"Make a doll or figurine!"
That single comment on Ethan's Weibo page "If I can't afford Pichu, at least give me a plush or figurine!" had already garnered thousands of likes. True to his word, Ethan simply replied, "I'll think about it!" It was a casual response to netizens, but a plan was already taking shape in his mind.
"We can't just produce a bunch of stuff and hope it sells," Ethan thought. "But if interest grows at this rate, a carefully planned batch of Pichu dolls might just work."
He was still weighing options for factories and production lines when Annie entered with her usual polite smile.
"Mr. Ethan," she said, "Manager Luke from Nazarick Shipping is here."
He nodded. "Invite him in."
---
Moments later, Luke Redfield, the manager of Nazarick Shipping, walked into Ethan's office with a look of excitement mixed with apprehension.
The company's first batch of Pichu shipments had gone exceptionally well; the buyers had received their Pichu in perfect condition, and Pokémon Biotechnology seemed satisfied. Now, both parties were on the verge of a long-term partnership.
"Mr. Grave!" Luke exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. "Are we ready to sign a long-term agreement between Pokémon Biotechnology and Nazarick Shipping?"
Ethan put his phone down, the trace of a smile on his lips. "We can," he said. "But first, I need to warn you about something. I doubt you'll back out once you hear it, but I want to lay everything out on the table."
Catching the change in tone, Luke frowned slightly. "Warn me?"
Ethan folded his hands on the table. "You're probably wondering why I chose Nazarick Shipping. There are at least five domestic shipping companies that are bigger or more prestigious. Have you guessed why I chose you?"
A flicker of discomfort crossed Luke's face. In fact, he'd asked himself that question many times - though at first he'd been too excited to think about it.
"Because... we're not affiliated with the Biolife Alliance?" he guessed.
"Exactly. Every major shipping service has turned me down. Why? Because I insulted their boss, Charles Sullivan."
At the mention of that name, Luke tensed. "Charles Sullivan, the head of the Panex Group and the one who runs the Biolife Alliance, right?"
Ethan nodded calmly. "He tried to buy my company for ten billion dollars. I refused. Then he offered investments, which I turned down again. Now he's ordered everyone in the Biolife Alliance not to do business with us."
Luke's eyes widened. Ten billion Dollars was no small sum, even for the big players, let alone a relatively new biotech company. And Ethan had turned it down outright?
"So that's the gist of it," Luke thought. "No wonder."
He remembered the rumors about Charles, who was famous for playing hardball at Panex. As powerful as they were, it seemed that it even extended to shutting down Pokémon Biotech.
Ethan took a sip of his coffee. "Anyway, that's the situation. We can sign a permanent agreement, but if you're worried about retaliation from Charles..."
Before he could finish, Luke broke in, "Mr. Ethan, our chairman also had... a personal run-in with someone at Panex. It got ugly, and our application to join the Biolife Alliance was denied. So we have no way to join that group anyway."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You insulted them too?"
"Exactly," Luke sighed. "Our chairman kicked him out of the office, and soon after, our application for membership went cold."
Ethan let the silence stretch for a moment, then gave a small nod. "So we're both outcasts as far as the Biolife Alliance is concerned."
A wry smile tugged at Luke's lips. "It looks that way. But honestly, we're not afraid. We may not be as big as the shipping giants, but we stand on our own two feet. We have no plans to bow to Panex or the Alliance. So, yes. We still want this partnership."
Ethan leaned forward. "Very well. Then let's work out the details."
---
The Shipping Agreement
Sitting across the desk, they pored over the clauses they'd already worked out:
1. Pokémon Biotechnology Inc. will primarily use Nazarick Shipping to transport Pokémon (Pichu, Squirtle, and any future species) whenever possible.
2. If Pokémon Biotechnology chooses to handle shipping in-house, or has an urgent reason to choose another partner, they are free to do so on a case-by-case basis.
3. Nazarick Shipping offers a discounted, premium ("supreme VIP") service for all Pokémon shipments.
4. Pokémon Biotech will have the right to terminate the agreement at any time in the event of a drop in service quality or mishandling of shipments.
Both sides considered these terms fair. Nazarick gained a reliable, fast-growing customer, while Pokémon Biotech secured its own transportation service independent of the Biolife Alliance.
"The only thing that remains," Ethan remarked, signing his name with a final flourish, "is whether you can handle any pressure that comes your way. If Charles decides to try to push you out of certain routes, things could get a little dicey."
Luke pursed his lips, clearly imagining the scenario. Finally, he squared his shoulders, nodded resolutely, and lifted the pen. "We'll manage. Our chairman is willing to take that risk. It's an honor to work with you, Mr. Grave."
They stood and shook hands, sealing the deal.
---
As Luke walked out of the office, he tapped his phone to make a call. "Chairman," he said quietly as he walked down the hall, "it's official. ...Yes, I know. We'll be careful."
He paused and looked back at Ethan's door. "No regrets, sir. They may be small, but Pokémon Biotech is going places. I'd rather join them now than wait and hope that the Biolife Alliance will throw us a bone one day."
Luke ended the call and walked away with a small smile. The Pokémon Company will only grow from here.
Back in his office, Ethan let out a small sigh of relief. Finally, a formal shipping partner. No more scrambling for freelancers, at least not in the near future.
Still, I can't rely on external shipping forever, he mused. He swivelled in his chair to look at a large digital board that tracked the lines of Pokemon Biotech's future and potential expansions. Someday, I'll unlock my own solutions - perhaps flying types or some other breakthrough of sorts.
For now, having Nazarick oversee the shipments was one less obstacle. The world of Genetic Pokémon was still in its infancy, but with each alliance and new technology, the Pokémon Company was inching closer to reshaping the biotech landscape - and perhaps society itself.
Ethan allowed himself a small, satisfied grin. "Time to see how the next battle unfolds," he muttered into the quiet of his office. Then he clicked over to emails about possible Pichu plushies and other merchandise.
Plans were already forming in his mind - strategies not only for shipping, but for every challenge that lurked in the ever-evolving world of genetics.