They could not let them get their way.
But they could not openly turn on them and shoot them dead, either.
The United States representative cleared his throat and put on the arrogant expression of a consummate bureaucrat.
"France's proposal... is well-intentioned and highly imaginative."
"But it's utterly impractical. A global government? That would mean unifying currencies, reorganizing armies, and reconciling legal systems. It would take decades just to study whether it's feasible!"
"And..." The United States representative whipped around and glared at China's representative.
"You expect us to unite with that barbaric country? Its navy is using radar to lock on to our warships in the Pacific Ocean as we speak! Unless they lay down their arms and surrender first, it's out of the question! Not a chance!"
China's representative immediately caught on. He slammed the table, rose to his feet, and glared back.
"Wipe that arrogant look off your face! We have no interest in your so-called Human Federation! Until you apologize and deal with those responsible, any talk of cooperation is meaningless! We will never place our nation's fate in the hands of an organization steeped in prejudice and hegemony!"
The two representatives traded barbs, forcibly dragging the discussion back to the military confrontation in the Pacific Ocean. They hoped the heated argument would delay the vote on the proposal.
But the representatives controlled by the Skrulls seemed to have anticipated exactly this.
The French representative's face darkened, and he cut coldly into the argument between the United States and China.
"We expected your shortsightedness and selfishness."
"At a moment when humanity's survival hangs in the balance, you still care only about your immediate geopolitical interests. Your stubbornness will drag all humanity into the abyss."
The United Kingdom representative chimed in. "Since you refuse to put aside