Darkstone Code-Chapter 898 - 896: Change of Attitude

The "hold on a moment" from a Senator and a Representative does have some differences.

In the Senator’s desperate gaze, the elevator doors that were already closing slowly reopened. Representative Landon, smiling, asked, "Are you coming down too?"

The Senator breathed a sigh of relief, "No, you left something in my office."

This was clearly a polite excuse, and everyone in the elevator knew what he meant, but it was useful because it skillfully avoided any potential awkwardness.

Representative Landon felt a bit strange but stepped out of the elevator, "Really, it seems I left in a hurry. Thank you for letting me know."

If he went out of his way to tell you, why not bring the item directly? Clearly, there were things to discuss in the office alone.

Representative Landon stepped out of the elevator, learning at Congress one essential lesson: "the more friends, the better."

He wouldn’t be upset because the Senator had previously rejected him and told him to "get lost" - getting angry about such things was meaningless.

If a politician gets angry for every little thing, they will spend their whole lives in rage.

Either criticized by colleagues as useless, accused of being ’dogs’ by the public, or disgraced by the media’s exposure — where’s the time for happiness?

One must learn to enjoy, to understand tolerance and forgiveness.

Thus, the two returned to the Senator’s office, where the Senator, this time, invited Representative Landon to sit in the chair symbolizing equality...

It’s still a bit lacking because a desk representing the owner’s status stood between them; it would have been better if they sat on the sofa.

Facing each other for over ten seconds, neither spoke, and the Senator had to break the silence.

"Just now..."

He paused with a smile as if nothing had happened. For ordinary people, this might be more awkward, but they are politicians.

Shamelessness is the foundation of being a politician, and this bit of awkwardness seemed non-existent to them.

Representative Landon quickly followed up, "What happened just now?"

"No, nothing. Let’s talk about that budget."

The Senator played with a pen worth over a thousand dollars on the desk, spinning it in his hand, "After you left, I reviewed the budget again. Despite some issues, I think they aren’t insurmountable."

"My job is to identify problems and solve them!"

Representative Landon wasn’t sure what had caused the Senator to change his stance so quickly, but he cooperated as much as he could, "If there are any issues, I can explain them to you."

The Senator shrugged and casually set the pen back on the table, "I think perhaps we should sit down with Mr. Lynch and talk?"

"I mean, he certainly can solve some more specialized issues, no offense, especially as this involves cutting-edge technological fields."

Representative Landon suddenly realized that his influence was too minor, so much that the Senator wasn’t even willing to reach an agreement through him with Lynch but must negotiate with Lynch directly.

This was normal; he was merely a lucky Representative. A prestigious politician had once jokingly said in a private setting that if he wanted, he could send a dog to the House of Representatives.

It’s a joke, but it indicates the House of Representatives’ status in federal politics.

Not as high as above, not even as low as below.

Councilors and State Legislators might seem to have less power than Members of Parliament, but these people hold substantial real power.

They deal directly with the city’s residents, or rather, the forces they connect with are the voters’ power!

Before, Landon had dealt with many city legislators in Sabin City. These individuals were supported either by major corporate stakeholders from certain districts or residents from Lower City.

Dealing with them, being tough was fine, but too tough could easily trigger protests and demonstrations.

On the other hand, in the House of Representatives, Representatives were completely disconnected from the masses, suspended in mid-air.

They couldn’t reach the sky, as that was Senators’ territory.

Couldn’t touch the ground either, as there was no room left there, so the Representatives’ position was awkward.

However, this also motivated the Representatives to climb upward.

By cooperating with their party, working well, and following the party committee’s direction and leadership, they might have a chance to rise.

Representative Landon still had hope; he was relatively young. As long as he continued to follow Lynch and had Lynch’s support, he might indeed have a chance to enter the Senate.

He clearly understood his position and role, not feeling the least bit offended by this situation.

"Of course, but Mr. Lynch is currently not in Bupen, so it might take some time before you can meet."

The Senator listened with some hesitation, a bit later?

Lateness might not demonstrate his value?

This was not what he wanted!

