Vox's metallic body leaned slightly forward, adopting a typical business negotiation posture: "You will provide the complete data package for this technology and initial application guidance. And I, along with Neksum's entire administrative and production system, will be responsible for subsequent manufacturing, market promotion, and..."
More importantly, addressing any doctrine-based 'concerns' and scrutiny that may arise from Mars. As for profit distribution..."
He pondered for a moment, as if having gone through a difficult calculation: "The Forge World needs to bear all production costs, production line modification expenses, and market development risks. This investment is huge... Therefore, the bulk of the profits naturally belongs to the Forge World.
However, given that you are the discoverer and provider of the technology, we are willing to give you a ten percent net profit as compensation.
This proportion, given the current tight financial situation of the Forge World, already demonstrates my greatest sincerity, after all, the entire vast system needs resources to maintain operation, doesn't it?"
Osiris listened quietly, his optical lenses showing no fluctuation. Vox's offer was lower than expected, but this was within his calculations. He did not directly respond to the number, but instead called up a concise report and projected it onto the table.
"Archmagos," Osiris' synthesized voice was calm and steady, "the value of this technology lies in its ability to help Neksum establish a unique competitive advantage in the new landscape after the 'Second Army Build-Up'.
What we have lost are stable, large-scale orders. To attract those scattered battle groups with independent choices, we need differentiated capabilities.
More efficient logistics, more precise fire control, and more flexible production lines will undoubtedly greatly enhance Neksum's competitiveness.
And to achieve all this, this logical core is the key. One-tenth of the profit is equivalent to underestimating its strategic significance in turning the tide, and it cannot cover the extraordinary cost I paid to acquire it."
Vox's mechanical tentacles stopped, his human eye narrowed slightly, clearly re-evaluating.
"Twelve percent," his synthesized voice carried a hint of concession, "modifying production lines, training personnel, dealing with scrutiny... these are all sunk costs! The risk still has to be borne by the Forge World!"
Osiris' synthesized voice rang out steadily: "Seventeen percent. And, I need a lunar class cruiser - the unfinished hull numbered NXS-07 in the orbital ring.
It must be customized according to my requirements, and the modification costs will be borne by the Forge World."
Vox's mechanical tentacles suddenly froze in mid-air, emitting a series of urgent hydraulic sounds.
"Seventeen percent?! And a lunar class cruiser?!" His loudspeaker erupted with harsh electronic static, "Osiris, you're asking for my lifeblood!
The keel of that NXS-07 uses the highest purity adamantium, just these materials alone are priceless! Not to mention modifying it according to your requirements, that cost would be enough to rebuild three secondary forges!"
"Since you mentioned secondary forges," Osiris' optical lenses flickered slightly, immediately seizing the opportunity, "then, assigning one of the idle secondary forges to my name, as a supporting research and trial production facility, would greatly enhance the efficiency of technology transfer, which is more valuable than simply modifying a single ship."
"Absolutely not!" Vox's reaction was unusually swift and firm, the previous shrewdness and hesitation instantly replaced by an undeniable sense of authority.
His massive track base moved forward by half a step, bringing an invisible sense of oppression: "Osiris, listen carefully: profit sharing can be discussed, ship modifications can be negotiated, but a secondary forge, even the smallest and most idle one, represents one of the omnissiah's sacred industrial nodes here!
Its management rights are absolutely not a bargaining chip!
You have just been promoted to Archmagos and have not yet established the corresponding merits and management system, and your promoted specialty is not Forge Archmagos.
Directly presiding over a forge does not conform to doctrine, and it also violates the fundamental regulations of the Forge World. In this regard, there is no room for compromise."
His human eye stared intently at Osiris, his tone low and serious: "I understand your desire for resources, young man. But on some matters, we must hold our ground.
The structure of the Forge World must not be easily destroyed; this is my principle."
These words were spoken with finality, indicating that this was indeed his bottom line.
Osiris was silent for a moment, his logical core quickly assessing the situation.
Vox's refusal was absolute; continuing to dwell on it would only disrupt the negotiation atmosphere.
He immediately adjusted his strategy.
"I understand your principles, Archmagos," his synthesized voice returned to its previous steady tone, "then, let's return to the cruiser proposal."
He continued to argue: "It is precisely because of the Forge World's current financial situation that the request for NXS-07 seems reasonable. It has been idle in the dock for thirty-seven standard years, incurring maintenance costs every day.
Converting it into my dedicated forge ship will not only immediately eliminate this expense but also open up new research areas for Neksum, far from the core regions, which complies with safety regulations.
Moreover, a forge ship equipped with advanced research facilities will be better able to unearth technological legacies similar to the 'logical core', and its results will ultimately feed back into the Forge World."
Vox's tracked platform rotated uneasily at an angle, seemingly still displeased about the earlier demand for the forge, and his tone was stiff: "Even so, the basic modification costs would be—"
"Modifications will proceed in phases," Osiris interrupted, his tone unequivocal, "the Forge World only needs to be responsible for basic modifications to make it navigable. Subsequent advanced modifications will be handled by me personally. Considering the future returns this investment can bring, this request is not excessive."
After another round of intense bargaining, mainly concerning the cruiser modification details and profit payment cycles, Vox finally relented: "Fifteen percent! This is the final offer! And you must bear the costs of the deep modification of the cruiser yourself!"
"Agreed. Fifteen percent net profit sharing, with completion costs and basic modifications handled by the Forge World," Osiris confirmed, knowing this had touched the other party's bottom line: "The specific details will be written into the agreement."
"Alright, alright, that's settled!" Archmagos Vox seemed to have exhausted his energy, one mechanical tentacle supporting his metallic forehead, the other waving to signal an end.
"You brat, you're more troublesome than a heretic's algorithm! Take it, take it, that ship is yours, saves me space!" His tone was complaining, but a glint of relief and shrewdness flashed in his human eye.
Clearly, successfully holding the line on the forge made the other concessions acceptable to him.
"Agreement reached. May this cooperation be as close as precision gears, driving Neksum to regain its glory," Osiris calmly confirmed.
He had also achieved his main objectives; as for the secondary forge, that was merely a probe, and there would be plenty of time in the future.