Chapter 214

"I'm really looking forward to it."

He shrugged.

After a few pleasantries that showed no signs of awkwardness, Vera and Simmons quickly warmed up to each other.

The entire campaign rally went very well. With Simmons' introduction, Vera added many more useful phone numbers to her contacts, and she also gave away quite a few of her own phone numbers.

After the banquet ended, the guests dispersed.

Simmons led Vera into the Presidential Suite of the Grand Hotel, instructed the waiter to prepare coffee, and then got down to business.

"Vera, is it possible for me to defeat President Graham in the 2004 election?"

Simmons's expression turned serious.

As the youngest National Security Advisor, the BSAA Organization he advocated for has achieved remarkable results in its Anti-Bioterrorism and Anti-B.O.W. operations in recent years. With the help of the military science department, it has also made outstanding contributions in properly handling the 1998 Raccoon City Incident and the aftermath of the 9/11 Incident attacks. His ambition has grown rapidly.

No longer content to remain a supporting character in the White House.

With an ally like Vera who controls the Bay Area and can influence half of California's voters, it's hard for him not to develop ambitions.

He could certainly contend for the title of the youngest president.

"Difficult. Simmons, you should know that I won't vote for the Democratic Party (DP). A long time ago, I kicked your DP's California Party Leader out of the Mayor of San Francisco seat. Not long ago, your very cheerful junior wanted to run for San Francisco District Attorney, right? I ruined that too."

Upon hearing this, Simmons fell into deep thought.

He's a Donald, that's true, but he's a centrist. Who did his ancestors follow? Roosevelt! Not the increasingly skewed Donald Party of today!

Adhering to the principle of protecting social stability at all costs, he is more willing to support the policies of the Republican Party and accept financial assistance from commercial companies. His faction is referred to by other Donald Party members as the 'lighter version of the Republican Party '.

This is also why he was appointed as Cabinet Member by President Graham of the Republican Party.

It's not just because their 'family' is so powerful, but also because they advocate for convergence.

In the USA, there's a tradition of appointing opposition party members to the cabinet to enhance the government's appeal and demonstrate that it governs all citizens. However, no one knows for sure that in some undefined timeline, two of the oldest presidential candidates will not appoint any opposition party members to their cabinets.

"Vera, do you mean I should switch sides to the Republican Party?"

From 1993 to 2001, it was the Clinton Administration. The Raccoon City incident was included in the term of the Clinton Sect. From 2001 to 2009, the timeline went astray, with President Graham (Ashley's father, the plot of Resident Evil 4 takes place in 2004). From 2009 to 2013, it should be Adam Benford (the boss of the original Leon, the one Simmons assassinated in the Oak Creek Incident).

With this term in mind, well, Clinton is a Donald Party member, Graham is Republican Party, Adam Benford, while capable and of good character, seems to be a liberal, a Donald Party member, given his intention to reveal the truth about the Raccoon City incident.

208

Interlude to Chapter 208: Mr. Simmons, Vice President, you go first, then I'll go.

Vera did not directly answer Simmons' question upon hearing this.

As if she had thought of something amusing, she smiled slightly and asked in return, "What would happen if those who should be in power didn't hold power?"

Vera reached out and gently handed the Americano latte to her secretary. She crossed her legs, nodded her thanks, took a sip, then placed the coffee cup on her knees. Her indigo eyes were fixed on the latte art on the rim of the cup as she asked and answered herself, "Those who shouldn't be in power will be in power."

"The greatest crime in the world is that of cowards who throw power on the ground and let some hysterical madmen pick it up."

"If you continue to stay in the Democratic Party (DP), Mr. National Security Advisor, with your conservative views and policy stances, you will not be able to compete with those so-called Neoliberals."

"Riding the wave of political correctness, too many mediocre and incompetent people have been promoted and have seized high positions."

As she said this, Vera turned her gaze back to Drake C. Simmons, leaned forward, and her tone became somewhat serious.

"The Democratic Party has resorted to some rather underhanded tactics in recent years to expand its voter base. Kowtowing to illegal immigrants, drug addicts, Hippies, ethnic minorities, and all sorts of minorities... I can't believe they even came up with that idea."

