Chapter 299 The Leaving Home
The ‘subtext’ behind the words of Her Royal Highness Princess Agnes is easy to understand, and everyone in the conference room can understand it.
"Norton II, stop pretending, what kind of medicine are you selling in your gourd?"
Faced with Agnes's unkind inquiry, Norton II was nothing special. In response, he said calmly:
"Dear Princess, I know that there may be some 'minor frictions' and some 'minor contradictions' between us due to different political opinions.
But under the interpretation of some people with ulterior motives, in the eyes of others, it seems to have become some kind of life-and-death struggle.
I personally hope that this over-interpretation will not have any impact on both of us, nor do I hope that there will be some misjudgments due to these things.
While His Majesty is ill, we should work together to maintain the stability of the empire and deal with threats from the Federation. "
Norton II had a kind smile on his face, as if there had never been any conflict between the 'Regent Party' and the 'Princess Party'.
If Amber saw At this scene, I have to praise Norton II for his excellent acting skills, and he is worthy of the title of 'loyal minister of the empire'
Finance Minister Jacques Fanco raised his eyebrows unconsciously when he heard this. He even wondered if he had not woken up. Otherwise, how could he hear these words from the regent's mouth?
If you two hadn't fought to the death, would the good empire be like this?
Of course, Jacques Fanco would not say such words, he was not a fool.
So the finance minister didn't say anything. After glancing in Princess Agnes' direction, he continued to sit back and watch.
"Threat to the Federation?"
Agnes directly filtered out a large section of the previous paragraph, which she thought was nonsense, and captured the final key point.
"Yes, your highness must have received the news. The two celestial fortress battle groups A and B led by Duke Hastings and Duke Artesia encountered the Federation in the Mirren System. The raid was 'returning with a small defeat', and they have now retreated to a border system they occupied to rest and recuperate."
Norton II said the names of the two dukes calmly. From the perspective of the princess party, it was simply too much. It's like a slap in their face.
However, he did not care what the people on the opposite side thought, but continued to say:
"We will not care about the reasons for the defeat of this battle for the time being, and we may not have time to discuss it. , judging from my research on the Federation over the years, they will definitely pursue their victory and even launch a so-called 'strategic counter-offensive'.
If everyone here does not want the war to burn within the borders of the country, you may need to consider the escalation of the war. "
"You want to say "General Mobilization Order"? In your opinion, has the war reached this point? "
Agnes finally began to seriously think about the question raised by Norton II.
"Your Highness, I said this is just my personal opinion, but based on my views on the Federation, Based on their understanding and research on the federal government in recent years, they are likely to be the first to sign a general mobilization order and launch a war of national annihilation with the goal of "completely annihilating the Star Dragon Empire". "
"Even so." Agnes looked at the middle-aged man across the long table and said:
"Only the father has the authority to sign the general mobilization order. It seems meaningless for you to tell me this."
"According to the "Imperial General Mobilization Law", when His Majesty is unable to sign for other reasons, and the empire is faced with In case of crisis, the royal heir can sign on his behalf."
As soon as these words came out, Agnes's expression became serious, because Norton II successfully threw this hot potato into his own hands, But he couldn't throw it out again.
Her Highness Agnes looked around at the other people present. In addition to Finance Minister Jacques Fanco, the Imperial Chief of General Staff, the Director of the Imperial Crisis Response Department and others were also present.
"Do you have any thoughts on the Regent's proposal? Or, in your opinion, has this war reached a point where you need to sign a 'General Mobilization Order' and start an endless battle with the Federation?< br>
If the situation has reached such a critical level, then we may need to complete the discussion as soon as possible. After all, if we mobilize one day late, we will be more passive in subsequent battles. "
Agnes asked the others, seeking their opinions.
"I think the regent and the princess are aware of the current financial situation of the empire. If we sign the general mobilization order under this background, we will have no other choice but to win the war. ”
Jacques Fanco, who had been sitting on the sidelines, was the first to speak.
With his lead, other people in the conference room quickly followed his lead.
Chief of General Staff Stephen followed him and said:
"If it is really necessary to sign a general mobilization order, my suggestion is that the sooner the better, and at the same time, you may need to be prepared for the war to spread within the country."
The third person to speak was the director of the Crisis Response Department. What he said was also very simple, that is, it was necessary to evaluate whether a general mobilization order really needed to be signed as soon as possible.
