Super Mothership
“Cooperation?” Cruze raised an eyebrow.
“That’s right, cooperation!
“No violence—we want peace. No confrontation—we want harmony. Abandon zero-sum thinking and view relations between civilizations from the perspective of development. Create a favorable commercial atmosphere throughout the universe and establish a harmonious, mutually prosperous galactic community. These have always been the firm principles and lofty goals of our organization!”
“…”
“As for a company like the Locke Consortium, which uses war to plunder the wealth of others and threats to force unfair transactions, we strongly condemn and express our dissatisfaction with its actions!”
“…”
“The Locke Consortium’s actions have tarnished the reputation of merchants and seriously disrupted the market!
“Following my written report, headquarters conducted an investigation and verified the situation. In order to crack down on unscrupulous merchants and uphold a fair and equitable commercial environment, the headquarters of the All for One Society has decided to provide policy support to the Gemini branch and impose sanctions on the Locke Consortium!”
When the Gemini councilors present heard that the other side actually intended to deal with the Locke Consortium, their spirits immediately perked up after being somewhat bewildered by the barrage of official-sounding statements.
Sanctions?
That was a term normally used only when one side possessed an overwhelming advantage in strength!
In their eyes, the Locke Consortium was already a colossal entity, with strength even slightly greater than their own. Yet the All for One Society was claiming that it would impose sanctions on them?
Where did they get such confidence?
“Then… what exactly are the details of your proposed cooperation?” Cruze asked calmly.
No matter how beautifully someone spoke, the thing politicians trusted the least was eloquence alone!
However, his composed expression completely fell apart after hearing the other side’s first condition.
“First, we can provide your side with an interest-free wartime loan of 20,000 tons of energy crystals, to be used for war expenses and postwar reconstruction. There will be no repayment deadline!”
“Hiss~”
The entire room collectively gasped.
An interest-free loan with no repayment deadline—what difference was there between that and simply giving the crystals away?
Such extravagant generosity caused Nie Yun’s entire body to radiate a glow known as money…
“Second, we will impose sanctions on the Locke Consortium. Within ten days, they will withdraw their troops until they have completely retreated from the wormhole. Control of the wormhole will then be handed over to your side.”
“…”
The entire room fell silent.
As senior officials, they naturally understood just how terrible Gemini’s current situation was.
If the first condition was like extending a helping hand to a terminally ill patient and immediately solving the problem of medical expenses, it could, at most, provide temporary relief and prolong the patient’s life.
But the second condition was practically the equivalent of telling that terminally ill patient:
“I can cure your disease!”
The surprise came so abruptly that it felt almost too good to be true.
Precisely because it was so unbelievable, the vast majority of the councilors viewed this tempting promise with suspicion.
Although the All for One Society had demonstrated considerable strength previously, the most profound impression it had left was primarily related to intelligence gathering. As for its military strength… it certainly possessed some unique capabilities, but it did not appear to have an overwhelming advantage.
Could the sanctions the other side mentioned refer to economic sanctions?
Hmm… Considering how lavishly the other party had donated 20,000 tons of energy crystals without even blinking, that possibility actually seemed quite plausible…
Nie Yun observed everyone’s reactions and continued:
“Third, we will take responsibility for handling the ‘Vector Engine’ on your behalf.”
“…”
The entire room fell silent once again.
This time, however, the expressions on everyone’s faces were far from pleasant.
After coming to his senses, Cruze let out a cold laugh.
“Heh! So, it turns out that your All for One Society is also coveting it!”
Nothing ventured, nothing gained—or rather, no one would make an early move without seeking profit.
The All for One Society truly wasn’t harboring any good intentions.
No wonder all three of its conditions had sounded so familiar.
The Locke Consortium had extorted 20,000 tons of energy crystals, and you offered us 20,000 tons.
They wanted control of the wormhole, and you were even willing to hand the entire wormhole over to us.
What was this?
Clearly, these were competitive terms!
