Inside the Joint Council building, the seat of the Gemini Civilization's highest authority, on the Fourth Planet of its central star system...
"Bang!" An elderly Sea Race man with a goatee slammed the table in anger. "Utter nonsense! Would our Sea Race use such a stupid method to deal with a young Winged Race man?"
"Heh! If the rebels' ambush in the Solar System had succeeded, there would probably be no one left to testify. Personally, I think the plan was extremely clever!" sneered an elderly Winged Race man with graying hair seated opposite him.
"Chatter, chatter... chatter, chatter..."
In the circular chamber, hundreds of councilors whispered among themselves, their faces displaying shock, anger, excitement, and every emotion in between.
The conflict in the Solar System was a trivial matter in their eyes, but the political implications had already given these seasoned councilors a whiff of something unusual...
"Outrageous! You're framing us!"
"Hundreds of soldiers witnessed it firsthand, and the warship's AI Core has surveillance records. We have both witnesses and physical evidence. How is that framing you?"
"This is a conspiracy! Someone is trying to frame the Sea Race! I demand a thorough investigation!"
"This is a provocation against the speaker, and against Congress itself! The mastermind must be severely punished!"
"This incident may involve a hostile civilization. The military believes we must proceed cautiously!"
"..."
With assistance from smart devices, the many voices were played in an orderly sequence. Heated and cool-headed statements alike filled the chamber, thick with hostility.
On the speaker's throne at the center of the chamber, a cold-looking, middle-aged Winged Race man with narrow eyes rested his chin on both hands, watching everything below with an icy gaze.
A close observer would have noticed that Alsace bore some resemblance to him. This was the