Chapter 123, Cruelty

Despite the British bureaucrats' best efforts to conceal it, the tragedy unfolding on the Crimea Peninsula still made it onto the London newspapers.

Public outcry ensued, and numerous soldiers' family members took to the streets to demonstrate and protest. It was all to no avail; the bureaucrats in the Department of Army Supply were simply following procedures, fully compliant with British law, and thus bore no responsibility.

The bureaucrats were fearless, but the British Cabinet faced tremendous pressure. If they couldn't resolve this issue, the results of the next election would be quite poignant.

Prime Minister Stanley didn't need to wait for the election to feel the pressure.

"Prime Minister," said Minister of Army Stanley, "public opinion is severely against us, and the media's exaggeration is causing significant issues with our recruitment efforts."