Both sides were fundamentally the same. They had their eyes fixed on Gemini’s treasure!
The only difference was that the Locke Consortium used threats, while the All for One Society relied on incentives.
“No, no, no! Although this wondrous artifact is indeed astonishingly valuable, as a member of Gemini, I am genuinely considering the interests of Gemini and everyone here when it comes to this third condition.”
Nie Yun spoke with an entirely serious expression.
“Just think about it. Even if you accept the first two forms of assistance, what will you do afterward? What are your plans?”
Cruze was momentarily rendered speechless. Clearly, he understood what the other side was getting at.
“Our All for One Society is powerful, and the Locke Consortium is insignificant in front of our organization (laughs).
“But we can help you this time. What about the next time? And the time after that?”
Nie Yun paused briefly before adopting an even gentler tone.
“I know that none of you are willing to give in, but the other side was right about one thing: an ordinary man is innocent, but possessing a treasure makes him guilty.
“As long as the artifact remains in our hands, more and more enemies—each stronger than the last—will set their sights on us.
“Do you really expect the All for One Society to keep acting as a free caretaker, shielding us from disaster time and time again?”
Well now! He had even started using “us”!
And, to be fair, Nie Yun’s attitude of we’re all on the same side, and I’m completely considering the interests of our mother civilization was much more pleasing to look at than Chloros’s undisguised greed.
“Everyone! Gemini… is simply too weak!” Nie Yun sighed deeply.
“Now that the wondrous artifact has been exposed, stubbornly keeping it would be nothing short of courting death.
“Rather than humiliating ourselves by surrendering territory and paying compensation, only to hand the treasure over to our enemies, we might as well exchange it for the things we urgently need!
“The All for One Society has the strength to bear the risks associated with possessing such a valuable treasure, and we also have channels through which it can be sold. All we would earn is the difference in the transaction price.
“If there were truly no profit to be made, do you think the organization would really take our side simply because of a single report letter I submitted, disregarding the opposition of the Woolf branch?
“To be honest, these are already the best terms I could secure for our civilization from the organization.”
Although this heartfelt speech was not enough to make these old foxes immediately regard Nie Yun as one of their own, their hostility toward him had noticeably diminished.
Considering the respective sizes of their civilizations, the president of the Gemini branch was, at most, equivalent to a regional manager, while the president of the Woolf branch would surely be at the level of a president overseeing an entire continent, right?
If what the other side had said was true, then this entire operation might even carry the risk of offending someone powerful.
A look of interest had already appeared in the eyes of many councilors.
Of course, this was not because Nie Yun’s speech had been particularly persuasive. It was because the terms he had offered completely outclassed those of the Locke Consortium, making them practically impossible to refuse.
“Your terms are very tempting, but I want to know first: how can you guarantee that you will still honor your promises after we hand over the artifact?” Cruze asked a crucial question.
“It’s simple. I will use my position as branch president to guarantee the agreement on behalf of Gemini. The organization will act first and force the Locke Consortium to withdraw its troops.”
First deliver the goods, then receive payment.
The All for One Society was showing complete sincerity.
“Aren’t you afraid that we’ll go back on our word?” Cruze asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Heh heh! Our All for One Society has never worried about customers defaulting on their debts!”
Even Cruze had to admit that those words… were truly domineering!
However, if the other side really possessed the ability to sanction the Locke Consortium and force it to withdraw its troops, Gemini would have to be out of its mind to default on the agreement and offend such a terrifying power.
Cruze swept his gaze around the room and had already seen the answer in everyone’s eyes.
Since they were going to sell it anyway, why not sell it for a better price?
“I can’t find a reason to refuse, but I have one final question. You may choose not to answer it.”
Cruze stared at Nie Yun.
“Please, Councilor.”
“I want to know… your true identity within Gemini!”
Nie Yun froze for a moment before breaking into a smile.
“Heh heh!”
He gave Councilor Cruze a meaningful look.
“My name… should be familiar to everyone present…”
TL Note- Help.....
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