"Special Envoy Faisal, I want an explanation."
In a reception room on the Eternal Loyalty, Soshyan, who was unarmored, sat on a huge and cold metal chair with his hands on both sides. On his armrest, the index finger of his right hand occasionally tapped the cold, hard metal. Even the bright light could not dispel the clouds on his face.
Across from him, Faisal stood a little uneasily, like a minister who had made a mistake and was facing his strict king.
Soshyan has never treated the other party with this attitude, because he has always respected the other party's identity and position. Faisal did not do anything after experiencing the Minotaur incident, at least with the other party It's quite pleasant to get along with him.
However, now he feels as if he has been tricked. Soshyan is rarely angry. He has always tried to control his emotions, but this time he was really angry.
"Special Envoy Faisal, I remember that I informed you in advance about the Mantis Warrior incident, and explained the entire request very carefully and carefully. Then you said that Terra also agreed. Is this the case?"
Facing Soshyan's cold inquiry, Feisal pursed his lips. He was also very annoyed now, because he did report this matter to Terra, and the High Lords Council also responded that it was okay. , now suddenly going back on his word, isn't this going to embarrass him? Isn't this going to harm him? Although he believed Soshyan would not harm himself, it was possible to stuff him into a lifeboat and throw him out.
More importantly, as a member of the empire's foreign affairs department, he really didn't want to offend Soshiyan, because through this expedition he had already seen the chapter leader's ability, and when the opponent was in Asta If this matter was publicized, Feisal would probably be labeled as "fooling the hero of the empire".
He knew the empire's bureaucracy very well. At that time, no one would come out to explain and defend themselves, and no one would be willing to take responsibility for others, so he would be collectively hostile to the Astartes. The future will also be bleak.
But it is difficult to explain this matter, because Terra's instructions were conveyed by messengers or astropaths, leaving no "evidence" at all. There is nothing to prove that the High Lords Council agreed. this matter.
Considering that one of the characteristics of the imperial bureaucracy is capriciousness, Faisal, who is very familiar with the internal games of the high lords and the intrigues between the imperial institutions, was initially surprised by this incident, and soon realized that there might be a lot to it. .
But how should I tell Soshyan about this?
Seeing that Feisal did not answer, Soshyan suddenly chuckled and shook his head.
“Envoy Faisal, I hope you can understand that it was not I who promised the battle brothers of the Mantis Warriors Chapter, but the Imperial Council who promised the Mantis Warriors, and now suddenly backtracks, my personal reputation Putting it aside, don’t the high lords even have any face? Do you know what promises and oaths mean to the Astartes! If they are driven to a dead end and they are completely disappointed in the empire, What do you think will happen? What do you think might happen?"
After speaking, Soshyan's tone was so severe that he almost scolded him. He poked the metal arm of the chair with his finger and asked in a low voice:
"Envoy Faisal! Where do you think the traitors from the Red Pirates came from! Ah! Tell me!"
Faisal took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then said:
"Captain Soshiyang, I am angrier than you right now."
He knows very well that if he puts aside his relationship at this time, he will only arouse deeper disgust from the other party, and the more anxious he is to defend himself. , the more it seems that he is in the wrong, which sounds a bit strange, after all, people's instinctive reaction is to defend themselves.
But Space Marines are different. Once they have a preconceived view, it is difficult to change. This is why most Space Marines find it difficult to communicate——
They are all stubborn, some even extremely stubborn.
Fortunately, Soshyan is not, at least not stubborn, but his mentality is similar.
As a senior diplomat, Faisal clearly realized that he should stay calm at this time, analyze the problem, not be controlled by emotions, and try to understand the other party's situation and thoughts.
After putting away the handkerchief, he looked solemnly and fearlessly greeted Suo Shiyang's gaze.
“I have seen the performance of the Mantis Warriors during the expedition. I am also their sympathizer and willing to help them clear their past sins.”
Soshiyang frowned slightly. It would be hard for him to have another attack if the other party said this, so he leaned back and supported his chin with his fist.
“Then what’s going on? I don’t know how to face them now.”
“Captain Soshiyang, please be patient, this matter I'm afraid it's not that simple. I'm willing to swear on my soul that I did report it to Terra and got a reply."
"I believe in your character. I just want to know what's going on? Terra dismissed us with just one word, without any explanation! Now that I can talk to you here, I have proven that I am a very good-tempered person. If I were someone like Seth or Kosaro Khan, Start, do you know what the situation will be like?”
“Yes, it’s Captain Soshyan. I know you are a reasonable person. In fact, this is my personal guess, it may be. There are differences of opinion within the high lords. I also mentioned in the report why the Mantis Warrior came. And it was the Tribunal that presided over the trial of the Mantis Warrior that year. I think most of the people have opinions on whether the Mantis Warrior has redeemed himself. The high lords actually don't have many opinions. After all, it is a matter that is far away from them and has no interest, so the only thing that may cause recurrence is the Tribunal." Soshiyang narrowed his eyes.
“There are twelve members of the High Lords Council. Just the Inquisition can sway the decision of the entire council? Are the other eleven just yes-men?”
“No, but they Can use various reasons to shake other people's minds, such as."
"For example, what?"
"For example, such as showing the authority of the High Lords Council, or letting the Mantis Warriors do it because of this. Something makes you angry. ”
Soshyan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed. This made Feisas' hands tremble, and then he asked carefully:
"Why is the Chapter Leader laughing?"
" I laugh at the fact that the people running the empire are so stupid and unintelligent! Can they not imagine who the Mantis warriors will really resent? But their real resentment will be towards the empire! Is it worth it! For them, a war group is not as valuable as causing a little trouble for me, Soshiyang!"
"Chapter leader, please don't get excited, actually..."
"I Not excited. Sorry, Envoy Faisal, I just said some harsh words to you.”
"It's okay, it's okay, I understand."
Soshiyang sighed softly, and then straightened up.
"Is there any way to convince those short-sighted villains?"
"Well"
As for the way, this is difficult for Faisal. After all, he He was just a senior diplomat, and the most he could do was issue a report. More importantly, someone might take the opportunity to punish him.
Every institution and department in the empire is full of internal struggles, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is no exception.
Looking at the other party's troubled expression, Soshyan took a deep breath through his nose.
"If this is the case, then I will not go forward yet. You send a message to Terra. If the Mantis Warriors cannot go to Terra, then the Astral Knights will not go either. In three days I will Hang the laurel wreath and flag they gave me on the Gate of Bliss, and then leave. There are some words that I should not say as an Astartes, but now I have to say that loyalty does not mean resignation."
"This Soshiyan Chapter Commander, you"
Faisal's heart trembled. To send this out would be tantamount to publicly breaking his face. The High Lords Council would not accept such humiliation. , if it goes to an extreme result, even if an armed conflict does not break out, the Astral Knight is likely to become the next Space Wolf, and this victory will turn into an embarrassing conflict.
Regardless of whose face this slap falls on, Faisal himself will probably be blamed.
Once people are forced into a desperate situation, they usually have fantastic ideas.
While Feisal was thinking, an idea suddenly came to him, and then he said:
"Captain Soshyan, I have an idea, maybe"
"Huh?"
A few hours later, the fleet of the Astral Knights left the orbit of Jupiter and rushed to Terra, while the ships belonging to the Mantis Warriors stayed in place. It seemed that everything was developing according to the design of the High Lord.