Chapter 1286: On This Planet, Who Is the True Master?

Haliwusi watched the back of Aketesi and said in a low voice.

"The Cadians are indeed different."

Corax nodded.

"If those Ashes want to test us, they will learn what pain is."

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the orange-red wasteland appeared exceptionally desolate under the setting sun.

In the distance, the silhouette of Wa'erduosi City was faintly visible.

"Haliwusi."

Corax said.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Any news from Kalidusi Star and Nuowa Star?"

Haliwusi opened the Data Pad.

"The Di 73 Tuan on Kalidusi Star has completed its garrison, and the commander has sent a report that everything is normal. The Seventy-fourth Regiment on Nuowa Star is still conducting final equipment testing, which is expected to be completed within three days."

Corax nodded.

"Tell them not to slack off. Just because the Ashes are behaving now does not mean they will behave forever. What we must do is ensure they never dare to be anything but obedient."

Haliwusi asked.

"My lord, do you think the Ashes will go back on their word?"

Corax thought for a moment.

"Not in the short term. The heat from the assassination incident has not yet passed, and they are in the wrong. Salmox is a smart man; he knows what going back on his word would mean now. But in the long term?"

He paused.

"Hard to say. The Ashes are impulsive and warlike. Their Archon, Xanos, is not a man who can endure. He is enduring now because the situation is stronger than the man. Once he feels the situation has changed, or he finds another backer..."

He did not continue.

But Haliwusi understood.

"So, we must be prepared."

Corax nodded.

"Yes. Be prepared. The best preparation is to let them know that the cost of taking action is far greater than the cost of endurance."

He turned and walked back to the table.

"Send a dispatch to Xiuluo Holy Star and tell Father that the garrison on Wa'erduosi Star is complete. The Cadian Seventy-second Shock Troop is in position and ready to execute the Task at any time."

"Yes, my lord."

Nuowa Star, western border of the Ash Star Alliance.

This was the smallest of the three garrisoned planets and the one with the fewest resources.

The entire planet had only one city, Nuowa City, with a population of less than two million.

There were no mineral deposits here, no industry, only a few patches of barely arable farmland and a group of Ashes who made their living through agriculture.

The Archon of Nuowa Star was named Wiliwuqi, an elderly Ash with six horns on his head and three eyes that were already somewhat clouded.

At this moment, he was standing on the balcony of the Archon's residence, looking at the base under construction in the north of the city.

The gray barracks were more than half built, and the turrets were still being installed, but the soldiers had already moved in.

"Archon."

The Adjutant walked over.

"The Commander of the Seventy-fourth Regiment has sent a note requesting to meet with you tomorrow to discuss the specific details of the garrison."

Weiliwusi did not turn his head.

"Discuss? Discuss what? Haven't they already stationed themselves? What else is there to discuss?"

The Adjutant said cautiously.

"Perhaps... details like patrol areas and communication mechanisms."

Weiliwusi was silent for a long time.

Then he asked.

"How far is that base from the city?"

The Adjutant said.

"Thirty kilometers."

Weiliwusi finally turned around.

"Thirty kilometers. Five thousand Alien Race soldiers, thirty kilometers away from us. Can their artillery reach the city?"

The Adjutant hesitated for a moment.

"Yes."

Weiliwusi gave a bitter smile.

"Yes. Of course they can. They just want us to know that they can."

He walked back to his office and sat down.

"Go tell that Commander that I will see him tomorrow morning. But remember, we are the masters, and they are the guests. Guests can stay, but they cannot wander around the master's house."

The Adjutant nodded.

"Yes, Archon."

Weiliwusi leaned back in his chair, his three eyes staring at the ceiling.

"It has been over a hundred years. I thought no one would ever care about this wretched planet. And yet? It has ended up as someone else's pawn."

He said in a low voice.

"Wa'erduosi Star, Kalidusi Star, Nuowa Star. Three frontier planets, three nails. They chose them truly accurately."

Kalidusi Star, northern frontier of the Ashes Star Alliance.

This is the largest of the three garrison planets, and also the one with the richest resources.

Here there are large-scale mines, smelters, and trade ports; it is the economic center of the entire eastern frontier of the Ashes Star Alliance.

The Archon of Kalidusi Star is named Moertakesi.

He is not as helpless as Sewiusi of Wa'erduosi Star, nor as anxious as Weiliwusi of Nuowa Star.

The garrison of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is a threat to him, but also an opportunity.

It is a threat because these Alien Race soldiers are too close to him.

It is an opportunity because he can use these garrison troops to demand more resources and more power from the Central Council.

"Archon."

His advisor walked in.

"The Commander of the Di 73 Tuan has sent a diplomatic note, hoping to meet with you as soon as possible."

The corners of Moertakesi's mouth lifted slightly.

"No rush. Let them wait two days."

The advisor was stunned for a moment.

"Wait two days? Archon, would that not..."

Moertakesi looked at him.

"Would not what? Offend them?"

The advisor nodded.

Moertakesi laughed.

"Offend? They are guests, we are the hosts. It is only natural for guests to wait for the host."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Besides, I want them to know that Kalidusi Star is not Wa'erduosi Star, and it is not Nuowa Star. This planet has value. Things that have value cannot be treated carelessly."

The advisor asked cautiously.

"Archon, what you mean is..."

Moertakesi turned around and looked at him.

"I mean that they need us more than we need them."

The advisor was puzzled.

Moertakesi walked to the table and pointed at the mine markers on the map.

"Kalidusi Star has the largest mines in the entire eastern frontier of the Ashes Star Alliance. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance needs these ores. If they need them, they have requests of us. If they have requests of us, they cannot act recklessly."

He sat back down in his chair.

"So, no rush. Let them wait. Wait until they understand who the true master is on this planet."