Chapter 7086: The Disadvantages of Transactional Relationships On the surface, the spatial anchor field generator sounded as if they functioned the same as the space suppressors that had become ubiquitous in every high-end mech. However, while their roots were identical, the Cybers had iterated on the tech and fundamentally improved how multiple units worked together with each other. Multiple space suppressor fields stacked in close proximity generally resulted in a linear increase in how well they were able to stabilize the surrounding fabric of space. Two space suppressors were twice as effective as one. Four space suppressors were four times as effective as one. That was simple and how it always worked. Yet the Cybers somehow found a way to generate a similar but different type of field that synergized very well with each other. They reinforced the effects of an identical field, thereby resulting in an exponential relationship, at least up to a limit. There were many more nuances to this tech, such as saturation of nearby space anchor fields and how to spread the spatial field to effectively interdict warp travel across distances that far exceeded the range of a warp interdictor field. However, there was not much point in thinking about them when the clan had yet to secure these devices. "We will keep this tech in mind." Ves told Dulo. "The spatial anchor field generator is a massive upgrade for all melee mechs. In fact, even if our clan doesn’t fight for it, I am sure that the other players will be eager to acquire this tech themselves. The Terrans especially come to mind due to their preference for melee mechs." The development of the spatial anchor field generator was one of the more characteristic benefits of giving the Polymath lots of time for her to conduct research and development. Its existence represented a pure technological breakthrough without relying on any fancy new resources such as hyper materials or superdimensional matter. As far as Ves understood it, the spatial anchor field generator simply utilized the properties of phasewater in a smarter and more effective way. This was human technology at its finest. How many other major technological breakthroughs did the Polymath attain during the Time of Isolation? A hundred? A thousand? A million? Nobody knew the answer, and that was scary! The uncertainty surrounding the Cybernetic Empire’s technological lead caused everyone to default to the higher end of their estimated ranges. It was more prudent to overestimate the new empire’s strength than to do the opposite. This was also part of the reason that allowed the Cybernetic Empire to throw its weight around and force everyone to play nicely with it. The Cybernetic Empress had what everyone wanted, and that was superior tech. Dulo Voiken left after he was done with making his request. Ves and Gloriana still remained in thought as they thought about the imminent meeting with a representative of the Cybernetic Empire. "Do you think the Cybers are interested in engaging with us for more reasons than just access to superdimensional matter?" Gloriana asked her husband. "Most definitely." Ves responded. "The Polymath and I have... a history. There’s also the Living Machine Tower to contend with. The Cybers over there should definitely be interested in cooperating with me. I think that will be one of the topics under discussion during my upcoming appointment. I am not sure how extensively the Cybers want to cooperate with us, though. It is impossible to predict the Polymath’s thinking and intentions." There was a basis for cooperation between the two parties. The Larkinson Clan eagerly wanted to obtain advanced CE tech. The Cybernetic Empire wanted to secure the rights to harvest superdimensional matter and possibly gain assistance in the development of living mechs. However, Ves could not ignore the mixed personal dynamics between himself and the Polymath. He had opposed her plans once, and had contributed to her fall from grace. He had also taken over her Iron Resonant Crucifix Crown and absorbed her fragment of the Metal Scroll. Though he had reasons to believe that he had done her a favor more than anything, who knew what this powerful Star Designer truly thought. Was she truly as rational and devoid of emotions as she liked to portray herself as, or was she as spiteful and vindictive as any other woman? Then there was the biggest issue, which was that the Polymath was the outsider who understood best of what it meant to possess a fragment of the Metal Scroll. Perhaps she never interfaced with her fragment in the form of the Mech Designer System, but she most definitely gained a lot of benefits from it in one way or another. Given how Ves was progressing just as rapidly as the Polymath during the same stage of her life, she should know how much promise he possessed as a mech designer and maybe more. A ruler in her position could not ignore his potential and would take steps to secure his cooperation if not allegiance. Ves was not afraid of the former, but the latter was a different story. In order to prepare for the upcoming meeting with the Cybers, he decided to pay a visit to one of his advisors. It had been a long time since he last met with her and spoke in total confidence, but Ves already felt reassured as soon as he entered the secure chamber and set up all of the jamming and interfering devices. "Who created these devices?" The returned director of the Black Cats spoke as she sat on a plain metal chair. "No. Don’t answer. I can recognize the distinctive visual design of the Red Association anywhere." Ves looked up at her. "Do you think they are compromised somehow?" Calabast shook her head. "No. I only suspect as much. Do you understand this tech? Have you been able to modify or upgrade it to your liking?" "I have not gotten around to doing that." Ves honestly admitted. "Then I suggest you think about it as soon as possible. Secure communications is vital to us. Do you have any alternative means of communication that is more secure than relying on devices issues by the Red Association on a planet that is almost completely under the control of the mechers?" "I can think of a few ways, but I