[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HWhWXIx.png[/img][/center] [hr] [b]Mischief Reef/Đá Vành Khăn/Panganiban Reef - 11/09/2022 06:10 UTC+8[/b] Lounging on a black and green chair of her own making that was furnished with sinfully comfortable cushions, Qingshe was in a good mood, as she sipped a sweet, cherry-red beverage from a wineglass. In fact, one might even say the Snake was in a better mood than she'd been all year, as she idly swirling the contents of her cup between sips while listening to the briefing being presented by First Lieutenant Alonso. A lazy smile sat upon her lips, a languid, satiated thing, and golden-green slitted eyes occasionally traced across the crowd that comprised Task Force Obsidian. Her smile widened at the sight of the newcomers, as idle curiosity over what [i]fascinating[/i] Noble Arms they might bring to the table swirled through her thoughts. Amusement bubbled within her at the one called "Aoi Mikoto". For senses like hers, it wasn't hard to notice the hostility she felt for the Snake. The sensation of having a silent glare boring into the back of your neck... [i]Ah[/i]~, it was like being home again~. Really, there were quite a few reasons to be happy right now. ASEAN's major leak had -at least ostensibly- been plugged, and while Qingshe [i]really[/i] thought the Danggal Clan got off far too lightly for their treason, she acknowledged the certain level of hypocrisy in that stance coming from her. Didn't mean she actually trusted them not to start trouble again later, but for now, she could be satisfied that they were sufficiently cowed and surveilled such that any further disruptions on their end would be noticed and/or swifty [i]dealt with[/i]... with far more [i]permanence[/i] this time. In far more unequivocally positive news, however, America's Congressional Midterm results and the impending entry of the United States into the ASEAN theater proper spoke well for the future of the war's conclusion. The mercurial nature of American politics had its ups and downs, but it seemed in this case, things were finally about to go ASEAN's way fully for a change. Already, the mere implications of this inevitable titan entering the field had shifted the priorities of involved parties. And the biggest proof of it all was the now scheduled diplomatic summit and the willingness for the PRC to even entertain it. Some had reasonably raised concerns, but... [color=39b54a]"I'm willing to be cautiously optimistic,"[/color] Qingshe added her two cents to the discourse, grinning widely and shooting a wink to Cristina, who she'd made a point of parking herself beside in seating arrangements. [color=39b54a]"At this stage in the war, the PRC have few diplomatic cards left in their corner. If even a speck of rationality remains with them, then the idea of attacking this summit should be anathema, purely from any form of forward-thinking perspective."[/color] Honestly, more than anything else, it was the sheer [i]delight~[/i] of having a student again that buoyed her mood so high right now. The past week had been nothing short of [i]invigorating[/i] for her, a true callback and something she'd not realized she was missing so much in her present situation. The satisfaction she received from having someone to pass knowledge on to in a meaningful manner was second to none, and Cristina -to her credit- was an earnest and excellent learner. It really said something about her talent how far she'd managed to come in only a week of tutelage. Proud showman that she was, Qingshe naturally enjoyed tooting her own horn, and so she wouldn't entirely dismiss her own excellence as a teacher. But in the end, the true burden of improvement lay with the student, and Miss Bernardino had shown tangible results in not just improving her Noble Arm but -far more impressively- demonstrating even the basics of Occult Programming Language. What made it all the more appalling and impressive in equal measure was learning that Cristina had never had any formal schooling before the Snake. That she could still grasp such a thing as OPL even then? [i]Extremely[/i] impressive. Qingshe was almost tempted to say "genuinely [i]genius[/i]", but she didn't want to jump the gun so early. Only time would tell if that supposed talent held true long-term... Letting out a wry sigh, Qingshe's mouth quirked. [color=39b54a]"Then again, 'rationality' and the PRC haven't been close bedfellows for a while now, certainly not since they joined hands with the Downward Descent."[/color] There was no point in concealing that fact. It wasn't like Superbia had been anything [i]subtle[/i] in his attack on Nico. Pretty much everyone in the Task Force had to know by now about the newest global faction to add the unbelievably unlucky Mr. Makri to their personal shit-list. [color=39b54a]"So, I wouldn't blame anyone for taking precautions... nor generally harboring doubts of the integrity of this venture."