Babalu, standing two and a half meters tall, was not only one of the tallest Lumina people but also a rare strongman among them, with a torso and four arms more than one and a half times the size of an average member of his race.
Therefore, he didn't resemble a bipedal praying mantis but rather a bipedal longhorn beetle, appearing quite imposing.
Coupled with an oval head covered in shiny black carapace, he clearly looked like a person of importance.
In a classical adventure novel, this appearance would be enough to make him a boss.
…In fact, it was true.
A few years ago, a film crew from the Solar System claimed they were in the Far Shore Nebula to shoot a music video, and the director immediately took a liking to Babalu, crying and begging him to return to Earth with him.
The director, who spoke with a delicate hand gesture, said that if Babalu went to Earth, he would surely become a classic villain, or even a classic tough guy, on screen within a few years.
It's worth noting that in this aesthetically diverse universe, such a sharp, tough, and insect-like physique is actually very popular in entertainment.
This was much more profitable than his meager salary guarding Maple City and Red Maple Factory!
Babalu was deeply moved, then unhesitatingly rejected the director.
He genuinely wasn't rejecting the director because he, a man, constantly spoke in a soft voice with a delicate hand gesture, which he found unappealing; rather, he truly didn't want to leave his hometown.
“Leaving my hometown now would make me a cowardly runaway, wouldn’t it?” Babalu said.
“I think you’re putting too much pressure on yourself!” His good friend, Buska, one of the youngest Engineers at the factory, said, “If you really left, everyone would actually bless you.”
Perhaps!
But even with the blessings of hundreds of thousands of people in the entire city, I can't just leave.
Babalu smiled bitterly and shook his head—of course, the facial nerves of the Lumina people cannot produce a bitter smile expression, but his friend still sensed his emotions.
If he continued to carry such emotions, it would not be good when negotiating business later.
He still needed to cheer this guy up.
So, Buska handed Babalu a large serving tray, which was today's breakfast.
Everyone is a bipedal carbon-based mammal—yes, although the Lumina people look like large praying mantises, they are indeed mammals—so the carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins they need to consume are the same.
It's just that human and Lumina tongues are different after all, and their perception of taste is naturally also different.
The Lumina people's favorite seasoning is the local planet's black spear grass, but humans find that stuff even more horrifying than stir-fried croton seeds with coptis.
However, Buska still prepared a breakfast for Babalu that was quite delicious from the Lumina people's perspective.
“Buska, if you were a Lumina, I would definitely marry you!” Babalu was very touched.
“I’m a man!” Buska shouted.
He was actually a medium-built, dark-skinned, muscular, and capable Earth youth, also with a tough-guy style, clearly a very impressive working-class man.
“Sorry, I can’t tell.” Babalu chuckled, then gulped down the black spear grass and sweet potato mixed rice.
After a few large bites, a boiled Dinosaur Bird egg rolled out from under the food.
This thing was larger than a goose egg, and although it had a slightly fishy taste and a rather coarse texture, it was a rare protein supplement for everyone.
“This…”
“Uncle Xia Xiake from East City took people into the mountains two days ago and found a bird's nest.
He specifically brought this for you to nourish your body.”
“Buska, you know the rules.” Babalu’s face darkened, but looking at his friend’s pleading eyes, he ultimately didn’t scold him.
Instead, he picked up the Dinosaur Bird egg, washed it clean, and placed it on a clean plate.
“Later, send it to the kindergarten.”
“It was sent early!
All the meat and eggs Uncle Xia Xiake got were sent to the kindergarten and schools.
The children voluntarily saved this for you.”
Babalu looked at Buska next to him, seeing that the latter was staring blankly at the boiled egg, his throat seemingly twitching.
He no longer hesitated, picked up the Dinosaur Bird egg, and shoved it into the other person's mouth.
The strong man Buska, in front of Babalu, who was two and a half meters tall and resembled a bipedal longhorn beetle, was still utterly defenseless.
He was force-fed a mouthful of Dinosaur Bird egg, so much that tears came to his eyes, and it took him a long time to swallow it.
“I ate it last week!” Babalu said.
Buska was speechless for a moment, only giving his friend a middle finger without a word.
After dinner, the two went to the Red Maple Factory’s reception room.
The luxurious office, originally belonging to the boss, was left untouched by the workers, so an activity room in the office building was cleaned, and some furniture was handmade and placed inside, serving as a temporary reception area.
Compared to reception rooms adorned with modern furniture and decor, this one seemed to have a rustic charm.
The Lumina tribal representatives from the Great Southern Lake and the Eastern Great Plains, however, didn't react much.
On the contrary, for these traditional Lumina people who still maintained a slash-and-burn lifestyle, all the scenes in Maple City and Red Maple Factory were exotic sights, and they were always happy to see them each time they visited.
As for the military representative from the General Headquarters, a Lieutenant officer around forty years old, he did not deliberately conceal his arrogant expression.
Babalu saw all their reactions but didn't care, getting straight to the point.
“How much grain can you send this time?” He asked the representative from the Eastern Plains.
This was a Lumina strongman with a reddish-brown carapace, wearing iron armor and a cloak.
He seemed to be a man of few words, directly extending three hands towards Babalu, showing ten fingers.
Lumina people have four fingers on each hand, but this fellow was clearly a man with a story, as he was missing one finger on two of his hands, and it looked very much like they had been severed by a sharp weapon.
“What do you want to exchange for?”
“The shovels and hammers we exchanged for last time, we want five hundred sets of each this time!”
Babalu felt this trade was acceptable.
This way, the basic rations for the entire city's population for the next month could be guaranteed.
