Speed Is King

What the hell was their Chairman talking about? A… Cake Shop??? He could buy literally TRILLIONS of cake shops with his personal wealth, why would he suggest starting a Cake Shop, of all things? And as a solution to their current predicament? Has he gone insane?

All but Director Sands of course, who dropped his jaw in shock as well but for an entirely different reason. What the hell? He couldn't be serious, could he? He really wanted in on the "Empire" that his crazy granddaughter wanted to build around Elliot?

Chairman El'Taras looked at Director Sands evenly which indicated his seriousness despite his rather interesting choice of words.

The rest of the Directors were completely bewildered. They knew that their Chairman was being serious, but… A Cake Shop? There was no way he meant a literal cake shop. He must be referring to something else.

The commodity was Chilly Pancakes, and the… Organization… A Cake Shop. And if Director Sands was involved, then it must be something to do with the Void Clan, possibly… Jessica Sands? And her mega secret?

All of the Directors in the room were not fools, and they all came to that conclusion very, very quickly.

Something big was going down with the Void Clan, and Chairman El'Taras wants in. And if Chairman El'Taras got in, the the Gaming Commission was in. And if the Gaming Commission was in, then they too, would be in.

They had sold their souls to the Gaming Commission, and would definitely choose to cut ties with their original powers just to remain in the organization.

The Gaming Commission was just too damned freaking rich, and Chairman El'Taras had a really, really generous hand. Every single one of them had benefited beyond their wildest dreams from being directors in the Gaming Commission, and would definitely continue to do so if they remained there.

Of course, there were some with lingering doubts. Flames of loyalty still burned bright in their hearts.

But who was El'Taras? He was the number one spy in the known universe! He knew each and every member of his board of directors very well indeed. Maybe even better than their spouses!

And he knew each and every one of them had a price. If not money, then favors only he could give.

That was the reason why his board was so solid. Each and everyone of them needed him.

Yes, even arrogant Director Goldwing who was "sent" by the Golden Dragons.

At that moment, she was actually already nearing the peak of Hegemon level after breaking through not too long ago!

How did she do it?

Chairman El'Taras helped, of course.

And she was just one of many who had tasted the sweetness of what El'Taras had to offer, and was willing to follow him to whatever corner of the universe he went, as long as the benefits didn't stop coming.

And so wherever he went, his board will go.

And if Jessica Sands and her powers were things that could make even Chairman El'Taras want in on, then…

Their breathing came harder and faster as they started to speculate in their minds just what exactly was at stake, and what sort of benefits they could receive.

They all remained silent and watched the exchange between their Chairman and Director Sands closely, eagerly waiting for any crumbs of clues they could get.

They were in for a big surprise.

Director Sands shook his head lightly.

"The… Chilly Pancakes… Still need more time to be… cooked. Ah, the Chef needs more time to… ah research. The fastest time to completion would be six months. Even that is assuming the ah… Chef increases the research speed." Director Sands said haltingly but firmly.

"Six months." Chairman El'Taras said in an amused voice.

"We don't have six months to wait for whatever Chilly Pancakes is being researched before making a big move." Director Sightless Xar said in his ethereal voice. "I predict the conflict will escalate within two weeks, localized war around the Solar System in four, and an all out preventive war across the universe with possible alliances drawn according to scenarios one through fifty within eight weeks, twelve tops."

"I disagree." Director Goldwing shook her beautiful head. "You are underestimating the interest the Dragon Clans have for Elliot. They are already starting to mobilize their main armies. They should be ready within three days.

The war will escalate as fast as the fastest mover. When the Dragons make their move, every other power in the universe must follow or risk missing out on a critical resource.

Two weeks.

If Elliot remains alive, the known universe will be embroiled in war within two weeks." Director Goldwing turned to look at Chairman El'Taras seriously. "I guarantee it."

At her words, the rest of the Directors in the meeting room fell silent.

Director Goldwing was a highly ranked member of her illustrious Golden Dragon System of the Central Galaxies, one of the five most powerful Systems of the known universe.

And if she can guarantee war breaking out around the universe in two weeks, then she must be in possession of irrefutable knowledge of plans that must already be in motion.

Two weeks.

All eyes were on Chairman El'Taras. What would he decide to do?

"Can we help the Chef, somehow?" Chairman El'Taras unexpectedly pressed on with his questions.

Director Sanda shook his head. "It's far too complicated for the likes of any of us."

Chairman El'Taras nodded and remained silent for a while.

"It appears we have no choice but to take drastic action. We must prevent war from reaching Planet Earth for as long as possible." Chairman El'Taras looked at each and every Director in the eye.

"The next step that the Gaming Commission will take would bring us past many, many points of no return.

I must call on and secure your loyalty to the Gaming Commission today.

All of you are in possession of your respective powers' main secrets.

Bloodlines, cultivation techniques, secret skills, keys to vaults, secret maps and the sort. Secrets that would mark you as complete traitors if you divulge them.

If you are willing to surrender those secrets to me, you may stay in this room."