Chapter 190
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Molly approached John Galt, and offered him the same thing she offered John Brown and Lenin. Galt said he would contemplate this, then had a meeting with his top lieutenants.
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Galt: Should we allow this sanctuary?
Crassus: Perhaps we can use this to our advantage.
Galt: How so?
Crassus: In my day the temples of the god Asclepius were used to treat the sick. During war they would usually take in wounded of both sides, they believed that was how best to honor this diety. A small group of my soldiers took over one such temple. The priests were kept alive to treat our wounded, but when wounded enemies came seeking aid, they were executed. Ofcourse we kept some officers alive, temporarily, for interrogation.
Galt: A good move, using their own mercy against them. Any other ideas along these lines?
Crassus; We agree to a cease fire during the battle, a chance for both sides to retrieve their respective wounded. And then we destroy them.
Galt: Wouldn't that just destroy our own soldiers as well?
Crassus: Yes, but we would destory more of them.
Galt: That could work. Lenin and John Brown believe they are fighting for a noble cause, but in Hell we must abandon any such pretext to prosper. If we die, Evil might release us to serve it like this. They die, their own "goodness" will be used against it in the torture pit. We will agree to allow this sanctuary to be left alive, and then quietly take over.