As the most promising Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist in recent years, Lois's thirst for news was evident.
At this moment, Clark didn't know whether he should be glad she didn't care about his departure, or lament that he was less important than news in her eyes.
However, although Atlantis had withdrawn its troops, the area near the battlefield was still somewhat chaotic. He was worried that Lois might get into trouble, so he rushed back towards the coast... The next day, Lois published an article in the Daily Planet about the "Atlantean Army Invasion" and linked this event to the tsunami that occurred in Amnesty Bay on the same day.
This news immediately caused an uproar at home and abroad!
As she published her article, eyewitnesses from that day also began uploading what they had filmed to Kuaishou, and more video evidence began to corroborate Lois's article.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shen, a firm believer in the civilization of Atlantis, also began to appear frequently on television media, publicizing the existence of the Atlanteans and the potential threat this race posed to humanity.
After the Atlantean Army invasion, the public began to believe what he said, holding a fearful and hostile attitude towards the civilization of Atlantis.
Some extremists even clamored that these "fish folk" should be taught a lesson!
But at the same time, another voice began to emerge in public opinion, and this voice had a very strong influence.
They were marine animal protection and environmental protection organizations.
They claimed that it was precisely because of humanity's day-to-day destruction of the Earth's environment, harming the marine environment, that provoked the Atlanteans' hatred towards them.
What humanity should do most is not to find a scapegoat, not to hate the Atlanteans.
Instead, they should self-reflect, repent for their actions, and preferably take the initiative to find the Atlanteans for peace talks, actively seeking a path to peace... As soon as this statement was released, public opinion exploded like a boiling pot.
Then, online, people started dividing into factions and battling it out.
Those who advocated for a strong counterattack against the Atlanteans and those who hoped to facilitate peace talks began a war of words online.
One side said the other was spineless, even kowtowing to invaders, utterly shameless!
The other side said those barbarians only knew how to fight and kill. When the invasion happened, our official Army was almost useless. How could they fight?
This side said they had firm will and the Justice League, and defeating a small underwater Kingdom was a piece of cake.
That side said their own brains were undeveloped, yet they wanted to order the Justice League to be executioners, which was absurd. If they had the ability, they should pick up a gun themselves!
Dane liked this comment.
And while the online discussions were in full swing, the Military seized the opportunity to come forward, claiming that the United States Army had the ability and confidence to protect the public.
But this only sparked widespread criticism!
On Kuaishou videos, people had once again witnessed the incompetence of the US Army. Their fighter jets were precisely targeted and destroyed before they could even get close to the Atlantean Army.
The Army troops were late throughout, getting lost somewhere?
If it weren't for Superman's appearance, the Army would have suffered heavy casualties long ago!
Therefore, what they most wanted to see was a statement from the Justice League. As eyewitnesses, they should be the clearest about the truth of the matter.
Dane also saw the fervor of public opinion and, at the opportune moment, had Cortana organize some documents and relevant videos, selectively releasing the events of that time online.
To this day, Vanguard Technology has essentially dominated online media channels.
Most of the news and social media software you see on the internet have the Shadow of Vanguard behind them.
So when all online media outlets uniformly recounted the events that occurred in Amnesty Bay and Metropolis, the public easily accepted the premise of an underwater civilization.
These days, people had already seen aliens, so a mere underwater civilization was not that strange.
However, Dane also had more secret information. He exposed the incident of the Navy losing a submarine in the Mariana Trench online, once again causing an earthquake in public opinion.
The Military's capabilities were once again severely questioned.
If the Military couldn't even protect itself, then how could they guarantee their ability to protect the public?
The enemy's Base was underwater. If the Army's submarines could not attack the enemy's homeland, then how could their Military deter the enemy and organize a counterattack?
In Military terms, the ability to attack enemy territory is a very important Military capability.
You can choose not to use it, but you absolutely cannot lack it.
Because lacking it means your deterrent capability against the enemy is greatly reduced, while the enemy can advance or retreat, having more tactical choices and strategic maneuverability.
