Many people said the United States was a bank disguised as a country, and the American Army was that bank's security force. It was somewhat biased, but on reflection, it made a certain amount of sense.
The American Army had long since rotted beyond recognition. It was commonplace for special forces squads like The Punisher's to sell drugs alongside local tribal militias. Senior government officials padded their résumés so they could take positions in corporations, while soldiers desperately scraped together money at their postings before returning home to work as bodyguards for the rich. Such things had become the norm.
Hill understood their thinking perfectly. She still had to give the Army Chief of Staff some face, but there was no need to show courtesy to an insignificant Colonel Aide. She thought these people were idiots.
A distinct curve formed at the corner of her mouth, an expression somewhere between a sneer and a smile.
"As far as I know, they don't care about resources. Resources in the universe are far too abundant. Your oil is not why they came to Earth, and S.H.I.E.L.D. will not protect your oil resources."
The mocked colonel grew a little angry. "Our resources are being depleted by the day. Surely I didn't make up that argument, did I? Is it possible that extraterrestrial civilizations might make preparations in advance, take away what little resources we have, and strangle the foundation of our civilization? Personally, I believe that possibility exists!"
Seeing the colonel argue so stubbornly, Hill truly did not want to debate him. But the people in the conference room seemed interested in the issue as well, so she had no choice but to repeat herself.
"I'm afraid Colonel, you haven't read Stark Industries' report on controlled nuclear fusion. Or perhaps you simply don't