Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 718

Chapter 718

Chapter 718: Poseidon’s Plans for Cooperation

Hua Li was unperturbed . “We’ve considered the possibility . The alien threat is real, and if humanity is destroyed than there’s no reason for us to stay . The universe is a vast place, and no matter how strong those creatures become they can’t rule the whole thing – no species could . From everything we’ve learned, universal protogenia will descend upon the aliens when they’ve passed a certain threshold of strength . We know they’re facing this problem now – that’s why they’re after us . Constant evolution is their eternal goal, but even evolution has its end . We’ll go out and search for a suitable planet away from danger . I suspect it’ll take about a hundred years . ”

Lan Qing pressed . “So in what way do you plan to ‘join’ the East?”

Hua Li leaned back in his chair . “When the fighting starts we’ll leave the West and fight with Eastern forces . So long as there is a species to fight for we’ll stay . We don’t want to see the destruction of humanity as much as anyone else . After all, Poseidon Group has enjoyed a great deal from the love and respect of the people . We have a responsibility, and we’ll contribute as much as we’re able . We won’t be leaving until the last moment . ”

“Why not stay with the West? Poseidon Group is powerful and respected there – are they not giving enough?” Chu Cheng inquired .

Hua Li shook his head before responding . “No, it’s not about ‘enough . ’ I simply don’t like how the Alliance is run . My own organization’s intelligence and the analyses presented at the conference came to similar determinations; the best weapon in the war against these creatures is the Adept . The West has a host of inherent issues that look impossible to overcome . The Pontiff’s Citadel and the Dark Citadel will never work together, their mutual enmity runs too deep . Their hierarchical system is also a problem, their military is too fractures . The West has its good parts but the bad have begun to outweigh them . Our evacuation plan was actually suggested by the Western military . ”

Once they heart that Lan Jue, Lan Qing, and Chu Cheng understood . Was the West planning to flee?

Hua Li sighed . “Such is the nature of our disappointment with the West . Part of their scheme was the assertion that we don’t go to war and instead cover their retreat . If they decided the situation was too dire, they want us to flee with them . How are we supposed to feel about that? If you plan to run at least make the enemy howl in pain before you do . I suspect if the aliens show up in Western territory first, they won’t hold out long . Their first inclination will be to scatter . ”

Lan Jue glowered at the prognosis . He knew his alliance, and the East was ready to face this crisis as one people . Perhaps it had been foolish optimism to think the other alliances felt the same . Hua Li awakened him to the possibility that things weren’t as unified as he’d like, and at least out there problems were mounting .

“So, after many discussions, we decided that once we’ve gathered all the resources we can that we’ll leave the West . We will fight the aliens, but we don’t want our future generations to be saddled with an unreliable partner . We’ll fight with the East . ”

Lan Qing didn’t rush to elation . His burning eyes fixed Hua Li . “What are your demands?”

There were no free meals in this universe . Hua Li was their close friend, but he also represented a powerful family . This wasn’t a question if friendship, he had his own people to consider .

Hua Li nodded . “We’re hoping for deeper tied to the East . Specifically, we want to be a part of the alliance . Assuming victory over the aliens we have one request; that you let us purchase Taihua or Lyr for our own use . ”

Chu Cheng whistled . “You guys sure have a healthy appetite! Out to buy another planet!”

Hua Li sighed . “We really have no other option . We can’t see any future in the West, and although the North is mighty it doesn’t measure up to the East in the ways that matter . We chose the East because of its potential and Paragon presence . And, of course, because of you!” Hua Li looked between Lan Qing and Lan Jue .

Lan Qing’s brows furrowed and he muttered inaudibly to himself . This was no trivial matter to consider . Poseidon Group was phenomenally rich, with more money and resources than the East would know what to do with . An extra Bastion and a couple fleets would be very useful in the coming war and may even turn the tide . Accepting would mean making the East safer .

But it would cost them a whole planet…

Both Taihua and Lyr were important strategic resources! 1

“I’ll need to bring this up with the leadership and wait for an official reply . Speaking personally I hope you do join us, but selling a planet is bigger than me . ” Lan Qing made his position clear .

Hua Li smiled . “So long as I have your support, Big Brother, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do . At any rate buying Taihua may not be necessary . If the West really does leave then all those planets will be up for grabs . Perhaps the East can capture Poseidon for us . We’d of course prefer our native homeland to someplace new . ”

Lan Qing nodded . He understood Hua Li’s position and recognized it as an important possibility for the East .

“How capable is the Poseidon-class Bastion?” He asked .

