Chapter 253
The doors of the Assembly Hall were, of course, crafted using the highest-grade materials and craftsmanship, so pushing them open didn't produce the kind of echoing sound that would resound throughout the chamber.
Thus, Eli and Jamitov slipped in quietly through a side entrance, wordlessly observing Green Wyatt as he stood at the podium, using today's Undertaker assault as justification for why all Earth defense affairs should be handed over entirely to the Titans.
It was clear that the reason these representatives were still present in the Assembly Hall had little to do with any deep love for their work. Rather, it was because more than half of those seated inside were already aligned with the Titans faction and had to witness the proposal being introduced.
Standing behind Jamitov, Eli swept his gaze around the room and soon spotted a familiar face among the assembly.
Councilor Gopp.
He was looking directly in their direction, not bothering to conceal his interest in the slightest.
This blatant act of staring was naturally picked up by those who were paying attention. When they followed Councilor Gopp's line of sight, they were startled to discover that the very figure General Green had been using as an example on stage—the leader of Undertaker—was none other than General Jamitov himself.
At once, the murmurs among the audience below began to rise, almost drowning out General Green's speech.
"…So Jamitov actually wants to force everyone to leave the Earth, the birthplace of humanity? How could something like this be allowed?! Humanity cannot leave Earth—just as a child cannot be separated from its mother! What he proposes is like tearing a child away from their mother's arms. As the elite of the Federation, I believe none of you should permit such a thing!"
Naturally, General Green also noticed the disturbance below and quickly saw Jamitov standing by the side of the hall.
Although his speech had already concluded, General Green resumed his address.
Only now, his words were directed squarely at General Jamitov below the stage.
Yet, despite essentially being scolded to his face, Jamitov showed no anger. In fact, he joined the rest of the assembly in applauding.
The applause gradually faded, then fell completely silent.
Clap.
A final solitary clap drew everyone's attention.
It came from General Jamitov.
Facing the stares of the assembled councilors, his expression remained unchanged as he strode toward the podium.
At that moment, General Green was just setting aside his speech papers.
"Look closely. You no longer have any room to maneuver."
General Green raised his head slightly, gesturing toward the results of the vote already displayed.
A majority of the councilors had approved the proposal.
It was a predetermined outcome—the speech just now was no more than a procedural formality.
Green Wyatt, scion of a long-established family, might have sought power, but the so-called "Black Tea General" still followed the conventions recognized by every political faction.
"Haven't I already congratulated you?"
Jamitov was referring to his earlier applause.
He extended his hand first, prompting General Green to reciprocate with a handshake.
As Green stepped down from the podium, he cast a sidelong glance at Eli, who had stood silently beside Jamitov the entire time.
"Well then, though I didn't reserve time in advance, I beg your pardon and request a few moments of your attention."
As Jamitov began to speak, the light shining on the podium made it impossible for Eli to see the faces of the councilors below.
All he could see was a sea of darkness beneath the stage.
"I express my deepest apologies for the damage caused by Undertaker's assault on Dakar, as mentioned just now by General Green Wyatt."
"But this was an unavoidable action—forced upon us by the pressure of the Titans and their violent tactics!"
"To seize greater power, the Titans went so far as to open fire on allied forces, even launching an attack on Jaburo! And now they blatantly ignore the facts, twisting the truth!"
"How many of you here have bowed to the Titans' overgrown might and ambition? And how many have been swayed by the allure of fame and profit?"
Eli blinked in surprise from where he stood behind Jamitov.
The aggression in Jamitov's words was astonishingly direct.
Logically speaking, one should use more tactful language to win over the neutral or wavering councilors.
But Eli understood why this was happening.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I love the Earth dearly, and I hold the Federation—humanity's greatest political institution in history—in the highest esteem. Humanity cannot survive without a unified society."
"But if we ignore the Titans' current actions, the Federation will plunge into a bottomless abyss! History is not made by those who cannot restrain their ambition or who wield bloated, violent machinery!"
Ultimately, Jamitov still turned his aim squarely at the Titans.
"Therefore, I will transfer all my powers and responsibilities to this young man!"
Jamitov took several steps back, placed a supportive hand on Eli's back, and gently pushed him forward.
Eli stepped up to the podium with resolute steps.
"I am Colonel Eli Lee."
"Standing here as nothing more than a colonel, I am deeply uneasy. But in my view, the situation has reached a point where someone like me must speak out!"
"The original purpose of founding the Titans was to maintain stability within the Federation! But what the Titans are doing now is dragging the Federation into a crisis!"
"Seizing Jaburo could still be framed as a power struggle. But the Titans' true crime lies in their atrocities against the Sweetwater colony satellite!"
As Eli finished speaking, a report and data regarding the Sweetwater incident appeared behind him.
Though incomplete, the material was enough to convey the essence of what had happened to everyone watching.
"Humanity reached for the stars because Earth could no longer bear our growing burden. The residents living out in space have paid dearly to ensure the Federation's stability—they do not deserve to be treated this way!"
"We came to space to expand humanity's potential. This was what the Federation once recognized! But now, they are rejecting that very possibility. What the Titans are doing is trapping humanity back on Earth!"
"For a long time, humans have played and grown in the cradle called Earth.
But now! It is time for humanity to stand on its own, away from Earth.
And yet, why are we still fighting amongst ourselves? Why are we jeopardizing Earth itself for the sake of ambition and power?!
If we do not return Earth to the embrace of nature and allow humanity to thrive independently in space, Earth will cease to be the planet of water.
Even Dakar is being swallowed by the desert. If we do not turn our eyes to the stars, can the Federation's stability really be sustained?
To those watching this broadcast—whether you live on Earth or in space—I hope you will all reflect seriously on your situation. If we allow the Titans to continue growing unchecked, it will only lead to catastrophe!"
Eli's voice rang out passionately from the podium. But everyone knew that his speech was not meant for the councilors seated before him.
It was aimed at the countless citizens watching the livestream.
Some scoffed.
But others—undeniably—were stirred to action.