Chapter 510 If I can kill one, I can kill the second!
The security assistant shook his head. "This is an urgent encrypted report sent directly from the frontline to the Interstellar Joint Strategic Command, Mr. Speaker."
Since the former commander-in-chief of the three armed forces "defected", in order to eliminate her deep-rooted influence in the military for many years, the parliament passed a new bill to establish the Interstellar Joint Strategic Command above the military as the highest military decision-making body of the Interstellar Federation.
The core functions of the original military, such as command, personnel appointment and transfer, were transferred to the Joint Strategic Command, and the military only retained administrative functions such as logistics support, public affairs and propaganda.
The Joint Strategic Command does not have a commander-in-chief, and strategic decisions are made by the newly formed Galactic Military Staff Group.
As the chief of staff of the Galactic Military Staff, the Speaker has the final decision-making power over all major military strategies and senior personnel appointments and dismissals of the staff, and in fact holds the military power firmly in his hands.
When the battle situation is urgent, the front-line generals can indeed bypass the marshal and the military headquarters and submit the battle report directly to the joint strategic command. There is no problem with the procedure.
But logically, most people would not choose to do this, unless the war is over and he does not plan to stay in the army anymore.
Speaker Hans keenly realized that there must be some hidden reason behind Major General Karl's actions. In addition, the fact that the rebels were so confident in choosing the Corona Ring as their jump destination gave him a bad feeling.
"Pick up Major General Karl," Speaker Hans ordered.
After a while, a middle-aged man with thick, curly dark brown short hair appeared in front of him through holographic projection.
The guests downstairs were still waiting. Speaker Hans said briefly, "Major General Karl, regarding the movements of the rebels, I need to know why you did not inform Marshal Schnatter or go through the military department, but instead submitted it directly to the Joint Strategic Command. You should understand that no matter what instructions I give, the orders will be passed down to the Marshal."
Karl nodded solemnly: "Yes, Mr. Speaker, I know what I am doing. Please believe me, I have reasons to do this."
Speaker Hans frowned and asked, "What's the reason?"
Carl gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Speaker, the situation is like this. Wagner, the inspector general of the Interstellar Military Inspectorate's Federal Navy Inspectorate Office in the Third Quadrant, suddenly sent me a message and a video yesterday. The message mentioned that he would send me a message every 6 hours. If I don't receive the message on time and can't contact him, I will forward this video to your Excellency the Speaker."
"According to the agreement, the last time he sent me a message was about three hours ago. However, I was busy chasing the rebels and searching for their movements at that time, so I didn't pay attention to it in time."
"After we intercepted the rebels' jump coordinates, my adjutant reminded me that Inspector General Wagner had not sent a message as promised, and we were unable to contact him."
"Although I don't know why Inspector General Wagner made such a request, I have to be loyal to the person who entrusted me with the task. If there is really any important military intelligence, but it is delayed because of my worries about the future, then I will be blamed for my death. But if everything is just a false alarm, then I will certainly explain it to the marshal and try to gain his understanding."
"What video?" Speaker Hans skipped over the part where Karl confessed himself and flattered himself, and more or less guessed the content of the video.
This video must be related to Schnatter, and its severity is enough to affect his position as marshal, so Carl has to cut ties with him in advance to avoid being implicated.
Carl tapped a few times on the terminal, and the holographic projection screen flashed. Wagner's face with pointed features replaced Carl's position and appeared in the study.
"Mr. Speaker," Wagner saluted the camera and spoke quickly but in a low voice. "By the time you see this video, I may have been in danger."
"I will go to the solar system with the Third Quadrant's main fleet to help oversee Earth's joining the Interstellar Federation."
"You should know that the surviving heads of state on Earth intend to establish an Earth Alliance government and elect a head of state to lead the affairs of the alliance."
"It's just that this is an internal matter of the local government and it shouldn't be under my supervision."
"However, the huge temptation of interests is like a beautiful and gorgeous star storm in space, which is enough to destroy the strongest ships of the Federation Navy."
