Chapter 656 23. There is a third option besides loyalty and betrayal, let’s start fishing
"How is it? Does it taste good?"
Mason walked into the ecosystem next to the ruins of the city, stepped on the comfortable grass and said to the people from the motherland who were following him, holding a glass of milk in their hands and drinking from a straw:
"I added some medicinal materials according to different flavors. What you are drinking now can stimulate the secretion of dopamine and make people feel happy. The best thing is that this thing has no addiction.
I can give you the recipe if you need it. ”
"No, no need."
Although the taste of milk is indeed very good, Azu still said expressionlessly:
"Don't try to get close to me! I know who you are, and I think you also know what will happen in a while. I will not show mercy."
"No need. If I can't deal with you, then there's no need for me to pretend to be firm and brave and come alone."
Mason waved his hand, not caring about the hostility in the words of his motherland.
He looked at the experimental base established in the ecological zone in front of him, stamped his feet again, and said to Azu:
"This is where Doom used to produce super mutants, right? If I guess correctly, you should also be a product of this project. The No. 5 compound in your body has become complete. It seems that Doom hired you. Here to protect his secret.
Can you tell me the whole process of how you met him? ”
"Do I have any obligation to answer your curiosity?"
The proud motherland man snorted, took a sip of yogurt-flavored milk, licked his lips and said:
"Besides, that's not something that makes people feel happy. Compared to this, I think given your current situation, you should be more concerned about the safety of yourself and the frosty lady before, right?
You don't look like a prey that has stepped into a trap now. To be honest, I'm starting to doubt whether the big man's plan will work. ”
"Safety is my problem, let me think about it."
Mason waved his hands and asked while continuing to move forward:
"Your own strength, coupled with the enhancement of the second-improved No. 5 compound, makes you no weaker than a real Kryptonian. Don't you want to join the Conquerors to achieve a career?
The good days of burning, killing and looting everywhere should be in line with your mentality of wanting to be noticed, and your character of not wanting to be suppressed and wanting to release all your desires, right?
As your famous saying goes, you can do whatever you want."
"Hey!"
Mason's words seemed to bring back some bad memories of his motherland. He interrupted Mason with a scolding to continue describing the embarrassing incident, but then he said suspiciously:
"You seem to be very familiar with me, isn't that right? Since this world was taken over by the God King, everything here has been kept secret. We are employed by Doom as both staff and security personnel here, but we have never stepped out of here. , nor participated in any action of the Council
You're not supposed to know this! ”
"Just think that I have some magical talent."
The captain winked at the people of the motherland and handed over another bottle of milk that exuded a strange smell. He said:
"So Doom is here to test his mutant abilities? The ruins outside and the entire almost-razed world were caused by those super mutants testing themselves?
What about Watt Corporation? Is it gone too? ”
Azu wanted to refuse, but his nose moved, and his keen senses allowed him to immediately realize that the smell in front of him was his favorite "flavor".
He hesitated for a moment, but did not reject the desire surging in his heart. He reached out and took it, took a sip, and let out a satisfied moan. Then he wiped his mouth and whispered to Mason:
"It's long gone. Doom and the Council did not conquer this place through war. They discovered this place fifteen years ago, but in a very clever and cunning way.
They joined the Vought Company as partners, and Doom even stayed here for a period of time. After making progress in the research on Compound No. 5, he quickly seized control. Later, the company's executives realized that Doom was coming. No good, they originally wanted to kill Doom through assassination.
But that directly triggered a war between professional heroes, and the result was quite tragic. Not many people survived, but Doom gave us the opportunity to strengthen our strength, but the price was that we had to stay in these ruins forever.
They even sent away all the civilians and left us in this damn prison. ”
"The resentment is very heavy, Azu."
Mason collected enough information, and before walking into the main building of the research facility in front of him, he whispered to the people of his motherland:
"Do you know why they invited me here, and why they made such a big show of insisting on killing me?"
"I've heard some rumors."
Azu squinted his eyes while drinking milk with a strange taste and said:
"I heard that you have done incredible things and made the council feel afraid, but you don't look like it. To be honest, putting you and Ms. Xilia together, you are like a little follower.
