Behind-the-scenes maneuvering for delegation slots, each making their own case
Lynn's office was quiet.
The preliminary notice regarding the formation of a delegation to Battleworld for inspection has been sent to the terminals of the main responsible persons of various departments via encrypted lines.
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
Beneath the surface, undercurrents have already begun to surge.
The first person to appear at the office door was Hela, the Director the Stability Maintenance Office.
She didn't knock, but paused at the door for a moment before pushing it open and entering.
Holding a document wrapped in a black hard cover, he walked over and placed it lightly on Lynn's desk.
The cover features a title printed in gold lettering. "Action Plan for High-Intensity Escort and Deterrence Missions in ' Battleworld '".
"Sir."
Hela's voice remained as cold and hard as ever, with a metallic quality.
"I believe that this so-called 'inspection' was essentially an armed reconnaissance mission. Faced with an unknown force that dares to snatch people directly from our hands, any form of goodwill will be interpreted as weakness."
She pointed her finger and tapped on the document cover.
"This plan was drafted by the General Staff overnight. Its core idea is singular: to demonstrate strength. I will personally lead a fully-equipped Undead Centurion Assault Team as the core escort. We will not provoke, but any attempt to challenge our bottom line will be met with the most direct and thorough physical elimination."
Lynn did not pick up the proposal immediately.
He simply looked up at Hela.
"You mean the Stability Maintenance Office is in charge of this trip?"
"This isn't about taking the lead, it's about ensuring things go smoothly," Hela corrected. "Diplomatic rhetoric can't solve the fundamental problems. Only absolute power can secure the most basic respect for our comrades at the negotiating table. Otherwise, this visit will only become another humiliation."
Lynn's gaze shifted from her face to the thick proposal.
He reached out and turned to the first page.
The top section contains a densely packed list of weapon configurations and personnel organization, covering everything from the power of individual soldier energy weapons to the warp parameters of small assault ships.
This is a plan for going to war, not for conducting research.
Lynn remained silent, turning the pages one by one.
The only sound in the office was the rustling of papers.
Hela stood there, arms crossed, like a statue awaiting inspection, radiating an undeniable power.
He didn't close the plan until Lynn had turned to the last page, and pushed it aside on the table.
I've received the proposal.
His tone was calm, revealing no particular inclination.
"The content is very detailed; thank you to the comrades in the Stability Maintenance Office for their hard work. I'll leave it here for now and study it carefully."
Hela's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She wanted a clear answer, not a standard, official reply.
But Lynn had already lowered her head and was looking at the documents in front of her again, not giving her a chance to speak.
Hela remained silent for a few seconds, then finally turned and left the office.
The Communicator rang shortly after the door closed.
She is Wanda, the Director the Technology Integration Department.
"Sir, may I report to you now on the technical assessment of the Battleworld?"
"Come in."
Wanda appeared in the doorway, holding a slim data terminal in her hand.
"Sir." She placed the terminal on the table, swiped the screen, and a complex 3D Star Map and Data Stream immediately appeared.
"You've probably already seen Director Hela's plan. Personally, I think that relying solely on military deterrence is very risky and inefficient."
She spoke slowly and clearly.
"Since the Battleworld was able to exploit loopholes in the rules to take Erik away, it shows that their understanding of energy and spatial technology is no less than ours. A head-on confrontation would likely lead us into their rule trap."
"My suggestion is that this trip should focus primarily on technical exploration. I have prepared a portable Deep Scanning Array that can comprehensively analyze the core energy system, spatial Anchor layout, and communication network of the Battleworld without alerting the enemy. Only by knowing ourselves and our enemy can we gain the upper hand."
She pushed a document titled "Feasibility Report on Conducting Non-Contact Technical Exploration and Data Modeling in ' Battleworld '" onto Lynn's screen.
"Only by understanding their Underlying Logic can we find their weaknesses, and even, at crucial moments, turn the tables and paralyze their systems. This is more effective than any military deterrence."
Lynn's gaze swept across the report on the screen.
"How much energy does this scanning array consume?" he suddenly asked.
