The Mech Touch novel Chapter 7282

Chapter 7282: Crumbling Institutions

Find the true headquarters of the Red Cabal.

"Are you being serious?"

Jovy nodded. "We believe you can do it, Ves. You are a man with unusual capabilities. While you are far from the only individual tasked with this mission, we believe that you have advantages that others lack. It doesn't hurt to try. If you can succeed, then that is great. If you cannot, then just consider it a useful learning experience."

All of this sounded awfully familiar to Ves. He could already predict how the conversation would unfold.

The only difference was that he would be fulfilling the objectives of the Survivalists rather than the Transhumanists.

While Ves had reluctantly accepted the mission imposed by the Evolution Witch, he was not about to let the Survivalists do the same.

He already carried too numerous burdens on his shoulders!

"No."

Jovy frowned. A man as clever and perceptive as him could clearly sense a strong repulsion from his friend.

"Why not let me finish yet? I can promise you that the mission is not as hard as it sounds. We are not asking you to travel deep into native alien space. We value your contributions. I can guarantee you that you will be more than satisfied with the rewards. We can still offer much to an ambitious Senior Mech Designer such as yourself."

Ves crossed his arms. "And I am telling you that I am far too busy to be your errand boy. Look, isn't it enough for the Parkinson Clan to give you access to a semi-regular supply of superdimensional matter? If you want more of it, then that is your business. I am not opposed to your attempts to find the headquarters of the Red Cabal for the purpose of finding the source of alien-grade superdimensional matter, but I am already busy. I have no time to handle the native aliens. I am busy trying to come up with good solutions against the mutated workings."

His response did not satisfy Jovy. He looked at Ves with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Did the Evolution Witch issue a mission to you already?"

Damn! Jovy was not easy to fool. A man of his intelligence and deductive reasoning ability was extremely hard to mislead.

The question directly put Ves on the spot. The Evolution Witch had strongly emphasized the confidential nature of his current mission. He did not think she would be sympathetic if he confessed the truth at this time.

He could only respond in a more indirect manner.

"Maybe you guys are right that I am not ready to become a tier 2 galactic citizen as of yet." He sighed. "Sure, I am in nominal control of the Phase Lord Department, but that doesn't mean that I can automatically solve everyone's problems. I already have a lot of responsibilities on my plate, and several of them are so burdensome that they take up all of my energy just to keep up. I really do not want to add more complications to my life. Can you just give me a break? I am not the only problem solver in the Red Ocean. Please don't shove every seemingly insurmountable problem to me. You guys have your own operatives. Make use of them. Please."

Jovy stared uncomfortably hard at Ves. The Survivalist liaison most definitely understood the words that Ves did not say.

Yet so long as they remained unsaid, Ves did not have to confirm or deny anything.

A subtle atmosphere descended in the design lab. The two had spent enough time in each other's company to guess each other's thought patterns.

Jovy eventually sighed. "I will not press you any further. I will even withdraw the invitation for you to participate in our great mission. As much as I believe that you can make unique contributions, we will respect your desire to manage your own schedule. However, let me remind you that your decisions have consequences. We will take note of your willingness to cooperate with some groups but not others."

The implicit meaning hit Ves hard.

He could no longer have it both ways. The time where Ves was able to maintain an equal amount of goodwill with both the Survivalist Faction and the Transhumanist Faction may be coming to an end.

While Ves had always liked the Survivalists for their pragmatism and decisiveness, he did not appreciate their attempt to sow division.

Why the hell did he have to pick sides?

It was just a mission. A single refusal shouldn't produce such an exaggerated outcome.

Unfortunately, the Survivalists were so perceptive and paranoid that they may have already condemned Ves. Their understanding of himself was so good that it was impossible to hoodwink them like he had done with numerous other people.

Ves understood that this was a turning point in his relationship with the Survivalist Faction.

Maybe he could still cooperate with the Survivalists on mundane affairs, but he might not receive any more invitations to contribute to major projects such as the Whale Ark.

Ves looked disappointed.

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