An exchange of interests through compromise, a lawful resolution to the energy crisis
In the void, there was deathly silence.
After the menacing Undead Warship and the Scarlet streak of light teleported away, the energy fluctuation readings in this area finally began to slowly decline from their dangerous peaks.
In the standoff airspace, only TVA envoy Proctor's flagship "Justicia" and Lynn's lone Shuttlecraft remained.
The crisis appears to have passed.
But Proctor knew that the real confrontation was only just beginning.
A separate communication request was sent to the main screen of the Bridge of the "Justicia".
Lynn appeared, the background still showing the simple interior of the Shuttlecraft. His expression was serious, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Commissioner Proctor, I personally regret the reckless actions of our personnel."
Lynn's tone was calm, like a company boss apologizing for a subordinate's impulsive behavior, but his wording was intriguing.
He used "regret" instead of "apology".
"They will be subject to the most severe internal Discipline action. However, this also indicates that there is some... unstable sentiment within the Negative Zone regarding TVA's proposed sanctions."
Proctor's eyebrows furrowed.
He understood the subtext of those words. Those two women were insane; even he, the Director, was having a headache with them. If TVA's sanctions were truly implemented and the Negative Zone was cornered, no one could guarantee what those two lunatics would do.
Lynn didn't give him much time to think and raised the Data Pad in his hand.
"Now, I think we can discuss an alternative that will satisfy both sides."
On the screen, the contents of the Data Pad are displayed synchronously.
The title is "Investigation Report and Recommendations Regarding the Unauthorized Espionage Incident Involving Special Advisor Ravonna Renslayer".
Proctor's pupils contracted slightly.
He quickly scanned the report. The report characterized the entire incident as a work error caused by Ravonna's eagerness for quick results and her unauthorized actions, cleverly absolving the TVA executives and the entire Minutemen Legion from responsibility.
This effectively turned a scandal that could have caused a major upheaval at TVA's top management into a disciplinary matter that could be handled internally.
TVA's reputation has been preserved.
The huge weight that had been hanging over Proctor's heart lifted halfway. He knew this was a way out offered by the other party.
"Director Lynn, your handling of this matter demonstrates a high degree of responsibility towards our cooperative relationship." Proctor adjusted his posture, his tone softening. "Now that the responsible party has been identified, I believe there is no need for further discussion of the so-called draft sanctions."
He wanted to end this terrifying standoff as soon as possible.
"I agree," Lynn nodded. "However, Commissioner Proctor, things are not entirely over."
Proctor's brow furrowed again.
"This incident has caused considerable internal turmoil and resource depletion on our side," Lynn said calmly. "Especially the Stability Maintenance Office and the Ministry of Science and Department of Technology, where there is serious antagonism. In order to quell internal conflicts and stabilize those two... unstable departments, I need to send them a positive signal."
Proctor fell silent. He understood; the other party wanted something in return.
"Director Lynn, what do you mean?"
"In cooperating with the TVA in joint law enforcement operations, we have incurred significant administrative costs and assumed extremely high security risks." Lynn's wording was very standard, entirely in a businesslike tone. "According to Annex III, Article 7, Paragraph 2 of the Interdimensional Coordination Memorandum, for such joint operations, the TVA should provide corresponding resource compensation to the cooperating party to cover its law enforcement costs."
Proctor's face darkened.
He was certainly aware of this regulation, but it usually applied to situations where TVA proactively requested assistance. Now, the other party was using this regulation to demand compensation in return.
"Furthermore, to prevent a recurrence of similar instability, we urgently need to open up new external energy channels to alleviate internal resource pressures." Lynn, seemingly oblivious to Proctor's grim expression, continued, "This is necessary both to resolve our internal problems and to ensure the long-term security of the Sacred Timeline."
He disguised his demand for energy as a necessity for maintaining stability.
Proctor tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest.
He wanted to refuse.
But the void outside the porthole, which had not long ago been shrouded in Scarlet Energy and the Aura of Death, reminded him of the consequences of his refusal.
