Meanwhile, in Lamerica.
"President, we have a problem on our hands," Secretary Kim Jennifer said to Joe Trump, the long-standing president of the nation. Joe had held office for nearly three decades, his name etched into the era itself.
"What is it now, Kim?" he asked tiredly. His desk was already piled high with troubles. The Cold War brewing beneath the surface weighed heavily on him.
"Do you remember Mission Elpis, sir?"
"Yeah."
"That team went missing."
"Miss Kim, does it look like I have time to chase a missing spaceship?" Joe snapped.
"B-But, Mr. President—"
"Tell NASA to handle it. That's their job, not mine."
"…O-Okay, sir."
Later, Kim spoke in hushed tones.
"Ah, Professor Elias, the president doesn't seem to care."
Professor Elias, head of NASA, frowned deeply.
"What does that even mean, Miss Kim? Five human lives are missing. Why can't he understand the weight of this?"
"I know, Professor, but the president's got his hands full right now."
"Fine. Then tell him this—NASA will use every penny we have to find them. I don't care what it takes."