"The Galactic Council has abandoned us."
Staring at the projected map of the planet and its orbital paths, Old Steward lowered his head helplessly. His graying hair trembled faintly with his body, and tears slipped down his aged face.
In his memory, the Galactic Council had always stood high above them. Every year, it collected a hefty membership fee from Spartacus, repeatedly promising to protect the planet's safety and independence.
But now? Looking at the Kree and Shi'ar fleets in orbit, then at the explosions on the planet that could be seen with the naked eye from time to time, how could he fail to see that the Galactic Council had abandoned them?
More precisely, their world was not even a gift. It was merely a prize.
The guards had all been sent to rest in the empty cabins. Only Jason and Old Steward remained here. Su Ming handed each of them a cigarette, then stepped between them and draped an arm over each of their shoulders.
"Without strength of your own, if you rely only on others' protection, this is how things will end."
"The Galactic Council betrayed us! Sparta has fallen! My family has served the monarch for generations. How can I possibly live on in disgrace? I don't want to live anymore!" As he spoke, Old Steward tried to smash his head into the console.
But how could his strength possibly break free from Su Ming?
"I'm going to bash my own head in!"
"..."
"I'm doing it! Hah!"
"..."
"I... sob, sob, sob..."
He strained several times, only to discover that this Earthling had pinned him tightly in his embrace. He could not move even a fraction.
Jason came to his senses at that moment and immediately began to console him. "Don't be like this, Uncle