Super Mothership
After consultations, the negotiation site was officially set at a stretch of empty void between the zones actually controlled by the two sides.
There were no complicated celestial bodies or terrain here, the view was wide and open. Although the chance was slim, this was to prevent the other party from staging an ambush or playing tricks in secret.
While holographic projection technology had already become widespread within Gemini, for this kind of tug-of-war style commercial negotiation—which could easily last several days—Gemini still preferred face-to-face meetings.
At the same time, this was also a rare chance for a close encounter with the All Things Return to One Society, an opportunity to probe and gather intelligence on the other party.
Despite clashing with them for so long, Gemini knew almost nothing about its enemy. Even though the intelligence departments within the civilization had gone all out to investigate, they couldn’t find the slightest trace of the organization.
The other side was tightly organized, acted with extreme discretion, and its secrecy measures were flawless, driving Gemini’s intelligence agencies crazy.
The chief of intelligence in the Gallente Sector had already been dismissed precisely for failing to uncover anything about the All Things Return to One Society. Through a political trade with Speaker Cruze, a member of the Assad family had only recently been appointed to the post, but even he was gradually realizing that the chair beneath him was far less stable than it seemed…
For the All Things Return to One Society, whose headquarters lay in the Solar System and which had only just been established, revealing even the slightest trace within Gemini would be an almost impossibly difficult technical problem…
Still, a face-to-face negotiation was more favorable for Nie Yun’s upcoming plan. Thus, under Gemini’s strong insistence, the disguised “Black Butler” reluctantly agreed.
Three days later—
The Fallen Angel sailed out of the spaceport, and from the Sea Wolf, the Pentagram dispatched a Houyi-class frigate, heading to the meeting point.
Not long after, the two warships met. Very cautiously, they shut down their shields, deactivated their weapon systems, slowly drew closer, and initiated docking…
Zzz! With a slight tremor, a spacious corridor bridge, wide enough for four lanes, successfully linked the two ships. The internal atmosphere pressure was quickly adjusted.
The negotiations would take place inside this corridor bridge, symbolizing equality of status for both parties.
But no one noticed that beneath the bridge, a silver coffin-like metal container silently slid along the outer hull toward the Fallen Angel, before being swallowed up by a strange opening in the warship’s armor…
…
Inside the bridge, at the negotiation site.
Catherine stared in surprise at the 18 small robots lined up opposite.
These robots had eight distinctive ball-shaped feelers on their chins, modeled after the “Eight Knights,” a specialty of the Ant Empire. Their appearance was identical to the combat robots on Europa, except with a huge lightbulb mounted on their heads, giving them an odd look.
Using robots for negotiations? Could it be some local custom of theirs?
On Gemini’s side, apart from Arthas at the head, there were Catherine and eight experts from various fields brought over from the Legion.
**“Hiding your heads and showing your tails, too afraid to reveal your true faces? What’s the meaning of bringing out these toys? Do you even have any sincerity?
If you don’t want to negotiate, then let’s each return, sharpen our blades, and fight another round!”**
Once both sides stood ready, Arthas spoke first, his tone far from polite.
Beep! The eyes of the middle robot opposite flashed with light, projecting a virtual image forward—the figure of the “Black Butler,” shrouded head-to-toe in a black robe.
**“Lord Arthas, please don’t misunderstand. This is the negotiation team from the Ant Empire. Since this is our first transaction, as intermediaries we must take full account of our partner’s willingness.
But in order to prevent the spatial coordinates of this location from being leaked, we can only invite them remotely.
As for myself… I apologize. The distance is too great for me to be here in person. Please accept my apologies.”**
The Black Butler seemed easygoing, lowering his stance and smiling.
Spatial coordinates?
It sounded lofty—was it a specialized term in some advanced space technology?
A few experts on Gemini’s side immediately noted down the hidden information contained in his words.
“Hmph!” Though the other side’s attitude was quite friendly, Arthas only snorted coldly, his demeanor still harsh.
“Before the negotiations begin, let me explain our rules.
