We're willing to give the materials in exchange for 20 years supply of special solutions. Said Admiral Ford. With a slight frown on his face.
Clearly, he too didn't agree to the decisions of the higher-ups.
"Arc look at him and said in a very sarcastic voice. So, in other words, you want us to slaves ourselves for 20 years baring all the cost of materials for the solutions and cost for labor, and for building and maintaining the facility just because you provided the materials for the construction of the facility we don't need or want is that correct?"
Lisa and Sheila have a comical look on their faces because they are trying hard not to laugh.
"Then why don't I give you the materials for building us 10 space battleships, and after we use it for 50 years we will return it to you. How's that sound to you? Should we make a deal? Ask Arc. With the mocking look in his face." Arc paused and look at Admiral Ford.
"Admiral Ford, do I look that stupid to you? Are your superiors have brain damage or something I assure you we can't cure that even with special solutions. Said Arc. With a deep frown on his face."
Admiral Ford knows Arc is aware that his superiors are listening to their conversation but said it anyways.
Admiral Ford knows Arc was pissed because of what he said.
Back in the conference room of the top official's commander Markos is laughing his ass off for what Arc has said.. And every one of the people in the room has frowned on their faces. Except for commander Markos, each one of them is very respected and feared who will tell them they have brain damage.
At first, they are suspecting Arc is aware of them listening now they no longer doubt it, they knew that if Arc is aware they are listening he didn't have the guts to say that to their faces. If they found out Arc knows they are listening and don't really care about what they feel, they would be fuming with anger.
But because they also knew they are asking for too much they don't really care about his remarks, but commander Merkos laughter is making it worse for them.
Admiral Ford, calmly said, "that just because the amount of materials is too much."
"Didn't I said that from the start. That's why I said the cost too much for the gain. But it looks like you only want the gain and don't want to pay the cost. If you can't afford it then said so no one will blame you as we know that it's really too much. But don't insult me, Admiral."
Lisa and Sheila no longer found it amusing as they know Arc was angry for being insulted.
Admiral Ford too blames himself for agreeing to say the higher-up's conditions.
Arc. "I assure you we didn't mean it like that..."
"Well, I'm not blaming you, admiral. For I know you're just telling me what the instructions of your superiors. But I don't think your superiors are really interested in getting the special solutions, and just want to save face by giving you those instructions. So let's stop talking about it." Said Arc with a calm look on his face.
Admiral Ford knows Arc was just giving him face and at the same time no longer interested in making a deal. He sighs, he knew the higher-ups mess up big time this time. And if they want to get the special solutions they will have to pay more than before.
Everyone in the meeting room of the top officials is no longer in the mood for jokes even Commander Markos stops joking around.
"So what do you guys think?" Said one of the elders in the meeting room.
We need those Special solutions we all have tried it before and knows what it can do.
In truth, the event when commander Markos accidentally blurted about it happens 2 months ago. And in these two months, Markos shared his supply of special solutions to them and have them tried it for themselves, and they all fell in love with it, who among them is young each one of them is an old fart in their age when almost everything is in their disposal the only thing they care most above all else is their life.
And the special solutions are a ticket to a long life for them. Of course, they will do anything within their power to get it. In fact, they are willing to spare no expense in finding out where and how Grand Trading Corporation is producing the solutions. But all their attempt comes to nothing.
All agents they sent never come back. And everyone they've sent just to investigate comes up with nothing. They were very puzzled by this but at the same time, their hands are tied as they can't interfere with earth Affair too much meaning they can't send a large enough force to subjugate Grand Trading in the open.
Over the past year and a half, they have tried everything to reverse-engineered the solutions but no result so far. They funded many corporations to attack Grand Trading Corporation. Through legal and illegal means but that too fails as Grand Trading Corporation is no longer a small business on the earth that any company can go against. Just the income of VR is enough to drown all those companies in money.
Admiral Ford excused himself once again to talk to his superiors. Arc just wave it off and didn't really care much about it.
Admiral Ford saw the uninterested look of Arc and knows he no longer cares about doing transactions. The top officials saw it too. And frowns.
This time Admiral Ford told them that if this continues they can forget about getting special solutions.
This time they talk for more than an hour. They came up with many proposals only to be rejected by Commander Markos and Admiral Ford. Then Markos asks them how much they really want the solutions, if they don't care much about it then just drop the proposal to acquire it, before the relationship with Grand Trading Corporation, worsens.
In the end, they all agree that they want it more than they want the materials they can get in the war with Ganesh.
The war on Ganesh can power up their respective organizations, but the special solutions are for their personal benefits. And that is something they all agree on silently. In the end, they decided to pay whatever Arc ask for it, they don't have a choice anyway... It may sound like a huge loss for them but in fact, with the amount of assets they have those number of materials is just a drop in the ocean for them compare to the total wealth they possessed.
When admiral Ford heard it he has a huge grin on his face. As all negotiations are all up to him now.
Markos also asks to cut all connections just in case Arc found out about their spying. This makes the Admiral happier.
As for the top leader once they made the decisions they don't care about it anymore since they collectively decided to pay any price. They can no longer stop it, so they move on to other agendas, like the war with Ganesh, since they already concluded a deal for their benefits it's time to move on to the benefits their forces can get.