Chapter 242: I'm Busy
All three parties are mentally prepared for this time. Therefore, all parties must think about how to possibly generate adequate interest in the negotiations. The Church of the Broken God has a clear objective: they want SCP-271 that Zhang Jue posses.
Church of the Maxwellist was quite familiar with SCP-271 because it had formerly belonged to the Church of the Broken God and had even been held there for a spell. He didn't have to see it up close to know it was real. He then carried out the strategy and issued his minions their first orders.
"Do it!" He said.
His statements were abruptly followed by a tremendous shaking of the ship's cabin and loud gear noises, which indicated the start-up of a very significant machine. When viewed from the outside, the ship appears to have a massive metal cover rising from one of its sides that completely encases the plywood inside, sealing it airtight like an eggshell.
The spacecraft started to slowly drop once the "eggshell" had covered the whole hull. The initial fishing boat transformed into a massive submarine in less than a minute. It must be acknowledged that even for the Foundation and GOC, this type of mechanical technology is challenging to develop.
Zhang Jue was trapped like a turtle in a jar when the ship fell to the bottom of the sea; there was no way out. Maxwell had the audacity to grab the lead for this reason as well. No matter how many troops the GOC and the Foundation had ambushed at sea, as long as the submarine dove, they could only watch them flee.
The negotiations had only begun shortly after the Church of the Broken God had torn its face off, yet Zhang Jue and Boronat within the cabin were unaware of what was occurring outside.
Hansen quickly assumed a defensive stance. On the other side, Zhang Jue maintained his composure. He asked, "Old man, what do you mean by this?" while crossing his knees and laughing.
"I apologize, Advisor Zhang. The Church of the Broken God will undoubtedly obtain those two sacred relics." Said Maxwell.
"Didn't I already bring the items here?" Zhang Jue joked while twirling the SCP-271 in his hand.
Maxwell shook his head and said, "Advisor Zhang, you don't need to con me. The Foundation won't give us all two holy relics, and the second box of your assistant is empty; we discovered it using the instrument when they were on board."
Before boarding the ship, Zhang Jue had deliberately selected the Foundation's special case as a blindfold, and it looked that the Church of the Broken God had more advanced detection technology for such things.
But at this point, it is useless to say anything because there is no way out because they are currently at the bottom of the sea.
Maxwell went on, "Advisor Zhang, I reassure you that I won't put your life in risk as long as you give me the items. Of course, that gentleman will be really pleased if you agree to join the Church of the Broken God."
That gentleman must be Robert Bumaro, the current head of the Church of the Broken God. Maxwell had just begun tearing down the walls, and he was certainly skilled at such work. He didn't anticipate Zhang Jue to remain seated in his chair with a blank expression on his face, though.
"What if I don't agree?"
"Then I'll be insulted." Maxwell said, his face lowering.
All of the guards standing behind the old guy grabbed their weapons from hiding as he spoke, aiming them at Zhang Jue and Hansen. A conflict was unavoidable when the two sides had their swords drawn.
General Boronat, who had been silent, spoke at this precise time. "Are you not taking me seriously, old man?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the man vanished from his chair and then reappeared in front of MacIver. Everyone was unable to respond due to its rapidity, with the exception of Zhang Jue of course. He gripped Maxwell's neck with one hand and hauled him up in front of everyone.
"Tell them to lay down the weapons!" yelled Boronat, "Or I'll crush your neck."
Under the well-known name, there are no fake soldiers. It was well known that Boronat was a tough character, and he possessed tremendous power. Maxwell was apprehended by him in front of the Church of the Broken God's security personnel.
It is understandable why he dared to replace Fulvio and attend this negotiation. However, reality differed from his expectations. Neither Maxwell nor the guard standing behind him displayed any signs of alarm.
Boronat frowned a little as he realized something wasn't right. The elderly man grinned dryly. "Shoot."
Before he could finish speaking, a dozen guardsmen concealed behind him opened fire on both Boronat and him. Fire spilled from their mouths. The majority of the bullets struck Maxwell first because he was in front of Bronet, causing sparks to fly everywhere and a crackling sound of metal on metal.
As Zhang Jue observed, he came to the conclusion that the old man's bones and muscles had been entirely replaced by machines, which had no fear of these weapons. The attempt to break his neck by Boronat was even more insane.
Maxwell served as a shield for Boronat, but he still took a few rounds to the leg, and blood began to pour. He yelled and violently flung Maxwell in the direction of the guardsmen, knocking several of them over. He pounced on this opportunity by taking a token-like piece of jade out of his pocket, gritting his teeth, holding it in his hand, and crushing it.
When the jade stone broke, a column of energy came from the sky, smashed through the submarine's sealed area and fell directly onto Boronat's body. Boronat vanished in a split second.
His body then materialized on a ship a little distance distant in the following instant. The location where he had placed the jade was the GOC's fleet.
"General, you're back." A member of the GOC staff had arrived early so that he could welcome him as soon as possible.
Disregarding his wounds, Boronat said in a strong voice, "Order all submarines to dive and seek in the direction of ten o'clock,"
"Yes sir!" the employee responded as they stood at attention.
Inside the ship's stateroom, meanwhile. Zhang Jue gave a handclap.
"What an eye-opener, Bishop Maxwell, you are quite prepared."
Maxwell's skin and clothing were torn, exposing the mechanical components inside his body. He was more like the Terminator from the movie at this point than an elderly neighbor.
With a dejected expression, he added, "Advisor Zhang, I still say, as long as you hand over the things, the Broken God Church will not make things tough for you. However, if you refuse to cooperate - unless you possess the same talent as Boronat - then there is only one way to go: death!
It was time to start a war at this point. In order to throw his garments to Hansen behind him, Zhang Jue got to his feet. He rubbed his wrists while pressing a few joints to make them snap.
"Counting, recently it's all been brains, it's been a long time since I've gotten into a battle, because you guys are searching for death, don't blame me. Old man, how many people do you have on this ship, come at me at once, I'm busy."