Super Mothership
“The All-Things-Return-to-One Council has requested an expansion of the scope of trade. What are your views on this?”
Speaker Cruze asked sternly from the seat of honor.
“I oppose it!” a military representative immediately spoke up.
“These people are shrouded in mystery. They occupy the Solar System and act covertly, and they clearly harbor hostility toward us. Trading with them would be no different from aiding the enemy and strengthening their power—it could end up nurturing a tiger only to be bitten by it later!”
After several previous engagements, no one dared underestimate the strength of the All-Things-Return-to-One Council anymore. The performance of their Silver Fleet was so formidable that even the most elite warships on their side could not compare.
Although only the tip of their strength had been revealed, they had already become the greatest potential threat in the Caldari sector of the Gemini system. Given this, the military’s concerns were entirely understandable.
“On the contrary, I think their proposal is not without merit,” another councilor spoke up at this moment.
“Gentlemen, the first batch of energy crystal exchanges has already been completed. After inspection, all of the goods provided by the other party were energy crystals of exceptionally high quality.
We can now basically confirm that they do possess energy crystal charging technology; otherwise, they would never engage in such a transaction that clearly yields them no profit.
At present, the blank crystals recovered by the council have already reached tens of millions of tons. Once all of these blank crystals are fully exchanged, just imagine the immense wealth this would represent.”
Many people’s eyes gleamed at these words.
The energy crystal trade involved enormous利益, and everyone present understood this well. This was also the primary reason why Gemini placed such importance on this round of trade.
“Crystal trade is crystal trade. It has nothing to do with the expansion of trade they’re proposing. Even if we reject their request, we can still proceed with the crystal exchange!” another military representative questioned.
“Heh. That may be true—but who would ever complain about having too many energy crystals?
They are only asking for ordinary civilian goods and minerals, not sensitive military supplies. Yet they are offering prices two to three times higher than the market rate, and paying directly in energy crystals. Why wouldn’t we do such a good deal?
You must understand—energy crystals are non-renewable strategic reserves. Under normal circumstances, even having money doesn’t mean you can buy them!”
Hearing this, many councilors nodded in agreement.
“Exactly. We are currently at war with the Wolf civilization, and the daily consumption on the front lines is no small amount.
Our crystal mines already have limited output, and as a result, crystal prices on the market have recently shown a sharp upward trend.
If we agree to their request, not only will we obtain a massive amount of energy crystals through exchange, but we will also be able to gain a continuous supply of crystals by selling ordinary goods. For Gemini, this is absolutely a case where the benefits outweigh the drawbacks!”
“Hmph! I absolutely do not believe that free pies fall from the sky. The other side must have ulterior motives. Do not let the immediate利益 blind you and cause you to overlook the potential threats of the future!”
The military representative who had opposed the plan from the start snorted.
The room instantly split into two factions, each holding firmly to its own stance.
Speaker Cruze frowned and turned his gaze toward a middle-aged officer seated below.
“Lord Leon Assad, I would like to hear your opinion on this matter.”
Leon Assad—member of the Assad family, the newly appointed head of intelligence for the Caldari sector, and currently the primary intelligence officer responsible for the All-Things-Return-to-One Council.
With a sharp and capable expression, Leon seemed to have anticipated this question.
“In response to your inquiry, Speaker, I believe this matter is not particularly complicated.”
He swept his gaze around the chamber and said confidently,
“Judging from the list of goods the other party is requesting, a large portion consists of production equipment, commercial spacecraft, and raw mineral materials.
Given the technological level they’ve already demonstrated—one that is no lower than our own—it’s absolutely not a case of them being incapable of manufacturing or mining these things themselves. That means the reason they want to purchase them is very simple: cost and efficiency.”
“According to current intelligence, the All-Things-Return-to-One Council appears to be short on manpower, and thus prefers to expand its sphere of influence by absorbing indigenous alien civilizations.
This includes their newly established ‘Kara Branch’ and ‘Earth Branch.’”
“Based on data recently collected by the remote monitoring station in the Proxima system, the index of civilizational activity within the Solar System has increased nearly tenfold compared to before.
This clearly indicates that the other party is likely conducting large-scale industrial activities within the Solar System!”
“And barring any surprises, these items they are purchasing are probably intended for the massive development of the Solar System!”
It was obvious that Leon had learned from the bitter lesson of his predecessor’s fall from office. Since taking up his post, he had paid close attention to intelligence related to the All-Things-Return-to-One Council, and his analysis was already partially close to the truth.
Speaker Cruze nodded, acknowledging Leon’s judgment.
In fact, this conclusion was not difficult to reach.
Since the other party had chosen to conduct deliveries in the Proxima system, looking across the surrounding star regions, there was really only one place where these goods could reasonably be used—the Solar System.
“In addition, that White Butler of theirs behaves very much like a merchant. It’s said she didn’t even blink before handing over more than ten tons of energy crystals as public-relations expenses…
From that alone, it’s clear that the other party is extraordinarily wealthy.”
Several people present felt a twinge of unease, and Speaker Cruze’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Fortunately, such matters were easy to offend others over, so Leon did not dwell on this point.
“Merchants value profit. From a merchant’s perspective, considering production costs is only natural.
As for why they are purchasing these items from us, it’s likely because the industrial foundation of the Solar System is weak.
Or perhaps the Ant Empire on their side is charging too much, and the transport routes are too long, driving costs excessively high…”
“Their purpose in developing the Solar System is nothing more than rapidly strengthening their rear-area war potential. Naturally, this poses a danger to us—but the benefits this trade offers our side are equally obvious.
How to balance the pros and cons ultimately depends on the judgment of all of you.”
The council members nodded repeatedly at the intelligence department’s analysis.
Although Leon had relied somewhat on connections to rise to his position, he clearly had real ability. He was highly capable in intelligence work, and his analysis was spot-on.
Overall, the high prices offered by the All-Things-Return-to-One Council were a tantalizing piece of bait—an overt strategy laid bare. Whether to choose cooperation and mutual benefit or outright confrontation ultimately rested in the hands of Gemini.
Speaker Cruze pondered for a long time. The Solar System was, after all, remote; at present, their side had more than enough defensive capability but lacked the strength for aggressive expansion.
What mattered more now was to first probe the opponent’s true depth, so as not to kick an iron plate by mistake.
Meanwhile, the threat of the Wolf Empire was tangible and immediate—this iron plate had already slammed straight into them, and Gemini had been badly hurt by the impact…
After deliberation, the Joint Council ultimately passed the resolution to expand the scope of trade by a majority vote!
Gemini’s merchants possessed an exceptionally keen sense of smell. Almost the moment the meeting ended, large numbers of family clans and corporate delegations rushed toward the remote Kara Star…
……
After the meeting, Leon—who had spoken so eloquently during the session—shut down the communications system. Propping his chin with one hand, a faint smile curved his lips.
Although his earlier remarks had shown no obvious bias and reflected genuine intelligence analysis, they had undeniably played a positive role in pushing the resolution through.
“Just when I was worrying about how to find an opportunity to make contact… since you’ve delivered yourselves to my doorstep, I’ll take a good look at what you’re really made of.”
A hidden organization, isolated from the rest of the world, naturally left no openings.
But once the two sides began to interact, the situation would be very different…
TL Note- Trade Wars ...
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