Chapter 286: Section 285 - Negotiation Venue
With the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee presiding over justice, Aircrew Base 909 and its military contractors were sharpening their knives, ready to make up for their losses by demanding double from Aircrew Base 911 and Jiu Defense Company.
For the sake of fairness, the location of the mediation talks was set between the two aircrew bases, each 500 kilometers apart. The number and list of negotiation representatives were clearly limited, and carrying weapons was forbidden to prevent disputes from escalating into physical clashes, potentially leading to the resolution of all disputes through corporate warfare.
Boss Hana still hadn't returned, and while Jiu Defense had established its Jianghu position in the industry, its influence was still insufficient to combat the established military contractors. Suffering exclusion and pressure from all sides, Hanna Gagel found it indescribably hard and could only bear the pressure alone, which far exceeded her time as the executive manager of Aircrew Base 911.
"To wear the crown, one must bear its weight," and most importantly, they cannot bow their heads, for if they do, the crown will fall.
Therefore, a large cabinet full of fine wines was stored in Chen Fei's small western-style house dormitory to drown sorrows and relieve pressure.
Hanna Gagel did not possess the capabilities of Zhuge Liang, who could shoulder all tasks alone.
In the absence of other options, she had to delegate tasks to her subordinates and empower them as much as possible.
Such delegation led to uncontrollable accidents, and she had to toughen up and absorb the costs for her subordinates' "tuition fees." Unless things became unmanageable, she still would not micromanage every single detail.
Manager Mahnam, who was on duty that day, became the person responsible for mediation talks with Aircrew Base 909. As the involved parties, Squadron Leader Chekhov and Chen Fei inevitably had to show up for the interrogation and confrontation.
Although the negotiation was scheduled for nine o'clock local time in the morning, it was still dark when Mahnam, dragging Chekhov and Chen Fei, boarded the base's small transport plane, flying directly to the site of the talks.
For the convenience of transportation, allowing aircraft from both air bases to arrive smoothly at the negotiation site, the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee also specially arranged for an Earth Element User to activate their ability, flattening out a temporary runway nearly a kilometer long for the aircraft to land and take off.
At just past eight o'clock in the morning, the small transport plane from Aircrew Base 911 arrived at the negotiation site. The Blue Star Global United Defense Committee team, in charge of mediating the negotiations, began preparations a day earlier. They didn't only repair the temporary runway but also erected several buildings, making the negotiation site quite ceremonial.
This was treatment only those with aircrew bases would receive. For ordinary small military contractors, the Blue Star Global Defense Committee might not even glance at them, even if it beat their brains out, leading to the demise of their entire family.
It's better for those struggling for survival to die early, sparing the waste of limited resources.
Without the support of an aircrew base, the military contractor industry is now also highly competitive and overstretched.
"Stay calm later on and don't start a fight on a whim. We are in the right with this issue. Once hands are raised, even a just cause may turn unjust," the on-duty manager Mahnam repeated to Chekhov and Chen Fei, worried about their impulsiveness.
Chen Fei was not too bad, rarely causing trouble on his own, but Chekhov was not only foul-mouthed but also provocative, always involved in stirring up trouble. Fortunately, Deputy Squadron Leader "Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios was in charge of him, or else Aircrew Base 911 would have been in constant turmoil long ago.
"I got it, I got it. In just an hour, you've said it 80 times. Supreme Elder Lord, with your decree, chant it like a mantra! Broken record!!" Chekhov Big Bear, who had already heard the lecture countless times, rolled his eyes in annoyance. Had it not been because the speaker was one of the high-ranking officials of the aircrew base, his fists the size of a beggar's bowl would have said hello on impulse.
Chen Fei, however, listened with a sincere and earnest face, which soothed the worried and nervous manager Mahnam a bit. Despite having to deal with the troublesome Squadron Leader Chekhov, at least Aircrew Base 911 had a teachable young man who could take advice.
"Comparing others can drive one to their grave; comparing goods can lead one to discard them."
Comparing the two sides made Manager Mahnam forget that in this conflict, it appeared that the most restless Squadron Leader Chekhov hadn't done anything at all.
"Don't think I'm nagging. Remember, we need to get through this first. Don't make any more trouble for Boss Hana," Mahnam reiterated.
Mahnam didn't want to be annoyingly repetitive, but he had to live up to his generous salary and, more importantly, not let down Boss Hana's expectations.
If this negotiation failed again, he could only submit his resignation with a disgraced face and leave Aircrew Base 911, leaving a stain on his career.
Chekhov Big Bear was desperate at this even more annoying than Tang Seng person.
Only Chen Fei was still sincerely nodding, "Manager Ma, you're right. We can't give Aircrew Base 909 any more advantage!"
It seemed he truly understood.
An official on the spot is better than a high-ranking official elsewhere. Mahnam was one of the direct managers of Aircrew Base 911. Disrespecting leadership would invite trouble. It might not be long before Chen Fei graduated, but he keenly understood workplace rules and responded with veteran experience.
"Good that you understand!"
Mahnam felt that his nagging hadn't wasted his breath, which was a consolation.
Chekhov was beyond redemption, but there was still hope in the young.
