The energy run triggered by defense overload, the Management Committee Director's
When Wanda's voice rang out in the encrypted communication, Lynn was standing in front of the main control screen of the White Bone Hall.
On the light screen, the "temporarily detained asset" numbered FZ-ZC-2024-001 was being dragged by a stable energy Force Field, slowly moving towards the designated storage area. The entire process was smooth, efficient, and in accordance with all procedural norms.
This was a perfect, textbook example of "law enforcement in a different location".
However, Wanda's statement that "civilian energy rations have been forcibly reduced by 30 percent" instantly made this victory report sound jarring.
Lynn's gaze did not leave the light screen, but the light deep in his pupils had shifted from the previous strategic planning to an extremely calm scrutiny.
He didn't ask why.
As the Director of the Management Committee, he understood the energy allocation logic of the Negative Zone better than anyone else. High-intensity military operations abroad would inevitably trigger the emergency Contingency Plan for total energy reserves, prioritizing the supply of core facilities and armed forces. The cost would be cutting into the civilian rations.
These are the rules, cold and logical.
But behind the rules are people.
Silence fell over the communication channel. Gwen Stacy Hela had obviously heard Wanda's report as well, and the triumphant atmosphere from before vanished.
"Understood." Lynn's voice was devoid of emotion. "Return according to procedure. We'll discuss the follow-up matters upon our return."
He cut off communications.
Silence returned to the main hall.
Lynn didn't move; he simply watched the Data Stream on the screen. The energy consumption curves, representing the various Mutants communities within his jurisdiction, were visibly changing from a stable green to a tense yellow, and even flashing a dangerous red in some densely populated areas.
He knew what that meant.
A 30% energy cut might not have a significant impact on Core Zone like the White Bone Hall, but it would be catastrophic for ordinary Mutants living in the lower-class communities. This means insufficient heating, reduced efficiency of food synthesizers, and the public lighting system being partially shut off.
Even more terrifying is the panic.
Sure enough, less than five minutes later, an urgent communication request from Jean Grey, the Director the Mutants Management Committee, was switched to the highest priority channel.
"Director," Qin's voice carried a hint of suppressed urgency, "Several official supply distribution points in C-12 Zone are experiencing large-scale runs. The crowd is very agitated, and several small-scale clashes have already occurred."
"More importantly," she paused, as if organizing her thoughts, "I received reports from several community liaisons that some unidentified vendors are selling energy bars and portable heating devices on the black market at inflated prices, five to seven times the usual price."
Lynn tapped the armrest of the Throne lightly with his fingertips.
They've arrived.
TVA's off-the-ground tactics are never a one-shot deal. After the external military threat is neutralized, internal social unrest is the inevitable second move.
"Director Qin, what's your opinion?" Lynn asked.
"I've already instructed security to strengthen order maintenance at the distribution points," Qin said clearly. "At the same time, I recommend immediately initiating the Emergency Materials Rationing Act to implement strict rationing and voucher-based distribution in all communities, ensuring that basic supplies reach everyone."
This was a prudent and responsible solution. But Lynn sensed the weakness behind it.
Limited supply can only ensure that people don't starve, but it cannot quell panic. As long as panic persists, the black market will grow like weeds, constantly eroding the credibility of the Management Committee.
"Simply blocking won't stop the panic," Lynn said slowly. "The source of the panic isn't a lack of supplies, but rather that some people are exploiting information asymmetry to create a false sense of scarcity and profit from it."
His gaze fell on the name of a department that was almost unnoticed below the main control screen.
Market Order Oversight Office.
A government office that was normally so clean and indifferent.
"Director Qin, your priority is to stabilize the situation, calm public sentiment, and explain to everyone that the energy cuts are only a temporary technical adjustment and will resume soon. Remember, the official message must be swift and steady."
"Clear."
"Furthermore, I am now issuing a Director's Order." Lynn's tone turned utterly cold. "In the name of the Mutants Management Committee, you will cooperate with the Stability Maintenance Office to establish a ' Joint Market Order Rectification Task Force '."
Qin, on the other end of the phone, paused slightly in her breathing.
Stability Maintenance Office.
Hela's department.
Sending the Stability Maintenance Office to regulate market order is like using a siege cannon to swat a fly.
"Director, wouldn't this... cause too much noise?" Qin asked hesitantly.
