"I'm not qualified? Do you know what you're saying, Doctor?" Councilwoman Hea smirked at Ellen's words.
"Of course I do. I've considered every word carefully," Ellen replied confidently, her unwavering composure undiminished even before a leader of Earth's civilization.
"And knowing that, you still dare refuse me?"
"Absolutely. I believe, Lady Hea, that you have the foresight to understand the consequences. You could prevent me from leaving this room and take all the life crystals I have. But you know the result—you'd sever your connection with that being entirely."
"Why do you expect someone longing for immortality to be rational?" Hea asked with a smile, knowing she could barely resist the lure of youth.
"Because for you, immortality is within reach, requiring only minimal effort. There's no need to take unnecessary risks."
"Ah, Doctor, well said!" Hea laughed, her stern expression softening, and the tense atmosphere in the room relaxed.
"So, aside from choosing me, which other council members do you plan to target?"
"Every council member over seventy years old. I'll try to persuade them all," Ellen answered straightforwardly. She was open about her intentions; it was a bold and transparent plan. She intended to use the temptation of immortality to sway Earth's ruling elite, turning hawks into doves and transforming them into staunch opponents of war with Pandora.
"A wise choice of targets. But some of them might be immune to this approach."
"Why?" Ellen asked, puzzled. To her, no human could resist the allure of immortality.
"You're still young, Ellen. You've met only a small slice of humanity. Not everyone fears death. Immortality is indeed tempting, but in the face of deeply held principles, some people will sacrifice anything."
Ellen thought back to her own experiences in youth, recalling that, while most people feared death, there were always a few who faced it without hesitation for what they considered a greater cause. Tempting such individuals with immortality would be a futile endeavor.
"So, what should I do?"
"I'll act as an intermediary to introduce you to these old-timers," Hea offered with a sly smile. "But as a middleman, I expect a small fee, yes?"
"Yes, that's fine." After a moment's hesitation, Ellen nodded, realizing her relative inexperience compared to these seasoned political veterans.
"Excellent!"
…
Hea wasted no time. The day after striking her deal with Ellen, she invited several colleagues who, like her, were approaching the end of their lifespans.
When these elderly council members saw Hea and Ellen, both rejuvenated by twenty years, they were immediately tempted. After experiencing this newfound youth firsthand, they quickly agreed to cease hostilities with Pandora in exchange for the promise of immortality, and they became the core of Earth's new dove faction.
Through their connections, these council members expanded their influence, spreading the dovish ideology among Earth's ruling elite. Not only did the elderly crave immortality, but many younger and middle-aged officials also began contemplating their own aging and the allure of eternal life.
However, as the dove faction grew, certain darker ambitions began to arise within this group of powerful humans.
In a dimly lit meeting room, more than thirty council members, each wielding significant power and resources, sat scattered about.
"So, how does everyone feel?" asked one voice.
"Feel? You're asking how we feel? Wonderful, of course. I haven't felt this good in decades."
"Same here. After using that little crystal, my doctor said I wouldn't need any medical devices for the next ten years."
"Good, it seems everyone is interested in the little trinket brought by Dr. Ellen."
"Say what you mean. We're all on the same page now," another member interjected bluntly.
"Aren't you interested in obtaining even more life crystals?" asked a hoarse voice, tinged with seduction.
"My health has improved, but if I could, I'd like to have the strength of my twenties," one elderly member admitted.
"Exactly. I think we all want a young, vibrant body. And the key to that is those life crystals Dr. Ellen brought. According to her, they are produced by that being—a god-like figure who could single-handedly obliterate the Glory flagship. However, I think there may be an alternative."
"What are you suggesting, Jorge Viotti?" a council member warned sternly. "If you destroy our only source of longevity, no matter your power or position, we'll all work together to erase you."
"I'm not suggesting anything reckless. I simply want to confirm something. Do these life crystals really come solely from that being? Or could they be a rare natural resource of Pandora? If it's the latter, then we might be able to secure this resource for ourselves."
"No need for wishful thinking," one council member responded. "I already analyzed the crystal. It's pure life energy, and in nature, such a thing would be immediately consumed by surrounding plants or animals."
"So, if we want more life crystals, we have to follow this god's instructions and become his lapdogs? I've done that in the past, but I'm not so eager now."
"That's too harsh. We're just cooperating," another countered.
"Too harsh? We're effectively putting a knife in his hands. He's our sole supplier, and since we can't find anyone else, he controls the price of our longevity. We're at his mercy!"
"If you're dissatisfied with this arrangement, what do you propose?"
"We want meat, so we rear livestock. We want wool, so we keep sheep. Since we need life crystals, why not capture this god and domesticate him to fulfill our needs?"
"Ha! If that's all you called us here for, Jorge, I'm leaving. I have no time for such nonsense!"
"Your brain must be addled," another interjected. "You want to imprison a being who can single-handedly destroy the Glory? In his eyes, we're the livestock."
"It's an absurd suggestion. Even if we could capture him, what would that achieve? Force him to create life crystals? That's like pointing a gun at a brain surgeon in the middle of your own operation."
"Everyone, calm down. I'm merely floating an idea. If you disagree, feel free to dismiss it," Jorge replied with a thin smile, unfazed by the outrage in the room.
"Councilman Jorge, your suggestion is as bold as ever. But before proposing it, remember that during the invasion of Pandora, this god didn't go all out. We still have no idea of the full extent of his abilities."
"Right, there's one more thing," another member added. "This level of lifeform may be able to cross space independently. So, not only can we send ships to Pandora, but he could also travel here."
"So, you're saying if we anger him, we might face his wrath personally?" someone asked, clearly uneasy.
"If that's the case, then maintaining peace is essential. We can't afford another war."
At this revelation, one council member shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was perfectly content to approve a war happening light-years away, safely beyond his reach. But if that same war could bring an enemy to his own doorstep—an enemy capable of demolishing a flagship with a single blow—then he'd rather avoid it altogether.
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