The text appeared in a 'Roboto' font:
"The very fact that we are here proves your failure. The balance of power is already ours. Our demands are as follows:
Withdraw all military forces from all front lines.
A global press conference will be held here shortly.
If these terms are rejected, the cathedral in this plaza will be destroyed immediately."
The words floating in the plaza were broadcast in real-time to people across the globe. The sight of the black soldiers lined up, the Asian woman who appeared almost god-like, and the military commander stirred intense curiosity worldwide—especially the woman’s bizarre behavior of reading a book. When the cameras that had swarmed the scene zoomed in on the woman sitting quietly like the eye of a storm, the title of the book was revealed: 'Crime and Punishment.' A flood of speculation and philosophical debate erupted across the internet. Questions grew as to whether this was a message being thrown at humanity by extraterrestrials in this surreal situation.
The woman closed her book and stood up quietly. She spoke toward the soldiers, the tourists, and everyone in the plaza. Her voice resonated through the square, amplified as if she were speaking into a microphone.
"The press conference will begin in one hour. Members of the press, please enter the plaza. Our soldiers will guide you."
She spoke clearly in human language, with precise grammar and pronunciation. Then, she sat back down and resumed reading her book.
Nearby in a government building, a meeting began between President R and his senior advisors. The issue was how to respond realistically. They discussed the current situation calmly. Since the Asian woman, who appeared to be an extraterrestrial, had officially stated her position, they had to respond somehow.
The conclusion was not difficult to reach. A consensus formed that they must first explain the situation to the public. Since this entity had claimed to be a mercenary for Country U, deployed hundreds of craft to the front lines, and brought a massive mothership to the plaza, Country R had to offer some form of conciliatory gesture toward Country U.
Thus, a briefing by the government spokesperson was quickly arranged. Reporters listened intently to what the spokesperson would say.
"The President has just spoken with the President of Country U regarding the gravity of the current situation. We have agreed that a prolonged state of war is not beneficial to anyone and that both sides are suffering. Both leaders have reached an agreement on the following schedule: We will strive to ensure that the victims of war are the citizens of each country and to prevent further unfortunate outcomes. Accordingly, a prisoner exchange will be carried out shortly. This exchange will provide an opportunity for both nations to reach an agreement, and we will soon discuss the termination of the war. Furthermore, we inform you that there are currently no further offensive actions by soldiers deployed on the front lines. That is all."
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Reporters raised their hands and shouted questions, asking how the government intended to handle the spacecraft in the plaza. However, the spokesperson left without answering, stating only that further announcements would be made later and there was nothing more to release at this time.
While Country R did not know the full extent of the craft's capabilities or the exact intentions of the woman, one thing was certain: she was on Country U’s side. Still, they could not accept 100% of the demands displayed in the air. Specifically, withdrawing troops from the battlefield was unacceptable. However, having offered a peaceful gesture toward Country U, they decided to wait and watch the woman’s next move.
The Defense Minister of Country R stood at the back of the press room. Following the brief announcement, he walked silently down the hallway toward the President’s office. His mind was a whirlwind.
Yes, he thought. Until now, our military actions were based on 'absolute power.' We are a superpower. We have mighty military resources, vast land, and immense natural wealth. Our manpower is world-class. All of this served as an abstract and physical threat to the world. Historically, whenever it suited our ideology and interests, we sent our armies. And we always won. Even World War II was our victory.
When nations that received our energy supplies disagreed with our policies, we threatened them using energy as a weapon. If they defied our national interests, we sent fighter jets for a show of force. There was always a justification, and it was always for the benefit and greatness of Country R.
We relied on 'absolute power.' But are we the only ones? What about other powerful nations? They control others subtly with elegant justifications. If an ally disagrees, they pressure them with tariffs or immigration policies, claiming it harms their national interest. They bomb with military force, and even if it defies common sense, if they need territory, they demand it.
It is all because of absolute power. Because they have nuclear weapons, the latest jets, the power to control the world’s stock markets... they possess every kind of power. In other words, absolute power monopolizes capital and technology, and weak nations are absorbed into the large droplets like small bubbles. Isn't this the truth? We were simply struggling not to be subordinated to an even greater power.
But now, a truly absolute power has appeared. Because of a single, insignificant spacecraft, the mighty power we held has become fragile. A force has emerged that is impossible to resist. They hacked every digital device connected to the internet. They neutralized our antennas. They turned our eyes and ears back to the conditions of World War II.
To fight them without a plan here would be foolish. we must find their weakness.
He reached the President's office at the end of the hall, sighed, and opened the door. The military officers gathered inside were feeling a sense of dread. There was a consensus that if the leadership decided to keep fighting the craft, the losses on their side would be catastrophic. Their intention was to buy time. When fear and anxiety arise in a soldier's heart simultaneously, the battle is lost before it even begins.
Breaking news about the prisoner exchange between R and U spread via TV, YouTube, and social media, with reports suggesting that an end to the war might be imminent.
17:00
The black soldiers in the plaza opened a path for the reporters waiting outside.
As a reporter, Natasha felt a surge of anger deep in her heart. Principally, she opposed this war. She didn't 100% agree with the justifications Country R used to start it, but there were historical reasons. There was a cause. And she felt that the killing of people was an unavoidable consequence of war. Part of her felt that way. She already believed the war should end and opposed the government’s will to continue fighting.
However, she could not tolerate the Asian woman in the plaza threatening to destroy the cathedral—their heritage. Natasha was a citizen of Country R. She felt the spacecraft in the plaza was acting like a god. The threat to blow up a cathedral that held their historical identity made Natasha furious. She didn't know where the courage came from, but she wanted to demand answers.
The time for the promised press conference approached. Natasha entered the plaza in her capacity as a journalist.