Volume 4: The Last Day Chapter 92 If all members mess around like you, how can the organization carry out its work?
When Mr. Hunter arrived at Osborne Tower using his elusive cross-border teleportation, he saw Mason, who had given him a headache, chatting happily with the captain of the Afterlife Team.
Seeing the two of them chatting and laughing so happily, people who didn’t know them would think they were going to become sworn brothers.
By the way, when did the relationship between Team K and Team Next Life become so good?
Ciri looked at the two people in front of her with suspicion.
She doubted whether these two guys had formed some private alliance behind her back. Morgan Blackhand's mercenary character was unlikely to cause trouble so blatantly, but considering that Mason was here, everything seemed to be explainable.
Ever since recruiting Team K, Lord Hunter has developed a mindset in the face of unexpected situations: whenever there is something wrong, he would always go to Mason first.
She even suspected that the water in her shower last night wasn't hot enough because Mason had tampered with her office...
"What are you guys talking about? You look so happy?"
Hunter Ciri stepped forward and said quietly:
"Do you suggest that I sit in on the session?"
"Master Hunter is here. You must have something important to discuss. We, the soldiers filling in the line, will not disturb you."
Captain Morgan stood up and laughed. He pretended to glance at the military watch on his hand and said:
"I have to go check out the operations at the transfer gate and support other teams. I heard that several teams under your command have come here to join in the fun, so we have to build relationships with each other.
You guys chat first, I’m leaving.”
He said goodbye to the hunter in a friendly manner. Aunt Roger beside him also nodded slightly, and then left the place quickly with Judy. The secret place that was very lively and full of people talking about the past of Night City suddenly became quiet.
This made Mr. Hunter suspect that he was an unwelcome bad guy.
But she did nothing.
Hmm, so this must all be Mason Cooper's fault!
"Please sit down. What does it mean to stand there?"
Mason took the initiative to stand up and pull a chair for Mr. Hunter, but the latter did not sit down but leaned against the table, crossed his arms and stared at Mason.
The Alice sword she used for disguise was "embezzled" by the bad guy Mason in the name of completing a mission. Team K never said anything about returning it, and she didn't take the initiative to ask for it.
So now she is using a black two-handed sword, which is carried on the back of her black robe.
Mason obviously recognized the sword.
If he remembered correctly, this sword should be called "Jiwei'er", which means "swallow" in Elvish. It was also the witcher coming-of-age gift given to her by the old witcher Gay Camel.
"What? Taking my knife is not enough? Are you planning to take my sword as well?"
Ciri quickly sensed Mason's gaze, and the hunter said unhappily:
"What did you talk about with Old A? Why did you make such a big fuss? I rarely see Quint making such a big fuss. He also told me to put down everything I was doing and come here immediately to take over your things.
They even sent people to the Star Castle to wait and escort it back.
It looks like you've found something truly remarkable."
"I've already told you, don't ask, don't make trouble for yourself, this thing is really hot."
Mason took out a very special box from his bag.
There are jumping yellow lightning on its surface like a magic lock. This is the seal of the Speed Force to ensure that the matrix blueprint stored in this box cannot be cracked at will.
He handed the box to Ciri, who took it and threw it into his bag without turning around and leaving. This action made Mason raise his eyebrows in surprise and said:
"Didn't you say someone was waiting for him in Star Castle? Send him back quickly so your boss won't get impatient."
"I just want to talk to you for a while. Why? You don't want to?"
Ciri stretched her neck and said:
"As for this support operation, you have also seen that I have sent all the forces I can mobilize here. Although it is nominally a taboo mobilization order from a higher-level agency, all the necessary procedures are in place.
But this is equivalent to them taking the initiative to disclose the hidden power of Quint in the Star Society. I think Old A definitely did this not just because of your coercion.
I think there is a deeper meaning behind his actions..."
"Oh, I see."
Mason nodded while sitting in the chair. He looked at Ciri and said:
"Are you going to let me analyze it for you?"
Ciri didn't answer.
But her silence was the answer itself.
This is the direction Mason hoped to see. He had previously told Ciri to discuss things with him before doing anything. Seeing that his boss actually did this, Mason was naturally happy to use his brain.
He took out a bottle of brown|owl and drank it to refresh his tired spirit, then rubbed his forehead and said to Ciri:
"This means that our 'lurking' phase is over, and we must now act openly! If I had my way of thinking, I would tell you that this is a sign that Quint intends to formally intervene in the power structure of the Star Society.
They asked you to hide and operate in secret before, perhaps because they were not strong enough.