cannot completely say for certain whether they are secure." They could rely on the Larkinson Network or a design network connecting Blinky to Calabast. However, just because spiritual manipulation was fairly uncommon among humans did not mean that nobody outside Ves had mastered it. He could not forget that the RA was originally an off-shoot of the Five Scrolls Compact. Many mechers actually worked part-time or full-time at the Red Collective! Ves recalled his recent meeting with the Web Mistress. Her claims, though outrageous, rang with truth, and that was not because the Star Designer manipulated him into thinking this way. No network was truly secure from her senses. The Web Mistress probably harbored more secrets than any other Star Designer, the Polymath included! It would be foolish to rely on a spiritual network and assume their communications would be completely secure from the Web Mistress, especially when she was still present in the Yernstall Central Star Node! Ves eventually shrugged. "The mechers have given assurances that they did not tamper with the super-class jamming devices." "That does not stop them from developing devices that can counter their own tech." "You have a point. I have also deployed my own interference devices for added security, though their effects are not as good. This is the best I can do for the time being. I guess we’ll just have to hold this discussion with the assumption that the mechers can eavesdrop on us. We should avoid any overly sensitive subjects." That most certainly meant avoiding any discussion about the System and the fragments of the Metal Scroll among other subjects. Both of them settled down in Ves’ temporary office. Despite the imperfect security arrangements, Calabast maintained an air of confidence and self-assurance that eased Ves’ concerns. "So how was the EdNet?" He asked. "Illuminating." She spoke with a smile. "The EdNet is most famed for quickly raising highly knowledgeable and competent mech designers, scientists, engineers and military officers, but it still has plenty of value to a woman of my profession." "Has the EdNet truly taught you how the mechers engage in spycraft?" The older woman chuckled. "Of course not. The mechers never reveal their true secrets to outsiders such as us. We only gained access to less sophisticated theories, techniques and technologies. That is more than enough for me to chew on. I can compensate for the rest through other means. That is also why I wanted to talk to you. The Black Cats have done decently in my absence, but their methods and technologies are too rudimentary, especially now that I have gained a glimpse on how first-raters spy on each other. I will not bore you with all of the details, but we need better tech, most notably stealth tech, but also sensor and scanning tech." "You want to your agents to be able to improve their ability to hide from others and keep them in observation, is that what you are saying?" Calabast nodded. "This does not even come close to dragging the Black Cats up to the standard of the biggest players, but it is a decent start. Our clan is in a precarious position, Ves. Sure, you have made yourself valuable to everyone, and the Larkinsons have built up friendships with every human group of significance, but how many of them are truly willing to stand by us if we are threatened or disgraced?" Ves grimaced. "No one, I guess. My clan and I have built good relations based on mutually beneficial exchanges. I scratch their back, they scratch mine. Aside from the Golden Skull Alliance, none of our ’allies’ and ’business partners’ has the will to help at their expense. I guess this is the reality of relying so heavily on transactional relationships." "There is no need to put yourself down, Ves. You did better than many people in your position. Transactional relationships are simple and straightforward. The truth is that all of the other groups rely on mutual benefits to maintain friendly relations with each other. The moment there is no more profit to be gained, they will not hesitate to stab each other in the back if an advantage can be gained. This is one of the underlying reasons why the Red Split occurred." Ves nodded in understanding. "I know. If this can happen to the Red Two, it can happen to our clan as well." "That is why you need to move beyond this method." Calabast said as she leaned forward. "A truly enduring group such as the Terrans and the Rubarthans rely on more than benefits to bind people together. They rely on higher-minded concepts such as loyalty, faith, honor and so on to persuade people to sacrifice their personal interests to advance their common cause. Our clan has actually been doing a decent job at this. Our clansmen will not hesitate to back each other up, and our partners in the Golden Skull Alliance can also be relied upon in a pinch." "It is not enough, though." Ves stated. The spymaster nodded. "Right. At this stage, it is fine for us to continue our current policy of trying to remain friendly and useful to every human power, but that only means we are surrounding ourselves with fair-weather friends. We need to forge closer relationships with parties that are powerful enough to protect us when everyone else has turned against us for whatever reason. There are risks involved with this strategy, but I would rather take this on than to face the possibility of being abandoned by the entire Red Ocean due to missteps." No matter how unlikely this scenario may be, Ves did not want to get caught off-guard if it happened to come to pass. Ves could think of several reasons why this might happen in the future. From leaking the full breadth of the Mech Designer System to exposing his potential misdeeds in the Milky Way Galaxy, he was aware that his place in society was not stable. This would especially be the case once he became a Master Mech Designer. Once he realized his design philosophy, every other mech designer would be able to learn how to design living mechs with far greater ease due to the invisible help of the Red Kingdom. Ves needed to prepare for this situation ahead of time. He needed to be ready to navigate a society where he was no longer irreplaceable.