Sirius Zero: Building A Corporate Kingdom After Being Expelled

Chapter 106: Showdown at the UN



The Aristotle slid into Norfolk's harbor in eerie silence. The sky was overcast, and a fog and drizzle had set in, shrouding the massive black ship in a ghostly veil. The Navy crews on the docks were tense as they set up a gangway and prepared for Saladin's UN delegation to disembark.

Saladin himself appeared on deck, his black leather military uniform immaculate despite the damp weather.

Flanking him were his security detail, handpicked women decked out in their sleek white leather uniforms.

Alexander Jones, of the United States Secret Service, came up the gangway to greet him.

"Welcome back to the United States, Mr. Saladin," he said, bowing slightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Jones. It's good to see you again," replied Saladin, with a small smile.

"Shall we proceed to the vehicles?" asked Jones.

"Yes, let's," said Saladin, following Jones down the gangway.

The convoy of black SUVs and sedans rolled out of the harbor, heading towards the UN headquarters in New York City.

Despite the light drizzle, the streets were lined with protesters, waving signs and shouting slogans against Saladin and his regime.

"Enthusiastic reception," remarked Saladin dryly, as rotten vegetables and eggs were hurled at the convoy.

"It wasn't this bad the last time you were here, sir," said Jones grimly, as NYPD officers, in riot gear, formed a protective cordon around the convoy.

"Perhaps it's because of the Aristotle," mused Saladin, as the convoy reached the UN headquarters.

The convoy pulled up to the entrance of the UN building, and Saladin stepped out, flanked by his security detail and Jones.

----

"This meeting is called to order!" announced the UN Secretary-General, banging his gavel.

He turned to Saladin's direction.

"Premier Saladin, your opening statements please," he said.

Saladin stood up, and faced the assembly.

The tension in the air was thick. Israel's delegation had veins visibly bulging on their foreheads.

"Thank you, Mr. Secretary-General. I am here to address the concerns raised by various member states regarding the recent actions of my government," began Saladin, his voice calm and measured.

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"Firstly, I want to address the issue of the Aristotle. This ship is the new flagship of the Libyan Navy, and it is well within our rights as a sovereign nation to possess such a vessel. Let me also remind this assembly, that nuclear warships are neither new nor unprecedented. Even so-called third world nations like India, who is also not a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, possess nuclear submarines. The resolution to impose sanctions on Libya for possessing the Aristotle is hypocritical, and ultimately self-defeating as a means of maintaining peace and stability. Let me ask you. How well have those sanctions worked in the past? Even before the formation of the UN, you had the League of Nations impose sanctions on Germany, Italy and Japan, and look how well that worked out. Sanctions only serve to isolate nations, and make them more belligerent. If you want peace, you need to engage with nations, not isolate them," he said, his voice smooth and firm.

Elijah Edelstein, who was in the Israeli delegation, stood up, his face red with anger.

"How dare you threaten us with such claims! My people and country did not endure the horrors of the second world war and the Holocaust, just to have our right to exist threatened by a rabid dog such as yourself!" he shouted.

Saladin's eyes narrowed.

"I do not threaten, Mr. Edelstein. If you followed my career, you would know how I operate. More than that, you would have come to realize that I have never scapegoated or blamed others for Libya's problems, even when they clearly were. I've impressed upon my people that we are responsible for our own destiny. Frankly, I don't care what you do, as long as they don't harm Libya's right to self-defense, self-determination, and free trade," he said, his voice icy.

"You don't exist in a vacuum, Saladin. Your actions have consequences, and you will be held accountable for them. How about you tell this assembly how you've butchered countless innocents in your so-called consolidation of power!" retorted Edelstein.

Saladin raised an eyebrow.

"Osirak Jihad, and their ilk, are not innocents, Mr. Edelstein. I merely cleared the nests of vipers that have long held sway over my country," he said.

"I wasn't talking about that! I'm talking about the massacres you and your regime have carried out against helpless civilian refugees fleeing to your country!" shouted Edelstein.

Saladin's eyes darkened.

"I did not achieve a fragile economic stability, and a modicum of peace, only for it to be shattered by the refuse of humanity that are those so-called refugees! If your heart bleeds for them so much, why not take them in yourselves?" he countered.

"Refuse! You hear that, everyone? He calls refugees refuse! This madman considers human beings refuse, and now has a nuclear warship! This is a threat to all of us!" screamed Edelstein.

"Mr. Edelstein, calm yourself," interjected the Secretary-General, banging his gavel.

"Let's cut to the chase. The Aristotle, and its civilian sister-ship the Bach, can bypass any naval blockades you would impose, but that is tedious, and only invites provocation. If you want to avoid that, then lift the sanctions on Libya, and recognize our right to self-defense. In return, Libya will agree to a mutual non-aggression pact with Israel, and we will operate the Aristotle with its transponder beacons on at all times, to allow NATO to track its movement," said Saladin.

"Those assurances are hollow and meaningless! First, I have it on authority that the Bach is privately owned, and not a Libyan government ship. Second, the mere existence of the Aristotle is an existential threat to Israel! And third, any non-aggression pact with a madman who calls refugees refuse is worthless!" shouted Edelstein.

"Those are my terms, while I hope for the best, I'm prepared for the worst, good day," said Saladin, leaving with his security detail and Jones.


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