Shaun said no more and held out the Electronic Notebook, which displayed Aifulan's image.
Xilin froze the moment he saw it.
If he hadn't known for certain that his appearance was the result of altered gene expression, he would have suspected the man on the screen was his old man!
What a coincidence. An incredible coincidence!
After briefly explaining Aifulan and the deal to Xilin, Shaun pointed to a chair in the corner of the conference room. "Xilin, sit here when we start negotiating."
"Okay." Xilin had already guessed a few things. The fact that he'd been allowed to join the Sixth Team as a core member so easily meant he was useful to them. At the very least, his face mattered to the Sixth Team.
A little later, the video conference began.
On the screen, thirty-seven-year-old Aifulan wore a kind smile, yet every movement carried a commanding presence that didn't seem out of place. He had originally planned to make this quick: reject the Sixth Team's deal and choose the other Hunter Group. But when he saw Xilin sitting in the corner, the words he'd been about to say never came out.
Aifulan and Shaun were both shrewd men. One glance was enough for each to roughly understand what the other was thinking. In that instant, Aifulan considered many things.
After a brief pause, Aifulan chuckled softly. "Let me think over the deal a little longer. But I think we should have a proper talk, don't you, Captain Shaun?"
"Of course. I'd be delighted."
With a wave of his hand, Shaun sent the others out. Soon, only he remained in the conference room.
Dias led Xilin out of the conference room. Xilin lay back in a chair in the Rest Room, closed his eyes, and tamped down his astonishment. He guessed at several things that might happen next, but whatever the outcome, he was looking forward to it. This was his first mission since leaving Brown Earth Star.
Shaun was in a very good mood. An exceptionally good one. Becoming captain of the Sixth Detachment hadn't taken strength alone. Shaun had a longer view than the others, and showing Aifulan Xilin had been a way to confirm his suspicions.
Two hours later, Shaun called Xilin over for a private discussion.
"Pretend to be his son?!" Xilin looked over the mission plan Shaun had put together.
"Yes. Aifulan hasn't explained why, but I suspect this will be very important to his bid to become the Daongs Family's heir. What do you think? Tell me your own thoughts."
After quickly reading through Aifulan's mind, Xilin said, "Everyone says Aifulan has no children, but I think he does. He just won't let his descendants be seen before he secures the heir's position, for their own safety. It would be too dangerous. His goal is to have me draw fire from certain people by acting as a decoy for his real descendants. That would give him more time and energy to compete for the heir's position. Of course, that's just my guess."
"Good. You've reached that conclusion from such limited information. You're impressive. But that's only part of the mission Aifulan proposed. There's another part he won't decide on until he meets you. So here's what I want to know, Xilin: do you want to take this mission?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"This mission carries some risk. Members of the Freedom Ship can make their own choices. We're not the military; you don't have to obey your superior unconditionally. You can refuse."
"Why would I refuse?" Xilin looked at the sum listed in the plan and was quite pleased. In general, the risk of a mission was proportional to the pay.
Shaun looked Xilin up and down. "I wouldn't have guessed you were so money-hungry."
"That's a Hunter's nature, isn't it?" Hunters weren't adventurers. They were the sort of people who risked their lives for financial gain.
"Exactly. That's what being a Hunter means." Shaun chuckled. "In two days, you'll come with me to meet Aifulan. As for the price, we can still negotiate for more. Spend these two days getting ready."
There were some things Shaun hadn't said, but Xilin knew that regardless of the mission's dangers, if he accepted it, the deal the Sixth Team was negotiating with Aifulan would most likely go through. And by doing this, Xilin could also earn the approval of the Sixth Team's deputy captains, which would benefit his future in the team.
Competition among the Four Great Hunter Groups was growing fiercer. There had been no large-scale, direct clashes, but undercurrents were surging. The Vanguard's main team had already begun taking action, and the achievements of each detachment had a major impact on its members. If Aifulan could serve as a link between the Sixth Team and the Daongs Family, it would undoubtedly give the team's development a tremendous boost...
The importance of Star System noble families to Hunter Groups couldn't be ignored. These families had endured through the ages mainly because of their channels and networks. The relationship between the military and Hunter Groups was complicated. They weren't outright enemies, but relations were far from harmonious. If it could, the military wouldn't allow Hunter Groups to exist. The reality, however, was much more complex. So even when the military couldn't suppress them openly, it often secretly obstructed their missions and their growth.
Few dared to provoke the main fleets of the Four Great Hunter Groups in their home systems, but detachments were another matter. The military, regional political bodies, small Hunter Groups, and others would all take a swipe at a detachment whenever they got the chance, because detachments competed with them for money and prestige. Of course, a detachment's development would be much easier with the help of a prominent family in the Star System.
That was why the Sixth Team had been so reluctant to give up the opportunity Aifulan represented. And with another Hunter Group's detachment competing against them, they had all the more reason to fight for it. More importantly, if Xilin helped Aifulan claim the position, the benefits to the Sixth Team would be immense. Everyone knew that. The few key figures in the Sixth Team who were in on it had placed great hopes in Xilin.
What Shaun meant when he told Xilin to get ready was that he should spend his free time over the next two days learning the information the mission required.
In terms of experience, Xilin was no match for the veteran Hunters. And because of his background, his knowledge of the latest information was limited. For Hunters roaming the stars, that was a serious drawback. So Shaun specially picked out some material for Xilin to read.
After assigning Xilin a private room, Shaun called a meeting with the six deputy captains to discuss keeping Xilin's role confidential. But when he finished and brought Xilin some food, he found that the person who should have been cramming mission information was leaning his head to one side, fast asleep. He was sleeping like a log.
The Electronic Notebook full of information had been tossed aside. Several computer screens nearby were flickering rapidly, their contents impossible to make out.
Dias opened his mouth, but swallowed the words he'd been about to say. He glanced cautiously at Shaun, whose expression kept shifting, and silently cried out, Xilin, come on, show some damn initiative! How could you fall asleep at a critical moment like this?!
Shaun took a deep breath, set down the plate of food, and turned to leave. Dias followed behind him with a long face.
Over the next two days, Xilin slept so much that he didn't even eat. Meanwhile, everyone in the Sixth Team became aware of an atmosphere cold enough to freeze a person solid. From Captain Shaun to all six deputy captains, each of them radiated an aura that said, "Danger. Keep away."
If Shaun hadn't stopped them, the deputy captains would probably have knocked Xilin awake and forced him to read the information. A Hunter who didn't know the latest information wasn't a good Hunter.
"What do you think? How can that kid sleep so peacefully?" Shaun lay back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the tabletop in a steady rhythm.
Dias, sitting across from him, scratched his curly hair. "Ahem, how should I put it? The kid's behavior makes me want to give him a good smack, but..." Dias searched for the right words. "I just get the feeling he's completely unafraid because he knows he's got leverage."
Before you continue