The joint supervisory group's establishment, and the Management Committee Director's art of checks and balances

The White Bone Hall, the Director's Office.

Lynn's finger lightly traced the final implementation plan of the "Preventive Dimension Exploration Plan" on the light screen.

His gaze finally settled on two names.

Acting Director of the Internal Affairs Inspection Office, Natasha Romanoff.

Liaison Office, Head: Gwen Stacy Stacy.

The silent message that had just come from the black terminal on the corner of the table had now turned into a line of cold data, lying dormant deep in his mind.

"Seventeen minutes and forty-two seconds."

Enough for two intelligent department heads to forge a fragile, yet potentially turbulent, political alliance.

One needs resources to gain a foothold in the emerging power structure.

She needed to cover up her tracks and protect a secret she believed she needed to protect.

Lynn's face was expressionless. He didn't think about betrayal or loyalty. In the cold, power-driven machine of the Management Committee, these were luxuries. He only saw a new variable, one that could cause the exploration plan, this sophisticated instrument, to malfunction.

He has to calibrate it.

Lynn turned off the light screen, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes.

He couldn't directly confront Natasha, as that would dull her newly honed blade and even cause her to turn against him. Nor could he question Gwen Stacy, as that would only push her further away, leading her deeper down the wrong path.

Direct intervention is a poor strategy; it will only expose the existence of an all-encompassing surveillance network, causing greater panic and distrust.

He needs a calculated, overt strategy.

A well-laid-out scheme that leaves everyone speechless and forced to accept it reluctantly.

Lynn opened his eyes, reactivated the light screen, and brought up the organizational chart of the exploration plan. He tapped lightly on a blank space on the chart.

A moment later, he connected to the Liaison Office Chief's office via internal line.

"Director Gwen Stacy, come to my office. There are a few details that need to be finalized regarding the personnel arrangements for the exploration project."

Gwen Stacy's heart sank when she received the call.

She quickly tidied herself up, grabbed the Data Pad, and strode towards the Director's Office. Every step felt like walking on ice. She didn't know how much Lynn knew, but the words "personnel arrangements" gave her a sense of something unusual.

As Gwen Stacy entered the office, she saw Lynn calmly looking at her.

"Director." She bowed slightly.

"Sit down." Lynn gestured to the chair opposite him and pushed a document towards him. "The Standing Committee has approved the motion for the exploration plan. However, I still have some concerns regarding resource allocation and operational coordination."

Gwen Stacy looked at the documents, which listed an astonishingly long list of material requests submitted by the Stability Maintenance Office and the Ministry of Science and Department of Technology, as well as supplementary explanations from the Special Envoy's Office regarding the authority for independent assessment.

"Director Hela and Minister Wanda have disagreements on the budget, and Special Envoy Qin's independence also needs to be guaranteed. The Bastion between departments will seriously affect the efficiency of this exploration." Lynn's tone was businesslike, as if stating an objective problem.

Gwen Stacy didn't speak, but listened quietly. She knew the main point was about to be made.

"Therefore, I'm considering establishing a ' Joint Exploration Supervisory Group ' within the Vanguard." Lynn tapped his finger lightly on the table. "This Supervisory Group will not interfere with specific command; it will only be responsible for three things: supervising the compliance of resource usage, coordinating the smooth operation of cross-departmental actions, and ensuring the openness and transparency of the entire exploration process."

Gwen Stacy's breathing paused for a moment.

She understood.

Lynn made no mention of her private meeting with Natasha, but instead used a high-sounding reason to precisely cut off the core of their deal—resource allocation.

"I agree with your decision, Director," Gwen Stacy said with difficulty. "A strong oversight mechanism is crucial to the success of the operation."

"Very good." Lynn nodded, seemingly satisfied with her understanding of the bigger picture. "I've also given some initial consideration to the candidates for the Supervisory Group."

He paused, his gaze falling on Gwen Stacy's face.

"To ensure the seriousness of Discipline, someone from the Internal Affairs Inspection Office must be present. Comrade Romanoff Natasha Romanov is very capable; I think she should be appointed as the Discipline supervisor of the Supervisory Group."

Gwen Stacy's heart sank lower and lower.

"To ensure the accuracy and efficiency of information transmission, the Liaison Office must also assign a key member. Director Gwen Stacy, you are most familiar with the procedures, and I think only you can take on this responsibility."

Lynn's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.

This is not a discussion, it's a notification.

In an instant, Gwen Stacy everything. The promotion, the important task—it was all a lie. This was simply the most cunning and compliant form of exile.

They uprooted her and Natasha from their respective power centers and forcibly inserted them into the perilous frontline ranks. Their secret alliance, before it could even take effect, was turned into ants tied together by Lynn's appointment.

Even more terrifying is that the other end of this rope is also tied to Hela, Wanda, and the unfathomable Jean Grey.

Lynn locked them all in the same arena.

"I... will obey the organization's arrangements." Gwen Stacy's voice was a little hoarse. She knew she had no room to refuse. To refuse would be to admit that she had a guilty conscience.

"Very good." Lynn stood up and retrieved a blank template for an Red-Headed Document. "Since there are no objections, you will draft this appointment document. The title will be 'Decision on the Establishment of the First Joint Supervisory Group for the ' Preventive Dimension Exploration Plan '.'"

He looked at Gwen Stacy, a formulaic smile on his face.

"Once drafted, distribute it to all departments immediately. The exploration operation cannot be delayed."

Gwen Stacy accepted the task, her fingertips trembling slightly as they touched the cold Data Pad. Being forced to draft the document that would send her into the eye of the storm was a silent blow in itself.

Half an hour later.

A Red-Headed Document bearing the Highest Access Privileges seal of the Management Committee Director's Office was distributed to the terminals of all the heads of core departments.

Hela, from the Stability Maintenance Office, glanced at the two newly added names on the Supervisory Group's list, a cold smile curving her lips. In her view, this was nothing more than Lynn throwing two more clueless rabbits into his hunting ground.

Department of Technology. Wanda's brow furrowed. She didn't care about the Supervisory Group, but she keenly sensed that Lynn was trying to dilute her "uniqueness" to him through a complex power structure. This made her feel inexplicably irritated.

In the Special Envoy's office, Jean Grey glanced at the list and then closed it. Her gaze pierced through the walls of the crystal Bastion, looking towards the White Bone Hall. To her, the others on the list were merely insignificant noise.

Internal Affairs Inspection Office.

Natasha stared at the appointment letter, motionless for a long time. The smile on her face vanished, replaced by an extremely rare solemnity.

She knew that her meticulously planned political deal had been completely overturned by Lynn's overt scheme, a scheme she could not resist.

Instead of getting the resources she wanted, she was thrust into the spotlight, facing off against Hela and Wanda.

She lost.

They lost convincingly.

This young Director's methods of checks and balances were far more terrifying than she had imagined.

At the end of the document is the final list of personnel for the Vanguard.

Commander-in-Chief: Vacant, directly overseen remotely by the Director's Office.

On-site commander: Hela, Director the Stability Maintenance Office.

Chief Technology Officer: Wanda Maximoff, Minister of the Department of Technology.

Joint Supervisory Group:

Crisis Response Special Envoy, Jean Grey.

Acting Director of the Internal Affairs Inspection Office, Natasha Romanoff.

Head of Liaison Office, Gwen Stacy Stacy.

Five names, side by side, exude a suffocating tension.

An epic Shura Field is about to Veil on the front lines with the departure of the exploration Fleet.