The Mech Touch novel Chapter 3651

Chapter 3651 Rekindled Fires

"This is a historic day for all of us." Calsie Doornbos spoke in front of a construction site. "Before, we were like scattered sand. Each of us struggled to survive and operate in the Red Ocean. Those difficulties will end now that we have pooled our strength and resources together. With the Larkinson Clan along with Murphy & Sons as our core, we shall form a new gathering where every member shall cooperate when needed but never feel obligated to do more."

Hundreds of leaders and representatives sent by thirty different organizations attended the ceremony at this time. This was a momentous occasion for all of them. After so much time of trying to solve their challenges alone, they could finally share some of their burdens with other peers.

Ves originally wanted to make this announcement, but he was currently persona non grata on Davute VII. He had no choice but to attend by remote.

His physical projection currently sat in the front seat. At least Minister Shederin and Chief Minister Raymond Billingsley-Larkinson had no problems showing up in person. They would do a fine job hobnobbing with the dignitaries sent by the Larkinson Clan's new trade buddies.

"Chairwoman Calsie Doornbos is performing adequately at the moment." Minister Shederin quietly commented to Ves. "What made you choose her over the candidates that I have recommended?"

"Calsie and I go back a long way, which you probably already know." Ves whispered back. "I am aware that she might not be the most competent person to wrangle all of these consortium members, but I can always count on her to remain loyal to me. So long as she doesn't screw up, she will always hold my confidence."

Chief Minister Raymond had less qualms about Calsie. "I've worked with her in the past when she managed the LMC on the patriarch's behalf. She's a steady if conservative leader. She knows her limits and abides by them. She may not be as effective in dynamic situations, she will not allow our new trade consortium to decline under her watch."

"We shall see whether she has what it takes to keep its members happy." Shederin remarked.

Meanwhile, Calsie continued her speech.

"The Open Consortium of Krakatoa is the first collective of its kind. Its name includes the word 'open' because that is what characterizes this new initiative the most. Our consortium is open, and we mean it. As long as we have space for members, other pioneering organizations may easily enter as long as they agree to our rules and pass our extensive vetting procedures."

This sounded as if any random pioneering organization could join the Open Consortium, which wasn't entirely true. Everyone was aware that a brand-new consortium needed to set everything up and get its bearings straight.

Once the consortium established a decent foundation, it would be ready to expand, but that might take months or years.

Calsie smiled. "Leaving the consortium is also easy. Unlike other groups, we do not insist on keeping members who are unwilling to work together anymore. You do not need to provide any reason to apply to withdraw from the Open Consortium. We shall always stay true to our name and make your departure as frictionless as possible. The only reason that the exit procedure can take months is because a significant amount of time is needed to smoothly wrap up any agreements, transactions, contracts and other entanglements. As soon as we have completed the final bureaucratic procedure, you may leave with our blessing."

This was by far the greatest attraction of the Open Consortium of Krakatoa. No one wanted to be bound by contracts that spanned for decades if they could help it. Many pioneers who arrived in the Red Ocean were arrogant people. Each of them harbored great ambitions about rising to the top in their respective fields.

The chances that they could succeed were drastically lower if they had to give up their independence and become a vassal to a more powerful influence.

No matter what kind of arrangement they made with their patrons, the nature of a relationship between a superior and a vassal meant that the weaker party always ended up surrendering more than initially agreed upon.

It was far too easy for the side that held all of the power to make increasingly more excessive demands.

Of course, not every alliance exhibited this phenomenon. Yet abuses were frequent enough in the Red Ocean that there was a justifiable fear towards getting taken advantage of. Why settle for 50 percent when you could easily take 100 percent? That was the thought process behind many 'voluntary' mergers and acquisitions.

The Open Consortium of Krakatoa offered those who were most worried about this issue a way out of this trap. They finally saw an opportunity to solve their supply problems without exposing themselves to getting exploited.

There was just one little complication, though.

Once Calsie neared the end of her speech, she unveiled a large, silver tome that was clearly modeled after the Larkinson Mandate.

Though it wasn't very original, Ves nonetheless felt it was the right tool for the job. It didn't take much effort from him to craft it with high-quality exotics that his clan extracted from the Titania.

He had also infused its pages with ground P-stone particles to strengthen its performance as a totem.

"In order to finalize our agreement and prove our commitment to cooperate in good faith with our fellow members, I invite each of you to sign your names in the Open Book. Our patriarch has already made the first move."

She opened the large tome to display the page where Ves had used an autopen to sign his name.

Everyone stood up and formed a line in order to sign their own names in turn.

Chairwoman Calsie, Minister Shederin and Chief Minister Raymond both added their names to the Open Book.

After that, the Murphies got their turn since their shipbuilding company permanently possessed 15 percent of the voting rights of the Open Consortium.

CEO Gelly Murphy did not look particularly enthused about signing her name at the tome. Even though the contracts had already been signed, taking part in this symbolic ritual just made her surrender all the more painful.

When she came close enough to feel the glow emanating from the Open Book, she became even more hesitant about this move.

Was she truly doing what was best for her family?

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