A verbal clash at the welcome banquet, the foreign affairs director's test of limits
The dinner was held in a small banquet hall on the top floor of the guesthouse.
There were no excessive decorations, only a huge round table that could seat more than a dozen people. The table was covered with a clean white tablecloth, and the tableware was set out meticulously.
When Gwen Stacy, Hela, and Wanda were led to the table by Mobius, there was already someone sitting in the head seat.
He was a man a little older than Mobius, with slightly graying hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and looking very refined. There were no cutlery in front of him, only a cup of tea.
"Let me introduce you," Mobius said with a perfectly measured smile, "This is Mr. Ke'er, the director of our Battleworld Foreign Affairs Office."
Director Ke'er stood up and extended his hand to Gwen Stacy.
"Commander Stacy, it's an honor to meet you. I am Philip Ke'er."
His voice was gentle, and his handshake was firm enough to be just the right touch, a quick and decisive move.
Gwen Stacy nodded slightly. "Hello, Chief Ke'er."
Both parties took their seats.
The other side only sent Ke'er and Mobius, but they occupied one side of the round table. Gwen Stacy and her two companions were seated on the other side, separated by most of an empty table, clearly indicating their separation.
"The dishes are still being prepared. I've heard that everyone in the Negative Zone is used to efficiency, so we won't go through those formalities," Director Ke'er said with a smile, breaking the silence as he placed his hands on the table.
"The main purpose is to take this opportunity to have an informal discussion with Captain Stacy and the others."
Gwen Stacy picked up her teacup, gently blew on it to cool it, and didn't say anything.
This clearly indicates that tonight's dinner is a working meeting.
"The Negative Zone Management Committee has risen to prominence in the Multiverse in a short time, but its decisive and efficient style is impressive." Ke'er's gaze swept over Gwen Stacy, Hela, and Wanda. "Especially Commander Lynn, at such a young age, to be able to unite such a vast force is truly a remarkable achievement."
He appeared to be praising her, but in reality, he was testing Lynn's true status and influence in the Negative Zone.
"The commander's primary focus has always been maintaining stability and development within his jurisdiction," Gwen Stacy, setting down her teacup. "As subordinates, we are simply carrying out the commander's instructions within our respective areas of responsibility."
She attributed everything to her superiors, leaving no room for error.
Ke'er smiled noncommittally and turned to look at Wanda.
"This must be Director Wanda from the Technology Integration Department, right? I've heard that your department's Chaos Furnace technology is capable of simulating and interfering with the rule level, which is an unimaginable technological achievement in many Dimension. I wonder how your department achieves self-sufficiency in resource reserves and energy supply?"
This question is much more direct than the previous one.
This is already probing the resources and technological limits of Negative Zone.
Wanda looked up, about to speak, when Gwen Stacy's voice rang out first.
"Director Wanda's technical report needs to be reported directly to Commander Lynn; it's top secret," Gwen Stacy said calmly. "As for resource allocation, the budgets and resources of all departments in the Negative Zone are planned and approved quarterly by the Management Committee. Everything is done according to the rules."
The implication is that you, as an outsider, shouldn't ask these questions. And even if you did, there's nothing I can say.
The atmosphere in the banquet hall became somewhat subtle because of these few seemingly ordinary words of conversation.
Hela sat upright, silent, but her fingers, resting on her knees, had unconsciously tightened. She was very uncomfortable in this situation where the exchange was purely verbal.
Ke'er's smile remained unchanged. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if the earlier probing had never happened.
"Commander Stacy is right. I was being presumptuous." He put down his teacup, then changed the subject, "Speaking of which, Mr. Lehnsherr. Erik Lansheer is adapting quite well here. The recuperative environment in the Battleworld is second to none in the Multiverse."
He finally mentioned Erik.
However, the word used was "recuperation," with no mention of "detention" or "extradition."
Gwen Stacy's gaze was calm as still water. "One of our primary tasks in coming here is to visit Comrade Erik, assess his condition, and discuss the handover arrangements with your side."
"A visit is natural," Ke'er nodded. "However, Mr. Lehnsherr is currently undergoing full physical rehabilitation in a special area, which is not under the jurisdiction of our Foreign Affairs Office. We have submitted a visitation request, but the process may take a little longer."
It's all about procedures and time.
A typical delaying tactic.
A cold smile curled at the corners of Hela's lips.
Ke'er seemed not to notice; he stood up and took a bottle of wine from a waiter beside him.
"Let's not talk about work anymore. To welcome everyone and for a smooth future collaboration, I propose we raise a glass together."
He personally poured drinks for Gwen Stacy, Hela, and Wanda.
The wine was amber in color and had an aroma of unidentified fruit.
Mobius also stood up and raised his glass.
The atmosphere seemed to ease at that moment.
Ke'er raised his glass and smiled. "A toast to our friendship, and to the Multiverse order we both strive to maintain."
Hela and Wanda both looked at Gwen Stacy.
Gwen Stacy also stood up, picked up her wine glass, but did not immediately raise it to the center of the table.
"Director Ke'er."
Her voice made Ke'er freeze in mid-air as he raised his glass.
Before we toast to friendship, I think we might address a more pressing issue first.
As Gwen spoke, she took a data terminal from her briefcase and placed it on the table.
She tapped the screen lightly.
A beam of light projected out, displaying a clear image of a document with a prominent title.
Memorandum requesting a visit to Comrade Erik Lehnsherr within a specified period.
The document was signed by Lynn Enlong in a flamboyant handwriting, along with the bright red electronic seal of the Negative Zone Management Committee.
"According to the supplementary provisions of the Interdimensional Extradition Treaty No. 7, the agency to which a person subject to 'emergency avoidance' measures belongs has the right to a valid visitation of not less than 30 minutes within 24 hours of arrival to confirm that their basic human rights and safety of life are guaranteed."
Gwen Stacy's voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet banquet hall, every word was crystal clear.
"This memorandum has been officially copied to the Multiverse Coordination Committee for filing. Three hours have passed since we entered the country. I hope you can provide a definite response as soon as possible. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to characterize your actions as 'malicious obstruction' and initiate the appropriate accountability procedures."
The banquet hall was deathly silent.
For the first time, the smile on Ke'er's face vanished.
He stared at the undeniable official document on the screen, especially Lynn's flamboyant signature, and his expression turned serious.
He hadn't expected the other side to be so well-prepared.
They even dug up these obscure supplementary clauses and brought the matter directly to the Coordination Committee.
This is not a negotiation.
This is like someone wielding an imperial sword, coming to demand an explanation.
Mobius stood to the side, his face also looking rather grim. He had thought the other party was a young cadre who could be easily manipulated, but it turned out to be a hard rock soaked in oil.
After a long pause, Director Ke'er slowly put down his wine glass.
He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, sat down again, and the gentleness on his face was replaced by a seriousness unique to civil servants.
"Commander Stacy, why... do you have to do this?"
There was a subtle, almost imperceptible pressure in his tone.
"I'm just doing my job, Chief Ke'er," Gwen Stacy retorted firmly.
Ke'er's gaze lingered on Gwen Stacy's calm face for a few seconds, as if assessing something.
Finally, he seemed deflated and leaned back in his chair.
"All right."
He waved his hand, a look of fatigue on his face.
"I can try to expedite the visitation process. But you must understand that Mr. Lehnsherr's situation is very special; he is currently in the ' Core Zone Isolation Review ' phase. That's not something I, as the Foreign Affairs Office, can decide."