Ascenders Rift

"I wonder what he"s plotting? Since they are already capable of battling those mutated monsters, what could he possibly hope to gain by bargaining with us?" Milon thought to himself as he stared at Evan in silence, before glancing at the seated Leo, who held Julie"s hand.

"Tsk, this boy, so much trouble he"s brought for me, he could have at least told us of their true objectives beforehand..." Milon thought while shaking head.

Kelvin and Vernisa had similar thoughts, while the eyes of persons like Vawn and Manager Paulson showed different looks.

Evan seeing everyone"s attention on him, spoke his request with a calm smile, "It"s simple, for the information you need, we only request that you provide us with a temporary lodging in your domain, this should last for less than two months."

When the officials heard Evan"s words, they looked at him deeply as few of them frowned, including Milon, and Vernisa.

Kelvin had a dark look on his face when he spoke, "That"s impossible! We have yet to know of your society, why should we allow strangers like yourself to reside within our domain? I highly doubt that information you can provide us is of that much worth, what happens if you learn about our technology and acquire sensitive details?"

Milon, though in opposition to Kelvin, also spoke out in rejection, "That"s right, information alone can"t grant you access to our domain for such a long period. We don"t know your methods, what"s to say that you aren"t here to steal our knowledge?"

A few others also began to make similar statements of refusal, causing a commotion to rise within the conference room.

Evan frowned at those words, knowing that something like this would happen. He glanced at Rick and the others before he shook his head, he knew that he could only use that other option to get the ball rolling.

Vernisa stared at him while thinking, "Well, boy, you should have at least expected this much, what else are you willing to offer to get that request of yours?"

Mark sneered when he saw Evan in a pit, he was about to add fuel to the flames by bringing up the other topic, but right at this time, Evan made a faint smile and replied.

"Okay, your worries are not unfounded; I can offer you another service in compliance with your concerns. So long as you can grant us the right to stay here for a little over a month, we will do our very best to aid you in the struggles against those so-called Body s.h.i.+fters," Evan said with a strange ray in his eyes.

"What? How do you know of this?" Some persons asked in alarm. However, they soon remembered that it was Leo who brought them, and as such, he most have shared those details.

A few persons looked at Leo with cold eyes, but Leo pretended that he didn"t notice it and focused on the matter at hand.

Mark glared at Leo while thinking, "That darn b.a.s.t.a.r.d, even going as far as to tell outsiders of our internal affairs! Hmph! It"s even better; I can use this against him in the final segment of this meeting..."

When Mark thought to here, his eyes flashed when he glanced at his father, noticing that both he and Alia had momentarily shown looks of surprise before odd smiles. Wilma now had a serious expression as she knew that such details weren"t good for Milon at the moment.

Yet, as if he didn"t notice it, Milon looked at Vernisa and Kelvin, seeing that they nodded. Milon then frowned glancing at Leo before he spoke in reply to Evan"s words, "Hmm, Sir Evan, it seems you"ve managed to learn a great deal already, I won"t ask as to how you"ve inquired such news. However, I will question your resolve once again, are you certain that you are willing to fight against those beings?"

Everyone else grew quiet, as the commotions fade a bit, they all knew how terrifying the Body s.h.i.+fters were, and it was a state where they are only temporary at a stalemate with their kind.

Evan calmly answered as he made a cheeky wink, "That"s right, if we didn"t have such confidence, we wouldn"t have dared to come here. Nor would we still consider negotiating with this kind of manner, when your forces have such deadly weapons pointed at us."

When Milon, Vernisa, and Kelvin heard this, their faces sunk as they looked at Evan in surprise; they didn"t think that his party knew of their precautionary arrangements.

The trio looked at each other before Milon glanced at Evan deeply as he spoke, "It would seem that you and your companions are quite resourceful. Since you"ve discovered it, I believe that it would be rude not to put it away."

As Milon said this, he waved his hand, causing a few mechanical noises to sound as some objects had been disarmed.

Breya, who was continually monitoring the weapons through her scanner, smiled and vaguely gave Evan a thumbs-up gesture.

Evan felt better without the knife of the opponent trained on his head; he spoke more freely, "Haha, City Head Milon, I believe I"ve shown enough sincerity, as such, it is only natural that your people do the same in kind."

