107. Enter the game (Part 2)
Coruscant 20 floors underground, residential area for planetary administrators.
"Mr. Erding, I wonder what you think of the proposal I just made?" Claire sat elegantly on the sofa and looked at Rodian sitting opposite.
She is still a little uncomfortable with it, but she can only keep forcing herself to hint that the seahorse-like person in front of her is a person, an alien, an intelligent creature, and a being that can communicate with each other.
"I'm not sure how you found me, because we are not familiar with each other at all. I only know that you were introduced by Mr. Sai, which makes me a little confused. Can I trust you?" Erding took a sip of the drink with his slender mouthparts.
Claire smiled slightly. In fact, she didn't know who Mr. Sai was. She only knew the identity and relationship given by Rosana-Goodes. Even Rosana only knew that the information came from a robot. It's so mysterious.
"Mr. Sai also has some contact with us. Since we found you through him, this is enough. This is also a Qidian that we cooperate with. Since it is cooperation, then what we pursue is naturally a win-win situation." Claire said.
"What cooperation projects do you have?" Erding asked.
"I got some news that Rodian planet's grain production is decreasing recently."
"This is not news."
"I can provide you with some help."
"Oh? What help? Can you provide us with 1 billion tons of food in a week, or can you provide us with enough spaceships for transportation?"
"These things can only be accomplished by planets within the Mid Rim galaxy."
"So you can't do it?"
"This is the purpose of my coming. Most of the planets located in Outer Rim Territories are relatively poor and backward. In fact, if it were not for the expansion of Galactic Republic, it would be impossible for Draon Planet to enter the interstellar era. They do not have the corresponding industrial capabilities and technological capabilities at all." Claire said.
"But this cannot bring food to our planet." Erding said.
"One planet can't do it, but two planets, three, four, or even hundreds of planets added together? There are always some planets with terrain and climate suitable for agricultural development, and some planets with rich mineral resources suitable for industrial development. That's why I want to propose the establishment of a Outer Rim Planets Mutual Aid Fund so that the backward planets of Outer Rim can help each other when Galactic Republic cannot take care of us."
"I don't know you at all, so I also believe that you don't have such influence at all."
"I understand that Rodian planet's own cultural tendencies and subsequent war damage have almost brought your agricultural production to a standstill. So I can find professional experts and technicians to help Rodian planet build a large-scale fully enclosed hydroponic farm. Of course, we only provide professional technical talents and related consultants, and you need to complete the construction work yourself." Claire said.
Erding said nothing, took a deep breath, leaned back on the backrest, and kept staring at Claire with his big eyelidless eyes.
"Please understand, because we do not have the ability to help you complete all the work, nor do we have the ability to provide you with 1 billion tons of food and enough spaceships. But we can set an example, an example of mutual help." Claire said.
"So what do you want?"
"As you just said, influence. I hope that our cooperation can make everyone realize that even if our individual planet is poor and backward, if we unite, we can still do a lot of things. And when our voice is loud enough, we can also affect Galactic Senate in the future, so that the developed planets of Inner Rim and Core Worlds can provide assistance." Claire said with a smile.
"But what about Trade Federation? They are planning to increase the price for shipping."
"Now our strength is too small to compete with Trade Federation. But..." Claire smiled meaningfully.
"Well, your proposal doesn't do any harm anyway. Although our capabilities are limited, let me see what I can do for you. However, the premise is that you promise to build a large hydroponic farm..."
"Mr. Sai will arrange it soon." Claire said with a smile.
"Okay, after I see your experts, I will introduce you to our Council Representative from Rodian planet."
"This mutual aid fund is a charity work, essentially." Doug-Stamp said at the residence.
"Mutual aid funds are inherently charity work. Believe me, Claire is very good at this." Francis said without raising his head while looking at the document. "In this Galactic Republic that advocates democracy, nothing can accumulate influence more quickly than speaking out for the disadvantaged Outer Rim planets. Because even if it is just superficial, those developed planets must support this cause. This is political correctness."
"You don't expect this mutual aid foundation to succeed, do you?" Doug smiled.
"Actually, the possibility of failure is far greater than the possibility of success. If the administrator's judgment of the future is correct regarding the situation in the galaxy. But what if it fails? All I need is a figure with enough influence, a democratic fighter who helps the weak and the weak - Claire-Underwood."
"What about us?"
Underwood quickly wrote a name and address on the note and handed it to Doug, "Go find this person, if he hasn't starved to death yet. Galactic Republic, a regional office director of the transportation management department, was framed because he offended Trade Federation."
"Okay, I'll go find him right now. So are we going to help him rehabilitate?"
"No, what are you talking about? It is his own business to be rehabilitated and exonerated. What does it have to do with us? What I need is just two doors that may be opened for us in him." Underwood said.
"OK, you should at least tell me what you think." Doug said.
Underwood wrote two more notes and handed them over, "The first door is the "Coruscant Observer" electronic daily. Their editor-in-chief is a person who firmly opposes Trade Federation's monopoly. Because Trade Federation's frame-up caused Galactic Republic officials to live on the streets and finally had to use extreme methods to redress their grievances? Oh, this subject is great."
"And the second door is Director Coruscant Security Office, in our current area. Tell him that someone will cause trouble, but it's best to tell him after the matter becomes big."