Back in the auction hall, Director Silas Kaelen stepped onto the stage, offering a slight bow to the buyers.
"Tonight's auction has concluded triumphantly. However, I must clarify the upcoming delivery protocol for AWS-14, both for Anonymous Bidder 01 and for all our
esteemed guests."
"Per our previously established terms, Specimen Fourteen will be placed under maximum-security confinement by our staff."
"Until Project Zero-Transit drops anchor at Whitecliffe Harbor, he will remain under our absolute jurisdiction."
"The final transfer of ownership to Anonymous Bidder 01 will only commence upon our arrival."
The crowd had no objections to this arrangement.
The prize had already been claimed.
No matter how much they coveted the asset, nobody was insane enough to try snatching it from a buyer capable of dropping a hundred and thirty billion in cash.
What they genuinely cared about was their own survival. A highly dangerous biological weapon was going to be riding on the same vessel as them. Could the ship actually guarantee their safety?
The ship's management had clearly anticipated this concern, which was exactly why they were publicly reiterating the lockdown procedures.
Securing the asset until docking was the only way to manage the risk.
This reassurance brought a collective sigh of relief to the room.
Director Kaelen then continued, "Furthermore, given the volatile nature of Specimen Fourteen, The Commodore has formally requested to extend Ms. Panacea's contract as the acting Medical Director for this transport."
"Ms. Panacea will oversee all medical and biological containment protocols for the remainder of the voyage, right up until the final handover at Whitecliffe Harbor."
Upon hearing this, the buyers relaxed completely.
They had all witnessed The Panacea's absolute mastery on stage.
Even the ship's elite medical team had been completely fooled by the tampered data.
Yet The Panacea hadn't even batted an eye before surgically exposing the infiltrator. Besides, there probably wasn't a single soul on this ship who understood Specimen Fourteen better than she did.
"With The Panacea keeping him leashed, we can sleep easy."
"Exactly. A biological nightmare like that? Regular medics wouldn't stand a chance."
"If she's watching it, we don't have to worry about a mid-voyage rampage."
"The ship really thought this through. We can finally make it to Whitecliffe Harbor in one piece."
Listening to the murmurs of approval, Director Kaelen felt his tightly wound nerves finally begin to slacken.
Thank God The Commodore had perfectly predicted the crowd's paranoia and ordered him to make this public declaration.
It was a masterclass in crowd control.
But right at that moment, the communication light on The Sterling Sovereign's VIP suite flickered on.
Instantly, a lazy, feminine voice drifted through the auction hall's acoustic system. "Hold on a minute."
Director Kaelen snapped his head up. "M-Ms. Panacea?"
Inside the suite, Serena leaned back against Nicholas, her delicate fingers absently toying with his cufflink.
Her red lips curled upward, though her tone sounded distinctly displeased. "When you hired me
earlier, the contract explicitly stated! was only here for a stage appraisal, didn't it?"
"Since the appraisal is over, why am I suddenly pulling overtime?"
Director Kaelen froze, but quickly recovered. "Please rest assured, Ms. Panacea.
You will be handsomely compensated for your labor."
He maintained an exceptionally respectfultone. "The remuneration for your role as the intern Medical Director is entirely separate from your appraisal fee. We promise you won't be shortchanged."
Serena suddenly sounded intrigued. "Oh? A separate tab?"
"Of course Kaelen answered
without hesitation. "Your retainer will be directly billed as an operational containment fee for the asset seamlessly integrated into the final transaction settlement."
"The finalized contract will be delivered to your suite shortly for your review."