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Chapter 2496 The Shield of Peace (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

"...With the takeoff of the transport planes, the SEA has completed the evacuation of its diplomatic missions and nationals."

The implications are self-evident: war could break out at any moment.

Foreign journalists stationed in Damascus also reported on the matter.

Over the past few days, diplomatic missions and expatriates from Western countries have been evacuating.

After the SEA made its final evacuation, other foreign missions and journalists in Damascus understood that war was about to break out.

Inside a building in Damascus, a gray-haired man in a blue suit stood by the window, glanced outside, looked at the military police standing outside the door, and spoke to his subordinates without turning his head.

"Secretary Chen, notify the staff that everyone is prohibited from leaving the premises to prevent misunderstandings and unpleasant incidents."

He said this because a large-scale protest against sEA is currently taking place in Damascus.

They were burning the double-star flag and posters there. Going out at that time would likely lead to being mistaken for a SEAL.

If we encounter thugs, then things could get really bad.

"Sigh, this SEA is really... a typical imperialist country. As long as they don't invade other countries, they're not happy with their food and drink."

They even want to interfere in countries as far away as Syria, causing so much trouble and disaster for the whole world.

Secretary Chen began to complain, and listening to his complaints, the gray-haired ambassador with black-rimmed glasses sighed deeply and then said:
"So what? All the Western countries are biased towards him and support him."

We—can't help you!

He couldn't help but sigh when he said he was powerless to help.

"But... are we just going to let them bully the weak like this?"

Looking at the ambassador, Secretary Chen spoke in a pained tone.

"Shouldn't we do something?"

The man didn't speak while listening to his secretary's interview. He just stood quietly by the window, looking out for a long time before speaking.

"I believe that righteous people all over the world will support this place and stand on this side, just like those people from Europe and America. They will not be misled by the propaganda of imperialists, so they came here, and they will use their flesh and blood to protect this country."

The people he referred to as coming from Europe and the United States were those who had arrived in Damascus from various European countries and the United States in the past two weeks.

Most of those people were idealistic young people, including pacifists and animal rights activists. All sorts of people came here with only one purpose: to serve as human shields.

In order to prevent the outbreak of war. Whether their actions were naive or foolish, only heaven knows.

The air on the tarmac of Damascus International Airport is filled with the pungent smell of aviation kerosene and the dry dust unique to the desert.

When the tires of Air France flight AF437 hit the ground hard, making a dull screech, the previously oppressive silence in the cabin was suddenly broken, followed by a wave of applause.

"This is Damascus."

Isabella Le Maire pressed her face against the porthole, watching the airport staff in uniforms strolling slowly outside, with two tanks parked by the terminal building in the distance.

This high school history teacher from Paris saw the recruitment notice for Operation Peace Shield in a café on the banks of the Seine three weeks ago and submitted his application almost without hesitation.

As a pacifist, she opposed war and participated in many anti-war activities while in Paris.

How could anyone refuse such a peace shield operation after learning about it?

So Isabella left Paris and came to this unfamiliar country. She would defend peace in a completely new way.

The passengers on this plane, like him, were all there to participate in this event—Peace Shield!
What is this shield? It is themselves.

Isabella stood up, straightened her white T-shirt which read "Stop the bombing, protect life," and exchanged a glance with the person next to her.

Among the slowly moving crowd in the aisle were men and women. There were young journalists carrying cameras and scholars wearing glasses—more than 200 people, speaking different languages, from more than a dozen countries, yet all sharing the same determined gaze. "Ready?"

A voice with an accent came from the side. It was Tom, an engineer from Canada, who had introduced himself to everyone on the plane.

He once went to the United States to oppose the Vietnam War, and now he has come here to protect Damascus and Syria from the ravages of war.

"We were ready a long time ago."

Everyone was there laughing, their smiles were bright, and also innocent—a naiveté born of ignorance of the ways of the world!

They naively believed that the world was a beautiful and peaceful place, and that everyone was as friendly and kind as their neighbors.

