An unexpected delegation lineup: the leader's art of checks and balances
The White Bone Hall of the Negative Zone Management Committee was temporarily converted into a venue for a special meeting.
It was exactly 9:00 AM.
Lynn entered right on time, and the door behind him closed silently.
Four people were already seated around the long conference table: Stability Maintenance Office Director Hela; Wanda, the Director the Technology Integration Department; Jean Grey, the Director of the Mutants Management Committee; and Gwen Stacy Stacy, the Director of the Liaison Office.
The main leaders of all four departments were present.
The air was so quiet it was almost stagnant. Each person had a freshly brewed cup of hot tea in front of them, but no one touched it. Wisps of steam rose and then dissipated in the cold air.
Hela sat the most upright, like a drawn sword, her gaze fixed straight ahead, seemingly indifferent to everything around her. Wanda, on the other hand, looked down at the data terminal in front of her, her fingers occasionally tracing across the screen, as if she were dealing with some urgent business. Jean's face was still somewhat pale; her hands were folded on the table, her eyes calm. Gwen Stacy adjusted her glasses; a notebook lay open in front of her, its pages blank.
Lynn walked to the head of the table and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the four people.
The proposal they submitted yesterday is now right in front of him. Four documents, four different approaches, four completely different interests.
Everyone's here.
Lynn spoke, his voice not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the empty hall.
"I'm sure everyone has seen the preliminary notice I sent out yesterday. Today's meeting will only have one agenda item."
He didn't offer any pleasantries or preamble, and went straight to the point.
"Final list of the delegation to Battleworld for inspection."
As soon as she finished speaking, Wanda's finger stopped on the screen. Hela's gaze finally shifted from directly in front of her and landed on Lynn.
Lynn picked up a document from the table, but didn't look at it.
"After deliberation by the Management Committee, it was decided to establish Negative Zone Battleworld Inspection Delegation."
He paused, his gaze first falling on Gwen Stacy.
"The delegation will be headed by Comrade Gwen Stacy Stacy, the Director of the Liaison Office. She will be fully responsible for external liaison, itinerary arrangements, and diplomatic coordination for this visit."
Gwen Stacy was visibly taken aback, her fingers tightening slightly around the pen. She looked up, meeting Lynn's gaze, her eyes showing surprise, but even more so, a solemn sense of being entrusted with a critical mission. She didn't speak, but simply nodded.
Sitting opposite her, Hela's lips curled into an almost imperceptible, cold smile.
Lynn's gaze then turned to Hela.
"The deputy head of the delegation will be Comrade Hela, the Director of the Stability Maintenance Office. She will be fully responsible for all security arrangements for the delegation during its journey and upon arrival. All armed escort forces for the delegation will be uniformly deployed by the Stability Maintenance Office and will report directly to Comrade Hela."
Hela leaned back slightly in her chair. This arrangement placed her as Gwen's deputy, subordinate to Gwen Stacy, yet gave her the most substantial military command authority. Like a tiger with a collar around its neck, but its claws and teeth still intact.
She didn't say anything, but simply crossed her arms; this gesture itself was a silent statement.
"Comrade Wanda Maximoff, Director the Technology Integration Department, is accompanying the delegation as its technical advisor." Lynn looked at Wanda, "She is responsible for conducting a comprehensive technical survey and data analysis of the Battleworld, assessing its potential risks and technical weaknesses. All technical equipment will be provided and maintained by the Department of Technology."
Wanda looked up, her face expressionless, and simply replied, "Understood."
Finally, Lynn's gaze fell on Qin.
Qin's eyes held a complex mix of emotions, a hint of disappointment, yet also a sense of anticipation for the final verdict.
"Comrade Jean Grey, Director of the Mutants Management Committee, will not be making this trip."
Lynn's tone left no room for argument.
"Your mission is more important than the overseas trip. You will remain in the Negative Zone, overseeing the Headquarters. You will be fully responsible for internal stability work during the inspection, especially the ideological dynamics in Krakoa; you must ensure everything goes smoothly. During this time, you can mobilize all resources except for the mobile forces of the Stability Maintenance Office. Report any unusual activity directly to me."
These words made Qin's body tremble slightly.
She couldn't go, but Lynn entrusted her with the crucial task of maintaining stability for the entire family—a responsibility that required both trust and political acumen. This was both a test and a silent form of compensation and trust.
She took a deep breath and stood up.
"Don't worry, sir, I guarantee I'll complete the mission."
Lynn gestured for her to sit down.
After the entire list was announced, silence fell over the meeting room once again.
This was a combination that no one had expected.
Gwen Stacy, seemingly the least aggressive, became the nominal head, while the most assertive Hela became her deputy. One was responsible for applying the brakes, the other for applying the accelerator. Wanda's technical expertise, like a precise Scalpel, operated independently of the command system, focusing solely on the technology itself. Jean, left behind, was entrusted with the crucial responsibility of overseeing the nation.
Lynn dismantled the four-person plan into pieces, and then pieced it back together in a completely new, mutually restraining way.
"Comrades," Lynn looked around, "This trip is not a simple visit, nor is it an armed demonstration. It is a complex mission with multiple aspects: political, diplomatic, technical, and security."
"Comrade Gwen Stacy's procedural rigor and diplomatic experience are the cornerstone of the legitimacy of this operation and also the face we present when dealing with other forces. We abide by the rules, but we are not afraid of trouble."
"Comrade Hela and the comrades in the Stability Maintenance Office are the source of our confidence to step onto the poker table. With you here, the delegation can stand tall."
"Without Comrade Wanda's technical support, we would be deaf and blind on their territory, completely at their mercy. Your work determines how far and how deep we can see."
"Comrade Qin, your safeguarding of our rear is the greatest support you can give to the front lines. Only when our rear is secure can our comrades on the front lines focus wholeheartedly."
His words elevated everyone's work to an indispensable strategic level, affirming each person's value while clearly defining the boundaries of their respective responsibilities.
"This is a team, everyone has their own role, and no one can be missing. I don't want to see any parochialism, nor do I want to hear anyone complain to me about how difficult their work is."
Lynn's tone became stern.
"Whoever's link in the chain went wrong, I will only hold them accountable."
"Did you all understand?"
"Clear."
This time, the responses were much more unified.
"Okay." Lynn nodded. "That's the list. After the meeting, each department should immediately begin preparations according to their assigned tasks."
He stood up.
Meeting adjourned.
One by one, everyone stood up and left the meeting room with mixed feelings. Hela walked in front without speaking to anyone. Gwen Stacy followed behind, her steps steady.
The main hall quickly emptied.
Lynn stood there, staring at the four proposals on the table, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
Power can only be truly caged when it is checked and balanced.
The night before departure.
The Negative Zone entered its final period of silence before departure.
The light in Lynn's office was still on.
He picked up the Internal Communicator and connected to the office of Gwen Stacy, the Director of the Liaison Office office.
"Director Gwen, please come to me for a moment."
After hanging up the phone, he took a thick, top -Top Secret file without a cover from a locked drawer and placed it on the table.