Gundam: From Piece to Player

If successful, it could be used as a political bargaining chip to gain access to the power center of the federal government.

Karma just found it funny.

It's funny as it is.

We should still remind this mayor to behave himself.

He was confident in his safety.

But if the Federation guerrillas were to attempt to attack the Zeon technicians at the local factory... Alice considered this a medium-probability event, with a fairly high chance of success.

Chapter 88 Giant Crocodile

Schulz Park, Rose Garden, Manhattan.

This wooden house was built in 1799 and was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

After the Universal Century, it underwent several renovations and refurbishments. Its main floor is open to the public as a small museum, and only the Mayor of New York City and his family are allowed to stay overnight there.

New York City Mayor Joseph Eschenbach and his daughter are welcoming two guests who have traveled from afar.

After Iserina, the daughter, served tea to the guests and her mayor father, the guests finally revealed the purpose of their visit.

"This place has a beautiful environment; please forgive me for not being very good at using adjectives."

"...There are better places in the city to entertain you two."

"Let's skip that."

“Mr. Mayor, I have considered many scenarios, but this is one I did not expect.”

"You don't even have a single Zeon agent keeping watch on you. My intelligence team has been outsmarting thin air for days because of this."

Sitting on the opposite sofa, the bald man took off his red sunglasses. He had no eyebrows, no hair, and his clean chin was completely bare, with no beard. His narrow, small eyes created a peculiar appearance.

Having spent a long time in politics, Joseph has also done some research on physiognomy.

This guy is not to be trifled with; he's a dangerous individual.

The silver-haired woman sitting on the wooden chair behind them had no expression—just like the stereotypical image of a skilled and beautiful spy.

“I’m sorry to trouble Mr. Basque. I suppose in Kalma Zabi’s eyes, a nobody like me is not worth sending someone to monitor.”

"I also had contact with Major Clancy, who was in charge of guerrilla warfare in North America, but I couldn't find a good opportunity to make a move," Joseph said.

"It's my fault, really," the bald man grinned.

"Is it your fault?"

“I once hired an assassin to kill him on the moon, but I failed. He wiped out an entire squad of heavily armed mercenaries with just a few guards, and it even caused the city of von Braun to sign some unequal treaties with Zeon.”

Joseph found it hard to believe, not because of the veracity of the event itself.

The man in front of her had clearly caused damage to the interests of Von Blanc City, yet he not only felt no shame, but also seemed to be showing off.

“Now that you have your judgment, is there anything else I need to do?” Joseph sensed the dangerous undertone in his words. “Do you perhaps want the United States to sign more 'unequal' treaties with Zeon?”

“Mr. Joseph,” Basque smiled.

"Zion is just a country with less than twenty years of history. To put it bluntly, it's just a bunch of nouveau riche. The Zabi family's ancestors couldn't make it in Germany, so they went to Side 3. How can they be compared to the ancient and great United States of America?"

“Kalma Zabi is a little beast who hasn’t even grown his first hair.”

“Leave the execution to us. All you need to do is send an invitation to Karma. Regardless of whether the assassination is successful or not, our federal government will claim responsibility for the attack. In addition, to prevent Zeon’s revenge, we will send someone to take you and your daughter to a safe house.”

Joseph listened to Basque's words and glanced at his daughter, whose eyes were filled with terror.

Joseph took a deep breath, resisting the urge to utter something like "Are you crazy?"

Why should I take that risk?

"Your political career in the United States is over, isn't it? Do you think the American people would elect a man captured by the Zeon army as President of the United States?"

"Political life is political life, but the premise is to live. If I participated in the plan, I would be on the Zabi family's assassination list. I cannot abandon my family for the sake of my career."

Perhaps due to his intense emotions, Joseph was giving a speech that resembled his campaign rhetoric for mayor, only to be impatiently interrupted by Basque again.

"Is this a request from the Minister of Finance?"

Finance Minister?

Why talk about the finance minister?

Joseph's first thought was of that bespectacled, sinister old man in Congress, who frequently cut New York City's budget in his plans.

He didn't understand why the Basques would be used as leverage.

Could this be a bargaining chip?

"It seems you haven't understood yet. I was talking about the Minister of Finance of the Earth Federation government."

The Basques made their point completely clear.

