Michael's plan was simple.
Play dumb.
His expression remained one of pure fury, but beneath that carefully maintained façade, his thoughts raced with frightening speed.
There was a possibility the old man was lying. There was also a possibility he was telling the truth. Michael couldn't afford to assume either.
The Federation.
Their relationship could hardly be called friendly.
At best, they were reluctant allies. A fragile understanding held together by mutual interests and, more importantly, by the existence of Aunt Mia and Lily.
Because of them, Michael had never truly considered tearing his relationship with the Federation apart. One reason was that he genuinely didn't want to make such a giant an enemy.
Also, the Federation had protected Aurora for generations. Even General Caelum, despite kidnapping him once, had never actually tried to harm him and had even saved his life.
Putting everything else aside, they deserved at least a measure of respect.
