damage. Investigations will also be carried out against people who were close to the businessmen, and if any involvement in the illicit activities of the latter is discovered, they will be punished as they deserve. Finally, many reforms that until now had been blocked due to corruption and the economic weight of these people will be launched in the coming months. Healthcare will become free starting tonight, and in two weeks the same will apply to education. Support measures will also be applied in favor of the poorest sections of the population"

Citizens couldn't believe it. This was beyond their wildest expectations! It really felt like Odaria was about to enter a new era!

"A further measure that will be taken will be an emergency meeting with neighboring nations, in the hope of convincing them too of the need to maintain a lasting peace with our neighbors. In fact, we hope to be able to create a united front to oppose the objectives of the Commission, so that even if there is a war, it will take place far from our borders"

In addition to Odaria, there were four states that were located on the Maakanar continent: Subila, Tearmoon, Cambion and Belos. The first two were located at the northern border of Odaria and the other two at the southern one. They were very small nations: for example, if Odaria had a land area roughly equal to that of the Holy Roman Empire during its golden age, the other states were almost the size of 21st century Belgium, except only for Cambion which was about the size of Ireland.

All of these nations were actually independent in name only. They formed after the Maakanar colonies gained independence about a century earlier, but the only reason they didn't immediately become part of Odaria was because the nation was too weak to manage such a vast territory at the time. But over the years those small countries had become economically, politically and socially dependent on their stronger neighbor. Odaria considered them to all intents and purposes her protectorates, even if officially they were independent. It was logical to expect a 'reunion' to end the way Odaria wished, which meant that in all likelihood the war would be kept away from their borders. This could not help but please people.

"Finally, the last step we will take, at least immediately, is to send a messenger to the dinosaurs to make our position clear to them. We will make sure that they understand that we will not be responsible for whatever war action the NMWA wishes to take against them. We will try to forge closer relations and create an even stronger peace than the reckless actions of this country's businessmen have put at risk"

Even though the president couldn't hear them, people cheered and applauded that statement. If the message got to the dinosaurs, and they accepted, then the people of Odaria would never hear of wars again. The population could only be happier!

"This is all our government has decided for the moment. Any information relating to future reforms and political plans will be posted on the national website and anyone will be able to read it. You have my word, my fellow citizens, that we will do our best to have this crisis resolved as quickly as possible. The president spoke"

The broadcast stopped after those words, a sign that the president's speech was over. However, it was enough. In all the streets of the nation, any source of revolt had been immediately extinguished; on the contrary, people had left their homes and flocked to the squares to celebrate.

Throughout the night, the inhabitants of Odaria enjoyed themselves like children, cheering their government and their decisions. Finally, the future no longer looked black.

********

"Great job" Jocelyne said as soon as the cameras went out and the president could finally relax. "You've put together a good speech, despite the short notice. I admit to being impressed"

Morgan Medlay did not answer, looking rather fearfully at the king cobra which was still wrapped around the girl's neck like a scarf. "So do I meet your expectations?" he asked her, being used to asking that question to every rich man who ordered something.

"Yes" Jocelyne replied. "Now go and tell the political class of neighboring nations that you wish to intend a meeting. After all, you promised it to the people"

The president nodded sadly and walked towards the exit of the studio, then suddenly stopped: "What shall we say to the NMWA? They will press us for..."

"Just ignore them" Jocelyne replied casually. "Tell our representative to stay on the line 'we must protect the people'. This won't stop the NMWA forever, but it will give us two or three months of time"

"Time for what?"

"It doesn't concern you. Now go and do as I told you"

Morgan Medlay was used to obeying, and in fact without saying another word he left the room. He didn't want to be involved more than how much he already was.

Jocelyne turned to the cobra: "Jafar, have you already informed lord Sobek?"

"Obvious. I have already informed him that everything is proceeding according to plan" the snake answered with a hiss.

"Great" Jocelyne murmured, then she clenched her fists hard: "Very soon, a new nation will emerge from the ashes of this one. The first nation where humans and dinosaurs can coexist"