[/color] Shaking her head, Qingshe clicked her tongue, before smirking and taking another languid sip of her beverage. [color=39b54a]"Under normal circumstances, I might say the presence of Arms Masters at such an event would be an inflammatory, dangerous thing... but no-one can trust the risk of a rogue actor striking while they are vulnerable, nor that their fellows won't bring their own insurance. Ergo, everyone feels compelled to not risk being the only one 'unarmed' if the worst should happen, and the whole thing becomes a messy western standoff regardless."[/color] Reclining back in her chair and resting her cheek on the knuckles of her free hand, the Snake chuckled. [color=39b54a]"Of course, even if this looks too good to be true, even if this [i]is[/i] all a hoax, the chance that it [i]isn't[/i] is too tantalizing to ignore, isn't it? That's the rub of it all. It's bait too good to not bite, and if this is a trap... well, they'll know that as well as we do."[/color] Her gaze traced over the assembled members of Task Force Obsidian, her smile growing a touch cold. [color=39b54a]"Whatever else they might be scheming, one thing is almost certain, the summit is the ideal chance for the PRC to make a diplomatic coup. With the public revelation of Ai Chen's crimes, people are going to be leveling more scrutiny upon them. Before all else, if this is organized with any sort of eye towards China's future, their priority in this summit will be damage control. Shifting blame."[/color] She giggled darkly. [color=39b54a]"They can't deny the existence of Ai Chen's proven crimes, nor the recorded actions of other malicious actors amongst them. [i]However[/i], they [i]can[/i] still feign ignorance, condemn the likes of Ai Chen and claim she was a rogue actor with lacking oversight. They can make empty promises that nonetheless sound convincing, and they will almost certainly do everything in their power to individualize the sins of accusations levied against them. The more they can avoid the PRC as a whole being held responsible for the actions of a select few, the better."[/color] At least, that's almost certainly what [i]she[/i] would do in their place. Tactically, it just made sense. Admit nothing, deflect and counterstrike. [color=39b54a]"Let's assume this is legitimate for a moment. If so, then the PRC will be looking to buy time and put their best foot forward."[/color] She snorted. [color=39b54a]"Let us be unfortunately brutally realistic: in this era of media sensationalism, the public's attention span is short. A truce of several months serves the PRC's interests as well. It will give them time for the public outrage to die down and for them to fully quell any public upset on the home front. By the time this 'truce period' is over, the American public at least will have largely fallen back into their apathetic overseas stupor, and their cries for justice and war will be but a whisper. The PRC is unlikely to stop committing war crimes... They will simply be more careful about hiding them. Still..."[/color] She hummed, one finger tapping her wineglass with a quiet tinkling sound. [color=39b54a]"For this to truly all blow over, the PRC would need to overwrite the public's outrage with a newer, fresher target, so unless Russia decides to do something particularly... [i]sensational[/i] soon, there's a good chance of the PRC being unable to shake this. They need a scapegoat and lack for convincing ones... but that doesn't mean they won't be looking."[/color] She was grinning, but there was a glint of seriousness in her eyes. [color=39b54a]"This is going to be a delicate political situation. It cannot be overstated how important it is to not be seen to 'strike first' should anything... [i]untoward[/i] occur. So, dress to impress and bring your best manners, even if Huo Ren himself should stand in front of you. Our actions will reflect on ASEAN and the security of their position at the bargaining table, and if you're feeling trigger happy... [i]Don't.[/i] In an ideal world, all we're there for is to look pretty and -at worst- loom with vague menace while the politics happen. Violating a national diplomatic truce would be a disaster for us... Rather, for [i]anyone[/i] who is going to be at that table."[/color] Shaking her head, she smirked. [color=39b54a]"Really, this is the sort of thing that shouldn't need to be said, but I realize that not all of you here today may come from backgrounds sufficient to grant you a complete understanding of the stakes at hand... So, I say it anyway."[/color]