After saying this, Evan then got to the matter at hand; he spoke in a straightforward tone, "Now then, I"ve already stated our objectives and what we are willing to comply with, what are your decisions?"

As the officials heard Evan"s words, they each looked at each other, before they looked at Milon, Kelvin, and Vernisa.

Milon spoke, "We shall discuss this matter in private. Please, take this time to sit down, our decision should take only a few moments."

As Milon said this, all major officials around him rose from their seats and went into a private room nearby. During this time, Evan had already walked back and sat down beside Layla, who smiled, Joe, Leo, and the others remained silent, awaiting the results.

"Leo, what do you think will happen?" Joe asked as he didn"t know much of these people and their personalities.

Leo was a bit preoccupied with something else, but he turned to Joe and spoke, "I"m not sure, while it"s true we need information, the aid against the Body s.h.i.+fters is also a crucial and timely thing. Judging by this, they should return with a positive decision."

Razel, who sat nearby, also nodded and spoke, "Indeed, I feel that they are likely to accept it based on these results."

"Oh, well, I guess all we can do is only wait and see," Joe said no longer putting it on his mind, as he lazily rested.

Leo, Razel, and Julie didn"t seem to focus on these affairs as their eyes were staring at Mark, who was looking at them with poisonous eyes and a cruel smirk.

"Hmph! That d.a.m.n b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I want to see what you"re even thinking of trying..." Leo muttered as he looked at him with killing intent.

Razel also felt Leo"s mood; his sharp-looking hawk eyes fixed onto Mark"s crew as if he was prepared to take action if needed.

By this time, a few minutes had pa.s.sed, and the others should be returning at any moment. However, Emilia, who was talking to Breya, s.h.i.+fted her eyes onto the unusual bunch that wore cloaks and the only core official that had sat around the table, the individual known as Vawn.

She suddenly got a strange feeling as she touched Evan"s arm and spoke in an odd tone, "Evan, those people... they are different..."

Evan nodded at this and replied, "I know, I already did an inspection, and have found that they are quite the peculiar bunch indeed."

When Evan said this, his eyes flashed in a sharp ray as he recalled their details that showed up as, Undefined Lifeform. He even saw Vawn smiled at him before turning away.

Emilia was about to say something, but as if Evan knew her thoughts, he replied, "No, not yet, we can"t do such a scene... besides, we have yet to learn much about their hideout, nor how many of them are amongst these humans. It"s best to draw them out after we"ve made a net..."

As Evan said this, he glanced at Rick and Breya, who nodded, they already knew what they were going to be doing after the meeting. 

Emilia, noticing their looks, no longer pressed for any answers, as she believed Evan would explain what"s needed at the appointed time.

Shortly after, the door opened, followed by the small crowd of core officials who once more re-entered them room and took their seats around the table.

The last persons to arrive were the three leaders who looked at Evan"s party after taking their seats. Milon then made a warm smile before he spoke, "Sir Evan, after discussing this matter, we have each agreed to allow you and your team to stay here for no more than one month. In this period, you are to help out in any raids, and battles that might occur against the Body s.h.i.+fters. Naturally, this will only come into effect after you"ve shared with us the details of those belonging to the Insect Hive and Mother Breed."

Evan smirked, he flipped his wrist causing a chip to appear, he glanced at Leo and Julie noticing that they were a bit anxious before he focused on Milon and spoke, "Haha, that"s great! Since everyone here is so kind, then I don"t think we should waste any more time. I have compiled the information about those races on this device that I can pa.s.s along. With this, our meeting should be concluded..."

The leaders were a bit surprised by his method, but they didn"t say anything about it. Their eyes were now focused on the chip in his arms.

Milon"s eyes flashed as he realized what Evan was attempting, he spoke, "Good, I see that you"re a very straight forward man, you are right, we can end it here... as for your lodging, Leo and his party can take y..."

Milon was about to say something, but right then and there, Kelvin and Alia sneered as they spoke, "Wait right there!"

Milon"s face turned ugly when he heard them speak like such, Vernsia sighed as she thought to herself, "It seems they weren"t going to let it go after all, not with such a chance..."

Leo and his party who saw this also grew severe, as Evan merely narrowed his eyes, sitting down as he decided not to say anything. He thought to himself as he watched the different parties starting to s.h.i.+ft around silently, "Ha, so all it took was a chip to get everyone into motion, it looks like the real show is about to begin..."