The House of Representatives was silent, and the usually noisy parliamentarians were uncharacteristically quiet.
Everyone was staring either at Kanes or at Shire, trying to find out who had won and who had lost.
Kanes was momentarily stunned; seeing Shire so calm raised his suspicions, but he maintained his composure with a stiffened chest: "I don't think there's anything more to say, Brigadier, the result is clear. You failed to turn the tide. I hope you will abide by our previous agreement..."
Shire remained silent, steadily seated in his chair, gazing quietly at Kanes.
"Is that so?" Major Jules countered, standing up and loudly announcing to the MPs behind him, "Last night, the Brigadier led us to inflict over 7,000 casualties on the Germans, while we only suffered a little over 300!"
The MPs were in an uproar which was soon followed by a burst of enthusiastic applause.
