What could they possibly do? What solutions were even left on the table?
The old proverb "a donkey at the end of its rope" perfectly described the Federation's current predicament. When strength is lacking, one can compensate with strategy; but when the disparity in raw power is astronomical, no strategy in the universe can bridge the gap. It was like an egg trying to shatter a boulder, an ant trying to uproot a sequoia tree, or a praying mantis trying to stop a charging tank.
Spaceships the size of planets, just conceptualizing the scale sent a deep, primal chill down the spine. The sheer magnitude of this new interstellar power completely crushed any lingering human desire to resist.
But... they couldn't just sit there and wait to die!
Just as Jason was about to stand up and address the room, a younger man beat him to it. It was Evan, the promising political strategist Jason had begun grooming for higher leadership.
