Chapter 1194: Too Many Promises, a Costly Price

Torres nodded slowly.

"Your father was a man worthy of respect. It is a pity he left us too soon. Now, let us discuss business."

Alan activated the data storage device, and a holographic image appeared in the center of the Meeting Room.

A meticulously edited "Safety Assessment Summary."

"Three days ago, at the Pure Eye research facility, a serious psionic equipment accident occurred."

Alan began to narrate.

"The accident resulted in severe brain damage to the project lead, Luosite Taluosi, and the deaths of security personnel. My Adjutant and I were present at the time and survived by sheer luck."

The hologram displayed some "on-site photos," processed of course, showing explosion marks and damaged equipment, but no details of the corpses.

"According to preliminary analysis, the cause of the accident was equipment design flaws and operational violations."

Alan continued.

"But what is more worrying is that such a high-risk project lacked basic safety oversight and emergency mechanisms. If the scale of the accident had been larger, or if it had occurred in a densely populated area..."

He did not finish, but the implication was clear.

Torres looked closely at the hologram, his three eyes scanning every detail in turn.

"Is this assessment your own work?"

"It was completed with the assistance of the Saladin Family technical team. But we lack authority and influence. That is why I need to testify before the Council, not to accuse anyone, but to push for the establishment of a more comprehensive Kexue Anquan Jianguan Fa'an."

A Colonel to Torres's right spoke up, his voice gruff.

"Major, I understand your concerns. But Pure Eye is a project directly supported by the Supreme Council, and even Speaker Ravenna. By doing this, you are effectively questioning the decisions of the Supreme Council."

Alan turned to the Colonel, his expression sincere.

"Colonel, I am well aware of the contributions the Supreme Council has made to the Star Alliance. It is not the Supreme Council I question, but the information by which the Supreme Council may have been misled. If the project lead concealed risks, if the reports exaggerated results... then any leader could make a wrong judgment."

He paused for a moment and added.

"I believe that if the Commander-in-Chief knew the true situation, he would also support strengthening safety oversight. After all, any accidental incident ultimately harms the overall interests of the Star Alliance."

The female advisor to Torres's left asked suddenly.

"Ms. Lina, as a member of the Intelligence Department, what is your view on this matter?"

Lina answered calmly.

"From the perspective of intelligence work, any high-risk project lacking oversight can become a security hazard. This includes not only physical security, but also information security, financial security, and even political security. The Pure Eye project enjoys massive funding and a high degree of autonomy, which in itself is worth noting."

She pulled up her Data Pad.

"Over this past period, there have been three safety incident reports related to Pure Eye, but all were handled internally and not reported. In the same period, project funding increased by four hundred and twenty percent, yet public results are almost zero. This asymmetry is a warning signal under any regulatory system."

Torres was silent for a moment, tapping his fingers on the tabletop, and finally said.

"So, you want me to support your testimony at the Council. What do I get out of it?"

Alan was prepared.

"In the short term, you can gain the political capital of pushing through important legislation; if the 'Kexue Anquan Jianguan Fa'an' passes, it will be your political achievement. In the long term, you will gain the support of the Saladin Family and its influence in the military and business sectors."

Alan leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"Furthermore, if my testimony can prompt a re-evaluation of certain projects... then resource allocation might also be readjusted. For a planet like Huojin Xing that relies on mineral quotas, that might not be a bad thing."

Torres's Third Eye narrowed slightly.

"You are very eloquent, Major. But I need more concrete promises. If you gain influence in the Council, how can you guarantee you won't forget today's conversation?"

Alan took a badge of the Saladin Family from his breast pocket.

"This is my personal pledge."

He placed the badge on the table.

"At any time, you can contact me through this. Moreover, in votes involving resource allocation, border security, and mineral trade, as long as it does not harm the core interests of the Star Alliance, the Saladin Family will prioritize coordinating our stance with the Torres Family."

This was a major commitment, almost equivalent to a political alliance.

Torres stared at the badge for a long time.

Then, he reached out, picked up the badge, and held it in his palm.

"Kailuo, arrange for the Major to meet with the Kexue Anquan Xiaoweiyuanhui of the Council. In my name."

"Yes, Speaker."

Torres looked at Alan.

"Additionally, before you testify formally, you need to see a few people. I will arrange it. But remember: our conversation is limited to this room."

"Understood."

Alan bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your support."

The meeting ended in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.

Torres did not keep them for a meal.

Leaving the residence and returning to the hovercar, Lina finally let out a soft breath.

"The first step was a success. Torres is a cautious man; that he is willing to support you shows he sees the value."

Alan nodded.

Yingzhou sat in the front seat and glanced at Alan through the rearview mirror.

The next forty-eight hours were suffocatingly packed with a tight schedule.

Under Torres's arrangements, Alan and Lina traveled without rest to meet with seven councilors and three high-ranking officials.

Some were in official offices, some in private clubs, and some even on starships in interstellar transit.

Lina's assistance was crucial.

She prepared detailed files on each person they were to meet in advance, skillfully guided the topics during the meetings, and analyzed the other party's true intentions and room for negotiation afterward.

Yingzhou accompanied them throughout as Adjutant, but he always maintained a low profile.

In the hovercar returning to their lodging, Lina summarized the results.

"Among the seven councilors, three have clearly stated they will support you in the committee, two remain neutral but lean toward supporting, and two require more promises."

She recorded quickly on the Data Pad.

"Among the three officials, the Deputy Minister of the Resource Management Department is willing to provide data support, the Director of the Science Department is taking a wait-and-see attitude, and the military representative... has an ambiguous attitude, but at least did not oppose."

"Better than expected."

Alan said.

He leaned back in his seat, rubbing his head.

"But the cost is also not small."

Lina put down the Data Pad, her expression serious.

"You made many promises: trade priority for the Saladin Family in three star systems, support for future personnel arrangements, and even hinted at vote exchanges on specific issues. If all these promises are fulfilled, the family will have to pay a lot."

"Investment requires costs."

Alan said calmly.

"Moreover, most of these promises are conditional and can be manipulated. What is important is that we now have a ticket to enter the core circle of the council."