Rose of Influence

"Dammit! I knew this would happen!" Kallios slammed his fist on US President Forroway's desk. "I knew it was a bad idea to send our military against the Federation! Our military power is compromised thanks to you, Mr. President!"

"Look, Director," Forroway drank his cup of water. "We warned Fanghui of our resistance if he violated our boundaries, and he did. We kept our word!"

"I don't give a darn about keeping words. As Director of National Security, I do my best to maintain America's military. You wasted our troops for what? Nothing! Perhaps if we gave up the Niangs and those UICA scum all those years ago, this would never have happened!"

"Now don't start with that, Director!" Press Secretary Feina stood up. "The Niangs and those poor survivors had the right to live here as free Americans!"

"Oh yeah? What about that time those families sued us, huh? Want that to happen again?"

"Please, don't bring that up," Forroway clenched his fist. "Shien did what was right, defending Enshiron, an innocent Vulpi from those bullies!"

"But that was clear evidence that the Niangs are dangerous! They don't deserve our protection!"

"Just calm down everyone," Vice President Idiyura scratched his hair.

"Look, Kallios," Forroway sighed. "I know this is frustrating, but we must never forget that we have to keep our Democracy alive, including protecting people's rights to be free from tyranny, even the Niangs."

"And the Vulpi," Feina added.

"Then tell me, what if those people are the sinister UICA?" House Speaker Rodigand shook his cane. "We protected them, and how did Cecilius thank us? They trap our people in that damned game! My son is in there because of that wretched organization! We should have turned the UICA in when we had the chance!"

"Rodigand, I understand that you are frustrated that your son is in the Syanic Earth," Idiyura stopped Rodigand from slashing his cane across the air. "But we don't know for sure if-"

"I know 100%!" Rodigand smacked Idiyura with his cane. "The UICA were our enemies the whole time as Fanghui told us for years!"

"Settle down, please," Forroway blocked Rodigand's cane from hitting his Vice President again. "I am so sorry that your son is in there, but we can't assume the UICA is truly behind the World Cybertrap just because the Federation says so. I still have doubts about this situation. We don't have sufficient evidence to prove-"

"I agree with Rodigand!" Kallios snapped. "The UICA's true colors have shown! Was it worth it to send General Covinski to rescue those good-for-nothing Niangs?"

"To protect those who are oppressed by the Kneapexists, yes."

"Director Kallios! The UICA was being persecuted just like the Vulpi!" Feina mentioned. "Remember the Middle Eastern Smite? You saw what the Federation does! We should defend these poor people from Fanghui's terrorism!"

"Terrorism? The UICA is the terrorist! Not the Federation!" Kallios spat at Feina. "Fanghui was our friend the whole time. We were just too blind to see it. Now, they come to offer us protection from these enemies, which I think we should accept."

"And you trust these people who slaughter Vulpi?"

"I don't care as long as they can restore our country. Especially for our security's sake since Forroway was dumb enough to fight our protectors, throwing our power into the trash!"

"Kallios," Forroway wiped off his sweat. "It's not all about security, but also defending human rights. We're not going to appease the Kneapexists as Europe did! They did that to Hitler before, and that didn't work out. We can't just give up our beloved democracy for protection."

"It's about time you changed, you fool!" Rodigand stomped his cane on the floor. "We must listen to Fanghui now! May I remind you? Just look outside!"

The politicians looked out the windows to see thousands of people flooding behind the gates. They held signs showing the minotaur's skull with the five stars of China, the Kneapexist symbol. The people ferociously protested against Forroway.

"Kill the UICA!"

"Fanghui will save us!"

"You are useless, Forroway!"

"See?" Rodigand shouted. "Even the people see your errors in protecting these UICA freak people. You heard them! They lost family members to that stupid game. All of this is entirely your fault, Forroway! We must destroy the UICA once and for all. And Mr. President, I always knew you never deserved to be in power!"

"How dare you talk to President Forroway like that! Just retire, you geezer!" Feina stomped on the floor.

"What was that?"

"Maybe we should just take a-" Idiyura stood in front of the two.

"I know, Rodigand!" Kallios interrupted. "I knew the UICA would destroy us if Forroway won another term!"

"It's a wonder you even became our Director of National Security!" Feina spat out.

"Gentlemen, please," Forroway sweated.

The bureaucrats viciously argued until Forroway's transceiver rang.

"Hello?" Forroway picked up.

"Mr. President," The phone's speakerphone turned on. "This is Vargose, pilot of F22 Beta-6. A Federation aircraft is requesting to land at the White House."

"Who is it?" Forroway adjusted his glasses.

"The person identifies herself as Colonel Shiran Maika. She wishes to speak to you about actions to be done for America. What are your orders?"

"Mr. President," Kallios tapped the President's shoulder. "We should hear from this Maika fellow."

"No, we can't trust them!" Feina shouted. "They're Vulpi killers!"

"Shut up, missy," Rodigand swung his cane. "At least they'll clean this world of the UICA!"