First, both parties exchange lists of goods available for sale. If either side finds items of interest, further additions can be made through discussion.
Then, your side will select items of equal value and propose a trade. As long as two-thirds of our 18 experts cast an approving vote, the transaction will be concluded!
Does your side have any objection to this method of negotiation?”
After the Black Butler finished speaking, the large lightbulbs on the heads of the row of small robots behind him lit up one by one, indicating that these served as their voting devices.
This trading model was simple and straightforward. It had been carefully designed by Codename, with the “Eighteen Scholars” of the Cloud Research Institute making a guest appearance, and finally approved by Nie Yun.
At the time, Nie Yun had even given Codename high praise for her creativity!
But if Nie Yun knew that this negotiation format had actually been inspired by a certain well-known matchmaking program on Earth, he probably wouldn’t have thought so highly of it.
After Codename was banned from browsing certain online resources, her interests had clearly taken on some subtle changes…
The Gemini experts whispered among themselves for a while. They found this negotiation method a little novel, but still acceptable.
Arthas, however, raised an objection.
“Forget about trading rules for now. Before that, I want to ask you something—was last time’s attack on the Solar System your doing?” Arthas cut straight to the point.
Catherine was startled by his words.
This was supposed to be an important trade negotiation. Bringing personal grudges into it now… what if the other side got angry and stormed out?
That would ruin everything!
She wanted to speak up and stop him, but worried that Nie Yun might have his own plan, and speaking rashly could make things worse.
“Lord Arthas, as I recall, today is our trade negotiation. Please do not bring irrelevant matters into this!” The Black Butler clearly didn’t want to answer directly, and his tone carried some displeasure.
But such a response, in itself, was already an indirect admission.
**“Irrelevant? Heh! How could it be irrelevant? You should know my identity. If I am displeased with you, then that means the Cruze family is displeased with you.
And if the Cruze family is displeased with you, how long do you think our trade can last?”** Arthas sneered coldly, his words full of threat.
Catherine was even more alarmed now.
The negotiations hadn’t even officially started yet, and it already looked like things were going to fall apart?
My lord, Lord Isabela had clearly warned not to let emotions cloud judgment!
On the other side, Yu Lao and the others, who were guest-starring as “experts of the Ant Empire,” were also quite surprised. Their first impression… the person in charge on the opposite side was incredibly arrogant!
But their own boss was definitely not one to be trifled with either.
Sure enough, the Black Butler let out a cold chuckle.
**“Heh! As far as I know, the parliament has already decided that both sides will coexist peacefully, and we share common interests. This trade will be a win-win.
Though your status is noble, I don’t believe that, with your current rank and ability, you have the power to influence the parliament’s decision.”**
The Black Butler didn’t mind exposing the fact that he possessed powerful intelligence sources within the United Parliament.
With this statement, he was telling Arthas: bluffing doesn’t work on me!
“Hahaha!” Arthas broke into wild, arrogant laughter.
“As you said, it’s only my current position and ability. But what about five years from now? Ten years?
Since I was a child, no one has ever dared treat me like this. You will pay dearly for the foolish act you committed in the Solar System!
Right now, I may not be able to sway the parliament, but I will use every ounce of strength to convince my family and the parliament. If it takes a month, so be it. If not, then two months, or even a year—I can wait.
When it comes to revenge, I, Young Master Arthas, am relentless, from dawn till dusk!”**
Nie Yun, disguised as Arthas, glared at the Black Butler with a vicious grin, perfectly playing the role of a hot-headed, arrogant second-generation noble.
Yes… and one especially fond of holding grudges!
Arthas’s threat wasn’t entirely without basis.
As an important heir of the Cruze family, if he kept whispering in the Speaker’s ear over time, he might really influence Cruze’s decisions.
And given his astonishing rate of promotion, it was hard to say how long it would take before he held substantial power in his own hands.
If, at that time, he pushed for an all-out military solution against the All Things Return to One Society, regardless of the cost, it would certainly give the organization quite the headache.
