Jessica Yang stared at the one-sided barrage of accusations and mockery unfolding before her, and for a moment, she had no idea how to respond.
The young minister herself found the General Staff's speculation hard to believe. Yet as she watched the one-sided scene, she couldn't shake the feeling that things might not be so simple.
She felt she ought to say something, but for a moment, she couldn't find an opening. By then, the two marshals were already under attack from all sides.
Marshal Feragu, the portly one, was gradually showing signs of being unable to hold out. The awkward yet polite smile on his face grew more and more strained. But Marshal Parris, who had clawed his way through the blood and slaughter of the War of Independence, thought this was small potatoes. He kept a stern expression and stood by his opinion.
"This is the only way to strengthen the defenses of the New Atlantis sector." He produced a star map and began explaining his reasoning in tactical terms. But clearly, although this was the highest-level military strategy meeting, most people weren't listening.
"You're being far too simplistic. What I mean is, considering things only from a military perspective can easily blind you to the bigger picture." The foreign minister corrected him in a very serious tone. "Marshal, we are now the standard-bearers in the fight against the tyranny of the Galactic Empire. We are freedom fighters on the side of justice. How could we launch a surprise attack on an allied state that has always been friendly to its neighbors? What would the international community think? We'll lose if we forfeit the sympathy and support of the entire universe."
Marshal Feragu said, "If we make the proper preparations, the defenders of Chero Fortress won't resist. Major