"Not much," Lynn interrupted her. "In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary. And this is a time of chaos. I want to make those who want to profit from this disaster spit out everything they've taken, with interest. Not only will they have to spit it out, but they'll also know that reaching out will get them chopped off."
"I authorize the joint task force to impose the maximum penalty on all instances of hoarding and price gouging that are discovered. All confiscated goods will be distributed to the community residents on-site."
"Act swiftly and decisively, with zero tolerance."
Every word Lynn uttered was like a cold carving knife, etching the tone of the upcoming actions into his very bones.
Qin had no further questions.
"I'll take care of it right away."
After ending his call with Qin, Lynn didn't pause for a moment; he immediately connected with another department.
Finance and Asset Management Center.
"Director." A crisp voice rang out.
"Immediately draft a special fund allocation plan," Lynn ordered. "Transfer funds from the ' Battleworld Incident Special Compensation Fund ' account."
"The purpose was set as a special subsidy to 'stabilize market fluctuations during special periods and ensure the stability of people's livelihoods at the grassroots level.'"
"I need to see this document appear on my work terminal within half an hour."
"Yes, Director."
Having completed these two arrangements, Lynn leaned back on the Throne.
Silence returned to the main hall.
An invisible war has begun. On one side, the Stability Maintenance Office Thunder is taking swift and decisive action to crush the arrogance of speculators. On the other side, real money is being invested, with a steady and precise approach to give the public the most tangible confidence.
A combination of firm action and patient appeasement is the way to govern.
He knew perfectly well that the high-ranking bureaucrats at TVA were somewhere right now, watching the internal data of the Negative Zone with great interest, waiting for a bottom-up collapse.
They believed that sacrificing ordinary people outside the chessboard was a natural price to pay in the power struggle among those in power.
But Lynn refused.
He chose this position not to enjoy power itself, but to ensure that those he wanted to protect would not become pawns in someone else's game.
This is his bottom line.
One hour later.
Jean Grey's report, along with several videos of law enforcement at the scene, was sent to Lynn's terminal.
In the video, Hela's Undead Guard, with an unyielding air, shut down several black market warehouses hidden deep within the community. Those usually arrogant and domineering speculators, shrouded in the Aura of Death, couldn't even utter a complete sentence before being bound by energy shackles.
The mountain of energy bars and heating equipment was opened on the spot and, under the supervision of the joint team, distributed to the people in line at affordable prices, or even for free.
The initial doubts and panic quickly turned into relief at surviving the disaster and support for the Management Committee after receiving the actual supplies.
The report concluded with a summary by Jean Grey.
"... The internal hoarding forces have been largely eliminated, market prices have stabilized, and public sentiment is calm. Preliminary assessments indicate that the risk of a run on energy supplies has been effectively controlled."
Lynn turned off the light screen.
He won this round.
TVA's combined attack once again struck empty air. External offensives failed, and internal divisions also failed.
He picked up the tea that had gone cold from the table and took a sip.
Now, the pressure is on the other party.
When all conventional and unconventional methods within the system prove ineffective, what will the true mastermind, who has remained hidden behind TVA and never shown their face, do?
Was it out of rage and shame that he overturned the entire chessboard?
still...
Lynn's thoughts were interrupted by a soft, non-electronic notification sound.
The sound came from the physical mailbox in his study—a primitive communication channel that was almost never used.
He got up and went into the study.
A card lay quietly in the mailbox slot.
It's not an official letter, nor is it an ultimatum.
It was a card made of some kind of ancient Papyrus, with naturally rough edges. There was no official seal on the card, nor any energy fluctuations.
There was only one line of English text handwritten in an old-fashioned, ornate style.
Lynn picked up the card, her fingertips able to feel the unique, rough texture of the paper, bearing the marks of time.
The card reads:
"We cordially invite Mr. Lynn to share a cup of tea at the Citadel at the End of Time."
The signature at the end was one he had never seen before, yet it was all too familiar to him.
A handwritten, cursive character for "Kang".
Below, there is a small hourglass symbol drawn in gold ink.
It's not Kang the Conqueror, not Battleworld, and not TVA.
It was an invitation issued in his most private capacity by the very person Sylvie referred to as the "He Who Remains," the true mastermind behind it all.
An invitation to drink tea, at the highest level, detached from all systems, rules, and subordinates.