Even if they weren’t worried about losing militarily, the entire trade business would definitely collapse.
From this perspective, his threat carried real weight.
“Hahaha! Lord Arthas, you certainly have personality. But if you openly threaten me like this, aren’t you afraid you won’t live long enough to carry out your revenge?” The Black Butler let out a laugh, but his tone suddenly grew chilling.
**“What now? You want to kill me? There are many things this young master fears, but death is not one of them! I know the cannons on your warship are powerful—I’ve long wanted to see them in action.
Go ahead! Fire here, if you dare! Don’t you dare let me look down on you!”** Arthas sneered coldly, pointing at his own head.
Faced with this shameless, bulldozer-like Arthas, the Black Butler was clearly losing his temper.
But if he killed the Speaker’s son here and now, then there would be no need for negotiations at all. Both sides would simply return and prepare for total war—and this time, the war would not end until one side was completely crushed.
“So this is your side’s attitude toward the negotiations? If you have no sincerity, then I see no need to continue.”
Yu Lao and the other “Ant Empire experts” munched their metaphorical sunflower seeds while watching the drama unfold. Catherine and the accompanying experts, however, broke into a cold sweat… this was the rhythm of a negotiation about to collapse!
“That’s just my personal attitude toward you. Of course, if you don’t want to negotiate, that suits me just fine!” Arthas said indifferently.
“I don’t understand. Since your parliament agreed to trade negotiations, why would they send you?” The Black Butler, pushed into a corner, resorted to a personal attack.
Normally, upon hearing this, Arthas should have at least considered the parliament’s stance. If the negotiations fell apart, the parliament would almost certainly hold him accountable.
**“Heh! Sending me here is itself proof of the parliament’s stance!
If the talks fail, that’s just what I wanted! I’m the Speaker’s son—what do I have to fear? At worst, I’ll get demoted three times and reinstated later. This young master doesn’t care at all!”**
Arthas remained utterly unyielding, even harder than the Black Butler, as if he wouldn’t feel satisfied unless he completely sabotaged the negotiations today.
Catherine and the other experts exchanged bewildered looks. Was he here to negotiate… or to wreck the whole thing?
Since when had this guy been this vindictive?
“This trade is of great significance to both sides. The Ant Empire’s technological strength is immense. If you lose this opportunity, I will truly pity the Gemini civilization!” When threats failed, the Black Butler switched to enticement.
The implication: if the deal falls through… you’ll be the ones suffering the biggest loss!
**“Yes, I pity you too—but only you!
Remind me, what’s your position again? A steward of the Gallente Sector, right? How much commission do you get if this deal goes through? And if it collapses, won’t your chairman strip you of your position?”**
Arthas countered sharply, making it clear: if the deal failed, the Black Butler would also suffer greatly.
**“Oh, and one more thing! Friends from the Ant Empire—would you be interested in bypassing the All Things Return to One Society and trading directly with us?
It’d be simpler, easier… and you wouldn’t have to let a middleman take a cut!”**
Catherine: “…”
Experts: “…”
The Black Butler seemed so furious that his entire black robe trembled faintly.
**“And another thing! Be sure to deliver my words to your chairman. Don’t think that just because you schemed your way into seizing the Everlasting One, it’s yours forever. As long as it remains in the Proxima system, I will one day march in with an army of millions, level the place, and burn it to ash!
Cosmic wonders or whatever—they mean nothing to me! If I can’t have it, then no one else will either!”**
“So this is your true attitude toward the negotiations?” The Black Butler’s voice dropped low, full of suppressed fury, his entire presence radiating killing intent.
“As you can see, my attitude is simple: whoever makes this young master unhappy… I’ll make sure he’s twice as unhappy!” Arthas grinned wickedly at the Black Butler.
The two lead negotiators glared at each other with murderous intent, the atmosphere turning ice-cold and stagnant.
Damn… playing two roles at once is exhausting. If this keeps up, am I going to end up with split personality disorder?
Mechanical Bugs: “…” （╮（╯▽╰）╭）
TL Note- Role Playing....
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