Dealing with chapter affairs and alliance affairs is enough to keep Soshiyang busy every day, and even his routine training must be frequently rescheduled or interrupted.
After being busy like this for almost two months, he basically had more time. However, the holy emperor didn't seem to want him to be idle just now.
Just when Soshyan was at the planetary orbital station that was being rebuilt, inspecting the repair progress of the battleship, a piece of news suddenly came.
"We are being contacted, Chapter Master."
When he walked into the orbital communication station, the mortal officers inside stood up one after another.
Soshyan raised his hand, motioning everyone to return to where they had just entered, and then faced the officer who issued the report.
"Imperial?"
"The prefix for identifying the incoming ship is Imperial Fists Chapter - Shield of Courage."
Just as the officer finished speaking, bright runes appeared on the auspicious mirror.
"Danat Lysander, First Captain of the Imperial Fists, has requested an audience with his brothers in the Astral Knights Chapter."
chanted the Astropath Mistress from her bird's nest-like seat atop a mass of synaptic conduits.
"We bring news and congratulations from Terra, and now request permission to board the ship for a formal reception."
Soshyan thought for a moment, observing the approaching locating runes.
The opponent is still a long way from entering visual range, but it has already left the subspace.
"Captain Lysander is here."
Armin still has very deep memories and impressions of this legendary hero.
"I would rather take the initiative to meet him than let him end up on this broken track."
Soshyan made his decision and then beckoned the warriors to get ready.
"You can go too."
About 10 hours later, the strike cruiser Aegis of Valor appeared in orbit of Nessen IV, which was left afloat as the orbital dockyard was now overcrowded with ships in need of repairs.
This ancient warship is as much a tool of war as it is a creation of beauty, its surface decorated with classic Terran script, giving it the appearance of a vast desert covered with rust.
When Soshyan's shuttle passed through the slender belly of the ship and climbed towards the towers where the bridge was located, he appreciated the almost forced decoration on the upper edge of the ship's side and the hull plating - with exquisite carvings. Carved angel statues, bronze patterns deep into the vent panels, towers and turrets weave the huge superstructure.
"I've never looked closely at this battleship before."
Soshyan mused as the spiers and domes slid beneath him.
"——At that time, I just wanted to return to Obsidian Fortress as soon as possible."
As the shuttle floated into the entrance of a cavernous hangar, dozens of Imperial Fists warriors were waiting as an Honor Guard.
The leader was a warrior clad in yellow armor, which shone brightly in the hangar lights. The combat plate armor was as exquisite as everything else in the ship, polished to the point that it must be made of glass.
The warrior was not wearing a helmet, and his face was angular, like one of the statues surrounded by pilasters and velvet placed around them.
Soshyan remembered this man, who was supposed to be Lysander's second-in-command.
He stepped out of the illuminated shuttle, accompanied by Armin and Ustad respectively. A small escort of four warriors wearing Terminator armor followed behind - the Terminators abandoned by the Red Pirates. There was a lot of armor, and after recycling and purification, the Astral Knights were given twelve complete sets, which greatly supplemented the battle group's attack power.
Seeing Soshyan appear, the unhelmeted Imperial Fists warrior bowed in greeting.
"Welcome to the Shield of Courage, Chapter Commander Soshyan, I am Cliff Kurtz, Captain of the First Tactical Team. I have met you once, and I have heard about many of your achievements from afar. The same goes for the company commander, who is eagerly looking forward to meeting you again."
"They are all just loyal to the emperor."
Soshyan nodded humbly, and Cliff Kurtz then looked at the warriors following Soshyan, and was quite satisfied with what he saw - they were all the most hard-core warriors, who did not allow compromise, just like the Imperial Fist style like that.
"Please come with me."
Afterwards, Soshyan and his warriors were led through the many levels of the battleship.
As they approached the command level, a large number of marble pillars and floors with bright red veins spread out before their eyes. They were escorted to the reception room, hundreds of meters away from the magnificent observation dome on the upper level of the bridge.
Five minutes later, Kliff Kurtz stopped in front of two double-sided gold-plated doors.
"The First Company Commander would like to discuss it in a private fraternal environment. If you are pleased, I can... entertain your men."
"certainly."
Soshyan agreed and entered the room alone.
Soon, the door behind him closed, and the faint sound of armored military boots gradually faded away.
"The soldiers are actually very curious about you."
Words came from the other end of the cabin.
"You have to forgive them, and frankly, I do too."
The room was quite large, with rows of columns supporting a high coffered ceiling, and the surface was painted with the seal of the Imperial Fists' homeworld.
Lysander, wearing ceremonial armor, walked towards Soshyan, holding a goblet in each hand, and then handed one to Soshyan.
"Respect the love of brotherhood."
he said, raising his glass.
"For the Emperor."
Soshyan smiled slightly and drank the contents of the cup.
The wine in the glass is full and fragrant, with a mellow and long taste. It is a priceless treasure on any planet. There is no doubt that it comes from the top manor in Terra.
It is said that all the people of Old Terra are like this.
"Fifteen years have passed since we were separated. Time flies so fast."
Lysander said, waving towards two huge, ivory-covered seats.
"My first impression of you back then was that of a naive and fearful little warrior. Now, look, you have turned into a great hero who can stand alone."
"I'm humble, I'm still the little warrior in front of you."
Soshyan sat down awkwardly across from Lysander, trying to be as humble as possible.
"Soshiyang, you know, you are a famous person now."
Lysander smiled and said:
"Your name is spoken by the High Lords and Chapter Masters from Terra to the far reaches of the Ultramarines. Does it bring you joy to be a source of some fascination?"
"Well...actually I'm not that happy."
"Indeed, I guess so."
Lysander shrugged, then suddenly leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Tell me, what is your secret to defeating that bastard Huron."
In fact, Soshyan had already guessed that the other party might ask such a question, so he had already made a plan.
He picked up the wine glass that had been filled by the servitor, took a sip, and replied calmly:
"There is only one trick, take advantage of the enemy's greedy and cowardly nature."
"Oh? What do you say?"
"Huron is a pirate. All his decisions will be based entirely on the distribution of interests and his own considerations. He has no sense of personal honor, let alone the courage to move forward. Most of the time, he will appear cautious and overly cautious."
Putting down his glass, Soshyan began to reveal some details.
"Before the attack, he sent a reconnaissance team to our planet. He was too careless and underestimated us. We captured that reconnaissance team and knew Huron's attack plan in advance."
"So that's it."
Lysander nodded slightly.
"But it's not enough for you to win."