But after accepting the old Green Goblin's group of rebels lurking in various institutions of the Council of Hope, their size increased rapidly .
By the way, do you know what role Old A plays in the Hope Council? "
Mason asked, and Ciri hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:
"I know. He is one of the permanent members. He just happened to be the rotating speaker recently. He was very troubled by the Third Impact."
"That's it."
Mason nodded and said:
"I got some inside information from the conqueror I captured before. He told me that after the Third Impact, the weak worlds that could be plundered at will have been basically eliminated, and the only ones left are the tough ones.
As the pioneers and trailblazers of the Council, the Stars Society will face a very serious situation in the future, and we may suffer continued losses.
You see, I'm used to thinking in dark terms.
If I were to run this...
I will let other teams act and save my own people. In this way, in the severe situation of heavy losses, those pioneers who don't want to be used as cannon fodder and want to survive have to rely on me.
In this way, the lower-level pioneers will be gradually controlled, and by finding a way to operate at the top level, it may only take a few months to seize control of the Star Society.
At least some control.”
Having said that, he paused and looked at Ciri who seemed to be thinking deeply. After giving the latter a few seconds to sort out his thoughts, he stated his conclusion.
“So, Old A is taking this opportunity to let you and us stand out openly, to make an attitude known to everyone in the Star Club.
That is, they have a new choice, and when they can’t make it in their original faction, they can turn to us.
Now the choice is insignificant.
But as long as the situation changes, given the cunning and greedy nature of the Star Society pioneers, the influence of the Quint Society in the Star Society will grow rapidly.
This is an open conspiracy.
You don't have to worry about being feared by warlocks or swordsmen because unless the forces behind them want to stir up a sharp struggle at the top, they will just pretend not to see it.
I am not talking nonsense or deceiving you, Ciri, I have evidence."
Mason stood up, approached Ciri, and whispered:
"When Old A talked to me, he promised me the vacant A-level seat. He is already planning to insert his own people into the Council of Twelve. Has he told you about this?"
Ciri was stunned for a moment, then shook her head.
She said in a hoarse voice:
"I was originally planning to give that seat to the Next Life Team..."
"Then give it to them."
Mason smiled and said:
"I have already discussed it with Morgan Blackhand. I don't want that seat. You will be the one to promote him to the Council of Twelve. The Next Life Team will compensate me privately."
"Um?"
Mason's words made Ciri hesitate for a moment, and the Grand Master of Exploration said softly:
"He said he would give it to you. Will your straightforward refusal cause you trouble? Didn't you say before that this B-rank promotion mission was a way for them to pressure you?"
"Trouble? No, I won't be in trouble."
Mason shook his head, patted Ciri on the shoulder, and said meaningfully:
"Because this is your decision and it has nothing to do with me.
As the Grand Exploration Master of the Star Society, you have the responsibility to consider the development of the organization. You must strictly control the most elite seats and resources and not waste them on low-level personnel like me who always like to make trouble.
Whether from the perspective of strength, experience or loyalty, the Next Life Team is much more suitable than the K Team.
Old A must know your plan. He may want to create a rift between our two "close comrades-in-arms". I won't let him do that, so I've made it clear to you in advance.
Now it depends on whether you can withstand the pressure.
Ciri, you may be used to obeying, but you should also know that the power in your hands is not given to you by Old A. Your management rights over the Star Club come from the approval of His Excellency "Destiny". "
Mason said in a persuasive way:
"This means that you actually have a choice. Once you have a choice, you will have the capital to resist Old A's orders. At worst, you can just turn your heart around and join Mr. Destiny to become a loyal devil dog...
Of course, I'm talking about extreme cases.
But trust me!
Mr. A has spent so much energy and resources on you, it is impossible for him to fall out with you over such a trivial matter.
You were too obedient, too silly and too innocent in the past, so you were easily controlled by them.
You have to learn to argue with reason, and you have to learn to properly use the power in your hands. Believe me, if you use this power well, you can even make Mr. A afraid of you. "
"I admit that your previous analysis made sense, but now you are trying to persuade me to abandon my allies and trust you instead."
Ciri shook her head.
She said to Mason:
"You should give me some time to think about it."
"I gave you time. It's been almost ten days since our last conversation."
Mason shook his head and said:
“That’s long enough for me to defeat the Justice League twice, and you still say you’re not ready. It’s clear, Ciri, that you can’t make decisions on your own.
The swordsmen's evaluation of you is very accurate. You are not suitable to play brain games with them.
But I won't force you to make a choice.
