"Envoy Faisal, I want an explanation."
In a reception room of the Eternal Loyalty, Soshyan, without armor, sat on a huge and cold metal chair, with his hands on the armrests on both sides, and his right index finger occasionally tapped the cold and hard metal, even if Even the bright lights couldn't dispel the clouds on his face.
Opposite him, Faisal stood a little uneasily, like a minister who had made a mistake and was facing his harsh 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 it was relatively pleasant to get along with the other party.
However, now he felt as if he had been tricked. Soshyan rarely got angry. He had 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 true?"
Facing Soshyan's cold inquiry, Feisal pursed his lips. He was also very annoyed now, because he had indeed reported this matter to Terra, and the High Lords Council also responded that it was okay, but now he suddenly went back on his word. , isn’t this trying 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 Master's ability and his reputation in the Adeptus Astartes. If If this matter is publicized, Faisal will probably be labeled as "fooling the hero of the empire".
He knows the empire's bureaucracy very well. At that time, no one will come out to explain and defend themselves, let alone anyone willing to take responsibility for others, so he will be collectively hostile by the Astartes, and his future will be bleak. Light.
But it is difficult to explain this matter, because Terra's instructions were conveyed orally by messengers or astropaths, leaving no "evidence" at all. There is nothing to prove that the High Lords Council agreed to 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 didn't answer, Soshyan suddenly chuckled and shook his head.
"Special 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. Now I suddenly backtracked. Putting aside my personal reputation, Don’t the high lords even have any shame? Do you know what promises and oaths mean to the Astartes! What do you think will happen if they are driven to a dead end and let them be completely disappointed with the Empire? What do you think might happen?”
When it came to the latter part, Soshyan's tone was so severe that it was almost scolding. He poked the metal armrest of the chair with his finger and asked in a low voice:
"Envoy Faisal! Where do you think those 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 Soshyan, I am angrier than you right now."
He knows very well that putting aside his relationship at this time will only arouse the other party's deeper disgust. The more anxious he is to defend himself, the more he will appear to be in the wrong. This 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 Soshiyang'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 even know how to face them now."
"Captain Soshyan, please be patient. This matter may not be that simple. I swear on my soul that I did report it to Terra and received a reply."
"I believe in your character. I just want to know what's going on? Terra dismissed us with just one sentence without any explanation! Now that I can talk to you here, it has proven that I am a person with a very bad temper. Good man, if you were an Astartes like Seth or Kosaro Khan, do you know what the situation would be like?"
"Yes, you are the leader of the Soshiyang Chapter. I know that you are a reasonable person. In fact, this matter is my personal guess. It may be that there are differences of opinion within the high lord. I am also reporting why the Mantis Warriors came. Mentioned. It was the Inquisition that presided over the trial of the Mantis Warriors back then. I think most high lords actually didn’t have much opinion on whether the Mantis Warriors had redeemed themselves. After all, it was far away from them and there was nothing. It’s a matter of interest, so the only place where there may be duplication is the Tribunal.”
Soshyan narrowed his eyes.
"There are a total of 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..."
"Like what?"
"For example. Such as showing the authority of the High Lords Council, or making the Mantis Warriors resent you for this matter."
Soshyan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and laughed. This made Feisas' hands tremble, and then he asked carefully:
"Why is the Chapter Master laughing?"
"I laugh at the fact that those who run the Empire are such stupid and unintelligent people! Couldn't they have imagined who the Mantis Warriors would really resent? They may have a grudge against me, but their real resentment will be directed at the Empire! Is this worth it! Isn't it worth it? To them, a war group is not as valuable as causing a little trouble for me, Soshiyang!?”
"Chapter Commander, please don't get excited. Actually..."
"I'm not excited. I'm sorry, Envoy Faisal, I just said some harsh words to you."
"It's okay, it's okay, I understand."
Soshyan sighed softly, then straightened up.
"Is there any way to convince those short-sighted villains?"
"Well"
It would be difficult for Faisal to find a solution. After all, he was just a senior diplomat. The most he could do was send 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.
Seeing the embarrassed expression on the other side, Soshyan took a deep breath through his nose.
"If that's the case, then I won't go forward. You send a message to Terra. If the Mantis Warriors can't go to Terra, then the Astral Knights won't go either. I will give them my laurel crown in three days. I hung the flag on the Gate of Bliss, and then left. There are some words that I shouldn’t have said as an Astartes, but now I have to say that loyalty does not mean being submissive.”
"This is the Soshyan Chapter Commander, you"
Feisal's heart trembled. To send this out would be to break his face publicly. The High Lords Council would not accept such humiliation. If it went to an extreme result, even if an armed conflict did not break out, the Astral Knights would probably become Becoming the next Space Wolves, this victory could 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 burst into fantastic ideas.
While Feisal was thinking, an idea suddenly came to him, and then he said:
"Chapter Master Soshyan, I have an idea, maybe"
"Um?"
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.