< br>
Just like Huey and Starlight who were strangled to death by me in the professional hero battle. Hey, little puppies. ”
"They fear me because I can give them another way out. I think you also need another way out."
Mason smiled at Azu and said softly:
"But no matter what the result is, your hard labor will end today. The world is probably going to end, but what can I say? If you are not sure that they can win, you shouldn't be so anxious and put everything on yourself. .
Although your wisdom is stubborn, it is much better than that of Kryptonians. I believe you can understand what I mean. ”
"You want to instigate rebellion against me?"
Azu snorted and said:
"How long have we met?"
"No, I'm not trying to instigate you. I just hope you can look at the problem more rationally. Betrayal and fishing are two different concepts, but they can achieve the same purpose in some cases."
Mason shrugged and said:
"If you need more reasons to help you make a decision, there is something wrong with the milk you drank. I put something in it. You dare to drink whatever I give you. You are really big-hearted."
< br>
"My stomach is not that fragile!"
The people of the motherland sneered and said:
"The fact that I dare to drink means that I am not afraid."
"Well you'd better be afraid."
Mason showed a mysterious smile, waved goodbye to Azu and said:
"Talk to your friends. You have to believe in collective wisdom rather than individual bravery. Your face doesn't seem to look good. Do you feel abdominal pain?
Don't be afraid, this is normal for people who are poisoned.
There is still some time before we fight, so go find a doctor quickly, but if you want to recover immediately, it is better to think about the few words I just said.
This is not your war.
Your life is your own, why waste your blood on things that are not worth it? ”
After saying that, Mason strode into the building in front of him, leaving only the motherland man standing there clenching his fists. However, the pain in his abdomen became more and more severe, and he was overwhelmed by the sonic boom and took off towards the building. The nearest bathroom.
Azu transformed into Jet Superman in a few seconds.
It felt so sour.
A few minutes later, with the crisp sound of the elevator reaching the top floor, Mason walked into a very elegantly furnished hall. The fully open structure allowed excellent lighting. A white piano was placed in the center, and Old A was speaking. Sitting at the piano, he presses the keys in a very immersive manner, letting the intense music flow out with his movements.
There is no third person in the entire hall.
Mason did not immediately step forward to interrupt him. Instead, he found a chair and sat on it, listening intently as the music slid from its climax to its end.
This scene is quite interesting.
A one-eyed and fierce black braised egg plays for his subordinates and ideological opponents with the temperament of an artist, making this look less like a prelude to a life-and-death fight and more like a friendly negotiation.
The sunlight outside the hall was quickly blocked, and a silent drizzle fell among the clouds, which turned into a majestic downpour in a few seconds. Mason could feel the rain wherever it touched when he closed his eyes. Subtle changes in the world.
It seems that everything is normal, but it is impossible to guess what kind of destructive energy is gestating in the darkness under the earth.
Ciri was not found.
She should be somewhere in the building. Judging from the hostility shown by Azu just now, it seems that the defense forces here have regarded Mason and Ciri as high-risk enemies.
"I'm sorry to have you come here this way."
As the last notes fell, Old A opened his eyes, leaned against the piano and picked up the wine on the piano lid. He said to Mason in a very relaxed manner:
"But you also have to understand my difficulties. In this situation, I know that nothing I say can win your trust, and I really hope to resolve the conflict between us through a conversation."
< br>
"You can go on, but we both know it means nothing."
Mason also leaned on the chair in a very relaxed posture, with his left hand on the back of the chair, his legs folded and looking sideways at Old A in front of him, he said:
"I'm not an opponent that can be solved with words, and neither are you, so, you see, I don't intend to waste any more words. But you can continue to try, Ciri, okay?"
"She's fine, better than ever."
Old A stood up and took the wine and walked to the front glass wall. He looked at the world shrouded in lightless rain. It was like the sky was leaking, and countless water streams were falling from high places, as if he was venting some kind of emotion. anger.
He took a sip of the amber wine and said to Mason without looking back while admiring the rain scene:
"When I handed her the soul stones of Mr. Geralt and Ms. Yennefer, I even saw tears in her eyes. It was the reunion after seventeen years of separation.
