Yang Ming pondered for half a minute:

"We can't be scared of Saka Star; if necessary, we can relocate the locals and have them received in Revelle's territory.

"Get in touch with Atro and see if he's interested in making a big move, so he can claim a chief merit in front of the Emperor.

"We need the help of the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"You mean?"

"Use a borrowed knife to kill, let the Empire's Military Intelligence Bureau deal with the New Federation CIA," Yang Ming said, "Just tell Atro, he doesn't need to do anything himself, just announce that this is their Military Intelligence Bureau's reciprocal retaliation. The New Federation kills civilians, we kill spies."

"Yes, boss... there's one more thing."

"What?"

"The carriers of these gas bombs are likely from refugee groups whose families were destroyed by the Empire's external wars," Lyu pursed his lips slightly, "I analyzed their brainwaves, and when they detonated themselves, their resolve was extremely firm."

Yang Ming said, "No matter how firm their resolve or justified their cause, such terrorist attacks are acts against humanity. Since they've chosen to become demons, they deserve no sympathy."

"The reasons for human slaughter always leave me feeling the absurdity of the objective physical world."

"Lyu, remember that the root of this hatred lies ultimately in the ambitions of the Sherman Empire's leaders, and the endlessly expanding desires of the noble class," Yang Ming said, "Do not be affected by these matters; we only need to do one thing now, which is to make the CIA know that their actions, crossing the line, will surely have consequences."

Lyu nodded and said, "Directly attacking the CIA offices within New Federation territories is also a great option for escalating tensions between the two countries."

"They've already declared war."

Yang Ming exhaled slowly:

"Provide more subsidies to the families of those victims; the people caught in this war are the most innocent.

"Thanks to your effective handling, otherwise the casualties would have been severe today.

"Send a message to Admiral Thomas at the Military Department, saying I am extremely angered by the issues with low-level officers in the Imperial Military, and if they can't handle it, I'll take care of it my own way, without causing them any trouble!"

"Yes!"

Lyu's projection disappeared.

Yang Ming leaned back in his chair and slowly closed his eyes.

There was one detail he actually didn't tell anyone, not even Lyu.

When the toxic fog broke out, he heard the anguished cries of the victims, those screams as if their souls were being devoured by darkness, still echoed in his mind.

Faya people, is this the kind of star civilization you want to see?

...

In a hidden basement in Minter City.

Senator Allison looked at the few senior officials in front of him, with a gloomy expression matching Yang Ming's.

"Was the terror attack your doing, Deputy Director?"

"It seems so," a deputy director from the CIA said softly, "Some of the organizations we control are planning a series of intensive retaliatory actions soon, and we'll claim to be completely unaware externally."

Allison frowned, "Isn't this too reckless?"

"It's an action approved by several key officials," the deputy director explained, "We don't wish to provoke the Empire, undefeated by fleets, but we must reaffirm our leadership position in the democratic camp. The Empire cannot be broken from outside, we must dismantle them from within."

"Dismantling from within means creating terror attacks?" Allison cursed, "This is the stupidest reason I've heard!"

"Stupid?"

An old man nearby chuckled:

"Not necessarily, Allison, you've been scared by the Empire's fleets, we didn't lack the power to fight back then, we only chose to preserve our strength."

Allison shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets, and stayed silent.

That old man said slowly:

"Terror attacks are the most basic part of the entire retaliation plan; those participating in terror attacks were all victims of the Empire's hegemony, seeking revenge against the Empire for their families, people, and beliefs, spreading the evil of the Empire to its people.

"Don't worry, the affluent are abundant with sympathy, and we will guide people to empathize with them with some publicity.

"Next, we will actively cooperate with the Empire in anti-terrorism actions, expose a few of the organizations we cultivated, let the Empire's officials stabilize domestic public opinion, while in reality, we will continue to use the Empire's official reactions to create conflicts, intensifying contradictions already existing between the noble class and civilians.

"Don't worry, this is easily achievable.

"The Empire can't directly send troops against us, they have no evidence at all."

"What about the White Ghost then?"

Allison countered:

"You all considered the Empire's response, but have you considered the White Ghost's reaction?

"He's not a competent politician, but he is an exceptional madman!

"You've done this on his turf, he will definitely not let it go, I know him better than you do! He surely is already plotting his revenge!"

"Yes, Senator Allison, you are correct."

That deputy director frowned at his watch, and raised his head:

"The White Ghost fan site has posted new information... He's marked one of our offices within Empire territory, published a list of CIA agents, and said to eliminate it within five hours."

The dimly lit room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"Have them retreat," Allison said, "Don't bring disaster upon ourselves."

"How did he get our information?"

"The Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau has already intervened, and the Empire's special forces have sealed off that building, acting quickly."

Allison finally felt a sense of relief: "Fortunately, he's merely venting on one office, this should pass by... But, everyone carefully consider, if the White Ghost decides to take us out regardless, who among us will dare say they can sleep peacefully? Or live forever in ships like isolated islands, or bases on uninhabited planets?"

The room fell silent once more.

However, what they didn't know.

The East Wind had already silently jumped near an agricultural star in the New Federation, quietly approaching it.

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