71. The Price of Vanadium
That night, the meeting room at the Garuda Presidential Office was once again filled with the country’s top officials. Large screens continued displaying various data that was constantly being updated from Pioneer reports, while several analysts were busy compiling a list of the nation’s needs for the third message, which would be sent the following morning.
General Suryo stood in front of the main screen, pointing at a logistics list that was already beginning to fill with check marks.
“Looking at our current progress, our priorities are starting to shift.”
The analysts immediately paid attention.
“At first, we focused on requesting raw materials because our industries were not yet operational... But things are different now.”
He pointed toward the metal production section.
“We already have smelting capacity. So it would be much more efficient if the Pioneers sent us finished metal ingots.”
One of the analysts nodded.
“Agreed, General. If they are still in ore form, we have to spend additional time and fuel smelting them ourselves.”
Another analyst added,
“Especially iron ingots. Demand from the construction division continues to rise. The same goes for copper ingots.”
President Prabu, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
“What about coal?”
A logistics officer immediately opened the national energy inventory data.
“Our reserves are still safe for the time being, Sir. However, consumption has increased quite sharply.”
“Especially now that several smelting plants are operating at full capacity.”
He pointed at a graph that was slowly declining.
“If possible, we recommend that the Pioneers also start sending coal.”
“Not in small quantities if possible... The more, the better. Coal will become one of the main energy sources for our industries going forward.”
General Suryo nodded in agreement.
“That would also reduce our consumption of firewood. We can redirect the wood toward construction.”
President Prabu leaned back in his chair.
“Alright... So for tomorrow’s message...”
He looked at everyone around the table.
“First, there will still be a message from their families. That remains unchanged. Second...”
He lightly tapped his fingers against the table.
“We begin directing the shipments toward logistics.”
A secretary immediately took notes.
“Top priority: metal ingots, specifically iron ingots and copper ingots. If possible, other processed materials that are ready for use.”
“Next priority... coal. The more, the better.”
Several analysts reopened the national needs data, making sure no critical sector had been overlooked before the third message was sent the following morning.
The meeting room once again filled with the sounds of discussion. This time, the conversation was far more detailed than before. Analysts took turns presenting lists of supplies to be included in the third message, while several staff members continued updating logistics data received from various ministries.
The atmosphere was suddenly interrupted when one of the communications staff members stood from his seat.
“Mr. President.”
Everyone in the room turned toward him.
“We have an incoming call from the Green Jaguar Nation.”
Several people exchanged glances.
“Green Jaguar?”
President Prabu nodded.
“Connect it.”
“Yes, Sir.”
A few seconds later, the main screen in the meeting room switched to a video call.
The President of the Green Jaguar Nation appeared on the screen.
“Good evening, President Prabu. My apologies for interrupting your meeting this late at night.”
“But there is information we believe is extremely important and needs to be conveyed immediately.”
President Prabu responded calmly.
“Good evening. Please, go ahead. What information do you have?”
The Green Jaguar President gestured toward someone behind him.
A few seconds later, footage from Mayor Deri and Andre’s live broadcast appeared on the screen. The recording stopped precisely when the two of them were observing the mechanical Ankylosaurus guarding a mine.
The Green Jaguar President pointed toward the image.
“The Garuda Nation’s Pioneers may have discovered one of the most valuable mines in that new world.”
President Prabu frowned.
“What do you mean?”
On the other side of the screen, several Green Jaguar analysts began displaying simulations and enlarged images of the metallic deposits visible behind the Ankylosaurus.
“We estimate that the mine contains vanadium.”
The Garuda meeting room erupted into quiet whispers.
President Prabu still did not understand where this was going.
“Vanadium? What does that have to do with anything?”
The Green Jaguar President nodded slowly.
“Before I explain further, allow me to send you our latest research report.”
A digital file was immediately sent through the intergovernmental communication channel.
One of Garuda’s technology specialists immediately opened it on a secondary screen.
The room fell silent again as several minutes passed while the experts read through the report.
They went through page after page until one of the technology analysts finally stood.
“Mr. President.”
He turned toward President Prabu.
“This report contains the results of their development of vanadium-based batteries.”
He enlarged one of the pages.
“This technology has a significantly higher energy storage capacity.”
“It also has a longer lifespan. In addition, it is more stable and environmentally friendly than the battery technologies currently in use.”
President Prabu studied the information carefully.
“And?”
The analyst opened the next page.
“The problem is... They do not have access to the raw material. Vanadium.”
“That has been the biggest obstacle to developing this technology.”
President Prabu shifted his attention back to the video screen.
