"I have a question. Assuming we have gathered here today to better discuss the task of national security work in the period ahead, then perhaps all of you colleagues already have quite mature views on the matter. If everyone cannot speak freely, that would surely be my fault as the new Director. But if everyone expresses their own opinions and I coordinate and organize them, that would make me seem far too opinionated and would hardly reflect the President's wise leadership. Therefore, I must boldly presume to merely relay, with the utmost caution, the President's expectations for our work. As a small screw in the machinery of federal security work, I offer mutual encouragement to all of you."
Nick swayed his head as he spoke from the seat of honor above. Natasha yawned endlessly in the guest seating below. She turned to glance at Schiller beside her. His expression was solemn, his brows slightly furrowed, and he nodded from time to time. Even so, his utterly unchanged blinking rate made it clear that he had been mentally gone for quite a while.
"What is national security? First, we must discuss what a nation is, and then we must understand what security means. Which of these two is more important? A nation is, in fact... Security may also be interpreted as... As for the importance of the two, they are presumably equally important... But in my view, the focus of our work is neither the nation nor security, but the President. What kind of nation does the President want? What kind of national security does he want? Which of the two does he consider more important? Those are the key priorities for the National Security Agency in the period ahead..."
Natasha's head suddenly drooped, nearly striking the table. She took a