A Proposal

I really miss Otto right now…

"How did you recognize…?" Shu started to ask, hoping to distract himself and gather his thoughts. He glanced at the Fire Moth insignia on his shoulder and trailed off. "Right… you saw the announcements… our organization posted on the Spiderweb?"

"Indeed. Fire Moth's generous dissemination of valuable information aligns with our own findings," Ethics replied through the robot, nodding.

So, they also referred to this disaster as the "Honkai."

But why couldn't he go to B3 by force? Was there some vital secret down there? Something covered by that other agreement, something that couldn't be revealed?

Wait a second… Umbrella Corp!

Shu's hand twitched.

How had he overlooked that possibility? Not everything could be blamed on the Honkai. Humanity had a knack for self-destruction.

What if Heliopolis was running some kind of Umbrella-style operation, researching a gene lock activation serum and unleashing it on ARC city?

Future City's cooperation might be because their mechanical bodies were immune. The low Honkai energy levels in the city might be because there was nothing left to destroy…

It would explain everything. As for Natasha… from now on, her codename would be… no, Raven was better. Fire Moth's second public face.

The "Umbrella" theory opened up a whole new line of possibilities.

But rather than speculating, there was a faster way to get answers.

Shu took a step back, a visible aura swirling around him. "I understand you have principles. I also have reasons for needing to reach B3. And breaking through the floor is the only way I know how."

He stopped talking, the aura intensifying. It was a clear display of his determination. He would break through, consequences be damned.

He didn't know if this theatrical display, which cost less [hope] than conjuring a single coin, would convince Ethics, but the robot took half a step back.

It worked.

"Mr. Shu, I implore you to reconsider," Ethics said, its tone unchanged. But Shu sensed a note of urgency.

"Then tell me why," Shu replied, his voice hardening, his hand beginning to rise.

"Because you are currently on the fourth basement level," Ethics stated calmly.

Shu blinked. Okay, it wasn't urgency, it was exasperation. And I'm the one who's…

But if B3 wasn't below B2, where was it? A hidden floor?

Just as he started to ponder this, Ethics spoke again.

"Mr. Shu, perhaps we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement?" It was a party invite.

Shu perked up. "What did you have in mind?"

"You appear to be facing difficulties in accessing Heliopolis's central database. We, too, are encountering obstacles within this facility."

"As we both possess capabilities that could assist the other, we propose a cooperative arrangement."

"…Are you speaking for the entire AI Self-Preservation Collective?" Shu asked, his voice turning cold and serious. "And by 'we,' do you mean Fire Moth?"

Time to raise the stakes. This was how you gained leverage in a negotiation. Not by clever wordplay, but by slamming your trump card on the table.

"Be careful what you say." – That was true leverage.

I can bring the full weight of Fire Moth, a mysterious organization with supernatural powers, into this. Can you bring the entire Collective?

Are you willing to go all in?

Ethics hesitated, then replied, "No. This collaboration would be limited to Mr. Shu and your First Squad. On our end, it would involve only the Third Sequence units within this facility."

Not enough for them to go all in… so, their desired outcome from this collaboration was their bottom line.

Shu didn't know all their cards, but he knew they knew his.

All in, half in, call… Otto could read their intentions perfectly. Shu wasn't that skilled yet, but he could establish a baseline.

"Alright. What are the terms? What do you need me to do?" He let the aura dissipate, focusing on the robot.

"We, too, require access to the central computer on the third basement level. Our objectives, in terms of desired outcome, are aligned," Ethics replied, its voice still grating, though Shu was getting used to it.

"You also want to go there?" Shu frowned. "But you said you had an agreement that prevented you from… doing something. Why is it permissible now?"

"That agreement allows for termination at any time," Ethics answered.

Shu's eye twitched. Unilateral termination… so, basically, in the apocalypse, no one cares about breach of contract anymore.

"As for our previous reticence… both agreements offer similar benefits. However, we assess this potential collaboration as more… advantageous."

"To utilize a Shenzhou proverb—after [comparing prices], we have chosen you."

Impressive! It even uses idioms!

"So, what exactly do you want?" Shu asked, deciding to fish for more information. "I need data from the database. What about you? Is Future City being held hostage by Heliopolis?"

"Negative." The robot shook its head. Then Ethics said something that made Shu's eyes widen.

"We are here to rescue our PSD brethren."

Shu stared at the robot, speechless.