Request reinforcements from the Human Empire at New Hope?!
This abrupt proposal caused the atmosphere in the conference room to grow tense.
Governor Johnson and the Campbell officials exchanged stunned and skeptical glances.
In stark contrast, Rico, Ace, and Dizzy remained calm, as if they had anticipated this turn of events.
After all, back at New Hope, they had fought alongside the Empire's clone troopers to repel an Arachnid swarm, forging a fragile but steadfast alliance.
Moreover, during their warp journey, Rico and the others had been subtly influenced by Leon, Maggie, and their fellow intelligence operatives.
This gradual influence led Rico and his comrades to realize that the United Citizen Federation was no longer the just and fair militarized regime it once claimed to be. Instead, it had become a puppet institution serving the interests of the new aristocratic class.
If Rico and the others were to learn about the original timeline of Starship Troopers, where the Federation elected a Space Marshal who gained public support through singing, dancing, and good looks—and who was eventually brainwashed by the Arachnids into becoming a literal "human-shaped bug"—their anger would know no bounds.
Some Space Marshals, in their pursuit of approval ratings, even allowed Arachnids to massacre Martian civilians or planned to detonate the entire planet of Mars.
And as for Marshal Dean, who currently appeared on the screen? Without the intervention of Atlas and the Human Empire, his later failures in the Arachnid war would have caused catastrophic losses.
During the Crandalf Assault, Dean wasted 100,000 mobile infantry lives within a single hour and underestimated the Arachnids' orbital defenses, causing severe damage to the expedition fleet.
That figures like Dean could hold the rank of Space Marshal was proof enough of the Federation's decay and corruption—reason and morality had long been supplanted by power and personal ambition.
Moreover, within the Federation's leadership, there were intelligence operatives with psionic abilities acting as informants and infiltrators.
Using their psionic potential, performance skills, and the assistance of the intelligent AI, these agents had steadily infiltrated key positions within the Federation.
Leon understood that Dean's decision to promote him to major, along with the promotions for Maggie, Rico, and others, was ultimately the result of behind-the-scenes manipulation by the AI and his fellow intelligence operatives.
Their goal was to stabilize the situation and ensure Leon's continued control over the expedition fleet remnants, enabling an effective response to the impending Arachnid threat.
As for why the Arachnids had dispatched such a massive fleet to Campbell at this critical juncture, Leon believed this was no coincidence.
It was likely the result of meticulous planning and calculations by the intelligence division to achieve optimal strategic outcomes.
Everything fit together too perfectly.
The Federation leadership's insistence on recalling the remnants of the fleet to rendezvous with the 12th Fleet was clearly an attempt to seize back military authority.
Without the threat of an Arachnid fleet, Leon and his team would have lacked a compelling excuse to refuse the Federation's orders.
Without external danger, it would have also been challenging to convince Johnson and the Campbell leadership to firmly support them.
If they defied orders and refused to comply with the recall, the Federation could easily accuse them of treason and dispatch the 12th Fleet for a "pacification" campaign.
Morally, they would have no ground to stand on, making failure inevitable.
However, the arrival of the Arachnids changed everything, making their actions seem "justified."
If the Federation leadership continued to insist on their withdrawal and the abandonment of Campbell, Johnson and the colony's leadership would undoubtedly refuse to comply.
With the remnants of the fleet gone, how would Campbell defend itself against the Arachnids?
This effectively placed a loyal colony fully behind Leon and his team.
In the realm of politics and public opinion, the roles were now reversed.
The party lacking moral standing was no longer Leon but the Federation leadership.
At this moment, the tension in the conference room reached its peak.
Dean finally recovered his composure, though his fury was evident as he glared at Leon and demanded:
"Major Kennedy! Do you realize what you're suggesting?! This is outright treason! A betrayal of the Federation!
The Human Empire is our enemy, and yet you propose seeking their aid?!"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Leon countered, calm and unwavering.
"Moreover, the Human Empire and the Federation are both human powers.
Back at New Hope, during a fierce battle with the Arachnids, we cooperated briefly with the Empire's clone troopers.
The Empire could have chosen to retreat or abandon their clone troopers—mere biological weapons—but instead, they stood with us to fight. Together, we eliminated millions of Arachnids."
Leon suddenly shifted his tone, pointing directly at the screen and meeting Dean's eyes with equal intensity:
"And yet, Marshal Dean! Campbell is now facing an imminent Arachnid invasion, and you insist on ordering us to abandon its people. What exactly are your intentions?!
Furthermore, during the New Hope campaign, we discovered that the Arachnids possess a species capable of parasitizing human brains and replacing their hosts.
Marshal, has your brain also been replaced by one of these bugs? Why else would you consider handing over two million of our fellow humans to the Arachnids?!"
Parasites that infect human brains?!
Johnson and the Campbell officials were visibly shocked once again, clearly unprepared for the revelation that the Arachnids possessed such creatures.
Even Rico, Dizzy, and Ace were confused, silently questioning:
When did we learn about brain-parasite bugs?
Though perplexed by this "new information," they didn't interject or question it further.
"You!!!"
Dean was livid, his face red with rage as he pointed at Leon, his words caught in his throat.
"Marshal Dean!" Leon gave him no chance to respond, cutting him off without hesitation:
"Whether you're still human or already a bug, we will not abandon Campbell! As the ancient Chinese proverb goes, 'If our paths diverge, we cannot work together.'"
Having finished, Leon turned to Johnson and spoke firmly:
"Governor Holhold, rest assured. The remnants of the expedition fleet swear to defend humanity and Campbell at all costs.
At the same time, we will request reinforcements from the Human Empire. Together, we will repel the Arachnid threat and ensure the safety of all two million citizens."
The atmosphere in the conference room remained heavy and complex, with everyone silently watching the intense confrontation unfold.
