Chapter 24 - The red line #2
"All that you say, Secretary, are very nice words, but…"
As the Secretary finished speaking, one of the parliamentarians interrupted. His voice held an interrogative tone, aware that they were about to cross a line—a line called Machiavellianism.
And although it is a gray area of policy, the next step could only be described as tyranny. From the beginning, the Confederation was established as the only alternative. For many years, they had witnessed the stagnation of unity under the great superpowers. Of course, they had their interests—they weren't a group of saviors of humanity—but they were ambitious, knowing that only two futures awaited them.
The same stagnation they faced before the war, where technology advanced only to destroy each other, or the bold decision to set their sights beyond the sky, to step on the moon and escape the cage called Earth.
"... What exactly does the Secretary propose?"
As the parliamentarians turned their attention to him, the Secretary took a deep breath. He knew that desperate times called for desperate measures, but if things went wrong, they wouldn't hesitate to use him as a scapegoat.
"As I mentioned, it's time to pull the weeds out of our garden…"
He gestured to the door on his right. A few security guards, dressed head to toe in military gear, nodded and opened the door. The parliamentarians exchanged confused glances.
Three individuals entered the large oval room, their eyes blindfolded, guided by guards. Despite their obscured vision, their confident strides were unmistakable.
The first was a middle-aged man with black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His hair was combed to the side, and his robust frame spoke of strength.
The second was a somewhat younger man, his bald head gleaming under the lights. His copper-brown beard was wild and unkempt, and he was taller than the first, but similarly robust.
The third was a woman of similar age to the second man, with pale skin resembling the purest snow. Her almost golden blonde hair was tied back in a careful ponytail, reaching her shoulders. She was slender and of similar height to the first man, only slightly shorter.
The Secretary-General waited until the three were positioned next to him. The room was silent. The parliamentarians and the Secretary watched as the blindfolds were removed from their eyes.
"Well, gentlemen parliamentarians, these three are the options I propose…"
Everyone observed the three individuals as they blinked in the light, adjusting to their new surroundings.
The well-groomed man had brown eyes, the color of rich coffee beans.
The bald man's eyes were also brown, but lighter, more like honey.
The blonde woman had blue eyes, reminiscent of a clear spring sky. Though different in height, build, and eye color, the three shared a common trait—the sharpness in their gaze, akin to a falcon spotting its prey.
"... Mr. Farid Khan, Mr. Alban Kulla, and Mrs. Anastasia Ivanov—these three will be responsible for hunting down the rats that have ravaged our Confederation…"
The parliamentarians exchanged even more puzzled looks. If they recalled correctly, the plan was to divide the Confederation into the four Hemispheres to avoid any potential resurgence of nationalisms.
"... And the fourth member?"
The Secretary turned to the parliamentarian who had spoken.
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, we decided to divide the Earth into the four existing Hemispheres. In fact, the proposal came from you, Secretary…"
Now, the three individuals, who had previously shown no expression, exchanged glances of surprise. They knew where they were—not the specific place, but that they were in the heart of the new world order and government. Hearing that the proposal came from the man who had brought them here left them with a new, deeper impression.
The Secretary remained silent for a moment. Of course, he had calculated this entire situation. He knew that his position was like walking a tightrope—he had power, but not the kind he desired. So, he decided to take a chance.
"Of course, the fourth member will be me…"