035. January 28, Year 221 of Frost-Plated
[Name: Yavanna Huskisin]
[Position: Elite Agent of Law IV Agency]
[Status: MIA (Missing In Action)]
David Lin put down the tablet, and his secretary, Prin Filby, seeing his calm and indifferent expression, couldn't help but say:
"I'm sorry, but the unit she was part of has already been disbanded. The Grante battlefield is still in a stalemate, but we will continue searching. We've already contacted the 112th Infantry Division and requested the 74th Armored Synthetic Brigade for assistance—"
"Searching for what?" David Lin said calmly, "It's not worth spending a few divisions' manpower to search for one agent."
"But she's your daughter—"
"A daughter whose life would cost the lives of thousands of children of farmers and workers is no daughter of mine." David Lin's cold response sent a shiver down Prin's spine.
"We need to negotiate with Grante next. After the inauguration ceremony, I will fly to Grante immediately. I'll reach an agreement with President Sislon, including on the issue of the colonies."
David Lin, with clear focus, then turned to the Supreme Commander of the Frost-Plated Army—Marshal Ger Candis—and asked:
"There's a Gamma-tier agent in Law IV called Blizzard. Is he still deployed in Grante?"
"Not sure—Law IV Agency's director, Governor Lelier Southlake, probably doesn't even know about Mai Dewei the old witch's assassination yet. Even if he does, he might not give up his armed forces."
Ger Candis said in a deep voice:
"Mr. David Lin, Frost-Plated's situation is dire. There are only two Gamma-tier agents left in the country. Blizzard hasn't expressed his political stance, and Zero Frost has stated loyalty only to the president. So, we currently only have one Gamma-tier agent. Should we unfreeze one?"
"No, our Gamma-tier agents are few in number. In the next ten years, we won't become like the Tianhuan people, allowing strong individuals to rise from the masses. They should only be brought out in extreme circumstances."
David Lin shook his head, pacing casually around the conference room. The Frost-Plated officers and reformist bureaucrats present all directed their gaze at this man.
To them, things had come to a point where any decision would be better than the current situation.
The long-standing internal conflicts, the faltering economy, wars, disasters, and external threats—the situation in Frost-Plated had reached its most critical moment since the era of the Twin Queens.
"On Azure Star, Gamma-tier agents cannot decide the course of wars. The people are our strength. First, we must secure Zero Frost. And one more thing: I want to summon the economic forces of Law II to gather at the Twin Palaces."
"But you haven't appointed a prime minister yet, directly overstepping your authority to mobilize Law II Agency, which belongs to the government, is that..." Candis hesitated for a moment but still decided to remind the man in front of him, "And doing so, the elites won't support it."
"I have a way to handle that. You all just do your part, all the pressure will be directed at me."
David Lin leaned against the podium, his already impressive and handsome appearance making him look less like a military man. To show the new government wasn't promoting male chauvinism and to advocate for gender equality, he had deliberately shaved his beard, making it impossible to tell he was a fifty-two-year-old man.
Wearing the dark blue presidential suit, he looked more like an opera actor attending an event. Only when his golden-green eyes swept across the crowd and accidentally met your gaze could you feel the weight of his iron-fisted authority.
David Lin appeared polite and gentle, but his eyes were like steel and fire, resolute and fierce.
"But this way, there are already suspicions about your legitimacy. Such actions will surely provoke opposition—"
Before Candis could finish, David Lin suddenly raised his hand, wrapped an arm around Marshal Candis's shoulder, patting him comfortingly as he whispered:
"Marshal Candis, after the inauguration ceremony, I will immediately declare a state of emergency in the capital. Under the pretext of 'searching for the assassin of the former president,' the capital will be sealed off."
Candis's pupils contracted, realizing something.
"At that time, you'll need to block the trains, airports, and borders, preventing the escape of any Frost-Plated or Mai Dewei faction tycoons. This is crucial, even if we offend half of Frost-Plated's elite class, it's worth it."
Just as David Lin finished speaking, Secretary Prin quickly called out:
"Mr. David Lin, the time has come."
David Lin gave an encouraging glance to Candis and the surrounding Frost-Plated reformist officials and calmly said:
"Thank you for choosing me, thank you for the people choosing David Lin, and thank you for history choosing the Frost-Plated people."
With that, he immediately turned around, calmly walking into the hall under the protection of the heavily armed Law I Guard. Numerous reporters were blocked outside the security lines, and upon seeing the first male president of Frost-Plated in two hundred years appear, they surged forward frantically, flashbulbs popping, microphones and interviewers nearly rushing the stage.
The guards were extremely cautious, forming a tight human wall. Every camera could potentially be a disguised gun. For absolute security, Frost-Plated's top [Mechanists] kept a constant watch on the mechanical equipment and network ports. Even within the Twin Palaces' super firewall, there were at least 260,000 cyberattacks per minute. If just one attack bypassed the defenses, it would cause chaos at the venue.