Forroway sighed. "Alright, stand down, Vargose. Let Maika in."

Maika's wasp-shaped helicopter landed in front of the White House as the F22 Raptors flew off. The helicopter's long cannon tail straightened for the aircraft to land on its six legs. The rapidly beating wings made of shining hexagonal scales slowly stopped.

Colonel Shiran Maika walked out and held her rose, escorted by SANDRA and two White Death guards. The crowd cheered, shouting: "Hail, Fanghui!"

"Rejoice, and be merry!" The pastoral-robed SANDRA acknowledged the crowd. "The Federation brings thee great tidings of joy. For the blasphemous UICA shalt perish in fire and brimstone!"

"President Mikalus Forroway," Maika entered the presidential office.

The legislators were stunned by the Rose Warrior's beauty. Maika had fuchsia-colored hair that matched her rose-patterned coat and cat-green eyes.

"I'm Colonel Shiran Maika of the Global Federation of World Justice," Maika reached her hand out for a handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I-it's a pleasure to meet you as well," Forroway reluctantly shook Maika's hand. She may look pretty, but I can't trust her too much.

Maika then shook the others' hands.

"I know you and your fellow lawmakers are quite busy, and I apologize for the intrusion," Maika stroked her rose. "But Fanghui has sent me as an Ambassador to aid your government."

"What do you want to talk about?"

Maika walked to the window to see the cheering crowd as SANDRA and the White Death stood by the office doors.

"Your country had so much potential," Maika smiled at the crowd. "All wasted not just by your misplaced faith in Democracy, but in the UICA."

Forroway didn't know what to say.

"Let me ask you," Maika turned around. "What were you lawmakers planning to do next in dealing with the UICA?"

"W-we've been talking about it," Forroway crossed his arms. "But we don't know yet."

"Really?" Maika sat on Forroway's chair, leaning her legs on the table. "That's all you have done so far?"

"Excuse me, Colonel," Idiyura found Maika's gesture disrespectful. "Y-you can't just sit-"

"Relax, a chair is just a chair," Maika twirled her rose. "So, in other words, you all have pretty much done nothing. It's a shame, but don't worry, the Federation is here to help you."

"And how, exactly?" Forroway asked.

"We aim for the elimination of the UICA. President Kainos Cecilius is dead and all WARBLER Centers have been destroyed. Our forces are hunting the UICA down as we speak."

"Wait, Cecilius is dead?" Feina whispered to the others. "No wonder he never answered our calls."

"Haha, that's good," Rodigand scoffed.

"What? How can you say that?"

"Cecilius was better off dead!"

"Wow! The Federation does things fast!" Kallios smiled.

Forroway facepalmed.

"I have our armies mobilized across America for martial law. Federation war factories are already being installed for America's protection."

"Wait, what?" Forroway blinked.

"Conversions of your education systems into Kneapexist academies have begun as well. More troops, labor, and serious discipline are needed at such times."

"Hold on, stop!"

The other politicians looked at each other, squabbling their opposing views to each other.

"Slow down, Maika!" Forroway huffed. "Aren't you and your Federation taking this too far? May I remind you that you are in my country?"

"Of course," Maika sighed. "We would have it no other way. Fanghui simply sent me as an ambassador to guide your laws in this time of crisis."

Forroway then thought of a vital question he needed to ask. "What evidence is there that the UICA was behind the World Cybertrap?"

"I can share our investigation progress," Maika cleared her throat. "The disaster began at the Baltimore WARBLER Center."

"T-that's the place Cecilius held the Syanic Earth anniversary," Forroway remembered.

"Yes, and that's when the UICA planted the virus that caused the World Cybertrap. They've been plotting against your government for a long time."

"I knew it!" Rodigand stammered.

Forroway ignored him. "And what of Cecilius? How did he die?"

"Cecilius committed suicide to avoid being captured and questioned. A very cowardly act if I say so myself," Maika lied, knowing she was the one who planted the virus and sent Zentroid to assassinate Cecilius.

Although Kallios and Rodigand believed Maika, Forroway raised an eyebrow. I don't trust this woman. Cecilius is not someone I know who would force millions of players to suffer.

"Y-your briefing is... greatly appreciated," Forroway decided to play along for now. "I know you're hunting the UICA, but aren't they receiving a fair trial? I want to hear their perspective too."

"Of course," Maika smirked, stroking her rose's pedals. "We aren't savages, Mr. President. I assure you, the Reaper Squad will make sure they receive the proper treatment."

I highly doubt that. I'll get in touch with General Covinski and my agents for an undercover investigation. If we can find and question the UICA before Maika silences them, we'll know the truth behind the Cybertrap for sure. Forroway wasn't fooled by Maika's propaganda, but he knew it wasn't the right time to retaliate. "Well, since you're the ambassador, what do you advise us to do?"

"A wise question. We seek your assistance in preparing an anti-program that will set the players free."