"Newsom wanted to run for Mayor of San Francisco, and the California Assemblymember, the Stock God of Omaha,' who sought the position of minority leader in the House of Representatives... the New Deal's extreme liberals, to be honest, they did try to win me over, but I refused."

"Because I dislike many, no, almost all of their policy proposals. Their actions are like drinking poison to quench thirst, a slow suicide, and their Abuse of Power for Personal Gain for personal gain is unprecedented in the world."

Vera raised her coffee cup and gently stirred the light brown liquid inside with a small spoon.

"I bet if they really did it their way..."

"Within fifteen years, the backlash will destroy everything we cherish, tear the country apart, and the so-called protection of social stability will be nothing but a fleeting illusion."

As she spoke, she took a sip of her latte, letting out a warm breath, and her tone became wistful.

"And you, Drake, my friend, belonging to your faction, the decline of the Center-Conservative Faction is foreseeable."

Simmons remained calmly silent.

He gazed into Vera's clear, bright eyes, which were as deep as the ocean under the moonlight. After a long while, until Vera put the cup back in its place, he slowly uttered a name: "Adam Benford."

"Vera, you're right. I can't beat him at the party's presidential nomination hurdle alone. He's more popular with voters than I am, advocating for progressivism, pluralism and Diverse Unity, and the Public Right to Know Freedom."

"How about switching to the Republican Party and exploring a new path..."

As Simmons pondered Vera's suggestion, he stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing and flashing with a sharp glint.

He felt that this might be a way out.

Rather than wasting ten years subservient to someone—especially a political enemy with differing views—it's better to fight back.

"Vice President."

Simmons looked into Vera's eyes and suddenly said.

Indeed.

Snap! Vera snapped her fingers and smiled, "Drake, you're still young, no need to rush. Before becoming president, become Vice President first. Run alongside President Graham for a second term and solidify your foundation in the Republican Party. Follow the example of President Franklin D. Roosevelt."

The Roosevelt family, with the two Roosevelt brothers serving as presidents of the USA six times in total, is most notable for the fact that President Theodore Roosevelt. was Republican Party, while Roosevelt Jr. was born into Republican Party that was America...

"Hahaha... Really, I didn't expect you to say I'm too young, Vera."

Simmons smiled and shook his head. "Thanks for your kind words."

How can you guarantee that President Graham will choose me as his running mate?

With his hands hanging down on the table, he asked again.

"I will support you. I can guarantee that the electoral votes from California, Texas, and Colorado will be yours."

Vera maintained her smile.

California, especially the San Francisco Bay Area metropolitan area in Northern California, is her main base of operations and the location of the global headquarters of the military science and technology organization.

Texas, a traditional stronghold of rednecks, is a place that New Immigrants and illegal immigrants try to avoid. After the military invested heavily in building factories and creating jobs, Vera, who was already very popular with Conservatives, has become increasingly influential in the area.

Colorado, with only 9 electoral votes, was not a major focus for Vera.

However, after the Raccoon City incident, Vera's reputation and influence among Colorado residents have been steadily increasing because the Military Science established a Biochemical Defense and Radioactive Contamination Prevention Research Center at the Raccoon City Ruins, took the initiative to assume responsibility, rebuilt a new city for Raccoon City survivors, provided biochemical defense and humanitarian Humanitarian Aid to the entire state, and achieved remarkable results, promoting the advancement of Radioactive Contamination Prevention Technology. In addition, Vera has implemented Preferential Marketing Strategies in Colorado for many years.

Military Science is Military Science, and the evil Umbrella is Umbrella.

William Birkin, NO!

Vera, YES!

Previously, this feeling wasn't very real, but as the military sciences became more powerful, Vera began to dabble in politics and exert influence. At this point, her influence truly reached its maximum.

Just like the factory owners in old-school Hollywood movies, they are often the backbone of local villages and towns, the elders of the village. Ordinary people consider it an honor to have them invited to their weddings and funerals.

Military Science is not the kind of purely high-tech internet company with only a few dozen, a hundred, or a thousand employees. It is a multi-category Military-Industrial Complex and Super Industrial Group that is still expanding. It has many labor-intensive industries, provides hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs, and has millions of contract workers and Labor Dispatch workers. The number of people involved in the Upstream and Downstream Industrial Chains is countless.

