Global Pioener: Earth Second Chance

Rangga stepped out of the warehouse, stretching his shoulders.

"Hmm... I think that's enough for today."

He walked toward the campfire in front of his house.

Beside it sat the earthenware pot he had crafted a few days earlier.

Rangga took several pieces of hunted meat and placed them into the pot with some water. After that, he picked up a handful of dates.

Using his copper knife, he sliced the dates into small pieces before adding them to the stew.

"Maybe it'll taste better this way."

He placed the pot over the campfire, and before long, the water began to boil.

The rich aroma of meat mixed with the natural sweetness of the dates slowly spread around the small house.

While waiting for it to finish cooking, Rangga sat in front of the fire.

His eyes followed the gentle dancing flames as he let out a long sigh.

"Tomorrow... I hope Two-Star Swamp Island finally shows up."

He leaned back on both hands.

"That way I can do everything in one trip... get some clay... and if I'm lucky, maybe I'll find hardwood too..."

"Then I can finally upgrade my buildings."

Rangga smiled to himself as he imagined tomorrow's plan. A few moments later, the stew smelled even better.

He lifted the lid. The meat had become tender, and the broth had turned slightly brown from the dissolved date syrup.

"There we go... It's done."

Rangga poured the stew into an earthenware bowl. He blew on it several times before taking his first bite.

"Mmm... Not bad."

Even with almost no seasoning, the savory meat combined with the subtle sweetness of the dates made it far more delicious than anything he had eaten during his first few days in the Pioneer World.

Under the calm night sky, Rangga slowly enjoyed his dinner. Tomorrow would be another new day. And he hoped his chance to explore the Two-Star Swamp Island would finally come.

On Earth, that night, the main conference room of the Presidential Palace was once again filled with the nation's highest-ranking officials.

At the head of the table, President Prabu chaired the regular meeting that had become standard as the seventh day approached.

Because in just three days, the opportunity to send another message to the Pioneers would become available.

Everyone understood that every word they sent could influence the Pioneers' decisions for the next seven days.

President Prabu opened the discussion.

"Let's begin."

"What message should we send in three days?"

One official raised his hand.

"Mr. President..."

"I propose appointing Rangga as the leader of all Garuda Pioneers."

"He's progressing the fastest."

"He has the most complete information."

"And the other Pioneers are already following his advice."

Several people nodded in agreement. However, General Suryo gently shook his head.

"I don't agree."

Everyone turned toward him.

"It's true that Rangga is advancing the fastest."

"But that doesn't automatically mean he should become the leader."

General Suryo continued,

"Major Deri is currently serving a different role."

"He's become the center of information exchange."

"That role is just as important."

"If all communication depends on a single person..."

"Especially someone who spends every day exploring..."

"Then the flow of information could actually become disrupted."

He paused briefly.

"Let Rangga remain the spearhead of exploration."

"And let Major Deri continue serving as the information coordinator."

"I believe that division of responsibilities is far more effective."

Several attendees nodded and President Prabu also appeared to agree.

"Very well."

"We'll keep the current arrangement."

An analyst then displayed new data on the screen.

"Mr. President... There's another issue."

"Is it possible for the Pioneers to meet each other?"

The room focused on him. The display changed into a map containing data collected from every livestream.

"The possibility exists."

"But as of today, we still can't confirm it."

"Each Pioneer continues receiving different island choices."

"And based on every livestream we've analyzed..."

"We still can't determine the actual coordinates of their islands."

"So we cannot confirm whether they're all in the same world..."

"Or if they're completely separated from one another."

The room fell silent once again. Everyone understood how limited their information still was. President Prabu resumed the discussion.

"In that case... Besides requesting certain resources... What else should we tell them?"

General Suryo raised his hand.

"I have a suggestion."

He looked around the room.

"Before asking them to send more resources..."

"We should first give them news about their families."

Several officials exchanged thoughtful glances. General Suryo continued,

"Tell them their families are safe."

"Tell them the country is taking good care of them."

"Especially Pioneers like Rangga."

"He continues sending valuable resources almost every day."

"We mustn't let them feel that they're only being asked to sacrifice without knowing how their loved ones are doing."

Many people immediately nodded and an analyst added,

"I agree."

"And I'd like to add something."

He opened Rangga's profile.

"Throughout our observations..."

"Rangga's greatest motivation has always been the same."

"His younger sister."

"Based on all of his behavior..."

