An exploration motion at the Standing Committee, departmental maneuvering over derivative interests
The White Bone Hall, the expanded meeting hall of the Standing Committee.
The long, black bone conference table, gleaming like a mirror, reflected the enormous, White Light sphere on the dome, formed from the countless souls of the dead.
The atmosphere was even colder than the Negative Zone outside the hall.
Lynn sat upright in the main seat, his fingers unconsciously tracing the metal edge of a Data Pad. His gaze calmly swept over everyone present.
To the left, Hela, the Stability Maintenance Office Director Hela, sat upright in her military uniform, her hand never leaving the hilt of her sword, even at the conference table. Wanda, the Minister of the Department of Technology, seemed somewhat distracted, her Scarlet eyes lowered, as if studying the texture of the tabletop. Natasha, the newly appointed Director of the Internal Affairs Inspection Office, sat a little further away, her terminal lit up, her fingers tapping rapidly on it like a faithful clerk.
To the right sat Jean Grey, the Multiverse Crisis Response Special Envoy, dressed in red, her expression composed, as if this were not the power center of the Management Committee, but her private reception room. Liaison Office Chief Gwen Stacy sat beside her, her expression as serious as ever, a thick stack of documents piled in front of her.
The heads of the other peripheral departments sat upright, eyes downcast, even their breathing was extremely soft.
"Gentlemen."
Lynn spoke, his voice not loud, but it instantly captured everyone's attention.
He gently pushed the Data Pad in front of him forward.
"You've probably all seen the preliminary analysis of Laboratory Zero. The asset codenamed ' Ultron ' provided a coordinate system before it was physically isolated."
He paused, giving everyone time to react.
"Based on the analysis, this coordinate is strongly correlated with a high-risk Contingency Plan called the ' Multiverse Collapse Protocol.' To prevent this from happening, I propose launching a ' Preventive Dimension Exploration ' program targeting this unknown coordinate."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Hela spoke up, her voice as cold and hard as iron.
"Director, any actions involving armed exploration and Sweep of unknown territories fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Stability Maintenance Office. Our department requests full authority to take over this exploration mission. From personnel selection and Fleet deployment to on-site command, the Stability Maintenance Office will complete all tasks independently and submit a final report to you."
Her implication was clear: this was the territory of the Stability Maintenance Office, and no one else was allowed to interfere.
Upon hearing this, Jean Grey, sitting on the other side of the conference table, smiled almost imperceptibly.
"Director Hela's professionalism is beyond question." Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority. "But my full title is ' Multiverse Crisis Response Special Envoy.' Responding to unknown crises is my duty. I request to be involved in this exploration from start to finish as Special Envoy, conducting independent risk assessments and energy analyses of the target."
Hela's gaze was like a knife, piercing straight through.
"The Special Envoy only needs the final assessment report; he/she does not need to go to the front lines or interfere with the Stability Maintenance Office's military operations."
"If we can't even obtain firsthand information, any assessment is just irresponsible empty talk," Qin said firmly.
As the two women, who held significant positions of power on the Management Committee, were about to clash at the meeting table, everyone else in the room lowered their heads even further. Only Wanda seemed completely uninterested, continuing to study the tabletop.
Lynn didn't say anything to stop them; she just watched quietly.
Only when the tension between them was almost palpable did he leisurely raise his hand and make a pressing motion in the air.
"Both Director ' opinions are very reasonable."
He first affirmed the positions of both sides.
"The armed support from the Stability Maintenance Office is the cornerstone of this operation. The Special Envoy's risk assessment is the core of ensuring the operation's security. Both are indispensable."
Everyone was taken aback, not understanding what the Director was up to by trying to smooth things over.
Lynn lightly tapped the main control terminal, and a huge holographic screen rose in the center of the conference table. On the screen was the preliminary budget draft for this exploration project.
"However..." Lynn changed the subject, "Considering the Management Committee's recent financial pressures and the simultaneous launch of multiple projects, we need to optimize the budget."
His finger lightly swiped across the screen.
The total budget for the "Stability Maintenance Office - Special Operations - Logistics Support" section was fluctuating wildly before finally being cut by 30% in complete silence.
Hela's face instantly darkened. She abruptly looked up at Lynn, her eyes filled with astonishment and confusion. This was tantamount to publicly undermining her chances.
Lynn seemed oblivious to her gaze and continued operating the device.
"We will use this 30% of the budget as contingency funds for 'cross-departmental resource integration'."
As he spoke, he added a new item at the end of the budget sheet.
[Directly under the Director's Office - Special Envoy's accompanying staff and independent equipment support]
The budget amount was exactly the same amount of money that had been cut from the Stability Maintenance Office.
The entire conference hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone understood.
The Director's move was utterly ingenious. Instead of directly ordering Hela and Qin to cooperate, he used the coldest terms of "budget" and "staffing" to forcibly bind them together.
Hela needs to prove the indispensability of the Stability Maintenance Office in her operations if she wants to get back the cut budget. She might even need to apply for technical support from the Special Envoy's "independent equipment." As for Qin, although she has been granted a position and funding, her entire exploration team must be attached to the Stability Maintenance Office's Fleet.
She gained the substance, Hela saved face. But from then on, every collaboration between them would become a silent war over resources, command, and the right to speak.
Without firing a single shot or uttering a harsh word, Lynn used a single account to force two women with world-destroying power to fight each other and restrain each other.
And he will be the sole arbitrator.
"This ensures both the professionalism of the operation and the optimal allocation of resources." Lynn's tone was as calm as if he were announcing the weather. "Do either of you have any further comments?"
Hela's chest heaved violently, the Death Force surging within her, but in the end, she managed to squeeze out two words through gritted teeth.
"No."
Jean Grey's smile grew even brighter, and she nodded slightly to Lynn.
"The Director's thinking is insightful; I have no objections."
Lynn looked around.
"Since everyone agrees, the motion regarding ' Preventive Dimension Exploration,' along with the related budget and compilation adjustment plan, is settled. The Liaison Office is responsible for drafting the official documents and issuing them within forty-eight hours."
He stood up.
Meeting adjourned.
People gradually left their seats, each with their own thoughts.
As Jean Grey walked out of the conference room, Hela appeared like a ghost beside her, blocking her way.
In the empty corridor, two women stared at each other.
Hela's eyes held undisguised murderous intent and warning.
Jean Grey still wore a smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
There seemed to be invisible sparks crackling in the air.