In the early morning, the mountainous areas are covered with a layer of mist, which will melt like frost and snow within half an hour under direct sunlight.
Soshyan still stayed in the Thunder Eagle's cabin, staring intently at the light green fluorescent screen.
Before the first ray of morning sun rose, among the 500 candidates, 82 people were "eliminated", 6 groups were completely wiped out, and 4 strongholds changed hands.
The once vivid life turned into a cold corpse overnight.
Soshyan is not cruel by nature, but as Saul said, they are in a stage of total war and cannot tolerate any weakness.
But he also made a decision that the results would not be disclosed to the public, and everything would only be run within the war group. This might allow the parents who sent their children to him to have some thoughts in their hearts.
Suddenly, the hatch behind him was opened.
"Soshyan."
Thor appeared behind him.
"Losa asked me to tell you that Governor Battis has applied for a meeting with you again."
Soshyan's shoulders sank slightly.
"This is the fifteenth time."
"No, it's actually the seventeenth time this month."
"Didn't I ask Lothar to reply to him and say I was busy?"
"This time he had a different reason."
Sol walked to him and looked at the screens, some of which had gone out.
Those black blocks are particularly dazzling when surrounded by shiny screens.
"What reason?"
"It's about building warships. It's said that they have applied for a casting template from the nearest forging world and can start construction soon."
This surprised Soshyan.
After returning to the home planet, besides recruiting troops, the second most important thing is to expand the size of the fleet.
His expectation is that when the first batch of recruits complete the transformation, the chapter fleet will have at least one battle barge (Spark transformation), five moon-class cruisers, and more than twenty frigates.
Such a fleet may not be large in size, but it is definitely enough for the sparse Astral Knights Chapter.
And the most important thing is that Soshyan understands the industrial level of his home planet. The orbital dock of Nessen 4 can easily build moon-class cruisers, and even several can be started at the same time.
In the history of the planet, easy-to-build moon-class cruisers have been produced for the sector fleet many times. However, after the planet's mineral resources were almost exhausted, the production capacity declined, and production tasks were not carried out frequently.
But the production capacity is still there.
However, although Soshyan's idea is good, it is not easy to implement.
Because according to imperial law, a planet is not allowed to manufacture warships on its own. It must obtain approval from the Ministry of Military Affairs or a letter of authorization from some agency before receiving a template from the Forge World for construction.
Although templates are not necessarily required to make moon-level ones, it is considered an internal process within the Mechanicus.
If you skip it, it will be very difficult to find a mechanical priest for maintenance in the future.
Therefore, when Soshyan presented his needs to the Planet Governor, he was told that the whole process would be more troublesome than he expected.
Although the Space Marine's authorization letter can obtain the casting template, because Nessen IV is not the legal home planet of the Astral Knight, and there is no relevant authorization from the Sector Governor, they must go through many tedious steps.
Only after going through various bureaucracies can this matter be settled.
Although Soshyan was anxious to expand the fleet, he also knew the slowness of the imperial bureaucracy. No matter how hard he pressed the planetary governor on this matter, he could only urge him from time to time.
But I didn't expect that the other party's efficiency was unexpectedly high. It only took a few days and it was already done.
"Then I have to go see him."
Knowing that the other party must want something, Soshyan decided to meet the master of this planet.
"I'll leave this place to you for now, Instructor Sol."
"Well, feel free to go."
After leaving Thunderhawk, Soshyan summoned a shuttle and told Lothar that he agreed to meet with him.
The location is, of course, the Winter Palace.
About half an hour later, Soshyan arrived at the main hall of the Winter Palace with a team of soldiers, and was led by a servant to an interview room in the gorgeous palace alone.
The Winter Palace is the tallest building in the entire Neisen IV, almost above the clouds.
Through the huge windows that have been wiped clean as new, you can see the salt water of the polluted bay 50 kilometers away from the house.
Looking closer, you can see ornithopters and biplanes buzzing between various huge urban buildings. The high-power headlights of rail transit vehicles penetrate the haze and head toward the tarmac.
direction flashes.
Outside the hive, in the yellow sullen air, promethium smelters exhale brown smoke into the eternal dusk.
Toxic wastewater rivers surround those industrial areas. If it were not for the transformation technology of the Mechanicus, these poisonous fogs could easily envelope the entire hive.
"The Emperor's blessing, my lord."
At this time, several maids walked into the interview room. They were all wearing blue brocade dresses with silk shawls, which fully met most people's requirements for "beautiful women."
They were holding exquisite wine bottles and wine glasses, as well as various fruits and desserts, including hot towels.
They looked particularly petite in front of the armored Astartes.
"Sir, do you need anything?"
The voices of these maids are very beautiful and graceful. They are undoubtedly specially trained. Just speaking is like singing.
Soshyan shook his head.
"I don't plan to delay here, where is Battis."
"I received your request, I'll go right away."
The maid bent her knees slightly and withdrew.
Soon, she brought the owner in.
Batis Venethor, the planetary governor of Neisser IV, is also the patriarch of the family that has controlled this planet for thousands of years.
He is a big man wearing a double-breasted brown robe, but his delicate boy-like face makes his huge frame less prominent, and his short dark brown hair is neatly combed and shiny - there is no doubt that this
People have used certain life-extending surgeries.
He was accompanied by two bodyguards wearing gray uniforms with external breastplates and a small, pretty lady wearing a dark blue coat.
"Governor Battis."
Soshyan said, gently holding the other person's outstretched hand.
"I am the Chapter Master of the Astral Knights Chapter, Soshyan Alexei."
"The ancient House of Alexei is honored by you, Chapter Master."
Battis smiled, walked to his chair, sat on it, and pointed to a particularly large hardwood chair.
"The Chapter Master's presence has made this place shine. Please take a seat."
"No need, I don't want to waste your time, Governor."
Soshyan said, taking a step forward and staring at the other person's face.
"You have a manufacturing license, right."
Soshyan spoke very directly, which made Battis a little embarrassed.
He waved his hand to signal everyone else to leave. After closing the door again, he said carefully:
"Yes, I used some family connections and finally got this thing done in the shortest time."
"So, Governor."
Soshiyang took another step forward and said in a deep voice:
"You've called me seventeen times this month. What's the reason?"
"That...is..."
Governor Battis suddenly became a little nervous. He took out a handkerchief from his breast pocket and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"one person--"
"I see."
Soshyan took a step back.
"To thank you for your assistance and contribution to the Chapter, I will give him one last chance."
"I can't thank you enough! I can't thank you enough!"
Battis clenched his hands into fists and kept smiling apologetically to Soshiyang, as if a child had made a mistake at school and was begging the teacher for forgiveness. The majesty of the planetary governor was completely absent.
"but.
Soshyan changed the topic.
"Governor, I hope you can also remember that we are the Chapter Astartes. If he insists on doing this, then his life belongs to the Emperor. This is something that no one can change."
Batis's face suddenly turned pale, and Soshyan turned around and walked towards the door without looking back.