Chapter 229 – Putting on a Show
The so-called inquiry meeting was something Eli barely paid attention to.
The reports from those officials were nothing more than words going in one ear and out the other.
It wasn't until the man seated at the highest position finally looked his way that Eli truly focused.
"Colonel Eli Lee, do you have anything to say about the unauthorized garrison treaties you signed with various Sides, which have led to a surge in anti-Federation sentiment?"
General Green Wyatt, seated where General Revil should have been, addressed Eli with this question.
This was a formal conference room. Eli wasn't treated like a criminal; instead, he sat properly in full military uniform.
He lifted his head and looked around the meeting room.
Everyone present belonged to the faction General Green Wyatt had inherited from General Ginias.
But Eli didn't see Bask anywhere.
"I'm sorry. Regarding the specifics, I only report to General Revil and General Jamitov. I have no obligation to report to anyone else."
Eli replied with calm, unyielding composure.
"General Revil is on medical leave and, before his departure, entrusted me with all affairs concerning Jaburo. Even so, is that still not acceptable?"
General Wyatt sat at the head of the table, hands clasped, much of his face hidden in shadow as he posed the question.
In front of him was a cup of freshly steeped black tea.
The overhead light behind him illuminated the gentle steam rising from the cup.
This was clearly a violation of military meeting protocol.
But there were no cameras recording the session, no clerks taking notes. It was obvious to everyone what kind of "meeting" this really was.
"This is a fine tea. Seems it's a special strain cultivated in one of the colony satellites. A gift from General Jamitov."
Noticing Eli's gaze fixed on the teacup, Green gently lifted it by the handle with a gloved hand, blew lightly on the surface, and took a sip.
"The flavor is quite good—high quality, even. But it still doesn't compare to tea produced on Earth. Jamitov seems to think so too."
Bringing up such a matter at this moment was clearly not to spark a discussion on tea appreciation.
It was a veiled message: Even your superior Jamitov is trying to curry favor with me—why are you still resisting?
So this was all just a performance, and he was the prop meant to discredit General Revil.
A flicker of realization appeared in Eli's eyes.
Among these generals, he, a mere colonel, was hardly worth mention.
The charge being pinned on him—signing unauthorized garrison treaties and inciting anti-Federation sentiment—was likely just a pretext linked to Revil's orders.
That fleeting realization didn't go unnoticed by the political veterans in the room.
To them, it signaled that Eli was starting to crack.
"Of course, I understand that as a front-line soldier, you couldn't possibly defy an order from above. After all, obedience is a soldier's duty."
Green Wyatt exchanged a glance with the surrounding generals before speaking again.
"Undertaker has always been known for strict military discipline. I believe Colonel Eli, as a leader on the front lines, simply followed orders without questioning them."
With that, General Wyatt leaned back slightly in his chair, adopting a more relaxed posture.
"There's no need for you to worry, Colonel. Just tell us what you know. We'll ensure the proper individuals are held accountable."
That was the guarantee and promise General Wyatt offered.
If Eli was willing to reveal the details of his interactions with General Revil, Wyatt would ensure he escaped this purge unscathed.
Yes, Eli could sense it clearly—the people in front of him believed they had already won.
To them, using him as a scapegoat was just part of a larger cleanup effort. Eli couldn't think of a more fitting term.
But what about General Tiam stationed at Lunar Base Two?
Would the Council really allow General Green Wyatt to carry out such actions while General Revil still held influence and Tiam remained young and active?
In Eli's understanding, Wyatt had always been closely aligned with the Council—practically their executor within the military.
Clearly, something had changed that he wasn't yet aware of.
"Staying silent won't help."
The clinking of porcelain pulled Eli back from his thoughts.
"…Apologies. I'm only obligated to report to General Revil."
"I see. Understood. Then let's hear testimony from another special operations force—Titans."
Someone pushed open the door to the meeting room.
It still wasn't Bask—it was Jamaica.
Wearing a black Titans uniform, Jamaica saluted General Wyatt at the head of the room, then opened his folder and began to report.
His report essentially linked Undertaker's recent activities to the rising anti-Federation sentiment across space.
Of course, he made no mention whatsoever of what the Titans had been doing.
"We even found evidence of Zeon remnants active during Undertaker's earliest agreements with Side 3."
"Colonel Eli, is that true?"
After listening to Jamaica's report, Green Wyatt nodded solemnly, then turned and questioned Eli with a serious expression.
"Of course not."
Eli met General Wyatt's gaze head-on, showing no fear.
"I see. I'll be sure to investigate thoroughly. For now, please step out."
With a wave of his hand, Green Wyatt signaled the military police standing beside Eli to escort him out.
"General!"
Just as the two MPs touched him, Eli shouted.
He shook off their relatively gentle grip and stood up straight.
"What's your view on the Federation government, General?"
Wyatt and the other generals seated around the long table—each with varying physiques—looked at one another, puzzled by Eli's sudden question.
Still, thinking that answering might persuade Eli to cooperate, Wyatt responded.
"There's no doubt the Federation government is the greatest in human history. No matter what, it's our duty to preserve it."
Wyatt chose the safest possible response.
But Eli wasn't fooled. He could see right through Wyatt's thoughts.
Just another man using the Federation's system for personal gain—more politician than soldier.