Cao Yang's death had political and military repercussions.
Politically, the prestige he had just gained from persuading Cao Yang suffered a devastating blow, even causing the fence-sitters to lose confidence in the Federation Government.
Militarily, Magellan Fortress controlled the passage in and out of the Magellanic Planetary System. Losing it meant losing the entire planetary system.
But he had not panicked yet. It had not come to that point.
He was waiting for someone... waiting for news.
Lucas did not have to wait long before his secretary entered. "Minister, the Director-General really was planning to flee. We've detained them."
Long before the incident at Magellan Fortress, he had already placed the Director-General under surveillance.
Other officials could find excuses to leave the capital, but the Director-General could not.
The immense power he normally wielded had now become his prison.
Because the attack on Magellan Fortress had come so suddenly, the Director-General received the news slightly earlier than Lucas, though not by much.
As a result, he was caught while trying to evacuate.
Lucas opened his eyes and slapped the table excitedly. "Good. Now it's our turn to declare war."
"Minister, shall we convene a tribunal immediately?" the secretary asked considerately.
Even for a coup, legal legitimacy still mattered.
As the nominal supreme leader, the Director-General could not possibly be executed in private.
But this time, Lucas, who had always followed the rules, shook his head. "No. Announce his crimes directly, then execute him."
The secretary's astonishment was undisguised. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
"Go. Hurry," Lucas said with absolute resolve.
The secretary left in a fluster.
Of course Lucas knew this violated the rules, but the brutal assassination had sobered him up. The Dark Faction's second act of violence had made him recognize the cruelty of war