Chapter 1113: Striving for as Much Time as Possible at the Negotiating Table

The flagship of the Feng Qi Xing diplomatic mission, the "Amethyst Insight," sails through the silent void on the southern border of the core region.

At this moment, in the strategic Meeting Room below the Bridge, the Feng Qi Xing diplomatic mission is holding its third plenary session since departure.

Seven people sit around the table, each an elite from various fields of the Fengqi Star Alliance.

Sitting in the main seat is the head of the diplomatic mission, Supreme Council member Kalaier.

On the left are:

Military advisor Tal.

Intelligence director Liana.

Technology advisor Doctor Lundengke.

On the right are:

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Weilan.

Legal expert Moreno.

Cultural advisor Lasiweisi.

Kalaier's Third Eye opens slightly, the psionic fluctuations causing everyone to focus their attention.

"We have forty-eight standard hours left until we reach the 'Ningjing Huilang' space station. Before we arrive, we must finalize our negotiation strategy. Weilan, you report the intelligence on the Star Alliance delegation first."

Weilan calls up a holographic projection, displaying the diplomatic team information provided by the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

"Head of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance delegation: Roboute Guilliman, one of the Archons of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, known as the 'Ultramarines Primarch'."

"According to existing intelligence, he is not only a military Commander but also the primary architect of the Star Alliance's administrative system."

Liana adds: "We obtained some combat records regarding Guilliman through third-party channels."

"He is likely not the impulsive type of Commander, but rather a planner. Before every operation, there is exhaustive preparation, considering various possibilities and contingency plans."

"At the negotiating table, he will likely adopt the same style."

Weilan takes over the conversation and continues.

"In the team composition, the most noteworthy point is that the psionic advisor was appointed by Primarch Magnus."

When Doctor Lundengke hears the name Magnus, his Third Eye shrinks slightly.

"Magnus... according to the analysis of the Tartarus-IV incident, this Primarch may be the individual in the Star Alliance who understands psionics and Reality Anomaly the best."

"His advisory team needs special attention; they may possess the ability to detect... certain phenomena."

Kalaier nods: "We will discuss this later. So, what is our assessment of the Star Alliance's negotiation goals?"

Tal speaks up.

"They are not here to negotiate peace. The victory in the Triangle Star System has boosted the Star Alliance's morale, and their military strength is intact. By all logic, they should be pressing their advantage now, not sitting down to negotiate."

"They agreed to negotiate for only one reason: to demonstrate that they have a willingness for peace."

"Agreed. Intelligence shows that the Star Alliance's fleet is assembling, undergoing maintenance, and resupplying in the K-78 and K-79 regions."

"The command posts of Sanguinius and Angron show no signs of withdrawing; instead, they are expanding. This is a clear signal of preparation for the next phase of the offensive."

Moreno pushes up the universal visual aid on the bridge of his nose.

"From a legal perspective, the Star Alliance may use the negotiations to achieve several goals: First, if we make any concessions during the negotiations, they can claim to have achieved a 'diplomatic victory'."

"Second, if a military conflict occurs during the negotiations, they can accuse us of 'lacking sincerity'."

"Third, the negotiations themselves can divide us internally; the conflict between the pro-war and pro-peace factions may intensify."

Lasiweisi speaks up.

"There is also a cultural consideration. The Star Alliance has always claimed that their expansion is for 'Human unity and peace'."

"Refusing to negotiate would damage this image, while agreeing to negotiate can maintain it."

"They can appear very 'reasonable' and very 'civilized' at the negotiating table, while simultaneously continuing to advance on the battlefield."

Kalaier listens quietly to everyone's analysis, his three eyes narrowing slightly.

After a long while, he speaks.

"So the consensus is: the Star Alliance is not negotiating in good faith, and they are also stalling for time, but the goal is to prepare for military action."

"Yes."

Tal says affirmatively.

"They are preparing to attack the core region."

"According to the latest intelligence from the military department, the Star Alliance's fleet movements in the border region indicate that they may launch a new offensive within two weeks."

"The negotiations are a smokescreen for them to buy final preparation time."

Weilan asks.

"Then what is our countermeasure? If we know they are stalling, why are we still playing along with this act?"

Kalaier's three eyes open simultaneously, flickering with complex light.

"Because we also need time."

The Meeting Room falls into a brief Silence.

Then Doctor Lundengke says slowly.

"The Mirror Rift Project."

"Not just the Mirror Rift."

Kalaier corrects.

"There is also the formation of new fleets, the research and development of new weapons, the reinforcement of the defense system, the construction of diplomatic alliances... the Fengqi Star Alliance needs time."

"And the negotiating table is the most legitimate and decent way to buy time."

Kalaier calls up a star map, and a thumbnail of the Fengqi Star Alliance unfolds on the table.

"Look here, our territory. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has gone from nothing to something in just one year, and now it already controls an area equivalent to our southern region."

"At this rate, if it is not stopped, it won't be long before the Fengqi Star Alliance ceases to exist."

On the star map, the blue area of the Star Alliance is spreading inward from the border.

Tal spoke up.

"Militarily, we are temporarily unable to contend with the Primarch. The battles of K-77, K-78, and K-79 have proven this."

"Conventional forces are like paper before the Primarch. We need new weapons, new tactics, or... new power."

"The Mirror Rift might provide such power."

Lundengke said.

"But research takes time. Preliminary estimates show that we can stably open small Rifts, but controlling their size, location, and duration remains difficult."

"Not to mention weaponizing them for use against an existence like the Primarch."

Liana added.

"Besides the Mirror Rift, the military's 'Star-Glory Class' Battleship project has also entered its final stage."

"The new Energy Weapon can theoretically quickly overload the shields of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, but it requires actual testing and adjustment."

Weilan took over the conversation.

"Diplomatically, we are sowing fear among the Canaan Star Alliance, the Ash Star Alliance, the Daikong Star Alliance, and other powers."

"Making them worry that the Star Alliance's next target is them."

"But they are still watching from the sidelines. If we can demonstrate the Star Alliance's 'aggression' during negotiations, or at least make the Star Alliance appear to be the 'unreasonable party' after negotiations break down, we might push these powers to form a united front with us."

Kalaier concluded.

"So, our goal is clear: buy as much time as possible at the negotiating table."

"Every day we delay, our scientific research advances by one day, our military preparations become more complete by one day, and our diplomatic efforts yield a little more fruit."

Moreno reminded them.

"But Guilliman is no fool. He will see through our delaying tactics."