The standing committee battle over the special budget: the Department of Technology and the Stability Maintenance Office
The White Bone Hall.
The long conference table was as cold as a mirror, reflecting the faint light from the dome.
Lynn's fingers stopped tapping rhythmically on the table.
Gwen Stacy's report had just ended. On the holographic screen behind her, the report on restarting the interdimensional port at the former S.P.E.A.R.. site was still open. Most glaringly obvious was the Special Energy Budget request attached to the end of the report, a long string of astronomical figures and an unfamiliar Energy Unit, silently floating there.
This amount of money is enough to make any department's annual accounts look extremely bad.
A somber silence filled the meeting room.
Hela crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, a hint of disdain in her eyes. In her view, it was inconceivable to activate a dilapidated machine from the last century and expend such enormous resources for a "Battleworld" of unknown origin.
Jean Grey sat a little further away, holding a water glass and looking down at the rising steam, seemingly uninterested in the discussion.
Let me say a few words first.
The one who broke the silence was Wanda, the Director the Technology Integration Department.
She cleared her throat, leaned forward slightly, and looked directly at Lynn.
"Sir, Director Gwen's report is very detailed, and I agree with the necessity of restarting the port. The problem now is the budget. The amount is indeed considerable."
Her opening remarks were steady and measured, entirely from the perspective of considering the overall situation.
"The Management Committee's overall budget for this year was determined at the beginning of the year. Now, having to add such a large sum of special funds on short notice will disrupt the rhythm of many planned tasks. Personally, I believe we should first tap into internal potential, optimize resource allocation, and use the money where it's most needed."
At this point, the atmosphere at the conference table began to subtly change.
Hela's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
"For example," Wanda's tone remained calm, as if discussing a purely technical issue, "I recall that the Stability Maintenance Office's annual military budget for this year has a considerable surplus. Especially considering that some recent field operations... haven't been as effective as expected, and the return on investment is questionable."
She didn't name names, but every word struck Hela precisely at her nerves.
"I suggest that a portion of the funds from the Stability Maintenance Office be allocated first to prioritize the urgent task of restarting the port. This would not only solve the immediate problem but also align with our consistent working principle of 'reducing costs and increasing efficiency.'"
After Wanda finished speaking, she picked up her water glass, took a small sip, and said nothing more.
She tossed a hot potato, a difficult problem concerning the division of departmental interests, onto the table in the form of an extremely standard and impeccable "work suggestion."
Hela's fingers, resting on the armrest, slowly tightened.
She let out a very soft, cold laugh; the sound wasn't loud, but it seemed to lower the temperature in the entire conference room by several degrees.
"Director Wanda knows our Stability Maintenance Office's accounts inside and out."
Hela sat up straight, her gaze sharp as a knife, piercing Wanda.
"However, I need to point out one thing. The funds for the Stability Maintenance Office are used to safeguard the very foundation of security for the survival of the Negative Zone; it's a red line. Every penny is used to deal with any major threats that might arise and be capable of overturning everything."
Her voice suddenly rose in pitch.
"This is not meant to pay for the 'technological exploration' of certain departments!"
"If the money meant to ensure everyone can sit here safely for this meeting is used to start a project connected to an unknown enemy, can the Department of Technology bear the responsibility should something go wrong?"
Their gazes clashed in mid-air, neither giving an inch.
One talks about "fiscal Discipline," the other about "safety responsibility," both standing on their own high ground, neither willing to yield an inch.
This is no longer a simple budget dispute, but a direct clash between departmental power and discourse power.
Gwen Stacy looked down at her terminal, seemingly organizing documents, detached from the situation. Jean glanced at Lynn, then quickly looked away.
Lynn did not immediately respond, allowing the tense standoff to fill the conference room.
He needed to see where the bottom line was for each of the two most powerful department heads.
Only when the Death Energy around Hela began to subtly fluctuate did Lynn gently place the thermos on the table.
Thump.
The sound wasn't loud, but it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Have you finished speaking?"
Lynn's gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Hela and Wanda.
"Rebooting a port is not a technical exploration."
He spoke first, defining the nature of the incident.
"This is a crucial step in resolving Comrade Erik's disappearance and, more importantly, in uncovering the true nature of the ' Battleworld.' This is a political task."
This statement directly blocked Hela's path of downplaying the matter as a "technical issue" and established it as the highest priority.
Hela's expression softened slightly, but she remained tense.
"As for where the money will come from," Lynn turned his gaze to Wanda, "The annual budgets of each department are seriously discussed and collectively approved by the Standing Committee; they have their own seriousness and stability. We can't just arbitrarily make exceptions and adjust departmental budgets for a temporary task. This precedent cannot be set."
These words both upheld the rules of the system and gave Hela a way out.
Wanda's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Lynn leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped together and placed on her abdomen.
"I have a proposal."
"We have established a separate Special Budget for this restart task. The funds will come from the Management Committee's Strategic Reserve Fund for this year."
This decision surprised both Hela and Wanda.
"However," Lynn emphasized, "This money must be 'dedicated funds for specific purposes,' and every expenditure must have a clear flow and record."
"The specific model is as follows: the Technology Integration Department will, based on the restart requirements, provide a detailed technical solution and a phased budget breakdown."
He looked at Wanda.
"The Liaison Office is responsible for overseeing the compliance of the entire project process, ensuring that every disbursement of funds complies with procedures."
He looked at Gwen Stacy.
"All budget details and oversight reports are ultimately compiled and submitted to me for my personal approval."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Hela's expression instantly turned somewhat unpleasant.
She understood. Lynn did not cut her military budget, thus saving face for the Stability Maintenance Office. However, through a "Special Budget" financial plan, she completely stripped away the right to use funds for this important task.
In this project, the Stability Maintenance Office was completely reduced to an implementing unit that only exerted its efforts, without ever touching the most crucial source of funds.
Wanda seemed thoughtful. Although she hadn't succeeded in "cutting off" Hela, she had secured project funding, and the Department of Technology had gained control over the budget details, thus achieving her core objective.
Gwen Stacy nodded imperceptibly. The Liaison Office was given the authority to oversee the process, which was tantamount to driving another nail into this major cross-departmental project and expanding its influence.
"We are a whole." Lynn's gaze finally settled on Wanda's face, his tone calm yet carrying undeniable weight. "Solve problems without creating new internal conflicts. Pay attention to working methods and unite our comrades."
This is a warning, a reprimand.
Wanda bowed her head and replied, "Yes, sir. I didn't think it through."
"Director Hela, do you have any further comments?" Lynn asked.
What objection could Hela possibly have? Lynn's plan was flawless, adhering to the rules while also saving face. If she were to object again, she would be disregarding the overall situation.
"No," she squeezed out through gritted teeth.
"Alright, it's settled then." Lynn made the final decision. "Meeting adjourned. Director Gwen, please stay behind."
The crowd gradually got up and left.
The moment the conference room door closed, Gwen Stacy's Encrypted Communicator vibrated slightly.
She glanced at it, her expression changed slightly, and she immediately handed the terminal to Lynn.
"Sir."
It was a top-priority lightning report just sent by a technical operative stationed at the former S.P.E.A.R.. site in Chinatown.
The report contained only two lines.
"The Special Budget was disbursed three minutes ago."
"Port restart successful... but it spam something out."
Below the report is a photo taken in real time.
The photo shows a well-made, Black Physical Invitation. Seal the envelope with a Distorted Seal, identical to the one on the black card, branded with bright red wax.
Battleworld.