President Elias Carrick sat at his desk in the heart of the UOP Command Center, the glowing map of the battlefield hovering in front of him. His fingers lightly traced the holographic lines, which represented the movements of forces—UOP on one side, CMC on the other. The conflict had escalated to unprecedented levels, and the pressure on Carrick had never been greater.
The cost of the operation that was being discussed was staggering. Trillions of credits would be needed to fund it. The UOP had already mobilized most of its resources, and they were stretching their supply lines thinner every day. The war was threatening to tear apart not only the Union of People's military capabilities but also the very fabric of its political and economic stability. The stakes had never been so high.
Carrick rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that had been building for hours. He had been awake for nearly thirty-six hours, analyzing data, meeting with advisors, and issuing orders. His mind was clouded with decisions that would affect millions, maybe billions, of lives. He felt the weight of his position pressing down on him more than ever before.
"Mr. President," a voice broke through his reverie. It was General Sophia Armitage, his chief military advisor. She entered his office, her posture rigid and professional, though her eyes betrayed the same exhaustion he felt.
"We've received the final projections from the strategists," she said, walking over to the desk. "The operation to retake the CMC stronghold is going to cost us at least thirty trillion credits in resources, and we'll need every ship in our fleet to be involved."
Carrick leaned back in his chair, staring at the holographic map in front of him. The prospect of committing so many resources to a single operation was daunting, but the alternative was unthinkable. If the CMC gained control of the sector, it would give them a significant strategic advantage, and the Union of People would be on the defensive for years to come.
"What's the current state of our fleet?" Carrick asked, his voice tight with anxiety.
"The fleet is stretched thin, Mr. President," General Armitage responded. "We've been pushing our ships and personnel to the limit. Our most experienced commanders are in place, but we've lost too many valuable assets in recent battles. The supply lines are becoming a choke point, and the morale of our forces is… fragile."
Carrick exhaled slowly, running a hand through his graying hair. It felt like every decision he made was a double-edged sword. If they failed this mission, they risked losing everything. If they succeeded, they would still be left with the crippling debt of war.
"Have we reached out to the other factions? Any chance of reinforcements?" Carrick asked, his voice strained.
Armitage shook her head. "The UHU has refused to send additional forces. They're too focused on their internal politics. And the CMC… well, they're not likely to take a breather, not with their momentum."
Carrick looked down at the map again, the stars twinkling as if mocking him. His hands clenched into fists, his frustration mounting.
"Do we have any hope of success?" he asked quietly, as though searching for reassurance he wasn't sure he would find.
Armitage paused before answering, as though weighing her words carefully. "It's possible, sir. But it will come at a steep price. We will need every asset we have, and we'll need to rely on the success of pilots like Dominic and others. The pressure will be on them to turn the tide."
Carrick stood abruptly, moving toward the large viewport in his office. The view of the stars outside should have been peaceful, but instead, it felt like a vast, empty void. The war had consumed everything, and he was being dragged along in its wake.
"Send word to Dominic," Carrick said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Tell him to give it everything he has. We don't have the luxury of failure anymore."
Armitage nodded, but she hesitated. "And… the other plan, sir? The one with the planetary cannon?"
Carrick's face darkened. The plan to use the UOP's planetary space cannon was a last resort. It had been under development for years, and it was now ready to be used, but the ethical implications were staggering. It could decimate entire CMC fleets, but it would also bring immeasurable collateral damage.
"We'll have it on standby," Carrick said, his voice cold. "But that is a weapon we must reserve for the most dire of circumstances."
As General Armitage left the room to relay Carrick's orders, the President of the Union of People stood at the window, staring out into the darkness of space. His hands were clenched in fists, his thoughts racing.
He had spent years building up the UOP's power, fighting for unity and a future for the people of the Union. But now, it felt as though all of that was slipping away, one battle at a time. There were no easy answers, no guarantees. The weight of his decisions—of the lives at stake—pressed on him like a collapsing star.
Carrick knew what had to be done. The UOP's survival depended on it. But the cost—oh, the cost—would be a burden he would carry for the rest of his life.
As he watched the stars blink in the distance, he finally spoke, his voice low and resolute.
"Prepare for the operation. No matter the cost."