Let me give you a piece of advice, my good boss, think again about your purpose, clarify your goals, and compare them with what they want you to do.
And what I want you to do with me.
Through this sharp comparison, you can determine who is more beneficial to you. In addition, don't really believe that the system of the Star Society will become better if someone else takes power.
This organization is based on the use of soul curses to maintain contact. If you have read one or two fairy tales, you should know that organizations that use this model to maintain their existence are generally big villain organizations.
We are bad guys...
Don’t really expect bad people to do things that good people can do.”
After saying that, Mason took a step back, looked at the time on his watch, and said to Ciri:
"You should go back. If you don't go back, they will get suspicious. Bring this thing back to them, then let it go and focus on your own business."
"Um."
Ciri nodded, reached out and opened a door leading to the Star Castle, but before stepping in, she looked at the box sealed by the Speed Force in her hand with suspicion.
In a whisper that only she and Mason could hear, she said:
"Did you really give Old A all the information he wanted?"
"Everything they should see is in there. Don't worry, it's enough to satisfy them."
Mason showed a flawless smile and said seriously:
"Also, my B-rank promotion mission is now complete, right?"
“It still needs to be reviewed.”
Ciri curled her lips under the mask and said:
“But it’s just a formality. This matter has even alerted the rotating chairman of the council. If the knowledge you brought back to us is really so valuable, then no one would dare to block your promotion.
To be honest, even if he really made an exception and promoted you to an A-level member, not many people would complain.
Although everyone has their own thoughts, they are all for the continuation of existence.
Are you really determined to decline this seat?
Perhaps you still don't know what A-level personnel means. Do you need me to introduce you to the benefits of A-level personnel?"
"No need, I already knew that."
Mason waved his hands and said in a long voice:
“The resource treasury of Star Castle is open to all A-level personnel. Before each mission, you can borrow the rare treasures stored in the organization free of charge, and you can even apply for long-term holding.
Becoming a member of the Council of Twelve means that all the resources of the Star Society will be allocated to it. Not to mention the treatment of the main and substitute players, you don't even have to pay for the maintenance of the servant army.
All knowledge in the esoteric arts section of the Great Library of Stars is freely available for reference, and one can apply to use the 'Destiny Machine' once a month.
The limit on the number of base worlds will also be lifted. As far as I know, A-level personnel can hold up to five resource worlds as bases at the same time.
It can be said that joining the Council of Twelve is equivalent to buying a ticket that goes directly to the 'end of doom'. Even if everything really perishes, the A-level personnel will definitely be the ones who can survive to the end.
I know exactly what it means to promise Old A, Ciri."
He looked into the hunter's eyes behind the mask and said:
"But you know my situation. I still need to ensure a certain degree of secrecy. It is not the time for me to show up in public. Compared with these readily available benefits, I value my friendship with you more.
We will definitely become companions.
Do you know why? "
Ciri was indeed somewhat touched, but she still joked in a hoarse voice:
"Because I have a conscience?"
“It’s more than that.”
Mason shrugged and said:
“I just believe that the daughter that Sir Geralt raised since childhood will never become a bad person. Finally, do me a favor and make a decision as soon as possible.
A guy like Old A wouldn't let me be so carefree and distant.
He has plenty of ways to force me to join you, and if you want to give yourself another choice, then saving me is the same as helping yourself."
"Yes, I will."
Ciri agreed, then crossed her own rift and returned to the office of Star Castle. Sitting on the sofa in front of her was a man in a leather jacket and jeans.
The latter was holding a cup of coffee and admiring the photos of the hunter hanging on the wall.
"The things are back."
She said to the man in front of her:
"It's time for you to go. It would be very troublesome for me if a conqueror commander appeared openly in Star Castle."
"I'm sorry to trouble you, Hunter."
The man put down his coffee cup, stood up and apologized in a gentle tone:
“It happened suddenly, and there’s nothing I can do about it. But before I leave, there’s one place I want to go... You made a cenotaph for Geralt, right?
Can I go and pay my respects?"
"no!"
Ciri refused coldly:
"Stop being hypocritical, Steve Rogers! My father trusted you so much, but what you gave him in return was betrayal. If it weren't for you telling on me..."
"That's not snitching, Ciri."
The blond man in front of him sighed and put the box in his hand away properly.
He explained:
"We should serve the interests of the majority. Geralt knew what he would encounter before he decided to act. He is a true hero.
If I could, I would rather die in his place..."
"But he's dead, and you're alive."
Ciri pointed at the door and shouted:
"Go away, you hypocrite, before I draw my sword!"
