From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 626: Federation’s Counterattack

"I'm really stupid, really."

This was the first sentence Isabel heard Amber say when she found him after the coup d'état in the federal capital subsided.

"I only knew that stirring up trouble in the federal capital would make the situation more chaotic and allow us to profit from it. But I never expected that these politicians from the federal government would be so shameless and only talk big. The impeachment was launched in the morning, the coup was launched at noon, and the people were gone in the evening."

"."

Isabel wanted to say something, but when she thought about the dramatic and lightning-fast end of the coup, she didn't know what to say for a moment.

At present, it seems that the nobles who have launched rebellions in the Star Dragon Empire in history are indeed relatively tough, and not as weak as the politicians on the Federation side.

In Isabel's memory, the longest-lasting rebellion was caused by a Grand Duke whose name was "erased". After failing to ambush the fleet that the Emperor himself was on, this Grand Duke endured a two-year siege on his own planet. In the end, his whereabouts were exposed because of a traitor, and he was pinned to death in the bunker by an orbital strike.

So from this point of view, the so-called "military coup" initiated by these federal politicians seems like a joke.
It can be said that this time, the Atlas Group, including Amber, from top to bottom, made a major strategic misjudgment, and even gave the "Iron Triangle" a push in their journey to the pinnacle of power.

The "Iron Triangle" also took advantage of this opportunity, which could only exist in theory, to wipe out 90% of the opposition in one fell swoop, especially the members of the two parties and the two houses of Congress. It can be said that the federal "political elite" was almost collectively rendered harmless.

This is also why martial law continued to be maintained in the capital galaxy, and after Marshal Trafalgar returned, the military government was established at the speed of light.

Because no one can object.
After a while, Amber recovered from her "Xianglin Sao" state and looked at Isabel again.

"So now it is publicly announced that a provisional military government has been established?"

"That's right~"

Isabel nodded, then summoned a virtual screen in front of Amber, on which was the content of a previous public speech by Federal President Brandon.

At that time, because the federal politicians who attempted the coup were defeated so quickly, Amber's eyes went black when he heard that three orbital ground-attack missiles had directly razed the Capitol and its surroundings, so he was not in the mood to read the subsequent public speeches.

"'Illegal military coup', it's not that there are legal military coups, right?"

Amber read the entire article with a raised eyebrow, and finally smiled when he saw the last part that said fair elections would be held as soon as possible after the normal constitutional order was restored.

"This is the person who believes such words."

Amber gave a thumbs up and continued, "The military and political power of the entire country is in their hands. When to hold a new election or whether to hold an election at all, isn't it all up to them~"

Thinking of this, Amber couldn't help but sigh again.

The original intention was to add fuel to the fire of the Federation, allowing them to fight among themselves for a while and consume the limited resources of this huge national entity. However, by accident, the "Iron Triangle" completed the final step of centralization.

Although in the long run, the "temporary military government" which is essentially a military dictatorship is definitely not a good thing for the Federation, but in the short term it at least extends their life.

When the military and political power of the entire country is in the hands of three people who are closely connected and cooperate with each other for a long time, at least the speed of handling some decision-making matters and responding to major issues will be very fast.

Especially since Marshal Trafalgar had completely lost his control, Amber could not help but wonder how many of the rebels and independent forces within the Federation could survive under his command.
Amber: "The Renaissance Alliance has to hold on!"

Isabel: "That's not certain, Amber"

"Is there something that happened that I don't know about?" Isabel's words made Amber's heart tremble for no reason, and she quickly asked.

"Alas, we just finally confirmed the news."

Isabel's expression was also a little tense. She displayed another document on the virtual screen and continued:
"It's the one Franklin consulted with you about. Isn't his 'future father-in-law' the Speaker of the House of Representatives? He was thinking of secretly cooperating with the Renaissance Alliance before."

"Fuck, I remember now!" Amber, who had realized something, covered her forehead in pain. "The Speaker of the House of Representatives presided over the impeachment vote that morning. He was also killed along with everyone else, right?"

Isabel nodded. "Well, there is not much evidence. According to the news from the capital, there are only a few DNA samples extracted from the ruins of the Capitol. It is impossible to verify the deaths."
-
As Amber and Isabel discussed reviving the alliance, Franklin was standing outside Eleanor's bedroom door.

When the details of the situation in the federal capital were reported back, Eleanor ran back to her room crying and locked herself in.

For two whole days, the girl stayed in the room without eating or drinking. If the control panel at the door of the room had not shown that Eleanor's vital signs were still normal, Franklin would have forced the door open.

Today, after finishing an emergency meeting on the follow-up strategic planning of the Renaissance Alliance, Franklin returned to Eleanor's bedroom door, wanting to call the girl out.

He stood quietly outside Eleanor's bedroom. The dim light in the corridor made his figure look long and a little lonely.

The leader of the Renaissance Alliance, whose prestige had greatly increased recently due to his role in brokering cooperation with the Atlas Group, slightly raised his tired but still steady hand and lightly touched the cold door with his fingertips.

The knock on the door was crisp and gentle, and it slowly echoed in this quiet and unnerving space. "Eleanor dear, open the door."

Franklin spoke into the intercom on the control panel at the door, but received no response.

In the room where he could not hear any sound, Eleanor's sobs were like tiny knife blades, intermittently cutting the oppressive air, just like a wounded nightingale, uttering a desperate and sad low cry in the endless darkness.

