Before Leila could object, the red indicator above the airport VIP lounge suddenly lit up.
Dietrich's voice came through on another line, his tone so cheerful that the conversation that had nearly escalated into a diplomatic quarrel seemed to have been the opening segment of a show he had carefully designed.
"Everyone, we go live worldwide in ten seconds. The Great Han Public Television Network, E.U. Free Broadcasting, the Area 11 Civilian Channel, and six Britannian commercial news organizations have finished synchronizing. Major Marukal, please keep that expression of restrained anger you had just now. The audience will love it."
Leila whipped toward the screen. "I am the E.U.'s diplomatic representative! Who authorized this broadcast?"
"Supplementary Resolution No. 1138 of the E.U." Lin Cuo had already straightened in his seat, every trace of casualness vanishing from his face. "It requires all major diplomatic developments involving your delegation to undergo democratic scrutiny and be reported regularly to the public. I have always respected E.U. institutions."
"That provision does not authorize you to broadcast a private conversation without notice-"
"Three, two, one."
The red light came fully on. Lin Cuo's expression immediately turned solemn and warm, all traces of the shameless man who had just used public funding to leverage parliamentary votes disappearing without a trace. Facing the camera, he first greeted the audience in Great Han Mandarin, then switched naturally to the E.U. Common Language.
"Today, Human Common Defense welcomes a delegation of special significance. Faced with the extraterrestrial threat revealed by the Kashgar Campaign, the E.U.'s Forty-Person Committee authorized long-term technical observation, humanitarian relief, and democratic oversight in an exceptionally short time. This proves that a political system with over two hundred representatives, dozens of member districts, and comprehensive procedural safeguards can still demonstrate admirable institutional flexibility in the face