After all, once this thing is signed, it enters an irreversible state.
The military, logistics, logistics, market, economy, public opinion control, etc. Everything related will be operated according to the requirements of the "General Mobilization Order". At this time, it will be too late to stop.
Moreover, large-scale mobilization is bound to attract the attention of the federation. Assuming that this is a misjudgment on our side, the other side did not carry out general mobilization.
But after seeing the actions of the Empire and considering that the two sides are currently at war, the Federation will not hesitate to follow suit and launch a general mobilization.
The situation will not be able to end at all by then.
——
Within the Federation, T2 galaxy circle, Canobi galaxy.
Clark, a technical worker, was walking on the last stretch of his way home from get off work in the increasingly cold wind.
In recent times, the news about 'total war' coming from the capital galaxy has also swept the entire planet.
Yesterday, there were a large number of young people marching on the street holding flags high, and a few enthusiastic little girls even sent him pamphlets about the war.
Although Clark has never experienced a war, he probably knows that it is not a good thing. After all, war means that someone will die. As he already has a family, he is very resistant to death, so he also has an aversion to 'war'.
Can't you live a good life? Do you have to fight for your life in a strange place with a group of people you may never meet in this life?
Clark's aversion to war also comes from another aspect, and that is working overtime.
And there is no overtime pay.
The food processing factory where he works has recently received a large number of orders from the military, so all the assembly lines in the factory are running almost 24 hours a day.
This has also resulted in technical workers like him who are responsible for maintaining and repairing assembly lines being forced to extend their working hours.
The processing factory refused to pay them overtime wages on the grounds that "it is the obligation of every citizen to contribute when the federal government needs it."
In addition, due to the outbreak of the war, prices have been rising almost day by day, so Clark and his family have been living increasingly difficult lives during this period.
When he walked near the unit building where his home was located, Clark saw a drone flying towards the window sill of his home.
There is a material storage box hanging below the drone, and the logo of ‘March Department Store’ is printed on the fuselage.
This is the company's product transport robot, and the material storage box contains the food Clark just purchased online.
"Tsk, the salary paid last month has not been enough to keep warm, and it will be almost spent again."
"War? What good is war?"
Clark complained while , while returning home.
The moment he saw his virtuous wife and his 11-year-old son, Clark swallowed all his complaints.
For the sake of his family, he just has to work hard and be tired.
"Hey, has little Dior grown taller today?"
Clark walked towards his son with a smile, ready to pick him up and take a good look, but was stopped by his wife.
"Go, go, go, I haven't washed my hands after working all day. Wash your hands before you pick up your son."
"Okay, okay, let's go and wash them now. Mua~"
< br>Clark kissed his wife on the cheek, and then walked towards the bathroom amidst the latter's anger.
But at this moment, his personal terminal, which had been set to vibrate, suddenly rang a harsh ringtone.
Clark, whose heart suddenly twitched, seemed to have thought of something. He stopped where he was and slowly took out his personal terminal. Looking at the red light flashing on the screen, his hanging heart finally died. .
"Citizen No. 56213854, Clark Wayne
According to the Federal Mobilization Act, please report to the nearest military station within 3 hours.
If you exceed the time limit or refuse to report , the Federal Military Affairs Office will take coercive measures in accordance with the law.”
As a man in his prime, Clark was naturally among the "mobilization crowd" of the general mobilization order, but he didn't expect that it would all happen so quickly.
"Clark, are you okay?"
Seeing her husband frozen in place, his wife hurriedly walked over and supported him from behind.
But after she also saw the information on Clark's personal terminal, a series of complicated expressions immediately appeared on her face.
The most common one is called worry.
"Why were you mobilized in the first batch?"
"Maybe I have better physical fitness? My sweetheart, you know that I am as strong as an ox."
"At this time Now, you are still in the mood to joke"
Looking at her husband's appearance, Clark's wife was angry and amused.
At this moment, their son Dior’s voice sounded from behind:
"Dad, what's wrong with you? What happened?"
Hearing his son's words, Clark couldn't help but tremble. Naturally, he couldn't worry about his son, but the mobilization order is for federal citizens. Also unable to refuse.
Clark sighed lightly, turned around, knelt down and touched little Dior's head, and said softly:
"Little Dior, daddy is going to a place far away. "
(End of this chapter)