It seemed like a century had passed before the door finally opened slowly.

Eleanor appeared at the door, her eyes were red and swollen like ripe peaches that had been rubbed hard. Her originally bright and moving eyes were now shrouded in endless sadness.

Tears flowed freely on her pale and almost transparent cheeks, leaving crisscross traces of tears, like the ruthless marks of fate, or like withered flowers after the rain, sad and heartbreaking.

Although Franklin was already the leader of a faction, he was actually still a young man. After seeing this scene, he felt as if his heart was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and a sharp pain instantly spread throughout his body.

Without hesitation, he opened his broad and warm arms, and with gentle yet irresistible force, he slowly embraced Eleanor into his arms.

Eleanor seemed to have found her only support. She leaned weakly on his shoulder, her body trembling slightly. The trembling was transmitted to Franklin through her clothes, as if it was the cry of the unspeakable grief in her heart.

Her tears were like a flood that broke through a dam, quickly soaking Franklin's clothes. The warm, bitter and salty tears seemed to have the magic to penetrate the skin and burn straight into his heart, causing sour ripples in his heart.

"My father... he's gone. I have no relatives left in this world."

Eleanor's voice was squeezed out of her throat with difficulty, with a sob that shattered like glass falling to the ground. Every word was filled with despair and helplessness, echoing faintly in Franklin's ears, wrapping his heart even tighter.

Franklin knew that Eleanor's biological mother died when she was very young due to some genetic defect. Although her father later married a second wife, Eleanor never acknowledged her stepmother's identity.

So when her father, House Speaker Rodham, disappeared in the dazzling light of the orbital strike along with politicians from both parties and members of both houses during the shocking incident in the federal capital a few days ago, the poor girl indeed lost her last immediate family member.

Franklin's hand seemed to have its own consciousness. He slowly raised it and gently stroked Eleanor's long hair, which was as soft as seaweed but slightly messy. His movements were gentle and soothing, as if he was stroking the most precious treasure in the world. Every stroke was filled with endless heartache and love.

"Don't be afraid, dear. I'm here."

Franklin only felt the girl in his arms tremble slightly, and then her arms around his waist tightened. He continued to caress and comfort the girl, and then continued:
"I know this is all like a nightmare to you, but I don't want you to sink into this 'nightmare' anyway. I will wake up with you because we still have a lot of things to do, and..."

Franklin paused, then said in a firm tone: "Don't you want to avenge Mr. Rodham? After all, the coup launched by the leaders of the two federal parties has nothing to do with him, and he presided over the impeachment vote in the House of Representatives just because of his duty. In other words, this respected elder stayed at his post until the last moment."

Hearing this, Eleanor raised her head from Franklin's arms. Her eyelashes, soaked with tears, fluttered like two small fans, revealing a confused and angry look in her eyes.

"But what should we do? Even if we want to revive the alliance, our current strength is still too small compared to the Federation."

"Maybe we are not strong enough now, but what about the future? We have come step by step from the beginning to now. Isn't this the way this group pursuing the revival of the Federation has grown slowly?"

Franklin held Eleanor's face in his hands and said in a tone that others could not tell whether it was true or false:

"Today's Federation has long lost the so-called 'democracy and freedom', and has even become a dictatorial 'military government'. Eleanor, do you still remember? When your father was alive, even when the Federation was in turmoil and crisis, he still held a beautiful hope for the future and took the initiative to seek cooperation with me.

He must be hoping that the federation can break free from its shackles and move towards true light and democracy. How can we bear to disappoint his earnest expectations?
How can we watch helplessly as millions of people who long to breathe freely and live under a fair and just sky continue to struggle and cry in the abyss of despair?

Eleanor had always known her father very well, but at this moment, driven by grief and anger, and by Franklin's description, the image of her father in her heart began to blur, replaced by a more "majestic" figure.
The girl who had just experienced the pain of losing her father stood up and wiped the tears from her face and nodded:

"You are right, Franklin. I cannot retreat. We must overthrow this military government and avenge my father who became a victim of the coup. I must fight to the end, even if I end up in pieces, I will never regret it."

If Amber saw this scene, he would definitely applaud Franklin. After all, this ability to "bewitch people's hearts" with the flip of one's hands is something that ordinary people cannot develop even if they practice.

It's pure talent, a gift from God.
-
Whether it is for the Atlas Group, the Renaissance Alliance, or other forces in the Federation that have raised the "flag of rebellion", the next period of time can only be described as "frequent good news".

But this good news came from the federal side.

The "Iron Triangle" that completed the integration of military and political power first took advantage of the military curfew to almost completely wipe out the remaining opposition and "progressives" in the country.

Then, Marshal Trafalgar commanded the Federation fleet, which had just completed a short rest, to attack again, and began to sweep away the rebel forces in various galaxies in a radiating pattern, centered on the Federation's core galaxy circle.

Just as Amber had guessed before, when Marshal Trafalgar was able to let go, the efficiency of the Federal Navy in combating the rebels was so great that even "autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves" was not enough to describe it.

Many fleets that declared independence were completely defenseless when they encountered the Federation fleet, and the outcome was often decided after the first three rounds of shooting.
Of course, there are also some independent forces and like-minded "revolutionary groups" who will choose to join forces to fight the enemy in this situation, and take a large advantage in the number of fleets in some battles, trying to destroy the Federal Navy's fleet.

However, this approach was exactly what Marshal Trafalgar wanted.

(End of this chapter)