Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 393 Difficult Times
All the officials looked at Carlisle, awaiting his reply. Carlisle pondered for a moment: "If Tana II is truly willing to negotiate, we are certainly willing to participate. But there is a precondition."

"What are the conditions?" Silver Moon asked.

“They must first withdraw from the asteroid and apologize for the massacre of our personnel,” Carlisle said firmly. “This is our bottom line, and there can be no compromise.”

Rowan and Silvermoon exchanged a glance, both sensing the complexity of the problem. The demands of Planet Tana I sounded reasonable, but were likely unacceptable to Planet Tana II.

“We understand your position,” Rowan replied diplomatically. “We will also convey these requests to Planet Tana II. However, we hope you can also show some sincerity.”

"What sincerity?" Carlisle asked warily.

“For example, suspending military operations and halting further military buildup,” Silvermoon suggested. “This would create a better atmosphere for peace talks.”

The military general immediately objected: "Impossible! We absolutely cannot let our guard down before the withdrawal from Planet Tana II. Their fleet is lurking on the border, how can we voluntarily disarm?"

“We are not asking for disarmament, we just want a halt to offensive military operations,” Rowan explained.

“But we didn’t attack at all,” Carlisle said, puzzled. “We were on the defensive.”

“But your side has also deployed nuclear weapons in the border region, which is also a threat to Planet Tana II,” Silvermoon pointed out the problem.

The Minister of Economy exclaimed, "That's because they threatened to bomb our capital first! Our deployment of nuclear weapons is entirely in self-defense!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly tense, and Rowan realized that continuing might backfire.

“We understand everyone’s position and concerns,” Rowan stood up. “Today’s exchange has been very valuable. We need some time to analyze the situation and develop a more detailed mediation plan.”

“Of course, of course,” Carlisle’s attitude immediately became enthusiastic. “We have arranged the best accommodations for you both. Please feel free to contact us if you need anything.”

“We hope to be able to freely learn about some situations, such as interviewing some ordinary people and visiting some related facilities,” Yin Yue requested.

“Absolutely no problem,” Carlisle readily agreed. “We’ll arrange for someone to accompany you both to ensure your safety and convenience.”

After the meeting, Rowan and Silvermoon were taken to a luxury hotel. The service was excellent and the rooms were comfortable, but Rowan noticed that their movement was actually subtly restricted.

“It seems they’re all smiles on the surface, but they’re actually holding back,” Silvermoon said to Rowan in the room. “Our every move is being watched.”

“That’s normal; any government would be wary of outsiders,” Rowan analyzed. “The key is how credible the claims we’re hearing today are.”

"Do you think they're lying?" Silvermoon asked.

“It’s not necessarily a lie, but there’s definitely something being hidden,” Rowan pondered. “Everyone describes the facts from their own perspective, and the truth often lies in multiple versions.”

"What do we do next? They'll definitely continue to lobby us to support them tomorrow," Silvermoon said worriedly.

“We need to find a way to obtain more objective information,” Rowan said. “Let’s rest tonight and find an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the real situation tomorrow. Relying solely on official statements is not enough.”

At dawn, Haituo City was still shrouded in a light sea mist. Rowan and Yinyue got up early; they needed to find an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the real situation among the people before the official events arranged by the government began.

"Today's official itinerary includes a visit to military facilities and an economic development zone," Silvermoon said, looking at the schedule that had been sent over last night. "It's all what the authorities want us to see."

“So we must act before that happens,” Rowan said, having changed into ordinary civilian clothes. “We need to hear the real thoughts of ordinary people.”

To avoid attracting attention, the two decided to split up. Silvermoon chose to go to the market and commercial district, while Rowan planned to head to the port area, where a large number of workers and sailors gathered, usually a good place to obtain accurate information.

“Remember, we’re just listening; we won’t ask sensitive questions,” Rowan cautioned. “Asking too directly might reveal our identities.”

“Understood, I will be careful,” Silvermoon nodded. “We’ll meet in the central square in two hours.”

Rowan left the hotel and walked along the seaside street towards the port area. The city of Haituo was already bustling with activity that morning, with many early risers exercising or buying breakfast. However, Rowan keenly sensed a tense atmosphere lurking beneath this surface of daily life.

Government mobilization orders, calling on citizens to support military operations, were posted in the windows of many shops. Electronic screens on street corners continuously broadcast news reports about the "threat from Planet Tana II." More noticeably, soldiers could be seen patrolling in almost every block; although they maintained friendly expressions, the weapons in their hands served as a constant reminder of the looming threat of war.

The port area is an ancient region, its architecture imbued with a strong sense of history. Stone docks and wooden warehouses tell the story of this long-standing maritime civilization. The port is bustling in the morning, with fishing boats returning laden with fresh seafood and merchant ships loading and unloading various goods.

Rowan chose a seemingly ordinary seaside tavern, the kind of place where sailors and dockworkers usually gathered, where one could easily hear the most authentic voices of ordinary people. The tavern was called "Wave Tavern," and the wooden sign at the entrance was somewhat mottled from being corroded by the sea wind.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a whiff of alcohol, tobacco, and the briny smell of the sea wafted out. The tavern was dimly lit, but the atmosphere was warm. Although it was still morning, quite a few people had already gathered there, mostly dockworkers who had just finished their night shifts.

Rowan found a corner seat, ordered a local seaweed beer, and began to listen carefully to the conversations around him.

“Damn the war, prices are going up again,” a bearded middle-aged man complained to his companion. “I went to buy bread yesterday, and it was 30% more expensive than last week.”