Just because Lynn was able to subdue those two women once today doesn't mean he can do it a second time. If he leaves empty-handed, the TVA's sanction draft will fizzle out, and he won't be able to explain himself to the Discipline Inspection Commission.
However, if he accepts Lynn's conditions, he will become the first special envoy in TVA history to be successfully "extorted" by a subordinate unit.
When faced with two evils, choose the lesser one.
"In principle, I acknowledge Director Lynn's concerns," Proctor began with difficulty, "But the specific details of the compensation plan require a supplementary agreement to be drafted and reviewed jointly by both parties."
He tried to pass the buck into complicated procedures.
"No need for that." Lynn seemed prepared, immediately pulling out another document. "This is a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the handling of TVA violators and Ecological Compensation. Take a look."
Proctor's eyes twitched involuntarily as he looked at the contents of the memo.
In the memorandum, the Negative Zone Management Committee not only waived all responsibility for TVA, but also voluntarily assumed part of the responsibility for "inadequate supervision".
In exchange, TVA will withdraw all sanctions drafts and allocate the energy extraction rights of three adjacent "Low-Value Redundant Timeline" to the Negative Zone Management Committee as "Joint Law Enforcement Special Compensation" for a period of one hundred standard years.
The wording is humble, but the conditions are demanding.
This is not a negotiation at all, but a unilateral notification.
"Commissioner Proctor," Lynn's voice rang out again, "This memorandum will allow you to return with a respectable achievement. You successfully defused a potential Dimension conflict and upheld the authority of TVA at minimal cost. As for those three long-abandoned and worthless Timeline, I think they are merely a drop in the ocean compared to TVA's vast asset pool."
Proctor's breathing became somewhat heavy.
Lynn had planned everything perfectly. What he offered was a calculated scheme that Lynn couldn't refuse.
By signing the contract, he can go back and give an account, and the TVA executives can save face.
If he doesn't sign, he will face alone the out-of-control rage of those two crazy women, and a crushing defeat destined to be etched into TVA's annals of shame.
"I need to report to the He Who Remains," Proctor said in a final attempt.
"Of course," Lynn nodded. "I believe the He Who Remains will make the wisest judgment."
Proctor shut down the communications.
The Bridge was deathly silent.
Five minutes later, Lynn's Shuttlecraft received a reply.
Proctor reappeared on the screen, his face now displaying the calm and aloofness characteristic of TVA officials.
"Director Lynn, after review by senior management, we have agreed to sign this memorandum."
A faint smile finally appeared on Lynn's face.
Half an hour later, an electronic memorandum signed by the top officials of both parties officially came into effect.
The TVA Adjudication Fleet slowly turned around and warped away, finally dissipating the dark clouds that had hung over the Negative Zone.
Lynn returned to the White Bone Hall in the Shuttlecraft, keeping his eyes closed and resting the entire way.
This confrontation consumed far more energy than a war.
When he stepped back into his Director's Office, the Encrypted Terminal on his desk was flashing a soft green light.
Gwen Stacy was already waiting there.
"Director, the first payment of compensation energy from TVA has arrived, and energy rationing has returned to normal. Furthermore, this is an official note just sent by Commissioner Proctor, confirming the lifting of all restrictions on the Negative Zone."
Gwen Stacy's tone carried an undisguised excitement.
As a subordinate unit, it not only forced the superior unit to back down from sanctions, but also managed to carve out a piece of flesh from the other side. Such a thing is nothing short of a miracle in any system.
"Understood." Lynn nodded, sat down behind his desk, and looked somewhat tired.
He was about to ask Gwen Stacy to leave first so he could have some peace and quiet.
"There's one more thing, Director." Gwen Stacy hesitated for a moment before speaking.
She handed me a Data Pad.
"This is a report just submitted by the Internal Affairs Inspection Office, which requires your personal review."
Lynn took the Data Pad and his gaze fell on the title.
Audit Report on the Abnormalities in the Special Accounts of the Technology Integration Department During the "Suspension and Reflection" Period.
Lynn's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
The external storm that had just subsided seemed to have prematurely brought another undercurrent within to the surface.