Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 497

Chapter 497

XENOIS

Silvia smiled in a way that would have terrified anyone who didn’t know her. I can craft convincing intelligence that will seem

authentic while setting up tactical disadvantages for Jerome. How quickly do we need it ready?”

As soon as possible,’ I said. “We need to capitalize on this before Jerome realizes how badly his attack failed.”

“Failed is an understatement, Samuel said. “He sent an army to kill children and lost most of his force while inflicting minimal

casualties. That’s not just a defeat-that’s a catastrophic loss that undermines his whole operation.”

“His people are going to question his leadership, Zade observed. “When a major operation fails this spectacularly, when promised

easy targets turn out to be defended by plasma-wielding teenagers and precognitive five-year-olds-that creates doubt in the ranks.”

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“We should exploit that,” I said. “Find ways to amplify the doubt, make his followers question whether Jerome’s vendetta is worth the

casualties they’re taking.”

“Information warfare, Silvia said approvingly. “Make Jerome’s defeat public knowledge across supernatural communities. Let everyone

see that attacking progressive packs doesn’t result in easy victories-it results in your forces being vaporized by teenagers.

It felt manipulative. Exploitative. Exactly the kind of psychological warfare tactics that traditionalist alphas had used for centuries.

It was also probably our best strategy for preventing future attacks.

“Do it,” I decided. “Spread the story of Jerome’s failure. Make sure every supernatural community knows that attacking children in this

territory results in total defeat. Use it to undermine his credibility and recruitment.”

“What about the prisoners?” Thorne asked. “We have twenty-three of them. That’s a lot of potential intelligence.”

‘Start interrogations,’ I said. ‘Standard techniques first. But Thorne-I want results quickly. We need to know if Jerome has follow-up attacks planned, if he has other cells activated, if there are more traitors in our ranks.”

And if standard techniques don’t work?’ Thorne asked carefully.

I looked at him, at Zade, at my parents. All of them were watching me, waiting to see how I’d answer.

This was the moment. The decision point where I either held to progressive principles or fully embraced the brutal methods terome’s actions seemed to demand.

“If standard techniques don’t work, I said slowly, we escalate. Carefully. Proportionally. With full documentation and oversight. But we get the information we need.”

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Chapter 497

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“That’s authorization for enhanced interrogation, Zade said quietly. “You know that, right? You’re specifically authorizing torture if it

becomes necessary.”

I’m authorizing whatever methods are required to prevent another attack on children,’ I corrected. If that includes enhanced

interrogation, then yes. That’s what I’m authorizing.”

My parents exchanged glances that I couldn’t quite read.

“That’s the right call,” Samuel said finally. “I know it goes against your progressive instincts. I know it’s not who you wanted to be as

alpha. But Jerome forced this choice. You’re responding appropriately to the threat.”

“Or I’m becoming exactly what I was trying not to be,” I said.

“Those aren’t mutually exclusive,” Silvia pointed out. “You can be progressive about pack policy while being ruthless about external

threats. The two exist in tension but they’re not incompatible.”

Maybe. Or maybe I was just rationalizing increasingly brutal behavior by telling myself it was necessary for protection.

Set up the interrogations,” I told Thorne. “Start tonight. I want preliminary intelligence within twenty-four hours and full

intelligence within forty-eight. Whatever it takes.”

“Understood, Thorne said, then left to coordinate with our intelligence specialists.

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