The Minister of Military Supplies glared fiercely, threatening Shire:
"Do you know what this means?"
"War, Vice Admiral, war."
"You'll regret this decision!"
Shire remained unruffled, as if discussing a trivial matter: "I happen to disagree with you, Minister. If I agreed to your terms, I would regret it."
The Minister of Military Supplies snorted coldly, tapping heavily on the tabletop:
"Do you think France has the capability to challenge the British Fleet at sea?"
"On what grounds? Torpedo planes?"
"No, stop dreaming. We will regain control of Malta and use it as a base to dominate air superiority over the Mediterranean!"
Without Malta and its air superiority, the French Army's torpedo planes cannot threaten British warships.
This fellow doesn't know what's good for him, thought the Minister. If he were smart, he would surrender to England while there's still time.
"Malta?" Shire seemed to have just remembered this name:
"Oh, yes."
