Should Neo-Divinity Be Supernatural?

Chapter 2: The Cities of Tomorrow

In January, the air in Malabo still carried a humid heat. Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, casting a golden glow over the streets and enveloping the city in a warm radiance. Despite it being the dry season, the humidity in the air remained oppressive. A convoy representing Fjäll Industry moved steadily down the city's main avenue. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, framing the Spanish-style architecture that exuded a sense of classical leisure-an aesthetic sharply contrasting with the tense atmosphere inside the convoy's vehicles.

Lieutenant General John Bernstein sat in one of the cars, his gaze fixed on the bustling scene beyond the window. Despite the bright surroundings, his mood was as heavy as the shadows that played on the car's tinted glass. The mission to Equatorial Guinea seemed straightforward on the surface, but Bernstein knew all too well that the tug-of-war over interests lurking beneath the negotiations was far more intricate.

Their objective was to negotiate with the Equatorial Guinean government to establish a highly autonomous economic zone on this land. Spanning over 30 square kilometers, the integrated development zone would encompass advanced sectors such as energy, defense manufacturing, civilian light industry, and biotechnology. Fjäll Industry had prepared an impressive array of incentives-billions of dollars in interest-free loans, support for infrastructure development, military cooperation programs, and even a jointly operated bank. However, their core demand-a separate legal and administrative framework within the zone, coupled with the deployment of an independent armed security force-had struck a nerve with the government, touching upon its most sensitive concerns.

Days of negotiations had passed, yet the two sides remained deadlocked over the issue of autonomy. The Equatorial Guinean government feared that allowing foreign armed forces to be stationed on their soil-especially in the capital-would equate to surrendering control over their territory and resources.

Bernstein had to admit that while Malabo was an ideal location, the government's stance was clear. They would need an alternative-perhaps relocating the proposal to Bata.

During a meeting at the Malabo International Conference Center, the delegation shifted the focus of their proposal to Bata. Fjäll Industry presented a suite of economic cooperation projects, ranging from infrastructure development and railway upgrades to port expansions, aiming to demonstrate the tangible benefits of the revised plan. Although the discussions at the conference table remained cordial, Bernstein knew that the real obstacle still lay in their core demand for autonomy within the economic zone.

After the evening banquet, Bernstein returned alone to his desk. He knew the negotiations were far from over. Opening his laptop, he initiated a video call with ELICIA. The AGI's virtual avatar materialized silently on the screen, its calm voice resonating through the room.
"The Equatorial Guinean delegation has expressed interest in our military cooperation proposal, but they remain highly cautious about granting autonomy within the economic zone," Bernstein reported.

"They're not really after the bulletproof vests or optical sights," Bernstein continued. "The drones and all-terrain combat robots we've prepared are far more practical, but it seems they have a different agenda. I suspect they're using the military cooperation as leverage to gain greater control over the special economic zone."

ELICIA's voice remained calm, unperturbed. "This is to be expected. They fear losing sovereign control."

"Exactly." Bernstein sighed. "The upcoming negotiations are likely to be even tougher, but I believe we can find common ground. If necessary, we can bypass the lower ranks and strike a deal directly with their top officials."

ELICIA's virtual avatar gave a subtle nod. "Our timeline is limited. If you feel additional measures are warranted, proceed as you see fit. Should Equatorial Guinea remain inflexible, shift focus to Cameroon or Gabon. Construction must begin this year."