From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars

Chapter 83 Port

Minister Miller looked into President Brandon's eyes and did not start to argue with him as the latter expected. He still maintained his grace and etiquette.

This way of coping slowly reduced President Brandon's newly rising momentum.

Compared to Navy Marshal Trafalgar, who was straight-forward and whose style of conduct was full of the ‘characteristics’ of the older generation of federal soldiers.

Secretary of Defense Miller, who seems to have been a 'good guy', is the one who makes President Brandon even more troublesome.

Judging from previous ‘fights’ between the two sides, the defense minister often delivered decisive blows at critical moments.

"Mr. Minister, tell me."

Although a sense of crisis began to appear in his heart, Brandon remained calm.

"I hope you can immediately order the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Fleets of the Federation Navy to set off to the border star field to conduct exercises."

Hearing these words, although Brandon was already trying his best to control his expression, his eyes still widened uncontrollably for a moment.

This scene naturally did not escape Minister Miller's eyes.

"If you are just conducting exercises, you do not need the approval of Congress. As the president, you have the right to order the main fleet to conduct exercises anywhere within the federal territory. When the fleet arrived, it encountered the imperial fleet."

"Then declaring war is just a process, is that what you mean, Mr. Minister?"

President Brandon followed Miller's words. He had to admit that the old man in front of him, who devoted himself to national defense construction, was equally skilled in 'taking advantage of loopholes'.

Brandon couldn't remember how many times a scene like this had happened since he became president.

"Oh, the last sentence was something you thought of yourself, Your Excellency. I didn't say that."

Minister Miller remained calm, but was unexpectedly slapped on the back by Marshal Trafalgar.

"Hey! If you ask me, it has to be you, Miller!"

"Take it easy. Take it easy. When will your character change?"

Minister Miller looked at his old classmate and twitched his lips. This federal naval marshal was definitely a good hand in troop training and fleet combat command, but in other aspects he could not see the slightest trace of a naval marshal.

Moreover, because of his fiery temperament and outspokenness, he offended many people in the political arena, so there have always been voices advocating for the replacement of Marshal Trafalgar.

Looking at the two people in front of him, no matter how deep President Brandon's palace was, he couldn't help but twitch his lips.

“When we received the urgent military information, we did not take the time to verify it. Instead, we kept it secret and mobilized the main fleet in the name of exercises. We waited until the matter was a foregone conclusion before declaring war symbolically.

Mr. Minister, other people are not fools. They can know the cause and effect with just a little research. Do you know what the consequences of doing this are for me? "

"You get caught by the opposition and you get impeached."

Minister Miller said without thinking, he naturally knew this.

"Why should I do it if you know the consequences?"

Faced with Brandon's question, Minister Miller did not answer immediately. He pulled Marshal Trafalgar to sit in front of the desk.

Then he waited until Brandon in front of him also sat back in the seat symbolizing presidential power before he spoke:

"Because this can add the most important weight to your re-election."

At this moment, Secretary Miller already felt that victory was within his grasp.

Since Brandon is willing to sit down and listen to him, it means that this man already has the answer in his heart, but he just doesn't want to say this 'answer' out of his own mouth.

"You and I both know that as long as other members of the federal Democratic Party do not give up, the chances of the opposition's impeachment success will not be too high.  If because of your order today, let us not be more passive in the subsequent battles. , and even succeeded in defeating the Star Dragon Empire's fleet and driving them back.

Whether in the civil or political arena, your reputation will be greatly improved.

Today's order will not be an ultra vires or unconstitutional move, but will become the most dazzling move in your political career."

Brandon looked across the desk at the 'old fox' sitting opposite him, and he had to admit that the other party's proposal was indeed full of temptation.

Especially when his public opinion continues to decline, he must show enough outstanding political achievements to continue his re-election.

This is an ‘all in’ where one’s own political life is a bet.

If the follow-up war goes well and the Imperial fleet is successfully defeated, even if the two sides are in a stalemate but the Empire is prevented from continuing to attack, then in the eyes of others, his orders today are "brave and strategic."

But if the war does not go well and the fleet suffers heavy losses, let alone being re-elected, he may not even be able to finish his term, and he will become the first president in the history of the federation to be imprisoned during his term for violating the constitution.

"It's not an easy decision and I need to think about it."

"No problem, Mr. President."

Secretary Miller raised his wrist and looked at the time.

"However, I must remind you that although I have temporarily blocked this news, it is only temporary. 'Others' will probably receive this news through their channels within two hours.

If it is delayed until that time, they will ask for screening and judgment on the authenticity of the military information, then call the Star Dragon Empire or summon the empire's ambassador to confirm the situation, and finally use an emergency meeting convened by Congress to discuss whether to directly declare war or send a small number of troops first Explore the situation.

Waiting for all the procedures to be completed, according to the efficient work efficiency of our Congress and various departments, it should be a few days later. If we declare war and send troops at that time, the time wasted will be enough to tip the balance of war."

After listening to Minister Miller's words, Brandon was silent for a moment, then raised his head and looked at the old man.

"Five minutes, I'll tell you my decision in five minutes."

An hour later, the Federal Naval Command issued a mobilization order to the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Fleets of the Navy, allowing these two fleets, which had just completed supplies and ship overhauls, to immediately set off for the Robert Galaxy to conduct actual combat exercises.

Two hours later, news that the border system was attacked by the Empire had spread among the top leaders of the Federation.

At the same time, all ships of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Fleets also arrived at the designated area, and activated their jump drives one after another, entering another space in a succession of flashes.

After learning that President Brandon ordered two fleets to go to the border system in the name of 'exercises', the opposition party immediately jumped out and launched an impeachment against him.

　It can be seen that everyone is indeed dissatisfied with this plot, but we all saw the war starting from God's perspective. The capital galaxy does not know it. The Federation and the Empire have signed a peace agreement for more than 80 years. The president will definitely not be able to rely on an emergency military intelligence. If he dared to start a war directly, he couldn't be sure that what Trafalgar and Miller said was true.

　　If he declares war directly, wouldn't he kill himself if the information is wrong?

　　Moreover, the previous chapters have actually been laying the groundwork. The two powers of the Federation and the Empire have spread too much. Not to mention internal corruption and party strife, the jurisdiction of remote galaxies is not in place, and the Federation even shows signs of becoming a warlord.

　　This story also takes place when the two major forces enter the final stage of their life cycles at the same time, and the problems will only increase.

　　Finally, there are the characters of this book. Including the protagonist, there are no real good guys or bad guys. Everyone acts to achieve their own goals, even Trafalgar and Miller are no exception.

　　However, it is my first time to write a book, and I do have limited control over this aspect of the plot. I will write less in the future and just treat it as too much background.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)