Adrian Malprave genuinely smiled when Jade expressed her outrage and noted her vulnerability to provocation. When she mentioned that Lane Hackers want to ruin something before it could even begin she unintentionally betrayed the state of negotiations with the Legion. Lane Hacker typed in a short encrypted message to the Professorship and sent it directly from his wrist pad. He also almost laughed when the script prepared by the Professorship once again anticipated a turn in negotiations.
- Quite the contrary, Captain. While the Professorship has obviously provided me with complete terms for each scenario, I have received a clear instruction to insist you come up with your own proposal. - he once again smiled while looking at his personal wrist pad - Let me quote: in order to promote genuine partnership and equality.
Adrian Malprave looked for a second at Jade before calmly explaining something all too obvious to him.
- Our command perceives Battlegroup Harmony as a worthy partner and is genuinely interested in maintaining our alliance. Captain Lindford, if we wanted to manipulate you we would have already staged a provocation aimed to put a wedge between you and the Legion. If we wanted to treat you as our tool we would have already laid out our terms at a proverbial gunpoint. Certainly, I would have not wasted last two hours explaining complexity of our situation and our general strategical paradigm to a mere tool. Wouldn't you agree Captain?
Lane Hacker envoy turned to the Admiral.
- We have been completely transparent with our justified concerns with you. What would you like to propose to address them?