Hua Li responded . “I can’t tell you exactly, but in many ways it’s not inferior to the Terminator-class Bastion . ”

Lan Jue’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull .

Terminator-class Bastion was the North’s flagship . It had roughly two times the destructive capability of Tyrannosaurus . It had been given its name to commemorate the ascension of the Terminator to Paragon . It was lauded as humanity’s single greatest weapon .

Tyrannosaurus, Heron and Arachnid together were no match for Terminator . The Terminator himself was its commanding officer . If Terminator was dispatched in the war ahead, Lan Jue was certain its namesake Paragon would be at the helm .

The West had always been loathe to talk about the Poseidon-class Bastion as a matter of national security, so there was no information about its capabilities . However, Hua Li had no reason to deceive them . More than anyone he grasped the truth of his family’s holdings .

Lan Qing nodded . “Alright, I understand . ”

“Alright, that’s all I got . I have to trouble you to act as a go-between,” Hua Li said . “But I will reiterate that if the East can’t hold we’ll have no choice but to flee . My family must survive . ”

Lan Qing’s face never changed . “I understand . But I hope that if this cooperation is approved you don’t leave my An Lun soldiers to fend for themselves on the battlefield . An Lun is the tip of the spear . If the East falls they will be the first to give their lives . After that if you need to go then so be it . ”

Hua Li paused . He stared in silence for a moment at Lan Qing, then at Lan Jue . “This is for your ears alone, but Poseidon’s doors will always be open to you . If the time comes know you have safe harbor . I’ll come for you, no matter the cost . ”

But Lan Qing shook his head . “No need for that . As Admiral, if I’m not willing to die with my soldiers then our cause is doomed from the start . If the East’s final moments do come, take A-Jue and go . ”

“Brother!” Lan Jue’s eyes hardened . “If you stay how can you expect me to go anywhere? You represent the East, but I represent Skyfire Avenue . It’s as true for me as it is for you; a leader dies with his people or there’s no point in fighting . ”

Chu Cheng chuckled . “Alright, alright . Drink, gentlemen . We get together so rarely, let’s not spoil it with such depressing talk . Hell, after what happened to those three Bastions we probably don’t have a chance anyway! Far as I see it they’ve got the upper hand . But anyway – tomorrow, big brother! I’ll face the difficulties head on!”

As he spoke Chu Cheng lifted his glass, and the other three followed suit . They threw their glasses back and drained their contents .

Lan Qing was the first to leave . He had to deliver Hua Li’s proposal to the leadership for consideration . The East’s Chairman and chiefs of the armed forces were all on Luo and it was a matter best discussed face to face .

Chu Cheng left a short time later to begin preparations . Lan Qing hadn’t been kidding, so Chu Cheng had to be ready to go all out .

Only Hua Li and Lan Jue remained, seated across from one another . Lan Jue sighed . “This crisis happened too fast . In a blink it swallowed up everyone . ”

Hua Li nodded but changed the subject . “Are you going to participate in my wedding?”

“I can’t make any promises,” Lan Jue replied . “Star Division is gathering its strength in preparation to face the enemy . I need to stay on Skyfire . ”

“If we move to the East this won’t be a problem . Our Poseidon-class Bastion will be stationed near Skyfire . ” Hua Li announced .

Lan Jue answered with a smile . “In that case I’d be happy to . ”

Hua Li went on . “I don’t really want to get married but I can’t deny Mo Xiao a life of affluence . I feel I’ve wronged her . ”

“Eh?” Lan Jue looked at him in surprise . “If you don’t want to marry her then why go ahead with it? This is a life-altering decision . You still don’t like her?”

A bitter grin touched Hua Li’s lips . “She was groomed for this from a young age 2 She was raised to be my wife . Ever since she could grasp the concept she knew she would be my partner for the rest of her life . You know, my family had more than a hundred prospects, but she distinguished herself . To her I’m more of a goal . If your future wife saw you as a mission to accomplish, would you like her?”

 

Arguably one of the most important issues in China is the idea of sovereignty . It’s the impetus behind most if not all of their international disputes . Conflicts in Tibet are due to disagreements over what constitutes independence . Taiwan as well . They have a constant simmering disagreement with India about land ownership near the border . Similar gripes are maintained with Korea, Japan, and Russia . Not to mention their claim to the entire South China Sea . There is also a history of selling/leasing territory to the British (Hong Kong) and the Portuguese (Macau) . This gives important context to the struggle Lan Qing faces is selling sovereign Eastern territory to a foreign entity .   A practice that purportedly still goes on in China, though it’s super illegal .  Please download our sponsor's game to support us!