Weaponized Compassion

The newcomers were all elderly, women, and children. There wasn't a single able-bodied young man among them.

"Please, help us! We can't survive on our own anymore!" The moment they saw the patrol, the entire group fell on their knees and began sobbing.

"Stay where you are. Don't come any closer." One of the patrol members stepped forward to stop them. "Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are