Chapter 12 Part II

The Deadlier Species Faces Justice

(Link to Part I)

“You say it is men who are attracted to violence. That is not the case at all, Miss Harwood. It’s the rewards that follow the acts of violence that attracts men. Violence is the price to be paid for the desires man wants, and this includes the justice you referred to.” Winans folded his hands behind him and looked at the Belton twins. Amusement twitched on his face. “Violence is simply a means to an end. Men accept this. Women do not.” 

Victoria moved slightly away from Thomas Winans. “What you say does not explain why men are willing to die for other men’s causes, ideas, or leadership,” she said.

“Most men have few capabilities. It is natural to ally with the more powerful. They derive self-worth from this connection. Soldiers follow a general because of who the general is, and the powerful man’s accomplishments also becomes, in a small way, their own accomplishment,” Winans said. “Not everyone can be president or senator, but by supporting the candidate the lesser man has a stake in the greater man and in his own small way, own a portion of that role and its accomplishments.” 

“I could almost accept your definition if it was solely based on selfish desires, Mr. Winans. But it seems to be attaching a positive virtue and even justification for the violence. Leaders and generals have rallied men to their banners but only left destruction and deaths in their wakes. Where is the justice in it?”  

“Justice, Miss Harwood?”

Winans’ frosty breath swirled around his mouth as he examined her closely. “Justice? It is my view that the concept of justice is nothing more than a motivator. Man is consumed by self-preservation or ambition, for he is either preserving what he has, or pushing for more, and he uses justice as his excuse. The clash between self-preservation and ambition naturally leads to the violence you abhor. And as you can imagine, the stronger wins the battles, whether by force or mind. Therefore, justice is whatever belongs to the winner.”