"I can't believe you've made so many connections here in just half a day," Christina mused, remembering the time she posted a meager three-million-credit commission back in Gray Harbor and ended up meeting the Telen Mercenary Corps. Looking back now, it felt like an incredible stroke of luck.

That single encounter had allowed the Kussen Corps to finally break free from Nab's clutches, escape the old mayor's maddening schemes, and now set itself on a path of stable, high-speed development. All of this, every bit of it, began with that chance meeting.

Seeing Christina drift into reminiscence, Katerina gently patted her shoulder. "Stop getting sentimental. Tell us about the meeting."

"Oh, my apologies. I must have seemed a bit overcome."

Christina refocused, her expression turning serious. "Regarding the performance of those three commissioners in the meeting—it was drastically different. Commissioner Yusuf remained silent throughout the entire session, refusing to join the heated arguments. Commissioner Haynes, however, was the most vehement participant. His main opponent was Commissioner Locke, the representative sent by the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group to the Alliance."

"What were they arguing about?" Yang Ying asked.

"Commissioner Haynes argued that the Mercenary Alliance should play a much larger role in the fighting against the Ancient Legions, coordinating a series of joint operations with the newly arrived Thirteenth Fleet to ensure the supply lines for Earth United remained clear, unaffected by the Ancient Legions' guerrilla fleets or the recent chaos in the Asteroid Belt," Christina explained.

"That doesn't sound inherently wrong," Yang Ying commented. "So what did the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group have to say?"

"Commissioner Locke felt the Thirteenth Fleet was untrustworthy. He insisted they maintain the mercenary tradition of protecting the supply lines their own way, without 'soiling their hands' by collaborating with the military. Locke worried that cooperating with the Thirteenth Fleet would lead the military to substitute merit points for the actual bounties owed to them, and those merits would overwhelmingly flow to the Thirteenth Fleet. The inevitable result would be the mercenaries doing all the hard work for little reward."

"Hmm, favoritism. Once they cooperate, the military will naturally favor the Thirteenth Fleet. That’s a certainty. When dealing with the same amount of effort, of course, they’ll give more to their own kin than to outsiders. Locke has a valid point," Yang Ying nodded in agreement.

"One side argues the grand principle, the other argues the small truth. That’s what sparked the fight. Commissioner Andre spent time mediating between both sides to prevent escalation," Christina said, spreading her hands with a wry smile.

"This is the Asteroid Belt; grand principles often fall flat here. I suspect Locke's side garnered more support," Yang Ying guessed.

"Indeed. Commissioner Locke gained the endorsement of the majority of commissioners present. Only those few who maintain friendly relations with the Cross Army supported Commissioner Haynes' view. Most commissioners expressed deep concern over the idea of cooperation, fearing that once an alliance was formed, the military would push further, forcing the mercenaries onto the front lines as cannon fodder," Christina stated.

Christina suddenly seemed to recall something. "Speaking of which, Commissioners Haynes and Locke have always been diametrically opposed. This likely stems from the historical enmity between their two super mercenary groups."

"The Cross Army and the Nine Dragons have historical baggage?" Yang Ying inquired.

"They do!" Christina confirmed. "Both mercenary groups have long histories, even predating the Mercenary Alliance. When the Great Space Age first began, the Asteroid Belt was a haven for pirates. The terrain was so complex that anyone hiding there was virtually untouchable."

"Later, as technology advanced, humanity pushed further out. The Asteroid Belt was developed into an industrial zone. The construction of space cities provided anchors for mercenary groups, and with nearly a hundred industrial cities established, this area once again became the domain of mercenaries. In the beginning, the chaos here was ten times worse than it is now. The major mercenary groups acted like warring feudal lords, engaging in constant conflict for reasons that barely made sense; even the pirates were shocked by the mercenaries' ferocity."

"A century ago, the Vatican Synod issued an edict, centering around the Holy Light Knights, to form the Cross Army. They brought the space city Canaan to the Asteroid Belt. While they outwardly preached peace, their inner desire was to proselytize in this chaotic place, because those who live on the battlefield are often easily drawn to religion, and are the most fervent of believers."

"Upon arriving in the Asteroid Belt, the Cross Army simultaneously attacked rivals and spread their faith. Soon, wave after wave of people joined the Church. They fought for the Church, donated to the Church, and with the contributions of these followers, the Cross Army grew like a snowball, eventually becoming an invincible super mercenary group. They were the first officially recognized super group, a glory built upon the countless bones of other large mercenary organizations."

"The remaining mercenary groups, large and small, were terrified by the arrival of the Cross Army. They feared the Crusaders would bring their destruction, feared the citizens in the space cities would revolt under the Church's instigation. So, they banded together, forming the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group around the largest existing force at the time, the Nine Jin Heavy Mercenary Group, to jointly resist the Cross Army's invasion."

