2118  Ransom Meetings

Sam went to meet with Dove, who became busy with the meeting.

They were planning the strategy to take down the Thunder Star Planet by the time Sam stepped into the room. She gestured him to come forward as soon as he arrived. A rectangular table as big as a snooker table, on which a projected map of the Thunder Star Planet.

There are several smaller projections indicating different teams of Grade 2.

These projections are used to show their positions, their attack strategies etc. Sam stood in silence as the team talked about different scenarios and their counter measures. The plan was well made and there were no glaring holes in the strategy.

And on top of that, Sam came across many people that he hasn't even seen in the Academy.

There are many Second grade students that rarely appear in the academy and let their presence known, but a lot of people like that are being used for this attack.

After the strategy meeting was over, only Sam and Dove remained in the room.

"I must say, I am a bit impressed and touched at the same time." Sam said as he glanced at the map.

"That was the goal." Dove replied with a smile, clearly not meaning what she said.

"So, why the sudden action? I thought you had a plan that has been forming for quite a while."

"Well, there was, but I didn't know that the assholes of the Zeus academy teamed up with the city guards. That crosses a line."

"Really? How is that any different from plotting without involving the city guards?"

"City guards are not here out of their sense of duty, they are also selfish beings that have their own goal and for that, they often toy around with the students and academies when things go sideways. So, there is a hidden consensus among the academies that they wouldn't give the city guards any leverage to use it against the Academies.

Zeus Academy broke that.

I am sure even the other academies, including the Olympian academies are not happy about it. It is just that you are the one that's getting destroyed, that is why they didn't react. They are way too happy about your imminent disaster."

"Then I must savor their disappointment later."

"Don't be so sure of yourself. It has been centuries since the 12 labors were used as punishment. You know how that punishment came to, right?"

"Yes, Heracles and his 12 labors. 12 Impossible tasks. Don't tell me, they are going to be as hard as that."

"No, not really. Heracles' 12 labors were done when he was on verge of becoming a god. These 12 labors will not be the same or of same difficulty. But they can still be considered as impossible task for you and your peers.

And most of the time, you might have to clash against some second graders in process."

"Don't worry about it. As long as there is a way to do it, then I can do it."

It is good that you are confident, but keep in mind about the difficulty."

"Alright, can you give the information regarding the battle for Thunder Star? Since I was the one who started the whole issue, I would like to know the updates."

"No Problem."

After discussing some more details, Sam left and went to his own dorm.

He sent a message to Icarus.

"You must have already heard the news, I was subjected to the Olympian law and got punished with the 12 labors. You can start the plan from tomorrow."

Icarus sent a simple message back.

'Affirmative.'

Sam just smiled at this. Once the city guard captain locked on to Sam and discussed the plans with the student union of the Zeus Academy, Sam already formed his own plan. There is a reason why he surrendered without any resistance.

To establish a precedence.

That night, Sam got a detailed report on how the Gambler Academy students took down and occupied the Thunder Star. They even held the Zeus Academy students hostage and demanded a ransom. Another unspoken rule to avoid too much unnecessary bloodshed. Also a great way to sow discord in between the students and their own academies. Even that tactic was included. Basically, the Gambler academy is demanding a very high ransom that is beyond unreasonable. But the proud sons of the Zeus Academy, do not believe that it is that unreasonable when compared to their own lives.

So, they are angry at the student union of the Zeus Academy or even the administration. Of course, it is not really that effective. It does little damage, but little damage is better than no damage at all.

Dove asked Sam if he is interested in participating in the ransom negotiations and he readily agreed.

The next day, the ransom meeting would be second best thing that's going to happen in the Olympian realm. The meetings were held at early in the morning. Gambler Academy's team only has three people. Crow, Dove and Sam.

The Zeus Academy has over ten. Five from the noble league, five from the Student union, all from various grades. Sam even saw a couple of familiar faces. The demi gods that he swore to torture during his trials of hell.

As they sat at the table, Christos spoke.

"So, we all know that whatever you asked is beyond unacceptable. Now you can bring your real offers and we can talk."

"We don't believe that its too unreasonable. We have ten hostages. One of them is the young master of a notable family within the Noble league. He stands to inherit at least a dozen realms from his father. I am sure, he can let go of one realm from it." Crow replied while still looking at some documents.

As if he wasn't even interested in the ransom meeting.

Christos looked at him and spoke.

"That has nothing to do with his current situation. You are speaking as if his inheritance is guaranteed. We can only give you the ransom based on the current worth of the students. We cannot just pay based on their future potential.

Who knows, he might be a complete idiot and might just get devoured in the family politics."

"That is not what he said though. He personally said, that is worth far too much for the Zeus Academy and that our demand was even a bit petty for his current status.

He said that he is within the top ten of your grade 2 students. I am sure that's status alone warrants the rights over a few planets." Crow replied once again.

Christos gritted his teeth.

"Still, do you really believe what you say? This is not going to be our last negotiation meeting, so you might want to tone it down a bit.

The best we can do for him is the rights over the metal resources in four planets. The planets are in the same realm as the Thunder Star and you are only entitled to the mining resources.

Do remember that you only won a planet against us. You cannot demand outrageously to give out a realm or two just because you caught some weaklings."

"Mining rights of the whole realm. For a decade."

Crow replied ignoring the comments.

"No, four planets, for a decade. I am not moving an inch."

"Then sure, we will keep the captive with us. Let's move on to the next one."

Crow replied and gestured to Sam to proceed.

"No, no, no, wait." One of the seniors broke and looked at Crow.

"We need that man back. We are not moving forward with the negotiations without getting him back."

"Then that means, we are not having a negotiation today." Once again, crow replied. Sam and Dove just followed his lead and stood up along with him.

"Stop." Another senior spoke and turned to the first one.

"If you cannot give them what they want, then they have the right to move on. Just because you cannot get your young master out, do you think the rest should also stay a prisoner? If you are not going to let him out, let us have a shot at getting our people out."

The trio from Gambler's academy watched as the hell was about to break loose. The reason for such a large entourage was because these people were related to the captives and they wanted to take this into their own hands to make sure that Christos doesn't short change them.

They are not here as a single unit and that only makes it easier for the Gambler Academy.

The first senior who spoke noticed the displeasure of his peers. So, he gritted his teeth and spoke.

"I am only allowed this much. Seven planets. Two of them complete authority, including the taxes. The remaining five, mining resources. That is the best we can do."

He directly offered his bottom line.

Crow looked at Sam and the latter nodded.

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