Chapter 956: Friendly Relations

Six standard hours later, Angron arrived at the diplomatic conference hall again.

The communication was connected on time, and Vitas and his team appeared in the holographic projection once more.

Vitas spoke politely.

"Your Excellency Angron, it is a pleasure to speak with you again."

Angron replied indifferently.

"Vitas, I hope the past six standard hours have given you the opportunity to seriously consider our position."

Vitas adjusted the Data Pad in front of him.

"We have discussed your side's demands in depth. The Daikong Star Alliance is willing to promise not to interfere in your side's... affairs with the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, but we require more explicit guarantees."

"What kind of guarantees?"

"First, we hope your side can provide a detailed report on the health status of Ms. Aolana and the entire delegation. Second, we hope to establish a clear timetable explaining under what conditions they will be released."

Angron shook his head slightly.

"Vitas, I do not like repeating myself. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance treats the delegation in accordance with their status; their health and safety are not matters for discussion. Or are you questioning whether we place enough importance on them?"

Vitas's compound eyes contracted.

"Your Excellency Angron, in interstellar diplomacy, detaining diplomatic personnel is in itself a serious violation of convention. The non-interference promise we have made already demonstrates great sincerity, and we hope your side can make corresponding concessions as well."

"Concessions? What the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is conducting is a righteous cause to liberate enslaved Humans. We do not need anyone's permission, nor will we make any for this."

The atmosphere in the conference hall became tense.

Seeing this, Vitas proposed.

"Then, please at least allow us to have one more call with Ms. Aolana; this time we hope for more sufficient communication time to confirm her true condition."

Angron looked directly at Vitas's image: "Vitas, you are not being sincere, are you?"

Vitas paused for a moment and spoke.

"I am merely following diplomatic conventions to ensure the safety and rights of our personnel."

"Then let me tell you clearly, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance has its own principles and standards in how it acts. We will not change our position because of any external pressure."

"Your Excellency Angron, this attitude does not help us build mutual trust. The Daikong Star Alliance seeks peaceful coexistence, not confrontation."

"Peaceful coexistence is built on the foundation of mutual respect, and respect, first and foremost, means not interfering in another country's internal affairs."

Both sides fell into a brief stalemate.

Vitas proposed again.

"What if we publicly support your side's... liberation cause? The Daikong Star Alliance can issue an official statement recognizing the sovereignty of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance in the star sectors already under its control."

"We do not need this kind of recognition. The liberation of Humans is an inalienable right and does not depend on the recognition of any external force."

"Then what exactly does your side want? If we neither interfere nor recognize, what reason does your side have to continue detaining our personnel?"

The corners of Angron's mouth lifted slightly.

"Vitas, we are detaining those Aliens... your people, not to extort anything, but to ensure that before our liberation cause is completed, no external forces will attempt to obstruct us."

"But this is extortion in itself!"

"How could it be? We, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, have always been peace-loving. We would not do such a thing."

Vitas exchanged a few low words with the advisors behind him and spoke again.

"Your Excellency Angron, interstellar society has its rules of operation. Forces that violate these rules often find themselves falling into isolation."

Angron almost laughed out loud: "Vitas, the philosophy of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is that we will absolutely never strike first, but we also will not let our opponents have another chance to strike. After all, we are peace-loving."

After a few minutes of Silence, Vitas spoke.

"Since that is the case, we only request the most basic guarantee: that your side ensures the safety and basic rights of our personnel are not violated. After your side completes its... operations in the Feng Qi Xing Region, release them immediately."

"Of course, we can guarantee their safety; we certainly will not let them die here."

"We need a more explicit commitment; the Daikong Star Alliance needs to answer to its citizens and parliament."

Angron watched Vitas and suddenly saw Selina nodding at him from the side.

"Very well, Commissioner Vitas. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance can make the following commitments: first, your people will receive treatment befitting their status; second, their safety will be protected in accordance with their status; third, after the liberation cause in the Feng Qi Xing Region stabilizes, we will release them, provided you do not break our agreement."

Vitas exchanged glances with the other representatives and nodded in reply.

"Then, the Daikong Star Alliance accepts these conditions. We hope your side can confirm these commitments in written form."

"That is acceptable. At the same time, we hope you will confirm the non-interference promise in the same form."

"This will require the approval of the Supreme Committee, but I can guarantee that we will actively push this process forward."

Angron stood up and said.

"Then, today's talks end here. Ms. Selina will be responsible for the follow-up paperwork."

Vitas also stood up.

"Thank you for your side's sincerity, Your Excellency Angron. I hope this is the beginning of a friendly relationship between our two civilizations."

"That will depend on the future choices of the Daikong Star Alliance."

Father once said that when dealing with Alien civilizations, one can use some strategies, and just make up an excuse when the time comes.

Right now, it is just to ensure that the people under the rule of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will not be dragged down by the war.

Never mind, I will deal with it when the time comes.