Dean's expression grew darker.
The aging Space Marshal, despite his poor decision-making record, had anticipated the possibility that Leon might reject his orders before initiating the video call.
Leon's bold move to "overthrow" Colonel Honard Thompson had already demonstrated his ambition and pragmatism.
However, Dean had not expected Leon to be so resolute, even going so far as to question his humanity and accuse him of being under the Arachnids' influence.
In Dean's view, Federation orders were absolute. Leon's defiance was a direct challenge to his authority.
Could Leon be an Imperial spy?
Had he infiltrated the Federation fleet solely to seize power at this moment?
This suspicion took root in Dean's mind, further fueling his anger.
However, Governor Johnson's eyes gleamed with a trace of satisfaction.
As a seasoned colonial governor who had tangled with the Federation bureaucracy countless times, Johnson immediately recognized the implications of Leon's stance.
The phrase "request reinforcements from the Human Empire," combined with Leon's mutiny and refusal to follow the Federation's orders, left Johnson certain that Leon might indeed be a hidden operative.
Unlike Rico, Ace, and Dizzy, who lacked political experience and were immersed in the situation, Johnson viewed Leon's actions through a broader lens.
For Rico and the others, Leon's reasoning was perfectly logical.
Having fought alongside the Empire's clone troopers, they saw no issue in seeking their help. To them, the survival of their fellow humans took precedence over political maneuvering.
They cared little for political games—they only wanted to kill more bugs.
Meanwhile, the Campbell officials debated internally whether to entrust their fate to the Federation or to take matters into their own hands.
Choosing self-reliance would mean breaking ties with the Federation.
But with the Arachnid fleet already at their doorstep, the Federation's retaliation seemed like a distant threat.
In just a moment, the Campbell leadership exchanged glances, silently reaching a consensus.
Governor Johnson stood, looking directly at Dean with unwavering determination, and said:
"Marshal Dean, you've heard Major Kennedy. Campbell will provide the supplies and resources they need, so this discussion ends here."
"You ungrateful—!"
Dean, unable to contain himself, prepared to deliver a harsh retort.
Unfortunately for him, the secretary cut the video feed before he could finish.
The conference room fell silent, save for the faint hum of machinery.
The display screen transitioned from Dean's furious face to a detailed view of the approaching Arachnid fleet.
Johnson turned to Leon and said:
"Major Kennedy, we'll rely on your command and tactical expertise to help Campbell weather this storm.
If Campbell survives this wave, we will provide any additional supplies you need free of charge. As for financial compensation, we—"
"Let's focus on surviving the first wave of bugs," Leon interrupted, raising a hand to dismiss Johnson's concerns.
He knew the immediate priority was ensuring everyone's safety
. Everything else could wait until after the battle.
Leon then turned to Dizzy and issued decisive orders:
"Flores, notify the fleet immediately. Use open channels to send a request for aid to the Human Empire at New Hope.
Instruct the fleet to ascend to 2,000 kilometers above the surface and coordinate with Campbell's orbital defenses to engage the Arachnid fleet.
Once they've completed three volleys from their main and secondary batteries, as well as missile salvos, they are to retreat to low-altitude positions above the capital city to provide fire support for our mobile infantry."
"Yes, Sergeant—err, Major!"
Dizzy quickly corrected herself, realizing her mistake, then stood and left the conference room in haste.
Leon sighed inwardly.
Though he appeared composed, the weight of his responsibilities bore heavily on him.
As an intelligence operative, he was unprepared to command a force of tens of thousands. Yet, due to the arrangements of the Intelligence Division—or more accurately, his "nemesis" of a superior, Ada Wong—he now found himself leading an entire fleet.
Leon had no formal military background, let alone experience commanding large-scale operations.
He also had to unite his forces, maintain morale, and figure out how to manage limited resources and supplies.
Even though he suspected the Intelligence Division had orchestrated the Arachnid attack on Campbell, every order he gave now carried the weight of thousands of lives.
For now, his focus was on survival. But once this mission was over and the "14th" universe of Starship Troopers was unified under Imperial control, Leon swore he would take a well-deserved break.
Even if his superiors demanded his return, he planned to contact the Emperor directly, explaining his mental exhaustion and requesting someone else to take over his duties.
Others might see this as irresponsible, but Leon had experienced far too many interrupted vacations. His request would be entirely reasonable.
Hearing Leon's orders, the police chief of Campbell's capital city voiced his concerns:
"Retreating back into the atmosphere? Wouldn't that mean giving up orbital control entirely? Wouldn't we be vulnerable to plasma bugs attacking us at will?"
"With the forces we have, taking on the main Arachnid fleet would be suicidal," Leon explained patiently.
"Instead of watching our ships be destroyed in orbit and losing all control, it's better to preserve our strength and focus on ground combat.
If the Human Empire provides reinforcements, their fleet alone can sweep away the current threat with ease."
Leon then turned to Maggie, Rico, and Ace, issuing further instructions:
"Implement the emergency plan I prepared earlier. Distribute all mobile infantry across key locations in the capital and construct defensive fortifications.
Use our remaining armored units as stationary artillery and machine gun emplacements to bolster our defenses."
"Yes, Major!"
Maggie and the others moved swiftly to carry out Leon's orders, leaving the conference room just as promptly as Dizzy had.
Finally, Leon addressed the remaining Campbell officials, turning to Governor Johnson:
"Governor Holhold, please have Campbell's militias, mercenaries, and all available police requisition every vessel they can. Begin evacuating residents and colonists from outlying areas to the capital city as quickly as possible."
Johnson nodded firmly and turned to the officials around him, shouting:
"You've all heard Major Kennedy! Move now! Whether Campbell survives this or not depends entirely on us!!"
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