"Mr. David Lin! What's your view on the sudden death of former President Mai Dewei?"
The reporters kept shouting questions, almost roaring to grab the hottest news, but David Lin calmly responded only to the questions he intended to answer, completely ignoring those who lacked manners.
"I'm deeply saddened."
"The D200 White Wolf hover car is considered a point of national pride in Frost-Plated, a pinnacle of technological craftsmanship. There are rumors now that the White Wolf self-destructed due to a hacker attack, not the officially stated terrorist attack?"
"All information should be based on official reports. If there are doubts, please file a formal complaint."
"Li Aozi, once a high-profile fugitive wanted by the Frost-Plated government, is now hailed as a hero of all humanity. What is your view on this?"
"We are establishing a brand-new Frost-Plated government."
David Lin rarely gave direct answers, instead leaving things vague, prompting speculation.
At this point, Frost-Plated couldn't afford external conflicts. Any unnecessary disputes would doom the new regime before it even started.
However, with modern media's exposure capabilities, they would inevitably uncover the truth of Mai Dewei's assassination.
Instead of denying it, it was better to guide them in a misleading direction, focusing attention on the new government.
A message came through David Lin's earpiece from the Law I Guard:
"Your Excellency, we've detained a group of Mai Dewei faction extremists. They were planning to detonate a small plutonium bomb at the Twin Palaces. How should we handle it?"
David Lin gently pressed his throat and quietly instructed:
"Hand them over to Law III Agency for interrogation. Keep an eye out for any suspected explosive devices."
As they approached a corner, David Lin's guards moved ahead, opening the main door of the parliamentary hall. David Lin took this opportunity to shake off the reporters, walking down the central aisle, in front of 2,000 foreign delegation members, journalists, media representatives, and national civil servants, making his way steadily to the podium. The Law I Guards formed a line behind him.
David Lin stepped up to the podium. This was his fifth time standing here. Before, he had served as Frost-Plated's Minister of Defense, but before he could deliver many speeches, he was secretly arrested and imprisoned by Mai Dewei.
Now, the fate of 630 million Frost-Plated citizens rested in his hands, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of gravity, a pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced, weighing down on his shoulders.
The lights flickered, countless eyes were focused on him, television stations, social media, and live streams—the whole world was watching. As one of the Four Nations, what would change in Frost-Plated with its first male president?
'From now on, I am no longer myself, but the president of Frost-Plated.'
Naturally, the pressure was there. David Lin placed his hand on the desk in front of him, smiling slightly as he faced the cameras and the audience:
"Good morning, dear friends."
Then, glancing at the speech in his hand, he began to read:
"On December 31st, Year 221 of the Galactic Era, the former president of Frost-Plated, Mai Dewei Ostervia, was killed in a terrorist attack during a routine outing, dying on the spot. We deeply regret this. Former President Mai Dewei was a great protector of women's rights. During her more than twenty years in office, she made significant contributions to Frost-Plated's development, and she deserves a state funeral. Today, we mourn the loss of Mai Dewei—let us observe a minute of silence."
The Law I Agency's modified officers stepped forward, their voices cold and raspy through electronic synthesis:
"All rise!"
The Frost-Plated officials present stood up one after another, and even the foreign guests at the ceremony followed suit. Especially Prince Hambolin of Red Arrow, who emotionally dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief.
To outsiders, Prince Hambolin's display seemed to say: Thanks to Mai Dewei, Red Arrow had never faced an easier opponent.
But in reality, Prince Hambolin's sadness was genuine: he had long had private financial dealings with Mai Dewei, holding shares in her companies, and received substantial dividends every year.
Now that the old witch Mai Dewei was gone, the protection she offered to his trade was gone too. At this rate, he figured he would soon face a thorough investigation by the Red Arrow royal family.
The representative from Zhenxu appeared indifferent, casually glancing at the culprit beside him—Jose Rediaz.
This Gamma-tier agent who participated in the assassination and personally detonated the bomb wore an expression of sorrow, showing no trace of guilt or regret.
'You just wait, the Committee will deal with you sooner or later.'
The Zhenxu official quipped.
'Aren't you afraid of being thrown into the freezer, Jose?'
Though he said that, he was secretly pleased.
Eliminating the old witch was good news for all three nations. Zhenxu had long had immigration disputes with Frost-Plated, with a flood of Frost-Plated male immigrants pushing Zhenxu's unemployment rate up by 5.5%. As a publicly neutral country, Zhenxu couldn't rely on war to reduce its population like Tianhuan.
But surprisingly, it was the Frost-Plated people themselves who couldn't tolerate it any longer and initiated the plan.
'Now it's up to President David Lin to see if he can resolve Frost-Plated's problems.'