At that moment, news of the Freedom Flag and General James Picard's final battle had yet to reach the Galactic homeworld, let alone the powerful figures on Earth. Of course, even if it had reached them, it would have been good news for them.
In any case, thanks to the glorious victories at Unity Fortress and in the Bloodgate Campaign, the highest organs of power in the Central Government of Earth had completely emerged from the gloom surrounding the Ring of Miracles. The Presidential Palace, the Cabinet, Congress, and even the whole of Eternal City were caught up in a feverish excitement brought on by their unexpected, glorious victories.
The Presidential Palace's third-ranking secretary, twenty-one-year-old Kilian Shazabi, a third-generation disciple of the Spirit Research Society with the Taoist name "Fish Intestine," returned to the Presidential Palace at that very moment.
He knew he wasn't in the best shape. Counting yesterday, he'd eaten only two red bean buns and a bowl of vegetable soup. He was starving, weighed down by pent-up frustration, and even his stiffened stomach seemed to have made his thoughts and expression rigid.
More importantly, he was now full of pent-up irritation and restlessness, completely out of step with the jubilant mood throughout the Presidential Palace and the city at large.
This wouldn't do! Kilian, you'll only stand out more if you act like this. You're not the sort who should draw attention to yourself! he reminded himself. He did his best to force a not-quite-convincing professional smile and quickened his pace, threading through the staff members' cheerful chatter.
Soon, he had crossed the corridor and passed the first security checkpoint on the fourth floor with a facial scan. Then he heard his senior brother Giant-Que from nearby.
"Young man, this really won't do. A face like you're