"Everyone, don't move! If you dare to move, we'll kill you!"
"What the hell? The commander was utterly bewildered, his red face nearly turning black as he listened to the message.
"Commander, the enemy has sent a second message, about the Ninth Prince!"
"Huh? Read it quickly!"
"The Ninth Prince, having been apprehended by our forces for attacking Federation civilian vessels, is currently detained. Considering his membership in your esteemed Empire's royal family, we approve your side to dispatch personnel to the following coordinates to discuss the handling of this criminal: [Coordinates]."
He understood the content; there was no problem with that.
However, the phrasing used to convey that content sounded so… annoying.
"Sigh, so the Ninth Prince really fell into human hands? Immediately send this intelligence to the headquarters, and also reply to the other side that we are contacting headquarters and asking them to wait a moment."
"Yes, sir!"
In orbit around Jupiter, inside the flagship of the Ochus Empire's Third Imperial Guard Legion.
"Commander, we've received the latest intelligence from a reconnaissance fleet, regarding the Ninth Prince."
"Hmm? Speak quickly!"
"Yes, sir! Today, our 031 reconnaissance squad encountered a human fleet during their mission. The human fleet then sent a message saying the Ninth Prince is in their hands and demanding that we send people to designated coordinates for negotiations."
"It's good that the Ninth Prince is still alive, but this is very troublesome. What demands will the humans make? We don't even need to guess; they'll definitely want us to withdraw from the Solar System."
Adams frowned; this matter was indeed very troublesome.
And judging by the humans' actions, they must have already realized the Ninth Prince's important status.
Therefore, during negotiations, the humans will definitely leverage this point to their maximum advantage, most likely demanding our withdrawal.
The crucial point is, if I agree to the condition of withdrawing, even if I rescue the Ninth Prince, I will be executed by the Emperor for my retreat.
There must be a solution that satisfies both sides.
"Adjutant, where is the Fourth Imperial Guard Legion?"
"Commander, according to the last report, they just withdrew from the front lines of the Kabat Empire. To reach us, they need to pass through seven stellar pathways, which will take at least ten years."
"Ten years? I've got it! Arrange for an escort fleet; I will personally go to the negotiations."
"Commander, wouldn't it be too risky for you to go personally?"
"What are you thinking? Besides the escort fleet, won't you arrange for other fleets to maintain some distance and follow behind? Besides, I don't believe humans would go to all this trouble just to kill someone who comes to negotiate."
"Yes, Commander, I'll arrange it immediately!"
Asteroid Belt, Area 498, Ochus Empire Reconnaissance Fleet.
"Commander, headquarters has replied!"
"Read it!"
"The Commander will personally arrive at your location in two days to preside over the negotiations, but no one is allowed to reveal the Commander's identity. This information can be conveyed to the humans."
The Commander is coming personally? Isn't that too risky?
This news left the commander a bit stunned. Normally, they should send negotiation experts, right?
If anything were to happen, he would definitely be finished.
"Help me request a video communication from the other party."
"Yes, sir!"
Inside the flagship of the 101st Task Force.
"Commander, the other side is requesting video communication!"
"They probably have a result. Connect it!"
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, a virtual screen lit up in front of the captain's seat, and a red demon-like figure appeared.
"I am Los, commander of the 031st Reconnaissance Squad, part of the Ochus Empire's Third Imperial Guard Legion!"
"You can speak now. How has your headquarters responded to our demands?"
Clearly, Los was displeased with Adrian Vale's attitude.
I've introduced myself, so you should introduce yourself too; that's proper etiquette.
However, given the current situation, Los dared not flare up.
Everyone knew that if anything happened to the Ninth Prince, the entire legion might have to be buried with him.
"Headquarters has dispatched negotiation personnel, who will arrive here in two days. How do you plan to arrange the negotiation location?"
"Simple. We've brought materials. In two days, we can construct a temporary space station here. At that time, both sides can only use shuttles to send a maximum of six people up for the negotiations."
"Alright, but after you've constructed the space station, we'll need to inspect it for any threats."
"I can agree to that, but the inspection must be conducted with our personnel present."
"Good, I agree."
"Then that's settled. Once it's ready, I'll notify your side!"
With that, Adrian cut off the communication.
"Demon-man Deputy Officer Sterling, aren't you scared? Girls are usually afraid of demons, right?"
"Boring!"
Lena Sterling didn't want to answer Adrian's pointless question, so she just rolled her eyes and retorted.
"Actually, you look quite pretty even when you roll your eyes!"
"Commander, please maintain your dignity during the mission!"
"Oh, so after the mission, I can be casual, is that it?"
Looking at Adrian, who was smiling and looking at her, Lena Sterling gritted her teeth in annoyance and turned her head away, unwilling to deal with this guy.
"Deputy Officer Sterling, this is during the mission. As my deputy, what are you doing turning your back on me?"
"You..."
"No 'you's. Go arrange it. Take out the simple space station modules we brought and assemble them!"
"Alright, I'll go arrange it immediately!"
Lena Sterling practically gritted her teeth, spitting out each word.
With the assistance of a large number of mechas, a temporary space station was constructed within a few hours, even equipped with an artificial gravity device.
Subsequently, accompanied by fleet personnel, several Ochus people also entered the station and inspected every nook and cranny to ensure there was no danger.
Two days later, a medium-sized Ochus Empire fleet arrived. Of course, Adams did not use his massive Titan battleship when he came, but instead took a battlecruiser.
He had now removed his commander's uniform and changed into civilian attire.
"Is that the temporary negotiation venue they set up?"
"Yes, Commander. Los said that after it was built, he arranged for people to inspect it thoroughly, inside and out, to ensure safety."
"Alright, let's go then!"
After Adams finished speaking, he glanced at the five negotiation experts beside him, and the five of them consciously followed Adams out of the bridge.
More than ten minutes later, both sides' shuttles arrived at the space station.
The six people from the Ochus Empire's side were Adams and five negotiation experts.
The Federation's side consisted of the negotiation team led by Ed Hart, and Adrian Vale.
Originally, Adrian wasn't supposed to participate, but two days ago, the system issued a mission to Adrian:
Mission 3: Participate fully in these negotiations and meet your primary short-term opponent, Commander Adams. (Completion rewards: Mecha piloting ability increased to A)
So Adrian shamelessly called Ed Hart "Uncle" countless times, utterly abandoning his dignity.
Only then did he finally secure the qualification to participate and observe.