Chapter 51 Persuasion
After the brief meeting, Soshyan asked to discuss some important topics with Captain Hodges in a private setting, and Loken also participated.
After the confused Hodges followed Soshyan to his personal conference room, Loken immediately stated their intention, which surprised Hodges and was very shocking.
An Astartes Chapter actually wants to embezzle the navy's property. This matter is considered a rebellion at the most serious level.
Hodges did not answer immediately, just silent.
During this process, Soshyan remained silent and just looked at him.
Hodges was even convinced at one point that he would die from any move the warrior made.
He is not a coward. No one can be promoted to his rank while having cowardice flowing in his veins, especially as a civilian, he has won many wars.
But he still flinched at the roar of Soshyan's power armor joints with every slight movement, and his organs shrank in horror at the loud bang the helmet made on the table.
Suddenly, the Space Marine commander turned around with a full sense of oppression, occupied the other end of the cabin, and distanced himself from him.
The feeling that death was close at hand finally subsided, but it was not far away. It was replaced by a certainty that once the true thoughts in his heart were narrated, he would not be able to leave this room alive.
Hodges was not unarmed, but the idea of drawing his pistol in order to protect himself was a cold and absurd self-comfort; using his laser pistol on a Space Marine was tantamount to shooting at a Space Marine. Land Raiders throw stones.
Loken easily poured a cup of tea from the closet and handed it to Soshyan, and then poured another cup to Hodges.
"Hodges, you know me. I am not a person who will betray the Empire and the Machine God. The choice I made is undoubtedly the right one."
About these words, and the meaning contained in them, the final negotiations began.
Loken and Hodges sat opposite each other, while Soshyan stood further away, the joints of his power armor roaring with the change of posture.
“But I have sworn allegiance to—”
“To serve the Astartes is to serve the Emperor.”
Loken interrupted Hodges He held the smoking cup in both hands and said:
"Brother, let's be frank, what future do you have in the navy? Those people hate you, just like my colleagues hate me. The same, because they are mediocre people who hate people who are better than them and who are of lower origin than them.”
Hodges made a low hum from his nose, but didn't answer.
"Your talents should not be buried in combating smuggling, Hodges! You should use your command skills to destroy the enemies of the Emperor. I know you are eager for worthy targets, and you also Don't want to be stuck on a frigate."
"With all due respect."
Hodges glanced at Soshyan.
The faces of the Space Marines looked particularly indifferent against the adamantine collar of the power armor. The granite-like flesh and blood seemed to be solidified on the skull. A pair of dark eyes blinked when looking at them, and their lips Occasionally he would let out a dry chuckle.
After knowing what the other party wanted to say, Soshyan stared at Hodges across the low tabletop.
"You look at me like this, as if you are expecting me to kill you."
Hodges forced out a cautious smile.
“This idea has already appeared in my mind.”
Soshyan continued to stare at him, and then raised his chin slightly.
"Say what you want to say."
Even so, Hodges warned himself in his heart.
Be careful, be more careful.
"Speaking with all respect, my lord..."
He took a breath, as if reading his own death declaration.
"...Your so-called fleet doesn't even have a decent frigate." The next second, there was deathly silence in the conference room.
Soshiyang stared back at him indifferently, his eyes fixed but motionless, even less emotional than a servitor.
Loken was also a little nervous. He was also worried that Soshiyang would kill his unscrupulous friend in a rage.
Fortunately, things did not develop to this point in the end.
"I believe that judging the development of a thing cannot only look at the present moment."
Soshiyang said, calm to the extreme.
"Maybe we are still defeated now, but we have firm belief, unshakable determination, and most importantly, absolute justice and fairness."
Silence spread everywhere.
Loken then cleared his throat, took a deep breath and wanted to speak, but Soshyan interrupted him.
"You can leave the cabin now and return to the rest of your life."
Soshyan looked at him intently, and he seemed to be judging and considering.
"Let's each have our own opinions, let's talk about mine first, and let us describe your future prospects together. You will definitely receive a compassionate promotion for your service career before retiring - in the end, it is just Commander of the frigate class, yes, no doubt about that."
The Space Marine had a mocking look on his face.
“But you will be with alcohol and psychotropic drugs for the rest of your life, you know it very well... I see this in your eyes. Although I have no talent for understanding mortal emotions, I promise, I Being able to read truth and lies is as easy as reading words in a book.
Hodges leaned forward, feeling the rolling flames in his chest. He wanted to refute, but couldn't find any reason to refute.
Because he knew that what Soshyan said was right and that he basically had no future. This was also the reason why he became more and more addicted to alcohol - depression often enveloped him.
“But I know that you are seeking enlightenment with a fanatical fire in your eyes, Greller Hodges. Such a fire will burn out a man’s soul, and you will eventually destroy others. , or self-destruction."
"I...I have my duty, that's all."
Soshi Yang's lips curled up, as if he tasted something interesting.
"Of course, yes. By the way, I learned a little bit about your record on the way here, and I found that you are a commander who is very good at seizing the opponent's weaknesses, which is really good."
The praise is from Hodge. Si never expected.
"I... thank you, my lord."
"But do you understand your weaknesses?"
The captain of the Glory Saber hesitated again, he could Feeling the confrontation pass through his fingers.
But he chose to continue to be candid over false humility.
"Yes, sir, I understand."
Soshiyang tilted his head and looked at the mortal in front of him.
“So?”
He planned to end the topic.
"Again, you can leave now and wait for the future to live a life of despair, Hodges, or you can move into areas that others dare not imagine and get the answers you are looking for."
The Space Marine tapped his knuckles on his breastplate, staring at the increasingly uneasy frigate captain.
"Then, your choice is."
(End of this chapter)