Chapter 51: Persuasion

After a brief meeting, Sothian requested a private discussion regarding some important matters with Captain Hodges, with Locken also participating.

Once a bewildered Hodges followed Sothian to his private briefing room, Locken immediately stated their purpose. This caught Hodges completely off guard and left him profoundly shocked.

An Astartes Chapter intended to embezzle Imperial Navy property—in the grand scheme of things, this was nothing short of rebellion.

Hodges did not answer immediately; he merely remained silent.

Throughout this process, Sothian said nothing, merely watching him.

At one point, Hodges was even convinced that he would die from any single movement made by this warrior.

He was no coward; no one with cowardice flowing through their veins could rise to his rank, especially as a commoner who had won many wars.

Yet, he still recoiled at the grinding hiss of Sothian's power armor joints with every minute movement, and his vitals curled in terror at the heavy thud of the helmet being placed upon the table.

Suddenly, the Space Marine commander turned with an overwhelming sense of oppression, moving to the other side of the cabin to create distance between them.

The sensation of death being inches away finally receded, but it did not vanish; it was replaced by a certainty—that once his true thoughts were voiced, he would not leave this room alive.

It was not that Hodges lacked weapons, but the thought of drawing his pistol for self-preservation was merely a cold and absurd form of self-consolation; using his laspistol against an Astartes was no different from throwing stones at a Land Raider.

Locken, meanwhile, casually poured a cup of tea from a side cupboard, handed it to Sothian, and then poured another for Hodges.

"Hodges, you know me. I am not one to betray the Imperium or the Adeptus Mechanicus. The choices I make are, without question, the right ones."

Wrapped around these words, and the implications contained within them, the final negotiation began.

Locken and Hodges sat opposite each other, while Sothian stood further away, his power armor joints rumbling with every shift in posture.

"But I have already sworn my allegiance—"

"Serving the Astartes is serving the Emperor just the same."

Locken interrupted Hodges' protest. Holding the steaming cup in both hands, he said

"My friend, let us be frank. What future do you have left in the Navy? Those people hate you just as my colleagues hate me, because they are mediocrities; they hate those who are more capable and of lower birth than themselves."

A low grunt escaped Hodges' nose, but he did not respond.

"Your talents should not be wasted on cracking down on smugglers, Hodges! You should apply your command skills to the destruction of the Emperor's enemies. I know you crave meaningful targets, and you have no desire to be stuck on a frigate."

"If I may be blunt."

Hodges glanced at Sothian.

The Space Marine's face appeared exceptionally indifferent against the backdrop of his auramite gorget; his flesh, possessing the texture of granite, seemed frozen upon his skull. A pair of pitch-black eyes blinked as they watched them, and his lips occasionally curled into a dry, low chuckle.

Knowing what the other intended to say, Sothian's gaze drifted over the low table to stare at Hodges.

"You look at me as if you are expecting me to kill you."

Hodges forced a cautious smile.

"That thought has already crossed my mind."

Sothian continued to stare at him, then gave a slight tilt of his chin.

"Say what you have to say."

Even so, Hodges cautioned himself inwardly.

*Careful. Be very careful.*

"With all due respect, my Lord..."

He took a breath, as if reading his own death warrant.

"...your so-called fleet does not even possess a single decent frigate."

In the next second, a deathly silence filled the briefing room.

Sothian stared back at him indifferently, unblinking and motionless, showing perhaps less emotion than a servitor.

Locken was also somewhat nervous; he feared Sothian might, in a fit of rage, end his tactless friend.

Fortunately, things did not escalate to that point.

"I believe that judging the development of a thing cannot be done by looking only at the present," Sothian spoke, with extreme calm.

"Perhaps we are currently a broken remnant, but we possess unwavering conviction, unshakable resolve, and most importantly, absolute justice and fairness."

Silence spread throughout the room.

Then, Locken cleared his throat and took a deep breath to speak, but Sothian interrupted him.

"You can leave this cabin right now and return to the rest of your life."

Sothian locked eyes with him, appearing to be judging and deliberating.

"Let us simply agree to disagree. Let me speak of my path first. Let us paint a vision of your future: before your retirement, you will undoubtedly receive a sympathetic promotion due to your service—ultimately, you will merely be a commander of frigate class; yes, that much is certain."

A mocking expression crossed the Space Marine's face.

"But the rest of your life will be spent in the company of alcohol and psychotropic drugs. You know this well... I see it in your eyes. Though I have no talent for understanding mortal emotions, I guarantee that I can read truth and lies as easily as reading words on a page."

Hodges leaned forward, feeling the fire churning within his chest. He wanted to argue, but could find no grounds for rebuttal.

Because he knew Sothian was right. He had virtually no future, which was precisely why he drank more and more—melancholy was his constant companion.

"But I know you are seeking revelation. There is still a flame of fanaticism in your eyes, Greller Hodges. Such a flame will burn a man's soul to ash; in the end, you will either destroy others or destroy yourself."

"I... I have my duties, nothing more."

The corners of Sothian's lips curled, as if he had tasted something interesting.

"Of course you do. Incidentally, on my way here, I learned a little about your combat record. I found you to be a commander very skilled at exploiting an opponent's weaknesses. That is quite commendable."

The praise was something Hodges had never expected.

"I... thank you, my Lord."

"But do you know your own weakness?"

The Captain of the *Glory's Blade* fell into hesitation once more; he could feel the clash of wills passing through his fingertips.

But he chose to maintain honesty rather than hypocritical humility.

"Yes, my Lord. I know."

Sothian tilted his head, scrutinizing the mortal before him.

"And?"

He intended to end the topic.

"As I said, you can leave now and wait for that desperate life in the future, Hodges. Or, you can step into realms others dare not imagine, and find the answers you seek."

The Space Marine tapped his breastplate with a knuckle, watching the increasingly uneasy frigate captain.

"So, your choice is..."

(End of Chapter)