Ice ran through Veronica's veins.
In the past few years, she had noticed that her mother had become increasingly more distracted.
When she was not spending her time on meditation, the Oblivion Empress conferred with her minions and made other preparations in secret.
Veronica had tried to poke around and discover what her mother was up to, but none of her attempts yielded any useful information.
The incarnation eventually gave up. The disparity in knowledge and power was far too great. Veronica had no chance of prying her mother's secrets. This caused her to give up her search and simply trust that Cynthia Larkinson would not do anything to imperil everyone.
She had completely misjudged her mother!
Coming back alive was not enough for the Oblivion Empress!
Ascending to the rank of True God and taking over the Nyxian Gap did not sate her ambitions!
In order to pursue greater power, Cynthia not only colluded with the Evolution Witch and the Beast of Fear, but also plotted to unleash a storm that could break the Big Two!
The unprecedented turmoil that would erupt as a result of her devious scheme could truly cause every human state to descend into chaos!
As Veronica listened to the outline given by her mother, the Cyborg Cat grew more and more fearful of what she had gotten into. She never imaged that the invention of Carmine mechs could lead to such catastrophic consequences. How could the incarnation ever expect that she would revive such a monstrous woman?!
The Cyborg Cat's artificial eyes flitted back and forth between Cynthia and the Beast of Fear.
Neither of the two displayed any hint of reluctance or guilt towards the Oblivion Plan. They truly believed that they could achieve all of their goals, even the more unrealistic ones, by provoking the CFA into a civil war against the MTA!
Veronica glanced to the side and stared at Master Willix.
What did she think about this radical plot?
Did the Survivalist truly support this insane plan to break the Big Two?
Or was the Master just like Veronica, an innocent helper who became an unwitting accomplice to a conspiracy that may very well lead to mass slaughter and genocide
on a scale unseen since the Age of Conquest?
Whatever her thoughts and feelings about the issue, Master Willix did a good job at trying to blend into the background,
When two True Gods were speaking, a mortal like herself needed to tread carefully. No matter her importance to the Oblivion Gate Project, it was not wise for a mech designer without any significant combat power to contradict highly emotional and irrational True Gods that were clearly fixated on their obsessions.
This was especially the case when they were posturing or needed to show their faces in front of their allies or enemies!
High-ranking mech designers like Master Willix more often than not had a lot of practice with dealing with stubborn, mule-headed expert pilots or ace pilots. It was often impossible to persuade these powerful and strong-willed individuals with sound arguments, so mech designers simply learned not to bother anymore.
If they truly felt that changes needed to happen, then mech designers learned that it was better if they did so out of sight of the powerful mech pilots they ostensibly served.
Not that Veronica believed that Master Willix had much room for maneuver. The Oblivion Empress would never tolerate any missteps from the lead researcher and developer of the Oblivion Gate Project.
Veronica needed to have a good talk with Master Willix.
Even if there was no way for them to hold a private conversation when they were both under constant monitoring by the Oblivion Empress, the two still needed to hold a good reunion talk.
Although Master Willix did not say or make any gesture that she acknowledged Veronica's silent request, her complete lack of reaction was already a form of communication in itself.
The two were both mech designers who were familiar with each other. They already formed an implicit understanding with each other without resorting to any redundant signals.
Veronica liked working with smart and thoughtful people.
In any case, Master Willix may be content to bow her head and stay mum, but the Cyborg Cat was different!
She was still too shocked and outraged by the plan unveiled by her mother, and there was no way for her to hide her earnest reactions.
more.
She had a family of her own in the Red Ocean! If Veronica failed to do her best to help
red humanity win the ongoing war, then Gloriana, Aurelia, Andraste and Marvaine may die!
This was an unforgivable outcome as far as she was concerned!
The Oblivion Empress was right. Family mattered before everything. "I'll see what I can do." Veronica offered a weak but ultimately compromising response. "However, there are still too many dubious parts about the Oblivion Plan. How certain are you that the release of Carmine mechs will lead to widespread breakdowns in the current order? The Big Two are pretty strong. Even if the mechers are mainly responsible for maintaining internal stability, their first-class multipurpose mechs are so strong that they can pacify any uprising or conflict."
"It will not work for long." Cynthia shook her head. "One of the reasons why the MTA is able to maintain its rule is because it has developed a benevolent reputation. The mechers are often seen as the 'good guys! What do you think will happen if their first-class multipurpose mechs indiscriminately cracks down on all of the battles between Carmine mechs? The mechers will turn from saviors into oppressors. Combined with imposing heavy restrictions and prohibitions against the use of Carmine mechs, the population will soon regard the MTA as a tyrannical organization that unfairly takes away people's right to pilot mechs."
That actually sounded very realistic, but there was an obvious loophole to this
argument.
"The mechers should be smart enough to realize this as well. They won't fall for this trap so easily." Veronica said.
"Ah, but that is the beauty of this plan. We do not intend to give the MTA another
choice. You see, it is not only the general population that will destabilize the current order. There are many other like-minded groups that share a common goal with us. Even if we do not formally meet with each other, it is certain that they will tacitly cooperate with us. They will eagerly fan the flames and exacerbate the problems within human civilization."
The Oblivion Empress and the Beast of Fear alone could never topple the Big Two by themselves, but if they could gather enough powerful allies, then their chances became a lot more realistic!
"Who will you cooperate with, mother?"
"We have already formed an extensive list of potential allies. The MTA and CFA have
made too many enemies. As long as they show weakness, their adversaries will not be able to resist the temptation to strike. Currently, we are planning to reach out to sympathizers within the MTA, the Greater Terran United Confederation, the New Rubarth Empire, many other first-rate states, the Cosmopolitan Movement and the Five Scrolls Compact. Forming this unholy alliance is one of the most helpful conditions to successfully tear down the Big Two and allow us to grow strong enough to defend our right to live!"
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