Chairman Kruze looked up and surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping over the assembled power brokers of Twin Stars before settling on several high-ranking military officers on the left side of the conference hall.
"With the sudden upheaval in the Proxima Centauri System, the Pioneer Legion has suffered devastating losses. The All Things Unity Society now has complete control of the Water of Life, and the Solar System Wormhole stands wide open. I would now like to hear the military's views on this matter."
He said he wanted the military's views, but everyone could hear the dissatisfaction and demand for accountability behind his words.
"Exactly! We had over a hundred warships in the Proxima Centauri System, yet the enemy carried off the Water of Life right under their noses. We even lost the wormhole chokepoint!
"What's more unbelievable is that we clearly had superior numbers, so why did we agree to their ceasefire request? I believe someone in the military must answer for this!" another elderly congressman said angrily, pounding the table.
He had thought that once they acquired the Water of Life, he might get his hands on some and live a few more years. Now all those hopes had come to nothing, so his anger was easy enough to understand.
"Seconded! The frontline commanders involved must be held accountable!" another congressman chimed in.
Faced with everyone's dissatisfaction and anger, the military leaders looked rather grim. But one man looked grimmer still: Ishar's father, Assad.
There was no question that "the frontline commanders involved" referred to the legion commanders. But with Gustav dead after his betrayal, Ishar naturally became the person who bore primary responsibility.
As her immediate family, however, Assad still needed to avoid the appearance of favoritism. He did not immediately argue back, instead waiting for the