What he wanted was to give him hope when Lynch thought there was none, to demonstrate his own influence and value.

Senator Landon didn’t know what had caused the change of heart for the Senate gentleman, but he knew that the initiative had shifted hands.

They are all Federation politicians, and their strategies are neither stronger nor weaker; they are merely a matter of status and differences.

With his hands resting on the armrest, he watched the Senator slowly, maintaining a reserved smile.

After a while, the Senator said, "Do you have a way to get in touch with Mr. Lynch?"

Senator Landon hesitated, then smiled and said, "Of course..."

After agreeing on playing golf together next time, the Senator ushered Senator Landon out and returned to his office just as his friend at the Ministry of Defense delivered the video.

This action was lawful, roughly equivalent to submitting documents to suggest whether to approve additional Ministry of Defense budgets as a reference condition; no one could claim it was illegal.

See, Federation politicians always have these things so clear; they never make mistakes.

Back in the lounge, he shut the door and inserted the tape into the player. Despite the monotonous colors and rough texture, it didn’t inhibit him from recognizing the facts delivered by these images.

The method of warfare is to change.

Every time a plane dove down, upon nearing the ground and pulling up, the forest would erupt with violent explosions, large canopies would sway, and some would slowly fall.

That was the effect of the explosion; the Senator didn’t know how they achieved it, but he knew what it meant.

If that forest were a ship... say Gafura’s battleship, which lacked the ability to fend off aerial enemies, a group of planes initiated a dive against it...

"Shells have eyes!"

He uttered this phrase to himself in a tone of shock; shells with eyes, that was the most terrifying.

He also understood why the military and the Ministry of Defense were in such haste about the matter; even a half-outsider like him knew there would absolutely be no "accidents."

Whomever causes an "accident" will experience an "accident"!

At ten thirty, he sat by the phone, listening to the busy signal in the receiver. After waiting for more than ten seconds, he did not feel any impatience or weariness; instead, he took it very seriously.

"It’s me..."

Lynch’s voice was highly recognizable; sitting behind the desk, the senator’s expression came alive in that instant, his face beaming with a sincere smile, "Mr. Lynch, I apologize for disturbing your rest. I am a Congress Senator..., currently serving as a member of the Federation Military Appropriation Committee."

He paused slightly to give Lynch time to understand his title, then continued, "Previously, the Ministry of Defense submitted an additional budget, and now it’s in the final review phase. There aren’t any major issues, but some parts I don’t quite understand; when would be a good time for us to sit down and discuss this?"

He diplomatically implied that this budget would pass, but it would be ideal for both sides to meet.

Lynch, on the other end of the line, instantly knew what this guy wanted to do. He was trying to consolidate his favor and sell himself.

Federation politicians all follow this pattern; if they help you and succeed, they can’t wait to use a loudspeaker by your side every day to remind you loudly of the favor.

If they owe you a favor, they try to downplay the relationship unless there’s no other choice but to compromise.

This also made Lynch aware that the budget was going through; the committee couldn’t hold it off, starting to actively offer favors, whether he took them or not, it had to pass.

But he had no need to make the other party lose face; after all, he was a Senator, somewhat useful.

"Of course, sir. I’ll probably return to Bupen the day after tomorrow; we can talk in detail then." Lynch replied with suitable friendliness and enthusiasm in his voice.

The Senator breathed a sigh of relief; he felt Lynch did not think he was the one holding up the process because he delayed for so long; this was good news.

Describing his feeling towards Lynch as mature couldn’t be more apt.

"Alright, I’ll book a restaurant..."

"No problem, see you then."

"Well then, I’ll leave you be, Mr. Lynch. Goodbye."

"Goodbye!"

...

Lynch was somewhat surprised after hanging up the phone. He then called Mr. Truman to briefly describe the matter.

Senator voluntary concession is not common; as everyone knows, Senators and Governors dare to oppose the President; unless there is a force making them sense danger, they won’t willingly compromise.

Soon Lynch got the answer from Mr. Truman; the Ministry of Defense had ordered an additional four hundred planes, along with extra research orders.

They saw the future in the video and were keen to grasp the future in their hands!