Joseph finally understood that he was not referring to the U.S. federal government.

But then came the doubts.

How did you, a mere federal intelligence officer, manage to connect with such a high-ranking official in the federal government?

Putting aside the complex internal workings of the Federation, Joseph immediately suspected that the guy was lying to him after hearing this.

"This is what the minister said: if you can help us get rid of Karma Zabi this time, we can advance 1000 million helium. If you do not want to continue in politics, you can choose to live in seclusion in a villa, and we will pay the remaining 9000 million helium."

"Of course, if you are interested in taking a senior position in the federal government, you can waive the remaining payment. After the war ends and all the Zabi bastards are dead, the Minister can make arrangements."

Inviting Kalma Zabi to participate in the research will earn you 1 million helium, with a final payment of 9 million helium.

Joseph hesitated after hearing this, as the wealth still held some appeal for him.

But the most tempting prospect was becoming a high-ranking federal official, risking the Zeon's revenge, and his family receiving another "promotion."

This is far more promising than being the mayor of New York City, not to mention that federal government officials also have an implicit sense of superiority over officials from member states.

From the perspective of space colonization, the Federation Space Force is a strong guarantee of taxation and the biggest obstacle to independence (for Zeon).

From the perspective of residents of the various member states of the Earth looking up at the sky, the fleet parked above Earth's orbit also exerts an invisible pressure.

Some even say that the Federation can disband the Army and Navy, but it absolutely cannot be without the Space Force.

Joseph didn't notice the slight change in his mindset. What was originally just dealing with the people sent by the Federal Intelligence Service had turned into seriously considering cooperating with the Federal Intelligence Service in assassination operations in order to become an official.

"May I speak to the Finance Minister by phone?"

After thinking for a long time, Joseph gave his answer.

Basque waved his hand, and the woman behind him handed him a satellite phone with a long antenna from her bosom and placed it on the table.

The side of the phone is marked with [AE]. This military satellite phone is designed to use the relay base station in Von Braun on the near side of the moon as a hub, while also using ground-based laser communication base stations to assist in transmission.

Even though Zeon still has control over the skies above Earth, they still can't intercept this phone call.

"Mayor, I've already pressed the speakerphone button. If it's a stranger, the minister will hang up immediately."

“Okay.” Joseph naturally had no objections.

With caution and utmost care, the call was finally connected.

"Hey?"

The voice on the other end was deep and powerful, without any voice changer. Joseph estimated that the other person was in his fifties, which was quite an achievement for a federal official.

“Is this Lord Jamitov? This is Basque, Mayor of New York City. Mayor Joseph is with me.” Basque leaned close to the satellite phone and said loudly.

“Basque, finish in three minutes, don’t waste my time.”

"Yes, the mayor has already agreed to the proposal I mentioned to you before." Basque quickened his pace upon hearing this.

Joseph, who was listening nearby, was struck dumb.

agree.

What did I agree to?

Chapter 89 Walking into a Trap

"As expected of the United States of America, a country teeming with talent. Since the mayor is so sincere, I'll pay the deposit first."

Upon hearing about the deposit, Joseph, who was about to raise an objection, paused for a moment.

A few seconds later, Joseph noticed that his phone beeped and the screen lit up.

That was a push notification from the Citibank app.

[Dear VIP customer, your account has been credited with $10000000.]

Joseph was startled, as this meant the other party knew all about his bank account information.

This also means that the other party can block his bank accounts and freeze all of his family's assets.

I want to transfer 10 million helium tokens within ten seconds.

How many people in the world can do this without going to a bank counter?

"Then let's proceed according to the proposal. Any further questions?"

"No……"

Basque wanted to answer first, but this time Joseph was faster.

"Wait, Treasurer."

"What else?" Joseph opened his mouth, because Basque was scrutinizing him with a dangerous look.

But he still spoke up despite the pressure; otherwise, he would have been completely at the mercy of the authorities.

"I would like to confirm with you again what position I can hold within the federal government should the Federation win the war in the future."

"Mr. Joseph, you can rest assured about that. I have an accounting background and I'm very trustworthy..."

"What do you think about being offered the position of Director of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency?"

Environmental Protection Bureau, environmental protection.

At first glance, it seems like a job with no benefits, but Joseph, who had served as mayor of New York City, certainly knew the ins and outs.