Page 111 - SurprisingTruthFinal

Nicholas Boothman
“Commonwealth of Sol,” Kael’s voice echoed, cold
and clear. “Under the Global Mandate, we require a
verifiable report on your defensive capabilities.
Specifically, the percentage probability that your
current conventional forces can repel a sustained, full-
scale ground invasion by the Iron Union.”
The representative for the Commonwealth, a frantic,
pale woman named Dr. Chen, swallowed hard. She
looked into the camera and accessed the state’s defence
matrix, which was linked directly to the UN channel.
“Commonwealth forces,” Dr. Chen began, “have a
6% probability of repelling a sustained ground
invasion from the Iron Union, based on current known
materiel and manpower disparities. Our military has
been gutted by decades of truthfully reported
corruption and systemic incompetence, leaving us
functionally undefended.”
A hush fell over the channel. The 6% truth hung in
the air, exposed and irrefutable. In the old world, Sol
would have claimed 90% capability, built on rhetoric
and propaganda. The lie was the deterrent. The truth
was an invitation to slaughter.
General Kael nodded. “Thank you for your honesty.
The Gaze verifies this statement as 99.8% factual. Now,
Commonwealth, under the Mandate, you must
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