Chapter 433

"General Mac? I'm Minister Li, representing China. I demand you immediately cease the 'Dawn Angel' military strike." A calm male voice emerged from the black phone; though quiet, it carried an irrefutable tone.

"Minister Li, while you are an important figure in China, you cannot command the British Commonwealth to act, can you?" The hawk-nosed white man replied coldly.

"Our reconnaissance satellites have detected your military satellite 'Dawn Angel' locking onto our citizens with an orbital laser cannon and have already executed one strike. If you proceed with a second strike, our military satellite 'Tian Gong' will simultaneously launch a military-grade counterstrike against 'Dawn Angel'." Minister Li spoke without mercy.

No sooner had he finished than a startled report came from a corner of the hall:

"General, China's military satellite 'Tian Gong' has locked onto our Dawn Angel. We've detected its orbital laser cannon synchronizing its charge. Issue immediate countermeasures!"

"Minister Li, are you mad? Do you know what will happen if our two nations' military satellites attack each other?" General Mac's face turned pale as he roared into the phone.

"I know perfectly well. But according to the peace agreement signed by all nations three years ago, orbital cannons and other military-grade attacks are permitted only against extraterrestrial life. Any military strike against another nation violates the treaty and will incur sanctions from those people—even loss of their future technological support. This time, it was your British Commonwealth that broke the agreement first." Minister Li spoke without emotion.

"Hmph, are you mistaken? When did our orbital cannon ever attack your Chinese citizens?"

"We were only eliminating a dangerous lifeform that escaped from our lab. It was cloned at great cost and is therefore our property. The British Commonwealth has every right to destroy it." General Mac's expression darkened.

"A lab subject. Your property?"

"Then General, you'd better explain why this subject of yours is identical in appearance to 'Number One,' a protected key personnel from one of our bases. Shall we settle this matter before those people together?" Minister Li did not yield.

"Minister Li, are you certain you want to go to those 'Future People'?"

"You know very well that, compared to your China, most of those Future People are white and favor the British Commonwealth more." General Mac fell silent for a moment, then sneered in reply.

"I know full well. After all, it was your British Commonwealth that led the Future Earth Alliance, causing our China to suffer heavy losses. Precisely because of that, we cannot afford the slightest retreat now—we cannot let this happen again."

"Moreover, you know as well as I do how critical 'Number One' is. Even if we take this to those Future People, do you think they'll stand by and let you British destroy 'Number One'? To them, any opportunity to aid their world is one they won't let slip."

Minister Li's tone remained utterly calm.

"Minister Li, you know 'Number One' is tied to a matter of immense importance in another world. If we British Commonwealth cannot obtain him, we will never allow your Chinese government to possess him alone."

"If China dares to overturn the table, the British Commonwealth, as the leading power of Earth, will match you blow for blow." General Mac's eyebrows shot up, his voice growing colder.

As the threats were spoken, silence fell simultaneously on both ends of the call.

Seconds ticked by.

General Mac held the phone, staring fixedly at the screen, standing motionless, his face as icy as frozen steel.

Other staff in the hall, having overheard the exchange, instinctively held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

"Minister Li, General Mac, if both of you persist like this and your nations truly break apart over this, won't we 'Future People' be left with nothing but headaches?" A third man's voice suddenly came from the black phone—youthful in tone, yet heavy with resignation.

"Mr. Leisa?" General Mac gasped, shock flashing across his face.

"Heh, General Mac, don't worry—I strictly abide by our original agreement. I didn't eavesdrop on your private line. I'm currently right here with Minister Li." A light chuckle came from the other end.

"Mr. Leisa, you're in China?" General Mac froze, startled.

"Yes. I came to see Minister Li on urgent business. Just now, he made this direct call to you right in front of me." The third man offered a brief explanation.

"Urgent business?" Various thoughts surged through General Mac's mind; he felt a flicker of suspicion.

"Yes, oddly enough, I came to see Minister Li because of this 'Number One.'" The man named Mr. Leisa spoke with deep implication.

At these words, General Mac fell silent again. After a long pause, he slowly asked:

"Mr. Leisa, are you here to stop me too?"

"General Mac, as Minister Li said, your plan to destroy 'Number One' outright is reckless."

"I personally believe 'Number One''s value far exceeds imagination—he may well be the key to saving both our worlds."

"I strongly advise the British Commonwealth not to destroy 'Number One,' even if he is merely a clone." Mr. Leisa's voice came through the phone with firm certainty.

"Mr. Leisa, I'd very much like to agree to your request—but I fear I cannot explain this to Parliament." General Mac sighed, his tone filled with reluctance.

"What if China agrees to let the British Commonwealth join in the research and development of the 'Setan' world?" Mr. Leisa replied without hesitation.

"What? China agrees to this?" General Mac's spirits instantly lifted.

"China is still part of Earth. Our greatest enemy is not other nations on this planet. If the British Commonwealth is willing to open a few of your exclusive research projects, China can conditionally allow your participation." Minister Li's voice spoke again—still calm, yet unmistakably willing.

"That's easily settled. If China agrees, all other conditions are negotiable. I'll order our psychic unit to stand down immediately and contact the Chairman to convene an emergency meeting." General Mac's face lit up as he spoke rapidly.

"General, issue your order first—ensure 'Number One's' safety. The rest is for your two nations to negotiate. But as representative of the Future Earth Alliance, I will personally take part in the Setan world research." Mr. Leisa's voice came again from the black phone.

General Mac's expression of excitement froze.