"This way, Mr. President."
Professor Yamamari was touring me around the renovated government site in the underground city. All councils' insignias were removed from the tunnel walls, and were replaced by New Republic emblems; and the inner design of the structures were looking less authoritarian overall, with minimalist and brighter rooms.
"I like the change." I said. "It makes people actually feel welcome here."
"They said that they were going to put plants around as well, but then decided against it because the tunnels were narrow enough already." said the professor, and sighed. "One reason the Core Council managed well until their fall is that the sub-councils knew how to do their jobs. This is another fine job by them."
"Oh, I was actually wondering how I could talk about that issue..." I said. "The Core Council might have fallen as a government, but the sub-councils' recovered records indicate that they've been working very well. I'm planning to form the ministries using the experienced staff who worked in the sub-councils."
The professor looked down thoughtfully.
"I can understand your motives, but... What if there are secret old council loyalists among them?" he asked. "Have you ever thought about that?"
"In fact, I did." I said. "Even if that was the case, I don't think that it could cause any trouble we can't handle; especially now since they saw us bringing down the Core Council."
"On the opposite, this might fuel the fire." said the professor. "Why don't we choose new people from the public? I'm sure there are still experienced people out there with the related professions."
"I don't need people to just be good at their jobs." I said. "The sub-councils have experience as being a part of the ruling party. And besides, the Core Council might've been a theocratic oligarchy of some sort, but the sub-councils were nothing but ordinary fellows."
My discussion with the professor was interrupted by an announcement.
"WARNING! HOSTILE PROBE APPROACHING. AUTO-SHUTDOWN COMMENCING IN 10 MINUTES. ALL CITIZENS, PLEASE SAVE YOUR WORK, STOP ALL MACHINERY AND SHUTDOWN ALL DEVICES. FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STAY DURING THE BLACKOUT. OBEY OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY PROCEDURES AND THE LAW AT ALL TIMES. EMERGENCY SERVICES WILL BE ON PATROL FOR THE DURATION OF THE BLACKOUT. EXPECTED BLACKOUT DURATION: 7 DAYS. REPEATING... WARNING! HOSTILE PROBE APPROACHING. AUTO-SHUTDOWN..."
"And here I was wondering..." I said. "After the failed surprise assault, the AI was yet to make a return to this region of space to look for humans. I need some situation report."
"Yes, sir; which brings me to the end of our tour. This way, is the president's office."
I entered the president's office with the professor. It was only as big as a regular one-person office you could find in a business tower, but had all the utilities my old office on Mars had.
I sat on the president's seat to actually feel like the president. Spending years in warship quarters had turned me into a space sailor again.
"Liked the seat?"
"I've seen better." I said. "But let's not get defeated by bad ego, we are the servants of people. Let's get back to work. Now, I need the- AUGH!"
"Careful with your shoulder, you are not healed yet!" said the professor.
"Yeah, I forgot." I said. "Mmnnnhh! It hurts..."
"No sudden moves again." said the professor. "Now, what did you need?"
"The communications system." I said. "The office on Mars used to have a computer embedded to the desk itself."
"Here."
"Thank you." I said. "Now... there we go. Is this the admiral?"
"Admiral Mei of the Republic Navy. How may I help you, Mr. President?"
"It is said that we have an enemy probe approaching. What is our status?"
"Everything is under repair." she said. "That's pretty much all I can say. The station is under repair, and all of our three ships near Makemake are damaged. Maybe the other two can, but Lodos definitely can't fly combat. If we are detected, we won't stand a chance against any possible attack."
"Any suggestions?" I asked. "And... are there any ships we can call back from the tonnage war to help defend Makemake?"
"We have no contact with any of our ships engaged in the tonnage war, since their missions are based on ambushes." Mei said. "We wouldn't even know if they were destroyed already. My suggestion is to shutdown everything and pray a lot."
"That's something we can agree on." I said. "But what if it doesn't work? What is the plan B, admiral?"
"It is the same as before." she said. "Plan B; you hide underground and we try to lure the enemy away. But we also have a plan C; we hold off the enemy while you board your ships in a hurry and run away."
"There is no way we are leaving Makemake after this point." I said. "If we leave Makemake now, we will have to start over as a civilization."
"Oh, and there is the plan D." said Mei. "We run away with our damaged ships in an attempt to save them, and you take care care of yourselves underground."
"Which plan do you think is the best?" I asked.
"I'd say plan B." said Mei. "But as the commander-in-chief, I think it should be your call."
"If hostile ships emerge, I will decide between plan B and D by looking at the enemy fleet's strength." I said. "Wait for my orders."
"Yes, sir." Mei said before closing the channel.
"Too much for forming the government." said the professor. "We will have to wait for the blackout to end."
"The probe must either be too close or too slow." I said. "A seven day blackout is ridiculous."
"Orbital calculations are not my expertise, so I wouldn't know." said the professor.
"Anyway, I will be giving the orders to move everything underground. We should have nothing on the surface of Makemake when that probe makes a close pass."
"What about the orbital station?" asked the professor. "It's a giant sign that reads 'We are here!'".
"The station command must alter their trajectory to hide behind the dwarf planet and stay out of the probe's sight. We can watch the probe using passive sensors while they are hiding."
"Makes sense." said the professor. "Well then, let's get to work!"