"We've concluded that her safety is the biggest reason he continues pushing himself."

"If he learns that her life has truly improved..."

"His motivation will most likely become even stronger."

The room nodded in agreement once more.

President Prabu looked around before speaking firmly.

"Very well."

"We'll approve that proposal."

Then he raised one finger.

"But..."

"I don't want it to become nothing more than words on paper."

He turned toward the Cabinet Secretary.

"Immediately prepare a proper house for Putri."

"Assign military personnel to protect her."

"Make sure every one of her daily needs is taken care of."

"Arrange for her to continue her education at the best school available."

"And starting today..."

"Improve her life."

President Prabu paused.

"We're not doing this simply so Rangga keeps sending us resources."

"We're doing it because his sister has become the nation's responsibility..."

"While her brother is risking his life in the Pioneer World."

"We must never repay a Pioneer's sacrifice with empty promises."

"Understood, Mr. President."

Everyone answered in unison. That night, the decision was officially made.

After the discussion regarding the Pioneer message ended, the Minister of Foreign Affairs opened another folder that had been sitting before him.

"Mr. President..."

"There have been developments on the diplomatic front."

President Prabu nodded.

"Go ahead."

The Foreign Minister stood.

"Within the past twelve hours..."

"We've received diplomatic notes from two countries."

"The Green Jaguar Nation and the Golden Lion Nation."

Several officials exchanged glances.

The minister continued.

"Both countries have proposed opening economic and technological cooperation with the Garuda Nation."

He opened the first document.

"The interesting part..."

"The conditions they're offering are actually more favorable to us."

The atmosphere immediately became serious.

"They're offering to eliminate import tariffs on most exports from the Garuda Nation."

"In addition..."

"They're willing to purchase several of our strategic commodities at prices above the international market."

Several ministers looked surprised.

"Those are major concessions."

The Foreign Minister nodded.

"Exactly."

"That's why we conducted a thorough review before bringing this to today's meeting."

President Prabu looked at him.

"What do you think their objective is?"

The minister considered the question before answering.

"Our analysis suggests..."

"They're trying to get closer to the Garuda Nation."

"They want to establish friendly relations from the very beginning."

"And if I had to identify the main reason..."

"It's Rangga."

The room became quiet once more.

He continued,

"Over the past several days..."

"Rangga has become the fastest-developing Pioneer."

"He's also the first Pioneer to consistently send new materials back to Earth."

"Other nations naturally realize that if this continues..."

"The Garuda Nation's position after this global crisis will become significantly stronger than before."

"Because of that..."

"Some countries have decided they'd rather become our partners than our competitors."

President Prabu nodded thoughtfully.

"And your recommendation?"

"I recommend accepting their proposal."

"We need friends."

"And in a rapidly changing world like this..."

"Strong alliances are far more valuable than standing alone."

Several attendees nodded in agreement.

President Prabu closed the folder before him.

"Very well."

"Prepare the necessary procedures."

"We'll accept cooperation with both the Green Jaguar Nation and the Golden Lion Nation."

"Make sure every agreement remains mutually beneficial."

"Yes, Mr. President."

After that, President Prabu turned to the other side of the table.

"Director of Intelligence..."

"What's the latest on the Bald Eagle Nation?"

The Intelligence Director opened his report.

"For the moment..."

"They've remained relatively quiet."

"Since our press conference yesterday, they haven't released any further official statements."

He turned another page.

"Especially after today's livestream..."

"When Rangga chose to send Quartz instead of Saltpeter."

Several people smiled faintly.

The Intelligence Director continued.

"Based on our observations..."

"They now seem even more convinced that the Garuda government truly has no way of directing the Pioneers' decisions."

"Because if we actually could give them instructions..."

"Rangga would never have chosen Quartz when Saltpeter was considered far more strategically valuable."

President Prabu nodded.

"That means our press conference succeeded in easing at least some of their suspicions."

He then gave his decision.

"In that case..."

"Proceed with our cooperation agreements with the Green Jaguar Nation and the Golden Lion Nation."

"And..."

He looked toward the Intelligence Director.

"Continue monitoring every move made by the Bald Eagle Nation."

"Don't let your guard down."

"We hope relations between nations remain peaceful."

"But we must also be prepared if the situation changes."

The Intelligence Director nodded firmly.

"Yes, Mr. President."

The meeting continued.

Outside the conference room, a new era of global diplomacy was quietly beginning to take shape.