klisemfg #2288 - Political alliance
#2288 - Political alliance
Hearing Soshjan mention principles and integrity, Tyrion suddenly revealed a playful expression and asked,
"Ha, does the Chapter Master know much about history?"
"Not really."
"After the Beast Wars ended, the Grand Master of the Assassinorum, Vandire, killed all the High Lords and became the dictator of Terra for a full century. He was eventually killed by Thor, the then Chapter Master of the Imperial Fists, in M32. Afterward, Ultramarines Chapter Master Agnatius led an alliance of over fifty chapters to Terra to clean up the situation and rebuild the High Lords of Terra Council. In M35, with the support of eleven chapters, the new Terra Council declared that it did not recognize the rights of the High Lords of Terra and led the Peace Stars region to independence from the Empire. For 900 years, the Empire was in a state of internal division until those eleven chapters were completely destroyed by twenty newly formed chapters. In M36, High Marshal Sejanus of the Black Templars, together with the Imperial Fists and four other chapters, attacked Vandire, who was entrenched in the Imperial Palace, and overthrew this Lord High Secretary and Ecclesiarch, essentially destroying the Ecclesiarchy's armed forces."
After Tyrion finished speaking, he spread his hands.
"The Astartes have never left the political arena of the Empire, or rather, almost all major political events in the Empire have involved the Astartes. After all, all the principles spoken of eventually come down to fists."
Soshjan listened and forced a smile.
"So, the fact that Itu Hamotallion has such a dominant position in the High Lords of Terra Council is also related to the Minotaurs Chapter?"
"Partly."
"But the Storm Stars region is very far from Terra, perhaps we can't provide you with any help."
Tyrion shook his head.
"Misunderstood. I don't want you to be my thugs, and I don't intend to fight Hamotallion to the death. For me now, the power in my hands is already great enough. At least the High Lords are not very difficult characters for me to deal with. What I really can't deal with are the hordes of heretics, the overwhelming aliens, and the local lords who do nothing but cause trouble."
"So, what do you want me to do for you?"
Tyrion then replied very seriously:
"When the storm rises, when the situation really develops to the point of no return, I hope you can return here."
"Terra?"
Soshjan frowned slightly.
"What could happen here?"
"Perhaps it's too early to say this now, but I've always been prepared for the worst. At least I can foresee that the situation in the Empire will only get worse, not better. Everything, every force, has a critical point. When that moment arrives, everything will collapse. The Empire seems unchanged, but in reality, a major upheaval occurs every three or four millennia. If the next upheaval happens while I'm alive, then I hope to guide it in a good direction, or at least a new direction. I've always suspected that this galaxy is about to become something I don't recognize. A darker era is upon us, and stronger souls are needed to face this era. The Empire can no longer spin in circles."
"If I really return to Terra again, what are you going to do?"
Tyrion did not answer, but said meaningfully.
"We'll know then."
Soshjan said nothing, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest of the chair. What Fan Zhe had said to him before appeared in his mind again - everything is up to him.
He realized very early on that this expedition was being pushed by someone, and the reason was that he had almost no helpers on Terra. He wouldn't know what happened, and the Imperial Fists would still adhere to their principles. They would not overstep their boundaries to help him, especially after Pew's death. That Chapter Master Hagen was visibly not so enthusiastic about the Astral Knights. Perhaps this is the so-called 'out of sight, out of mind'.
So, in the current complex situation, without a grasp of the situation on Terra, perhaps something unexpected would happen to him next time.
More importantly, if others could use the power of Terra to deal with him, then he must also have the means to respond, or at least have a warning, and some of what Tyrion said really touched him.
Regardless of what happens to him personally in the future, he must not stand idly by if the Empire really faces a major crisis or transformation.
Although he still had some concerns in his heart.
"Aren't you worried that this will be discovered by the High Lords? Or rather, my coming here today has probably been placed on their desks. Aren't you worried that they will target you because of this?"
"In a sense, yes. The High Lords' caution has continued from the very beginning. They know their history, and they know what has happened in the past. The power of the Astartes Chapters is still unparalleled. Even after the split of the chapters, if hundreds of chapters unite, they are still more powerful than any military force within the Empire. So, the High Lords are desperately trying to keep the Throneworld and the Chapter Masters at a distance. The Inquisition will not allow any chapter to get too close to the Throneworld for certain interests. Although no matter how much they hate it, it is mutual for both sides - the chapters prefer to stay in the void, so that they can fight the enemies entrenched there."
"Precisely because of these reasons, the only Space Marines I have seen so far, the golden warriors of the Imperial Fists, still retain a monastery on the world they once defended alone, and they are also the most frequent visitors to the radiant inner halls. But like I said before, this situation will also change. From the moment the Minotaurs were established, the High Lords realized that the Astartes Chapters were also their most convenient force for intervening in the Empire's internal affairs. I have never intended to hide my friendship with you. The High Lords will think that I am increasing my political chips, which is within their acceptable range. Believe me, I know them better than anyone. I will never gain a seat on the High Lords of Terra Council. I am both in the circle of power and outside the circle of power. The chips in my hand will not make them nervous, but only make them curious."
Since the other party was so confident, Soshjan no longer hesitated and nodded.
"If it is really necessary in the future, Prime Minister, I will respond to your call and return to Terra, but I don't want this to mean a civil war erupting in the Solar System."
"Rest assured, violence is never within my range of options."
Soshjan hesitated for a while, then blurted out.
"Aren't you worried that I will eventually disappoint your expectations? Perhaps I am not as important as you think."
"I am a person who is good at summarizing patterns. When you were assigned to the expedition, I did everything I could to collect information about your past, Chapter Master Soshjan. I believe in my predictions and vision."
"What is your prediction?"
"A great will has given you a great responsibility."
Soshjan was silent, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He didn't know if this was a joke, perhaps when he returned to Terra again, he would no longer be the person Tyrion knew.
But, what could he do?