Relena wanted to smile a little in relief as she came to her last page of notes, her face a perfect picture of calm among a sea of curious reporters at the monthly press conference.
"As you are all probably aware, the Quarterly Report of the Mars Commission was published just yesterday, and I'll be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding its contents."
Her press officer stepped up to the second microphone on her right-hand side. "The Vice Foreign Minister will now be taking questions."
A wave of hands immediately went up, and a chorus of "Vice Foreign Minister!"'s quickly followed. The press officer paused before selecting a younger woman with a striking bob of black hair and sharp green eyes in the front, a serious but warm expression spreading across her features as she realised she'd been selected.
"Vice Foreign Minister, according to the Report the terraformation process is projected to cost significantly more than originally outlined. How do you propose to raise the additional funding needed to continue?"
Relena recognised the woman as Gertrude 'Gertie' Black of the ESUN Herald, having been interviewed by her at least fifteen times since assuming her father's old position.
She assumed a serious tone as she replied. "Thank you for your query, Miss Black. I have already been in contact with many members of the ESUN parliament regarding this issue, and while it appears that the expense of terraforming is considerable, I am confident that the scientific and civilizational value of the project will be taken into account in future discussions of funding. As for now," she offered, "I am pleased with the progress that has been made in recruitment and in the stable operations of the ships currently orbiting Mars."
Another wave of hands shot up as she finished, and the press officer motioned toward an older man in the back. "Go ahead, Bert."
Bert Edström of the conservative-leaning The Earth & Colonies Weeklylooked a little graver than his younger journalistic counterpart, and he pushed his thin, wire-framed glasses up on his nose as he spoke. "Minister Darlian, you say you are confident that the 'scientific' and 'civilizational' value of terraforming Mars will be enough to increase public and parliamentary support for the project. However," he continued in his sceptical tone, "recent polls show that among citizens of Earth, support has dropped from 75 to 63 per cent in the wake of the problems experienced by the Mars engineers in February, and that it has fallen even more precipitously among the colonists—from 58 to now only 30 per cent."
The older man looked back down at his notes for a moment before going on, "Moreover, critics of the project have recently—"
"Bert, we all know the polls. Do you have an actual question for the Vice Foreign Minister?"
A few of the other media representatives chuckled at the press officer's interruption, being no fans of the older man either, and Bert frowned, obviously displeased. Relena stepped in to defuse the situation, nodding at the man.
"No, Mark, it's all right—Mr Edström, please, continue."
Mark looked annoyed by her actions but said nothing, slipping back into the background. Bert gave Relena a begrudging look of respect before continuing, coughing as he regained his composure. He glared lightly at Mark for effect.
"Moreover, critics of the project have recently alleged that ESUN's pursuance of terraforming Mars distracts from rebuilding our relations with the colonies and the Earth itself, as many regions remain mere rubble after the war. How would you and the other members of the Mars Commission respond to these charges, Vice Foreign Minister?"
YOU ARE READING
Slow Burn
Fanfiction[Gundam Wing A/C; a 1xR series of vignettes post-Endless Waltz.] He had always been conscious of the fact that she—Relena Darlian Peacecraft, Queen of the World—loved him, and him alone. And yet that was the problem, since he could never give her wh...
