Political leverage in a mental negotiation, the Dark Phoenix's pathological awakening
Those two words were not conveyed through language.
It was a torrent, a mixture of endless loneliness, the fury that consumed the universe, and the fervent possessiveness of something lost and regained, that surged directly against Lynn's Mental Barrier.
Lynn's thoughts froze for a moment.
His left hand, inside his pocket, emitted a barely perceptible chill from the [Conceptual Bastion) ] at his fingertips, completely blocking out the emotional pollution that was enough to break the will of Deity.
He was well aware that this was a lingering effect of the system simulation.
It was in another time and space that he left a mark on this woman's soul through a meticulously planned death.
Now, the mark has been activated.
Lynn did not respond to that fervent emotion, nor did she reveal any personal feelings.
He was simply like a Communications Officer resending an official document after a signal interruption, sending the same cold, official language again, word for word.
[Lynn, Director the Negative Zone Management Committee]
[I have been ordered to come and conduct our first Compliant Mental Contact with you regarding the handover of the Abandoned Timeline assets, 'XN-734'.]
Please identify yourself and state your Political Demands.
He defined this as a negotiation.
A negotiation about assets, Jurisdiction, and political asylum.
As for those surging emotions, they are noises that need to be filtered out, affecting the efficiency of negotiations.
The Red-haired Woman at the eye of the storm had her tightly closed eyelashes trembling violently.
Her confused mind seemed unable to comprehend these businesslike terms, but she could clearly sense that the familiar yet unfamiliar spiritual source was right before her eyes.
After a moment of silence, a new thought came through.
It is no longer a pure torrent of emotions, but has begun to be mixed with clear logic and demands.
[Identity: Jean Grey]
[The guardians here.]
[You... want to take over this place?]
Lynn caught the key words.
The term "guardian" implies that the other party possesses independent consciousness and can be considered a negotiating partner.
Receiving the message means that the other party understands his/her purpose.
Great, things are getting back on track.
[According to the Asset Transfer Memorandum No. C-7 signed between the Management Committee and the Time Variance Authority (TVA), the 'XN-734' Timeline and its associated assets were legally transferred to our jurisdiction three days prior to standard time.]
The purpose of my trip is to negotiate a peaceful takeover plan with you and to provide legal asylum and civil treatment to all life forms within that Timeline.
Lynn's wording was impeccable.
He repackaged "invasion" and "occupation" as "reception" and "protection."
He didn't come to plunder; he came to implement the directives from higher authorities.
This is procedural justice.
The consciousness known as Jean Grey fell silent once more.
She seemed to be processing these complex words, or perhaps examining Lynn's proposal with her nascent, distorted logic.
After a long while, her thoughts returned, carrying an undeniable resolve.
[Can.]
Lynn felt a slight sense of relief.
The most difficult step has been taken.
As long as the other party agrees, all subsequent technical issues can be handled by Gwen Stacy's Liaison Office.
However, the next thought made Lynn's nerves tense up again.
But I have one condition.
Lynn did not respond, waiting for further developments.
He knew that this was the real crux of the negotiation.
What the other party wanted was definitely not the high-sounding "citizen treatment" he had just promised.
[I, and all my compatriots behind me, need an independent living space.]
[A Special Area that is not under the jurisdiction of your Stability Maintenance Office, the Department of Technology, or even the Inspection Office...]
Lynn's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
We need to establish a state within a state.
This condition is tricky, but not unnecessarily so. It can be resolved by establishing an autonomous region and defining the boundaries of authority and responsibility.
This still falls within the scope of political maneuvering.
[This Special Area must be under my full responsibility.]
[And, as a representative of the Special Zone...]
Jean Grey's thoughts paused strangely here, as if she were savoring the words she was about to say.
[... I must be by your side at all times and in all places to ensure that the rights and interests of my people are protected to the highest degree.]
Lynn's mind was silent.
He finally understood what the other person wanted.
The so-called "Independent Special Zone" and the so-called "full responsibility" are just packaging.
The core message can be summed up in just that last sentence.
What she wanted was a legitimate and inalienable political identity that would be with her 24/7.
This is an application that trades control of the entire Timeline for a close "surveillance" position.
Before Lynn's eyes, the icy gazes of Wanda and Hela seemed to appear, cold enough to freeze the very space around them.
He remained silent, quickly weighing the pros and cons.
If they refuse, the Phoenix Force could spiral out of control at any moment, jeopardizing the stability of the frontline Fleet, the three department heads, and even the entire Negative Zone. TVA's scheme will be perfectly executed.
Agreeing is tantamount to personally planting another time bomb in your office, a time bomb that could detonate at any moment and restart the universe. The intensity of the Shura Field will escalate from a regular clash to an apocalyptic level.
This is a dead end, a difficult dilemma.
Lynn's mind raced.
Ultimately, he chose a path that seemed absurd, but was the only viable one.
He decided to use the system to defuse this bomb.
[Your additional conditions involve significant organizational restructuring and personnel appointments within the Management Committee, exceeding my personal authority for on-the-spot decision-making.]
Lynn's reply was calm and formulaic.
However, I can agree to your proposal in principle.
[A specific proposal requires you to submit a formal report Political Demands. Upon receiving the report, the Management Committee will initiate an internal joint review process.]
He didn't agree immediately, but instead passed the buck back.
First, use "agreement in principle" to reassure the other party, then use cumbersome "reports" and "review procedures" to buy time and give yourself some breathing room.
This is his specialty.
However, Jean Grey's next thought completely shattered his plans.
[good.]
I'll go back with you now and submit the report.
The Psychic Storm subsided quietly at that moment.
The crimson ocean, burning with the fury of the entire universe, was gently smoothed away as if by an invisible hand.
In the void at the eye of the storm, the huddled red-haired figure slowly unfurled.
The light emanating from her body gradually solidified, transforming into a form-fitting battle suit engulfed in golden flames.
She opened her eyes.
Those were eyes that also burned with golden flames, but the previous pain and struggle were gone, leaving only a pure, almost morbid, attachment and fanaticism.
She looked at Lynn, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Then, she took a step, traversing the void, walking step by step towards Lynn.
On the Bridge of the Nibelung.
The moment the Psychic Storm subsided, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Hela looked at the Fleet formation, now back to normal, her face still grim.
Wanda's Scarlet magic slowly receded, but the wariness in her eyes did not disappear.
Natasha closed her accountability report and waited to see what would happen.
Their gazes were all fixed on the now-peaceful void.
They saw Lynn's figure emerge intact from the embers of the storm.
Then, they saw another figure.
A Red-haired Woman engulfed in golden flames was approaching Lynn with an intimate gesture.
The air on the Bridge seemed to freeze once more.
Wanda looked at the woman, at the undisguised possessiveness in her eyes toward Lynn, and the Scarlet magic that had just dissipated from her fingertips gathered again, surging endlessly.
Hela gripped the hilt of the Night Sky Sword, veins bulging on the back of her hand. She didn't recognize the woman, but she could sense that her power was enough to rival hers. And now, it seemed that this power also wanted a share of the spoils.
A thick, inky killing intent simultaneously surfaced in the eyes of both ministers.