LH / CR / IMG - Ceasefire Negotiations, Barrier Gate, Coronado

[Wolfgang Weisen]

Wolfgang was visibly unsettled. His face's scars and marks created by cardamine overuse were somehow more intense and inhuman than usual.

How could she have anticipated his message and had already compiled a response? She must have been aware of his agenda before the meeting ever began, there was no other logical conclusion to this. Wolfgang's mind started racing on the possibilities. Where did he make a mistake? How much Professor Hunter knows? Is her intimidating message just a bait or more than that? How should I answer her?


"Professor, with all due respect, slavery may compose only 5% in terms of quantity, but I mentioned the profits, not volume. Not many shipments are more rewarding in terms of raw profits than a full slave liner.

As for my 'misperception', I cannot but fully accept your wisdom in this matter. The Colonials are prone and known to random acts of violence according to several documents and reports of the past. They may put their 'feelings' first instead of lucrative business, or in this case a ceasefire. This was the primary concern I had which prompted me to contact you privately and double-check it.

I hope that answers your question."


The Deceiver typed and pressed the 'Send' button. He couldn't spend more time on his reply, with all the representatives waiting for him. He then took Von Hammerstein's pad where the electronic agreement was written. He read the terms of the Ceasefire Agreement loudly one last time and signed below as the ranking representative of the Lane Hackers. He then handed the e-agreement to the Colonials and quickly excused himself to the bathroom.

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Wolfgang threw fresh water to his face. He had no illusions that he would most likely be dead in a few hours. He lied to Nicole Hunter and he couldn't do otherwise. He wouldn't have found mercy even if he had said the truth, after almost 2.5 years within the Hackers he knew that much.

The only thing he could do now was to revisit every step, find the mistake he made and patch it. And then contact the Professor Provocateur and tell him everything.

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"Our society is based on an economic bubble. Do you know what will happen when the bubble collapses?"