March 18, 2011
The peace talks had been going on for three days, but there was no progress on the fundamental issues, except that on the 17th, the Taiwanese government released the special agents except for 13. Not a single condition proposed by the mainland had been accepted by the Taiwanese government.
Even the exceptionally patient Liu Tao was becoming irritable. It was obvious to everyone that Taiwan was deliberately stalling for time, yet the people on the mainland were full of hope for the peaceful reunification of Taiwan. Government officials within the mainland were even more vocal about ceasing hostilities. Decades of rapid growth had taught these people, who only knew how to live comfortably, how to embezzle, accept bribes, and spend public funds... but they had forgotten that China's history was forged through conflict. Which peace wasn't bought with blood?
"Regarding the timing of handing over sovereignty, I believe we still need to deliberate further..." Chen Bian spoke nonchalantly.
"Deliberate further? It's been three days! You haven't even agreed on the issue of handing over sovereignty. What's the point of these talks?" Secretary Chen became anxious.
"We have our difficulties too. Such a large Taiwan, don't we need to sort out various administrative documents? Don't we need to consolidate various household registration data? Funds, deposits, debts, industry, agriculture, commerce... which handover doesn't require time? It's impossible to hand over without complete organization... After all, we can't just wash our hands of it and leave without managing anything. That would be too irresponsible..." Chen Bian spouted grand principles, feeling like the most wronged person in the world.
"You..." Secretary Chen was too angry to speak.
"We don't need you to be responsible!" Liu Tao said. "We will complete the work you mentioned. We will solve your difficulties. There is only one demand: now! Immediately! Hand over control, or the moment I walk out of this conference room will be the moment the war resumes. I have already requested an additional 100,000 armed police troops from the mainland. I think that's enough to deal with those street thugs. Just wait in Taipei for me to receive sovereignty..."
Liu Tao's words once again shocked the delegations from both sides. The Taiwanese delegation was shocked that China, known as the land of etiquette, would proactively cancel the peace talks and resume the war. The Chinese delegation was shocked that Liu Tao's actions completely contradicted the Chairman's ideology – valuing peace above all.
"Commander Liu, no need to be so agitated..." Anne, who hadn't spoken, stepped in to smooth things over. "I think President Chen indeed has his own difficulties. Besides, it wasn't easy for everyone to sit down and negotiate. President Chen, too, hasn't made any substantial moves these past few days. That's where you're wrong..."
Chen Bian's face was full of question marks, cursing inwardly, "You bitch! You play the bad cop, you play the good cop, just won't let me have a role! Damn it!"
"How about this. President Chen, first evacuate the civilians from Taipei city. To ensure their safety, transfer them all to the areas provided by China. This way, even if the talks ultimately fail and fighting resumes, we won't have to worry about civilian casualties."
"I think this proposal is good," Secretary Chen looked at Liu Tao and said.
"Yes! Yes!" The representatives beside him echoed, agreeing to anything as long as the fighting stopped.
Liu Tao didn't speak, sighed deeply, and looked straight at Anne.
After five minutes, he continued, "Alright. If the Taiwanese government agrees to this proposal, I have no problem either. We can resume the peace talks. But with one additional condition: no matter how long the talks continue, within three days at most, I want to see our last person!"
"It's a deal!" Anne preempted Chen Bian.
"Who is negotiating with whom here?" Chen Bian lamented inwardly.
In the evening, the meeting ended. Before leaving the main door, Liu Tao stopped Anne and went into a rest area in the conference room.
"What exactly does the United States want?" Liu Tao asked directly.
"Why does Commander Liu ask this? Weren't we proposing such suggestions based on the principle of peaceful resolution..." Anne had no intention of answering.
"Whatever your objective is, as long as it endangers China, even if I have to command the navy, I will fight you all the way to your homeland!" After speaking, Liu Tao ignored Anne standing by the door and walked out.
"You won't have that chance..." Anne muttered softly to herself.
Back at the base, Liu Tao hadn't rested yet when Nie Yun pulled him into the office.
"Resume the battle immediately, no matter what!" Nie Yun's face was grim.
