Eldrad nodded, his projection appearing somewhat weary.
"It should be so. Elendil will cooperate fully with you. The resources of Ulthwé, provided they do not impede our core operations, will also prioritize responding to your reasonable demands." He paused, adding, "Regarding what we discussed today, as well as... your demand, I hope knowledge of this remains limited strictly to the three of us."
"Agreed," Osiris consented. Premature exposure of such matters would only trigger unnecessary chaos and resistance.
Eldrad's projection bowed minutely as the psychic light began to grow unstable, signaling that this mentally taxing audience was drawing to a close.
"Then, let us leave it at this for today. Lord Osiris, thank you for your candor. I will provide you with a preliminary response as soon as possible."
"I await your good tidings, High Farseer."
With a flash of psychic light, Eldrad's projection vanished.
The virtual secluded chamber returned to its original vacancy and silence, leaving only Osiris and Elendil. Elendil remained rooted to the spot, lingering traces of shock and highly complex emotions etched across her features. She looked toward Osiris, her lips parting slightly as if she wished to speak, yet she knew not where to begin.
The Croneswords—this demand was far too unexpected, and far too heavy.
Osiris did not look back at her. He simply gazed at the space where Eldrad's projection had dissipated, his eyes placid and clear, with only the deepest recesses flashing with a gleam of calculated intent.
Forcing the Aeldari to surrender a portion of their mythic symbols was, of course, meant to secure powerful, irreplaceable items and deepen their binding alignment. Yet on a deeper level, it was also a test of the Aeldari's internal cohesion and Eldrad's influence—an exercise in applying maximum pressure to evaluate their ultimate resolve. Simultaneously, this would drastically tie down the Aeldari's energy, forcing them to focus their primary attention on internal affairs for the foreseeable future and minimizing any uncontrollable impact they might have on his other deployments.
Killing multiple birds with one stone.
As for the internal upheaval and agony of the Aeldari? That fell entirely outside his scope of consideration. On the negotiation table of survival, sentiment held no place; there were only leverage and prices.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Osiris did not linger long in the main command center. He required time to digest the outcomes of the negotiation and adjust his subsequent arrangements. A heavyweight bomb had been dropped into the Aeldari camp, and it would inevitably take time to detonate and evaluate its impact. During this interlude, he could focus on other matters.
Elendil remained silent for a long duration after the audience concluded. She returned alone to the temporary Aeldari quarters within the Death World base—a small courtyard carefully sustained with an Aeldari aesthetic by a psychic field. Standing before a luminescent psychic plant, her fingertips unconsciously brushed across its leaves while her mind remained entirely immersed in the shock of the recent meeting.
The Croneswords... Lord Osiris had actually demanded those items. The cold calculation and precise grasp of the Aeldari psyche underlying this demand sent a chill through her.
Yet at the same time, she could not deny certain sharp realities in Osiris's words—the Aeldari did indeed rely far too heavily on prophecy, and their past interactions with humanity were riddled with unsavory records. Furthermore, his warning regarding the potential to repeat past mistakes after migrating struck directly at the deepest hidden anxieties of her race.
What would the High Farseer do? Would he truly attempt to collect those scattered mythic blades? What kind of cataclysmic waves would this unleash within the already fragile society of the surviving Aeldari?
Elendil felt a wave of bewilderment, but soon, this bewilderment was replaced by a deeper sense of responsibility. She was the bridge and the coordinator; regardless of how arduous the path ahead proved to be, she had to fulfill her duties while striving to secure the absolute best possible outcome for her species.
A few days later, Elendil adjusted her state of mind and proactively requested an audience with Osiris. She refrained from mentioning the Croneswords again, instead steering the conversation toward more practical subsequent collaboration.
"Lord Osiris," her posture was as elegant as ever, though a layer of collected composure had settled between her brows. "Following the High Farseer's return to Ulthwé, preliminary internal deliberations have commenced. He requested that I convey to you that the in-depth application data regarding the portal framework technology, alongside a technical data package concerning precise psychic manipulation and spatial stabilization that our side can provide in advance, have been compiled and are ready for transmission to you at your convenience. Consider this a part of our ongoing sincerity to deepen our cooperation while we await the collection of the token."
Osiris nodded. "Very well. Have the technical team interface for data reception. Furthermore, the long-term maintenance blueprint for the portal framework in Pandoran orbit requires your input and a degree of technical support."
"Understood. Our personnel stationed on Pandora will cooperate fully." Elendil acknowledged. After a minor hesitation, she asked, "Regarding the situation on Planet Pandora itself... you mentioned previously that you required the various factions to experience a bit of 'trouble.' Does it require our stationed personnel to cooperate in executing certain... 'adjustments'?"
Osiris cast a glance at her, understanding that she was referring to having the Aeldari warriors continue staging cloaked raids to maintain pressure.
"There is no need for excessive stimulation at present. Maintain your current level of pressure. Focus on monitoring the internal movements of the RDA and the Na'vi—specifically the new directives from the RDA Board of Directors and the shifting attitudes of the various Na'vi clans toward Tsu'tey. I will notify you separately regarding the concrete timing and methods of intervention."
"Understood," Elendil noted down the instructions.
"One more thing," Osiris called up a report. "Initial analysis of the live samples captured from the Yautja homeworld indicates that the activity and concentration of 'Yautja Prime' vary significantly based on individual age, status, and history. I require more systematic, large-scale analytical data to optimize the extraction process and evaluate its potential effects and risks across different recipients. Ulthwé should possess significant accumulation in biopsychics and high-tier life analysis."
Elendil grasped the intent immediately. "I will convey your requirements to the High Farseer. Ulthwé should be capable of providing relevant analytical techniques and experiential support—at least offering certain critical analytical frameworks and risk assessment models. The concrete method and scale of assistance will require the High Farseer's determination, but I believe he will not refuse."
"Excellent." Osiris expressed satisfaction with Elendil's efficiency and perceptiveness. This Aeldari seer was indeed a capable collaborator and executor.
With several concrete matters properly arranged, Osiris's attention returned to the macro level.
The biological research sector of the Death World base entered a state of maximum velocity. The Apothecary practically lived within the laboratories, leading his team to categorize, sample, analyze, and conduct preliminary "Yautja Prime" purification experiments on the steadily arriving streams of Predator prisoners.
The initial breakthroughs were promising, yet as Osiris had pointed out, systematic research was required to apply it safely and efficiently. Combined with potential technical assistance from the Aeldari, this progression was poised to accelerate significantly.
On the whole, the yields could thoroughly be described as highly encouraging, presenting a vast and open prospect.