Wanda paused for a moment, then replied, "In silent scanning mode, energy consumption is very low and can be provided by the delegation's accompanying vehicles. If deep analysis mode is activated, it needs to be connected to our rear-end Chaos Furnace for remote power supply."
"Understood." Lynn nodded. "The report is very valuable, and the Department of Technology's approach is very insightful. You can go back now and wait for further instructions."
Wanda looked at Lynn, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately chose to obey.
"Yes, sir."
After Wanda left, the office was quiet for a while.
Lynn didn't immediately deal with other work; she simply picked up her thermos and took a sip of water.
He knew that others would come.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Jean Grey of the Mutants Management Committee appeared at the door.
Her face was still a little pale, but her eyes had regained their firmness.
She did not bring any form of plan or report.
"Sir, I've come to report on the recent thoughts and feelings within the Management Committee."
Qin's opening remarks were completely different from the previous two.
"The news of Comrade Erik's disappearance has caused quite a stir within Krakoa. The Brotherhood members, in particular, are quite agitated. My main task these past few days has been to reassure everyone, unify our thinking, and ensure that things don't get out of hand."
She paused for a moment, looking at Lynn.
"It is widely believed that this incident is not only a provocation against the Management Committee, but also a disregard for the right to survival of all Mutants. At this critical moment, we must demonstrate sufficient strength and responsibility."
Lynn listened quietly.
"So," Qin took a deep breath, "Sir, I must go on this trip."
"This isn't about vying for dominance. It's because I'm the Director of the Management Committee. With Comrade Erik being illegally detained, only I can represent all Mutants and demand an explanation from the other side."
"Furthermore, I need to see Erik in person to confirm his safety and reassure him. It's inappropriate and ineffective for anyone else to do this. It's both a job and a form of... family reassurance."
She used a very subtle word.
Lynn looked at her and tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
I understand your difficulties.
He spoke slowly.
"The stability of the Management Committee is of paramount importance. Your opinion is very important."
There were still no promises made.
Qin nodded. Having received the response she wanted, she said no more and quietly withdrew.
The office door closed, and Lynn's gaze fell on the last pending communication request.
Liaison Office, Gwen Stacy Stacy.
When Gwen Stacy walked into the office, she was carrying only a thin memo.
"Sir, regarding the principle of diplomatic reciprocity for this trip to Battleworld, I have drafted a memorandum for your review."
She handed over the memo.
"The fact that the Battleworld took the initiative to send a letter and packaged the matter as a 'friendly inspection' is itself a political test. They want to position us, in form, as a subordinate unit that has come to learn and receive guidance."
"Therefore, I believe that the identity and position of the head of the delegation we send are of paramount importance."
"Based on our previous practices in handling relations with the Multiversal Coordination Committee, and the division of responsibilities within the Negative Zone Management Committee, all formal diplomatic contacts involving cross-regional and cross-factional areas should be led by the Liaison Office to reflect our procedural justice and professionalism."
"Having me lead the delegation best aligns with the principle of 'diplomatic equality.' This sends a clear signal to both the other side and all other observing forces: we are here for equal dialogue, not to await judgment."
Gwen Stacy's tone was calm and her logic was rigorous, entirely based on work rules and the overall political situation.
After listening, Lynn didn't look at the memo; she simply leaned back in her chair and watched her.
"Procedures are the cornerstone of our authority."
He said it casually.
"I see."
Gwen Stacy didn't ask any further questions, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.
The office was finally completely quiet again.
On the table were an armed deterrence plan, a technical exploration report, an oral briefing on political stability, and a memorandum emphasizing procedural justice.
Hela's power, Wanda's skills, Jyn's political capital, and Gwen Stacy's rules.
Everyone played their hand from the perspective that they were best at and had the most advantageous position in.
Lynn's gaze swept over the four completely different "answer sheets," his face expressionless.
He picked up the Internal Communicator and connected to the office.
"Notice: A special meeting of the Standing Committee will be held tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM."
There is only one issue.
The final list of the delegation visiting Battleworld has been released.