On June 25, 833 of the Commonwealth Calendar, a major event took place in the Galaxy. The head of state of the Free Stellar River Alliance, Supreme Leader Tairos Tatos, had been missing for more than ninety-six hours. At last, he returned safe and sound to his loyal Azure Palace.
Despite the protests of his guards and doctors, the conscientious Supreme Leader still appeared before the public. What everyone saw was an exhausted, weakened man, so gaunt he looked as though he had been drained dry. It was a heartbreaking sight. Even so, when he faced the reporters, his eyes remained bright, and his words and thoughts were still clear.
This was how he answered their questions.
"It truly has been a very difficult time. Looking back on it now, I still find it terrifying. But with the help of our loyal guards, every one of us made it back safely. By now, everyone should understand that the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. I believe the difficulties we face will always be temporary."
Only now did the Supreme Leader's disappearance cease to be a state secret. How had he vanished from a well-equipped shelter? Where had he gotten lost, and what adventures had he gone through? Naturally, these were the questions on everyone's minds.
But the reporters present had either been given a warning or were too respectable and upright to rub salt in a man's wounds. Not one of them asked about it outright.
"Yes, yes. You can all see what condition I'm in. I may need a long time to recover, and perhaps I can no longer fulfill my duty to serve you. I've formally submitted my resignation to Congress," the Supreme Leader said.
"But according to the latest news from Congress's press conference,