These people, born after the war, had no idea of ​​the true nature of the world or what it was really like. They simply assumed that the world should be the way they imagined it to be.

After stepping off the plane, the airport tarmac was not as tense as I had imagined. Apart from a few soldiers near the terminal, there were no soldiers to be seen elsewhere.

Only a few uniformed staff members were guiding the way, and several civilian flights were parked on the tarmac in the distance; everything seemed to be maintaining peacetime order.

They followed the guide towards the terminal building. The glass curtain walls along the way reflected the dazzling sunlight, and the walls were spotless, showing no trace of war.

The customs hall was bustling with activity. Customs officers in dark blue uniforms worked efficiently, their faces bearing professional smiles, and they did not give this group of special travelers any extra trouble.

When Isabella handed over her passport, he passed through customs without incident.

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose at the front of the crowd. More than a dozen television cameras were already set up at the exit, flashes going off one after another, and reporters from various countries held microphones, their eyes full of anticipation.

Isabella knew this was their moment to appeal to the world for peace. Tom was the first to stop, turn to face the camera, and his voice, loud and firm, resonated throughout the hall through the microphone:

"We come from all over the world, with a desire for peace. Before war breaks out, we will guard key facilities in Damascus, such as communications buildings and airports, and use our bodies to form a shield to stop any possible bombing!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the pacifists around him responded enthusiastically, their slogans in different languages ​​intertwining to form a powerful wave of sound.

Isabella felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and she raised her right hand, shouting along with those around her:
"Peace is paramount; we reject war!"

The camera lens moved through the crowd, capturing young and excited faces, and those eyes filled with determination.

The customs inspection was completed quickly. As Isabella walked out of the customs passage, a group of locals in formal attire approached her. The middle-aged man at the head of the group smiled and said in fluent English:
"Welcome to Damascus, peace envoys. I am Karim, and I have been sent by the government to welcome you." Behind him, a dozen black cars and several luxury buses were already waiting outside the gate, with white ribbons symbolizing peace tied to their sides.

Even the luxury buses are decorated with doves of peace and olive branches. It seems that these are the symbols of peace.

"Thank you for your hospitality, but our purpose here is not to enjoy ourselves, but to protect."

Hermann, from West Germany, stepped forward; his hair was already gray, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

"We hope to get to our planned location as soon as possible. When we arrived, we heard that the coalition could launch an airstrike at any time."

Karim nodded with a smile:

“We completely understand your feelings, but after such a long journey, you all definitely need rest. The government has arranged the best hotels in the city for you. Once you've rested, we will send someone to escort you to your respective facilities.” He gestured invitingly to you, then said in an unyielding tone:
"Please get on the bus. The hotel has prepared meals and rooms, and we hope you will feel the warmth of Damascus."

Unable to refuse their hospitality, the pacifists from various countries boarded the buses one after another. Isabella got on one of them and found a window seat. The bus smoothly drove away from the airport and headed towards the city center. The scenery along the way was completely different from that of Damascus. Damascus's streets were clean and wide, lined with lush plane trees, and colorful tiles decorated the ancient buildings. The cafes along the road were full of people chatting leisurely, and children were chasing and playing in the squares. There was no trace of the gloom of impending war.

"It's much calmer here than I expected."

"It's Lena, the girl from England, who said softly," Isabella nodded, looking out the window at the street scene passing by. Everything here was full of vibrant life.

The bus finally stopped in front of a five-star hotel in the city center, its golden signboard gleaming in the sunlight. Stepping into the lobby, a gentle breeze blew from the air conditioning, the marble floors gleamed like mirrors, and crystal chandeliers reflected a dazzling light. Staff were already lined up, smiling as they checked everyone in, handing them room keys and welcome bags prepared for these foreign volunteers.

Of course, there were also many reporters. Reporters from all over the world had been waiting in the hall for a long time, and they pointed their cameras at these guardians of peace. Today, they would be the stars of television programs around the world!

Not today, but in the moments to come, they will be in the world's spotlight.

(End of this chapter)