“So... What exactly do you want?”
The Green Jaguar President answered without hesitation.
“Our Pioneers have not yet managed to reach ship level three. We have no access to that region.”
He paused before continuing.
“Therefore... We would like to propose a partnership with the Garuda Nation.”
“If the Garuda Pioneers successfully obtain vanadium from that mine, we are prepared to fully cooperate in developing this battery technology.”
The room fell silent once again, and President Prabu did not answer immediately. He looked toward his analysts and advisers.
Several people began discussing quietly among themselves, calculating the potential benefits and risks of the proposal.
President Prabu then turned back toward the screen.
“Alright... Give us some time to discuss this. After that, I will contact you again.”
The Green Jaguar President nodded.
“Of course. We will await your decision.”
As soon as the video call ended, the meeting room immediately filled with discussion. Several officials even stood from their seats while reopening the report that had just been sent by the Green Jaguar Nation.
“Is this serious?”
One of the officials turned toward the analysis team.
“Are these research results really accurate?”
The head of the technology analysis team nodded firmly.
“Yes... This is not merely theoretical.”
He enlarged several pages of the report on the main screen.
“Their entire technological design has already been completed. The simulations have been conducted. Laboratory testing has also been completed... There is only one thing they cannot do.”
He tapped the final section of the report.
“Mass production, because they do not have vanadium.”
The room fell silent again, and another analyst added,
“If this report is accurate, vanadium-based batteries have a significantly greater energy storage capacity than current battery technology.”
“Furthermore, they have a longer lifespan and much higher efficiency. The only problem is the raw material.”
President Prabu folded his arms.
“How confident are you that this report is accurate?”
A technology expert flipped through several more pages before answering.
“Very confident. Their research is already in its final stages. They only need to implement it.”
“All the necessary testing has been completed. Vanadium is the only requirement they have been unable to fulfill.”
The room became lively again.
“Then this is a huge opportunity.”
“We cannot let another country get there first.”
“If it really works...”
Various opinions began emerging from all sides of the meeting table.
General Suryo, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke.
“Then in my opinion, this information should be shared with our Pioneers.”
President Prabu slowly shook his head.
“Deri chose to avoid that area. That means the threat is significant.”
He recalled the live broadcast they had just watched.
“Even during dinner tonight, they themselves said they were not ready. We cannot force them.”
Several participants offered their opinions again.
“But if another country gets there first...”
“We could lose this opportunity.”
“Vanadium is too valuable.”
President Prabu spoke again in a calm voice.
“Doesn’t the resource island disappear once its time limit expires?”
The room gradually became quiet again.
“And when it reappears... Its location will change. That means no country can monopolize that mine forever.”
Several analysts immediately nodded.
“That’s true. Every time the island appears, it will become a new opportunity.”
General Suryo added,
“The main problem isn’t the location of the mine... It’s the creature guarding it.”
He looked at the screen, which still displayed the image of the mechanical Ankylosaurus.
“Even Rangga himself isn’t sure he can defeat it, let alone the other Pioneers.”
The debate continued for several minutes before President Prabu finally raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.
“Alright... We’ll take the middle ground.”
Everyone immediately paid attention.
“Tomorrow, we will share this information about vanadium with our Pioneers. However, the decision to obtain it will be entirely up to them.”
“No coercion. If they determine that they are not strong enough yet, then they will not do it. Their safety remains our priority.”
General Suryo nodded first.
“That is the wisest decision.”
A short while later, all the participants agreed.
Not long afterward, the communication link with the Green Jaguar Nation was reopened.
The Green Jaguar President appeared on the screen again, and President Prabu immediately conveyed the result of the meeting.
“We will share the information about vanadium with our Pioneers.”
“However, the decision to obtain it will remain entirely in their hands. We will not force them.”
The Green Jaguar President nodded in understanding.
“That is a reasonable decision. We also do not want any Pioneers to lose their lives for the sake of this technology.”
He smiled faintly before continuing.
“However, if the vanadium is successfully obtained, please contact us immediately so that this research partnership can begin as soon as possible.”
President Prabu nodded in return.
“I understand. Hopefully, the cooperation between the Garuda Nation and the Green Jaguar Nation will grow even stronger.”
The Green Jaguar President smiled.
“I hope so as well. If this research can truly be brought to fruition, our two nations will become pioneers of next-generation battery technology.”
President Prabu returned the smile.
“Let us make it happen together.”
The communication link ended for the second time that night, leaving behind a new hope: that international cooperation would not only help them survive, but also become the beginning of a major technological leap in this transformed world.