Chapter 301 The Greatest Threat
Peter had to swallow his anger and let Charles off the hook for now.
He didn't want to see Charles, so he waved him away and grounded him for a week as punishment.
But just thinking about Steven made Peter's head throb.
"I was too careless!" Peter muttered.
He'd thought Steven was just some nobody who got lucky with a supernatural ability.
He figured sending some elite troops would be enough to capture him.
But reality slapped him hard. The guy he underestimated had cost him big time!
'This huge loss has really weakened West Mountain Base! I need to replenish our troops fast, or we'll be in trouble if we clash with other forces.' With that in mind, Peter called Lisa over and asked, "How are the people Charles brought back from Cox Town?"
Lisa replied, "We just ran some tests, and the results aren't in yet. But judging by their physical condition, they all seem excellent. There's a good chance of producing Psychics!"
Peter snorted, "If Psychics were that easy to make, I wouldn't need Charles so much! Don't wait any longer. We need manpower now. Start the experiments immediately. If the catalysis fails, use Charles' cells."
Lisa's eyes showed a hint of fear. "If we rush it, the success rate will be even lower. They might not even have a one-in-thirty chance of surviving!"
Peter said, "It doesn't matter. I need combat power, not labor. There are still plenty of survivors in this city; we can always get more people. I need strong military power to have a say in this city!"
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. "I want the whole Starlight City! I can't be limited to just West Mountain!"
Lisa bit her lip, nodded, and said, "Yes, I'll arrange it right away!"
After Lisa left, Peter sat at his desk, thinking about how to deal with Steven.
Yes, deal with him.
To Peter, Steven was like a rusty nail, stuck in his territory.
The major forces in Starlight City each controlled different parts of the city, and Steven's location was within West Mountain Base's territory.
Such a troublesome figure was a constant threat to West Mountain Base's rule, especially Peter's authority.
He had to get rid of this nail!
'But even Charles couldn't handle him. What should I do? Do I really have to ask for help and get a missile?' Peter thought.
A look of struggle crossed Peter's face.
At their level, such debts were the hardest to repay. The commander of the Silvercrest District owed him a big favor and had promised to help him once.
And Silvercrest District, as one of the six major military districts of the Astralium Kingdom, had the authority to launch missiles.
This was Peter's trump card, kept to deter other forces. He was reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary.
Could it be that now he had to use it on Steven?
Peter was very conflicted.
But without the missile, he couldn't remove this nail from his territory.
If he clashed with other forces, this nail could cost him his life!
After much thought, Peter made a decision.
He would have one last negotiation with Steven, asking him to submit to West Mountain Base.
If Steven refused, he would use this chance to wipe that shelter off the map!
Peter immediately called Harold, the Minister of Information, and had him contact Steven.
Soon, Steven in the shelter received Peter's call request. But this time, Steven wasn't nervous.
He had successfully repelled Charles' month-long attack and knew that West Mountain Base didn't have the strength to break through his shelter.
In this negotiation, he could speak to Peter from a position of strength.
Steven had Cindy prepare the network security defenses, then connected the video call.
The image was projected in mid-air by the projector, and Steven saw Peter's gloomy face.
Steven smiled, "Peter, long time no see!"
Peter's eyes grew colder at being addressed by his first name. He forced a smile and said, "Steven, indeed, long time no see! I'm quite surprised you managed to hold out this long." Steven sighed and, with a consoling look, said, "Peter, just give it up! Losing so many of your best men at West Mountain Base must be a real blow. Why keep fighting me? Even if you win, what then? If you break into my shelter, I'll destroy all the supplies. You won't get a thing! You won't be the ultimate winner here. Let's just coexist peacefully."
Steven's tone was condescending, like he was doing Peter a favor. But he had the right to be, because he had won this round decisively!
Peter sneered. "Steven, don't get too cocky! Do you really think I can't handle you? I just see potential in you and want to give you a chance to work for me."
He pointed a finger at Steven and said, "This is your last chance. Surrender to me. I can guarantee you a good life at West Mountain Base, even make you my second-in-command. But you have to show your loyalty and hand over all your supplies!"
Steven raised an eyebrow and sneered inwardly. 'Peter's still dreaming!'
He couldn't believe Peter had the nerve to make such demands after losing.
No way was Steven going to put his life in someone else's hands.
After this battle, Steven realized West Mountain Base wasn't all that powerful.
If he faced a truly overwhelming force, he might consider joining them. But Peter? No way.
Steven laughed. "Peter, are you out of your mind? You lost, and I won! You can't do anything to me, and you still want me to be your subordinate? Are you crazy!"
"How about this, you be my subordinate. Stay put at West Mountain Base, and if anything happens, just mention my name, and I'll protect you!" Steven mocked Peter.
Sure enough, Peter slammed the table in fury. "Arrogant! You're asking for it!"
"Really? But it seems you don't have the ability to send me to my death," Steven retorted, staring Peter down without backing off.
"Do you really think I can't deal with you?" Peter glared at Steven, gritting his teeth. "I can tell you, I can mobilize missiles to bomb your shelter! No matter how sturdy it is, can it withstand a missile strike?"
Steven's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly laughed it off. "Don't try to scare me. Starlight City has never had a missile base, and no one has the authority to mobilize missiles. You're not the leader of a major military district!"
Peter laughed. "I'm not the leader of a major military district, but that doesn't mean I can't get my hands on such things! You're just an ordinary person; what do you know about the complex relationships at our level? Don't doubt it. If I want to, leveling your shelter is just a matter of moments!"
Steven lowered his eyelids and sneered, "If you really could, why didn't you do it earlier? Why wait until now?"
Peter said, "I told you, I value your talent and want to give you a chance. Steven, don't push your luck! My patience is running thin! You either submit to me or die! Choose your path!"
Steven cursed in his heart, 'You think I'm scared? You think you're some kind of king?'
But Steven cautiously said, "If you really can mobilize missiles, then show me. Prove your strength. If you truly have that capability, I'll follow you. There would be no shame in that."
Peter's face darkened. "Do you know how important such things are now? How could I demonstrate it for you? Steven, stop playing games! My patience is running out."
Peter's eyes were bloodshot, filled with killing intent.
Steven suddenly felt that Peter might not be lying. But who could tell the truth from the false?
After all, people like him were best at deception and lying.
Steven hesitated for a moment, then said, "Give me a few days to think about it!"
Steven's tone softened, which made Peter feel a bit smug. He thought he had finally intimidated Steven, regaining some of his dignity. "Don't play games. Delaying won't help you!" he said.
Steven said, "You've waited this long, what's another two or three days?"
"I'll give you one day! After one day, if you don't submit to me, I'll level your shelter!"
After saying that, Peter cut off the video call. He sat on the sofa and let out a long breath.
He closed his eyes and began to pray. "Hopefully, that guy is smart enough to surrender to me. I really don't want to waste this precious opportunity on him!"
Meanwhile, at the shelter, Steven slowly stood up from the sofa.
'Just one day? Fine. If I can't get a rise out of him, I'll just stay out of his way?' Steven thought to himself.
Although Steven liked this shelter very much and found it perfect, he could abandon it for the sake of survival.
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