The representatives from Aircrew Base 911 felt that arriving early showed their full sincerity. In reality, it was a one-sided wishful thinking; the other party may not think the same.
At nine o'clock local time in the morning, the sky was clear and cloudless, with only two mountain crows flying by. Other than that, nothing else flew across the sky.
The mediation team from the Blue Star Global Defense Committee was also surprised, having confirmed the time.
It was agreed at nine o'clock. While the people from Aircrew Base 911 did arrive early, not a single shadow from Aircrew Base 909 was seen. Were these people planning to forgo the negotiations?
At fifteen past nine, a small Sky Patrol Ship finally appeared on the horizon, tardily. Both the Blue Star Global Defense Committee members and those from Aircrew Base 911 were completely exasperated.
Who gave Aircrew Base 909 the audacity to not take this negotiation seriously, daring to arrive late as if disregarding the proceedings, and not fearing that the representatives from Aircrew Base 911 would leave in dissatisfaction, resulting in the mediation talks ending in vain?
The duty manager at Aircrew Base 911, Mahnam, even with his good temper, could not help but realize how arrogant the folks from Aircrew Base 909 were, and he could not help but exclaim in frustration, "These guys are way too arrogant!"
The small Sky Patrol Ship, about forty meters long, didn't use the simple takeoff and landing runway, but instead, landed vertically with great presence right next to Aircrew Base 911's small transporter, kicking up a dust storm that made the nearby turboprop aircraft dirty and even sway slowly in the tumultuous airflow.
Not far off, the small Sky Patrol Ships of the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee were no exception and got their fair share of dust as well. Enjoy new stories from empire
The negotiation representatives from Aircrew Base 909, full of pomp, rented a small Sky Patrol Ship and arrived at the negotiation site unhurriedly, displaying their arrogance from the very beginning.
Mahnam had planned to go up to them and shake hands, to show some friendship or something.
But seeing their attitude, forget it!
He stood where he was, not moving an inch.
It wasn't just Mahnam, even the team from the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee acting as mediators didn't stir.
Who are they trying to impress with that stinky attitude!
"I really want to beat up all these arrogant bastards!"
The ever-chaotic Chekhov couldn't wait to get into action.
"No worries, they can correct this mistake in their next life!"
"Rookie" Chen Fei dedicated himself to being the most honest kid, doing the most dishonest things.
He was hailed as "Chen Family's Good Baby."
Little Shanzi, who had some doubts at first, finally recognized his own arrogance and prejudice after a "heartfelt" education.
Mahnam took a deep breath to suppress the discontent in his heart and said, "Remember what I said before, the two of you must, must not make a scene!"
In his heart, he silently prayed for time to speed up, for the negotiations to go smoothly, so that Aircrew Bases 909 and 911 could turn their swords into plowshares and live in peace and friendship, rather than continue to be at each other's throats.
The idea was beautiful, the reality was cruel.
After landing, no one came to greet them, and the negotiation representatives from Aircrew Base 909, who got a cold welcome, made a lion's demand as soon as they took their seats.
"Our side hopes that Jiu Defense Company compensates us with 10 billion Star Yuan!"
Mahnam, representing Aircrew Base 911, could no longer contain himself, and he jumped up, pointing at the other party and scolding furiously, "Why don't you go rob someone!"
"We are robbing!"
The executive manager of Aircrew Base 909, Ximen Temple Kong, sneered defiantly, his voice filled with conviction, and a dark red scar on his chin added a bit more ferocity to his demeanor.
Having just gone through Ghost Gate Pass narrowly escaping the great horror, his nature had undergone a tremendous change, making him even more reckless.
"Hey, what's going on here?"
Chekhov Big Bear pointed to the tiger lying on the ground behind them, yawning out of boredom.
This fierce beast had snuck into the negotiation venue unnoticed, and since there were no tigers in the Xingdu Kush Mountain Area, its calm and collected demeanor clearly showed that it was domesticated, not lost.
As mediators, the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee explicitly prohibited weapons, who would have thought that Aircrew Base 909 would have no scruples and directly brought in a fearsome "Big Cat."
If they had known, Chen Fei would've also called over that "Big Cat" from Aircrew Base 911.
Just a competition of who could stoop lower, "Big Cat" versus "Big Cat," to see who's more LOW!
"Hehe, but we haven't brought weapons, have we?"
Ximen Temple Kong, the executive manager of Aircrew Base 909, grinned and spread his hands as he shrugged, then pointing to another representative at his side, said, "This is Mr. Jacob Felix, a Psychic Series B-level supernatural power user, Beast Tamer, and his companion 'Queen Katie'."
Hearing someone mention her name, the five-hundred-pound companion looked their way, then nonchalantly turned her head away, surveying the entire negotiation venue.
Chekhov jumped to his feet, pointing at them and cursing in frustration, "Damn it! You're being shameless!"
He was Big Bear, with the heart of a bear and the courage of a panther, naturally unafraid of big tigers.
Klaibel, the liaison director of the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee overseeing the mediation, said with an ugly look on her face, "Isn't this kind of behavior inappropriate?"
She had given face to Hanna Gagar by personally inquiring into this mediation, but she did not expect someone to dismiss her authority.
The two ability users from the Blue Star Global United Defense Committee were on guard in the dark.
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