#1001 - Shameless
The African Union has almost unified the entire Africa, though not in the form of a single country --
This actually creates some problems: currency, policies, power structures, customs... The barriers between countries have disappeared, but that doesn't mean people have truly let go of the past.
The African Union is a parliament, a cooperative organization established by Wakanda's King T'Chaka, who couldn't bear to see his people killing each other, modeled after the European Union. Its current state is an accident.
Since it's a parliament, it means that all major events need to be discussed, such as Ultron.
Ultron has long been exposed to the African Union and has brought tremendous pressure to the African Union.
"...11 months ago, the Roxxon Group suddenly stopped its offensive on the front lines, and then we discovered these combat robots. They call themselves Ultron, as everyone knows."
T'Challa is reporting as the commander-in-chief of the African Union army:
"Before that, the Roxxon Group occupied parts of the Middle East and North Africa, directly interfering with our trade routes with Europe. Since then, the Roxxon Group has never appeared before us again. Obviously, they have been killed by the machines they created."
"And Ultron is a more deadly opponent than Roxxon. They are developing too fast."
The projected video splices together reconnaissance footage from different stages and keeps it in the same area as much as possible. It can be clearly seen that at first, only human vehicles and equipment were busy, but soon the mining became 'explosive', 'reckless', and even destructive:
Oil wells are spewing flames, and mines are directly collapsing. This kind of mining doesn't consider costs and consequences at all, or rather, it has already been calculated in, but its operation method is very different from humans.
The result is that the earth seems to be metallizing. This is Ultron.
"It has been eroding this land. Our front lines have retreated a lot. We can't retreat any further. If we retreat, Somalia will be finished!
We must continue to speed up military construction and immediately send troops to contain its activities --
Just now we received a message, a message sent back by our front-line scouts with their lives: he said he saw Ultron robots pouring out of their nests, and they were heading towards the Middle East!"
T'Challa forcefully poked his finger on the projection board: "They must be encountering a strong enemy in Europe! This is the best moment for us to launch an attack!"
"But if that's the case... I remember our social system is overwhelmed. If we do that, we're gambling everything --"
A councilor raised his hand. This was a fat councilor, wearing a gold chain. This thing hasn't been that valuable since industrialization, but of course, it's still one of the most valuable metals -- if the market can return to a free economy.
Immediately afterwards, the second councilor chimed in: "In comparison, we should look for new ways out. The wartime economy has already overwhelmed our people. Many people are complaining and fearing the cybernetic implants on their bodies.
If they really leave, shouldn't we take the opportunity to go to sea and contact the Americans?"
Saying that, he stood up and opened his arms to his compatriots: "We previously rejected Roxxon. If we had chosen to cooperate at that time, maybe Ultron wouldn't have had the chance to become what it is today!
Although contact has been severed, do you still remember the last time we received external information?
New America -- I mean President Ellis has achieved a substantial increase in the entire American GDP! They have markets, money, technology, and people...
We need more allies, not squeezing our own people!
Even if someone is really attacking Ultron, what does that have to do with us? Instead of using the lives of our own people to support others, we should focus on improving the lives of our people!
Our economic development has stagnated for a long time. At this time, we should carry out internal reforms..."
"Oh? How to reform?"
Mosi turned around, and the red scanning cybernetic eye made the councilor feel flustered, but the latter still stubbornly said:
"The country's minerals must be controlled by the country! The Atlas Group is really too big. If this continues, it will inevitably become... that monopoly company!
We should carry out anti-monopoly! We should nationalize the Atlas Group. Think about how much money this company can earn every year!"
The discussion had already begun, and soon a councilor raised his hand. This councilor looked calmer and more composed, but in T'Challa's view, he seemed to be trying his best to create a feeling of... an elite politician.
"We should nationalize the Atlas Group!"
"Yes! That's what I mean!"
The atmosphere of the discussion on the scene suddenly entered a climax!
Nationalizing the Atlas Group?
This is a rather bold topic!
The current African politicians can be considered to have learned some things. Although the limitations of equipment and the lack of accumulation in education make it difficult for them to be as shrewd as real cyber politicians, they understand the basic concepts --
Nationalizing a company, isn't that just taking the company away, and then the politicians can do whatever they want?!
Simply put, capital grabs a company by acquiring equity and shares, but a government unit, that's nationalization!
And some "shrewd" guys think even further: first nationalize, and then rely on their power to "privatize". Wouldn't this become their own after going back and forth?
Nationalizing a company, this is still a first on the African continent!
But as soon as they think of the Atlas Group, they can't help but drool.
T'Challa took in the faces of these people. He felt very disappointed, extremely disappointed:
He came to make a military report, but the topic inexplicably turned here. In fact, this topic had been hinted at earlier, as early as when the United States had just collapsed. Obviously, someone had listened to the Roxxon Group's propaganda at that time.
Now maybe someone remembers the wind that blew.
But his people are dying in battle, every moment.
T'Challa made no secret of his disappointed look and looked at his father T'Chaka. His eyes seemed to be saying:
Do you see, Father, these are your "brothers".
The latter's face was flushed red: "What are you talking about!"
"Your Majesty!" Another councilor raised his hand, "Obviously everyone is very interested in this! This is what should be discussed the most, this is a democratic meeting!"
"That's right! Maybe our production capacity is not enough because Atlas is a company. Think about how much efficiency will be improved and how much our GDP will increase when this company is handed over to the alliance!"
"Ahem..." The councilor next to the councilor who proposed the concept of nationalization spoke to interrupt the discussion, looking at Mosi, "President Mosi, what do you think? We unanimously believe that this job is most suitable for you. You are the most knowledgeable among us.
I believe that handing this company over to you is the best for the alliance."
T'Challa looked at Mosi --
T'Chaka certainly wouldn't agree. He had repeatedly interrupted people's thoughts in previous meetings.
Unfortunately, he also denied some of T'Challa's other ideas. In his eyes, maintaining the alliance's democracy is also very important.
In this way, these rats need a new leader to lead them to divide the "nationalized" ownerless Atlas Group.
Obviously, in the eyes of others, Mosi should agree, because people have handed the greatest power into his hands.
But T'Challa knew, or rather, he believed... he hadn't misjudged him.
People all looked at Mosi, at the President of Tanzania, the Minister of Industrial Development of the African Union --
What the latter responded to them was laughter!
"Hahahaha -- everyone, nationalization is a very good proposal! It's novel and meaningful!"
Many councilors present had a happy look on their faces, and many councilors who had previously remained silent also showed joy, but there were also a few who were shocked and angry, and even ashamed.
Only Mosi's face and voice quickly sank:
"But to nationalize, first there must be a country, right? I don't see a country here --"
"Only a group of robbers, thieves... a group of shameless people!"
The expressions on everyone's faces, whether it was gloating or ashamed, all froze!
Bang!
Mosi kicked the table in front of him to pieces. The industrial prosthetic body was not sensitive but had great power. The exploding fragments seemed to herald something, something abstract that existed in this "democratic decision-making hall" was also shattered!
"Shameless people are not worthy of appearing here, a group of dregs mixed among us. General T'Chaka --"
"Take them to prison, to where they should be."