"And that time..."

"...the Cross Army was crippled by internal strife. The commander of the Holy Light Knights openly opposed the policies of the Cardinal Legate, believing the Pope and the College of Cardinals had abandoned God’s guidance. The non-cooperation of the Holy Light Knights caused the entire Cross Army to stall. Because the Holy See could not afford to lose the Holy Light Knights, they were forced to make peace with the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group. That Holy Light Knights commander, after grooming a successor, resigned his post and vanished without a trace."

"Although the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group and the Cross Army made peace on the surface, their deep-seated blood feud did not diminish. This led to a ten-year Cold War period, where both sides sat atop a powder keg, ready to ignite at any moment. It wasn't until the Caesar Mercenary Group suddenly appeared like a shooting star, seizing a foothold in the Asteroid Belt using massive economic and technological power, that a slight buffer zone formed. Finally, led by the three super mercenary groups, the Mercenary Alliance was established, finally removing the powder keg."

Finally, Christina concluded, "That is the origin of the enmity between the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group and the Cross Army."

At this point, they were gathered around the coffee table. Katerina had brewed several cups of tea, intending to soothe Christina's throat, as recounting such a long history had left her somewhat hoarse.

Christina accepted a cup, murmured a thank you, took a small sip, and continued, "The foundation of the Cross Army is not in the Asteroid Belt, but on Earth. The Vatican Synod is a significant political force with vested interests tied to many large conglomerates. The Church's funding comes from believers and donations from many major corporations, so sometimes the Cross Army acts as an advocate for certain large conglomerates. However, the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group’s roots are firmly planted in the Asteroid Belt, sharing the same interests as the majority of mercenaries, and thus they receive the backing of most mercenaries."

She set down her cup and stated, "Clearly, in this meeting convened because of the arrival of the military's Thirteenth Fleet, the Cross Army was speaking for the government, while the Nine Dragons were speaking for the mercenaries. This is the root of their conflict."

"Your explanation was brilliant; it saved us a lot of effort," Yang Ying praised.

"As allies, it is my duty," Christina replied humbly.

"From what you've said, the discussion in the Mercenary Alliance only concerned whether or not to cooperate with the Thirteenth Fleet; no one suggested outright hostility, correct?" Yang Ying asked.

"How could they possibly suggest hostility? The Thirteenth Fleet represents the military, the might of the national machinery, and furthermore, they are a behemoth in their own right," Christina emphasized.

To call the Thirteenth Fleet a behemoth was hardly an exaggeration. Although this fleet was newly commissioned, as a fleet bearing an official military designation, it was certain to possess strength surpassing that of any super mercenary group.

First, they possessed a massive number of warships, not inferior to the Nine Dragons Mercenary Group, which had the most ships in the Asteroid Belt. Second, their warships were far more advanced than the aging vessels in the Belt; they were all frontline main battle units fresh off the production line. Most critically, every officially designated fleet was guaranteed to have a Psionic Master holding the line!

Numbers, quality, and a Master—the Thirteenth Fleet consolidated the strengths of the three super mercenary groups in the Asteroid Belt. Even as a fresh army, they could not be underestimated!

Next, Christina asked Yang Ying, "I wonder if the Telen Mercenary Corps has any thoughts on the Thirteenth Fleet's deployment?"

"Did someone send you to ask?" Yang Ying countered.

"No. Just my own curiosity. If I need a reason, let's say I'm asking on behalf of the Kussen Corps," Christina clarified. "The Alliance is currently deadlocked. Perhaps your perspective could offer a new angle. If we know in advance, the Kussen Corps will be much more confident in facing the challenges ahead."

"A pity," Yang Ying shook his head. "We know too little about the Thirteenth Fleet. We'll likely have to wait a while, let this fleet make more appearances in the Asteroid Belt and gather more intelligence before we can make any arrangements."

"That’s true." Christina smiled faintly. "The Mercenary Alliance hasn't gathered much intelligence either. Right now, the fleet is shrouded in mystery—all we know is that their commander is named Randolph, and the presiding Psionic Master is named Garcia."

Yang Ying had just taken a sip of tea. Upon hearing the commander's name, he nearly spat it out. He hastily swallowed the liquid and immediately pressed, "Randolph? Are you certain?"

"Certain." Christina noticed Yang Ying’s reaction and found it somewhat strange, but she replied clearly, "The documents submitted to the Mercenary Alliance bear the signatures of Admiral Randolph and Master Garcia; I assume it is correct."

"That fellow Randolph actually made it to Admiral, and he’s come to the Asteroid Belt?" Yang Ying suddenly felt enlightenment wash over him.

Wahoo, calling for monthly tickets and recommendation votes!