“And you?” He then looked at the representative from the Great Southern Lake.
“Five ships!” said this relatively shorter Lumina representative.
He had a lake-blue carapace, wore a stylish coat, and had precious metal ornaments on his wrists and neck.
Babalu was also satisfied.
This way, he could organize the female workers in the city to make winter clothes for everyone.
“The pump we bought last time is broken!” the Southerner said.
“I’ll have an Engineer go and check it for you.”
“I’ll take someone and make a trip.” Buska, who was listening in, said, “I can definitely fix it.”
The Southerner then added, “Also, we need another set of that type of pump.
And, at least three ship-loads of rebar!”
Babalu thought for a moment: “I can only give you two ships temporarily; the remaining ship will have to wait until next month.”
The other party also thought for a moment and found it acceptable.
Thus, the transaction between the Lumina people was completed.
It sounded remarkably smooth, but in reality, if Babalu hadn't been Present, these representatives of the major Lumina tribes would have been incredibly difficult to deal with.
This worker leader in Maple City also held considerable prestige among the various Lumina tribes.
His formidable strength was one aspect, but more importantly, it was his magnanimous and fair way of doing things.
The so-called “Fair Babalu” was a well-known name on this green planet.
This was probably one of the reasons Babalu felt his hometown couldn't do without him.
Then, it was the matter between Red Maple Factory and the military representative.
“The encirclement at the front has been completed, and a general assault is about to be launched!
So we need support from the rear!
I will give you a list later.” The military representative said.
He paused, then added, “Don’t worry, we know the current difficulties of the factory, so these are all parts that can be produced now!”
“Aren’t the military supplies for the front being sent from New Seville?” Buska frowned.
“This is also for everyone’s good!” The military representative said in a high-sounding tone.
Seeing that both Babalu and Buska were somewhat puzzled, he then added with a tone of disappointment, “Who are we attacking?
The Lumina Rebels!
Lumina people account for over sixty percent in this factory and this city!
Wouldn’t your support better demonstrate your attitude towards this matter?
Then you won’t have to worry about external criticism in the future.”
The short-tempered Buska was enraged, standing up abruptly as if to curse, but Babalu, who looked even fiercer, calmly held his friend down and said seriously, “Okay, then when will you pay the deposit?”
“Deposit?” The other party was startled, then also became angry: “This is conscription!
Do you understand conscription?
Have you learned this word?
Repeat after me, con-scrip-tion…”
“I understand.
But, Commander, for conscription, don’t we need a military order?
At the very least, a notification from the Frontier Military District Command HQ!
But I have nothing.”
“Red Maple Factory is military property!
Do you understand that the military situation is urgent?
All the factory buildings, equipment, resources, and even you, are the army’s property!
In an emergency, you must obey the orders of the local war zone Command HQ!”
“But Red Maple Factory has been restructured!” Babalu said, “The military and local government only own forty percent.
The remaining sixty percent is owned by private investors and all the workers.”
“Nonsense, what do you mean ‘all the workers’?”
“At least the old Minister promised that, and there’s a contract.”
That was just a so-called “gentleman’s agreement” written on a stone tablet, with no legal effect.
The military representative wanted to say that, but it was indeed historical evidence left by the nation's founding martyrs, and he truly didn't dare to speak out carelessly.
“When private investors are not Present, the entire factory is organized by the workers themselves.” Babalu thought for a moment, then added, “Moreover, Red Maple Factory does have a small parts production line now, but it’s all been put together by us workers over the Past few years.
Theoretically, it doesn't belong to the original Red Maple Factory; it’s everyone’s property… So, you have to follow market rates!”
“No, no, you’re wrong!
That’s not how the accounts are calculated.” The Lieutenant-ranked representative showed a friendly smile, counting on his fingers, slowly bargaining, as if he were an old accountant who had spent his entire life in finance but could never pass the CPA exam.
The two sides argued for half an hour but made no decisive progress.
The Lieutenant stated that this was for the front line, for victory, and for the long-term peace and stability of the entire Lumina.
Babalu, on the other hand, stated that he had to give at least something, no matter what, for the livelihood of the entire city.
Clearly, no matter how friendly the military representative's attitude was at the Present, his bottom line had long been clear—no money, not a single cent.
“I’ll be back!” the military representative said.
“No matter how many times you come, the result will be the same: you have to pay a deposit!” Babalu said.
“I’ll bring people!” the military representative said again, his tone seemingly less friendly.
“No matter how many people you bring, the result will be the same; I am responsible for everyone in the factory!” Babalu did not back down.
Thus, they could only part ways unhappily.
Afterward, Buska was a little worried and discussed, “I can lead everyone to work overtime; we can still rush those things out!”
Babalu, however, shook his head: “If he pays, I’ll work overtime with you all!”
He was actually a little worried too, but thinking that two out of the three businesses today had been completed, and everyone had enough reserve grain and winter clothing materials for next month, he was still very happy.
After seeing Buska off, he changed into his work clothes, ready to start work.
Babalu was currently the worker leader of the factory, but he always considered this just a part-time job; his true main job was the squad leader of Miner Squad 3.
Just as he walked out of his office, he was called again.
“More guests?
Over at Warehouse 3?
Smugglers?
Arms dealers?
Or fugitives?”
“Yes, yes… It seems to be Big Brother Kermo!” The other person said cautiously.
Babalu was slightly startled, then glared fiercely at the other person, making them wish they could shrink into a corner and never come out again.
Immediately after, a troubled expression appeared on the young worker leader's face, even more troubled than when he had dealt with the military representative earlier.
