125. The Race for Vanadium

Earth — Bald Eagle Nation

That same night, while the Garuda Pioneers were gathered on Deri’s private island, the atmosphere inside one of the Bald Eagle Nation’s government buildings was far more serious.

The meeting room was filled with several senior staff members and government officials. A large screen displayed a report on Garuda’s economic condition following the embargo.

President Ethan sat at the head of the table, reading the report that had just been handed to him.

“So,” he finally said, “our embargo failed?”

A staff member across the table nodded.

“Not yet successful, Mr. President. The impact was certainly felt at the beginning of the embargo, but Garuda’s economy has begun stabilizing again. In fact, several sectors are now growing.”

Ethan frowned.

“Why?”

The staff member changed the display on the screen. Several trade reports and production charts appeared.

“There is one product that has become a major factor.”

“What product?”

“Vanadium batteries.”

The room immediately fell somewhat silent, and Ethan leaned back in his chair.

“Vanadium?”

“Yes, Mr. President. The product is being produced through cooperation between Garuda, Green Jaguar, and Golden Lion. According to the reports we’ve obtained, the battery has a very high energy density and could become a strategic product for vehicles and energy storage.”

Ethan stared at the screen for a moment.

“Have we obtained a sample?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

The staff member opened the next report.

“We dismantled it and conducted reverse engineering.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

“Can we make it?”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Is it that difficult?”

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“Not particularly. In principle, it’s almost the same as the batteries we already produce. The main differences are in the materials and component configuration.”

Ethan nodded slowly.

“Then make it.”

Several staff members exchanged glances before Ethan continued firmly.

“We’ll make a competing product. If Garuda can sell Vanadium batteries on the world market, then so can we.”

A staff member who had remained silent finally spoke.

“The problem is the raw material, Mr. President.”

Ethan turned toward him.

“Vanadium?”

“Yes. Vanadium reserves on Earth are limited. We can manufacture the batteries, but we don’t have enough raw material to produce them on a large scale.”

Ethan tapped his fingers against the table.

“There’s no other source?”

The staff member shook his head.

“At least none that we know of that can be economically exploited on a large scale.”

Another staff member sitting at the side of the table then spoke.

“In that case... we may need the Pioneers.”

Ethan looked at him. The staff member opened several old recordings from the Pioneer world, displaying clips that had previously circulated across various networks.

“Based on our observations of Pioneer activity over the past several weeks, we’ve found a pattern.”

Several images were enlarged. An island with vast grasslands, followed by recordings of Garuda Pioneers conducting mining operations.

Then several other video clips showing battles against Mechanical Ankylosauruses.

“Garuda Pioneers frequently travel to Savannah Island,” he continued. “At first, we assumed they were simply looking for ordinary resources. But after reports about Vanadium battery production emerged, we cross-referenced the recordings.”

Ethan began to understand.

“Vanadium.”

“That is our suspicion, Mr. President.”

The staff member pointed to one of the recordings.

“Some of their expeditions were even carried out despite the presence of Mechanical Ankylosauruses in the area. They seem willing to take the risk because the value of the resource is extremely high.”

Ethan leaned back and sighed.

“High danger, high reward.”

No one answered. Ethan stared at the screen for several seconds before finally making his decision.

“If Vanadium is there, then that’s where we’ll get it.”

“With the Pioneers?”

“Yes.”

He looked at the staff members around the table.

“We’ll ask our own Pioneers for help. Find out who is capable of obtaining Vanadium from Savannah Island.”

One of the staff members immediately began writing down the order.

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“And don’t limit it to our own Pioneers.”

Ethan paused for a moment.

“Send that information to our entire alliance.”

The staff member raised his head.

“The entire alliance?”

“Yes.”

Ethan’s voice turned colder.

“Our problem with Garuda isn’t over yet.”

The room fell silent again.

He didn't need to explain any further. Everyone in the room knew about the incident that had become the source of tension between the two nations.

One of their Pioneers had died after confronting Garuda Pioneers and Rangga’s mechanical animal.

“That incident is still a problem for us,” Ethan continued. “So if they want to take the same resources, we also need to show them that they aren’t the only ones who have control over that territory.”

A staff member nodded.

“When should the instructions be sent?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

Another staff member checked the communication schedule.

“If we send it tomorrow, the Pioneers will receive the message during the next communication cycle.”

Ethan nodded.

“Good.”

He rose from his chair.

“Prepare everything. If Vanadium really is the key to developing our battery industry, we cannot allow Garuda to monopolize that resource.”

The staff members began gathering the documents.

Outside the room, the night continued as usual. Meanwhile, in the Pioneer world, Rangga was complaining to his friends about a burned-out Hijack Device.

Without their knowledge, a new decision had just been made on Earth.

Go to Savannah Island and obtain Vanadium.