So Needham Brown decided to walk a completely different path from Harrison Clark, attempting to "negotiate" with the Compound-Eyed Observers.
"As long as humanity demonstrates enough loyalty and value in being exploited, we have the potential to survive as a vassal civilization. I do not agree with the all-or-nothing approach of Harrison Clark. The reason he is so calm is that he always has another chance to live again. But we do not, and you have been deceived by his pretense of righteousness. He is just an ignorant commoner, using an outdated 21st-century worldview to lead Orion Arm humans in the 31st century, which is very improper."
The idea of surrendering had only briefly flashed through Harrison Clark's mind before he decisively dismissed it.
He never expected that Needham Brown had not only considered it, but was determined to act on it.
He never imagined that the Shadow Forces, which he had devoted so much effort to training, would be Needham Brown's direct subordinates.