Due to the release of this news, the prestige of the Military, especially the Navy, began to plummet. This public sentiment even affected Congress's appropriations to the Military.
Inside The Pentagon, the Admiral who had sought General Lane's help earlier was now cursing loudly in the conference room.
"Damn Kuaishou! Damn Vanguard Technology! How did they know this secret!"
Other Military bigwigs were also present, and their expressions were also very grim, especially the Air Force General, whose face was as dark as the Admiral's.
His fighter jet unit had virtually no output in the Atlantis invasion incident, almost just circling the battlefield once before withdrawing.
There was no other way. The Atlanteans' ship cannons fired too far and too accurately. If they hadn't kept their distance, those fighter jets would probably have been completely wiped out long ago!
"We must launch a counterattack! To prove to the public that the Military still has the power to protect its citizens!"
"And we must prove to the World that the U.S. Army is still the strongest Army in this World!"
"But we don't even know where the enemy's lair is," someone questioned.
But the Admiral smiled, calmly saying, "In fact, I have found the location of those fish folk."
He had learned this secret through General Lane's intelligence, but he would not tell outsiders this point.
Everyone present looked at each other, and then someone else asked him, "Even if you know their location, what method do you plan to use to attack their homeland?"
At this moment, someone else whispered, "They are creatures living in the ocean. Actually, only one nuclear..."
Then that guy saw everyone looking at him like he was an idiot.
After the Coast City incident, Washington's scrutiny over the use of nuclear weapons became even stricter.
Detonating something in the ocean would definitely cause strong opposition from environmental organizations and marine animal protection organizations. Don't even think about it!
The Admiral shook his head: "We don't need such a grand display. Actually, I have a better idea."
"We all know that these fish folk live in the ocean. Water, as a medium, spreads some toxic substances more easily than air..."
He didn't continue, but everyone present already understood his meaning. This idea was truly sinister, but it sounded highly feasible.
Swanwick's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected this respected old General to propose using such a move.
Frankly speaking, those who use biological or chemical weapons are already committing crimes against humanity.
But what he had even less anticipated was that most of the Generals present either tacitly approved or even agreed with this idea.
Some even helped the Admiral refine his plan.
"It's best not to have Military personnel directly involved in this matter. We can't give any organization an excuse."
It was enough for them to know about this internally; the public absolutely must not know, especially Vanguard Technology!
Letting the internal circle know was to reassure the gentlemen in Congress, to show them that the Military still had capabilities, so they would be more willing to appropriate funds.
Over the past year, the funds received by the Military had fallen to an unacceptable level for many, and even the Soldiers under them were not working as hard.
In the United States, most Soldiers willing to join the Army are motivated by the high subsidies and excellent benefits, rather than a strong belief in defending the country.
Perhaps some recruits might still buy into that, but most elite veterans only care about money—what's the point if there's no money?
When Congress allocates less funding, these Soldiers naturally receive less.
Of course, the Generals' money will not be reduced.
The first thing that happens when funds are allocated is that the higher-ups take their share, then the remaining portion is distributed among various administrative departments, and finally, the meager leftovers are what the Soldiers get.
Now, even the departments can't get their full share, so how can the Soldiers expect to receive any money?
Therefore, many elite units are currently in a state of semi-paralysis; until money comes in, they are the most useless Soldiers.
The General who just proposed this matter actually had a veiled warning: they are almost unable to command those truly elite units anymore, and you must find a solution yourself!
The Admiral, of course, understood his meaning and guaranteed, "Gentlemen, rest assured, I already have a plan for this matter and will not use a single bit of the Military's power!"
Hearing that they wouldn't have to pay, the gentlemen contentedly returned to their seats and unanimously approved the Admiral's plan.
Swanwick observed all this with a cold eye; although he could sit in The Pentagon, his position was not high enough to be on equal footing with these Military bigwigs.
Moreover, even if he objected, his voice would be too small, his influence too weak. As for using mind control?
That's not a panacea; would he have to control these people for the rest of his life?
If he were to do that, Batman would treat him as a villain immediately.
So Swanwick did nothing. He planned to report today's events to the Justice League..
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