European Union headquarters, Brussels.
Inside a sealed conference room, two men and one woman sat around a round table in a triangle.
Any outsider would have recognized them.
Britain's newly appointed prime minister, Boris Johnson; French President Macron; and German Chancellor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who had taken up Germany's baton from the German "Iron Lady" and was known as "Little Merkel."
They had come to Brussels to attend a European Union meeting.
Because so much had happened recently, they had decided to meet today to discuss Europe's future direction and response.
None of the three looked particularly pleased.
Because not long ago, they had once again felt betrayed.
The US, Russia, and Island Nations had all succeeded with Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology, yet at almost the same time, they released their Controlled Nuclear Fusion research agreements and cast Europe aside.
Now, the US, Russia, and Island Nations had made progress in Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology, while Europe's own Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology had yet to achieve a breakthrough.
If this situation continued, they would soon be surpassed and shut out from the ranks of powerful nations.
That was not what they wanted to see.
"That incident proved once again that they can't be relied upon. What are we going to do next?" Macron asked.
Johnson and Kramp-Karrenbauer both fell silent, not daring to speak rashly.
Only after thinking for quite some time did someone finally speak.
"These are extraordinary times. Europe must unite." Kramp-Karrenbauer interlaced her fingers, her expression calm. "This turning point in history is crucial. Compared to Huaxia, the United States, and Russia, we must stand together."
"So?"
Johnson looked at her seriously, prompting her to continue.
"You should all have received some information about why those three countries achieved breakthroughs in Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology."
Macron and Johnson