“That’s not even the worst part,” another young dockworker responded. “I heard the government is going to levy a war tax, and a portion of everyone’s wages will be deducted to fund the military.”

"Is it worth it for that stupid asteroid?" a third person joined the conversation. "We ordinary people don't get any benefit from it, so why should we bear the cost of war?"

Rowan listened carefully; these complaints were clearly heartfelt. It seemed that ordinary people weren't as supportive of the impending war as government officials had appeared.

“Shh, keep your voice down,” the bearded man glanced around warily. “There are government spies everywhere these days; it wouldn’t be good if you were overheard.”

“What are we afraid of? We didn’t say anything reactionary,” the young worker said discontentedly. “Can’t we even complain about the price increase?”

“You’re too young and don’t understand the complexities of politics,” a seasoned-looking old sailor said slowly. “This war is not as simple as you think.”

Everyone turned to the old sailor, whose words clearly carried weight. "Old Tom, do you know anything about this?" the bearded man asked curiously.

The old sailor, named Tom, looked to be in his sixties, his face weathered and worn, clearly someone who had spent his entire life at sea. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then lowered his voice and said:
“I have a friend who works for the government, and he’s heard some things,” Tom said mysteriously. “Actually, Planet Tana II has already proposed peace talks more than once.”

"What?" Several people looked surprised. "Why hasn't the government ever announced this?"

“Because our government refused,” Tom said bitterly. “Every time representatives from Tana II came, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs would propose conditions they couldn’t accept.”

"What are the conditions?" the young worker asked eagerly.

"For example, they would demand a public apology from their supreme leader, astronomical sums of war compensation, and the permanent relinquishment of all rights to that asteroid," Tom enumerated. "No nation with dignity could accept such conditions."

The bearded man frowned: "This isn't negotiation, this is humiliation."

“That’s right,” Tom nodded in confirmation. “My friend said that there’s a segment of the government that doesn’t want to negotiate at all; they hope to resolve the issue completely through war.”

"But why?" someone asked, puzzled. "What good would war do us?"

Tom looked around, then said in an even lower voice, "Because that asteroid is worth far more than what's been publicly announced. The government only mentioned its surface mineral value, but actually, something much more important was discovered there."

"What is that?" Everyone held their breath.

"Energy crystals," Tom uttered a term that shocked everyone, "a completely new energy substance. If we can develop and utilize it, our technological level may experience a qualitative leap."

Rowan was startled in the corner. Energy crystals did indeed have enormous strategic value, no wonder they had sparked such fierce competition.

"So the government would rather fight a war than share?" the young worker said angrily.

"What's more complicated," Tom continued, "is that some of our military-industrial enterprises have reportedly started profiting from war preparations. They produce weapons and equipment, which the government purchases in large quantities; these people are making a fortune off the war."

“Damn vampires,” the bearded man cursed, “they get rich, we lose our lives.”

“Furthermore,” Tom added, “I’ve heard that Tana II doesn’t actually want war either. Their proposed peace talks are quite reasonable, such as the two planets jointly developing the asteroid and sharing the profits equally. But our government firmly disagrees.”

"Why not? Wouldn't this be better for everyone?" someone asked, puzzled.

“Because certain politicians and businessmen want to monopolize all the benefits,” Tom said angrily. “They’d rather risk destruction than not grab all the advantages.”

The more Luo Wen listened, the more complicated the situation seemed. It appeared that the official statement yesterday had indeed concealed many things.

Just then, the tavern door was pushed open again, and several people who looked nervous entered. They looked around and then sat down in a quiet corner.

"Have you heard? Another batch of volunteers went to the front lines last night," one of them whispered.

"The Volunteer Army?" another man said with a wry smile. "That sounds nice, but in reality, it's forced conscription. My son is only nineteen, and he received the conscription notice yesterday."

“Three families in our neighborhood have already received death notices,” the third person said sadly. “Those kids were just coming of age, and now they’re gone.”

"What about the promised government compensation?" someone asked.

"It's still under 'review'," the man said angrily. "It's been under review for three months, and I haven't seen a single penny."

Hearing these words, the atmosphere in the tavern grew even heavier. Clearly, the cost of war was beginning to manifest itself in ordinary people.

"Do we really need this war?" a young voice asked, trembling. "Is it worth so many people sacrificing themselves for an asteroid?"

“The problem is that we ordinary people don’t have the final say,” old Tom said helplessly. “Those politicians make decisions from their comfortable offices, and it’s our children who are sent to their deaths.”

"If Planet Tana II really did propose a reasonable peace plan, why didn't we accept it?" the bearded man asked疑惑地问道.

“Because those politicians and arms dealers need this war,” a new voice joined the conversation.

Everyone turned to look and found that the speaker was a simply dressed middle-aged woman who looked like an ordinary employee of a government department.

“I work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she said in a low voice. “I’ve seen the peace proposal from Tana II, and it’s quite reasonable. They’re even willing to take partial responsibility for the previous conflict and offer some compensation.”

"Then why were you rejected?" someone asked eagerly.

“Because Minister Carlisle and his supporters insist on unconditional surrender,” the female clerk said angrily, “they believe that only by completely defeating Tana II can the problem be solved permanently.”

“But what if we lose?” the young worker asked worriedly.

“That would be destruction,” the female employee said gravely. “A lose-lose situation; neither side would escape unscathed.”

Just then, the sound of an army patrol came from outside the tavern. Everyone immediately stopped talking and pretended to be drinking and chatting normally.

"These are difficult times," old Tom sighed. "I hope the war will end soon."

“Yes,” the others chimed in, but each face was etched with worry.

It was almost time, so Rowan paid the bill and left the tavern.

(End of this chapter)