Of course, I have to emphasize in advance that this is not a conspiracy on my part.
I also thought they were dead, killed in a stupid trial by the Council seventeen years ago, but Mephisto hid their souls.
That's the devil's modus operandi.
He hopes to see you and I fighting here, like beasts that are so angry that they have lost their minds and just want to pierce their fangs into each other's blood vessels. It is best to end up dying together.
That way, one of his stars would be removed, and one less person on the council would be holding him back.
Mason, you are a sensible person. You should know that if we really go to the stage of fighting, it will only benefit a third party. ”
"I didn't shoot you as soon as I came in, right?"
Mason responded:
"Perhaps you can give me a way to save the irreversible cooperative relationship between us. In addition, isn't Doom here? He so generously gave you his secret base as a cemetery to bury me, but he was unwilling to Show up here and shovel the first shovel of soil to bury me with your own hands?”
"Doom is forging the Doomstar, it's already in shape and just needs the final polish."
Old A took a sip of wine, turned around and said to Mason:
"The star that condenses all my thoughts about the end of the world and the future has taken shape, which represents the fruits of my seventeen years of hard work.
I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. I actually wanted to make the Fourth Impact appear before it happened, so as to express an idea I wanted to express to you.
That is, I am not as sad as you think.
Apart from being a conspirator as you think of me, I am actually advancing my plan down-to-earth.
But you ruined it.
You ruthlessly destroyed the hopes of others while taking out your own answer sheet. This shows that you are not an absolutely good person in the true sense. I was very angry for a time.
But something Doom said reminded me. ”
Luodan paused and said to Mason who listened to him attentively:
"The end of the world is a question, but it has more than one answer, and there is no single correct solution. The Council tried its best to expand its power to many galaxies, but the universe is very big, and every There are so many unknown things in the sea of stars.
Among the stars in the sky, you and I are not the only ones working hard to survive. What I mean is that the fusion plan and the Doomsday Star are the answers to the change of the universe by those of us who survive.
Why must there be a distinction between high and low?
How about shaking hands and making peace? ”
Old A suggested:
"To reach a deal or make an exchange, just use your previous thoughts and don't push the matter into the final and cruelest zero-sum game. We can each take a step back.
You go and complete the fusion of your worlds, while we continue to forge and perfect our final star.
Don't interfere with each other.
With this consensus, we can discuss some more in-depth topics, such as Mephisto, the devil who wants to play with you.
I guess he's watching this right now, even watching our conversation and expecting to see a bloodbath.
But you and I are not fools who want to be used as weapons. We should work together to kill him. Anyway, in this situation, the acceleration of the impact indicates that the situation has reached its final moments.
There is not much time left for you and us, so don't waste this precious possibility on stabbing each other. ”
He looked at Mason who said nothing and said:
"I can even give you the leadership of the Quint Society. According to our bet, you will take charge of this organization on my behalf, allocate these resources and acquire more allies.
In this way, your integration plan will advance faster and more smoothly.
Look, it's not bad for you at all. ”
"It really surprised me."
Mason looked at Old A and said:
"I never thought these words would come out of your mouth. Submission, bowing your head, and admitting defeat never seemed like a choice you made.
It seems that I did misunderstand you. You invited me here not only to bury me, but also to really expect cooperation.
Although you have been hiding some truths that I don't know, your eager and frank attitude still makes me feel uneasy, Old A.
Can I ask why? ”
"This is good for both you and me. Isn't this reason enough?"
Fury said:
"Think about it. After our cooperation, our power has greatly increased. Mephisto can only close his eyes and wait for death. I can mobilize the high-end power of the entire council to help you save Ciri's life.
You know, she is Mephisto's best weapon to contain you.
You've created a fatal weakness in yourself, but we can help you bridge it. ”
"No! There's something wrong with your attitude."
Mason shook his head and said:
"This weird grudge between you and Mephisto happened a little too fast. There must be something I don't know about. Wait!"
The captain stood up suddenly. He stared at old A and said:
"Left hand! Open your sleeve and let me see your left arm!" (End of Chapter)