The worst-case scenario was obvious even without the chairman spelling it out: they might lose the New Continent colonies.
But everyone present was a seasoned politician. They might not feel much responsibility for the safety of the civilians and soldiers on New Continent, but they cared a great deal about the gold, spices, and various specialty minerals that New Jade Gate sent back every year. More importantly, if the colonies were truly plundered by the marauders—or anyone else—this government would never survive the fallout.
At that thought, President Maria Manson panicked. She had won by default after her predecessor, Mr. Nockham, resigned, but she still had the tiniest hope of being reelected. Now, however, the question was no longer whether she could win another term, but whether she could make it through the last year of this one.
"Keith, what are we supposed to do?"
"Madam President, please don't worry. As I said, as long as we stand firm, we'll find a way!"
Seeing the worried looks on everyone's faces, Nishita continued, "I'll convene an emergency meeting of the Defense Committee as soon as possible. Our military has plenty of capable officers and elite troops, and they'll come up with a workable plan. At the next emergency cabinet meeting, please approve Marshal Parris and the General Staff members attending as representatives of the military."
"Then I'll leave it to you." The middle-aged president dabbed at the tears that had somehow welled in her eyes with her perfumed handkerchief, then gave him a wistful look. "We're all in the same boat now."
Then I'd like to get off.
The chairman dearly wanted to say it, but he knew that once you boarded the ship of politics, there was no getting off.
The trick of laying a trap for the president and