"The raiders have now entered the New World. The Alliance's colonies are indeed exposed to enormous danger, and we must take at least some measures to respond," the Grand President said.
Feno Berenkester blinked, then realized what was going on and couldn't help sneering. "This is another one of your cabinet's ideas, isn't it? That old crow from the Arno family? Or the weasel from the Moralar family?"
The Grand President ignored his childhood friend and sent a report to the daughter standing behind him. "These are the preliminary proposals drafted by the Department of Administrative Affairs and the Blue Palace Secretariat. Yani, take a look for your uncle."
Only then did he look up at everyone. "I'll convene an emergency session of Congress in thirty-six hours. In the meantime, I hope the legislators under your influence will stand with me. Even if you can't persuade them all, at least make sure we have a chance of getting the votes."
"Your use of the word 'under' is a bit of a problem, Mr. Grand President," Feno Berenkester continued with a grim sneer. "We're all ordinary, law-abiding businessmen. The honorable legislators are bridges between the people and the government, pillars of the nation. How could a little personal friendship possibly interfere with the affairs of state?"
The Grand President flew into a rage and slammed the table as he rose. "Berenkester, don't come looking to make up for your daughter bullying you by taking it out on me! When you fell out with the old man and ran away from home, who helped you escape Nefi safely? When you joined the Serpent and did all those things, who cleaned up your files? What's wrong with asking you for a little help? And while we're at it, what exactly was going on