"Is something about to happen?" Liu Tao asked calmly.
"I don't know yet, but it's definitely something bad."
"But the higher-ups won't let us easily abandon the peace talks now, and 13 is still in their hands..." Liu Tao was troubled.
Nie Yun clenched his fists tightly. "We can't consider too much now. As for 13... he can be abandoned..."
"What do you mean, 'can be abandoned'?!" Liu Tao roared. "Do you think he's a chess piece? Abandoned just like that! He's a person too!"
"What do you think this is?!" Nie Yun roared back. "This is war! Are you going to abandon a battlefield for one person?"
"But you also told me about the country's future? Are we abandoning the country's future too?" Liu Tao retorted, just looking for a reason to save 13.
"There is no future!" Nie Yun grabbed Liu Tao's collar emotionally. "Because Anne is here. If 13 is in her hands, and she discovers SEED, the world will have no future!"
"Must it be this way?" Liu Tao's eyes were somewhat moist.
"It must be this way..." Who knew the bitterness in Nie Yun's heart? 13 was the culmination of 20 years of his effort; all of China's research rested on him and SEED. To the country, he was like a seed. But now, before the seed could even sprout, it had to die...
"But they have already promised to release 13 in three days, and the Taiwanese government just made a concession. Even if I know the reason behind it, the world doesn't..." The bitterness in Liu Tao's heart was also unknown to anyone.
"Just wait these three days!" Nie Yun firmly held up three fingers. "The hidden compartment in the right-hand armor was designed by me personally. It's impossible to find without cutting it open. But the longer the night, the more dreams there are. We wait only three days. If they don't release him after three days, resume the war. At that time, bring more people to ambush outside, detain Anne and Chen Bian on the spot, and make them reveal 13's location! If they release him, I will have 13 take the new SEED to retrieve or destroy the previous equipment!"
"That's the only way!" Liu Tao sighed.
That night, in the quiet Taiwan, some people did not rest; their work was not yet finished...
Chen Bian directed his soldiers, busy evacuating the city's citizens. Hearing they were moving to the China-controlled zone, the citizens surged out of Taipei like a tide. Watching the scene before him, Chen Bian deeply felt his own sorrow. After being president for so many years, what did he amount to in the hearts of the people?
In the underground base in Taipei, Satan, Dove, and Bao Bao stood beside Angel's body. There were no more tears, no more anger. Seeing the ashes emerge from the cremation furnace, everyone's heart felt only helplessness against fate...
On the rooftop of Taipei 101, Anne and Black Dragon admired the night view.
The wind was strong. Anne's black dress danced in the air, her hair slightly messy. She gently smoothed it with her slender right hand. Black Dragon didn't speak, just watched quietly beside her, a smile constantly on his lips.
Anne walked towards the edge against the wind. Just one step separated life and death.
"The environment here is nice. Let's do it here!" She suddenly turned and said to Black Dragon.
"A magnificent battle needs a perfect stage to complement it." Black Dragon closed his eyes and started dancing the waltz alone. "I said following you would lead to more interesting things. It seems my choice was correct. Just thinking about the upcoming 'performance' excites me so much I can't stop."
"Just three days. Once these three days pass, a new era will arrive." Anne smiled and sat down on the ground, watching the lone dancing Black Dragon.
"And I will always stand by the side of the strong..." Black Dragon continued dancing.
"You really are a strange person. Creating a gang just out of boredom. When gang life became boring, you chose to betray the country. What does the world mean to you?" Anne asked, somewhat bewildered.
"I don't care about the world. I just hope life isn't too monotonous. I just want to live an extraordinary, exciting life." The dancing Black Dragon spun to a stop in front of Anne. "If I had to choose between living peacefully to 80 or living an extraordinary ten years, I would choose the latter..."
"Greedy fellow. Do you think you can peacefully live through those extraordinary ten years?" Anne spoke calmly, but her tone was filled with murderous intent.
"I can, as long as I follow you. Besides, you wouldn't discard a useful and obedient tool." Black Dragon smiled confidently.
"Then live on..." Anne stood up, turned back to continue admiring the night view.
Black Dragon stood aside, silent.