Under the Winner-Take-All Electoral College System, once Vera votes for someone...

While white-collar workers in the military and science departments may have their own ulterior motives, mercenaries in the Security Department, blue-collar workers in the Manufacturing Sector, local deliverymen in the Express Delivery Department, and their families, if they have time, will often vote as well.

Just like those associations in Hollywood.

It's just that the degree of binding isn't that deep.

With the Democratic and Republican Parties fierce battle and their positions evenly matched, this could potentially have a decisive effect.

"Besides..."

Vera drew out her words, perhaps tired of crossing her legs, she put her legs down and placed her hands clasped on her thighs, "Are you a political novice?"

The subtext is: Don't tell me you don't have a base of supporters and political backers in your constituency.

Behind Simmons is a large, secretive political organization entrenched in the Eastern States: Family.

Upon hearing this, a certain light flashed in Simmons' thoughtful eyes.

"I need to analyze the pros and cons with my family and staff."

Simmons said solemnly, "Give me a month, and I will give you an answer."

It's settled.

Vera smiled slightly.

A fleeting, Crystal Blue Geass Halo flashed in his eyes.

Based on Simmons's behavior up to this point and some 'future line fragments' she knew, she ordered the Red Queen to create Personality Model.

One can roughly conclude that Simmons is adventurous and radical by nature.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have resorted to such crude methods as using Bioterrorist Attack to eliminate political enemies, sacrificing the lives of an entire city, simply because of ideological differences.

Most people might hesitate about leaving their party and switching to another, but Simmons will likely immerse himself in it, enjoying the thrill and the satisfaction of defeating his political opponents.

With this in mind, Vera stood up lightly and cheerfully.

"It seems the trip should come to an end."

"Then may our friendship last as long as it has for the past six years. Vera, let us bring the world and United States into the Order they deserve."

Simmons stood up and extended his right hand across the table.

"Friendship, Drake. The future belongs to us."

The gleaming, clean tabletop reflected Vera's serene face; her smile seemed unchanged as she extended her right hand to grasp the other's.

After shaking hands, Vera was about to leave when Simmons' next words stunned her.

"Vera, you're about to have a falling out with the Liberal Democratic Party. I know you won't care about their accusations of racial discrimination, but Rumors will eventually damage your reputation. Since you're already in Los Angeles, why not relax a little longer? Always staying in the lab or office, detached from the daily life that the public enjoys, isn't good for your future Political Path."

He handed over a stack of 'Colored Paper' with a meaningful look.

Politics?

Turning her head, Vera glanced at Simmons. "Are you just making empty promises? When President Graham's second term ends, you'll run for president and then choose me as your running mate, with me as your Vice President?"

She chuckled and accepted the Purple-Gold Matte Paper that the other person handed her.

Tickets?

Upon closer inspection, Vera murmured, "NBA Los Angeles Lakers."

"You mean I should buy the Los Angeles Lakers?"

She looked up.

Simmons' expression froze, and he sighed in surprise.

"What I mean is, we can go to the Staples Center Arena to watch a Basketball Game live. With your wealth, it shouldn't be difficult to treat the fans there to a free fast food meal."

"Los Angeles is, after all City of Angels, if you want to extend your influence more deeply into Southern California."

"Shall we go?"

He asked.

Vera roughly estimated in her mind that, on the other hand, the 'Elder Sister' of [Cyberpunk] was tied up with Arasaka's New Year's Day event and wouldn't be able to get away until tomorrow to routinely check the development progress and update logs at the Solaris Staircase Project] biological laboratory. After watching the Basketball Game and flying back to San Francisco, the timing would be about the same.

"Go. You're already here, why not go?"

The Lakers F4 in the NBA 2003 Season...

In fact, due to advancements in military prosthetics and Human Treatment and Repair Technology, the number of NBA Star Player reportedly suffering season-ending injuries has decreased exponentially since the beginning of the 21st century. The same is true for many other sports, such as rugby, where there are already signs that Paralympic Games are becoming more Paralympics and entertaining than games for able-bodied athletes.

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

"Shakshakshak!"

"Kobe, Kobe, Kobe!"

The sound of sprinting back and forth, the clanging of dunks, or the sound of missed shots.

The stands were a sea of purple and gold, with thunderous Tsunami.