"The Interstellar Federation Eternal Charter, Interstellar Defense Agreement, Federal Security Supremacy Act, and Interstellar Federation Military Discipline Supervision Regulations all clearly stipulate that the federal army shall not interfere in the affairs of local governments, prohibit senior military officials from participating in local political activities, and prohibit senior military officials from using their power to exchange interests with local governments."
"When I discovered that the Federation's powerful ships and guns were corroding, I was deeply shocked."
"Mr. Speaker, I have been working diligently and conscientiously to supervise and review the Federation Navy's implementation of the Joint Strategic Command and your strategic decisions, ensuring that the Federation Navy always serves the interests of the Federation instead of becoming a tool for certain people to gain benefits."
"This matter is of great importance. Even if I may lose my own life, I cannot sit idly by and watch something that is detrimental to the interests of the federation and the people happen."
"For the purity of the federal army, I risked my life to release this video. When I meet you, I will present all the evidence to you."
The video ended, and Karl's face returned to the projection. The study was so quiet that only the slightly rapid breathing of several people could be heard.
Wagner's video was vague and did not name anyone, but everyone present knew what he was talking about.
The most likely reason why Schnatter intended to interfere in the affairs of the Earth Alliance government was that the Earth Alliance government promised him benefits that he could not refuse in exchange for the support of the Federal Navy under his control.
Damn it, Hans gritted his teeth. A fool, a dog, actually dared to carry him on his back to hunt for food.
Seeing that he looked strange, Karl thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Speaker, the most urgent thing is to find Inspector General Wagner first and find out what is going on. What do you think?"
Carl had already watched the video sent by Wagner in advance, and like Speaker Hans, he guessed what Wagner meant.
He had long been annoyed at the fact that Schnatter, that idiot, had been bullying him. If he didn't take advantage of the opportunity to kill Schnatter now, then no matter how he tried to cover it up afterwards, that narrow-minded Schnatter would never let him go. Success or failure depended on this one move.
Hans frowned and looked at the security assistant. The assistant had arranged for someone to check through the terminal as early as when Karl said that Wagner had lost contact, and the news happened to be fed back at this time.
"Mr. Speaker, according to the latest news from the General Inspectorate, Marshal Schnatter has ordered the arrest of Inspector General Wagner for allegedly violating military discipline and abusing and killing Earth residents during his stay. He is currently being escorted back to the new primary planet for trial. It is expected that he will arrive at the Carina jump gate in 12 hours."
Pirates are rampant near the Carina jump gate. Without a large fleet escort, a few ships would not choose to pass through there...
Speaker Hans's forehead was throbbing with veins, he knew very well what was going on, Wagner simply knew about the exchange of interests between Schnatter and the Earth Alliance government, and Schnatter wanted to kill Wagner who knew about it. Wagner sensed the danger and sent the video to Carl in order to save his life.
As for whether they were originally accomplices and fell out because of unequal interests or some other reason, or whether, as Wagner said, he was upright and willing to risk his life to expose Schnatter, it doesn't matter.
The important thing is, no matter what, it is clear that Schnatter has a problem.
The fact that the rebels had the audacity to choose the Corona Ring as the target for their jump was probably related to him.
This guy is interfering with the Earth Alliance and uniting with the resistance army. What does he want to do?!
Speaker Hans felt his stomach cramp. Why, why no matter how stupid a person was, would they dare to disobey him once they sat on the position of Admiral?
Idiot, if I can kill one, I can kill the second!
He quickly made up his mind and ordered in a deep voice: "Major General Karl, you must lead the Sixth Fleet to the Carina Jump Gate as soon as possible and intercept the ship escorting Wagner. Tell the public that you are pursuing the rebels. This matter must be kept strictly confidential."
Carl took the order and cut off the communication.
Hans took a deep breath and said to the security assistant, "Connect me to the Earth Alliance, Atlas."