The 20th floor underground of Coruscant, the residential area of Planet executives.
"Mr. Erdin, I don't know what I proposed just now, what do you think?" Claire sat gracefully on the sofa, looking at the Rodian sitting opposite.
She is still a little uncomfortable with it now, but she can only keep forcing herself to hint that the seahorse-like person in front of her is a person, an alien, and an intelligent creature that can communicate with each other.
"I don't quite know how you found me, because we are not familiar with each other at all. I only know that you were introduced by Mr. Sai, which makes me a little confused. Can I trust you?" Erdin used himself the slender mouthparts took a sip of the drink.
Claire smiled slightly. In fact, she didn't know who Mr. Sai was. She only knew that it was an identity and relationship given by Rosanna Goods, and even Rosanna only knew that the information came from a robot. It's just too mysterious.
"Mr. Sai also has some contact with us. Since we found you through him, that's enough. This is also a starting point for our cooperation. Since it is cooperation, then our pursuit is naturally a win-win situation." Claire said.
"What projects do you collaborate on?" Erdin asked.
"I got some news that the food production of Planet Rodia is decreasing recently."
"It's not news."
"I can help you with something."
"Oh? What help? Can you provide us with a billion tons of food in a week, or enough spaceships for our transportation?"
"These things can only be done on the planets within the Core Worlds of the Galaxy."
"So you can't do it?"
"This is the purpose of my coming. Most of the planets in the outer ring star region are relatively poor and backward. In fact, if it is not because of the expansion of the Galactic Republic, it is impossible for many planets to enter the interstellar era. They do not have corresponding industries at all. Ability and technological ability." Claire said.
"But this doesn't feed our planet," Erdin said.
"One planet is not enough, two planets, three, four, or even hundreds of planets together? There are always some planets whose terrain and climate are suitable for agricultural development, and some planets are rich in mineral resources and suitable for industrial development. Therefore, I want to propose the establishment of a Mutual Aid Fund for the Outer Ring Planets, so that the backward planets in the outer ring can help each other when the Republic can't take care of us."
"I don't know you at all, so I also believe that you don't have such influence at all."
"I learned that Planet Rodia's agricultural production has almost come to a standstill because of its own cultural tendency and subsequent war damage. So I can find professional experts and technicians to help Planet Rodia build a large-scale fully enclosed hydroponics Farm. Of course, we only provide professional technical personnel and related consultants, and the construction work needs to be completed by yourself." Claire said.
Erdin didn't speak, took a deep breath, leaned back on the backrest, and stared at Claire with his big eyes without lids.
"Please also understand, because we don't have the ability to do all the work for you, and we don't have the ability to provide you with 1 billion tons of food and enough spaceships. But we can set an example, an example of the spirit of mutual assistance '" Claire said.
"So what do you want?"
"As you said earlier, impact. I hope that our cooperation will make everyone realize that even if we are poor and backward as a single planet if we unite, we can still achieve a lot. And when our voice is enough When it is loud, it can also affect the Galactic Senate in the future, so that the developed planets in the inner ring and core area can provide assistance." Claire said with a smile.
"But what about the Trade Federation? They're going to raise prices for shipping."
"Now we are too small to compete with the Trade Federation. But..." Claire smiled meaningfully.
"Well, there is no harm in your proposal anyway. Although our ability is limited, let me see what I can do for you. However, the premise is that the construction of the large-scale hydroponic farm you promised..."
"Mr. Sai will arrange it soon," Claire said with a smile.
"Okay, when I see your experts, I will introduce you to the representative of our Planet Rodia."
...
"The Mutual Aid Fund is a philanthropic effort, essentially," said Doug Stamper, of the residence.
"Mutual Aid Fund is a charity job. Believe me, Claire is very good at it." Francis said without looking up at the document, "In this Galactic Republic that advocates democracy, there is nothing like being weak. The voices of the outer ring planets can accumulate influence more quickly. Because even if it is only on the surface, those developed planets must support this cause, which is political correctness."
"You didn't expect this Mutual Aid Foundation to be successful?" Doug smiled.
"Actually, the possibility of failure is far greater than the possibility of success. If the situation in the Galaxy, the Supreme Commanders' judgment on the future is correct. But even if it fails, so what? All I need is an influential Just a character, a crusader for democracy—Claire Underwood."
"What about us?"
Underwood quickly wrote down a name and address on the note, and handed it to Doug, "Go and find this person, if he hasn't starved to death. A regional office director of the Galactic Republic's transportation management department, because offended, was framed by the Trade Federation."
"Okay, I'll go find him right away. So we're going to help him rehabilitate?"
"No, what are you talking about? It's his own business to be exonerated. What does it have to do with us? All I need are two doors that may be opened for us in him." Underwood said.
"OK, you should at least tell me what you think," Doug said.
Underwood wrote two more notes and handed them over, "The first door, the "Coruscant Observer" electronic daily, their editor-in-chief is a very firm opponent of the Trade Federation's monopolistic behavior. Because the Trade Federations's framing led to a Republican Official on the streets who ends up having to resort to drastic methods to get justice? Oh, that's a great subject."
"And the second door is the director of the Coruscant Police Department, in our current area. Tell him that someone will cause trouble, but it's best to tell him after the incident becomes serious."